Published On: February 26, 2019

Spring begins this year on March 20, and this year you’ll really want to keep that date in mind. A time of new beginnings, spring is also time for a new contract for the educators of Boston! Bargaining teams for both the BTU and the BPS are devoting many hours this week and next to try to resolve our contract.

After 11 months and hundreds of hours at the bargaining table, however, it is time for the members of the BTU to stand up and demand more nursing services for our kids, more social and emotional supports, more paraprofessionals, smaller classes, pay equity for educators in all schools, and fully staffed inclusion classrooms. That is why we have scheduled a rally at the Bolling Building on March 20 at 5 PMPlease mark your calendars now!

Across the country in recent weeks, we have seen teachers and school staff stand shoulder to shoulder with this same message. In Los Angeles, Denver and Oakland, teachers have walked out for a fair contract. We are asking Boston’s educators to Walk IN each Friday beginning March 1, by gathering outside for 15 minutes before school and walking into school together. And on March 20, we are asking all BTU members to join us for a rally for the contract and the schools our students deserve. Please spread the word to all of your colleagues, and be sure to post pictures from your school’s Walk-Ins with the hashtags #StudentsDeserve, #RedForEd and #BTUproud. Let us know you’ll join us on March 20.

Find resources, links, ideas and a toolkit on the BTU website at btu.org/studentsdeserve.

If you haven’t RSVPed yet, please let us know if you’ll join us for Educator Wellness Day on Saturday, March 9. Paras, subs, teachers — all are invited to join us for a day of relaxation and healing and a celebration of self-care in our work as educators. There will be workshops to choose from: yoga, calligraphy, meditation, and Zumba. Learn from a panel of educators on their practices of self-care and building resilient cultures of support at school. Read more, download a flyer and register:btu.org/educatorwellness.

Finally, with heavy hearts, we announce the birth and passing of President Jessica Tang’s baby boy, James Jonas “JJ” Tang Attah. JJ was born and passed away last week after developing complications in utero. We ask you to join us in sending love in spirit and respecting Jessica’s privacy on this matter as she, her partner, Reuben, and their families navigate this grief. In lieu of flowers, Jessica and Reuben have asked that you consider planting a tree in JJ’s memory so that his life can call forth more life on this earth.

Thank you.

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