Good morning. We hope your week went well. On to our first full week…
Negotiations with the School Department on a successor contract resume this evening, and again we state that all official updates will arrive from the BTU office via this eBulletin and shortly thereafter via Twitter. Be sure to follow us there! As we continue the negotiations process there are a few important things to keep in mind: the current contract continues, and rumors will be aplenty. There’s little to add about the former — all salary adjustments, lane changes, and so on continue, as do class size provisions and everything else. On the latter, disregard what you may hear on negotiation updates unless you hear it directly from this eBulletin. When there is something accurate and real to report, you will find it here.
Incidentally, we have signed up a few more new members (including a few second year employees) whose email addresses we have just received from the school district. Welcome to this email list, which is used only for delivery for our bulletins. The list is protected and will not be used for any other purpose. We will not share it with any other organization. You may manage your preferences below.
To our new members: We welcome our new teachers to our profession and wish them well. Welcome to our team of educators! Last week we sent out an explanation as to your benefits as well as a few other things. We repeat it here in case you didn’t get a copy. Any questions please let us know. Best wishes from all of your BTU colleagues!
The first BTU membership meeting of the year is tomorrow, Wednesday, September 14 at 4:30 PM. Please bring your new membership card, which was sent out late last week. Many who are on this list will not have received the snail-mailed membership card, which is a case of technology trumping (not fond of that word right now) snail mail. No problem; even if you did not receive the membership card, there will be a table set up to verify your eligibility.
Over the next few months, we have two major tasks. One is to settle our contract negotiations in a manner that is good for students, good for our schools, and fair to our members. Our other task is to defeat Question 2. See below for much more on that.
Please note: The BTU office will be closed on Thursday, September 22 and Friday, September 23 for an all-office retreat. The Health and Welfare office will be open.
Why Would Two Walmart Heirs Contribute $1.835 Million to the Yes on 2 Committee? Hmmm….
We know that some millionaire hedgefunders and pro-business lobby strongly favor Question 2 as it fits in nicely with their world view. This support has helped the pro-charter forces raise close to $20 million to support their ad campaign. Here’s some more proof: A September 9 report from the Mass Ballot Committee released a filing that reveals two members of the Walton clan have donated $1.835 million to the Yes on 2 Committee. That’s quite a committment from two Arkansas residents. See a report on these contributions.
Evaluation Assistance
The BTU is hosting an Evaluation Workshop this Saturday, September 18, 2016 from 8:30 -12:30 in order to assist any members, new to the BPS or veteran educators, who may have questions about the evaluation process or their individual situations.
Please register by contacting ddwyer@btu.org. Please bring your laptop and a copy of your most recent evaluation.
Join Us at the Jamaica Plain Canvass Next Weekend: NO on 2
All are invited to participate in a NO on 2 Canvass in Jamaica Plain next Sunday, September 18 from 11 AM to 1 PM. We’ll be joining with our friends and colleagues, 425 in all, who belong to the MTA and live in Jamaica Plain. It’ll be fun, a great chance to meet with other colleagues and a terrific opportunity to gather support keeping the cap. We hope to see you there. For planning purposes, please remember to sign up here.
The canvas will run from 11 AM to 1 PM from 11 Harris Avenue. Harris Avenue is off of Centre Street at JP Seafood, and there is a municipal parking lot on Harris Ave. Come at 10:45 and have a cup of coffee before you set out. There will be a brief training and then you will be given a packet of materials, including a list of the doors to knock and campaign materials. Please sign up.
Here’s the letter that went out to our MTA colleagues.
If This Isn’t a Conflict of Interest, We Don’t Know What is…
The Boston Herald reports:
Venture capitalist Paul Sagan, chairman of the state’s Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, donated $100,000 to the committee pushing a ballot question to expand charter schools in Massachusetts — prompting questions about his ability to be impartial on future charter school applications…
Continue reading on the Herald website.
Governor Baker: Criticism of Paul Sagan is “ridiculous.” See a State House News Service report.
Sign a petition seeking Paul Sagan’s removal.
Boston loses more than $150 million to charters each year. That’s $2,500 for every student in your school! Save Our Public Schools: NO on 2! Get Involved this Week!
As our families, students and teachers gear up for the school year, voters will now be tuning in more to the local ballot questions and races. We need your help to make sure as many Massachusetts voters have heard of Question 2 and the devastating effect lifting the cap on Commonwealth charters would have on public school funding and our students with the highest needs. Download the one pager to learn more and share.
Every week our organizing team sends out weekly activities from canvasses in your neighborhood to phone banks and tabling opportunities. Can you help for two hours? Sign up at www.btu.org/sops or email Jessica at jtang@btu.org.
Get involved this week!
- This Thursday, September 15 from 4-5 PM: Visibility Stand Out at Kosciuszko Circle. Meet at the BTU at 3:45.
- This Thursday, September 15 from 5-8 PM: Light dinner and phone bank to voters!
- Sunday, September 18: Canvass in Jamaica Plain from 11 AM to 1 PM
Please RSVP for dinner purposes by sending a quick email to Jessica.
Keep an eye out for our #LifttheCap myth of the week!
Charter Myth of the Week: There are over 32,000 families on waitlists for charter schools in Massachusetts!
Fact: A closer look at recently released state data shows that the number of first-time applicants to charters who didn’t get in is actually 23,601. Interestingly, this number also includes in-district charters that lifting the cap would have no affect on. Speaking of real waiting lists, we know BPS also has a waiting list. Last year’s BPS waiting list exceeded 21,000.
Coming Up: Recruiting a New Election Committee for the BTU Election
If you’re interested in becoming a member of the election committee for the upcoming BTU election, please read on.
An Election Committee consisting of fifteen (15) members in good standing of the BTU and/or the RTC shall be selected from among nominees who have submitted a written statement of interest to the President of the Union by the September 20th immediately preceding the preliminary and final elections. The President shall submit to the Executive Board the names of all such members in good standing who have submitted a timely statement of interest at the Executive Board’s first meeting after September 20th…
Interested in becoming a member of the election committee? Please email us a written statement of interest.
Professional Learning
The BTU Inquiry Project: Graduate Credit for Personal Professional Learning
“This is the best, most meaningful, most relevant, most challenging, most self-directed PD you will ever get to be a part of.” –BTU Teacher-Researcher
We are now accepting applications for year three of the BTU Inquiry Project. In this teacher-facilitated inquiry program, fellows conduct rigorous scholarly research on a question that is important to you and your students. The course begins in October. Read our Frequently Asked Questions and see all application information. More details and final course schedule coming soon. See examples of last year’s work in this blog post by member Jennifer Dines and download the flyer (note new application deadline of September 19).
Stay Informed About Professional Learning in BPS
Did you see this week’s Professional Learning Initiative (PLI) Update? It’s time to subscribe to this “never more than weekly” email newsletter about professional learning for BPS educators. Updates contain information about upcoming learning opportunities, links to professional resources, and interesting readings about education and professional development. Sign up today.
ASPIRE Teacher Support PD Project
Hosted by: Wheelock College
Target Audience: Pre-K-2nd grade teachers (in years 1-3)
Year-long program that offers free PD to teachers within their first three years of teaching in BPS. Through a combination of online and in-person sessions, teachers take three competency-based PD modules. Visit here to learn more or email Barbara Joseph.
Attention, Schedule A School Teachers
Do you have any questions as to your teaching schedule, your P&D time and so on? Here’s a chart that’s easy to understand. Please email Paul Tritter with any questions.
New Mission football players say “No on 2”
BTU Member News
Childcare Registration for September
This year we will be piloting a childcare program at our membership meetings in an attempt to make our meetings more accessible to our members. Prior registration is required. If you are interested in utilizing childcare while attending our meetings, please register on our website. Childcare for children potty trained through six years is provided by the licensed and insured Rockwood Early Education Academy and children 6-12 years old by a licensed BTU member.
Save the Date: Back to School Fair
The 3rd Annual Back to School Fair will be held on Saturday, September 24, from 2-5 PM. Sign up to volunteer either Wednesday, Thursday, Friday or the actual day of the Fair! All volunteers receive free books. Nonprofit organizations that would like to provide resources for families can sign up here. BTU members who sign up for FirstBook can get 30 free books the day of the Fair! Learn more about the fair and download flyers in six different languages at www.btu.org/backtoschool. Please help us to spread the word to BPS families in your schools!
Second SPC Support Circle
The circle will be held on on this Thursday, September 14, 4:30-6:30. If you did not fill out the Doodle Poll but would still like to attend, please RSVP to Jessica.
BPS high school students say “No on 2”
Interested in Tax Sheltering Savings Plans?
Have you saved enough for retirement? The SMART Plan offers tax-advantaged savings to help you build a secure retirement. Our SMART Plan representative, Lisa Cardinal, will be holding a SMART Plan Enrollment meeting on Wednesday, September 21 at 5 PM at the BTU Hall. All who are not yet participating are encouraged to attend. Please RSVP to smart@empower-retirement.com.
If you are already participating in the SMART Plan and would like to schedule a meeting earlier that day (or possibly another day) to review your account, please email smart@empower-retirement.com. Meetings are by appointment only.
The SMART PLAN is a Good Option. Understand Differences with Other Plans
The BTU is not in the business of giving financial advice but we do want our members to know of the variety of, and the differences, between the various tax-sheltering plans offered through the city.
Get Great Books & Support the Connolly Library Saturday
The Friends of the Connolly Library are holding their annual book sale this Saturday, September 17, from 10 AM to 4 PM at 433 Centre Street in Jamaica Plain. They will have hundreds and hundreds of books–fiction, non-fiction, children’s books and more. Come get a great deal on books and support the library! See the Facebook event for more information.
Fundraiser Announcement
It’s that time of the year again, The David Jonathan José Foundation will be hosting our 4th Annual Heart & Soul 5K Run/Walk Fundraiser on Saturday, September 24 at Borderland State Park. Last year two scholarships were awarded, one to an East Boston High School student. Read more.
BTU Charity: Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Fundraiser
Interested in giving back? Interested in making a difference? Join BTU members as we gear up for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk on Sunday, October 2. We’ll also gather for an adult-only Welcome Back party on Friday, September 9, from 3-8 PM, at the BTU Hall. See the flyer for all details.
Thank you so much for your support! Visit Brenda’s PERSONAL page and visit our TEAM’s page. Thank you!
Obituary
The BTU is saddened to announce the passing of Debra Irby’s mother, Flora L. White, who passed away on Wednesday. Debra is a member of the Paraprofessional Council. The wake is on Tuesday, September 13 at Davis Funeral Home, 654 Cummins Highway in Mattapan. The Boston Teachers Union sends its most sincere condolences to the White family.