Cookies will be available for pick up at the BTU beginning this evening until 6:00pm. Following today, one representative from each school can come by the BTU office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday (except President’s Day) to pick up cookies for the BTU members at your school. If no one is able to make it during those hours, please call the BTU office to arrange pickup.
Last week was National School Counseling Week. The week is meant to highlight the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. Thank you to our incredible counselors who work tirelessly for our students! Special shout out to Andrea Encarnacao, School Counselor at Boston Latin School, who was honored as the 2023 School Counselor of the Year by the Massachusetts School Counselor Association.Ensuring that we continue to decrease ratios and increase the availability of counselors continues to be a priority of our union, and is a priority for the Black Lives Matter at Schools Week of Action as well.Black History Month Spotlight:
BTU BLM @ School Committee chair Joel Richards spoke to AFT about how BTU and other affiliates are celebrating! Joel also wrote a moving piece about emotional regulation and class management called “From Chaos to Healing” for AFT Voices as well. ICYMI, please see our website for resources, and remember to send your photos to photos@btu.org .This year’s materials consist of a brief tool kit of activities centered around movie viewing, guided discussion, writing prompts, and a door decorating contest.At our membership meeting last week, we received a presentation from Accordia partners about the new development plans being proposed in Dorchester Bay and our surrounding properties. Next month, we will be hearing a presentation and giving updates on the status of our own building plans. We also received responses from the Superintendent on questions asked at a previous meeting and were visited by School Committee Chair Jeri Robinson, who addressed the ongoing pay issues. Everyone should have received a message from BPS about the retro pay update, which is on track for disbursement this week. If your letter was missing the Google Form link for questions, please find it here.
During our membership meeting, we also previewed this year’s legislative priorities, including the following:
Retired teachers and public employees’ Social Security benefits are at risk of being substantially reduced or eliminated thanks to the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). TAKE ACTION to repeal this unfair penalty by writing a letter to your legislators. Follow this link to call your representative and ask them to con-sponsor HR 82 to finally repeal the unfair WEP and GPO. Additionally, education co-chair State Representative Alice Piesch has filed a bill in support of Retirement Plus, allowing active and retired folks a second chance at Retirement Plus. Encourage your legislators to sign on to HD 3384!
As shared previously, we are proud to be a part of a multi-stakeholder community coalition supporting new legislation to create a better accountability system that is more democratic, authentic and impactful. See Globe coverage. Please sign this petition to support the THRIVE Act, which would end the practice of school receivership, dramatically reduce the harm caused by standardized testing, and provide local school communities with the resources students need to succeed. Read the BTU’s full statement on the THRIVE Act.
Don’t forget! The Ironworkers Local 7 NEXT Committee will be holding their 3rd annual supply drive on Saturday, February 25. Doors open at 11 a.m. and close at 2 p.m. Please spread the word to your students and families and stop by to pick up supplies!
Lastly, we will resume our regular eBulletin after next week. We hope everyone has a restful, rejuvenating and well-deserved February Break!