Published On: March 2, 2021
We continue to keep a close ear to the ground as thousands of educators and students returned to in-person learning in the next phase of the BPS reopening plan yesterday. We heard joyous reports from both educators and families, as well as continued concerns about the impact of learning on remote students while teachers balance simultaneous teaching. We also fielded questions regarding health and safety. We are confident that our advocacy has made in-person learning safer for all, and continue to advocate for immediate vaccinations for educators and schools staff. Please see our full statement on yesterday’s reopening. 

As the COVID rates in Boston and Massachusetts have gone down and more and more people are getting vaccinated, we would like to remind everyone that we are certainly not out of the woods yet. We are encouraging all of our members to continue to wear face coverings and follow CDC guidlines to curb the spread of the virus in both our schools and communities. Following all safety protocols is critical to mitigating in-school transmission as more students and staff return to our schools.  

We are launching a WikiWisdom Forum in partnership with BPS. This forum is open to all BPS staff to share your best ideas in response to the overarching question:

Based on your experience with BPS, and especially this past year, we are looking for your ideas for reimagining what school could be. If there were no bounds, what would the ideal learning experience be like for our students?
Share your responses. You can respond to previously posted ideas or start a new thread of your own. All ideas will be used to produce a summary report in late March.

In addition to the WikiWisdom Forum, the BTU and BPS are collaborating on several opportunities for educators and stakeholders to give input and feedback on this summer’s learning opportunities, and our return to school in the fall and beyond. Opportunities range from one-time online engagement to ongoing subcommittee work through the summer. Please see the BTU Events and Announcements below to see more details about these opportunities or apply here: Summer Learning Feedback Groups and the Return, Recover, Reimagine Task Force.

Our next membership meeting will be next Wednesday, March 10 at 4:30 p.m. As usual, please register in advance. Quick reminders for registering: 

  • Please remember that you must register at least one hour in advance, or you will not receive a link.  
  • Each link is unique and cannot be shared.
  • Links are sent after your registration and membership status are verified – please do not register multiple times if you do not immediately receive a link.
  • Remember to include your exact BPS ID# in order to expedite approvals. If you are retired or don’t have an ID# for another reason, please enter “000000.”
  • Please make sure that you have updated your Zoom account with the latest update before the meeting in order to avoid complications with your link.
We are continuing our efforts to #VaccinateEducators and met with Secretary Sudders and Commissioner Riley yesterday. We are happy to share a small win as a result of our collective advocacy: ABAs and other behavioral health practioners are now also eligible for vaccinations. The guidance was updated to include “mental and behavioral health providers working in clinical and educational settings (e.g., ACCS integrated team, PACT, CBHI, ABA, ESP).” Veterans are also now eligible. Find an appointment at the state vaccination site. 

Clearly, our advocacy must continue to escalate. If you haven’t already done so, please be sure to sign the petition urging the Governor and Secretary Sudders. You can also change your social media frame:
Vaccinating Educators Is Good for Students
Vaccinating School Workers Is Good for Students
Vaccinate School Workers
Vaccinate Educators

In addition, we are asking everyone to write to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Like other frontline workers during the pandemic, educators have proven they are the backbone of our communities and essential to community wellbeing. Please send a letter to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education members, urging them to prioritize the needs of teachers, students, and Massachusetts communities: each school district must implement transmission-reducing mitigation measures and prioritize teachers, librarians and school employees for vaccines.

Many of you will have received the notification from the city regarding non-medicare health insurance plans for the year that starts July 1, 2021. You can read about the main changes on our website.

Do we have your correct mailing address on file? It is important to us that we are able to reach all of our members by phone, mail or email. Please check here to make sure we have your correct information.

AFT-MA is working with a coalition on the Opt-Out of MCAS initative for this year and going forward. They are looking for volunteers to do some phone banking. If you would be interested, please email Sarah McLaughlin and Kerri Scott for more information. Please also contact your state representative and urge the Massachusetts Legislature to pass Amendment #460 to the state budget, which would cancel the MCAS exam for the 2020-21 school year in all grades and subjects, pending a federal waiver. The amendment would also waive the requirement that current high school seniors must have passed the MCAS in order to graduate. Take action now! 

Lastly, very importantly, if you are running for a position in the BTU election, all candidates (except delegates) can submit a photograph and statement to be published in the Boston Teachers Union newspaper by email BEFORE Thursday, March 14th. Statements are limited to 350 words for candidates for full time office and 250 words for Executive Board and Para Council. It is the responsibility of the candidate to put at the top of their statement their name and office for which they are running (counted in word limit). We expect the wording of a candidate’s statement will be printed exactly as received. All submissions should be addressed to both gvirchick@btu.org and mmaguire@btu.org.

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