We have much news and information to report.

First, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, colleagues, and friends of Marie Conley, a school crossing guard who died last week. She was struck by a car while on duty at the Mather Elementary School in Dorchester a little over a week ago. Mrs. Conley was 59 years old and had four children. We are very sorry for their loss and the school's loss. We send our most sincere condolences to her family.

Please remember to vote on Tuesday. The BTU has endorsed Senator Obama for president and Senator Kerry for reelection. For a full listing of statewide candidates, please see here . (Note: Federal law prohibits the BTU from listing candidates on our web page for federal office, as our list serve is an 'open' list, not limited to BTU members. We also ask that you vote No on Question One . BTU COPE has donated $200,000 to the Vote No coalition inasmuch as we see this issue as life or death for the public sector, and its ability to provide needed services.

(We thank all members and friends who went to New Hampshire Saturday. We realize that all of us are very busy, and we thank those who could take the bus to NH.)

The city's election department has informed us that because of an expected larger-than-usual voter turnout some schools might have to change certain election logistics, such as moving machines into different areas of the school. The election department, through the mayor's office, asked the BTU to spread the word. We're glad to. We hope the turnout in this historic election surpasses all expectations.

On school closings , the superintendent has released an amended version of her earlier plan. The new version can be found here. The appointed Boston School Committee will vote on the superintendent's proposal this Wednesday at 26 Court Street in the Winter Chamber. The BTU has asked chair Elizabeth Reilinger to move the meeting to a larger location that can accommodate all of the expected attendees. The last two meetings on this topic have drawn large crowds, and no fewer than 60 people have been turned away from each meeting. School committee chair Reilinger has not responded to our request. The BTU has also sent out a memo to all BTU staff in affected schools proposed for redeployment. As the proposed plan was changed after our letter was sent out, at least one school's staff did not get notified.

Each year the BPS loses some children to charter schools, though not as many as charter schools proponents would like all of us to believe. But we do lose some students, and often as not, we lose them because we have not done a good job of promoting ourselves by informating these students about the breadth and scope of our own BPS offerings and programs. Much of the loss comes in transition years (grades 5 and 8). We need to do a better job of broadcasting our school system's strengths to students as they change schools. Last year we held a fair in January where both HS and Middle/K-8 personnel joined a discussion that outlined all available programmatic offerings in our schools. Simply, HS people explained their school's programs to MS/K-8 people. Hundreds attended and learned a great deal about the wealth of HS programs available in the BPS. We are doing that again this year, in a joint initiative, co-sponsored by the BTU and the superintendent. Elementary people will come to hear about Middle and K-8 offerings, and Middle/K-8 people will come to listen to an explanation of HS offerings. The point of all of this is, when a student approaches a teacher/counselor and asks for advice as far as where to go to school, it'd be great if we were better-informed as to the offerings at the next level of BPS schooling. This meeting will be held at the BTU on 12/2, and all who need to be there will be invited. Breakfast or lunch will be served. This issue is of crucial importance, and we hope to see a full house.

Some of our members who are also members of the Boston Credit Union (not the Tremont) have been getting text messages or emails to contact the Boston Credit Union. This is a phishing expedition by some less than desirable characters. If you follow the instructions of the text or email, you are asked to log in and give your password. Never do that. Once you've done that, they have your information and will be able to access your accounts. By the way, none of this is connected to the Tremont Credit Union, and neither Tremont nor Boston EVER uses this process to get information from a member.

See below for a calendar of dates for meetings on School Site Council mechanics , certification and recertification review , the Celtics , NBPTS , and the Race, Culture, Identity and Achievement lecture series.

At least 8 applications to convert an existing school to a Discovery School were submitted by midday Friday. Simply, Discovery Schools are schools that enjoy some autonomies in Curriculum/Assessment and Budget--but without any contractual changes. When the concept was first proposed by the BTU in the winter of 2006, many onlookers privately said that Discoveries would not get off the ground. They were wrong.

Responses will be kept anonymous, however, please identify your grade level. Also indicate whether you would like to be part of a possible Literacy Plan Focus Group.Email your responses to Betsy Drinan .

The 'elevator questions' are brought to you periodically by the BTU's Professional Issues Committee as a way of surveying the membership regarding important issues in the BPS. Responses are compiled and shared with the superintendent in an effort to increase teacher voice in policy debates and decision making in the district. Please share this with a colleague.

• RETIREMENT PARTY:Marie Arria
• When: Nov 11, 2008 5:00pm
• Where: Chateau Italian Restaurant in Waltham
• Cost:$60 Please send checks to Nadia Al-Masri (Garfield School) Nadia Al-Masri, 1857 Beacon St #3, Brookline, MA 02445

• Retirement Party for Mrs. Margaret Zenga, Student Development Counselor - Excel High School
• When: Friday, November 21, 2008
• Where: Phillips - 780 Morrissey Blvd, Boston MA 02122
• Time: 6:00-11:00PM
• Cost: $45 per person, included gift, reception and dinner
• Please make checks payable to Excel High School on or before November 1, 2008; mail to: Maura Dudley or Chris Wilson c/o Excel High School, 95 G Street, 2nd floor, South Boston, MA 02127

• Retirement Party for the Gavin's Bill Fitzgerald
• Location: Doyle's Cafe--across from EHS
  
• When: Friday, November 21, 3:00PM
• Please come for an afternoon of food and fun to celebrate Bill Fitzgerald's retirement! $50.00 per person. Includes hors d'oeuvres, gift and Dr. Di's famous cake! Please send checks to Marcia Fitzpatrick, 18 Bowman Street, Dorchester, MA 02122