|
|
Boston Teachers Union
e-Bulletin
|
#04
(2009-10), 09/21/09 |
|
|
Greetings.
We hope all is well. We are sending out a letter this week to all 9000 active and retired members. Between the letter and this e-bulletin, we want to make sure we reach everybody on a few issues, in particular the 403b or tax-sheltered annuity lawsuit and the governor's proposal to double the number of charter schools. Both are explained again below. We also included in our mailing a notice about the Retirement Workshop to be held by Michael McLaughlin (below) and an announcement that the BTU has gotten Delta Dental to eliminate its proposed 5.9% increase to our Retirees dental plan.
On the governor's plan
This past week's hearing ( Globe report) at the State House drew hundreds of supporters and opponents of the governor's bill to expand charter schools and create "Readiness" schools. The bill filed by the governor at the legislature contains twin evils. It would double the number of charter schools in Boston and give the state DOE Commissioner unilateral power to create Readiness Schools. Under the umbrella of Readiness schools, the commissioner could take over so-called under-performing schools, farm them out to third party vendors, and eliminate any and all collective bargaining provisions in them. The proposal to take over so-called under- performing schools is based apparently on a misguided notion that punishing teachers will somehow lead to school improvement...or the flip side ....that the only way to improve schools is to take away teachers' rights. The move to expand charter schools would potentially double charter school enrollment in Boston and cost Boston Schools an additional $49.5 Million per year in lost revenues. Both provisions would prove harmful to our schools, our students and ourselves.
The mayor's bill heard earlier in the summer is no better--actually it's worse. Still alive on Beacon Hill, the mayor's bill would take over as many as 55 Boston schools, charterize them, place them under the control of the appointed Boston School Committee, and introduce merit pay based on student test performance. Both bills will be the subject of continuing legislative deliberations. The AFT Mass is lobbying diligently on Beacon Hill to protect our interests. We will continue to provide updates.
Speaking in favor of the governor's plan on charter school expansion at last week's hearing, regrettably, was John Connolly, candidate for Boston City Council. Mr. Connolly has been endorsed by the BTU. Connolly did not speak in favor of the Readiness component of the governor's bill. Speaking in favor of both the charter school expansion and for the creation of Readiness schools was Sam Yoon, candidate for mayor. The BTU has not endorsed anyone in the mayor's battle. Candidate Michael Flaherty also, incidentally, supports charter school expansion. Candidate Kevin McRae does not. Neither of the latter spoke at the legislative hearing.
Thank you to all BTU members who attended the hearing.
(Many speakers at the governor's hearing mentioned favorably the MTA study of Boston charters. The study reaffirmed what we know already: most charters are drop-out factories and few teach their share of ELL and SPED students. The study is recommended highly and is well researched. The BTU has purchased enough hard copies for all building reps and we hope to have them available as the next membership meeting. You can review it here. We appreciate the work the MTA has done in this regard. Our thanks go out to them.
403b Case --See below from our attorney:
"The Union is currently involved in arbitration with the School Committee over the changes that were made to the City's Section 403(b) Plan structure during late 2008. At the next hearing date, the Union will have an opportunity to present testimony from bargaining unit members who have been harmed in some way by the changes that the City made. If you fit each of the following criteria, please immediately contact Mark Esposito, Esq.:
- You were enrolled in a Section 403(b) plan on November 17, 2008
- You experienced an interruption in contributions to your chosen service provider, or were forced to change service providers; and
- You have experienced harm because of the above."
If and when writing to our attorney, please be very specific. Define very clearly item #3.
Ell --Attendance at any (after school and/or Saturday) ELL workshops is voluntary UNLESS those workshops are part of the 24 hours we have already negotiated. We are meeting with the school department this Tuesday to continue discussions. The school department agrees with us on this matter.
Laptops and Input of Data --If you are asked to input data, generally you need to be given time to do it. The term 'generally' is used, as there are some circumstances, in SPED for example with SEIMS time, that time has already been allotted. If there is any ambiguity on your end, please contact either Caren or Michael. This year, we have been told, some people are being asked to do the data entry at home because of a computer or Internet snafu at school. Mandating that someone do data entry at home is not allowed, inasmuch as some people may not have the capacity to do so. Feel free to call the union office to clarify. Long story short--the school department cannot have it both ways: if it wants people to become more efficient by using their laptops for a variety of computer-related issues it has to maker it easier for people to access the Internet at work. Last item: We agreed to accept laptops, but we also agreed that any issuance of a new directive (data entry, reports, and so on) that would be done on the laptops must be negotiated with adequate time given. So, if there's something new required of you to do on your laptop, call us.
|
|
We are proud to announce our support of Mr. Felix G. Arroyo , who has stood tall, alongside the BTU, in opposition to the proposals to take off the cap on charter school expansion. Mr. Arroyo is running  for one of the two open seats on City Council.
We have also endorsed incumbents Councilors, Steven J. Murphy and John R. Connolly, for the other two slots.
We have not endorsed anyone yet for the 4th opening.
In addition, we have endorsed all of the other incumbent district city councilors:
- District 1. Salvatore LaMattina
- District 2. Bill Linehan
- District 3. Maureen E. Feeney
- District 4. Charles C. Yancey
- District 5. Rob Consalvo
- District 6. John M. Tobin, Jr.
- District 7: Chuck Turner
- District 8: Michael P. Ross (President)
- District 9: Mark S. Ciommo
|
| Dates--Parties, Hearings, Election |
- B Rep. Roster due-Sept 25
- Preliminary Election-September 22
- Welcome Back Party-Sept 25- all BTU members welcome. Adults only - food, music, cash bar
- B Rep. Conference Notification Deadline-Sept 30
- Jobs with Justice Rally -October 1
- Blarney Stone Party for New Hires-October 2
- Making Strides Walk-October 4
- School Site Council Elections are to be held by October 15. Questions, email Caren Carew
- Retirement Seminar with Michael McLaughlin on October 20
|
| Party for New members! |
All new BTU members --teachers, paraprofessionals, and substitute teachers--are invited to a reception for new employees at the Blarney Stone in the Fields Corner section of Dorchester on Friday, 10/2, from 3 PM onward. The BTU membership began hosting this event five years ago, and it's a great time to meet new friends. Invitations will go out shortly. |
| BEAM--Black Educational Alliance Hosts Social Event |
Beam-- Black Educators Alliance of Mass. is hosting an event at Biff's Lounge at Prince Hall, 24 Washington St., Dorchester, 4-8 PM, on Friday, 10/2.
- Greet New Friends
- Make Professional Contacts
- Meet members
- $15.
- Hors d'oeuvres
- contact 617-445-2088 or 617-510-2281
Proceeds to benefit scholarship fund
|
| B Rep Rosters, Deadline for Conference |
Note to B Reps: Please get in your B Rep rosters for this year ASAP, and no later than September 25th. NEW DATE. Elected Reps...please sign up for the annual building Rep Conference weekend October 23-25 at the Marriott in Quincy. The deadline for doing so is September 25 NEW DATE. If your school cannot send one of your elected representatives, please try to send another staff member to represent the school. Thank you. |
| Pathway Program for ESL and SPED Licensure and Professional Practice |
Human Resources will be conducting the fall cohort of the ESL Pathway Program beginning in November. BPS staff interested in preparing for ESL teaching are invited to participate in one of the following required informational sessions for complete details.
Tuesday Sept 29 2:30-3:30 or 4:00-5:00
Monday Oct 5 2:30-3:30 or 4:00-5:00
Thursday Oct 8 4:00-5:00
The program is targeted especially toward teachers in schools that enroll significant numbers Limited English Proficient students. Sessions will be held at the Center for Leadership Development on the Madison Park Campus. Reservations are required. RSVP.
Human Resources will be conducting the fall cohort of the Moderate Disabilities Pathway Program beginning in November. BPS staff interested in preparing for Moderate Disabilities teaching are invited to participate in one of the following required informational sessions for complete details.
Monday Sept 28 2:30-3:30 or 4:00-5:00
Wednesday Sept 30 2:30-3:30 or 4:00-5:00
Thursday Oct 8 2:30-3:30
The program particularly invites the participation of teachers in inclusion schools seeking to become dually licensed; teachers who plan to transition into Special Education; and accomplished teachers who want to expand their repertoire of professional knowledge, skills, and dispositions relative to students with special needs. Sessions will be held at the Center for Leadership Development on the Madison Park Campus. Reservations are required. RSVP: |
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
|
Once again the BTU is making strides to combat breast cancer. On Sunday morning, October 4, 2009, we invite you to join us on the Charles River Esplanade to raise money for cancer research. Starting at 8:00 a.m., this walk is the nation's oldest and most successful one-day w alk. Last year the BTU helped contribute toward the over $3,000,000 raised. This year our goal is to raise at least $20,000.
At the membership meeting on Wednesday, September 9, 2009, we had a brief presentation. Plus we had a table outside the hall where you could pick up your walking papers or where you could drop off a donation.
You can either join the BTU team or form your own team at your worksite. Either way, we can all raise money for cancer research and we can all enjoy a nice walk around the Charles River. The walk has a rolling start from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. Be sure to stop by the BTU's tent near the Arthur Fiedler Footbridge before you walk.
Click here to join the BTU's team or to make a donation.Volunteers are needed at the BTU tent. If you wish to volunteer please email either Brenda Chaney or Michael Maguire . Lastly, the BTU is giving away T-shirts to those individuals who raise $100 or more for the walk. The T-shirts are Carolina blue with the MSABC logo on the front, and the BTU logo on the back. To obtain a T-shirt, make sure you bring your BTU card and your pledge sheet to the BTU tent prior to your walk. Supplies are limited and will be given out on a first come, first served basis.
|
| Retirement Seminar |
Retirement seminar hosted by Michael McLaughlin along with other related and important agencies will be held on October 20, 2009 and March 25, 2010. Attend one or both. Look for the registration flier in your school soon.
|
| N U Prof. Holds MCAS Event |
- A Community Screening and Discussion of Children Left Behind
- Dr. Louis Kruger's documentary about the failings of MCAS
- 7:30 p.m, Wednesday, September 30 at the Coolidge Corner Theater
|
Conference for School Psychologists
|
Sponsored by: Massachusetts School Psychologist Association
Date: October 16, 2009
Cost: MSPA Member $150.00; MSPA $Nonmember $225.00
The MSPA Conference is open to and welcomes all educators. |
| Masters in Guidance Counseling for those who want to keep their full-time work and go to school! |
The Division of Counseling and Psychology at Lesley University invites you to join the Masters program in School Guidance Counseling Cohort at Roxbury Community College. This Guidance Counseling program is uniquely designed to meet the needs of working adults. It provides the required graduate training for individuals who wish to work as counselors in primary and secondary school settings. Graduates are eligible for initial licensure in guidance counseling from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The program emphasizes the practice of counseling skills with children and adolescents and the importance of cultural competency within school settings. It is offered in a convenient one weekend a month model with face-to-face and web enhanced hybrid course components. Expected start date is December 2009. For more information, please email or call 617-349-8339. |
| Irving School Seeks Volunteers to Help Football Program |
The Washington Irving Middle School is looking for individuals who have coached youth football to volunteer their time with the inaugural Irving Tackle Football Team. Teams practice 3-4 days a week from 1:45-3:15, and any time you can donate is more than welcome. Please email Tim McLaughlin if you are interested.
|
Odwin Learning Center--Good Cause
|
The Odwin Learning Center is holding a golf tournament to raise much-needed funds. Event will be held 9/27 at Spring Valley in Sharon Mass. The Odwin learning center provides college preparatory services to youth in a variety of subject areas. It was founded in 1964 and needs our help now. Odwin serves as a "springboard and a safety net for students by first preparing them for college and then maintaining a relationship throughout their college years.?" go to www.ODWIN.org or call Anne Malone at 617-282-5320. Odwin is a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization
|
|
| Celtics Tickets |
The BTU has again scheduled two nights at the Celtics. Tickets are $45, Celtics vs . the Sacramento Kings on 3/26, and against the Wizards on 4/9. Both are Friday nights. Seats are in sections 310, 311. These tickets go quickly. First come, first served! If you have any questions, you can call or email Pat O'Donnell. Sorry, we cannot reserve tickets. You will have to move quickly, like Rajon Rondo, to get these tickets. |
|
Sincerely,
Richard Stutman
BTU President
richardstutman@comcast.net (home)
rstutman@btu.org (work)
617-288-2000
TOP |
|
|
