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| Frequently Asked Questions | Officers & Committees | Directions | Contact Us | Links |
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Greetings.  Wednesday is free flu shot day at the BTU, from 9-5. All school employees and all city residents can get free flu (the seasonal not the H1N1) shots at our office. Employees are asked to bring an employee ID. If you cannot make it over to the BTU on the 7th, here's a list of days and times this week (or call 617-534-5050) at other locations to participate in the city's program. The next membership meeting is on October 14 at 4:00 PM. At-Large City Councilor Stephen Murphy will address the membership on his opposition to the expansion of charter schools . Currently charter schools drain $49 million from the school department budget. A proposal by Governor Patrick, currently at the legislature, would double the number of charter school in Boston, draining an additional $49 million. Murphy opposes this bill, as does At-large candidate Felix G. Arroyo . Both have been proudly endorsed by the BTU. Another At-large endorsed candidate, John Connolly, spoke in favor of the governor's bill at a mid-September legislative hearing. The BTU leadership has made it very clear to Councilor Connolly that the governor's bill will severely hurt the Boston School System by siphoning off funds that would have gone to our public schools. By the way, we refuse to call charters 'public' schools because they offer virtually no SPED or ELL services, and therefore they are not open to all. For more, see the MTA's groundbreaking report on Boston's charters. The AFT Massachusetts has launched its lobbying campaign to oppose both the governor's bills (on charter expansion and Readiness) and the mayor's bill to create 55 in-district charter schools. We join their efforts and ask that you call your legislators and send them an email on our opposition to these so-called reforms. The AFT Mass has set up an email campaign similar to what we have used in the past. Participation will take less than 30 seconds, and we kindly ask that you help us out by clicking here to send emails to our legislators explaining our opposition. The State Labor Relations Commission late last week issued a charge on behalf of the BTU against the Boston School Department on two issues relating to the Teach for America Contract:
We wish to make a few important points in regard to the above: Our quarrel is NOT with the Teach for America enrollees. We represent them and will continue to protect their interests. Our quarrel is with the school department for bestowing favored treatment on a subgroup of employees. We actually like the two-year contract TFA enrollees have received, and we ask the school department to extend it to all of our members. And lastly, the school department and the city have stonewalled our attempts to get information in this (TFA) case, the 403b case, and the layoff/budget case. We have had initial success in different venues on each of these matters, and we will continue to pursue our claims in each. We have a right under the law to receive the information we have requested, and we will see these issues through to the end. |
| Dinner for New Members on October 8 at the BTU |
Dinner for new BTU members: The Union is hosting an informational meeting and a dinner for first year teachers and substitutes. This will be splendid opportunity to meet with BTU staff, to learning about your union and what we can do for you, and to ask any questions you wish.
At 3:30 PM--wine, soda, and cheese will be served. One of your BTU reps will soon speak with you about attending the dinner. If not, please call 617-288-2000 and speak with Denice Dwyer. |
| MTEL Preparation Workshops for October and November Tests |
The catalogue of upcoming preparation workshops for the fall MTELs is available on MyBPS (Central AdminàHR-Licensure ---Catalogue of Preparation Workshops for MTEL). The catalogue also includes helpful information about the MTELs including online resources for self preparation. All staff are welcome to participate in the MTEL support and workshops organized by Human Resources. Workshops often fill quickly, so please apply as soon as possible. Applications for workshops need to be made online using the zoomerang link included in the catalogue. For more information concerning MTEL, please contact Nick Balasalle or call 635-9036. |
| Free Flu Clinic 10/7 at BTU. Time Allotted for City Employees. Many Other Sites and Dates Listed. |
From the city: All City of Boston employees are strongly encouraged to receive vaccinations against seasonal flu and H1N1 influenza, and will therefore be entitled to up to two (2) hours of paid time off to obtain a flu vaccination(s) for themselves and/or their children, effective September 12, 2009 for Fiscal Year 2010. This leave will not be charged to any accrued leave time. For those reporting time of employees that have received vaccinations through this policy, please use the Time Reporting Code of S1202. The shots are free. Bring an ID. The shots available now are seasonal, NOT H1N1 or swine. The BTU Hall will be open from 9-5 on Wednesday, October 7. All employees are welcome. See complete list here . Employees who are eligible to receive a shot through their primary care physician are encouraged to do so. However, seasonal flu vaccination clinics will be offered across the City beginning in September for City employees who are not able to receive a vaccine from their physician. If you are seeking to use the two (2) hours of paid time to receive a flu shot, you must request the time off in advance from your superviso,r consistent with requests for use of personal time. We also ask that you do your best to schedule vaccinations to minimize disruption to teaching and learning. This two (2) hour benefit may be split into no more than two (2) increments of one (1) hour each. An attached certification form must be completed by the health care provider administering the shot and the completed certification form should be submitted to the Office of Human Resources. The fax # is (617) 635-7957. Principals and Headmasters are encouraged to share this information with all staff in your building. Thank you in advance for your efforts to stay healthy and well. |
| BTU Thanks Those Who Participated in the Making Strides Walk |
The BTU would like to thank those who participated in this morning's Making S  trides Against Breast Cancer walk. We'd like to thank the walkers, the volunteers, and especially those who contributed financially. Donations are still being accepted. Finally, if anyone did not pick up the blue MSABC/ BTU t-shirt., please email or telephone Brenda Chaney (617-288-2000) tomorrow and then stop by the BTU office this week to pick up your shirt. On behalf of the membership, we thank Brenda Chaney and Michael Maguire for their efforts. Both, along with their committee, have worked many hours to help this effort. |
| BTU Mediation Position |
The BTU Membership has passed a motion to hire up to two mediators for the 2009-10 school year to mediate significant disputes between BTU members. The goal is to resolve interpersonal job related conflicts between BTU members who have volunteered to participate, which have not otherwise been settled at the school site level and which are not able to be grieved. The membership has allocated $3,000 to initiate this process which will be distributed based on the work ultimately completed through number of cases mediated. The BTU Mediator part-time positions are open to active or retired BTU bargaining unit members who have demonstrated training and experience in conflict resolution by having earned a certificate and/or taken courses/workshops in dispute resolution and mediation techniques as well as through written references. Mediation sessions between BTU members will be conducted after school hours and will typically run 1-3 hours in length per case. Anything said in mediation would be confidential with participants agreeing that said info could not be used in litigation and that if an agreement is reached it would be binding so that the BTU members would not proceed to the BPS administration level with said dispute. Referrals will be made for mediation through BTU staff. If interested in applying to become a BTU Mediator, please submit your name, contact info, resume, info regarding formal training in mediation/dispute resolution, written references, as well as a brief statement (less than 400 words) as to how and why you are the right person for this position to Caren Carew . A BTU Executive Board sub-committee will interview and select the successful applicant(s). Appointments are voluntary, reviewed annually, and are terminated at the discretion of the BTU. |
| Easy Trac: Is it for Everyone? |
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As of 9.22.09 itinerants were told to begin using this system 'live' to maintain attendance on students serviced. This requires using a computer and the internet, as well as, having participated in the training provided by the SPED department. Soon staff will be provided with training on how to complete SEIMS paperwork online. Many concerns ranged from not having a computer, to not having internet access, to having problems with the system itself. Any problems that related service providers are having with the system are handled by their respective department heads. Problems will continue to surface and the SPED Faculty Senate is interested in learning about member's concerns in completing this new requirement for taking attendance. |
| 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. |
| ESL, SPED Pathways! |
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. Monday, Oct 5 2:30-3:30 Wednesday, Oct 7 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 Tuesday, Oct 6 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. |
| NBCT Informational, Training Offered |
NBCT Candidacy Information Meeting, BTU 10/26 4:30-6:30 NBCT Preparation Course Options Fall 2009 2010 NBCT Take One Candidacy Course. 4 sessions (1 in-service credit) Mondays WREC 3rd floor library 3:30-6:30 pm. WREC--former West Roxbury HS.
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| OIIT Update |
Technology Support Teacher Stipend Opportunity Now Available. OIIT is fortunate to continue with the Technology Support Teacher (TST) Program for the 2009-2010 school year. However, due to fiscal constraints, the program has been modified. For the 2009-2010 school year, each BPS school will be eligible for one stipend TST position at the annual rate of $1500. Please note that these funds are subject to retirement deductions. The TST application is now available on the Hub, Job Opening 337280. The scope of work is outlined in the TST Application. Deadline to Apply: Monday, October 19, 2009. Depending on funding, schools will be notified of additional stipend positions of $1500 which may be available through an RFP process. Contact: Diane Hauser. |
| Part-time Employment Opportunities that are Retirement Worthy--at After-School Program at Umana |
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The Mario Umana Middle School Academy in East Boston is seeking current and retired BTU teachers and paraprofessionals to teach classes and work with students during the afternoon hours of the school day. We are especially interested in individuals who are willing and able to teach Math, English Language Arts, English as a Second Language, Science, and academic and enrichment classes for students with special needs. There may also be opportunities to "design you own class" if they are aligned to the school's vision and priorities. The school day at the Umana ends at 4PM, Monday though Thursday, and we are looking highly-qualified teachers and experienced paraprofessionals to work in our classrooms between the hours of 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. A commitment of at least two days per week (Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays) is required with opportunities to work all four days if needed. All current BTU staff are compensated at the BTU contractual overtime rate and income earned working at the Umana is retirement worthy. For more information please contact Corbett Coutts, Assistant Principal, or at 617.635.8481. |
Sincerely,
Richard Stutman
BTU President
rstutman@btu.org (work)
617-288-2000
| 2009 -10 School Year | |
| #1 | 08/31/09 |
| #2 | 09/08/09 |
| #3 | 09/14/09 |
| #4 | 09/21/09 |
| #5 | 09/28/09 |