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| Greetings. We hope everyone had a relaxing weekend. There is a membership meeting this week. A few things... Last week the BTU received a favorable ruling from the State Labor Relations Commission concerning the city's refusal to hand over information we needed in order to respond to the city's wage rollback request. The state upheld 4 of 5 complaints the BTU had sought. This ruling followed a similar ruling the week before on the Teach for America Case. In both cases the state found probable cause that the city (wage freeze) and the school committee (Teach for America) had denied the BTU information we were entitled to. Full hearings on all charges will be set shortly. The Phoenix last week ran a report (Boston Public-School Apartheid) on how Boston-based charter schools discriminate against ELL and SPED students by failing to provide both groups equal and full access to an education. The Phoenix report refers to the MTA study , which is well worth review. Meanwhile the AFT MA, our parent organization, has launched its campaign on opposition to both the governor's bill and the mayor's bill . See announcement below. To participate in the AFT MA's email campaign, click here . It'll take less than 30 seconds to send out an email to your elected rep. and senator. On ELL training ...Again we will remind people that training to obtain competency in the four levels is voluntary. We are negotiating this issue with he school department, which informed us last week that it is reviewing its planning. Our advice: Go to training if you wish, but be advised you do not have to. Follow up on Flu Shots. Last week 689 members and others took advantage of the city program at the BTU office. If you want to get a  seasonal flu shot, you can still get one at any of the city's other free clinics and you are entitled to a two-hour leave to take advantage. We have asked the city to hold an H1N1 (swine) clinic at our place. If and when we get confirmation, we'll announce it. If you have questions About getting a flu shot, here's a good Q & A . Tuition reimbursement --Permanent teachers who are not yet g  etting their first career award as well as paraprofessionals who have completed five years or more of service are eligible to to receive $500 per each year of eligibility towards their college tuition. See here , and scroll to HRS-PP03. This is a terrific, tax-free benefit. 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 schools 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. |
| AFT MA Launches Political Initiative in Opposition to Charter Legislation , Readiness School Act, and Mayor's Bill. Read AFT MA Notice Below: |
The AFT MA is presently working on an initiative to educate our legislators on why we are opposed to the Governor's bills and the Mayor's bill on Charter Schools. Passage of any of the bills would drastically impact your bargaining rights, and in some cases eliminate them entirely! You will be receiving postcards at the membership meeting, one for reps and one for senators. Please ask each BTU member in your school to fill out one for each. Have them print their name and Home address on the card. If they know their legislators' name fill that in also. Otherwise we will fill in the names for them. This is an urgent matter because the House and Senate are already working on the bills. Return cards to BTU office ASAP or call for pickup by Mary Ann or Carol. Do not Mail. We expect that everyone at the membership meeting will fill out the 2 cards at the meeting and turn them in to Carol Pacheco or Mary Ann Urban before leaving. Thank you very much. Mary Ann and Carol |
| Confused About Tax-Sheltered Annuities?? There is an Alternative. The 457 Plan is Essentially the Same as the 403B, But With Lower Fees. |
The city offers two types of tax-sheltering programs . One is the 403b program, currently alive, but in litigation, as you have probably heard. The other is the 457 program. also called a Deferred Compensation Programs. The programs each operate essentially the same way:
To learn more about the 457 Deferred Comp. Plan, see the Mass Smart web page sponsored by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or feel free to attend the meeting on 10/21. To learn more about the differences between a 403B plan and the 457 Plan, see here . To learn more about both plans, see here . |
| MTEL Preparation Workshops for Oct and Nov 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. |
| Citizens for Public Schools to Hold Conference on Evaluating the Whole Child |
EDUCATING THE WHOLE STUDENT -COMING TOGETHER, ADVANCING THE VISION A conference for parents ~ students ~ community leaders ~ educators activists ~ advocates ~ policy makers ~ and anyone interested in the education and welfare of our children
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| BTU Mediation Position |
| The BTU Membership has passed a motion to hire up to two (2) mediators for the 2009-10 school year to mediate significant disputes between BTU members. 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. Referrals will be made for mediation through BTU staff. |
| 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. |
| OIIT Update--TST Stipend, Fall PDP |
This is a reminder that the Technology Support Teacher (TST) Program is available on The Hub. OIIT is fortunate to continue with this program for the 2009-2010 school year. For the 2009-2010 school year, each BPS school will be eligible  for one stipend TST position at the annual rate of $1500.Technology Support Teacher Stipend Opportunity Open: 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. Depending on funding, schools will be notified of additional stipend positions of $1500 which may be available through an RFP process.
Logging on to MyLearningPlan for the first time? Follow these steps:
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| 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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| October 1 March and Rally at Verizon |
See here a film of the October 1 rally by Snowden teacher and film maker Robert Lamothe. Mr. Lamothe is also working on a showing of the Hyatt Rally, which will be posted as soon as it is available. A good-sized BTU contingent was present at all of these events. Thanks to all who participated. |
| Scholarship to Help Those Get back to College |
Do you know someone who started college, but left without finishing? The Alray Taylor Scholarship is tailored to the needs of these young people. October 15th is the deadline for this year's scholarship. Details are available on the website . Feel free to forward this information. |
| Celtics Tickets |
The BTU has aga  in 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. We still have some tickets left--31 for one, 53 for 4/9. |
| Boston Partners in Education Has Volunteers for Your Class |
Boston Partners in Education helps teachers and the children they teach by placing trained academic mentors into their classrooms to work one-on-one or in small groups with students who will benefit from more individualized, volunteer instruction in the subjects of math and English Language Arts. To learn more about how Boston Partners can work with your classroom, please call 617-451-6145 or visit. To request a volunteer to work with a student, please complete the application . |
| Winship School Fundraiser |
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Deadline: Friday, October 30, 2009. Donations of auction items (gift certificates, passes to movies or museums, gift baskets, etc...) are welcome. Please contact Maxina Rosa at 617-594-7364 or Jennifer Hayes 617-635-8399. |
| Autism Fundraiser Held; Contributions Still Accepted |
On Monday October 12th, the Stockbridge Family held its annual Autism Speaks Fundraiser at the Blarney Stone in Dorchester. If you didn't make the event and still want to donate, there are two ways. You can mail a check made payable to Autism Speaks, C/O The Stockbridge Family 97 Pierce Ave., Dorchester MA 02122. The other way is by going to their team page. |
Sincerely,
Richard Stutman
BTU President
rstutman@btu.org (work)
617-288-2000
| 2009 -10 School Year | |
| #01 | 08/31/09 |
| #02 | 09/08/09 |
| #03 | 09/14/09 |
| #04 | 09/21/09 |
| #05 | 09/28/09 |
| #06 | 10/05/09 |