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| Greetings! Good Day, Last week, the superintendent announced her Acceleration Agenda to the school committee. Here you can see the superintendent's cover memo and the entire plan. The plan is devoid of many specifics, presumably because the state has not yet issued its list of which schools will ultimately make the 'underperforming' list. The list is expected in early spring, unless the superintendent gets pre-approval from the state which is considered likely. When school-specific information is available, we will let you know. In the meantime, if you have any questions, email either Caren , Michael , or Jenna. We will set up meetings with affected school staff, as we did in November-December, as soon as more information becomes available or whenever you prefer. On the Ed Reform legislation, see how your state representative or state senator voted. To see how the AFTMA-endorsed and the BTU-endorsed candidates voted, see here. To see the AFTMA's summary of the Ed Reform legislation, see here. The AFTMA is our parent organization and is responsible for our lobbying on Beacon Hill. ****************************************************************** In a gross misuse of the English Language, the governor has announced a plan to 'reform' the public pension system. Memo to the Governor: Thanks but no thanks. "Reform' once meant to improve and/or fix what's broken. Now it means to take away what works and pretend that the change for the worse is a change for the better. The governor's pension reform proposal would make newly-hired teachers and others work longer--and retire later--for a smaller pension. The governor's proposal would also base the average salary over a five year -period instead of a three year -period. And the governor calls this 'reform'? The governor's presumed Republican opponent next time around, Charlie Baker, has a similar proposal to 'reform' pensions. Memo to Mr. Baker and Governor Patrick: Call it what it is: Pension Reduction not Pension Reform. ****************************************************************** The BTU Dependent Scholarship information can be found here, as can the Retired Teachers Chapter's. ****************************************************************** The effort at gathering needed supplies and food for Haitian Relief originated by BTU Member Paula Sylvestre will resume, as soon as more storage space can be secured. Stay tuned and thank you all. In another Haitian Relief campaign, the AFT (Washington) is sponsoring a fundraising effort that can double your contribution. See here . ******************************************************************  Amount for 2009 dues - teachers: $1064.24 and paras/subs: $532.12 ****************************************************************** Correction : Last week we ran a photo of teachers and paras who volunteered for the Haitian Relief effort at the BTU. The picture was taken by Mary Glynn. |
| Galileo Assessment Predictive Project: Testing, More Testing--Where Does it End? And Does it Work? |
Galileo's here. And that means more testing, more MCAS hype, and less classroom instruction. Testing--where does it end? Or is testing becoming an end in and of itself? Enter the Galileo Project, whose goal is "to improve student achievement across a school or district, as demonstrated by increased scores on the MCAS" according to a policy paper developed by the Mass DOE. Now consider that the project takes away valuable classroom instructional time for tens of thousands of our students. The question is, is the classroom time lost on yet another test/assessment worth any supposed gain? How do we know, for example, that more time spent in the classroom would not have had the same--or a better--effect? Don't hold your breath waiting for an answer. And let's not blame Galileo. He probably wouldn't approve of the project either. |
| Pathway Program for ESL and Mod SPED Licensure and Professional Practice |
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Human Resources will be conducting the winter/spring cohort of the ESL Pathway Program beginning in February. This program prepares participants for ESL licensure and teaching. Interested BPS staff are encouraged to participate in one of the following informational sessions for complete details. |
| Permanent Teachers Eligible for LOA Without Restriction |
From HR: "Permanent classroom teachers with confirmed appointments for school year 2010-2011 may take an unpaid leave of absence without restriction as to how the time may be utilized (i.e pursue other career interests, travel, etc.) While on leave, the employee will maintain the attachment right to their position upon return within one year unless that employee would otherwise be laid off. Eligible teachers will not lose or accrue sick or personal days while on leave, but may continue their health insurance under the City of Boston's Health Insurance Program. The employee will be responsible for the entire cost of insurance while on leave. Individuals should understand that, if approved, this leave will be granted for the school year and dates cannot be amended. Interested individuals should submit a completed PS-03, signed by the Headmaster/Principal to the Office of Human Resources attention Ed Kelleher no later that May 1, 2010." Questions: Email Caren or Michael. |
| Early Notification Incentive Deadline Extended But Amount Drops to $1,000 |
In order to assist efforts to move teacher hiring earlier in the spring for the 2010 - 2011 school year, the Boston Public Schools is offering an additional opportunity for a one-time incentive of $1,000 for early notification of termination to members of the BTU Teachers' Unit. Additional funds have been allocated to allow acceptance of up to fifty (50) applications, which will be processed in order of receipt. Those teachers who received $1,500 in January through the earlier incentive may not apply. Application form must be filed with the Office of Human Resources by the close of business on Friday, February 12, 2010. See details (scroll down to HRS-PP08). |
| Shout Out to Many Schools for Their Haitian Relief Efforts |
The Gardner Pilot Academy recently participated in a change drive to raise money for the disaster relief efforts in Haiti. Despite the Gardner's being a small school, their students came together to raise $3012.00 for the cause. This certainly proves that every penny counts. The money has been donated to the AMHE (Association of Haitian Physicians Abroad), an organization that provides medical aid including education and equipment to the people of Haiti. What a great way to educate young minds on the importance of altruism and philanthropy! Also, Hyde Park's Community Academy of Science and Health (CASH) held a benefit for the Haiti Relief Fund last week. We know many, many schools did the same. Thank you to all, and feel free, as always, to send in your announcements here. We thank CASH, the Gardner, and the many others, for their generosity and charity. |
| Rollins Griffith Scholarships |
For the 7th year, three $1,500.00 Rollins Griffith Teacher Center of Boston Scholarships will be awarded to 3 BPS graduating seniors and will be distributed in May, 2010. Applications are due by Friday, March 5, 2010. For additional information, please call Claire Radley at 617-635-6385 or her cell phone 617-680-1460. You may also email here. The Rollins Griffith Teacher Center is long-standing,. terrific BPS organization, and we thank them for their ongoing efforts. |
| SAVE the DATE: Dal Lawrence Speaks on March 15 |
Dal Lawrence, former president of the Toledo Federation of teachers, will be speaking at the BTU on 3/15, at 4:00 PM, on the topic of the Peer Assistance and Review (PAR) Program, which has been been part of the Toledo contract for nearly 30 years. Dal is an excellent speaker and a passionate proponent of the PAR program. |
| Thoughts and Prayers |
Matt Brown, the young Norwood Hockey Player, was seriously injured last week in a hockey game. He is the nephew of Sheila Brown, a BTU member who works at West Roxbury High. Friends of the family have taken up a collection to aid in medical treatment. T-Shirts can be purchased here. We send his family our sincere thoughts for a full recovery. The family has a page up for CareBridge and a page on Facebook for Matt. |
Flaherty, and Sandy Carle has emerged as the 1st half winners. Interested in joining? We play at Boston Bowl on Monday at 4 PM. All levels of bowlers are welcome. Retirees and active teachers make up the league. Call Judy at 617-842-8273 or Sandy at 781-340-6281 for more information.
Sincerely,
Richard Stutman
BTU President
rstutman@btu.org (work)
617-288-2000
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| In This Issue | ||
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| Q ks |
| 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 |
| #07 | 10/13/09 |
| #08 | 10/18/09 |
| #09 | 10/26/09 |
| #10 | 11/02/09 |
| #11 | 11/09/09 |
| #11A | 11/11/09 |
| #12 | 11/16/09 |
| #13 | 11/18/09 |
| #14 | 11/23/09 |
| #15 | 11/30/09 |
| #16 | 12/05/09 |
| #17 | 12/14/09 |
| #18 | 12/21/09 |
| #18A | 12/21/09 |
| #19 | 01/04/10 |
| #20 | 01/11/10 |
| #20A | 01/12/10 |
| #21 | 01/18/10 |
| #22 | 01/23/10 |
| #23 | 01/25/10 |