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Boston Teachers Union
e-Bulletin
#31
(2009-10),  03/22/10

 

 

Greetings!

We are gearing up for our rally at School  March 24, 2010, at 5:00 PM. Our reason for rallying at Court Street on the night the appointed School Committee votes on next year's budget is three-fold:

1)    Budget cuts hurt our students
2)    Our so-called "under-performing" schools are really under-
        resourced schools that have been under-funded for years.
3)    The city's proposal to diminish our health insurance coverage will         hurt our families.


Each year we, who work in our schools are asked to do more with less. The school committee has a track record of obsequious and unquestioning approval of all of these yearly budget reductions. We are rallying to tell the committee to say "no."

We are also rallying to point out that the under-funding of our schools has led to the what the state now deems "under-performance." We say, "Give us the tools and the resources, and we will make our schools work."

Lastly, we are rallying because the city is proposing shifting $18 Million in health costs to city employees, increasing our yearly out-of-pocket costs an anywhere from $681 to $5191 per BTU member. We want to send a message that this increase is unacceptable.

The rally begins at 5:00 outside School Committee headquarters. We ask that our members and supporters (feel free to invite parents and other members of your school site council) report promptly at 5:00 for our rally.

The BTU will serve as a drop-off point for those who wish to take the T and leave their cars. Coffee and refreshments will be served, beginning at 2:15. Signs, placards, and other materials will be provided.  We hope to see you there! We need you there! This is everyone's battle.


Rally Against School Budget Cuts
26 Court Street
Wednesday, March 24
5:00-6:30

Turnaround School Excessing Extension

Turnaround School News: The voluntary excessing deadline in Turnaround Schools has been extended to March 26th. The school department sent out a new form, which can be found in your school.
BTU-Donated Supplies En Route to Haiti

BTU  members have graciously donated tons (literally) of supplies for the Haitian Relief Effort. Much has been shipped already, including all of the following donations: medical supplies, toiletries, babies' items, food, water and bedding have been shipped.  The clothes will be the next items to be shipped as soon as the opportunity arises. We thank you, and we thank our volunteers who helped pull this all together. And we thank in particular Paula Sylvestre, who coordinated this effort. 
BPS Debate Season Comes to End; Accolades to Many

The 2009-2010 Debate Season came to a close at the City Championships hosted by the Boston University Black Law Student Association at the BU Law School. Dorchester Academy dominated the Varsity division, with the teams of Anna Rodriguez, Long Dang, Tyrell Carter, and Julio Lanzo  closing out the final round. New Mission High School had the other two teams in the semifinals. In the Junior-Varsity division, Brighton High School's Nicholas Cathcart took top honors, with Boston Latin Academy finishing in second. Dorchester was also the overall city champion, with New Mission coming in second." (Courtesy of the league website .

Congratulations to all who participated!
Co-Editor Position for BTU Newspaper

Beginning in June we will hire a new co-editor of the BUT newspaper. The co-editor's job is to work with the other co-editor, Garret Virchick, and publish ten yearly issues of the newspaper, plus special editions if needed. The position involves gathering news, reporting and covering events, taking pictures, editing, working with the web page, and managing the newspaper. The salary is $17,660 per year. Send resume and a letter of interest to Richard Stutman by 4/1/10. All candidates will be interviewed.
March Science Social at Brighton Beer Garden!

Come join us Friday, 3/26.  Relax, network, and enjoy the company of the dynamic BPS science community.  Appetizers will once again be generously provided by the UMass Boston COSMIC (Center for Math and Science in Context) office.
  • Date: Friday, March 26th
    Time: 3-7pm
  • Location: Brighton Beer Garden
    386 Market Street
  • 617.562.6000
  • Host Schools: ACC and Brighton High School
To see the entire list of Socials for the 2009-10 year, and driving/MBTA directions, visit here . Each month features a different neighborhood and different host schools!
Retirement Seminar, 3/25

Reminder: Michael McLaughlin will host a retirement seminar on 3/25, at 4:30. Questions?

Want to Learn About the State's Deferred Comp Plan?

Nick Baseel of the state's Deferred Comp (457) Plan will be present at the BTU on 3/24, 4/28, 5/19, 6/16. The 457 is a tax-deferred savings plan not unlike the TSA or 403B Plan. All meetings are at 4:00.
Educator of the Year

See here for the announcement of the Educator of the Year Celebration.
Vote to Help the Kenny Get a New Playground

Help the Kenny School Get a New School Yard!

Help Support the Kenny School. They are finalist in a competition for a new school yard. Vote Everyday! Pass along and vote for the Kenny School Playground Video!
Walk/Run for Slain EBHS Teacher

Five years ago this past February, our beloved colleague and friend, Andrea Harvey (mathematics teacher of East Boston High School) was tragically murdered by her husband.  Shortly thereafter, her family and friends began the Andrea Harvey Memorial Fund in her honor to raise funds for scholarships to graduating seniors from East Boston High School and Cambridge Rindge and Latin School.  The Fund also supports raising awareness of the serious issue of domestic violence.  In time, our Fund connected with the good people of the City of Cambridge 5-Mile City Run/3-Mile Walk which allows us from East Boston High School to participate in the event as another way to raise significant money for the Harvey Fund.

This year, the Run/Walk will take place on Sunday, March 28 at 10:30 a.m. at Fresh Pond in Cambridge, MA.  More information regarding registering for the Run/Walk can be found here . Donations to the Andrea Harvey Memorial Fund may also be

mailed to:
Cambridge Teachers Federal Credit Union,
459 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02138. 

Please include your name and address. Any notes or memories of Andrea are always welcome. More information regarding the Andrea Harvey Memorial Fund, which is a 501C3, can be found here .
BU to Offer BPS K-8 Teachers Grant-Funded Graduate Courses!

Boston University is offering two science courses this summer for K-8 teachers. Immersion in Green Energy is an introduction to alternative energy sources. Immersion in Global Energy Distribution is an introduction to the determinants of climate. Both courses are for four graduate credits in the School of Education. Tuition is covered by a grant. There is a $700 stipend for completing the course and an additional stipend of $75 for attending four call back sessions (total is $300). The courses meet intensively for the immersion period July 12 - July 23. There are five pre-immersion sessions in May and June. Dates and times, as well as an application form are available here . For additional information, contact Peter Garik .
Help Out Shaw's Workers


Members of UFCW Local 791 who work at the Shaw's Supermarkets Distribution Center in Methuen, MA voted overwhelmingly to reject the company's final contract offer and to strike on Sunday, March 7th. The previous agreement covering 310 workers at the distribution center expired at midnight on March 6th. The company's substandard wage proposal combined with its demand for increased employee health care contributions would result in a net loss of income for workers during the term of the contract.


Please join Local 791 members on the picket line at the following locations from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM as they seek a fair and equitable agreement that preserves full-time jobs, work rules and contains good wages and benefits.

  • 100 Danton Drive, Methuen, MA 01844
  • 4 McGrath Highway, Somerville, MA 02143
  • Prudential Center, 52 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02199
  • 795 Providence Highway, Dedham, MA 02026
  • 45 Morrissey Boulevard, Dorchester, MA 02124
  • 400 Lynn Fells Parkway, Saugus, MA 01906
Retirement Parties

(Notice: we will generally run these announcements for three or four weeks consecutively. We will also re-run whenever you ask. )

 

 

 

Sincerely,

Richard Stutman
BTU President

richardstutman@comcast.net (home)
rstutman@btu.org (work)
617-288-2000

TOP

 
In This Issue
BTU-Donated Supplies En Route to Haiti
 
BPS Debate Season Comes to End; Accolades to Many
 
Co-Editor Position for BTU Newspaper
 
March Science Social at Brighton Beer Garden!
 
Retirement Seminar
 
Want to Learn About the State's Deferred Comp Plan
 
Educator of the Year.
 
Vote to Help the Kenny Get a New Playground..
 
Walk/Run for Slain EBHS Teacher
 
BU to Offer BPS K-8 Teachers Grant-Funded Graduate Courses!.
 
Help Out Shaw's Workers
 
Retirement Parties
 
 

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BTU e-Bulletins
Back Issues

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
#24 02/01/10
#25 02/08/10
#26 02/22/10
#27 03/01/10
#28 03/04/10
#29 03/08/10
#30 03/15/10

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