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| Greetings! We hope you have had a Happy Easter and a Happy Passover. The BTU is in the midst of negotiating with the School Department on assignment rights for displaced teachers and paraprofessionals from the Turnaround Schools. We met twice last week for approximately 9 hours and are meeting again today. We will keep you informed. Staff in so-called Turnaround Schools ...Please see the below transfer and open posting information, and if you have any questions, please call (617-288-2000) or email Caren, Michael , or Jenna . ************************************************* On April 27th, John Brouder will speak at the BTU to those interested in the new city policy on Medicare. Essentially, all city employees who retire on July 1, 2010, or thereafter, and who are eligible for Medicare, must enroll in Medicare when appropriate. As a supplement to the Medicare Plan, the city sells a series of supplemental plans, which, when merged with Medicare Parts A and B, are actuarially equivalent to the current plans enjoyed by active employees. Mr. Brouder is one of the leading experts in this field, and he will answer all questions and concerns at that time. Also, Open Enrollment takes place from 4/5 through 5/7, and the BTU hosts its annual seminar at the BTU office on 4/13, from 4-6. At the BTU, you will be able to add or delete family members, change coverage, and have your questions answered by each vendor, as well as City of Boston Group Insurance representatives. ************************************************* Finally, we remind you that Diane Ravitch , arguably the most influential education commentator on today's education battles, is speaking at the  BTU on Monday, April 5, at 4:30, TODAY . Refreshments will be served at 4:00. All members and invited guests are welcomed. Dr. Ravitch is the author of the top-selling education book on Amazon, now in its fourth printing in less than one month. Here's how she describes her book: "It lacerates NCLB, RTTT, the big foundations, and efforts by central to control how teachers teach; it defends the dignity of teachers and critiques the idea of judging teachers by student test scores." And here's what Linda Darling-Hammond, Charles E. Ducommon Professor of Education, Stanford University, and Founding Executive Director, National Commission for Teaching & America's Future, had to say: "Diane Ravitch is one of the most important public intellectuals of our time. In this powerful and deftly-written book, she takes on the big issues of American education today, fearlessly articulating both the central importance of strong public education and the central elements for strengthening our schools. Anyone who cares about public education should read this book." |
| Transfer and Open Posting Information Summarized from HR Bulletin |
Two types of available teaching (nursing, and so on) positions for school year 2010-2011 will be posted on the new online Career Center beginning on Wednesday, March 31st: Transfer Postings (March 31 through April 15) Eligibility: All permanent teachers who have served in their present position for at least one year as of August 31, 2010, may apply for transfer positions by completing an online profile on the new BPS Career Center. How to Apply:
Selections: Candidates will be interviewed and notified of their selection by the Office of Human Resources by April 30, 2010. All approved assignments will become effective on September 1, 2010. Open Postings (March 31) Additionally, there will be a number of "Open Postings" available starting on March 31st. Any employee, provisional or permanent, may apply to Open Postings. These postings will NOT have the word "Transfer" in the posting title. Need Help? If you forgot your Hub Password:
For password help, contact HubHelp Desk weekdays 9:00am-5:00pm at 617-635-1HUB(1482).Please direct any other questions or issues to the Office of Human Resources Staffing Team at 617-635-9647. Or email or call the BTU office ( Caren or Michael ) at 617-288-2000. See here or BostonPublicSchools.org > Careers > Apply for Jobs (http://bostonpublicschools.org/node/54) for help in applying and searching for job postings. |
| Brrr........ It's Cold Inside |
The School Department, in an half-baked attempt to save money, has recently lowered classroom thermostats a few degrees. Of course, the department routinely cuts back the temperature whenever there is a budget crisis. A review of past crises reveals that the department has cut the temperature 20  degrees since 1975--or so the math shows. Last week--mid-MCAS--it was a little damp and cold and lots of people complained, especially during negotiations. You see, our negotiating team was stuck in the first floor of the School Department headquarters for two days in temperatures that were closer to 55 than 65. Most of our team members wore jackets. We can only imagine how cold it was in the schools. We question the strategy of lowering the temperature during the high-stakes MCAS exam. How much money does the school department save? And is the disruption worth it? Interestingly, if you rent an apartment in Boston, you get better treatment than if you are a student. Current school department policy calls for classrooms to be 'heated' to 66 degrees. Renters are entitled to 68 degrees. See the city regulation. |
| Fundraiser for Daughter of a BTU Member |
Charlotte Rose Kelly was an otherwise healthy 2 ½ year old girl until June 16, 2009, when she was diagnosed with Stage IV Neuroblastoma, a rare form of childhood cancer. Since June, she has undergone six rounds of chemotherapy, surgery, and two stem cell transplants. A fundraiser is being held on April 10, 2010, to help defray Charlotte's medical expenses, future treatments and research. Charlotte's parents, Patrice (a Speech and Language Pathologist at the Tynan School) and Greg, and brothers, Owen and Shane, greatly appreciate everyone's prayers and support. Please Say A Prayer For Charlotte - you can follow her progress here. |
| Retirement Parties |
(Notice: We will generally run these announcements for three or four weeks consecutively. We will also re-run whenever you ask.)
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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 |
| #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 |
| #31 | 03/22/10 |
| #32 | 03/25/09 |
| #33 | 03/29/10 |