Congratulations Celtics , C'mon B r u i n s , and Wake Up Red Sox.

This week, BTU negotiators will spend Wednesday in Day 2 of negotiations on Turnaround School . Day 1 went nowhere. The school department is sticking to its proposals by and large, with a tweak here and there. On a significant issue of forcing our members to work an additional 220 hours without compensation, the school department has not budged. Incidentally, the school insists that Orchard Gardens and Harbor will both remain pilots schools even as they have become Turnaround Schools. Given that inconsistency--how can a pilot school be forced to become a "Turnaround School" and what does that say about their autonomy?--we asked the department if teachers and para's at Orchard and Harbor would get paid for their mandatory overtime, as do teachers and para's at other pilots. Or would staff get no additional pay whatsoever because of their Turnaround status, as the dept. has proposed. "We will get back to you," the department told us. Hmmm.

Lastly, still no word from the school department on their proposal to increase class size in SEI classes in Turnaround  Schools. We asked the dept. to show us any research that proves that increasing class size among lower performing students will narrow the achievement gap. We will let you know when  we hear back from the school department.

Why do we continually hammer away at the school department on the overtime and the SEI issues? On the overtime issue, we currently have 25 or so schools working an extended day with pay. Along comes the school department and proposes to "reform" the Turnaround Schools by requiring the mandatory overtime without pay. Some reform! More like trying to exploit our members. On the SEI issue, there's no way increasing class-size will help anyone and close the achievement gap. We know it, our students know it, state officials know it, and school department officials know it. So let's call it what it is: It is not an educational reform, it is an attempt to save a few dollars.

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Contract negotiations on the Master Contract begins this Thursday.

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There is a membership meeting this Wednesday at 4:00. We expect two guest speakers on local, hot topics. A representative from the  Librarians Association has been invited to speak with us on the issue of the closing of a number of Boston Branch libraries. See here for more information. Last month the membership voted to send a letter of support to keep all libraries open. Also, a representative from Boston School Custodians will attend to speak about the proposed loss of 25% of the custodial positions in our schools. We have written City Councilors to show our support for them as well.

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A few assignment issues:

Turnaround Schools: staff who have been evicted from Turnaround Schools CAN apply to other Turnaround Schools. Many have already been accepted. Some of you may have heard otherwise, so feel free to apply to any and all positions you wish.

All Excessed Staff, see sections below for assignment information for paras and teachers. This information applies to all regardless of whether people are from Turnaround Schools or not. Any questions, as always, email Caren, Michael, or Jenna, or feel free to call at 617-288-2000.

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Looking for a teaching position...

See current openings here.

Also, see T3--Turnaround Teacher Openings-- here .

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Provisional Teachers: Apply to any and all available positions, and continually watch the vacancy lists. Positions open up throughout the summer, through December 1. An exceptionally high number of positions open up late in the season, due to late retirements, resignations, and so on.

Teacher Mock Pool--Date set for May 27th, 4:00 - 6:00 PM. Questions, Caren or Michael at 617-288-2000.

A new transfer process kicks in this year for paraprofessionals. This is a wonderful opportunity for all to take advantage of. There is a new excess pool procedure this year as well. If excessed, you are urged to attend the informational session on May 6th.

Any questions on the above, call Jenna Fitzgerald at 617-288-2000.

Informational Sessions

  * May 10--School Dept. and BTU will hold a resume workshop at the BTU from 3-5. Register by calling Patty at 617-288-2000.

    * May 11 and May 13, from 3-6 PM, Madison Park High, only for paras above 413 days--there will be a drop-in session on how to use the computer to help in the application process. Only paras who meet the 413 cutoff date may apply for transfers.

BTU Members in the Middlesex, Suffolk & Essex district are reminded to vote for BTU endorsed candidate
Sal DiDomenico for State Senate Special Election on Tuesday, May 11, 2010.Polls are open from 7AM-8PM.

• May 19th at 4:15pm
• June 16th at  4:15pm

Questions? Call (877) 457-1900 x20076; ask for Nick Baseel.

National Board Certified Teacher New Candidate Outreach will be held on June 3,  Thursday,  4-6 PM, at BTU. Check web site for qualifications. This is a change in date.
Question? 

• English High School
  Jerry Gallagher, Dr. Michael Rozas, Pat Thaxton, and Keith "PK" Parker
  X&O Restaurant and Lounge. 217 Washington Street, Stoughton, MA 02072 on Friday June 11, 2010, 6:00pm - 11:00pm $45.00 (includes dinner and gift). Cash Bar
  Contacts: Sue Alborghetti (salborghetti@boston.k12.ma.us), Tia Lawrence (ms.lawrenceehs@gmail.com) or Georgette Travis (gtravis@boston.k12.ma.us), Phone: 617-635-8979
  Payment for the tickets in the form of cash, check, or money order. Make checks and money orders out to The English High School.

• Richard J. Murphy School
  Honoring: Paula Clarke, Eva Ehrenspeck, Barbara Needle
  Common Market Restaurant Quincy, MA on June 16, 2010, Cocktails 5:30-6:30, Dinner 6:30-9:30
  Tickets 50.00
  Mail Check to the Murphy School Sunshine Fund befoire 6/8

• John W. McLaughlin,  Attendance Officer/Former Teacher
  Wed., June 16, 2010, 4 - 7  PM
  The Village Manor, 427 Sprague Street,  Dedham,  MA.  02026,  781-407-9191
  Appetizers and music,  cash bar
  RSVP  Ann at  781-864-2233  or 781-331-5443 

• Ann Davis, Fran Doyle, Midge Jacobs, Jean Leahy, Dora Nocera, Marjorie Sullivan Citywide ETF'S
  June 11th, 2010,  at the Common Market,  5:00-9:00
  $55.00 buffet
  RSVP to Adele Chiachio at Brighton High School

• Joyce Simms-Tyson
  Lombardos, Randolph, MA,
  June 16,  2010, 6 P.M.
  Cost is $50.00. Price includes dinner and gift. Make checks payable to the Mather School c/o Karen King by 6/4 Questions E-mail

• Martha Watson and Marilyn Hughes, Beethoven School
  Friday, June 4, 2010, 6pm
  Venezia at the Waterfront
  $65 dinner and gift. RSVP by May 21st to Michelle Glynne, c/o Beethoven

• Danny Green and Richie Smigielski on June 16th, 2010, 6pm-10pm $65 per person, includes tasty buffet and gift. At the Venezia Waterfront. Please send check or money order payable to Snowden. Attention to Mary Battersby or Dr. Gloria Coulter at (617) 635-9989 RSVP by June 1st please.

• Marsha Hunt and Mary Jane Drinkwater
  School Psychological Services at the Neighborhood Club--June 16, cocktails 7, dinner at 7 p.m. Check of $35 to Psych. Services before 6/1 at 443 warren Street, Dorchester, MA 02121

• Sheila Burke and Carlene Chavis Thursday 6/24, 6-10, Venezia
  $ 55 includes dinner and gifts rsvp by 6/4, Ann Direeno c/o Tynan school
  650 east 4th Street, South Boston, MA 02127

• Retirement Party for Beverly Harris, former teacher at the Allighieri
  Phillips Old Colony House, Dorchester, MA 02122
  May 21, 2010 @ 6pm
  Cost is $65.00. Price includes dinner and gift. Dancing to follow. Make checks payable to Colette Ferriabough.
  RSVP to Colette Ferriabough @ 617-642-5971 or Pamela Spinney @ 617- 759-0395.

• Retirement Dinner for Danette Ingram Saturday, June 12, 2010, 6-11
  Lombardo's
  RSVP
  45$ to Diane Thornton,
  200 Matthew Circle  201, Braintree, MA 02184