Greetings!

Good Morning,  

Many different activities take place this week assignment-wise. Below is a capsule. As always, if you have any questions, please call the union office or email either Mike or Caren. Also below, you will find news of a Discovery School RFP and the Laptop initiative.

Finally the monthly membership meeting takes place this Wednesday. The Flower Show is in town, so beware of slight traffic increase.

On Teacher Assignments...

    Today is the notification date for those who have been declared excess in their current capacity. The transfer circular is also due out today.  A few words about both processes:

    Excessing is the means by which the school department is obligated to notice permanent personnel that they are 'excess' in their current position. If excessed, a permanent  teacher (ETF, nurse, and so on) has a right to bid on a new position at his/her respective excess pool, yet to be scheduled. The union holds a 'mock  pool' for all excessees to attend to learn the mechanics of the excess pool process. That, too, has yet to be scheduled, and when it is, it will be amply publicized. For any questions on this, please contact  Caren Carew or Mike McLaughlin . 

    People excessed from a school generally have an 'attachment' right to a position in that school should a position or vacancy open up at that school (in the excessee's program area) prior to 10/1/08. The attachment right then temporarily closes, and is resurrected the following (2009) assignment season, through the opening of school in September 09. For any and all questions. Please contact either Mike or Caren.

    On two significant issues, that of coaches and ETFs being excessed, here's what we know as of the close of business on Friday. Some of this information is subject to change, as the school department, through the writing of this email, has not made a final decision, at least on the matter of ETFs.

    It is expected that all ETFs will be noticed that they are excessed in their current position. This is accurate as of late Friday night, but is subject to change. An official in the HR Dept. told us via email late Friday PM that is is likely that a final decision on ETFs will not be made until after this email is sent late Sunday night.

    The excessing of ETFs is a violation of the contract and will be grieved. We have so notified the School Department.  We have solid  contract language that prevents anyone else from doing the job of an ETF, school-based, citywide, or private, and we will pursue our claims through grievance/arbitration if anyone's rights are violated.  We have invited all ETFs to a meeting on 3/19 at 4:00 PM at the BTU. At that meeting BTU staff will be present to give an update.

    On academic coaches... It is also expected that most, but not all, academic coaches will be noticed for excess. There are approximately 130 coaches in all subject areas (literacy, math, science, and so on) filling 110 FTE positions.  Coaches who are certified as teachers AND who have worked for three years and one day are considered as permanent teachers, in line with the BTU Contract. Of the 110 FTE coaching positions, an estimated 75-80% of the people filling those positions are entitled to positions as permanent teachers via the excess pool. As mentioned above, excess coaches who are entitled to teaching positions will be invited to the mock pool and should contact either Caren or Mike for more information. (A coach does not have an attachment right to a position in the school from which he/she is excessed unless he or she had taught in the school while permanent within the last calendar year. The lack of an attachment right, however, does not preclude the coach from choosing the school through the normal assignment processes.)

    All people, excessed or not, are entitled to look at and apply for vacancies on the transfer list, also slated to come out today, March 10. The rules for transfer can be found on PP. 98 through 100 in the contract.

    Provisionals without a Reasonable Assurance letter are urged to apply for any and all suitable positions that are available, including the Open Posting list and any and all pilot school positions that are posted.  Provisionals, too, are urged to network with friends and colleagues in other buildings in the event other new positions open up in their buildings, as positions necessarily will.  As ominous as current budget predictions are, new positions ALWAYS open up over the spring and summer, and it is important to pay attention to the BPS webpage to remain aware of all new vacancies.  More information will be coming out to provisionals under separate cover later. Again, anyone with a question should contact either Caren Carew or Mike McLaughlin, listed above.

    All of the above excessings, as well as the referenced non-renewals of provisionals, are driven by the anticipated $30+ Million deficit facing the school department next year.  There are only two ways to reduce a spending  deficit-cut spending and/or increase funding. Obviously we prefer the latter, but the latter is tied to the city's finances, which in turn are  largely dependent on state aid. Boston, like all Mass cities and towns, is strictly limited in its ability to raise its own revenue, even though as a geographic and cultural magnet it necessarily absorbs the increased costs of same. There is legislation proposed that would allow Boston to raise money through a separate meals tax, but the fate of that legislation is uncertain, and even if successful, would not help out immediately.  Notwithstanding this, the state budget picture is still unclear, and the amount of local aid and education aid has not been determined for the next fiscal year. Long story short : The school department may or may not see an increase in state aid, but given the ongoing inability of the city to raise its own revenue, any type of significant increase in school spending is unlikely. What can you do to help?

Call you state rep. and state senator and urge passage of the Mass Municipal Partnership Act, a piece of legislation that would allow Mass municipalities to raise local revenue by, among other items, adding 2% to the local meals tax.

Discovery School RFP to be Released; Meeting Scheduled

    The BTU and the superintendent have reached  agreement on an RFP (Request for proposal) on schools wishing to become a Discovery School. A Discovery School will be granted autonomies in curriculum, assessment and certain budgetary areas, but unlike a pilot school will have no relaxation of collective bargaining rights. The RFP will be released imminently. A meeting to explore this option will be held at the BTU on Monday, March 31, 2008,at 4:00 PM. Present will be union staff and the superintendent.  Schools that have applied for pilot status are, too, welcome to attend. This is an exciting development, and we look forward to working with the superintendent to develop this model.

   On the Laptop Initiative

    On the Laptop Initiative-The BTU staff has met with the OIIT people, and both parties have agreed to certain terms and conditions that go above and beyond the BPS Laptop Use Agreement.  The agreement we reached answers many questions and concerns we have received from you. We are confident that the agreement takes care of the main concerns we've heard. [There is in addition an acceptable use policy (more below) that has been in existence for a while.] Here are the main issues:
 

•         While we do encourage all to participate in the program, the program is voluntary. We have set up a committee established to address and discuss implementation issues around L4L as a way to provide feedback and recommendations to OIIT regarding the initiative. We except that we will be able to work out any loose ends that arise from implementation.
•         Schools will provide secure locations for the storage of your laptop-either a separate central space(s) or a secure location within your room. if you follow appropriate security procedures in school, you will not be liable for its theft or loss in schools.
•         If you follow appropriate procedures out of school and your laptop is stolen, you may be liable for a $200 fee.  There will be a committee, composed of 50-50 BTU and BPS, to review appeals, if requested, of the imposed fee. If the laptop is in your possession out of school and  you are negligent, and the laptop is lost or stolen, you may be liable for the entire replacement cost, with depreciation taken into account.
•         Accepting the laptop will not obligate anyone to accept a software program, let's say, for grading, for marks or some such.  The BTU retains all rights to grieve any such impositions. Refusing to accept the laptop in and of itself cannot be reflected in one's performance evaluation.

 
Please note: These computers belong to the school department and must be treated as such. Your acceptance is voluntary. Please review the department's acceptable use policy . Also, please be aware that the union has informed the department that it finds the policy vague and overly broad, and we have reserved all contractual and legal rights to challenge its scope should it be necessary. In sum, we have had an isolated problem here and there with this policy--enough to make sure everyone is aware of the policy, but not enough to dissuade people from using the laptop and taking advantage of this opportunity.   

Health Insurance Seminars Scheduled

On health Insurance, the Open Enrollment Period runs this year for the month of April. The BTU is hosting its annual seminar on April 16, on which date you will be able, at the BTU office, to sign up for health plans, change health plans, add dependents, and so on. That meeting runs from 4-6. Prior to the meeting, on April 7, April 10, and April 14, we will be holding a seminar at the BTU with BTU consultant John Brouder at 4 on each of those days. Mr. Brouder will also be speaking on  April 9 from  10 AM to 12 PM. All four of these meetings are open to retirees AND active employees. Mr.  Brouder will explain the ins and outs of the various health plans as well as Medicare, and so on. Mr. Brouder did the same last year, and the meetings were both well-attended and informative.

Rosie's Place/Pine St. Inn Fundraiser

• prizes
• raffles
• dancing
• food cash bar
• $10 donation. See BTU Building Reps. for tickets or purchase at the door

Dates--Blood Drive, Group Ins., Paras, etc.

• March 14, BTU night at the Celtics. Go Celts
• March 14, March 15--BEAM Conference--see below
• March 28, Rosie's Place & Pine St. Inn Fundraiser
• April 5, Para Conference
• April 7 Health Insurance Seminar with Consultant, 4:00 PM, at the BTU.
• April 9 Health Insurance Seminar with Consultant, 10 AM, at the BTU.
• April 10 Health Insurance Seminar with Consultant, 4:00 PM , at the BTU.
• April 14 Health Insurance Seminar with Consultant, 4:00 PM, at the BTU.
• April 16, Group Insurance Meeting. Save the Date.At this meeting you can change plans, add dependents, and so on.
• May 13, BTU Retirees Day on the Hill
• May 29, BTU Annual Blood Drive--mail to blooddrive@btu.org
• When emailing, please remember to give your name and phone number.

Job-Sharing Opportunities

Job-sharing--Anyone interested  in learning about job-sharing, please see  the circular on Job-Sharing  and/or contact Michael or Caren.

TeLLS Survey Deadline Extended

 The TeLLs Survey has been extended to March 18. For more information, see MassTells.

Let's Help Our School Nurses

School Nurses and other BTU members are encouraged to write letters to their State Senate reps advocating a favorable release of S.2455 Bill from the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. The bill would provide equitable benefits in  the teachers' retirement system. Any questions, please email dmoreschi@boston.k12.ma.us

Here is a sample letter Deb Moreschi wrote:

Dear   :

I am writing to urge a favorable release of S. 2455, "Relative to providing equitable benefits for members of the teacher's retirement system". As you likely know, school nurses became eligible members of the Massachusetts Teacher's Retirement System (MTRS) after Education Reform in 1993 required Department of Education (DOE) certification. As a consequence of this change, a relatively small percentage of school nurses who have served our children for many years and are close to retirement have been unable to include their years of employment prior to 1993, for purposes of eligibility in Retirement Plus upon their retirement. This bill seeks to remedy this unintended consequence of Education Reform and gross inequity.

In addition, there are a handful of other school personnel who face this same inequity. Along with the MTRS and the Massachusetts Teacher's Association, the Massachusetts School Nurse Organizations (MSNO), of which I am a member, as well as a School Nurse at the Hyde Park Educational Complex, a Boston Public School, wishes to correct this disservice by passing this legislation. The bill makes it clear that in order to qualify for such benefits, as a school nurse, I would have to elect to buy into the Retirement Plus option

I am hopeful that you will work with the Senate Committee on Ways and Means to favorably and expediently release this bill in order to meet its intent to make the DOE Licensed/Certified School Nurses whole and their benefits in MTRS equitable.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

To write a letter to your state senator, see here.

Volunteering  Overseas--Many Options for Retirees

We posted an announcement last week looking for opportunities for retirees to volunteer overseas. We got many terrific responses.  What a tremendous variety of experiences our members have had!

Thank you, all.

• By the way...the retired teacher looking for overseas volunteer opportunities should check out idealist.org.  They have many listings for that sort of thing.
• Had a couple of ideas for the retiree looking for opportunities to volunteer overseas... Global Volunteers has a number of programs, many in Africa or Asia. Earth watch Institute or Habitat for Humanity International are a couple of other organizations.
• The retiree should check out Crossculturalsolutions.org; this website should be helpful.
• I am enclosing a link to an organization in Madagascar that is always looking for volunteers.  This is a small village of about 150 people who live on a hilltop 7 km off the main road.  The village has a clinic which services the village of Maventy Bao and the surrounding villages.  I spent two weeks there last year and I can tell you that the people are wonderful.  They have very little but always wear big smiles on their faces.  Currently they are having a crisis of malnutrition and can use volunteers of all skill levels and interests - teachers are always a plus. Here is the link:  http://www.maventy.org/
• The retiree looking for overseas opportunities - GlobalEd news (attached, below) is a great resource for Global education opportunities for educators and students.  Additionally, Anne Baker ( anne@rpcv.org ) is a great resource to call. 
• I'd like to suggest American Baptist Churches International Ministries. Their website address is:  www.internationalministries.org . 
• I was happy to read about the retiree interested in volunteering. When I taught in Beijing in 2005/6, I spent one day a week volunteering at a school for migrant children. In China if you do not have a residency permit (huhou) you can not attend the local public school. Over a 100,000 kids in Beijing alone are in this situation. I taught Spoken English. The kids and staff were great. Please pass along my email ( kevin.freeley@yahoo.com ). I know they are eager to have a native speaker and will provide housing.

From the SPED Faculty Senate

Is No Child Left Behind (NCLB) being used as a hammer to limit instructional options?  The SPED Faculty Senate is very interested in hearing from the rank and file about their experiences with NCLB.

Johnny is a 5 th grade student with academic skills three years below his grade level enrolled in a LD classroom.  The principal has insisted that Johnny receive all instruction at the 5 th grade level using 5 th grade materials as the regular education students.  Every week he fails the math test.  He is demoralized and angry and his teacher is devastated.  When this is discussed with the principal, s/he states, "This is the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law and I have high expectations for all students."
 

Do you see this in your school?  Is Johnny's case unique?  Please share your experiences, both same and different at spedfacultysenate@btu.org .

ROLLINS GRIFFITH TEACHER CENTER OF BOSTON

SPRING CONFERENCE: TAKING CARE OF YOU! SELF-RENEWAL & SURVIVAL STRATEGIES FOR EDUCATORS

The Rollins Griffith Teacher Center of Boston is a nonprofit organization run by and for educators. Since opening its doors in 1980, it has continuously served teachers, para-professionals and administrators in all of Boston's schools, including private schools and day-care centers.

Workshops & Luncheon 
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Charles H. Taylor Elementary School, 1060 Morton Street
        Mattapan, MA  02126, (617-635-8731)

Conference is free and open to all B.P.S. Educators on a first-come, first served basis.

Workshops

• Classroom Management  Workshop
• Introduction to Natural Healing ( two sessions)
• Remember to Breathe Deeply:  
• Balancing the Stress of Teaching & Learning
• Feng Shui For Teachers
• Stress Buster:  Stretch. Relax. Renew
• Laugh Your Way To Better Health

Register by email to mjelloe@comcast.net OR mail registration to Mr. Elie Jean-Louis, Principal, Taylor School.  To register after 4/17/or for more information, call Claire Radly at 617-635-6385. Please be sure to include your top 3 choices for workshops!

BTU and BTU-RTC Scholarships

BTU DEPENDENT SCHOLARSHIPS

This year there will be 16 scholarships in the amount of $1,000 awarded to high school seniors who are dependents of BTU members.  To apply, please obtain an application from Jeanne Turner in the Union office or download the form from the BTU website and return with: a transcript of the dependent's last two years of academic work; 2) evidence of acceptance by an accredited college, junior college, vocational school or equivalent institution; 3) member's notarized federal tax return for the year 2007; and 4) a one-page statement of the dependent's professional goals.  The application and the four supporting documents must be received in the Union office no later than Wednesday, April 9, 2008.   The recipients of the scholarships will be notified by May, 16, 2008.

 
RETIRED TEACHERS CHAPTER SCHOLARSHIP

Each year the Retired Teachers Chapter of the Boston Teachers Union awards three scholarships to deserving high school seniors who are children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews of RTC members.  One of these scholarships is earmarked for a student who might choose to attend a vocational school or equivalent institution.Applications for these scholarships my be picked up at the RTC/BTU offices at 180 Mt. Vernon Street, Dorchester, MA 02125 or they can be downloaded from the BTU website.

OIIT PD Opportunities

OIIT Professional Development

OIIT, in collaboration with New Teacher Support System, has posted TEAMS Teaching Circles on MyLearningPlan (MLP). Information is outlined below. To apply, visit MyLearning Plan, the district's new course management system.
http://www.mylearningplan.com/

TEC1101:  TEAMS Teaching Circles
TEAMS Teaching Circles blended online course is for second and third year teachers, or teachers new to the BPS. This online course supports beginning teachers instruction through a series of online modules. Teachers in the course are grouped with a mentor who guides and facilitates online discussions. Upon successful completion of the course, teachers will receive 2-inservice credits.

BPS Teachers: Summer Math Program for Advanced Students

BU is offering a summer program in Math. See www.promys.org

BTU Golf Tournament, June 17-Save the Date

Details will be announced shortly. There will assuredly be prizes and fun galore for this fundraising effort for a host of worthy charities.

Boston Writing Project Summer Institute

Boston Writing Project Summer Institute -- July 7th to July 31st, Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.   This four-week program at UMass Boston, now in its 29th year, gives teachers time to reflect on and expand their use of writing in their teaching practice, Applicants who are accepted receive a $600 stipend and an opportunity to receive six (6) graduate credits, tuition-free, with the payment of fees.

 
To receive an application, please contact the Boston Writing Project at 617-287-7665.  You may also receive an application through the Boston Writing Project .Completed applications are due April 15, 2008.  All applicants will be notified by May 15, 2008.              

NBPTS Workshops

Reminders:

Interested in National Board Teacher Certification Candidacy for 2009?
Outreach Meeting Thursday, March 13, 2008 at the CLD from 4-6 PM.
RSVP to khines@boston.k12.ma.us
 
 National Board Certified Teacher "Take One" Potential Candidates 2009; In-service credit workshop to experience the NBCT process &  plan an entry, West Roxbury Ed. Complex Library, Four Mondays March 24, 31, April 7 & 14 from 4-7 PM or 3-6 PM.

Environmental Health and Safety Seminar

Open to BTU members:

MTA Environmental Health & Safety Seminar
WHEN: Saturday, March 15, 2008  8:00 AM  - 3:30 PM
WHERE: Holiday Inn Holyoke, 245 Whiting Farms Road, Holyoke,  MA 01040
Questions: Michael W. McLaughlin
mmclaughlin@btu.org
Cost : $25

Yancey Book Fair Features Local Artists

The entertainment was terrific and included performances by gospel singer Raymond Fuller, the Boston Latin School String Ensemble, vocalist Rashed McPherson of Berklee College of Music and 15-year-old vocalist Laquandra Seymore.Activities also included a reading by Verdya Mitchell Brown, and a double-dutch performance by SWIRLS, an acronym for Single Women in Real Life Situations.

Charitable Event--Marathons for Research

Hanna Brewer,  Spanish teacher at Another Course to College, in Brighton. is running her 3rd Boston Marathon, and my 2nd for The Accelerated Cure Project, a non profit organization that works to determine the causes of Multiple Sclerosis, a chronic demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system affecting over 400,000 people in the US and 2 million individuals worldwide.
 
Here's her website for fundraising  or a check can be written out to and sent to: Accelerated Cure Project and mail to:

Accelerated Cure Project
c/o 2008 Boston Marathon Team - <Runner's name>
300 Fifth Avenue
Waltham, MA 02451
www.acceleratedcure.org

And we repeat an announcement that Erin McManus, a second grade inclusion teacher at the O'Hearn School, is running the Boston Marathon to support the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Care for Children Center.  This will be Erin's 9th marathon, and her second time running in support of the charity.  If you would like to donate, please visit Erin's website at firstgiving.com/erinmcmanus or send checks, payable to Massachusetts General Hospital to
 
Erin McManus
164 King Phillips Path
Marshfield, MA  02050   

We wish both good luck, and we thank both for participating in these charitable event.

Charitable Event--AIDS Walk

AIDS Walk Boston takes place through the streets of Boston, Brookline and Cambridge. The 10K course (6.2 miles) starts and ends at the Charles River Esplanade.

AIDS Walk Boston has historically been AIDS Action Committee's biggest fundraising event, and is now in its 22nd year. Tens of thousands of people have participated in the Walk and have generously raised over 30 million dollars for the programs and services of AAC. These programs include housing/legal assistance, social support, rent and utilities assistance, and political advocacy, just to name a few. These programs and services are in need of funds, and I hope to be able to generate some through my efforts.

"I'd like to invite you to join my team, The Lifesavers, and walk with me! We could really use your help to raise funds and show your support in the fight against HIV/AIDS. You can learn more about the event and register online at www.aidswalkboston.org . "

I hope that you'll join me in this effort. Thank you in advance for your support!

If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address.

We wish Tanya Santiago good luck, and we thank her for participating in this charitable event.

Nancy Strunk Memorial Fund Scholarship

THE NANCY M. STRUNK MEMORIAL FUND-SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
            
Nancy M. Strunk was an outstanding health educator, administrator and supporter of the health of students in the Boston Public Schools. Her career was dedicated to health promotion and disease prevention for children and their families.  This Scholarship Fund has been developed by colleagues and friends of Nancy Strunk in order to keep alive her memory and pass along to young people her commitment to fostering a healthy lifestyle in young people.

To be eligible, a students must have been accepted and plan to attend a post-secondary educational institution with a major interest in health.  The applicant must submit an essay of 500 to 1,000 words (3-5 pages, typed, in 12 point font and double-spaced.) . In this essay, the senior will be required to tell us: (1) about himself/herself, (b) tell us what prompted him/her to choose this area of study and (c) how completion of this course of study will fulfill his/her goals and aspirations.

The application must be accompanied by two letters of recommendation.  One letter must be from the individual who nominated the senior unless the senior nominated him/herself.  A self-nominated senior must send two letters of recommendation in addition to the essay.

Nominees must send both the original completed application form with the essay and two recommendations and a complete copy of the packet post marked April 15, 2008 or hand delivered by noon April 15, 2008 to Mr. Phillip Robinson, Grover Cleveland Middle School, 11 Charles street, Dorchester, MA  02122.  Email address:  Probinson2@Boston.k12.ma.us . Please note: Late applications will not be accepted.  

For further information, please contact Mr. Phillip Robinson at 617 635-7891 ext. 113.

Obituary

The BTU is saddened to announce that Jack Mahoney, retired teacher from Boston Latin School, passed away a little over a week ago. Jack was very active in the BTU and served our membership many years as a BTU Building Rep. Jack is sorely missed his former colleagues, his family and friends. The BTU extends its condolences.