Greetings!

Good Day,

This past Monday more than 100 school staff members from 32 schools attended a Discovery School exploratory session at the BTU. Superintendent Carol Johnson and much of her  leadership team attended the event, which lasted two hours. Those in attendance heard both the union leadership and the superintendent unfold the Discovery School RFP/application process. Similar in some ways to a Pilot School, a Discovery School will have autonomies in curriculum/assessment and budget. The similarity stops there, however: Discovery Schools will not have any exemptions from collectively-bargained working conditions.
 
(A preliminary Discovery School FAQ is found by scrolling to the end of the joint Discovery letter co-authored by the superintendent and the union president. The Discovery FAQ will be updated by mid-week, and will be linked here next week. If you want a copy in the meantime, please email me.)
 
All schools, including those schools that have applied for the $20,000 Boston Foundation planning grant, can apply for Discovery School status. (The $20,000 does not have to be paid back if any of these schools instead chooses the Discovery model.)

The application process for both Discovery and Pilot status follows the same timeline: application process this spring, possible approval in early June, and if approved, full status including budgetary, in September 2009. Some Discovery Schools, however, may be able to phase in curriculum/assessment autonomy in September 2008, depending on the scope of the phase-in. A letter of interest from schools that wish to explore Discovery Status is due April 18th. Upon receipt of the letter of interest, an application form will be sent out. The timeline is flexible, however, as this is the initial phase of a new process and we do expect some rough bumps in the road. Schools seeking Discovery status that cannot make the 4/18 deadline are asked to send in a brief note in accordance with the letter mentioned above.
 
On the issue of the union's approval of schools wishing to convert to, or start up as, a Pilot School, let me make a few points. The union has agreed to create or convert up to five pilot schools by Sept. 09 (we agreed to seven, and two are already accounted for) and we will meet the terms of the collective bargaining agreement. But we will do so with a careful eye on the system's overall demographic needs, especially given the economic realities that affect us.

Given the current fiscal climate, the superintendent has promised she would present a plan by September 08 that would examine facilities usage with a plan to possibly re-program as many as six 'under-enrolled, under-utilized school buildings.' While none of this is of course etched in stone, the union will look carefully at any proposal to open new pilot schools while other schools are being threatened with closure.

We will also pay attention to the lack of sufficient traditional (non-pilot school) vacancies as we consider the creation of even more pilot schools. Pilot schools in effect 'remove' vacancies from the mainstream, and because the collective bargaining agreement does not apply to pilots, our members cannot be forced into taking positions in them. (Discovery Schools do not remove  staff vacancies out of the mainstream, inasmuch as Discovery Schools do not operate under a changed contract.) In this current teacher assignment season, vacancies are tight, and there is an insufficient number of non-pilot vacancies in select program areas. We do not want this problem to get worse.

Long story short: There is room in our system for many different models of school reform. But the union will insist that all needs be balanced as the Pilot School approval process moves forward.

Retirees Day on Beacon Hill to Fight for a Fair and Just C.O.L.A.

Save on your calendar May 13, the Retirees Day on Beacon Hill to Fight for a Fair and Just C.O.L.A. We will be meeting with legislators on bills that would give Retirees a fair and just cost living adjustment. We'll also be there to fight for a minimum pension for all retirees. Buses leave from the BTU, after breakfast. There'll also be lunch. A good time, a worthwhile time. we hope to see you there. Please call the retirees office at 617-288-2000 and reserve a seat! Also, you will have to let the Retirees office know whether you are taking a BTU bus and staying for lunch. We hope you do both! This is a necessary event, a fun event, and a 'feel good' event. Thanks to all who are making this happen! We are committed to fighting for a fair and just COLA for our retirees until the pension law is reformed favorably.

English High School Finalist in Fox News Contest

The EHS E-TV program has been named a High School Newscast finalist by FOX Boston.  This is the first time a Boston School's newscast has made it to the top ten!  The winner is determined by the public voting online.  LET's HELP OUT!

Please vote for English between Friday April, 4, at 6pm, and Thursday April,10, at noon.  Look for the My High School Newscast Finalists link and vote for English. 

Health Insurance Seminars Scheduled

Health Insurance Seminars are scheduled on April 7, 10, and 14, at 4:00, and April 9, at 10, all at the BTU. The Open Enrollment Period runs this year for the month of April. The BTU is hosting its annual sign-up meeting, too, 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.

At the seminars, BTU consultant John Brouder will be speaking and 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. Medicare expert,  Kurt Czarnowski from the Social Security Administration, will be joining John on April 9th only.

Educator of the Year Awards! Nominate a Teacher, Para, Nurse or Any Other BTU Member!!!!

On June 23, the city, school department, the school committee, and the union will publicly honor a select group of Boston's exceptional educators -- teachers, paraprofessionals, nurses, therapists, and others who have made a unique contribution to their students, their classrooms, and their schools. A letter from the all parties went out March 5 to all schools seeking nominees. All of the information is in your school office and should be posted for all to see. Applications are due April 15. Letters of support may be e-mailed to: BostonEducators@cityofboston.gov . Questions, please call Martha at 617-635-4476

Dates--Blood Drive, Group Ins. etc.

Provisional Teachers W/O an RA: Apply for All Positions.

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 HUB 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.

MTEL Preparation Workshops

Arbitration Award(!) for Selected Guidance Counselors

Arbitration Award: The BTU has prevailed in a lengthy arbitration regarding the salary paid to Guidance Counselors at Dorchester Education Complex, Hyde Park Education Complex, and West Roxbury Education Complex. The decision involves only guidance counselors who are in Group II. If you have any questions, please call Patrick Connolly, BTU Vice President.

Laptop Initiative Survey

We have received a few calls about the survey given out during the Laptop Orientation. The survey is voluntary and time complete it comes out of the 2-hour orientation.

BTU RTC Charitable Golf Tournament--a Duffer's Delight

June 17th holiday-golf tournament -Putterham (Brookline) with extraordinary duffers, Dave Donovan and Mike McLaughlin, heading up the event planning.  Applications are now available on our website. There will  be prizes and fun galore for this fundraising effort for a host of worthy charities. The tournament will feature support for a variety of autism organizations. April 12 is National Autism Day.

All Schools: Please Make Sure Your Personnel Subcommittee is Functioning

If your school did not set up a Personnel Subcommittee to choose and screen transfer applicants, please email Caren Carew at the BTU. The Personnel Subcommittee of each school's School Site Council interviews and decides on the selection of permanent teachers who voluntarily apply for transfer into the school. That process was completed over the last two weeks at each school.

The Personnel Subcommittee is made up of two teachers and one parent from the SSC, as well as either the Principal/Headmaster or their designee. SSC teacher members, elect who among them will be the two representatives to serve on the Personnel Subcommittee. The Principal does not select the BTU members to serve on the Subcommittee. As in all SSC decision making, members of the Council and its Subcommittee are urged to reach decisions by consensus. Decisions need to be formalized by majority vote with the Principal/Headmaster/Program Director voting with the majority. If you have questions concerning this process, please contact ccarew@btu.org .

New Teachers: Know Your Benefits

New teachers are advised and reminded to review your benefits.
If you have any questions, please see your Building Rep.

Guidance Faculty Senate Meets 4/15

Guidance Faculty Senate Meeting on April 15th  from 3:30pm-5pm at the BTU Hall: We welcome all new members and look forward to seeing all.

Let's discuss how to use our professional development money allocated to guidance, discuss the possibility of new opportunities as the system hires a new director of guidance, and discuss our own visions and needs in our particular schools.
 Please come and share your ideas, energy and experience. For more i nfo contact Susan Trotz , Guidance Counselor at Mildred Avenue Middle School.

NE Aquarium Announces Free Admissions, New Rules 

The New England Aquarium is pleased to underwrite 15,000 free admissions for Massachusetts schoolchildren during the 2008-2009 school year.  Our Free Admission Program is aimed at schools that demonstrate financial need as defined by the percentage of students in the school who are eligible for a federal free/reduced lunch

Feedback from teachers has led us to restructure the Free Admission program for the upcoming school year.  To enhance the educational component of your visit, you, or a representative from your school, must plan to attend a FREE two hour "Field Trip Prep" Workshop offered by the New England Aquarium's Teacher Resource Center (TRC).  Each workshop will include a tour of our Teacher Resources Center and a curriculum-based guided-tour of the Aquarium exhibits.  Each workshop participant will receive several standards-based, educational activities to use before, during or after your field trip.  Once accepted for the Free Admission program our TRC staff will contact you to confirm the date of your workshop.  If you have attended a "Field Trip Prep" workshop since January, 2007 you are exempt from this prerequisite for the 2008-2009 school year.

If you are offered free admission for your students, please make your reservation early to have the widest selection of admission dates. To apply for our Free Admission Program, please follow these guidelines:

Please visit our website at http://www.neaq.org/freeadmission/       Complete and submit the electronic application between  March 15 and May 15, 2008. We will contact applicants by e-mail by  June 1, 2008 (please provide an accurate e-mail address when you  apply, so we will be able to contact you). If free admissions are awarded for your students,  please call our Central Reservations Office to book your visit.  Call 617-973-5206.  Deadline for making a reservation:  October 31, 2008.  If you  have not made your reservation by Oct. 31st, we will release your  spaces for another school group to use.  School visits must be scheduled to occur between September 15, 2008 and February 27,  2009.

This Free Admission Program is for Aquarium admission only.  You may add an IMAX film, Explorer Class or Behind-the-Scenes Tour at our group rates:* IMAX: $6.95 per student Explorer Class: $5 per student Behind-the-Scenes Tour: $12 per student (limit of 10 people per tour)

We are also pleased to inform you that the Massachusetts Cultural Council PASS Program offers transportation grants to eligible cities and schools. Please visit their website for more information.

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.       

Calderwood Writing Initiative--Part I

Boston Teachers Write Fellowships 2008:  The Calderwood Writing Initiative at the Boston Athenaeum is offering 15 fellowships for summer 2008 to spend two weeks - July 28-August 8 -- writing non-fiction prose and working on successful methods of teaching writing, under the guidance of a master teacher, with follow-up meetings on one Saturday per month throughout the school year. Each teacher selected for the program will receive a stipend of $1,500 and three graduate-level credits. The program will take place July 28-August 8.

Applications are due April 21, and candidates will be notified of their status during the first week of May. To apply, send in a brief statement (one paragraph to one page in length) describing your interest in writing and specific topics that interest you, along with a resumè, to: Jenny Desai, Calderwood Writing Initiative, The Boston Athenaeum,
10 ½ Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108. Email statements and resumès may be sent to desai@bostonathenaeum.org   

CALDERWOOD WRITING INITIATIVE SUMMER PROGRAMS--Part II

Teachers as Writers 2008 Summer Fellowships: The Calderwood Writing Initiative invites Boston-area teachers with writing projects that they want to develop into publications or presentations to apply for a two-week workshop at the Boston Athenaeum, July 14-25. Teachers who are accepted will receive a $1,500 stipend and three graduate credits to participate in the summer workshop -- 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. -- and follow-up meetings during the school year to be held once a month on Saturday mornings - 9:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Led by an experienced writing teacher and scholar, the seminar will be structured collaboratively. The two-week summer-workshop consists of guided work on the proposals themselves, converting them into planning documents that will help authors to begin their projects in the second week. Seminar proposals should describe non-fiction prose projects, for example: essays, articles, conference papers, and textbooks.

Preference will be given to lively proposals that involve teacher-research and display an interest in reading to deepen one's knowledge of the field. The Writing Initiative enthusiastically invites interested teachers in all disciplines, K-14. To apply, please e-mail a resumè and a one-page project proposal to Jenny Desai, Assistant Director of the Calderwood Writing Initiative at: desai@bostonathenaeum.org . Applications are due Monday, April 21. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance in early May.

Email--Get it at Home or at Work. Your E-Mail Address is Protected Either Way

Do you read this at home? or school? You can give us one or both of your email addresses. You email address is safe with us. It is fully protected, as is this list, and we will never lend it or sell it to any vendor. That goes without saying. Further, your address in our hands will only be used for this purpose--sending out the weekly bulletin. If you want to give us another, more convenient address, please click here.

Horace Mann School for the Deaf Hosts 13th Annual Golf Benefit

he Horace Mann School for the Deaf in Boston is hosting its 13th Annual Golf Benefit on Monday, July 14, 2008 at the Oakley Country Club, Watertown, MA.  12:30p.m. shotgun start followed by a reception, buffet and auction.

The Horace Mann School is the oldest PUBLIC day school for deaf and hard of hearing children in the United States.  It holds the distinction of having historical affiliations with Helen Keller and Alexander Graham Bell.  It has a diverse population with students coming to Boston from all over the world.  It is a Boston Public School and our 9500 members are very proud of that.

    For further information visit their website http://www.aiimne.org/ or http://hmsboston.org or call the school at 617-635-7941.

Community Change

The organization Community Change is holding an event to honor Horace Seldon and help it carry on his legacy of challenging systemic racism and fighting for social justice. The event will be held on Tuesday, April 15, 2008, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont Street, Boston.

Featuring Friends Old and New, A Silent Auction that Only CCI Could Stage, and The Presentation of the First Annual Horace Seldon Emerging Leader Awards to:

• Shaka McPherson, Boston Youth Organizing Project
• Aaron Tanaka, Boston Workers Alliance

RSVP by April 10, 2008 to pmarcus@communitychangeinc.org .

Retirement Parties

•   Claudia C. Bell
•  WHEN:  Friday, June 6, 2008
•  WHERE:  Phillips Old Colony House, 6:30 pm to 11 pm
•  HOW:  $50 to Blanca I. Bastanzuri, 54 Dunster Rd. Apt.1, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
•  RSVP: May 1st

***

• Michael Anderson , 33 years in the BPS
• Lombardos, Randolph
• 4/11 6 PM
• Minnie Cobb c/o 101 Decker St., Milton, Mass 02186
• $60
• questions: g.c.deangelis@gmail.com