#8(2007-08), October 5, 2007

Upcoming Events   

BTU Membership Meeting is on Wednesday, 10/10 at 4:00. Dr. Carol Johnson, superintendent of schools, will speak promptly at 4:10. All members are welcome to attend, as they are always welcome to attend our monthly meetings, which take place the second Wednesday of every month, at 4:00 PM. At this meeting, too, we expect to have the contract booklets to hand out. (The printer has promised that the books will be delivered.) For both of these reasons, we ask that you arrive at the meeting as early as possible. Please designate one Building Rep. from each building to take responsibility for the pickup of the contracts.

Welcome Back Party for all on 10/12/07 at 3:00 PM at the BTU, with food, music, and cash bar.

The SPED Faculty Senate will be holding the first meeting of the year on October 18, 2007 at 3:45 at the BTU. Everyone is invited to attend! On the agenda: electing a chairperson, etc, discussing any current issues brought by staff in the schools and planning and developing strategies for negotiation items for 09-12 contract. Although the contract is far off, the SPED Faculty Senate would like to substantiate  each item (whatever is suggested for submission) with evidence and hard data. Come and join us! Any questions, send an email to spedfacultysenate@btu.org

Black Caucus will meet at 4:30pm on the following dates:

•  October 18th

•  November 15th

•  December 13th

•  January 17th

Retirement & Estate Planning Seminar With Edward A. Welch on Thursday, 10/11/07 at 4 PM - BTU HALL

School Environment

The BTU is forming an interest group for school environmental issues. The interest group's mission will be to help school based  environmental committees in being heard and to focus energy to get results. We know that some schools have environmental committees and would like to help you in your efforts to make schools healthier for our students and our members.  The dates of the meetings here at the BTU are Monday, October 22nd Monday, December 10th Tuesday, February 12th Tuesday, April 8th and Monday, June 9th.  If you would like to be a part of our school environment interest group, email Michael McLaughlin at mmclaughlin@btu.org .

Integrated Pest Management

Every school must have an Integrated Pest Management program. IPM as it is called, is a state law (MGL Chapter 85 of the Acts of 2000) requiring a holistic approach to control pest activity and reduce pesticide use. Presence of pests can exacerbate asthma and allergies while improper an excessive use of pesticide can have adverse health effects. One of the key components of the IPM program is the IPM Log Book. The log is kept in the office and must contain certain documents. One of these must be a complaints/sighting form. This is where teachers, paraprofessionals, nurses and other school staff can help. If you see evidence of pest activity or actually see a pest, an entry should be written in the log. Telling an administrator is not enough. Contractors hired by BPS consult the log every time they come into the building on their scheduled and unscheduled visits. A link to the Superintendent's Circular on IPM follows. If you have concerns or questions about you school's IPM program please contact Michael McLaughlin at the BTU, mmclaughlin@btu.org .  

Class size:   BTU members can now file a class size grievance on-line . The form is easy and efficient. Grievances at both superintendent's schools and traditional schools can be grieved electronically. File any violations here . And check out the class size limits here.  Remember: Class size in all regular education classes at superintendents' schools have decreased by two students in every grade level . All class size enforcement powers are intact in superintendent's schools. You may still complete the traditional form, though we would appreciate that you do this on-line, and submit it to Pat Connolly, BTU Vice President by mail or fax(617) 288-0024.

Help Madison Park receive a new sporting lights system with installation. Please vote online at http://www.newfridaynightlights.com/index.html

Blood drive-For a few years the BTU co-sponsored a blood drive with the Red Cross. The founder of the BTU blood drive, Tom Cavanaugh, passed away last year, and we have yet to find a replacement to take his place.  We would be glad to co-host this event again, but we do need to enlist a coordinator. Tom was assisted by a very able committee of volunteers,  who, we're sure, would be glad to help out again. But we do need to find a person to take charge. Anyone interested?

Professional Opportunity.

The Rennie Center for Education Research and Policy is pleased to announce an exciting new initiative designed to bring teachers into the center of the education policy dialogue. This fall, The Center will select fifteen early-career public school teachers to serve a two-year appointment as Rennie Center Teaching Fellows.

The Teaching Fellows initiative is a response to growing evidence that promising, early-career teachers are leaving the profession— and particularly urban schools— in ever-increasing numbers.  Prospective Fellows must be current teachers in urban Greater Boston public schools, with two to nine years of classroom experience. Applicants will be asked to show evidence of their effectiveness and leadership in the classroom as part of the criteria for selection. Fellows will receive an annual honorarium of $1200 for participation. For additional information, contact Celine Coggins at 617-354-0002 ext. 16 or ccoggins@renniecenter.org .

Professional Development Opportunities

The Concord Consortium in concert with the Science Department and OIIT Office of the Boston Public Schools is offering a Professional Development: Information Technology in Science Instruction. For more information visit itsi.concord.org/units/. For more information visit itsi.concord.org.to apply online go to itsi.concord.org/application/boston.  A  Boston person may be contacted; Jonathan Mc Laughlin, jmclaughlin4@boston.k12.ma.us 1 617 212 1938.

MTEL Prep Course:  The BPS Office of Human Resources is sponsoring preparation workshops for   BPS staff who are taking the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure. The catalogue of workshops may be obtained online at MyBPS->Central Admin->HR->Educator Licensure and in school offices. Page 1 of the catalogue provides directions for online registration. The next MTELs will be given on October 27 (Communication and Literacy Skills Test only) and on November 17, 2007.  The late registration deadline for the Communications and Literacy Skills Test on October 27 is October 5.  The regular registration deadline for the MTELs to be given on November 17 is October 5. For additional information, write nbalasalle@ boston.k12.ma.us.”

Massachusetts Department of Education Category IV, Making the Connection :  English Language Learners and Subject Matter Texts . This professional development training provides opportunities for reflection and application, and explores the implications for classroom instruction. 

Title: DOE Category IV:  English Language Learners and Subject Matter Texts

Level/Audience:  Grades 6-12 BPS classroom teachers 

Day/Dates of Program:  Thursdays:  10/25,  11/8, 11/15, 11/29

Time: 2:45 to 5:45 pm

Presenter: OLLSS Staff:  Yolanda Pokaski and Chad Leith

Location: Madison Park High School

Credit:  15 pdps or 1 in-service credit

Pre-requisite:  Category 1 or 2 

Sponsored by:  Office of Language Learning and Support Services

E-mail Registration Deadline:  October 19, 2007

How: Go to MyBPS> Teaching and Learning> Language Learning. Download and fill out application. Email completed application to  ollssregistration@boston.k12.ma.us .

Attendance to all sessions and completion of all the assignments are mandatory

OIIT Fall Professional Development:  The Office of Instructional and Information Technology (OIIT) is pleased to begin their Fall Professional Development rollout! Below is a listing of courses currently scheduled and posted on MyBPS. Boston Public School teachers can obtain more information for each course and/or apply via the Online Registration Tool link: http://boston.k12.ma.us/teach/technology/pd/index.asp . Additional Professional Development opportunities such as Emerging Technologies will be made available via the same link...so keep your eye on the link!

Charitable Events

Library Fundraiser for the Clap School in Dorchester. Great Cause!  The Clap school has been without a library for many years, but a combined group of teachers, parents and the principal have been working hard to reopen it.  Here is the info:
 
 * Costume Gala Fundraiser and Grand Reopening of the Roger Clap School Library
* Saturday, October 20 from 7 to 10 PM at the Roger Clap Elementary School at 35 Harvest Street, Dorchester
* Tickets $10 (Adults only, costumes appreciated)
* Food, drink, music, door and costume prizes...
* Special guest:   Poet Charles Coe

Information:  Mike or Mary at 617-474-7971
Please join us to celebrate and support the reopening of our library!

Comedy Night to benefit Exceptional Citizens Week *  at Camp Fatima

Saturday, November 3, 2007---7 PM-Midnight

Moseley's on the Charles

50 Bridge St. (Rt. 109) Dedham, MA

Admission- $30.00 pp 

$300 per table

Cash Bar, 50-50 Raffle and more…

Fun and funny all in one night!

For more information, contact : Michael McLaughlin at 617-510-6140 or   mmclaughlin@btu.org or  Michael Power At 617-323-2199 or mpower@neu.edu

(* Exceptional Citizen's Week is a non-sectarian, residential outdoor summer camping experience for special needs citizens sponsored by the Diocese of Manchester. It is held every year at Camp Fatima, a 150 acre, fully accredited camp on Upper Suncook Lake in Gilmanton Iron Works, New Hampshire. E.C. Week is the highlight in the lives of 150 campers every year. It is entirely free for the campers and is funded by generous contributions, both large and small, from many different people and companies. The camp staff of volunteers is comprised of people from all walks of life - business professionals, teachers, and homemakers to name a few. All volunteer to allow these children the same camping experience as other kids. The volunteers combine their talents with the  camp's ample facilities to create a diverse and memorable program.)

Michelle Gillen, niece of longtime BTU Health and Welfare employee Kay Gillen is running in her aunt's honor in this year's Boston Marathon and has chosen to raise money for ReadBoston. She will be running as part of the ReadBoston team. Checks should be made out to ReadBoston and your contribution is tax deductible. You can send your donation to her at 11 Niles Road, Newton, MA 02146. Kay's was a friendly face to thousands of BTU members over 30 years, and we miss her very much. Our condolences, again, go out to her family.

School Reunions  

Channing Elementary School is celebrating its 80th Year of being a part of Boston Public Schools.  A celebration is being planned for May 2008 and your help is needed.  We are looking for alumni of the Channing School who are interested in joining or making a donation to the Alumni/Event Planning Committee.  If you know of a Channing alumnus, or would like to make a donation to the cause, please contact Mr. David R. MacDonald, Comm. Organizer/IT Teacher @ the Channing Elementary School, 617 635 8722 x 115, or via email dmacdonald@boston.k12.ma.us .  All donations are tax deductible.  Thank you for your assistance.

Boston Technical High School Class of 1982 Cordially invites you to the 25 th Year Reunion

•  Saturday, November 24 th , 2007, 7:00pm to Midnight

•  7:00 pm – 8:00 pm; Social Hour

•  8:00 pm – 9:00 pm; Dinner served promptly at 8:00pm

•  9:00 pm – Midnight; Entertainment/ Music/ Dancing

•  At the Boston Teacher's Union Hall, Carson Place

•  Tickets: $60.00 / person, (Former teachers and staff only $30.00 / person)

•  Checks can be made payable to:  Boston Technical High School Class of 1982 25 th Reunion

•  Mail payment to: Boston Tech Class of 1982 25 th Class Reunion Committee, Post Office Box 190973, Roxbury, MA 02119

Reunion Committee: Sabino Favorito & Bruce Smith, Co-Chairs; Barbara Ragland-Rosa, Treasurer; Lisa Traynham, Secretary; Robert Hadge, Vernessa Fernandes, Vanessa Nelson, Earl Wolff, Isaac Jackson; (Please purchase you tickets now to help secure a final headcount by November 1, 2007)

Retirement Parties

Madison Park Retirement Dinner

•  Dennis Wilson, Kathy Gerrior, Bob Marshall, Joan Carson, John Oliveira, Charlotte McCullough

•  and Keith Bennett At The Neighborhood Club of Quincy

•  Friday, November 16, 2007

•  5:00 pm cocktails & hors d'oeuvres

•  6:00 pm Dinner and Presentations

•  $50.00 per person (includes gifts)

•  (Deluxe Buffet includes appetizer, salad, 3 entrees & sides, dessert)

•  How: Phone: 617-635-8970  x 191 or   x192  or   x 216 Fax: 617-635-9831 or Email: dharris@boston.k12.ma.us , slambert@boston.k12.ma.us ,  ekelley3@boston.k12.ma.us

Marilyn Saba

Friday, November 2, 2007 5-10pm at Lombardo's, Randolph, MA

Hor D'Oeuvres, Dinner, Dancing, Cash Bar @ $50  including gift by 10/5

Checks payable to Florri Aversa, 91 Alban Street, Dorchester, MA 02124

Our Condolences

The BTU regrets to announce the passing of Martha Smith Samuels, mother of two children, including Donna S. Johnson, who is a paraprofessional  at the Mendell and wife of Madison Park teacher, Charles Johnson, who serves on the BTU Executive Board. Martha Smith Samuels also leaves eight grandchildren, including Carla Johnson, a paraprofessional at the Ellison Park EES. The family will celebrate her memory with friends and extended family at 152 Ruthven Street in Boston on Sunday October 21, 2007 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. She will be sorely missed by her family and friends.

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

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