#9(2007-08), October 11, 2007

Good Evening,

Tomorrow, the BTU is holding its annual  Back-to-School Party , with dance, music, food, and merriment. This is a fun event and we hope you can make it. Tomorrow, too, we watch the Red Sox take on the Cleveland Indians. We are very fortunate in Boston, as we are enjoying now the benefits of having both the Red Sox and the Patriots at the top of their game, and the Celtics soon to follow. By the way, the BTU is hosting a night with the Boston Celtics on Friday, 3/14, at 7:30. The Celtics have set aside 200 $35 tickets for the BTU. More information will be out soon. Meanwhile we root on the Red Sox tonight.

On Wednesday Superintendent, Dr. Carol R. Johnson, addressed the BTU membership, with roughly 350 in attendance. She spoke on a number of topics and her remarks were very well received. Dr. Johnson also speaks to our BTU building Reps at this year's annual conference weekend. We look forward to that as well.

Some Contract booklets are in, with more to follow. BTU Building Reps. have been given their copies, and the rest will be distributed as soon as they come in.

BTU Building Reps: We recently sent out a packet to all BTU Building Reps asking that they complete a facilities survey for your school. Please get these surveys back to us as soon as you can. Our intention is to gather the surveys and compile a laundry list of to-do's in every school building. We will then submit the list of items to the state's School Building Authority.

Union office staff met today with the school department regarding the laptop initiative.  All teachers, including itinerants, will be receiving laptops over the next two years, most much sooner.  Some details have yet to be worked out, and more information will follow.

Congratulations to Anne Clark an English teacher at Boston Arts Academy and Matthew Dugan, a science teacher at Madison Park who both received the prestigious Milken Award earlier this week. Congrats, too, to Darren Wells , science teacher at the Timilty, who was just elected to serve a three-year term, at on the National Teacher Advisory Council.

Upcoming Events

All teachers and paras in superintendent's schools are invited to a meeting at the BTU on November 15, from 4-6. Save the date, please.

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! 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

Professional Development Opportunities

NEW - The BPS Office of Human Resources is again conducting the Pathway Program, a fast-track to Moderate Disabilities licensure.  Interested teachers are invited to attend an informational session on October 18 or October 22, 3:30-4:30 pm, at the Center for Leadership Development. Participation in one of these sessions is required for individuals wishing to apply for the fall cohort of the Pathway Program.  Last year, 125 individuals completed the program and thereby met the additional requirements of the Massachusetts Department of Education for the Moderate Disabilities license. Upon completion of the program, participants also have the option of obtaining 10 quarter hours of graduate credit from Northeastern University and going on to earn the Master's degree from the university. Write nbalasalle@ boston.k121.ma.us to make a reservation.

NEW - During the fall, winter and summer of the 2007 – 2008 school year, the Science Department is offering three content courses on electric circuits for teachers at the elementary level. The courses are built around a common set of hands-on science investigations, but introduce teaching that feature best practices in science professional development. These courses will help teachers move "beyond the kit" to expand their knowledge of electric circuit concepts and pedagogy.

We invite you to become a part of this exciting professional development opportunity. Any teacher with at least three years teaching experience; who is teaching fourth grade; and who has (or will) complete our Magnetism and Electricity kit training is eligible to apply. We urge you to encourage fourth grade teachers in your school to apply to take advantage of this exciting professional development opportunity. Participants will be randomly selected to participate in one course (fall, winter or summer).

Please review the flyer on the Science Elementary Page of MyBPS to learn more about the courses and how you may apply and encourage your colleagues to participate. Note that upon completion of the course, participants will receive a minimum of $650 plus 2 in-service credits and 26 pdps.    If you have questions or need additional information, please call Meg Watson at 617-635-9800.

MTEL Prep Course  MTEL Workshops – Deadline Fast Approaching

Individuals interested in preparing for the upcoming MTELs are urged to register as soon as possible.  Workshops are filling and will soon close to new participants.         

The BPS Office of Human Resources is sponsoring preparation workshops for BPS staff who are taking the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure on October 27 (Communication and Literacy Skills Test only) and on November 17, 2007 . The late registration deadline for the October 27 Communications and Literacy Skills Test is October 5. The regular registration deadline for the November 17 MTELs is October 5 .  Please see MyBPS > Central Admin > HR > Licensure for the full catalog and how to register. Contact Nick Balasalle ( nbalasalle@boston.k12.ma.us ) for more information.

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!

The Rollins Griffin Center and the Quincy Upper School  offers a  COOPERATIVE DISCIPLINE IN-SERVICE COURSE WITH RICHARD ASZTALOS, BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST:

•  SITE:  JOSIAH QUINCY UPPER SCHOOL

•  SATURDAYS:  OCTOBER 20, OCTOBER 27

     AND NOVEMBER 3, 2007

•  9:30 A.M. UNTIL 1:30 P.M.

•  900 Washington Street Site

•  TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2007, 2007

•  4:00 P.M. UNTIL 7:00 P.M.

•  152 Arlington Street Site

•  AUDIENCE:  Boston Public School Staff

•  CREDIT:  ONE IN-SERVICE CREDIT UPON COMPLETION OF COURSE REQUIREMENTS

•  FEE: $120.00 (book and materials included)

                 Payable to:  R. G. T. C.

•  FOR REGISTRATION DETAILS:  Please email mjelloe@boston.k12.ma.us

Photography Exhibit Invitation to BTU Members:

O'Bryant teacher Eduardo delSolar is having his first nature photography exhibit later this month at Boston Nature Center and he has invited all Boston teachers to this event. The Birds of the Americas 2007 is an exhibit of images he has taken from coastal, Andean and rain forest sections of Peru as well as images from my adopted New England.  The exhibit will be hosted by the Boston Nature Center, my local Audubon center, from October 20 through November 30 2007.  There will be a formal reception on opening day, October 20 from 2PM to 4PM.  He has included a link to his invitation for this exhibit.  The invitation allows online viewing to the Peruvian section of the exhibit. The exhibit will include images of four Peruvian endemics as well as images of the Western Reef heron that was blown from Africa to New England during the summer of 2006.

Graduate of BPS and daughter of two BTU members needs help in a research project on Desegregation in Boston.

Alexandra delSolar is conducting an independent study this semester at Wellesley for an education class and would like to interview some veteran teachers about their experiences of desegregation in Boston. She would like to interview veteran Boston teachers.

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.

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

he BTU is saddened to announce that Dan McDuffie's mother passed away today. Dan was the long-time head of the BTU Health and Welfare Fund. Further information is unavailable at this time.

Richard Stutman

President, Boston Teachers Union
richardstutman@comcast.net (home)
rstutman@btu.org (work)
617-288-2000

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