Greetings!   Welcome to our new format for the BTU e-Bulletin. Please write us at  rstutman@btu.org   and let us know what you think.

	Manny Delcarmen-Class of 2000, West Roxbury High School, and graduate of the J. F. Kennedy Elementary School in Jamaica Plain and the Mary Curley Middle School in Jamaica Plain says hello.
One of our members, Who taught Manny at the JFK, brought greetings to Manny at last night's game.The greetings were reciprocated. Manny grew up in Hyde Park and starred at West Roxbury High School. We wish him the best. Go Red Sox, Go Manny, Go Red Sox Nation.

Some small number of schools (E. Greenwood, Hamilton, Mendell, Murphy and Young Achievers (K-8)) have not yet sent in BTU Building Reps rosters.  If any in any of the preceding schools have elected BTU rep(s), please download a form here and mail it in to our office. If the school has not yet had its election, please have the election as soon as you can; then download the form and kindly send it in. If you have any questions, please call either Jenna, Michael or Caren. Thank you.

Building Surveys are coming in steadily. We will be giving away three pairs of Celtics tickets to those schools that participate in the survey. A drawing will be held shortly. Please spend a few minutes to complete the building document. The Celtics are playing on Friday,  March 14, at 7:30, against Utah.  200 BTU tickets will be on sale as soon as we get more information. There will be an annoucbnement. But in the meantime, we'd likle your survey. Thank you.


Contract booklets are in. Please come over to the BTU office and pick up what you need.

There was a problem with the Pilot School Extended Day Differential in the paycheck issued 10/19/07. The BPS Payroll Dept. discovered the error late on Friday and has addressed the problem. The back pay will be paid in the paycheck issued on 11/02/07.

Flexible Spending Plan-Through a negotiated agreement Boston school employees can use pre-tax income to pay certain personal expenses under what is called a Flexible Spending Plan. Expenses allowed under this benefit include most out of pocket medical (up to $5,000 per year), dependent care ($5,000/year), parking ($205/month) and mass transportation ($105/month). Using pre-tax dollars to pay for certain personal expenses, as listed,  in effect grants the teacher (paras, too) a discount of as much as 35% on the  cost of the expense. ]

 See the vendor's website  or email me for more detailed information. You may also call CPA Inc. at 1-800-544-2340.  There will be an opportunity to learn more about each of these plans at a meeting at the BTU on Thursday, November 1, 2007, from 2:30 to 4:30. The vendor, CPA, Inc. will be present. The application deadline starts now and ends on November 23rd.

NEW EVENT!   Science Socials  The rumors are true!  After much anticipation, we are happy to announce the Boston Science Teachers' 2007-2008 "Science Socials"!


On the last Friday of each month, starting at 3pm, come join us as we relax, network, and enjoy the company of our dynamic BPS science colleagues at several restaurants across the city.  Each month features a different neighborhood and different host schools.  Thank you to the many teachers that offered location suggestions and hosting offers!  We look forward to seeing you Friday!

This Friday's (10/26) social, sponsored by the Hernandez school, is at the Ashmont Grill is located at 555 Talbot Ave., Dorchester. (A complete listing of the year's

socials will be included in an upcoming newsletter.) It is located in Peabody Square at the intersection of Dorchester Avenue, Ashmont Street, and Talbot Avenue, just north of the Ashmont T stop. 
For more information, please email:      

Johanna Mendillo

Jennifer Felicetti

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

· November 15th
· December 13th
· January 17th

Professional Development News

Under a new contract provision

Each of the disciplines below has been allotted a proportionate amount of the $15,000 allotted citywide. The below amounts correspond to what each discipline is entitled to with a budget cushion of 5%. Building Reps of each discipline should work with their respective directors to plan on how best to spend the allotment below. We realize that not all disciplines currently have directors. We will improvise.

OIIT Professional Development Update
The majority of OIIT's Fall 2007 Professional Development courses have begun or scheduled to begin this week. Please note applications for Emerging Technologies in the Boston Public Schools, a new OIIT course recently posted is still open to applicants. Additional courses, Intel Teach to the Future, Teaching to Standards with New Technologies (WIDE), and our brand new Computer Teacher Institute for Computer Instructors will be made available by the first week in November. Spread the word and keep your eye on the link for more information and the application to all OIIT sponsored courses which are also posted on the MyBPS>Professional Development tab:  http://boston.k12.ma.us/teach/technology/pd/index.asp  The American Psychological Association (APA) is revising its Model Act for Licensing and Certification of Psychologists.  For 30 years, the MLA has exempted School Psychologists from its requirements recognizing the independent profession of School Psychology and the rights of School Psychologists. The proposed revision drops this exemption. One section of the MLA relates to who can be called a psychologist and who can provide services that are designated as psychological. This has direct implications for mental health services in schools because of its potential impact on changes in state licensure regulations.


This issue and has serious implications for School Psychologists who are BTU members. It will also impact the children who attend the BPS. If approved by APA, promoted by state psychological associations and adopted as law in individual states, the MLA would have the effect of outlawing an entire profession. Anyone not credentialed as a licensed psychologist through a state psychology board could no longer use the term "psychologist" in their title, describe their services using terms such as "psychological" or "psychology", nor be able to practice what APA defines as psychological services, which includes assessment, counseling, and influencing behavior change. To do so would result in criminal charges and would be punishable by fines and/or imprisonment. APA wants to take the right to credential school psychologists away from state DOEs, put it under boards that they control, and open up schools to psychologists who often have little knowledge or experience in schools, while denying the right to practice to those professionals who are better equipped for the school setting. A vote most like won't occur until at least early 2008. School Psychologists, Regular Education and Special Education Teachers, Nurses, Paraprofessionals, Related Service Providers, and Parents are asked to take a few moments to show support for your colleagues and to try to stop this act which is bad for school psychologists, bad for children and families, and bad for schools, from becoming a very unfortunate reality during the APA public commentary on the MLA revision through the end of October. APA can be contacted directly through their website at:

http://forms.apa.org/practice/modelactlicensure/ .  You can also access prewritten and revisable letters through the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) website at: http://www.nasponline.org/standards/apamla.aspx . 

Joseph Lee School NEW  Joyce Plummer and Paul Thompson
Thursday, November 1st at 5:30 pm
Common Market, 97 Willard Street in Quincy
Cost is $40 with checks made payable to the Joseph Lee Sunshine Fund
Contact Sister Verdaya at 617-635-8687

Snowden HS Retirement Dinner Claire Hayman and Margie  Hamlett-Cash-Griffin
November 30, 6:30-10:30
Common Market, 97 Willard St., Quincy, Mass. 02169
$60 due at Snowden by 11/1
Contact Ms. Robinson, Ms. Osol, or Ms. Forbes, at 617-635-9989

Madison Park Retirement Dinner Dennis Wilson, Kathy Gerrior, Bob Marshall, Joan Carson, John Oliveira, Charlotte McCullough At The Neighborhood Club of Quincy
Friday, November 16, 2007
5:30 (Change in Time) 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


Comedy Night to benefit Exceptional Citizens Week  at Camp Fatima on Saturday, November 3, 2007, from 7 PM-Midnight
Moseley's on the Charles at 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-with four terrific comedians
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

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