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Boston Teachers Union
e-Bulletin |
#12
(2007-08), 11/9/07 |
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Greetings!
Welcome to our new format for the BTU e-Bulletin. Please keep in mind that under this new format, some pictures and charts may be blocked by your service. The remedy is simple. Your email should contain a message asking you if you want to download a picture, etc. Just click on it to download all the attached information, and you will see any relevant charts.
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Last week we wrote about the irony of the Boston's self-touted ("100% of our students go to college") M.A.T.C.H. Charter School's having the second highest student dropout rate in state . The link to the data was accidentally truncated. Here is the link to the data and also another link to more background information. Of course the point here is not necessarily that the MATCH school has a high dropout rate (77% from grade 9 to 12). It certainly does. The point is, in the BPS we have many schools that are just as good as the MATCH school with an added bonus: Our schools do not discard hard-to-teach students. Our schools proudly welcome all students. **********************************************************
Election Results and Reminders:
We congratulate the three BTU-endorsed at-large City Council candidates who returned to office this Tuesday: Michael Flaherty, Stephen Murphy, and Sam Yoon. We congratulate them for a a job well done. We are sorry to say that Felix Arroyo did not win re-election. Felix has long been a good friend to the BTU as well as public education. We wish him well.
We also congratulate returning City Council President Maureen Feeney, as well as other returning district councilors , Sal LaMattina, Charles C. Yancey, Rob Consalvo, John M. Tobin, Jr., Chuck Turner and Michael P. Ross. We also extend congratulations to newly elected, BTU-endorsed candidate Mark S. Ciommo.
Finally we extend congratulations to newly-elected at large councilor John Connolly. Although we did not endorse Mr. Connolly, we look forward to working with him.
Reminder:
4th Middlesex Senate primary race; BTU-Endorsed candidate
Representative Jim Marzilli on Tuesday, November 13th.
Special elections have notoriously low turnouts so every vote counts.
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Contract Reminders
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Paras with more than five years in the system, and permanent teachers who have not yet received their first career award are all eligible $500 per year tuition reimbursement. The teacher circular can be found here. The para circular was on, then off the BPS web page. It will be back on very shortly. In the meantime, call the BTU for a copy if you wish. The cap on In-Service Credits for salary lane purposes has been increased from 20 to 30 credits. Doesn't matter how old the credits are. Incidentally, in-service credits are interchangeable with graduate credits for BTU-BPS salary lane purposes, up to the maximum of 30. One more incidentally: Every 15 CEUs count for one in-service for the following: social workers, SLPs, OTs, PTs, Psychs, PACs, Guidance, and Vision Teachers.
All K0 and K1 classes MUST have a full time paraprofessional assigned full time. All K2 classes MUST have a one-half time paraprofessional assigned. This includes SEI classes .
The Peer Assistance program is up and running. Any teacher who has received an unsatisfactory rating is eligible for assistance from a BTU peer. Three peer assistants have been hired, and a fourth is about to be. The program is voluntary and very helpful to those who choose to participate. We urge those eligible to find out more about the program. Any questions, please email Mike McLaughlin mmclaughlin@btu.org
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Building Rep. Information
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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 for those tickets will be held shortly. Please spend a few minutes to complete the building survey document. |
To Purchase Tickets
BTU night at the Celtics is on Friday, March 14, at 7:30, against the Utah Jazz. 200 BTU, $35-tickets are on sale currently to BTU members, first come first served. Bring your check or Money Order or cash to Pat O'Donnell at the BTU office to reserve tickets. The tickets are in section 320, 327, and 328. Note: These tickets are not discounted as in years' past. The buyers' market has turned into a sellers' market, as the team has become a hot commodity.
In the meantime, we'd like your survey. Who knows, your school may win two Celtics tickets!
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There will be a BTU Rep training Monday, November 26th , from 4-6 at the Union primarily for those BTU Reps who missed it during the recent Building Reps Conference. However, all new reps are welcome. Topics including the role of the Building Rep, discipline procedures, evaluation issues, writing grievances, and the like will be covered. Please bring your questions & concerns and leave with a BTU Rep Handbook as well as a better understanding of this exciting role. Light refreshments will be served. Please RSVP by November 19 to Caren Carew or call 288-2000.
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BTU Building reps are asked to remind principals that school site council rosters have to be submitted to the BPS Office of Community and Parent Engagement. If the BTU slots on the roster have not yet been filled, please do so by holding an election. Thank you. |
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Flexible Spending Plan--Put Money in Your Pocket
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Many members have inquired about this item. That's great news, as it is a terrific, cost-saving program that allows our membership to save a potential of hundreds of dollars each year on a variety of expenses.
Through this 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 ($220/month) and mass transportation ($115/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, see the BPS website website or email me for more detailed information. You may also call CPA Inc. at 1-800-544-2340. The application for enrollment has begun and ends on November 23rd. This is a money-saving opportunity for our members.
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Elementary Specialists
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Reminder to elementary specialist teachers. Specialists need to file a separate grievance if there is a class size violation. It is not sufficient to have the grade 3 or 5 teacher to file a class size grievance. Each teacher who is impacted by the violation of the class size maxima must file a grievance individually. Please email Pat Connolly, pconnolly@btu.org . Please see the online class size grievance form.
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| Retirees Information |
Retirees--two issues to be aware of:
1) All teacher retirees are eligible after 30 years of permanent service to receive a $12 per month annuity through the so-called mini-pension fund. The annuity results from the $2.40 per month contributed by all permanent teachers. Vesting takes 30 years. Provisional teachers and substitute teachers do not contribute and are therefore are not members until they become permanent. To apply for the annuity, after retirement, call 617-621-4000.
2) The Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset are two federal laws that restrict Social Security eligibility and in most cases, benefits, for many of our retired members. There are ongoing national campaigns to change both laws. To participate in this campaign, one can use the AFT website to urge your congressman and senators to repeal both laws. |
New Professional Development Announcement
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Boston Public Schools Fellowship
Earthwatch Institute is excited to offer Boston Public School educators teaching Science and Social Science the opportunity to participate in scientific field research projects this winter and spring. This is the final award phase and Science or Social Science educators working with students in grades 6, 7, 8, 10, or 11 are strongly encouraged to apply for a fellowship.
Earthwatch expeditions are 10 to 14 day field research projects during which educators will strengthen scientific skills knowledge. This experience is sure to enhance classroom instruction and spark intellectual curiosity about the environment. You do not need any special skills to join an expedition; just a sense of adventure and willingness to lend a hand. For more information and an application visit: http://www.earthwatch.org/fellowships/boston.html or contact Earthwatch at fellowshipawards@earthwatch.org . Applications are due November 26 th , 2008. |
Professional Development News--Once More
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Professional Development Opportunity:
Begin the National Board Teacher Certification Process with the Take One option: a 6-week Intro course toward NBCT status; prepares teachers to complete one of four NBCT portfolio entries.
- Mondays 4-6 PM
- November 19, 26, December 3, 10, 17& January 7
- West Roxbury Education Complex
- Sponsored by CLD/BTU National Board Support
- 1 In-service credit
- Contact: mhoyt@boston.k12.ma.us
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MTEL Writing Worshop Scheduled
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Preparation Workshop/Tutoring for the January Communication and Literacy Skills MTEL
The BPS Office of Human Resources is sponsoring a workshop for teachers interested in preparing for the January Writing Sub-Area of the Communication and Literacy Skills MTEL. Beginning with a diagnostic test, the workshop presenters systematically review areas identified in need of improvement, including grammar and usage, punctuation, and capitalization. Most helpfully, participants are coached individually on the writing of summary and persuasive essays both of which are required components of this test.
Given the upcoming holidays, individuals planning to take the Writing Sub-Area of the CLST MTEL on January 12, 2008, are urged to start preparation early. The workshop is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, November 28 . To register and for additional details, please contact nbalasalle@boston.k12.ma.us . |
| Upcoming Events |
- All teachers and paras in superintendent's schools are invited to a meeting at the BTU on November 15, from 4-6. We hope to see you there.
- The Black Caucus will meet at 4:30 pm on the following dates:
- November 15
- December 13
- January 17
- The BTU has formed an interest group for school environmental issues. The interest group's mission will be to help school based environmental committees and to create a safe forum for all BTU members to discuss school environmental issues. We know that some schools have environmental committees and would like to help you in your efforts to make schools healthier for students and staff. The interest group is also a forum for confidential discussion about school environmental issues that have become concerns. The meetings will be held here at the BTU on December 10th, February 12th, April 8th and June 9th. If you would like to be a part of the school environment interest group or have questions about this issue, email Michael McLaughlin at mmclaughlin@btu.org.
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