Dear Member,

First things first: Congratulations to Brighton High and its football Bengals who capped a terrific, undefeated (14-0) season by beating West Bridgewater. Congrats to the Bengals, their head coach, Timo Philip, and assistant coaches, who made this possible. Congratulations are, too, in order to the East Boston High School Jets, led by their coach John Sousa. The Jets lost their Super Bowl to Greater Lawrence, but ended the year with a sterling record with only one loss. Congratulations go to both squads, their coaches and assistant coaches for making Boston proud.

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Two proposals for school design, in the form of RFPs, will shortly be released. The BTU and the school department are collaborating on the re-release of a Pilot School RFP, similar to the ones that have been issued in the past.  There'll also be an issuance of a newly-authorized Discovery School RFP. Discovery Schools are traditional schools that borrow two key elements found in pilot schools: fiscal/budgetary and curricular autonomy. Both RFPs will be released this winter. The Discovery School concept was pioneered by the union in 2006 negotiations in response to school staffs who have sought some autonomies without having to sacrifice union working conditions.

Why are these RFPs being issued? Simply, some school staffs and their leaders might want to try something new and different that will benefit their school. Both prototype proposals allow for innovation and flexibility. The Discovery School prototype allows for innovation without changes in working conditions. The Pilot School model allows for innovation but doesn't prohibit changes in working conditions.  There's room in our system for both prototype models--and we support both initiatives. A handful of school observers do not.

Earlier this week, Boston Foundation CEO Paul Grogan reissued his perennial offering of a $120,000 grant for schools to convert to pilot status.  Grogan, rumored to be running for mayor, (The  Boston Phoenix had him on its short list of candidates two weeks ago.) has long blamed teacher unions for what he sees as public education's failure. The failure in public education in Boston, he has opined, would disappear if only the number of pilot schools were to increase. The pace of conversion is not fast enough Mr. Grogan told the Boston Globe this week. Mr. Grogan blames the BTU for the slow pace of Pilot School growth in Boston. A conversion takes a two-thirds faculty vote. "We're not trying to jam anything down their throats," Grogan said. "But if there is no response, we will conclude that this whole idea of holding hands to create more innovative schools is baloney." Grogan also told the Globe that he would advocate for more charter schools unless Boston opens more pilot schools. Grogan's threat to advocate for the expansion of more charters is not a new threat from him.


Last fall Grogan joined forces with a few business leaders from Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. They named themselves the Massachusetts Business Leaders for Charter Public Schools, and then petitioned the state legislature for charter school expansion. Their lead quote on the day of their lobbying effort:  "Particularly in urban areas, we're cheating kids because they don't get the education they need."  And in the summer of 2006, as BTU-BPS negotiations were heating up, Grogan and the  Pioneer Institute, a think tank that believes in as little government as possible, teamed up to propose a takeover (a forced 'charterization') of 10 Boston schools per year.

School improvement and innovation belong to all of us. No one plan, no one individual or organization has a monopoly on good ideas. With 144 schools, Boston has a wealth of avenues--and strategies--to explore. The school department includes pilot schools, expanded learning time schools, traditional schools, small learning communities, and small schools. Until now, with the exception of Pilot Schools, the role of innovation has essentially been left to management. At long last we have another idea to call our own:  Discovery Schools. And we want to make the most of this concept while we retain our commitment to Pilot Schools.  To think, as Mr. Grogan apparently does, that there is only one solution--"Give me pilots or I'll make them charters"--is very narrow minded. It's more ideological than educational.

The Boston Teachers Union is pushing for an expansion of selected autonomies for all schools, not just those schools that choose to become pilots. After all, when pilots were founded 14 years ago as a joint BTU-BPS initiative, the intent was to spawn best practices gathered from pilot schools. Giving schools some autonomies, particularly in the field of budget and curriculum, is a best practice, and therefore we are proposing Discovery Schools, which will take advantage of these best practices. We are not walking away from Pilot Schools. There is plenty of room in our system for good--and different--strategies to take root and flourish.

Lastly, we do take issue with those observers who suggest that good, quality instruction cannot exist and thrive under a good, fair union contract. There isn't a shred of evidence to suggest that the two are mutually exclusive. The evidence in fact suggests otherwise.

Celtics Raffle

We are sold out of Celtics tickets, but we have three pairs of tickets left to raffle off. Send in your building repair survey and we will enter your name in our Celtics contest. Three lucky schools will each win two Celtics tickets for the game on March 14. The Celtics are the talk of the league, and this will be a great time.

We also are raffling off two pairs of Celtics tickets to two lucky people who submit five email new addresses for our list serve, now with 6980 names of members and friends who receive this weekly e-Bulletin. Submit five new email addresses in to Adrienne and enter our contest. If you have 10 names to enter, by the way, you'll get entered twice.

By the way, the Celtics tickets have just arrived and can be picked up any day, from 9-5.

Reminder: Elementary Specialists

Reminder: Elementary Specialist teachers, such as Science or Computers, must file a separate class size grievance. The fact that the grade 3 or 4 teacher has filed a grievance does not constitute filing a grievance on your behalf.

Upcoming Holiday Parties and Events

The Black Caucus will meet at 4:30 PM on December 13 and January 17.

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          December 21--BTU Adult Holiday Party after school; Retirees welcome.

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          December 27, 12-2 BTU Kids, Grandkids, Foster Kids party. Tickets can be picked up starting immediately. Tickets cannot be mailed; first come, first served

BPS Announces $1500 Incentive for Intent to Retire

The BPS is once again offering a $1500 incentive to those teachers who notify them early of their intent to retire. The deadline is December 14th . Details and an application can be found in the circular linked here

Grants: Fund for Teachers

FUND FOR TEACHERS/BPS GRANTS
Application Deadline: January 31, 2008

Fund for Teachers is seeking proposals for Summer 2008 grants. BPS classroom teachers who teach fulltime in Pre-K through 12th grade and have a minimum of three years fulltime teaching experience in BPS are eligible to apply for up to $5,000 as an individual or $10,000 as a team

INFORMATION SESSIONS:
12/17, 4:00-5:30 p.m., Lilla Frederick Middle School
1/8,  4:00-5:30 p.m., BTU
INFORMATION SESSION + GRANT WRITING WORKSHOP
1/16, 4:00-5:45 p.m., Fenway High School Library

GRANT INFORMATION available at
www.bpe.org or www.fundforteachers.org
Questions?  Contact Dottie Engler, 617-275-0709 or dengler@bpe.org

Scholarships: $1500 (AFTMA) for BTU Member Dependents; $1500 (Rollins Griffith) for BPS Seniors

           The AFT Massachusetts , our parent state organization, has established 8 $1500 scholarship awards in honor of Albert Shanker and Sandra Feldman, former presidents of the AFT and former AFT MA staff member, Jay Porter.  Call the BTU for an application. High School seniors who are dependents of AFTMA members are eligible. Students must fill out an application form  and return it to AFTMA by 12/27.

Dependent students also must take a labor history test on 2/6/08 and must arrange the testing logistics with their high school guidance counselor.  Any questions, call Jennifer at the AFT MA 617-423-3342 or 800-279-2523.Printable study guides are accessible on the Mass AFL-CIO website at www.massaflcio.org .

ROLLINS GRIFFITH MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS: For the fifth year of our five-year scholarship program, three Rollins Griffith Memorial Scholarships ($1500 apiece) will be awarded to three Boston Public High School seniors. Rollins Griffith was the first African American District Superintendent in the Boston School System and was by training both a musician and a teacher.

            BPS High School headmasters, assistant headmasters, guidance counselors, teachers or other school-based personnel may nominate outstanding graduating seniors who plan to study one of the creative arts and/or education at a post-secondary institution.  A senior may also nominate himself/herself or another eligible peer.  The application deadline is March 7. For further information, please contact Ms. Claire Radley, Teacher Associate at 617-635-6385.

MTEL Prep Class

Preparation Classes for the January MTEL Communications and Literacy Skills Test

Bridgewater State College is conducting a 4-session preparation class (12 hours) for the January 12 Communication and Literacy Skills MTEL. Classes will be held January 7, 8, 10 and 11, 4-7 pm, on the Bridgewater State campus. The BPS Office of Human Resources has arranged for a special rate of $140 (regular rate $240) for Boston Public Schools staff. If interested, please email nbalasalle@bostonpublicschools.org for registration and other details.

BTU Hosts Seminar Today on Race, Language, and Culture

Seminar at the BTU on Thursday, December 6, 2007 from 4:00 - 6:00 PM

• Yolette Ibokette, 1st/2nd Grade Teacher, Graham and Parks School, Cambridge, MA
• Ambrizeth Lima, Language Acquisition Coach, Boston Public Schools
• Ada Sepulveda, K-2nd ELL Teacher, Hennigan School, Boston, MA

Moderator: Miren Uriarte, Professor and Director of The Mauricio Gaston Institute at the University of Massachusetts/Boston

• For more information visit, website Achievementseminars.com
• Reception following the seminar
• Refreshments will be served

OIIT PD  Opportunities, including Stipends

OIIT Professional Development

The following 2 courses will be available again via the OIIT Online Registration Tool link:  http://boston.k12.ma.us/teach/technology/pd/index.asp    

1.    Computer Teacher Institute
Computer Instructors, if you missed the first round, it is not too late to join us in January! In response to numerous requests and a Fall, 07 Computer Teacher Survey, OIIT has designed this year's Computer Teacher Institute. Learn how to meet technology competencies and support curriculum objectives. Upgrade your technology skills and expand your repertoire of technologies to integrate into subject area curriculum. For a complete list of topics and dates, see the posting on the Instructional Technology Unit page of MyBPS.

2.    Intel:  Essentials Course Online @Excel
Keep your eye on the link for the rescheduled dates to this course! Teachers and students collaborate, analyze the quality of information, problem solve, and communicate using online resources and technology tools. Teachers create a fully developed, standards-based unit plan and associated resources for supported projects that promote the use of 21st century skills.

 

OIIT Stipend Opportunity

OIIT's Access Technology Center has a Universal Design for Learning train-the-trainer grant this year to prepare teachers to become instructors for future ATC workshops. More information and an application for this Stipend Opportunity is online on the BPS public web site.

TO APPLY:
Go to http://www.boston.k12.ma.us and select Human Resources. Halfway down the page select BPS Career Center. Select Search Jobs, then in the Keywords line write the RFP number 45238. The job title is Trainer - Universal Design for Learning.

Professional Development: Making Data Work

Professional Development Opportunity "Making Data Work for You"
Presented by:  Al Bird, Denise Henderson and Kristen W. Pinto

Two Saturdays:  January 5 & 19, at the BTU, 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Participants must attend both sessions in order to receive one in-service credit

Course Objectives:  

• Participants will surface their assumptions about data.
• Participants will understand two different types of assessment data and their uses and limitations.
• Participants will learn how to analyze data to make informed decisions about school improvement and instruction.

If interested, please email kpinto@boston.k12.ma.us

Retirees Corner: Pension Reform Lobbying Day 

"The Fourth Annual Day on the Hill" scheduled for Tuesday, May 13, 2008. Mark your calendars now! More details will be made available at a later time. Retirees will be asking legislators to support  an increased COLA and a minimum pension for all retirees. Hope to see you there.

RTC Alert

The active and still active member of the Boston Teachers Union and the Retired Teachers Chapter of the BTU in collaboration with the Curt Schilling of the Boston Red Sox will be running a "Holiday Raffle" to benefit ALS, more commonly known as the Lou Gehrig's Disease.

The prize for the raffle will be a "2007" World Series Baseball, personally autographed by Curt Schilling.  More information to follow

School Site Council Training

School Site Council Budget Training    
Come learn how to:

• Understand the basics of the BPS Budget Process    
• Review your School's Budget    
• Be an informed member of the SSC    
• And much, much more
  
  Monday, December 10, 2007, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
  Monday, December 17, 2007, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
  
  Place:      Boston Teachers Union
  ALL SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE WELCOME
  
  Refreshments and Free Parking
  RSVP by December 7, 2007 To Denita Washington at dwashington6@boston.k12.ma.us   617 635-7750 Or Caren Carew at ccarew@BTU.org 617 288-2000

TechBoston Plans Facing History Trip to Europe

TechBoston Academy is offering seniors the opportunity to travel to Eastern Europe through the "Facing History and Ourselves" program . The "Facing History and Ourselves" class teaches students about racism and prejudice through the lenses of the holocaust and other examples of genocide. Using empathy as a guiding theme, the program examines human suffering through history and around the globe.  The trip to Europe is a culminating project for the class so students can get a first hand look at some of the issues discussed throughout the year.

The trip will include visits to concentration camps such as Dachau and Auschwitz, and will include a visit to Nuremberg and Checkpoint Charlie. Also, for the first time this year, we will include a trip to Paris at the end of our journey where students will have the opportunity to meet survivors of the camps we have just seen for a question and answer session. Students will blog in real time and reflect on their experiences through a variety of media in a collaborative online journal. We encourage you to track our journey and interact with us! Check out the final project the students put together last year, you can view it here.

As you can imagine, this is an exciting opportunity for any student.  But, we need to raise $50,000 by March, 2008 in order to make this trip a reality for 24 TBA students. Please be as generous as you can. Any amount that you can donate will greatly increase the chance that our students will be able to take advantage of this opportunity :

Teacher Assoc. Warns: Beware of Certain Toys 

Teachers Resisting Unhealthy Children's Entertainment is a national group of educators deeply concerned about how children's entertainment and toys are affecting the play and behavior of children in our classrooms.

They publish a FREE  "Toy Action Guide" that is very helpful for parents and teachers...especially in this current climate of exploitation and commercialization. We sent the guide home to all our families and it is something others would benefit from. I'm thinking about it especially as we embark on our current BTU toy drive. It has never been harder to find good and healthy toys for our children!

Click here for the toy guide.

Health Care Mobilization

Health care is the number one issue for voters in the 2008 election, as it is every day for labor. Candidates are putting forward their plans but the real fight will be once the election is over with the drug companies, insurance companies and others who profit from today's broken system. 
 
Jobs With Justice nationally is planning a Health Care Week of Action in 2008 as part of a comprehensive plan for labor mobilization on this issue in 2008. Here in Massachusetts, despite the new law, we still face double digit increases in health care costs and cuts in benefits.

You're invited to the next Health Care Action Committee meeting to help plan these mobilizations here in Massachusetts. We need to fight now for real health care reform that provides quality, affordable and comprehensive health care to everyone and to organize for the fight in 2009.

We'll also talk about how we can mobilize in support of workers in upcoming bargaining like we did this past year for GE worker, Stop & Shop workers and Quincy teachers. We hope you'll join us in this important fight.

HEALTH CARE ACTION COMMITTEE MEETING

Thursday, December 6
4-6pm
UNITE HERE BLDG.
33 Harrison Ave.
Boston (Chinatown)

Help plan the 2008 Health Care Week of Action and other mobilizations to put universal health care on the agenda for 2008 and get ready for the fight in 2009!
Contact Russ Davis: russdavis@comcast.net

Grover Cleveland End-of-an-Era Celebration

Former Grover Cleveland Staff and Friends - We are in the early stages of planning the final Grover Cleveland End of an Era Celebration Party to be held in June.  We are trying to compile an email list of all former staff and others who would like to be notified regarding the party.  If you are interested please send an email to us at fin802@comcast.net with your name and a current email address.  Thank you and hope to see everyone in June.
 
Party Coordinators - Lael Lucia and Clare McGowan

Obituaries

We regret to announce the passing of Ms. Theresa Clemons, a long-time teacher most recently at the Quincy Elementary School. Ms. Clemons passed away unexpectedly late last month. She will dearly missed by her family, friends, and colleagues. We extend our deepest sympathies and our condolences.

We also regret to announce the passing of Mr. James Brennan, a long-time secondary school history teacher. Mr. Brennan was active in the BTU and served our membership as a BTU. Rep. for many years. He will be dearly missed by his family.We extend our deepest sympathies and our condolences.

We also regret to announce the passing of Lydia Smith, a teacher at the Beethoven. Ms. Smith had been at the Beethoven for 12 years, and had served in other Boston Schools. Ms.Smith died after a lengthy illness Wednesday night.  She will dearly missed by her colleagues, friends, and family. We extend our deepest sympathies and condolences.