Greetings,

High school teachers, please let your students know that January 16th is the final day to register to vote in the Mass Presidential Primary or to change party enrollment.

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Loss of students to Charter Schools: This fiscal year the city sends a net of $44.0 Million to Boston-housed charter schools. Here's a practical way to look at this: The loss of $44 Million is equivalent to $783.06 for each student we currently have enrolled in the BPS. Our students could benefit a great deal with that lost, never-to-be-used revenue. Some of the students in charter schools have left our schools; others have never been students. We can do a better job of retaining the former, and attracting the latter.

The first step towards retaining the former will be taken at a meeting to be held at the BTU on Thursday, January 3rd, from 11:30 to 2. Invited are two key groups of people. Representatives from each of the myriad of high schools and programs will be asked to attend to explain the benefits of each of their programs. Guidance counselors from middle schools will also be asked to attend to hear more of what the BPS offers to high school students. It will be a positive step for our middle school people to hear about the variety of high school offerings available to graduating middle school students. This effort at the BTU on 1/3 is a joint initiative of the BTU and the school department. We are both eager to launch this first-time event, and we see it as a good opportunity to begin to "get the word out" about the wonderful programs in our secondary schools. We hope each middle and high school will send appropriate representatives to help get the word out. Lunch will be served.

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Lastly, a word or two about paraprofessionals covering classes for teachers: Paraprofessionals without a teaching certificate or five years of experience are not supposed to be asked to cover classes. If a para does agree to cover classes, he/she is entitled to $6.00 per hour in addition to his or her regular salary. It doesn't matter whether the coverage is for an absent teacher, a CCL class, or anything else, paras who cover for an absent teacher or a missing teacher get the $6.00 per hour.

Common Courtesy Provision We Shouldn't Have to Mention

We shouldn't have to mention this, but...

We negotiated contract language found on page 125, P 17d that describes what common courtesy ought to be extended BEFORE entering a classroom. This language ought to be unnecessary in any civilized culture, but somehow, we do have a small group of administrators/on-lookers who show no manners. Recently I spoke with a well-regarded, well-accomplished teacher who was the recipient last week of a gang-visit of 6 or so administrators who walked abruptly into her classrooms, didn't say why they were there, didn't introduce themselves, didn't acknowledge her students or her, and milled around looking important. Sure, they are important, but less so than the other activities that were going on in her classroom. Memo to self-important traveling teams of administrators: Before you enter a classroom, knock, introduce yourself, say hello, and once inside, please greet the children. But please don't disrupt the classroom.

Here's the contract language we negotiated:

"(d) Common Courtesy In Advance of Classroom Visit
All visitors to a classroom shall knock on the door and, if invited to do so, will introduce themselves."

Celtics March 14

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

School Site Council Meeting Monday, December 17, 2007 from 4-6 p.m. at BTU . 

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

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
 

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 ran 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 .

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.

Pilot School RFP Explanatory Meeting

There will be a meeting at the BTU on  1/4/08, from 4-5:30 to go over the ins and outs of the Pilot School RFP planning process. Representatives from the School Department. the BTU, and other Pilot Schools will be present. Mayor Menino, too, will be stopping by,

OIIT PD  Opportunities, including Stipends

OIIT Professional Development

The following 2 courses will be available again via the OIIT Online Registration Tool link    

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.

Retirees Corner: Pension Reform Lobbying Day 

Mark Your Calendars: "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 Alerts 

CURT'S PITCH FOR ALS - HOLIDAYS RAFFLE - Tickets will be available at the BTU Meeting - BTU Adult Christmas Party - RTC Office. Tickets are $ 10 apiece or 6 for $50   - Prize: World Series Baseball autographed by Curt Schilling of the Boston Red Sox. For Tickets see : Martha Cotton- BTU Social Committee or Dave Donovan - RTC Chairman. Drawing to be held on January 15th.

 
RTC SCHOLARSHIP information and applications will be available in January. More information to follow.
 
RTC Travel Committee is planning another season of great travel opportunities for the coming year contact Mary Cahalane or Ruthanne Kennedy at the RTC  office for more information.

Teacher Assoc. Warns: Beware of Certain Toys 

See Corrected LInk Below.

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!

Here is the link for the toy guide.

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 17, 2007, 4:00pm - 6:00pm

Place:      Boston Teachers Union
ALL SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE WELCOME
Refreshments and Free Parking
RSVP by December 14, 2007 to Caren Carew at ccarew@BTU.org or 617 288-2000.

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

Teacher of the Year

MASS DOE SEEKS TEACHER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES

The Mass DOE is seeking nominees for the 46th annual Teacher of the Year program.  Nominees should be educators who demonstrate professionalism, leadership, excellent communication skills, and an outstanding and measurable commitment to student achievement and to the teaching profession. Anyone can nominate a teacher, including administrators, teachers, students, parents and/or community members. To do so, send a letter to the DOE by 2/4/08 explaining why that teacher should be considered. Once the nomination letter is received, the teacher will be sent an application form to complete.

Mail nomination letters to:
Teacher of the Year Program
Mass DOE
350 Main Street
Malden, MA 02148

Questions: djwalker@doe.mass.edu

Fund for Teachers

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.orgMention new proviison

Science Social

Announcing: Boston Science Teachers' December Science Social and HOLIDAY Raffle!

Come join us this Friday, 12/14, for our HOLIDAY social.  There will be a RAFFLE generously sponsored by the Science Department and APPETIZERS will once again be generously provided by the UMass Boston COSMIC (Center for Math and Science in Context) office.  Over the last two months, over 70 teachers have attended!  School colleagues, graduate students, and student teachers are invited as well.  

We look forward to seeing you Friday!

Location: The Squealing Pig
134 Smith Street (intersection of Smith Street and Huntington Avenue)
Mission Hill/Roxbury Crossing
Host Schools: Madison Park and Boston Latin School
Time: Anytime from 3-7
Restaurant Phone: (617) 566-6651

Obituary

Sharon McHugh, a long-time kindergarten teacher at the Holland Elementary School, passed away earlier this week after a lengthy bout with cancer. Ms. McHugh had taught in Boston for 27 years. She will be dearly missed by her family, friends, and colleagues. The Boston Teachers Union sends its deepest condolences.