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BTU UPDATE #20: Masks Are Disposable, You Are Not!

Dear Members,

Through the chaos and confusion caused by the haphazard decision making of City Schools, you have demonstrated once again that you are the backbone of this school system. City Schools leadership could have avoided many of these challenges had they met with the BTU in true collaboration, following a framework shared with the district in December.

The BTU continues to believe in and fight for solutions that genuinely improve safety, such as high-quality masks, opt-out rather than opt-in testing for students, and effective quarantine measures that members and families can trust.

We will be meeting with the district regarding their unilateral changes in quarantine and testing procedures. While some details have been given, many questions remain unanswered and school system leadership has struggled tremendously implementing every single change in policy. Similarly, we continue to pursue grievances to bring the district’s COVID dashboard into compliance with the MOU signed between BCPSS and the BTU. As it stands, it is not only inaccurate, it also actively misleads the public into thinking that there is significantly less COVID in schools than is actually the case.

BTU also continues to meet with the district regarding sick leave. BCPSS has continued to reject all proposals to grant permission leave for any COVID case, maintaining they will only do so when it can be “linked” to another case in your school building. As always, reach out immediately to your BTU Field Representative if you need assistance on this or any other BTU issue.

Less than one week into the BTU’s High Filtration Mask Drive we have already raised over 16,000 N95 and KN95 masks and nearly $10,000 for additional masks. As masks are delivered we will share a plan for distribution in the coming weeks. Please share this fundraiser with your personal networks and post on social media.

Fighting for your lives,

President Brown

SUPPORT THE BTU HIGH FILTRATION MASK DRIVE

Research has shown that using high-filtration masks is the single most effective step that schools can take to reduce the spread of COVID, and thus enable the safest in-person instruction. While many school systems around the country have purchased high filtration masks, City Schools staff and students are still largely using surgical and cloth masks which are not nearly as effective.

BTU is partnering with elected officials and community organizations from around the city to launch a high filtration mask drive (N95 and KN95 level). Are you a part of an organization that has access to such masks and would like to make a donation? If so please email info@baltu.org If you are an individual who would like to make a monetary donation that will be used to purchase masks from a local distributor.

So far, because of your contributions, your work, and community support, we have raised $9,595.00 and received 16,300 masks for students and staff. If we have any ask of you today, it is for you to share the link to the fundraiser with friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE

WATCH THE JAN 13 BTU EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING @ 6:00PM

This webinar will give members an opportunity to observe the BTU Executive Board Meeting on Jan 13 at 6:00pm. Members will need to register and have their membership checked before being sent a Zoom link to join the webinar as an “Attendee”.

The email will be from “BTU Admin #2”. Check your spam folder! Attendees can observe the meeting, see the Panelists (Executive Board Members) that have their cameras on, see screen sharing, and hear all the audio.

Attendees will not be able to chat with Panelists or other Attendees. Attendees will not be able to raise their hand. Attendees will be able to observe the meeting but not participate in the meeting.

THE DEADLINE TO REGISTER FOR THIS WEBINAR IS: JAN 13 AT 5:45PM. NO REGISTRATIONS WILL BE CHECKED AFTER THIS DATE/TIME.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

REGISTER FOR THE JANUARY 18TH BTU RETIREMENT SEMINAR

Join Joyce Cooper, your Employee Engagement Associate at BCPSS’s Human Capital Office, on January 18, 2022, for a virtual retirement seminar.

The virtual seminar will provide introductory information about the retirement process, including: retirement eligibility, retirement requirements, making your payment option selection, necessary forms, and transferring health insurance, and life insurance. Register at bit.ly/jan18retire

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

REGISTER TODAY FOR THE PROGRESSIVE EDUCATION SUMMIT

The annual Progressive Education Summit brings together hundreds of educators to bring alive the democratic ideals of progressive education.

During this time in our nation, how do we – as educators – create spaces that honor the humanity of our students, our colleagues, and our communities?

How do we foster true care, love and healing for ourselves and with each other?

How do we teach in a way that truly responds to the needs of children?

How do we link arms and navigate these times together?

Join us for:

-Keynote Speakers like Dr. Shawn Ginwright, PhD

-Deep-Dive Sessions with Master Practitioners

-Practitioner-to-Practitioner Workshops

-Opportunities to Connect with Aligned Educators

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

FILL OUT THE SUBSTITUTE SURVEY

Whenever you serve as a substitute, whether for just a short period of time or a whole day, BTU leadership requests that you fill out this form to help us collect data and better advocate for policies that support fully staffed, well-functioning schools.

This form does NOT take the place of contacting a BTU Field Rep if you believe a contract violation has occurred, or in the case of PSRPs, you are owed additional pay for subbing. Always contact your Field Representative when you believe the contract is being violated.

CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE BTU SUBSTITUTING SURVEY

USE THIS BTU FORM TO REPORT HEALTH AND SAFETY VIOLATIONS

The BTU has created an online reporting form in order to document positive and suspected COVID cases. This online reporting form can also be used to report:

This form is NOT meant to replace reported violations sent to supervisors, it is a supplement that will allow union membership a single, consistent, and safe place to report to BTU so that we are able to most efficiently and effectively support staff.

Please email info@baltu.org or your field rep if you have questions about how to fill out this form.