AM Brew - February 14, 2022
Here's What's Brewing Today
Monday, February 7, 2022
Free WTU T-Shirt
For all members who complete this information sheet. The information will only be used for official WTU business such has the election of officers. Voting will be by US Mail. Please contact Jasmine Wright at [email protected] if you have any questions.
Click here.
Not sure if you’re an active member?
Check your pay stub.
In the AFTER-TAX DEDUCTIONS section of your pay stub, it will have DU-A of Teachers Local No. 6 $36.08 if you’re a member.
Click here to join the WTU through PeopleSoft.
Save the Date March 12th
2022 Shared Vision Conference: Resilience and Renaissance Ideas to Rebuild After a Pandemic
Rally to Support Substitute Teachers
- Thanks to all the teachers who came out on a cold rainy Monday to support substitute teachers. The mayor did give substitutes a raise to $20/hr. We are continuing to advocate on their behalf.
Washington Teacher's Union members call for higher wages (fox5dc.com)
https://www.fox5dc.com/news/d-c-mayors-pay-raise-for-substitute-teachers-not-enough-protesters-say
Black History Month
Shoutout to librarian Sherri Jones at Houston Elementary for celebrating Black History Month with an African-American Read-In.
https://wtop.com/dc/2022/02/dc-schools-celebrate-black-literature-with-readings-by-city-leaders/
TUTORING
Serve Your City/Ward 6 Mutual Aid is offering an in-person STEM tutoring program for students in Wards 6, 7, and 8 who are:
- Interested in STEM
- In grades 5-8
- Most affected by the opportunity gap
- Available after school from 4-6 pm Tuesdays and Thursdays
They are also looking for tutors who share our commitment to serving those students. The start date for the program is February 22nd. For additional information please contact Mark Barnes at
[email protected] or (202) 643-4275.
COVID CORNER
Please continue to report COVID related issues to the situation room - http://bit.ly/WTUSafeOpenings
And any testing or reporting issues to OSSE (OSSE Online Complaint Form (dc.gov).
AM Brew News and Notices will be archived at https://www.wtulocal6.net/AMBrew.
Read more
PD Highlights - February 14, 2022
Professional Development
Additional PD highlights are posted to the PD Blog at https://www.wtulocal6.net/pdblog
AFT Civics Design Team
Shout out to the following WTU members who were selected to be on the AFT Civics Design Team:
So proud of you and your contributions to this critical work!!
Educator Panel hosted by Keishia Thorpe, former WTU Teacher Leader and Winner of the 2021 Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize
Wednesday, February 23rd, 2022@ 5:00 PM EST
Studies show that when students can see themselves in their teachers, it leads to better academic performance and lower behavioral issues. That said, we have a long way to go when it comes to creating diverse classrooms. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, only 18% of teachers aren’t white, even though half of all public school students are POC. During this panel, PGCPS teachers will discuss how we can diversify our teacher force by creating more inclusive schools.
Topics to be discussed include:
- Recruitment and teacher retention
- Benefits of teacher diversity, including male teachers in education
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the workplace
- Making teacher training accessible for everyone
Participate by registering at this LINK and viewing the monthly sessions or watching previous recordings.
WTU Professional Learning - SPRING 2022 Course Offerings
Sign up now HERE for amazing, engaging, and informative virtual spring professional development with the WTU including these upcoming classes (1 FREE class for new WTU members):
Educating Low Vision Students (started 2/7; spaces still available!)
Managing Behavior in School Communities (started 2/2; spaces still available!)
FREE WTU Workshops starting soon:
Strategies for Student Success (Next session Teach Them to Think on 2/19)
The Social Practice of Literacy in Special Education [High School SpEd Educators ONLY] (Orientation on 2/16)
Learn more and Register for all classes HERE.
Wellness Series with Aetna (all sessions are virtual @ 7:00pm-8:00pm)
Each session below is a one-hour “gift of self care” with unique perspectives and tools. Participants will find value in attending one, a few, or all the sessions to support yourself in creating a robust practice of Self Care.
Use this link to register for all or some of the four sessions:
https://artofliving.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYkf-mgrD0qEtfZQOKQy_UwiRpBfShnBeLC
- March 2 - Energy and Breath: Powerful Tools to Increase Your Resilience
- April 6 - Supporting Your Mental Health and Preventing Burnout
- May 4 - Making the Impossible, Possible - Setting and Achieving Your Goals
- June 8 - Courageous Conversations: Healing Conversations about Systemic Racism
Read more
AM Brew - February 7, 2022
Here's What's Brewing Today
Monday, February 7, 2022
Rally to support substitute teachers
TODAY -- Monday, February 7th from 3:30-6pm
John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
February Representative Assembly Meeting
Tuesday, February 8, 2022 at 4:30
All members are welcome to attend, but only building representatives and delegates are eligible to vote.
Please click this link to join the webinar:
Webinar ID: 990 9622 2702
Passcode: 017504
Save the Date March 12th – 2022 Shared Vision Conference: Resilience and Renaissance Ideas to Rebuild After a Pandemic
Elections Committee Updates
WTU Elections: Building Reps Need to Know (click to learn more)
An electronic version of the Building Rep Binder is available here.
IMPACT
Please take a few minutes to complete the IMPACT survey.
IMPACT Survey
Scholarship Opportunity for seniors who live in wards 5, 7, 8.
Cathy Feingold, sister in labor, has turned a tragic event in her life into a scholarship opportunity for students who live in Wards 5, 7, & 8 and have been impacted by gun violence. We hope you will encourage young people in these Wards to apply for the scholarship which will provide $4,000 for a year of continuing education. If you have any questions about the scholarship program, please email [email protected]
Cathy has partnered with Ryane Nickens, founder of the TraRon Center. The WTU is joining the partnership with the TraRon Center whose mission is to expose gun violence survivors to therapeutic modalities that may be absent from their current grieving and coping methods. With a focus on the inclusion of creative arts, the center equips survivors with strategies to healthfully endure the complexities of loss while promoting community health and solidarity.
Here are additional stories about Ryane and Cathy:
- Women Who Lost Loved Ones to DC Gun Violence Team Up to Help Others – NBC4 Washington (nbcwashington.com)
- https://www.nbcwashington.com/community/news-4-your-sunday/news-4-your-sunday-gun-violence/2945473/
COVID CORNER
Test Kits
Sign up to receive a weekly PCR test mailed to your home:
Go to this link to sign up to have a mail-to-home PCR test sent to you each week.
Follow the instructions in the test kit.
Drop the completed test off at any FedEx drop box, and results will be sent directly to you by LabCorp via email.
If you test positive, please isolate immediately and notify your supervisor.
Please contact your Field Representative if you requested, but haven’t received your weekly testing kit in the mail.
Situation Room
Please continue to report COVID related issues to the situation room - http://bit.ly/WTUSafeOpenings
And any testing or reporting issues to OSSE (OSSE Online Complaint Form (dc.gov).
AM Brew News and Notices will be archived at https://www.wtulocal6.net/AMBrew.
Read more
PD Highlights - February 7, 2022
Professional Development
Additional PD highlights are posted to the PD Blog at https://www.wtulocal6.net/pdblog
Crowdsourcing a WTU Guide Best Practices for Teaching in a Socially Distant Classroom
Please contribute your best practices via this link as we create a guide to share with all our members. Feel free to also mail [email protected] if you have any questions or specific resources/suggestions to share.
The Importance of Teacher Force Diversity
Educator Panel hosted by Keishia Thorpe, former WTU Teacher Leader and
Winner of the 2021 Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize
Wednesday, February 23rd, 2022@ 5:00 PM EST
Studies show that when students can see themselves in their teachers, it leads to better academic performance and lower behavioral issues. That said, we have a long way to go when it comes to creating diverse classrooms. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, only 18% of teachers aren’t white, even though half of all public school students are POC. During this panel, PGCPS teachers will discuss how we can diversify our teacher force by creating more inclusive schools.
Topics to be discussed include:
- Recruitment and teacher retention
- Benefits of teacher diversity, including male teachers in education
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the workplace
- Making teacher training accessible for everyone
Participate by registering at this LINK and viewing the monthly sessions or watching previous recordings.
WTU Professional Learning - SPRING 2022 Course Offerings
Sign up now HERE for amazing, engaging, and informative virtual spring professional development with the WTU including these upcoming classes (1 FREE class for new WTU members):
- Educating Low Vision Students (starts TODAY 2/7)
- Managing Behavior in School Communities (started 2/2; still spaces available!)
FREE WTU Workshops starting soon:
- The Social Practice of Literacy in Special Education [High School SpEd Educators ONLY] (Orientation on 2/16)
- Learn more and Register for all classes HERE.
Wellness Series with Aetna (all sessions are virtual @ 7:00pm-8:00pm)
Each session below is a one-hour “gift of self care” with unique perspectives and tools. Participants will find value in attending one, a few, or all the sessions to support yourself in creating a robust practice of Self Care.
Use this link to register for all or some of the four sessions:
https://artofliving.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYkf-mgrD0qEtfZQOKQy_UwiRpBfShnBeLC
- March 2nd - Energy and Breath: Powerful Tools to Increase Your Resilience
- April 6th - Supporting Your Mental Health and Preventing Burnout
- May 4th - Making the Impossible, Possible - Setting and Achieving Your Goals
- June 8th - Courageous Conversations: Healing Conversations about Systemic Racism
Read more
AM Brew - January 31, 2022
Here's What's Brewing Today
Monday, January 31, 2022
WTU Election Committee -- INFORMATION NEEDED!!!!!
If you are the Building Representative, Alternate Building Representative or Delegate for any of the schools below please contact WTU Membership Coordinator, Valerie Kilby today at 202-517-0728 or [email protected].
Bancroft, Beers, Boone, Capitol Hill Montessori @ Logan, Dorothy Height, Drew, Hart, Kramer, Noyes, Payne, Phelps, Savoy, Turner, Virtual Learning Program
Rally to Support Substitute Teachers
Please join us in showing solidarity with the Substitute Teachers!
Monday, February 7th 3:30-6:00
Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Ave NW
IMPACT Survey & Meeting
Please take a few minutes to complete the IMPACT survey.
And join us for the next IMPACT Meeting on Tues, Feb 1 at 4:30pm
Join Zoom Meeting. Meeting ID: 829 0883 7888; Passcode: 888893
Scholarship Opportunity for seniors who live in wards 5, 7, 8.
Cathy Feingold, sister in labor, has turned a tragic event in her life into a scholarship opportunity for students who live in Wards 5, 7, & 8 and have been impacted by gun violence. Cathy has partnered with Ryane Nickens, founder of the TraRon Center. The WTU is joining the partnership with the TraRon Center whose mission is to expose gun violence survivors to therapeutic modalities that may be absent from their current grieving and coping methods. With a focus on the inclusion of creative arts, the center equips survivors with strategies to healthfully endure the complexities of loss while promoting community health and solidarity.
Here are additional stories about Ryane and Cathy.
Women Who Lost Loved Ones to DC Gun Violence Team Up to Help Others – NBC4 Washington (nbcwashington.com)
https://www.nbcwashington.com/community/news-4-your-sunday/news-4-your-sunday-gun-violence/2945473/
Union Leadership Institute (UL)
COVID CORNER
URGENT!! - Report your vaccination status on PeopleSoft.
Some teachers still have not reported their vaccination status on PeopleSoft, and failure to do so will result in the loss of pay. Please report your status immediately.
Personal Pandemic Leave
The Covid-19 leave benefit, effective December 1, 2021 and expires on April 2, 2022 is only applicable to employees who test positive for COVID-19 and cannot work due to illness. This benefit cannot be used for childcare purposes when a school or daycare center closes due to COVID-19. If you are required to quarantine, you may work virtually without the loss of your sick leave. You must complete the attestation form to work virtually.
Air Quality Reports
As part of the MOU, DCPS is required to publish data monthly on the quality of air in our schoosl. Attached here is the December 2021 Air Quality Report
D.C. government has agreed to provide all D.C. government workers—including all school employees—with special COVID-19 sick leave, so that you don’t have to use your sick leave if you become infected or must quarantine because of an exposure. Employees will be allowed to take up to 80 hours of “personal pandemic leave.” After intense urging by the WTU, the mayor announced today that this leave will be retroactive to Dec. 1, 2021, and will expire on April 2, 2022.
Test Kits
Sign up to receive a weekly PCR test mailed to your home:
- Go to this link to sign up to have a mail-to-home PCR test sent to you each week.
- Follow the instructions in the test kit.
- Drop the completed test off at any FedEx drop box, and results will be sent directly to you by LabCorp via email.
- If you test positive, please isolate immediately and notify your supervisor.
KN95 Mask Distribution
N95 masks – we are out of the N95 masks that were donated by Sunrise DC. We will let you know when we receive another shipment.
DCPS is working to re-supply schools with additional masks. Public health guidance advises that masks may be worn more than once, and we are closely tracking how staff are utilizing the masks to determine the rate of re-supply. All school-based and public-facing staff will have access to up to three masks per week. The WTU believes that students should also be supplied KN-95 masks and we are working with the Administration to accomplish this goal.
Report Health & Safety Concerns:
Please continue to report COVID related issues to the situation room - http://bit.ly/WTUSafeOpenings
And any testing or reporting issues to OSSE (OSSE Online Complaint Form (dc.gov).
AM Brew News and Notices will be archived at https://www.wtulocal6.net/AMBrew.
Read more
PD Highlights - January 31, 2022
Professional Development
Additional PD highlights are posted to the PD Blog at https://www.wtulocal6.net/pdblog
Kudos to Nadia Torney who facilitated an AFT national training on Universal Design for Learning this past weekend at the AFT Winter Academy.
Wellness Series with Aetna
Each session below is a one-hour “gift of self care” with unique perspectives and tools. Participants will find value in attending one, a few, or all the sessions to support yourself in creating a robust practice of Self Care. Starts Wed. 2/2; all sessions @ 6:30pm-7:30pm.
Each session includes different sets of:
- Powerful physiological tools of the breath that can be incorporated into one’s day to instantly reduce tension;
- Guided relaxation for deep restoration and quieting of the thoughts in the mind;
- Cognitive tools for navigating thoughts and emotions as they arise.
Use this link to register for all or some of the five sessions: https://artofliving.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYkf-mgrD0qEtfZQOKQy_UwiRpBfShnBeLC
- February 2nd - Working Through Change & Uncertainty
- March 2nd - Energy and Breath: Powerful Tools to Increase Your Resilience
- April 6th Supporting Your Mental Health and Preventing Burnout
- May 4th - Making the Impossible, Possible - Setting and Achieving Your Goals
- June 8th - Courageous Conversations: Healing Conversations about Systemic Racism
WTU Professional Learning - SPRING 2022 Course Offerings
Sign up now for amazing, engaging, and informative virtual fall professional development with the WTU including these upcoming classes (1 FREE class for new WTU members):
Educating Low Vision Students (starts 2/7)
Managing Behavior in School Communities (starts 2/2)
FREE WTU Workshops
Culturally Responsive Pedagogy (2 Part Series: 2/5 and 2/12)
The Social Practice of Literacy in Special Education [High School SpEd Educators ONLY] (Orientation on 2/16)
Learn more and register for ALL WTU Spring classes HERE.
Black Live Matter at School Week of Action is THIS WEEK!!!
The fifth annual Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action is January 31st - February 4th, 2022. Learn more and sign up to participate, here.
Thank You, Teaching for Change!!!
Read more
PD Highlights - January 24, 2022
Professional Development
Additional PD highlights are posted to the PD Blog at https://www.wtulocal6.net/pdblog
WTU Professional Learning - SPRING 2022 Course Offerings
Sign up now for amazing, engaging, and informative virtual fall professional development with the WTU including these upcoming classes (1 FREE class for new WTU members):
Educating Low Vision Students (starts 2/7)
Managing Behavior in School Communities (starts 2/2)
FREE WTU Workshops starting soon:
Culturally Responsive Pedagogy (2 Part Series: 1/29 and 2/12)
IMPACT PD Workshop (2 Part Series: 1/29 and 3/5)
The Social Practice of Literacy in Special Education [High School SpEd Educators ONLY] (Orientation on 2/16)
Learn more and Register for all classes HERE.
Black Live Matter at School Week of Action
The fifth annual Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action is January 31st - February 4th, 2022. Learn more and sign up to participate, here. Thank you Teaching for Change!!!
Other PD
Next Generation Personal Finance Virtual Conference: Innovate to Educate (Virtual Conference Date: 1/29/2022)
Fund for Teachers Grant (Extended Deadline: 2/24/22)
Individuals may apply for up to $5,000 and teams may apply for up to $10,000 (while team members may be from different schools, districts or states, all members must meet the eligibility criteria). Upon award, Fellows will receive 90 percent of their grant, the remaining 10 percent to be disbursed upon completion of post-fellowship requirements.
White House History Institute (Deadline: 2/27/22)
Air Camp (applications open 3/1/22)
Constitution Center Summer Educator Institutes
Air & Space Museum Summer STEAM Innovator Educator Institute [educators in grades 5-8] (Deadline: 2/15/2022)
Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms (applications opened 1/12/22)
Tulane University Stone Center Summer Teacher Institute in Panama (Deadline: 4/4/2022)
Read more
AM Brew - January 24, 2022
Here's What's Brewing Today
Monday, January 24, 2022
End of Term
Wednesday, January 26 is the end of term. You will have until DATE to submit final grades for students. If you have any questions about end of term deadlines, please contact your Field Representative.
Special Education Survey
The special education joint committee presented 3 major concerns on behalf of special education teachers across the district and provided thorough data from the survey that was administered on Wednesday, January 5th. The data spoke volumes, but only 10% of the special education teachers in DCPS took the survey. We need your help to make our voices heard!! If you are a special education teacher (inclusion, self-contained, pull-out, resource) please make sure you fill this survey out by 1/28/22.
WTU Special Education Committee Survey
IMPACT Survey
CLICK HERE: #IMPACT SURVEY
Union Leader Institute (ULI)
All elected members should attend – building rep, delegate, SCAC, personnel committee, and LSAT members. The ULI provides members the opportunity to learn and develop leadership skills and to acquire the detailed knowledge needed to be an effective teacher representative to help ensure the voice of teachers are heard.
Jan 28, 4:30-6:30 – New Members
Join via Zoom Meeting; Meeting ID: 829 0883 7888; Passcode: 888893
Jan 29, 10:00-1:30 – New & Returning Members
Join via Zoom Meeting; Meeting ID: 829 0883 7888; Passcode: 888893
COVID CORNER
The WTU would like to thank the volunteers with Sunrise DC who braved the bitter cold temperatures on Saturday to distribute masks to teachers in Wards 5, 7 and 8. If you work in Wards 5, 7, or 8 and were not able to pick up masks for your school, we will deliver them ASAP.
We’re working with Sunrise DC to acquire and distribute more masks to teachers in the other wards. In the interim, the WTU has a limited supply of N95 masks that we will deliver to schools in Wards 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6.
D.C. government has agreed to provide all D.C. government workers—including all school employees—with special COVID-19 sick leave, so that you don’t have to use your sick leave if you become infected or must quarantine because of an exposure. Employees will be allowed to take up to 80 hours of “personal pandemic leave.” After intense urging by the WTU, the mayor announced today that this leave will be retroactive to Dec. 1, 2021, and will expire on April 2, 2022.
Test Kits
Sign up to receive a weekly PCR test mailed to your home:
- Go to this link to sign up to have a mail-to-home PCR test sent to you each week.
- Follow the instructions in the test kit.
- Drop the completed test off at any FedEx drop box, and results will be sent directly to you by LabCorp via email.
- If you test positive, please isolate immediately and notify your supervisor.
KN95 Mask Distribution
DCPS is working to re-supply schools with additional masks. Public health guidance advises that masks may be worn more than once, and we are closely tracking how staff are utilizing the masks to determine the rate of re-supply. All school-based and public-facing staff will have access to up to three masks per week. The WTU believes that students should also be supplied KN-95 masks and we are working with the Administration to accomplish this goal.
How to improve mask fit
https://youtu.be/GzTAZDsNBe0
Water Fountain Use is Permitted at School
After consultation with DC Health, and in collaboration with the Department of General Services (DGS), DCPS will turn water fountains back on in all schools. This process will take place over the next month and follow a schedule that prioritizes our largest schools first. Principals are notified 2 weeks before deliveries of water bottles stop.
WTU Situation Room
Please continue to report COVID related issues to the situation room - http://bit.ly/WTUSafeOpenings
And any testing or reporting issues to OSSE (OSSE Online Complaint Form (dc.gov).
In the news
- Washington Informer – COVID Metrics Continue to Fuel Disputes in D.C. Schools
- Washington Informer – D.C. Teachers’ Demands for Paid COVID Leave Take Center Stage
- DCist – ‘We Feel Like We’ve Been Dismissed:’ D.C. Educators Say Pay Increase For Substitute Teachers Is Not Enough
- Washington Post – D.C. reinstates covid leave for workers as council pushes for paid medical, prenatal absences
WAMU – Listen: Teachers at D.C. Public Schools say they’re feeling anxious and overwhelmed - Washington Post - D.C. measure would require schools to tell parents about covid cases within 24 hours
AM Brew News and Notices will be archived at https://www.wtulocal6.net/AMBrew.
Read more
AM Brew - January 18, 2022
Here's What's Brewing Today
Tuesday, January 18, 2022
WTU supports substitute teachers who haven’t receive a raise in 14 years!
DC substitute teachers hold 'Day of Absence' to rally for better pay, benefits (fox5dc.com)
Upset over pay, substitute teachers in DC Public Schools take 'Day of Absence' | WJLA
The WTU is coordinating with the substitute teachers' union to schedule a day and time that we can join and support them.
Retired Deal teacher rescues former student stranded in snowstorm
COVID CORNER
COVID Leave
Click to learn more. Details of COVID leave are being finalized; the WTU will share details as soon as we have additional information.
KN95 Mask Distribution
DCPS is working to re-supply schools with additional masks. Public health guidance advises that masks may be worn more than once, and we are closely tracking how staff are utilizing the masks to determine the rate of re-supply. All school-based and public-facing staff will have access to up to three masks per week. The WTU believes that students should also be supplied KN-95 masks and we are working with the Administration to accomplish this goal.
How often can you safely reuse your KN95 or N95 mask?
President Biden said Thursday his administration will soon announce plans to get free high-quality masks in the hands of millions of Americans. Learn more.
How to improve mask fit
Water Fountain Use is Permitted at School
After consultation with DC Health, and in collaboration with the Department of General Services (DGS), DCPS will turn water fountains back on in all schools. This process will take place over the next month and follow a schedule that prioritizes our largest schools first. Principals are notified 2 weeks before deliveries of water bottles stop.
Testing
Teachers should receive an email from DCPS asking if you’re like to opt-into weekly PRC testing
20% of asymptomatic students will continue to be tested.
ECE students will be given rapids tests on Friday to administer at home and families are required to upload results prior to returning to school the following week.
Reporting
Please continue to report COVID related issues to the situation room - http://bit.ly/WTUSafeOpenings
And any testing or reporting issues to OSSE (OSSE Online Complaint Form (dc.gov).
Representative Assembly Meetings
Please know that all members are allowed and encouraged to attend the Representative Assembly Meetings. However, under the WTU by-laws, only Building Representatives and Delegates to the Representative Assembly may participate and vote during the meetings.
AM Brew News and Notices will be archived at https://www.wtulocal6.net/AMBrew.
Read more
PD Highlights - January 18, 2022
Professional Development
Additional PD highlights are posted to the PD Blog at https://www.wtulocal6.net/pdblog
Martin Luther King Day Resources
Monday, Jan. 17th, we celebrated Martin Luther King Junior day in recognition of the civil rights icon’s contributions to American society. See below for resources from DCPS Social Studies Department’s Scott Abbott to support teaching students about Martin Luther King well beyond the holiday.
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: Zinn Education Project resources for teaching beyond the “I Have A Dream” speech about Martin Luther King Jr.
- Liberation Curriculum: Classroom Resources: Stanford Martin Luther King Jr. Research and Education Institute Liberation Curriculum provides document-based lessons, online education and historical materials about the African American Freedom Struggle and Dr. King’s vision for a just and peaceful world.
- Martin Luther King Jr. Resources: The best of Martin Luther King Jr. Resources curated by Learning for Justice.
- On This Day: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - Life, Death, Legacy: 6 video clips and lesson guidance from C-SPAN Classrooms
- Doing Justice to Martin Luther King Jr. Day with Young Children: A short article offering ideas for early childhood educators to honor King in a historically accurate and developmentally appropriate way.
- Examining Nonviolence in Context: The National Endowment for the Humanities offers a multi-part lesson plan for discovering the influences and impact of King’s nonviolent social activism. The site also offers lessons for younger students, including Let Freedom Ring: The Life & Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. (Grades 3–5) and Dr. King’s Dream (Grades K–2).
- Civil Rights Teaching Booklists: Curated booklists to teach diverse civil rights histories with book titles for children to young adults.
WTU Educators’ Guide to Best Practices in Socially Distant Teaching
Please take 5 minutes to provide suggestions and resources HERE to be added to a WTU guide for what really works pedagogically in a socially distant classroom. Or simply email me any materials, websites, or ideas that have worked for you at [email protected].
WTU Professional Learning - SPRING 2022 Course Offerings
Sign up now for amazing, engaging, and informative virtual fall professional development with the WTU including these classes which start this month (1 FREE class for new WTU members):
English Language Learners 101 (Starts 1/22)
FREE WTU Workshops starting this month:
Culturally Responsive Pedagogy (2 Part Series: 1/29 and 2/12)
Dimensions of Wellness (1/22)
IMPACT PD Workshop (2 Part Series: 1/29 and 3/5)
Learn more and Register for all classes HERE.
Read more
PD Highlights - January 10, 2022
Professional Development
Additional PD highlights are posted to the PD Blog at https://www.wtulocal6.net/pdblog
Upcoming Certification Deadline???
Many educators received an extension to March 2022 to submit recertification materials. Please begin the process now. Attached is an infographic that can help guide you.
Also, there is an upcoming tech support session on 1/19.
WTU Educators’ Guide to Best Practices in Socially Distant Teaching
Please take 5 minutes to provide suggestions and resources HERE to be added to a WTU guide for what really works pedagogically in a socially distant classroom.
WTU Professional Learning - SPRING 2022 Course Offerings
Sign up now for amazing, engaging, and informative virtual fall professional development with the WTU including these classes which start this month ($125 early bird registration fee through 1/12/21; 1 FREE class for new WTU members):
English Language Learners 101 (Started 1/8)
BRAND NEW: Reclaiming Assessments: Using a Balanced Classroom Assessment System to Strengthen Student Learning (starts 1/15)
Thinking Mathematics, Grades K-2 (starts 1/15)
FREE WTU Workshops starting this month:
10 Trauma-Informed Strategies to Help Students Heal (starts 1/15)
Conversational Spanish (starts 1/19)
Culturally Responsive Pedagogy (2 Part Series: 1/25 and 2/12)
Dimensions of Wellness (1/22)
Flagway Math League (continues TODAY 1/10)
IMPACT PD Workshop (2 Part Series: 1/29 and ⅗)
Strategies for Student Success (starts 1/15)
Learn more and Register for all classes HERE.
AM Brew - January 10, 2022
Here's What's Brewing Today
Monday, January 10, 2022
I hope you were able to read my full message last night about the return to school this week. I know that many of you are nervous about the surge in COVID-19 cases fueled by the spread of the Omicron variant. We continue to fight DCPS to turn “what to do if” concerns into policies that you can count on. I invite you to read more about the concessions we’ve obtained from DCPS – including being one of the few jurisdictions that implemented a “test to return” policy for students and staff, a key demand of Chicago Teachers that they have failed to achieve (read more here) – and our on-going efforts to improve notifications and contact tracing, ensure more students are tested weekly, and ensure our schools are prepared should they have to switch to remote instruction. Again, read the full message here.
We’re working to hold DCPS accountable for their COVID-19 promises and to learn more about the return to school after the Winter Holiday.
Please complete our short survey by clicking here.
Representative Assembly Meeting
Please join us for the January 2022 Representative Assembly Meeting on Tuesday, Jan 11 at 4:30 PM. All members are invited to attend. Join via Zoom. Meeting ID: 939 669 4583; Passcode: 148566
Meeting to discuss exemptions to vaccine requirement
On Thursday, Jan 13 at 5PM, President Pogue Lyons will meet with WTU members who have been denied exemptions to the vaccine mandate. To register for this conversation, please complete this form.
Memorandums of Agreement
We’ve received requests for the August 2021 and November 2021 Memorandums of Agreement. They are available via the links below and we’ll be updating the WTU website to make them more prominent.
As part of the WTU’s agreements with DCPS, DCPS is required to publish monthly reports on the air-quality of DCPS buildings. The November Air Quality Report is available here.
Additionally, the WTU has received requests to republish the results from three recent surveys:
Update on IMPACT
The IMPACT writing team will start to draft a new teacher development and evaluation framework. The draft of the framework will be reviewed by the IMPACT committee. If you’d like more information contact Regina Bell at [email protected].
REMINDER: Please report any COVID related problems to the Situation Room and OSSE
OSSE Online Complaint Form (dc.gov)
Situation Room: http://bit.ly/WTUSafeOpenings
AM Brew News and Notices will be archived at https://www.wtulocal6.net/AMBrew.
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