NEWS CHANNEL 4 - Channel 4 Investigative Reporter Ted Oberg interviewed WTU President Pogue-Lyons on DCPS' inability to pay teachers the back pay owed to them on time. When interviewed, President Pogue-Lyons said, "They (DC leaders) knew this date was coming,” Washington Teachers’ Union President Jacqueline Pogue-Lyons said. “It’s been six months. To find this out during Teacher Appreciation Week is both disappointing and disrespectful.”

To read the full story, click here.

WASHINGTON (7News) — "Over 5,000 D.C. public school teachers are now being set back financially after learning salary hikes they’ve been expecting are now being delayed. The retroactive pay increase was part of a new contract that was ratified in December." 

“Many of our teachers went through COVID, going back to classes in person, concerned about their health and their students," said Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, the Washington Teachers’ Union President. "To finally get a contract and find out that what they had been waiting for through the ups and downs of the economy is very disappointing.

”She added, “The average teacher is 32 years old, they have student loans, starting a family, hoping to get a home, so they depend on their money.”

DC News Now reported on DCPS' failure to pay teachers on time in an announcement released during Teacher Appreciation Week. WTU President Pogue-Lyons told reporters, "I’ve been receiving calls since yesterday with folks saying… what they were going to use the funds for, and now they have to dial back,” Lyons said. “Raising kids keeps going up and up, and so plans that you may have had for the summer are delayed, loans that you may have taken or wanted to pay back — all of that is delayed.” Read or Watch the full story here.

The Washington Times reported on DCPS' failure to pay teachers on time as part of the new teachers union contract. "According to the contract reached with the Washington Teacher’s Union in December, members who have been working since 2020 will receive retroactive payment for the three years they worked without a contract."

WTOP NEWS - WTU President Pogue-Lyons expressed disappointment and outrage at DCPS' inability to pay teachers on time. In a WTOP interview, she said, " This union and our teachers want to rebuild the trust, but you only really rebuild trust with consistency,” WTU President Jacqueline Pogue Lyons told WTOP. “This is not working on consistency, by finding out during Teacher Appreciation Week that money you were counting on won’t be coming. They have promised to get partial payment, but teachers were counting on full payment. And so it’s disappointing and upsetting.”

To download .pdf, please click here.

Here's What's Brewing Today

Monday, May 1, 2023

Thank you for coming out to our Teachers Appreciation Party on Friday! It was wonderful to see so many of you in person. Throughout the week, we will post videos/photos from the par-tay available on WTU’s website, and official Twitter, Instagram, FaceBook and YouTube social media sites.

I expect your schools, students, parents, and community members will have a lot in store for you this week as they celebrate just how amazing you are.

A few reminders…

This coming Wednesday, May 10^th, we will host our popular virtual retirement seminar at 5PM via Zoom. Remember, it’s never too early to think about retirement! The URL to join the Zoom meeting is here: Join Via Zoom.

On Saturday, May 13^th, Dr. Persephone Brown’s class, Social Emotional Learning for Adults begins at 10AM. If you are interested, please register here.

Throughout this school year, our WTU Teacher Leaders invested their time and attention to researching issues of interest to them as DC teachers. You will have an opportunity to hear about their research first-hand on Saturday, May 20^th from 9-3PM. To register, please click here.

Tuesday May 8 @ 4:30 Rep Assembly meeting

Join Via Zoom. Passcode: 220352   
All members are invited to attend but may not participate in the meeting. Building Reps and delegates will receive a separate link to join as a participant.

Secondary Grading Policy Task Force Report

Please read and comment on the following report that will be presented to the WTU Rep Assembly for a vote in May's Rep Assembly. Click here for additional details.

Give your input and attend a meeting on:

Deputy Mayor’s master facility plan

DC Public Education Master Facilities Plan 2023 | dme

Master Facilities Plan meetings:

Tuesday, May 9 at 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. (click here)

Wednesday, May 10 at 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. (click here)

Boundary Study meetings:

Tuesday, May 16 at 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. (click here)

Wednesday, May 17 at 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. (click here)

2023 Boundary and Student Assignment Study (office.com)

Revised DINR Window From DCPS

DCPS is asking us to send this message to apologize for an error which resulted in you not receiving communications regarding the Declaration of Intent Not to Return (DINR) application opening, as well as key dates for the DINR process. The DINR instructions and a revised timeline for any WTU member who did not receive notification follow:

We acknowledge that personal decisions may lead you to depart DCPS. As outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) and DCPS, the DINR process provides WTU members who do not intend to continue employment with DCPS for SY 23-24 an online form to indicate their separation intent. This requirement applies to members who are retiring as well as resigning from the school system. As such, we are reaching out to share a revised DINR application schedule for those WTU members affected by the communication error.

Please note, WTU members receiving this communication who submit a DINR application by May 26, 2023, and do in fact leave the school district of their own accord at the conclusion of the school year, shall be eligible for a one-time $1,000 bonus payable by September 30, 2023. Members receiving this communication who do not submit the DINR application by May 26, 2023, at 5 PM, and voluntarily separate from DCPS during the 2022-2023 school year or at any point before or during the 2023-2024 school year, may be required to pay a $1,000 penalty fine to DCPS.

The DINR application will serve as your resignation letter and the effective date of separation will be June 26, 2023 (10-month WTU employees), July 5, 2023 (11-month WTU employees), or July 7, 2023 (12-month WTU employees). This date ensures you will receive all owed payments.

If you intend to return to DCPS for the 2023-2024 school year, you do not need to take action.

To participate in the 2023 DINR process, please apply online here: Resignations and Retirement Application.  

Questions regarding this process can be directed to the off boarding team at [email protected].

NEWS FROM THE WTU ELECTIONS COMMITTEE:

2023 WTU ELECTIONS – REPEATED FROM LAST WEEK

As of Friday April 28, 2023, the Elections Committee has accepted, verified and notified the eligible candidates who are running for MD/DC AFL-CIO Delegate, AFT Convention Delegate and Elections Committee. 

The Election Committee initially planned for electronic voting during these elections however we were unable to move forward with this option. Consistent with the WTU Constitution and Bylaws and past practice, as this is not an officer's election, we will be moving forward with in-person voting during this election cycle. Please be on the lookout for the election date and voting times so that you can ensure you exercise your democratic right as a full dues paying WTU member. 

If you have any questions about the upcoming elections you can email the WTU Elections Committee at [email protected]

AM Brew News and Notices are archived at https://www.wtulocal6.net/AMBrew.

Local School Elections Packet for SY 2023-24

Date:       May 1, 2023

To:           WTU Building Representatives / Designees

CC:          Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President

From:       Regina Bell, General Vice President

Enclosed are the necessary forms to assist you in conducting your local school elections during the month of May. We are requesting that all Building Representatives adhere to the timeframes set forth in our WTU Constitution and By-Laws to ensure your elections are completed.

The time, date, and place of the election shall be decided by your School Chapter Advisory Committee (SCAC). Elections shall be held by secret ballot in person and there shall be no absentee balloting. All members in good standing shall have a reasonable opportunity to vote.

Please download the full election packet by clicking here.

Results are due to the WTU Office no later than June 2, 2023.

Here's What's Brewing Today

Monday, May 1, 2023

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! This week gives us a chance to thank you for never wavering in your dedication to our children. Throughout the pandemic and your return to the classroom, as educators you put aside your own personal safety concerns to come to school and teach our students. You adapted to new teaching models, glitches in technology, Zoom fatigue, learning loss, and social-emotional issues, showing everyone your dedication to our students, parents and the community. We also want to take time this week to thank you for being an active part of this organization – our union. We couldn’t have won our contract without you!

Please let WTU and other surprise guests thank you publicly for all you do at our Teachers Appreciation Party on Friday, May 5th. We hope you will take this opportunity to celebrate with us at Coolidge High School from 4-7PM. The popular band, Sirius Company will be there along with a dee-jay, food trucks, prizes, and gifts. Don’t forget to bring your DCPS ID and wear Red for Ed! We hope to see you there!

We hope that WTU members will join us at the exciting celebrations and events we have planned this spring:

• MAY 4^TH, Thursday – President Pogue Lyons Meeting with WTU Building Reps
• MAY 5^TH Friday – Teacher Appreciation Celebration @ Coolidge HS 4:00 – 7:00pm
• MAY 10^TH, Wednesday – WTU Retirement Seminar (virtual) @ 5:00pm
• MAY 17^TH, Wednesday – Know Your Rights Workshop by Former DCPS Investigator (virtual) @ 4:30pm
• MAY 20^TH, Saturday – WTU Teacher Leader Symposium @ Kimball ES, 9:00am
• JUNE 26^TH - 30^TH – WTU Professional Development Summer Institute, Kimball ES

Register to the WTU’s Teacher Appreciation Party. 

https://www.wtulocal6.net/wtu_s_teacher_appreciation_party

Revised DINR Window From DCPS

DCPS is asking us to send this message to apologize for an error which resulted in you not receiving communications regarding the Declaration of Intent Not to Return (DINR) application opening, as well as key dates for the DINR process. The DINR instructions and a revised timeline for any WTU member who did not receive notification follow:

We acknowledge that personal decisions may lead you to depart DCPS. As outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) and DCPS, the DINR process provides WTU members who do not intend to continue employment with DCPS for SY 23-24 an online form to indicate their separation intent. This requirement applies to members who are retiring as well as resigning from the school system. As such, we are reaching out to share a revised DINR application schedule for those WTU members affected by the communication error.

Please note, WTU members receiving this communication who submit a DINR application by May 26, 2023, and do in fact leave the school district of their own accord at the conclusion of the school year, shall be eligible for a one-time $1,000 bonus payable by September 30, 2023. Members receiving this communication who do not submit the DINR application by May 26, 2023, at 5 PM, and voluntarily separate from DCPS during the 2022-2023 school year or at any point before or during the 2023-2024 school year, may be required to pay a $1,000 penalty fine to DCPS.

The DINR application will serve as your resignation letter and the effective date of separation will be June 26, 2023 (10-month WTU employees), July 5, 2023 (11-month WTU employees), or July 7, 2023 (12-month WTU employees). This date ensures you will receive all owed payments.

If you intend to return to DCPS for the 2023-2024 school year, you do not need to take action.

To participate in the 2023 DINR process, please apply online here: Resignations and Retirement Application.  

Questions regarding this process can be directed to the Offboarding team at [email protected].

2023 DC Literacy Education Survey

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) is collecting information from DC stakeholders on literacy education, training, and instruction in Washington, D.C. Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management

In memory of Rosalind Daniels Scott

WTU mourns the loss of Ballou High School Special Education Teacher Rosalind Daniels Scott who passed on Wednesday, April 26^th.

NEWS FROM THE WTU ELECTIONS COMMITTEE:

2023 WTU ELECTIONS

As of Friday April 28, 2023, the Elections Committee has accepted, verified and notified the eligible candidates who are running for MD/DC AFL-CIO Delegate, AFT Convention Delegate and Elections Committee. 

The Election Committee initially planned for electronic voting during these elections, however, we were unable to move forward with this option.

Consistent with the WTU Constitution and Bylaws and past practice, as this is not an officer's election, we will be moving forward with in-person voting during this election cycle. Please be on the lookout for the election date and voting times so that you can ensure you exercise your democratic right as a full dues paying WTU member. 

If you have any questions about the upcoming elections you can email the WTU Elections Committee at [email protected]

AM Brew News and Notices are archived at https://www.wtulocal6.net/AMBrew.

Here's What's Brewing Today

Monday, April 24, 2023

Welcome Back! We hope that you had a great Spring Break and are rested for the rest of the school year. As a reminder, all staff and students are required to submit a negative COVID-19 test prior to returning to class. If you have any questions, please contact your Field Representative.

WTU’s Teacher Appreciation Party

Register NOW!  Please join us for WTU's Teacher Appreciation Party on May 5th featuring the band, Sirius Company, in addition to a DJ!

RSVP now!

NEWS FROM THE WTU ELECTIONS COMMITTEE:

2023 WTU ELECTIONS
(REPEATED FROM the previous AM Brew)

The Elections Committee is now accepting nominations for the following positions:

1. MD/DC AFL-CIO
2. AFT Convention Delegate
3. Elections Committee

Petitions are due by 5pm Friday April 28, 2023. The official Elections notice and petitions are linked.

2023 Elections Notice, AFT & MD/DC Petition, Election Committee Petition

Petitions may be dropped off or mailed to the WTU Office at 1239 Pennsylvania Ave SE Washington, DC 20003. More information will be shared in next week's brew about the petition submission process. Here are the procedures for submission of petitions in person or by mail. 

We want to ensure that all dues paying WTU members can exercise their right to vote. If you do not have a personal email address and phone number on file with the WTU please email Ms. Valerie Kilby at [email protected]. 

If you have any questions about the upcoming elections you can email the WTU Elections Committee at [email protected]

Social Studies Standards

SBOE is hosting a series of Community Information Sessions on the proposed social studies standards.

Click here for more information and to register.

Revised DINR Window From DCPS

DCPS is asking us to send this message to apologize for an error which resulted in you not receiving communications regarding the Declaration of Intent Not to Return (DINR) application opening, as well as key dates for the DINR process. The DINR instructions and a revised timeline for any WTU member who did not receive notification follow:

We acknowledge that personal decisions may lead you to depart DCPS. As outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) and DCPS, the DINR process provides WTU members who do not intend to continue employment with DCPS for SY 23-24 an online form to indicate their separation intent. This requirement applies to members who are retiring as well as resigning from the school system. As such, we are reaching out to share a revised DINR application schedule for those WTU members affected by the communication error.

Please note, WTU members receiving this communication who submit a DINR application by May 26, 2023, and do in fact leave the school district of their own accord at the conclusion of the school year, shall be eligible for a one-time $1,000 bonus payable by September 30, 2023. Members receiving this communication who do not submit the DINR application by May 26, 2023, at 5 PM, and voluntarily separate from DCPS during the 2022-2023 school year or at any point before or during the 2023-2024 school year, may be required to pay a $1,000 penalty fine to DCPS.

The DINR application will serve as your resignation letter and the effective date of separation will be June 26, 2023 (10-month WTU employees), July 5, 2023 (11-month WTU employees), or July 7, 2023 (12-month WTU employees). This date ensures you will receive all owed payments.

If you intend to return to DCPS for the 2023-2024 school year, you do not need to take action. 

To participate in the 2023 DINR process, please apply online here: Resignations and Retirement Application.    

Questions regarding this process can be directed to the Offboarding team at [email protected]. 

2023 DC Literacy Education Survey

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) is collecting information from DC stakeholders on literacy education, training, and instruction in Washington, D.C.
Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management

In the News

• As $190 billion in covid relief runs out, schools face tough decisions - The Washington Post
• For D.C.'s Duke Ellington youth, 'Animal Farm' lessons hit close to home - The Washington Post
• Two-sport athletes are common. But she plays both in the same season. - The Washington Post

AM Brew News and Notices are archived at https://www.wtulocal6.net/AMBrew.

Here's What's Brewing Today

Tuesday, April 11, 2023

Representative Assembly Meeting April 11 at 4:30 pm

All members are invited to attend. Only building reps and delegates can participate and vote in the meeting and should join with a separate link emailed to them.

Join via Zoom.

Teacher Leader Survey on the Impact of Mayoral Control 

Impact of Mayoral Control Survey

NEWS FROM THE WTU ELECTIONS COMMITTEE:
2023 WTU ELECTIONS
(REPEATED FROM LAST WEEK)

The Elections Committee is now accepting nominations for the following positions:

1. MD/DC AFL-CIO
2. AFT Convention Delegate
3. Elections Committee

Petitions are due by 5pm Friday April 28, 2023. The official Elections notice and petitions are linked.

2023 Elections Notice, AFT & MD/DC Petition, Election Committee Petition

Petitions may be dropped off or mailed to the WTU Office at 1239 Pennsylvania Ave SE Washington, DC 20003. More information will be shared in next week's brew about the petition submission process. Here are the procedures for submission of petitions in person or by mail. 

We want to ensure that all dues paying WTU members can exercise their right to vote. If you do not have a personal email address and phone number on file with the WTU please email Ms. Valerie Kilby at [email protected]. 

If you have any questions about the upcoming elections you can email the WTU Elections Committee at [email protected]

AM Brew News and Notices are archived at https://www.wtulocal6.net/AMBrew.

Here's What's Brewing Today

Monday, April 3, 2023

WTU continues to wish members a Blessed Ramadan. This week, we would also like wish members a Joyful and Happy Passover and a Blessed and Holy Easter.

We hope that WTU members will join us at the exciting celebrations and events we have planned this spring:

• APRIL 10^TH, Monday – Free Library Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and a Celebration of Library Month @4:30pm at WTU
• APRIL 11^TH, Tuesday – WTU Representative Assembly Meeting  
• APRIL 13TH, Thursday – WTU Contract Town Hall (virtual) from 4:30pm – 6:00pm
• APRIL 24^TH, Monday – Know Your Rights Workshop with Librarians (virtual) @ 5:00pm  (School Library Month)
• MAY 4^TH, Thursday – President Pogue Lyons Meeting with WTU Building Reps
• MAY 5^TH Friday – Teacher Appreciation Celebration @ Coolidge HS 4:00 – 7:00pm
• MAY 10^TH, Wednesday – WTU Retirement Seminar (virtual) @ 5:00pm
• MAY 17^TH, Wednesday – Know Your Rights Workshop by Former DCPS Investigator (virtual) @ 4:30pm
• MAY 20^TH, Saturday – WTU Teacher Leader Symposium @ Kimball ES, 9:00am
• JUNE 26^TH - 30^TH – WTU Professional Development Summer Institute, Kimball ES

Contract Training

Contract Training will take place on April 5^th & 6^th for any WTU members who are interested in learning about contract negotiations.

Please complete this form by 6pm Monday, April 3^rd if you plan on attending the training.

Contract Training

Date: April 5-6

Time: 4:30-8:00

Place: AFT, 555 New Jersey Ave NW

The Current CBA is available below. The end of the document has the new salary scale.
PR25-0063-Introduction.pdf (dccouncil.gov)

NEWS FROM THE WTU ELECTIONS COMMITTEE:

2023 WTU ELECTIONS

The Elections Committee is now accepting nominations for the following positions:

1. MD/DC AFL-CIO
2. AFT Convention Delegate
3. Elections Committee

Petitions are due by 5pm Friday April 28, 2023. The official Elections notice and petitions are linked.

2023 Elections Notice, AFT & MD/DC Petition, Election Committee Petition

Petitions may be dropped off or mailed to the WTU Office at 1239 Pennsylvania Ave SE Washington, DC 20003. More information will be shared in next week's brew about the petition submission process. Here are the procedures for submission of petitions in person or by mail. 

We want to ensure that all dues paying WTU members can exercise their right to vote. If you do not have a personal email address and phone number on file with the WTU please email Ms. Valerie Kilby at [email protected]. 

If you have any questions about the upcoming elections you can email the WTU Elections Committee at [email protected]

School Librarians Month!

Please take this opportunity to celebrate school librarians, who help students find resources they need to learn outside of the classroom and create a positive and encouraging learning environment.

School Budget Hearing

Let the Council hear your teacher voice about your school’s budget!

Committee Hearing Signup: Education. Sign-Up by 5PM TODAY!

You can find your proposed budget at https://DCPSbudget.com. Thanks to volunteer analysts, and advocates, here are the schools budgets in a workable format.

In the news

Congressman calls D.C. schools ‘inmate factories’ and unites a city

D.C.'s Coolidge High and Trinity U. join forces to get more students to college - The Washington Post

Congratulations to McKinley Tech’s Robotics Team who competed at regional competitions in Alexandria and Blacksburg, VA. These competitions combine the excitement of sports with the rigor of science and technology. Students are challenged to build an industrial-sized robot. Teamwork and cooperation are key. The team won in Blacksburg in part because of their teamwork.

The team also traveled to an Electric Vehicle Grand Prix competition at the University of Abu Dhabi. The trip was sponsored by the Global EEE, a non-profit organization that promotes Education, Energy efficiency and Environmental consciousness.

The team is coached by Ken Lesley, director of Engineering at McKinley Tech.  Several members of the team have their sights on attending MIT, Ken’s alma mater.

AM Brew News and Notices are archived at https://www.wtulocal6.net/AMBrew.