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AM Brew - August 28, 2023
Here's What's Brewing Today
Monday, August 28, 2023
Good morning! We’re excited to kick-off the 2023-2024 school year!
Each new school year is different and will bring new, and sometimes unexpected, challenges. After seeing how you, our city’s educators, have conquered everything thrown at you these past several years, I’m confident that you are up for any challenge that presents itself. And, I assure you that the Union will be at your side, leading the way to ensure that you and our students have the resources you need to succeed.
Today, as we start the new school year, I'm asking you asking you to get more involved with our Union. We, once again, need to win a new - and fair - contract that will ensure that you are able to be effective and grow as educators and, most importantly, meet the needs of our students. I also ask that you welcome your new colleagues, whether they are new to your building or new to the profession, and encourage them to join the WTU if they are not already members. And, if new educators or other colleagues aren't receiving the AM Brew, please ask that they send their personal email to [email protected] asking to subscribe to the AM Brew and other important updates from our Union.
We can and will continue to overcome the challenges facing us. Your team at the WTU looks forward to serving you this year! Reach out to the WTU should you have any questions, concerns about working conditions, or about your Union.
Together, we can and will make this the best school year yet!
In solidarity,
Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President
Washington Teachers’ Union
60th Anniversary of the March on Washington
The 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington wasn’t a commemoration but a continuation of the fight for true equality. Today, we are still fighting for our children to learn the truth about our history and true equality for everyone. Thank you to the AFT and all our members who came out to this tremendous historic event. Please follow us on social media to see photos and video of our events.
Get involved!
- Join the WTU Contract Action Team! Click here to complete the sign-up.
- Beginning this Friday and every Friday moving forward, please start wearing red (preferably your WTU Red T-shirt), take a picture of yourself during your lunch break, and post it on social media. Send the WTU your picture via email to [email protected]
- Between Friday, August 25th and Tuesday, August 29th take another picture with a clock and/or “30 hand sign” so that WTU can post it on our social media pages on August 31st to remind DCPS, the mayor, and the community about our contract expiring. Here, here and here are posters you can use as inspiration, but feel free to get creative. Please send the pictures to [email protected] and reshare/retweet on social media during your lunch break.
- Red for Ed - We’d also like to thank the many teachers who kicked off our first Friday wearing red for ed! Please keep sending us pictures as this Thursday, August 31st marks the beginning of the 30-day countdown to getting our contract.
We wish you a powerful and awesome school year, knowing the WTU is here to support you.
Back-to-School Events
Thanks to all for coming out to the Ward 5 Back-to-School event this past Saturday! Please consider coming out to volunteer for the next event - H-Street Festival.
- H Street Festival, Saturday, September 16th
- DCPS Back-to-School Block Party. Saturday, September 23rd, 2023, 11-2PM, McKinley Technology High School
Contact Mike Roland if your school is having a Back-to-School event that we should know about!
2023 Statewide Assessment Results
The Washington Post - D.C. student test scores improve incrementally after pandemic-era plunge
Last week, the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) released the results of the District’s 2023 Statewide Assessments (PARCC testing). The WTU is proud of the progress that our city has made and we know that the hard work and dedication of our teacher’s is driving the city’s results. However, we continue to recognize that far too many students are failing to reach proficiency and gaps continue to grow. We continue to prioritize these gaps in our contract negotiations with the District.
Click here to access OSSE’s presentation: 2023 Statewide Assessment Results
WTU's Contract Negotiating Team's Weekly Video Update
Click on photo or visit https://youtu.be/wPydj2Cx16Y
Watch previous weekly updates here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVsAq4LiCU_mjtJrOcqtlw0_yWg4LxvhE
IMPACT results are available in QuickBase.
Reach out to your field representative if you have any questions or concerns about your IMPACT report. Field Representatives - WTU Local 6 The deadline to file an IMPACT grievance is Sept 1.
Enrollment for the Sick Leave and Maternity Leave Banks is OPEN
Join the WTU Sick Leave and Maternity Leave Banks. If you are already a member, there is no need to rejoin.
Click here to join the WTU Sick Leave or Maternity Leave Banks
Contact Charmaine Wilks at 202 517-1475 or at [email protected] to enroll or with any questions. Open enrollment will occur from June 1, 2023 through August 31, 2023. After you complete the form, you will receive a confirmation email from Google Forms; be sure to check your spam folder.
In the news
- The Washington Post - In some schools, dread over the new year: ‘We’re scared to teach’
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The Washington Post - Five things to watch as students return to school
AM Brew News and Notices are archived at https://www.wtulocal6.net/AMBrew.
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Teaching and Learning Today in D.C. Public Schools
The Washington Informer published an editorial titled "Teaching and Learning Today in D.C. Public Schools," written by WTU President Pogue Lyons on school violence. Please take a moment to read it here.
AM Brew - August 21, 2023
Here's What's Brewing Today
Monday, August 21, 2023
Welcome Back! We hope everyone enjoyed a great summer and found time to really reconnect with family and friends as we all try to find balance in our lives. We hope a summer vibe of taking care of your physical and mental health will last throughout the school year. Please know the WTU is here to support you in having a safe, peaceful, and productive school year.
This week, we welcomed our new DCPS teachers at a festive Meet and Greet on the rooftop terrace of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library. Many of our city leaders joined the WTU in welcoming our new educators including Mayor Muriel Bowser, Chancellor Lewis Ferebee, City Council Chair Phil Mendelson, and Ward 7 State Board Representative and President Eboni-Rose Thompson. Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George, Ward 3 Councilmember Matthew Frumin, Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White, Ward 6 State Board Representative Brandon Best and Ward 2 State Board Representative Allister Chang also joined in on the lively festivities. WTU is grateful for their participation and we hope the fact that they took time out of their busy schedules to welcome our new teachers represents a sincere pledge to support the vital work we do in educating the children of the District of Columbia. Please look out for our new teachers and support them throughout the year. Let them know the WTU is here and encourage our new colleagues to join the Union. To see a quick video recap of the event, please click here! Follow us on social media to see more pictures/videos of the event.
As you know, last fall we worked, organized, and mobilized resulting in a new contract after three long years. While we achieved a great deal together, we could not convince DCPS to extend this new contract. This means we are now working on returning to the bargaining table with DCPS. And we need your help. In this new contract, we will fight for what we know teachers need - sustained, specific support to help make this school system safer and more responsive to student needs. The District must partner with the WTU, our parents, students and the community. The time has come for safe and supportive schools! Your commitment to organizing gave us our last contract. We know we can get a new contract by September 30, 2023 deadline but have three asks for each of you.
- Join the WTU Contract Action Team! Click here to complete the sign-up.
- Beginning this Friday and every Friday moving forward, please start wearing red (preferably your WTU Red T-shirt), take a picture of yourself during your lunch break, and post it on social media. Send the WTU your picture via email to [email protected]
- Between Friday, August 25th and Tuesday, August 29th take another picture with a clock and/or “30 hand sign” so that WTU can post it on our social media pages on August 31st to remind DCPS, the mayor, and the community about our contract expiring. Here, here and here are posters you can use as inspiration, but feel free to get creative. Please send the pictures to [email protected] and reshare/retweet on social media during your lunch break.
Again, we wish you a powerful and awesome school year, knowing the WTU is here to support you.
Jacqueline
New DC Teachers Meet & Greet Recap Video
In the news
Last Monday, the WTU sent out a news release and offered media interviews on DCPS’ stalling on contract talks. Throughout the summer, DCPS has ignored WTU’s Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) listing 17 steps to immediately ensure school safety. The Washington Informer ran my opinion-editorial piece on Teaching and Learning Today In Public Schools. In addition, the following media outlets interviewed me on violence in schools:
- Channel 4 - DC Teachers Union: Increasing Violence at Schools Requires Urgent Action
- Channel 7 – WTU Calls on DCPS for immediate action to implement safety changes at DC public schools
- Fox 5 – Violence in DC Schools: Teachers Voice Concerns as Classes Start
- WHUR 96.3 – DC’s Back-to-School Basics (radio interview with WTU president Jacqueline Pogue Lyons)
- WHUR 96.3 - DC Leaders, Educators, Talk Public Safety As School Gets Ready To Begin
- The Washington Informer - Washington Teachers Union Issues Survey on School Violence
- Teaching and Learning Today in D.C. Public Schools
- As DC schools prepare for new year, educators say city leaders are ignoring safety concerns
Back-to-School Events
We hope you’ll join us at these upcoming events. Contact Mike Roland if you would like to volunteer with the WTU!
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4th Annual Ward 5 Back-to-School Supply Drive & Giveaway
Saturday, August 26th, 2023 10-2PM, Brookland Middle School -
DCPS Back-to-School Block Party
Saturday, September 23rd, 2023, 11-2PM, McKinley Technology High School
WTU's Contract Negotiating Team's Weekly Video Update
The Contract Negotiating Team did not meet this week as meeting times conflicted with WTU’s New DC Teachers Meet & Greet.
Watch previous weekly updates here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVsAq4LiCU_mjtJrOcqtlw0_yWg4LxvhE
AFT and SAG-AFTRA on Strike
At 8AM on Tuesday, August 22nd, AFT President Randi Weingarten asks all WTU members to post the attached pictures to your different social media accounts. The pictures serve as a sign of support as the AFT joins the strike lines for the Writers Guild and SAG-AFTRA Strike taking place in New York! (Each picture is sized to meet the specific image requirements of different social media platforms.)
Additional images are available here, here, here, and here.
AFT Participates in Remembrance of March on Washington, Saturday, August 25th
Martin Luther King Jr: The Long Walk to Freedom, 1963 - FREE In-Person Event
Washington, DC Embassy Events & Museum Meetups
Saturday, August 26, 2023
10:00 AM America/New York
Lincoln Memorial
2 Lincoln Memorial Cir NW
Washington, DC 20037
Summer Pay
Several teachers reached out about their July 28 summer paycheck. DCPS compensation said, ‘Employees made two different salaries for SY 22-23. Employees must calculate summer pay based on the SPC contribution at both rates and then add that together to get their summer pay.’ Please contact Compensation, DCPS [email protected]with any questions about your summer pay.
IMPACT results are available in QuickBase.
Reach out to your field representative if you have any questions or concerns about your IMPACT report. Field Representatives - WTU Local 6 The deadline to file an IMPACT grievance is Sept 1.
Enrollment for the Sick Leave and Maternity Leave Banks is OPEN
Join the WTU Sick Leave and Maternity Leave Banks. If you are already a member, there is no need to rejoin.
Click here to join the WTU Sick Leave or Maternity Leave Banks
Contact Charmaine Wilks at 202 517-1475 or at [email protected] to enroll or with any questions. Open enrollment will occur from June 1, 2023 through August 31, 2023. After you complete the form, you will receive a confirmation email from Google Forms; be sure to check your spam folder.
AM Brew News and Notices are archived at https://www.wtulocal6.net/AMBrew.
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DC's Back to School Basics
Given the number of school violence, traumatic events and ongoing challenges facing our students, DCPS should be doubling down on investing in school safety and helping educators and families alike. But instead, they’re stalling like always, making a business out of making DC teachers beg for what their kids need. There’s no sense of urgency and no policy for dealing with these problems. Teachers are scared for their kids and for themselves.
In WTU's survey of nearly 800 teachers, for example, nearly half of teachers (49.1 percent) said they’ve seen knives, guns or other dangerous weapons brought to school. More than 90 percent of teachers said they’ve witnessed student-on-student violence including assaults, objects thrown, slaps or punches, verbal or physical threats. Nearly three-quarters, or 74 percent, of teachers said workplace violence has made them feel anxious, fearful or increasingly vigilant, 49 percent said it has made them feel sad and depressed, and 45 percent said they have considered leaving the profession because of the violence.
WHUR interviewed WTU President Jacqueline Pogue Lyons on violence in schools. Check out the radio interview here!
DC Teachers Union: Increasing Violence At Schools Requires Urgent Action
The Washington Teachers Union (WTU) released a survey on Monday, August 14th showing the increasing levels of violence in schools and the necessity of providing teachers and students with additional supports needed to address this growing concern. Thirty percent of teachers surveyed have been assaulted by students, the union said, with 42% of them saying they were slapped, punched or kicked.
The rise in school violence is one of the reasons teachers say they are resigning and not returning to the classrooms in record rates. To address these concerns, the WTU is calling on DCPS to form a special committee, provide counseling services for students, families and staff, give mental health first-aid training to staff and implement other recommendations before school starts on Aug. 28. DCPS hasn't yet responded to the union's proposal, the union said.
To provide new District of Columbia teachers with additional support, the WTU will host a special New District of Columbia Teachers Meet and Greet on Thursday, August 17th to warmly welcome and support new teachers as they begin their teaching journey this fall. Please spread the word! August 17th. 4-7PM Martin Luther King Jr.'s Memorial Library - Rooftop Terrace. Click here to RSVP.
Washington Teachers’ Union Releases Survey on School Violence Revealing Troubling Reality: Student-on-Student Incidents Rising; Teachers Call on DCPS to Take Necessary Action
AM Brew - August 14, 2023
Here's What's Brewing Today
Monday, August 14, 2023
This week, I hope you join me in welcoming all our new District Educators to the District of Columbia Public. Teachers are a vital resource to the health and the well-being our city. We want to formally welcome and celebrate them on Thursday, August 17th at WTU’s Meet and Greet from 4-7PM on the Rooftop Terrace of the Martin Luther King Jr. Library. Please spread the word and let all new DCPS teachers know about this important event! Let’s all pledge to give them the support they need as they start their teaching journey in the District. We wish them luck and an enjoyable New Educator Orientation this week.
City Administrator Kevin Donahue sent WTU the attached notice regarding the payment timeline for "hard to fill" positions and other payments outlined in our current contract. Click here.
The WTU will continue pressing the District for specific details on the exact date in September when educators can expect their stipends and “hard to fill” position bonuses outlined in our current contract. If you have any questions, please contact your Field Representative.
Back to School
WTU geared up for back to school by giving a free book of choice and a Kona Ice to every child at the Ward 7 Back-to-School event this past Saturday! We’d like to thank Eboni-Rose Thompson, Ward 7 Representative and President of the DC State Board of Education for hosting and inviting us to this fun and exciting event.
Below please find the dates for future back-to-school events. Please feel free to join us and/or contact Mike Roland if you would like to volunteer with the WTU!
-
4th Annual Ward 5 Back-to-School Supply Drive & Giveaway
Saturday, August 26th, 2023 10-2PM, Brookland Middle School -
DCPS Back-to-School Block Party
Saturday, September 23rd, 2023, 11-2PM, McKinley Technology High School
WTU's Contract Negotiating Team's Weekly Video Update
https://youtu.be/El3kw52ckBU or click picture
Watch previous weekly updates here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVsAq4LiCU_mjtJrOcqtlw0_yWg4LxvhE
Summer Pay
Several teachers reached out about their July 28 summer paycheck. dcps compensation said, ‘Employees made two different salaries for SY 22-23. Employees must calculate summer pay based on the SPC contribution at both rates and then add that together to get their summer pay.’ Please contact Compensation, DCPS [email protected] with any questions about your summer pay.
IMPACT results are available in QuickBase.
Reach out to your field representative if you have any questions or concerns about your IMPACT report. Field Representatives - WTU Local 6 The deadline to file an IMPACT grievance is Sept 1.
In the news
- Teacher resignations in some D.C.-area school districts rise again – The Washington Post
- Where DC's dual language schools are - DC Schools Analysis
Financial Literacy standards
OSSE is developing standalone Financial Literacy standards for DC high school students.
To share feedback anonymously, complete this survey by no later than Aug. 18, 2023. For questions about these focus groups or the survey, please contact Fadhal Moore at [email protected]
Enrollment for the Sick Leave and Maternity Leave Banks is OPEN
Join the WTU Sick Leave and Maternity Leave Banks. If you are already a member, there is no need to rejoin.
Click here to join the WTU Sick Leave or Maternity Leave Banks
Contact Charmaine Wilks at 202 517-1475 or at [email protected] to enroll or with any questions. Open enrollment will occur from June 1, 2023 through August 31, 2023. After you complete the form, you will receive a confirmation email from Google Forms; be sure to check your spam folder.
AM Brew News and Notices are archived at https://www.wtulocal6.net/AMBrew.
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AM Brew - August 7, 2023
Here's What's Brewing Today
Monday, August 7, 2023
Summer Pay
Several teachers reached out about their July 28 summer paycheck. dcps compensation said, ‘Employees made two different salaries for SY 22-23. Employees must calculate summer pay based on the SPC contribution at both rates and then add that together to get their summer pay.’ Please contact Compensation, DCPS [email protected] with any questions about your summer pay.
IMPACT results are available in QuickBase.
Reach out to your field representative if you have any questions or concerns about your IMPACT report. Field Representatives - WTU Local 6 The deadline to file an IMPACT grievance is Sept 1.
For Teachers who teach literacy
SBOE member Allister Chang is looking for feedback from on the recommendations made by the OSSE Literacy Task Force. See here for their report. Please email Allister Chang [email protected] by 5 pm today, Aug 7 with any comments.
Enrollment for the Sick Leave and Maternity Leave Banks is OPEN
Join the WTU Sick Leave and Maternity Leave Banks. If you are already a member, there is no need to rejoin.
Click here to join the WTU Sick Leave or Maternity Leave Banks
Contact Charmaine Wilks at 202 517-1475 or at [email protected] to enroll or with any questions. Open enrollment will occur from June 1, 2023 through August 31, 2023. After you complete the form, you will receive a confirmation email from Google Forms; be sure to check your spam folder.
Update on Contract Negotiations
In the news
- House GOP diverts funds for D.C. public schools to voucher program
- Principal Announcements for School Year 2023-2024 | dcps
- C. Health focused on childhood vaccinations as the school year looms
- DC Public Schools promotes new portal to track children’s immunization records - WTOP News
AM Brew News and Notices are archived at https://www.wtulocal6.net/AMBrew.
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AM Brew - July 31, 2023
Here's What's Brewing Today
Monday, July 31, 2023
WTU's New DC Teachers Meet and Greet
Join us on August 17th from 4-7PM to learn about the benefits of being a teacher in the District and WTU member! Network with peers and seasoned teacher veterans while enjoying light refreshments on the stunning rooftop terrace of Martin Luther King Jr.'s Memorial Library. Register now to save your spot!
IMPACT Appeals
The window to submit an appeal to the Chancellor closes on Tuesday, August 2, 2023. Click here for additional information. IMPACT results are available in QuickBase.
Reach out to your field representative if you have any questions or concerns about your IMPACT report. Field Representatives - WTU Local 6
WTU's Contract Negotiating Team's Weekly Update
Watch this week's video highlighting the WTU's Contract Negotiating Team accomplishments.
Enrollment for the Sick Leave and Maternity Leave Banks is OPEN
Join the WTU Sick Leave and Maternity Leave Banks. If you are already a member, there is no need to rejoin.
Click here to join the WTU Sick Leave or Maternity Leave Banks
Contact Charmaine Wilks at 202 517-1475 or at [email protected] to enroll or with any questions. Open enrollment will occur from June 1, 2023 through August 31, 2023. After you complete the form, you will receive a confirmation email from Google Forms; be sure to check your spam folder.
Retirement Workshop Video and slide deck from June 27
https://www.wtulocal6.net/retirement_workshops
In the news
- Washington Post - D.C. public schools slashed tech budget ahead of new school year
- Washington Post - Women over 40 jump in to save double Dutch, a lost American pastime
- City Paper - Child Care Workers Say They’re Getting Shortchanged by the District on Salaries. It’s Part of a Pattern of Broken Promises.
News4 - School Safety
The News4 I-Team is working on a story about school safety concerns and would love to hear from teachers across the region on this issue. Their survey will be open until Friday, August 12th.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TSD8FGS
The results will remain anonymous, unless you agree to be formally interviewed. Should you have any questions or want to share your story, you can also reach out directly to the I-Team by emailing producer [email protected] or reporter [email protected]
AM Brew News and Notices are archived at https://www.wtulocal6.net/AMBrew.
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AM Brew - July 24, 2023
Here's What's Brewing Today
Monday, July 24, 2023
IMPACT results are available in QuickBase.
Reach out to your field representative if you have any questions or concerns about your IMPACT report. Field Representatives - WTU Local 6
Enrollment for the Sick Leave and Maternity Leave Banks is OPEN
Join the WTU Sick Leave and Maternity Leave Banks. If you are already a member, there is no need to rejoin.
Click here to join the WTU Sick Leave or Maternity Leave Banks
Contact Charmaine Wilks at 202 517-1475 or at [email protected] to enroll or with any questions. Open enrollment will occur from June 1, 2023 through August 31, 2023. After you complete the form, you will receive a confirmation email from Google Forms; be sure to check your spam folder.
Retirement Workshop Video and slide deck from June 27
https://www.wtulocal6.net/retirement_workshops
In the news
- Dunbar alumna: Evelyn Boyd Granville, barrier-breaking mathematician, dies at 99
- The quality of American teaching has declined, study says
- Teaching recovery? Three years in, school system leaders report that the pandemic weakened instruction
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Toxic Culture and Unethical Leadership in DC Mayor Administration
What does restorative justice in schools look like? - The Washington Post - Principal Announcements for School Year 2023-2024 | dcps
AM Brew News and Notices are archived at https://www.wtulocal6.net/AMBrew.
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AM Brew - July 17, 2023
Here's What's Brewing Today
Monday, July 17, 2023
IMPACT results are available in QuickBase.
Reach out to your field representative if you have any questions or concerns about your IMPACT report. Field Representatives - WTU Local 6
Enrollment for the Sick Leave and Maternity Leave Banks is OPEN
Join the WTU Sick Leave and Maternity Leave Banks. If you are already a member, there is no need to rejoin.
Click here to join the WTU Sick Leave or Maternity Leave Banks
Contact Charmaine Wilks at 202 517-1475 or at [email protected] to enroll or with any questions. Open enrollment will occur from June 1, 2023 through August 31, 2023. After you complete the form, you will receive a confirmation email from Google Forms; be sure to check your spam folder.
Transferring Schools?
Please make sure you receive an official letter from DCPS indicating your new placement.
Retirement Workshop Video and slide deck from June 27
https://www.wtulocal6.net/retirement_workshops
School Boundaries
2023 Advisory Committee on Student Assignment and Boundaries -July 19, 2023 Click for more information - 2023 Advisory Committee on Student Assignment and Boundaries - Meeting 5 (July 19, 2023) | dme (dc.gov)
In the News
Four Additional D.C. Public Schools Gear Up for Redesign
AM Brew News and Notices are archived at https://www.wtulocal6.net/AMBrew.
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