Here's What's Brewing Today

Monday, June 27, 2022

The WTU leadership and staff would like to thank everyone for your dedication and patience during this difficult year. Together, we stood up against DCPS to demand safe working conditions and accommodations for those most at-risk during the pandemic as well as more resources for our students. Among our notable achievements this year are:

• securing COVID-19 Leave for teachers.
• winning a $70,000 AFT Back to School Grant to sponsor school trips, school gardens, proms, book club celebrations, classroom libraries and much more.
• Joining substitute teachers in a Rally at Freedom Plaza and helping them secure fair wages.
• The IMPACT Committee worked with the Cleveland and Pittsburgh Unions to develop a framework for what a fair evaluation system should look like and the WTU is committed to presenting this work to DCPS and city leaders. 
• Building upon our win in the budget to ensure every school has a full-time librarian, WTU showed its commitment to improving literacy outcomes for children by going to schools all over the District to give a free book to all children who received a vaccination, holding a book fair to give away over 40,000 books and also by supporting the AFT’s Reading Opens the World Campaign in schools over this city.

We know that this year was difficult and our work as a Union doesn't end with the last day of school. Over the summer months, your Union and your fellow WTU members will continue to advocate for a new contract, including improvements to our working conditions and pay. If you are not receiving the AM Brew in your personal in-box, please contact Valerie Kilby ([email protected]) to ensure your email is updated. 

For educators retiring or leaving DCPS after this school year, we'd like to thank you for your service to our city's students. We know that we can count upon you to raise your voice to continue advocating for our city’s students and we encourage you to join the WTU Retirees Union.

Thank you for your dedication to our city's students!

In Solidarity,

The WTU Team

#Vote.

The WTU would like to thank you for your support of the WTU Endorsed Candidates in the DC Democratic primary last week. While our candidates came up short in the city-wide elections, we had several “wins” in the Ward races and look forward to working with a more labor friendly council in the coming years.

RALLY FOR A FAIR CONTRACT

3 Years Without a Contract is Too Long

Show the Mayor we’re united in demanding a fair contract now by joining us at Freedom Plaza, 1455 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004, Tuesday, June 28, 10-2:30.

Wear your WTU t-shirt.

DCPS Laptops

DCPS announced that it would centrally purchase and maintain an in-lifecycle device (no older than 3 years old) for every WTU teacher starting in SY21-22. DCPS also informed the WTU that it is extending its commitment to cover all WTU members under this plan starting in SY22-23. Consequently, every WTU staff member will be assigned an in-lifecycle laptop purchased centrally starting in SY22-23. 

DCPS informed the WTU that the purchase of devices is underway and they are working closely with the manufacturer to deliver them to schools prior to the new school year, DCPS also noted that it anticipates and will prepare for potential COVID-related delays, due to international supply chain and shipping constraints. DCPS has promised to provide further updates on delivery timelines when available.

DCPS is also collecting all devices (laptops) to ensure they are updated and reimaged for the new school year. While this is optional, if your device is not reimaged and apps or new programs are not installed, your device may have issues when you return in August 2022. You will also experience delays if you need to have your device updated once school begins. Please reach out to your WTU Field Representative if you have additional questions or concerns.

Extra Duty Pay

WTU is continuing to push DCPS to ensure that all teachers receive payment for their work as grade level chairs as well as for club and team sponsorship and for simultaneous teaching. If you have questions about this, please reach out to your WTU Field Representative

CLOSES SOON - Sick & Maternity Leave Banks Enrollment Open

Open enrollment will occur from June 1, 2022 through June 30, 2022 and from August 1, 2022 through August 31, 2022. Contact Charmaine Wilks at 202 517-1475 or at [email protected] to enroll or with any questions. If you miss the Open Enrollment dates, you will not be able to enroll in "the Banks" until the next Open Seasons in June 2023 and August 2023. This is strictly for the use of the Sick Leave and Maternity/Paternity Leave Banks and not the Dental/Vision enrollment.

Click here to submit your information to enroll: https://forms.gle/3fP8XwSiU8kYXjiW9

WTU ELECTION NEWS

We thank you for your patience, flexibility and most importantly exercising your right to Vote!

Tomorrow, June 28th, is Count Day!

Election Results will be posted to the WTU Website and emailed to members within 48 hours. 

If you have any questions for the Elections Committee, please email us at [email protected] or leave a message at 202-505-3309. 

Building Elections

The building election packet were sent to Building Representatives, who are responsible for conducting building level elections, last week. Its contents can be found here. A full list of WTU local school leadership positions and their duties is available here.

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

As the summer fast approaches, don't forget to sign up for WTU's Summer Institute of professional development courses starting next week! WTU members are entitled to a deep discount in the fees for a variety of teacher leadership and adult learning opportunities designed to enhance your professional growth. WTU’s professional development courses are research-based, peer-to-peer and solution-driven. They help teachers build content knowledge and mastery of pedagogical strategies. All WTU courses are aligned to the DCPS IMPACT Teaching and Learning Framework and Essential Practices Standards 1 through 5. Classes need at least 5 paid registrants to officially move forward.

Here's What's Brewing Today

Tuesday, June 21, 2022

Good morning, Washington Teachers’ Union Member,

As we move this week to the end of another school year, I wanted to express my thanks to all the members of the WTU for their dedication to the children of our city. I know my words will never be enough to show my appreciation for what you do every day and have been through the past few years.

As we wrap up the school year, many of you are thinking about next year. I wish I had better news about contract negotiations.

For more than two years (yes, two years) your WTU bargaining team has tried to negotiate a fair contract that balances the needs of students and teachers with the administrative goals of the school district. As of today, most of the WTU’s proposals to improve our students’ learning conditions and the teachers’ working conditions have been rejected by DCPS. Even more frustrating is that the leaders of our school district have identified their “must haves” as issues that have little to do with teaching or learning. These must haves focus on central office operations.

Understandably, one of the most important parts of contract negotiations is compensation. Although the WTU team proposed a compensation package that was reasonable given current economic conditions and the teacher shortage in DC and around the country, the response from the school district can only be described as “disappointing.” DCPS negotiators continue to insist that WTU agree to their must haves -- again, things that do not affect teaching and learning -- before teachers will see their first cost-of-living increase in almost three years.

WTU members have worked without a new contract for two full years and are only four months away from another year without a settlement. In response to teachers not having an adjustment to the salary schedule for almost three years, with raging inflation, helping the school district navigate through the worse pandemic in over 100 years, and numerous unfilled teaching positions, the priority of district negotiators is focused outside our classroom and schools. That is beyond disappointing.

It is not acceptable when hard working teachers have done all they could to provide their students with the best possible education in very difficult times. We are years into these negotiations. You and every other member of the WTU know we are way past the “we must have these things to make our job easier” stage. Especially when proposals to ease the pressure on teachers have been mostly rejected. I wish I could share more about these issues, but confidentiality limits what I can say.

It is time to get this done! The WTU team has worked extremely hard and taken steps to get this contract done as soon as possible: they have provided options and proposals that address the issues DCPS has placed on the negotiating table. DCPS’s recent response indicates that the school district is willing to drag out negotiations and create unnecessary animosity between the teachers and the district—ironically, for things that have nothing to do with our classrooms. That is extremely disappointing, especially when there is an unprecedented shortage of teachers in our country, and you have so many career options.

The WTU bargaining team is committed to a fair contract for students, teachers, and the school district. We will continue to work hard for a tentative settlement that respects you and your work.

Like I said, I wish I had better news as we celebrate the end of the school year.

In solidarity.

Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President

ELECTION DAY

Today is the DC Primary Election. Please ensure you #VOTE. 

The WTU Endorsed Candidates are available HERE.

RALLY FOR A FAIR CONTRACT

3 Years Without a Contract is Too Long

June 28 at 10AM at Freedom Plaza

Sick & Maternity Leave Banks Enrollment Open

Open enrollment will occur from June 1, 2022 through June 30, 2022 and from August 1, 2022 through August 31, 2022. Contact Charmaine Wilks at 202 517-1475 or at [email protected] to enroll or with any questions.

If you miss the Open Enrollment dates, you will not be able to enroll in "the Banks" until the next Open Seasons in June 2023 and August 2023. This is strictly for the use of the Sick Leave and Maternity/Paternity Leave Banks and not the Dental/Vision enrollment.

Click here to submit your information to enroll: https://forms.gle/3fP8XwSiU8kYXjiW9

WTU ELECTION NEWS

Full dues paying members, should have received a ballot to the address you have on file with the WTU. If you have not received a ballot by Tuesday June 14, 2022, please email Ms. Valerie Kilby at [email protected] to verify your information on file and request a replacement ballot. 

Upon receipt of your ballot, please allow for no more than 48 hours before returning your ballot to the mail. Ballots must be received at the US Post Office by 4pm on June 28th, 2022. 

Election Count Day - 5pm June 28th, 2022. 

Candidates have received critical observer information. Please adhere to the deadline and submit the necessary form by 5pm Friday June 17th. 

In case you missed it...

1. You can watch May 12th's Presidential Candidates Forum here.
2. You may access the rooms from May 17th's Meet and Greet by clicking on the links. Visit Pogue Lyons - Bellhere, Unity here, and Independent Candidates here. 

*Please be advised that some recordings may not start from the beginning of the session. 

If you have any questions for the Elections Committee, please email us at [email protected] or leave a message at 202-505-3309. 

Building Elections

The building election packet were sent to Building Representatives, who are responsible for conducting building level elections, last week. Its contents can be found here. A full list of WTU local school leadership positions and their duties is available here.

COVID CORNER

We want to remind everyone that the CDC states, face masks help prevent the spread of Covid.

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.

Here's What's Brewing Today

Monday, June 13, 2022

March for our Lives

RuQuan Brown, a Banneker alum and current Harvard student, with his former teacher Clare Berke at the March for Our Lives. Mr. Brown lost his stepfather to gun violence. We encourage you to listen to his speech here.

Thanks to all our educators for joining us in celebrating DC Pride!

June 2022 Member Meeting – Tuesday, June 14 @ 4:30

Click here to join via zoom.

Passcode: 738827

DC’s Primary Election is 8 Days Away -- Support WTU Endorsed Candidates!

We encourage WTU members to #VOTE and to get involved in supporting WTU Endorsed Candidates in the upcoming June Primary Elections.

For a list of endorsed candidates, click here.

Mathical Book Prize

Congratulation to School Librarian Renee LaRue who a $700 Mathical Book Prize Collection Development Award and $5000 grant award from Laura Bush Foundation for America's Libraries for Savoy Elementary School.

D.C. is wrongly excluding teachers from graduation

Read Roosevelt HS teachers Erich Heckel and Samantha Averett opinion piece from Sunday’s WaPo - Opinion | D.C. is wrongly excluding teachers from graduation - The Washington Post

Sick & Maternity Leave Banks Enrollment Open

Open enrollment will occur from June 1, 2022 through June 30, 2022 and from August 1, 2022 through August 31, 2022. Contact Charmaine Wilks at 202 517-1475 or at [email protected] to enroll or with any questions.

If you miss the Open Enrollment dates, you will not be able to enroll in "the Banks" until the next Open Seasons in June 2023 and August 2023. This is strictly for the use of the Sick Leave and Maternity/Paternity Leave Banks and not the Dental/Vision enrollment.

Click here to submit your information to enroll: https://forms.gle/3fP8XwSiU8kYXjiW9

WTU ELECTION NEWS

Greetings WTU Members! 

Most of you, full dues paying members, should have received a ballot to the address you have on file with the WTU. If you have not received a ballot by Tuesday June 14, 2022, please email Ms. Valerie Kilby at [email protected] to verify your information on file and request a replacement ballot. 

Upon receipt of your ballot, please allow for no more than 48 hours before returning your ballot to the mail. Ballots must be received at the US Post Office by 4pm on June 28th, 2022. 

Election Count Day - 5pm June 28th, 2022. 

Candidates have received critical observer information. Please adhere to the deadline and submit the necessary form by 5pm Friday June 17th. 

In case you missed it...

1. You can watch May 12th's Presidential Candidates Forum here.
2. You may access the rooms from May 17th's Meet and Greet by clicking on the links. Visit Pogue Lyons - Bellhere, Unity here, and Independent Candidates here. 

*Please be advised that some recordings may not start from the beginning of the session. 

If you have any questions for the Elections Committee, please email us at [email protected] or leave a message at 202-505-3309. 

Building Elections

The building election packet were sent to Building Representatives, who are responsible for conducting building level elections, last week. Its contents can be found here. A full list of WTU local school leadership positions and their duties is available here.

COVID CORNER

We want to remind everyone that the CDC states, face masks help prevent the spread of Covid.

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.

Here's What's Brewing Today

Monday, June 6, 2022

It’s past time for elected officials to end the slaughter of schoolchildren and others in our communities.

Click here to learn more.

DC Primary Ballots Have Arrived -- Support WTU Endorsed Candidates!

We encourage WTU members to #VOTE and to get involved in supporting WTU Endorsed Candidates in the upcoming June Primary Elections.

For a list of endorsed candidates, click here.

Opportunities to support Matt Frumin, WTU endorsed candidate for Ward 3 Council.

Door to door canvasses (Mon-Thu, Sat & Sun), phonebanks (everyday), and early voting center canvasses (starting June 10). If you have any questions, please contact Elias Benda (he/him/his) Campaign Manager, Matt Frumin for Ward 3, cell: (202)-355-8284

Sick & Maternity Leave Banks Enrollment Open

Open enrollment will occur from June 1, 2022 through June 30, 2022 and from August 1, 2022 through August 31, 2022. Contact Charmaine Wilks at 202 517-1475 or at [email protected] to enroll or with any questions.

If you miss the Open Enrollment dates, you will not be able to enroll in "the Banks" until the next Open Seasons in June 2023 and August 2023. This is strictly for the use of the Sick Leave and Maternity/Paternity Leave Banks and not the Dental/Vision enrollment.

Click here to submit your information to enroll: https://forms.gle/3fP8XwSiU8kYXjiW9

WTU ELECTION NEWS

Greetings WTU Members!  The WTUEC would like to thank you for your patience as we strive to provide updated information to you during this election cycle. 

Ballots will be mailed this week!!! 

The Elections Committee is unable to give an exact date as to the mailing of the ballot but we were informed it should be no later than June 7th. If this information changes, we will make every effort to inform the membership once we receive any updated information. 

The Elections Committee assumes no responsibility for any errors found on the ballot or any information contrary to what was provided to members in the Special Elections Edition of the “Washington Teacher” as we were not given a voice in updates to the ballot, when the ballots would be sent out or notification by the WTU that the ballots were authorized to be reprinted without Elections Committee input.

If you have not received a copy of the Special Elections Edition of the “Washington Teacher” , please email Ms. Valerie Kilby at [email protected] to ensure that the WTU has your correct mailing address on file. We want to ensure that every member is able to receive a ballot for the Officers’ Election. 

Please be on the lookout for additional modes of communication from the WTUEC as we finally received the approval and information to move forward with robocalls to the membership. 

In case you missed it...

1. You can watch May 12th's Presidential Candidates Forum here.
2. You may access the rooms from May 17th's Meet and Greet by clicking on the links.
   1. Visit Pogue Lyons - Bell here, Unity here, and Independent Candidates here. 

*Please be advised that some recordings may not start from the beginning of the session. 

If you have any questions for the Elections Committee, please email us at [email protected] or leave a message at 202-505-3309. 

Building Elections

The building election packet were sent to Building Representatives, who are responsible for conducting building level elections, last week. Its contents can be found here. A full list of WTU local school leadership positions and their duties is available here.

COVID CORNER

We want to remind everyone that the CDC states, face masks help prevent the spread of Covid.

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.

Here's What's Brewing Today

Tuesday, May 31

WTU has reached a settlement with DCPS to resolve the group grievance filed by WTU on behalf of School Counselors who worked additional days without pay. The settlement agreement was signed by President Pogue Lyons last week. The affected counselors will receive a communication regarding the details of the settlement.

DC Primary Ballots Have Arrived -- Support WTU Endorsed Candidates!

We encourage WTU members to #VOTE and to get involved in supporting WTU Endorsed Candidates in the upcoming June Primary Elections.

For a list of endorsed candidates, click here.

Sick & Maternity Leave Banks Enrollment Open SOON

Open enrollment will occur from June 1, 2022 through June 30, 2022 and from August 1, 2022 through August 31, 2022. Contact Charmaine Wilks at 202 517-1475 or at [email protected] to enroll or with any questions.

If you miss the Open Enrollment dates, you will not be able to enroll in "the Banks" until the next Open Seasons in June 2023 and August 2023. This is strictly for the use of the Sick Leave and Maternity/Paternity Leave Banks and not the Dental/Vision enrollment.

Click here to submit your information to enroll: https://forms.gle/3fP8XwSiU8kYXjiW9

WTU ELECTION NEWS

The WTU Election Committee has received the AFT's Response and while we vehemently disagree with their response, the WTU Election Committee will push forward to ensure that this election cycle experiences no further delays to the extent it is within our power to do so. All other contested matters related to this issue are placed squarely in the hands of individuals who may be directly impacted by this Executive Board action.

The Elections Committee is finalizing a new elections balloting timeline and we should have an agreed upon ballot timeline by mid-week. Please watch for updated news. 

Please expect to receive the Special Election Edition of the Washington Teacher in your mail soon as well as frequent reminders via robo calls to encourage your participation in the election. 

In case you missed it...

• You can watch May 12th's Presidential Candidates Forum here.
• You may access the rooms from May 17th's Meet and Greet by clicking on the links. Visit Pogue Lyons - Bell here, Unity here, and Independent Candidates here. 

*Please be advised that some recordings may not start from the beginning of the session. 

If you have any questions for the Elections Committee, please email us at [email protected] or leave a message at 202-505-3309. 

Building Elections

The building election packet were sent to Building Representatives, who are responsible for conducting building level elections, last week. Its contents can be found here. A full list of WTU local school leadership positions and their duties is available here.

COVID CORNER

We want to remind everyone that the CDC states, face masks help prevent the spread of Covid.

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.

Here's What's Brewing Today

Monday, May 23

DC Primary Ballots Have Arrived -- Support WTU Endorsed Candidates!

We encourage WTU members to #VOTE and to get involved in supporting WTU Endorsed Candidates in the upcoming June Primary Elections.

For a list of WTU Endorsed Candidates, click here.

FMLA - PFL

We have heard from many teachers that their FMLA application is not being processing in a timely manner. We have been advocating for you and working with the LOA office to resolve this matter. We are proud to announce that there has been some progress on this issue. The following guidelines are only for those who applied for PFL.  Timekeepers have been asked to substitute Administrative Leave w/Pay (ADL) so that those affected teachers who have filed for Paid Family Leave (PFL) can remain in paid status. From the Memorandum:

“To qualify for the use of ADL in these circumstances, the below requirements MUST be followed. These qualifications will be checked by the LOA team.

• The employee must have submitted a completed LOA application 2 or more weeks ago, has not received a response from the LOA team, and has not had their PFL time loaded.
• The employee does not have any annual or sick leave to use. In other words, their own leave must be exhausted.

Principals, timekeepers or employees should inform Employee Services and an Employee Services representative will enter the time. Once the leave has been loaded, the timekeeper should send updated timesheets to the school payroll technician so that adjustments can be made in PeopleSoft.”

Timekeepers should contact the Time and Labor team at [email protected] for any further information.”

 

We sincerely hope that these efforts will help alleviate the stress that you have been experiencing because of this serious backlog.  Please reach out to your Field Representative if you have any questions.

Sick Leave Buy Back

Sick & Maternity Leave Banks Enrollment Open SOON

Open enrollment will occur from June 1, 2022 through June 30, 2022 and from August 1, 2022 through August 31, 2022. Contact Charmaine Wilks at 202 517-1475 or at [email protected] to enroll or with any questions.

If you miss the Open Enrollment dates, you will not be able to enroll in "the Banks" until the next Open Seasons in June 2023 and August 2023. This is strictly for the use of the Sick Leave and Maternity/Paternity Leave Banks and not the Dental/Vision enrollment.

Click here to submit your information to enroll

WTU ELECTION NEWS

WTU OFFICERS ELECTIONS UPDATE!!!!

Due to a controversy between the WTU Elections Committee and the WTU Executive Board, the Special Elections Edition of the Washington Teacher and the ballots have not been mailed. At the request of the WTU Elections Committee, the American Federation of Teachers will provide directions. 

The Elections Committee will notify the membership once this status changes.

In case you missed it, you can watch the Presidential Candidates Forum here.  Click here to provide feedback about the forum in an effort to assist the Elections Committee with planning future events. We thank you for your time and input!

If you have any questions for the Elections Committee, please email us at [email protected] or leave a message at 202-505-3309. 

Building Elections

The building election packet were sent to Building Representatives, who are responsible for conducting building level elections, last week. Its contents can be found here. A full list of WTU local school leadership positions and their duties is available here.

COVID CORNER

We want to remind everyone that the CDC states, face masks help prevent the spread of Covid.

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.

Here's What's Brewing Today

Monday, May 16

The DC Council took action on the FY2023 (school year 2022-23) budget last week. The Council voted to keep phasing police out of public schools — despite the objections of the mayor and city principals’ union. The council also approved new allotments directly to some of the city’s most troubled public schools.

You can view the Council’s budget documents here. Coverage from the Washington Post here. And analysis from DC Fiscal Policy Institute here.

WTU ELECTION NEWS

Campaigning has officially begun! Click here to review the Campaign Rules.  

Special Thanks to all those who attended or viewed Thursday’s Presidential Candidates Forum. In case you missed it, you can watch the Forum here.

Click here to provide feedback about the forum in an effort to assist the Elections Committee with planning future events. We thank you for your time and input!

Upcoming Elections Events/Dates

May 17^th 6:00pm – 8:00pm – WTU Elections Committee Virtual Meet & Greet hosted by Mrs. Denise Rolark Barnes Publisher of The Washington Informer.  Flier
Via Zoom; Meeting ID: 748 094 0086; Passcode: 051722

Be on the lookout for a Special Edition of the Washington Teacher that shares more information about the Presidential Candidates running in this year’s election.

Continue to check election updates through the Morning Brew to receive information about when Ballots should be arriving in the mail. If you have any questions for the Elections Committee, please email us at [email protected] or leave a message at 202-505-3309. 

Building Elections

The building election packet were sent to Building Representatives, who are responsible for conducting building level elections, last week. Its contents can be found here. A full list of WTU local school leadership positions and their duties is available here.

Support WTU Endorsed Candidates!

We encourage WTU members to get involved in supporting WTU Endorsed Candidates in the upcoming June Primary Elections. For a list of endorsed candidates, click here.

Website

The WTU was proud to launch an updated website. We hope you’ll check it out at www.WTULocal6.net.

We are collecting their photos and quotes for publication on the website capturing what the WTU means to you. Email photos/quotes to [email protected] or text them to 703-904-0000.

For information on walkthroughs of new WTU website, please see the Upcoming Events section below.

COVID CORNER

We want to remind everyone that the CDC states, face masks help prevent the spread of Covid.

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.

Here's What's Brewing Today

Monday, May 9

Representative Assembly

Tuesday, May 10 at 4:30 PM

Building Reps and delegates should use the link they received in their email to join the Rep Assembly Meeting. All members can attend the meeting. Only building reps and delegates may speak and are eligible to vote.

Click here to join the webinar

Teacher Appreciation Week

A HUGE Thank You to all the building reps who turned in U.S. mailing addresses and t-shirt sizes for their members. And, thanks to the support from WTU retirees and the Metropolitan Labor Council who were able to deliver t-shirts to over 70 schools last week!

We are asking Building Reps to continue to collect US mailing addresses and t-shirt sizes and we will make more tshirt deliveries this week. If you did not receive a WTU election notice in the US Mail, please contact your Field Representative. 

Please wear your t-shirt on Friday to show unity and solidarity during contract negotiations. We encourage you to post photos to social media. Please tag @WTUTeacher with #TeacherAppreciationWeek and #FairContract.

WTU ELECTION NEWS

Campaigning has officially begun! Click here to review the Campaign Rules.  

Upcoming Elections Related Events.

• May 10^th 4:30pm – WTU’s Representative Assembly – Presidential Candidates will be provided 3 minutes to introduce themselves and their platform at this Rep Assembly Meeting.
• May 11^th 5:30pm – 7:30pm – Candidates Review of Membership List (more information will be shared directly with verified candidates).
• May 12^th 6:00pm – 8:00pm – WTU Elections Committee Candidates Forum Zoom Meeting ID: 880 5342 7425 Passcode: 051222 (First 800 people)
  • Live Streaming to YouTube; Search: WTU Elections Committee Candidates Forum.  Official Flier linked here.
  • Presidential Candidates will engage in a Q & A discussion about issues raised by you the Members! Please click here to submit questions for the Forum.
• May 17^th 6:00pm – 8:00pm – WTU Elections Committee Virtual Meet & Greet hosted by Mrs. Denise Rolark Barnes Publisher of The Washington Informer.  Official Flier with Zoom information will be shared in the May 16^th Morning Brew.

Be on the lookout for a Special Edition of the Washington Teacher that shares more information about the Presidential Candidates running in this year’s election. Continue to check election updates through the Morning Brew to receive information about when Ballots should be arriving in the mail.

If you have any questions for the Elections Committee, please email us at [email protected] or leave a message at 202-505-3309. 

Building Elections

The building election packet was sent to Building Representatives, who are responsible for conducting building level elections, last week. Its contents can be found here.

A full list of WTU local school leadership positions and their duties is available here.

Support WTU Endorsed Candidates!

• Invite others to a Meet and Greet with Robert White for Mayor on Saturday, May 15: https://www.mobilize.us/robertfordc/event/456249/
• Get a yard sign, to show your support for Robert White for Mayor: https://www.mobilize.us/robertfordc/event/437395/
• Support Erin Palmer's campaign for council chairwoman! Saturday May 14 at 11:00 am- Canvass in Fort Totten. Sign up and get more details: https://actionnetwork.org/events/erin-at-your-door-capitol-hill-2
• Text Bank with Zachary Parker's Ward 5 Council Campaign Wednesday, May 11th 7-8PM on Zoom. Sign up here: https://www.mobilize.us/friendsofzacharyparker2022/event/452768/
• Get a yard sign for Matthew Frumin in Ward 3 to put in your yard or near your school (on public land off school grounds): https://www.mobilize.us/fruminforward3/event/458292/
• Sign up to volunteer with Brianne Nadeau's Ward 1 reelection campaign: https://secure.ngpvan.com/uO6lH-K4Mk2xKQmHgYtn_w2 

We hope you’ll join us in supporting these candidates and electing officials who will support teachers and our public schools! To learn more about COPE and to see a full list of WTU endorsements, click here.

Ward 4 School Modernizations

Please send an email to the Mayor, the Chancellor, and the Chairman to advocate that they proceed with plans to resolve overcrowding at Roosevelt and modernize Truesdell, Whittier and LaSalle-Backus as scheduled.  Write your own email or use the draft email. Every message counts!

To: [email protected],  [email protected], [email protected],

Subject: Support Ward 4 Families and Schools 

Mayor Bowser, Chancellor Ferebee, and Chairman Mendelson:

I’m writing in support of Ward 4 students and schools in need of relief from overcrowding and overdue modernizations.

To alleviate extreme overcrowding at Roosevelt, which is projected to be the most crowded building in all of DCPS next year, I understand that DCPS has proposed moving the Roosevelt STAY Opportunity Academy to Garnet-Patterson next fall. Roosevelt STAY is an opportunity academy serving a citywide population of 16-24-year-old students, all of which are overage and under-credited. 200 of their nearly 600 students are English Language Learners (ELL) and 100% of them are Black or Hispanic. This program is a lifeline to them and we cannot continue to ask them and the over 800 Roosevelt HS students to endure an unsafe overcrowded learning environment. Roosevelt HS and Roosevelt STAY both need the additional space. Please allocate the funding for Garnet-Patterson to make this possible and support this move.

DCPS must also maintain plans to modernize Truesdell ES, Whittier ES, and LaSalle-Backus on schedule. I understand DCPS has proposed using all of the Sharpe Health campus in Ward 4 as swing space for Dorothy Height and then Truesdell ES beginning in SY23-24 (Fiscal Year 2024). Sharpe is the only swing space currently available in Ward 4 and any delays or shifts in Truesdell’s modernization school would mean delaying all three schools’ modernizations. Each school is a Title I school serving more than 90% Black and Hispanic students. They have also waited for their turns on the PACE modernization ranking system. Whittier ES in particular has endured a building with extensive maintenance problems and cannot be asked to wait any longer. Please allocate the funding to renovate Sharpe Health's currently under-used space and support DCPS's full use of its own building.

Simultaneously, I understand that Briya Public Charter School may be affected by these plans, as they currently occupy a portion of Sharpe. I understand DCPS has proposed alternative options for Briya to relocate to and I support these efforts to keep Briya near the families that they serve. Briya is a good school worthy of our help and I hope we can find a new site that allows them to stay for the long term. Please work with the Mayor and Briya to help them relocate to a new location in our community.

Thank you for your time and support for DCPS and Ward 4 families and schools!

Website

The WTU was proud to launch an updated website last week. We hope you’ll check it out at www.WTULocal6.net.

We are collecting your photos and quotes for publication on the website; please send along an image and a quote about what the WTU means to you to [email protected] or via text to 703-904-0000.

For information on walkthroughs of new WTU website, please see the Upcoming Events section below.

COVID CORNER

We want to remind everyone that the CDC states, face masks help prevent the spread of Covid.

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.

Here's What's Brewing Today

Monday, May 2

The WTU will distribute t-shirts to all members who provided their mailing address and t-shirt size to their Building Representatives. Throughout the week please look out for surprises and more opportunities to celebrate and Teacher Appreciation!

Please wear your t-shirt on Friday May 6^th to show unity and solidarity during contract negotiations. We encourage you to post photos on Friday to social media. Please tag @WTUTeacher with #TeacherAppreciationWeek and #AFairContract

Counselor’s Unpaid Work Grievance

WTU and DCPS are nearing a settlement of WTU's grievance involving the counselors' unpaid days of work. WTU provided its final edits to the agreement this week and we hope the agreement will be finalized in the coming days. Counselors will receive more information as it becomes available.

Simultaneous Instruction – Submit Request for Payment

Due May 3rd

Please complete this required stipend form by Tuesday, May 3^rd for all simulcast assignments through Spring Break. This information will be validated by your school leader.  An additional data collection will occur in June if any additional Simulcast assignments in Semester 2.  Payments are expected to occur in Summer 2022.  Please submit the form and include any questions you may have in your submission. 

Website - WTULocal6.net

The WTU was proud to launch an updated website last week. We hope you’ll check it out at www.WTULocal6.net. With any website migration, some links may no longer work. If you have trouble finding content or you find a link that is not working, please email [email protected].

The updated website also includes a “Members –only” section, where information confidential to WTU members can be posted. Your Building Representative will be able to provide you a password. You can also receive your password at any of the website informational sessions (see upcoming events section below).

If you have any questions about the website, please contact 703-904-0000 or email: [email protected].

Building Elections

The building election packet was sent to Building Representatives, who are responsible for conducting building level elections, last week. Its contents can be found here.

A full list of WTU local school leadership positions and their duties is available here.

WTU ELECTION NEWS

Nomination Petitions have been submitted and the Verification Process has begun!

Upcoming Elections Events/Dates

• May 5^th 6:30pm – MANDATORY Candidates Meeting with Elections Committee (Zoom link will be shared directly with verified candidates).
• May 10^th 4:30pm – WTU’s Representative Assembly – Presidential Candidates will be provided with a few minutes to introduce themselves and their platform at this Rep Assembly Meeting.
• May 11^th 5:30pm – 7:30pm – Candidates Review of Membership List (more information will be shared directly with verified candidates).
• May 12^th 6:00pm – 8:00pm – WTU Elections Committee Candidates Forum (Zoom and Live Streaming). Presidential Candidates will engage in a Q & A discussion about issues raised by you the Members! Please click here to submit questions for the Forum. A flyer with additional information will be shared in the May 9^th Morning Brew.
• May 17^th 6:00pm – 8:00pm – WTU Elections Committee Virtual Meet & Greet hosted by Mrs. Denise Rolark Barnes Publisher of The Washington Informer.  Flier with additional information will be shared in the May 9^th Morning Brew.

Be on the lookout for a Special Edition of the Washington Teacher that shares more information about the Presidential Candidates running in this year’s election. Continue to check election updates through the Morning Brew to receive information about when Ballots should be arriving in the mail.  

As a reminder please email Valerie Kilby at [email protected] with any changes to your personal information especially your mailing address. If you have any questions for the Elections Committee, please email [email protected] or leave a message by calling 202-505-3309. 

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.

April 8, 2022 - Editorial by Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President, Washington Teachers’ Union

Nearly one-third of D.C. schools had heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems that were not working properly earlier this year. Students in some communities didn’t receive computers until weeks into the school year. The city took months to fill vacant covid-19 coordinator and substitute teaching positions. School communities struggle with budgets that fail to provide the basics for their students. Educators were not provided funds to purchase needed classroom supplies until December. These examples should be enough for D.C. to consider changes to mayoral control of our public schools.

“They said they’re trying to make improvements on repair and response time but some things are an emergency,” Lyons said. 

“Elevators aren’t working, which means you have concerns about moving classrooms to where students and staff with special needs have access,” she added.