Here's What's Brewing Today - Monday, June 7, 2021

Member Assembly - Tuesday, June 8, 2021 at 4:30 PM (Via Zoom)

All WTU members are invited to participate in 2021 June Member Assembly.

Please click here to register.

Read In to Save DCPS Librarians; Council Budget Hearing

Many thanks to the librarians that attended last week’s "Read-In to Save School Libraries." As we gained our first detailed look at the Mayor’s 2021-2022 budget proposal, we continue to see an erosion of resources reaching our students; librarian positions are at the forefront of our work to ensure all students receive a rich, well-rounded education and for our city to close the stark and growing achievement gaps that plague our city. We hope you'll all join us in our work to #SaveDCPSLibrarians.

As we look ahead to the fall and plan to reopen our schools for the 2021-2022 school year, President Lyons testified that DC needs to make three key investments to close long-standing achievement gaps. Reduced Class Size. Implement Co-Teaching Models. And a Librarian in Every School.

Read President Lyons statement to the DC Council on the FY2022 budget here: FY22 Budget Testimony - WTU Local 6. 

We encourage you to join us at tomorrow’s Member Assembly to learn more about our work and join the upcoming Legislative Committee and Communications Committee meetings to GET INVOLVED and help us build campaigns to invest in teachers and close the literacy gap.

ESY 2021 Student Snapshot and Academic Work Portfolio

Given the amount of queries the WTU received from members, we met with the Division of Specialized Instruction regarding the ESY 2021 Student Snapshot and Academic Work Portfolio. As a result of that meeting, Special Education teachers should have received updated communications from the ESY Team notifying teachers that the portfolio submissions do not need to be new work that is created or lesson plans, rather, it is a compilation of work that has already been created, completed, and used with the student this SY. You do NOT need to create or develop new materials. That is, you are compiling the relevant work samples that a student has been working on and/or completed during the current SY to address the academic goals where they have met the eligibility criteria for ESY.

If you have been requested to create lesson plans, and/or create and provide new assignments/work for the goal(s) that you have selected for ESY, please contact Field Services Specialist Janice Brown Parker at [email protected] immediately.

AM Brew News and Notices will be archived at https://www.wtulocal6.net/AMBrew. Please bookmark the site and check back for regular news and notices as well as to find items from past editions of the AM Brew.

Summer Professional Learning!!!

Register TODAY for these exciting, engaging and informative summer professional development courses and workshops HERE.

Decolonizing the Curriculum

Join Washington Teachers’ Union and Teaching for Change as we host a Decolonizing the Curriculum summer series beginning July 27th. This six-session series will feature presentations disrupting the master narrative in classroom curriculum, by providing hands-on strategies with lessons to be used in-person and virtually.

Each session is standalone (2 PLU's per session) so attend one or all six Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. EST via Zoom.

REGISTER TODAY

Tuesday July 27th at 5:00 p.m. EST Decolonizing the Curriculum with Teaching for Change

Thursday July 29th at 5:00 p.m. EST Tackling Controversial Topics in Early Childhood Education with Laleña Garcia

Tuesday, August 3rd at 5:00 p.m. EST COVID Tribunal with Caneisha Mills

Thursday, August 5th at 5:00 p.m. EST Politics of Hair with Dr. Cierra Kaler-Jones

Tuesday, August 10th at 5:00 p.m. EST Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) Role Play with Jessica Rucker and Judy Richardson

Thursday, August 12th at 5:00 p.m. EST Teaching about Voting Rights with Ursula Wolfe-Rocca

Here's What's Brewing Today

June 1, 2021

Last week, Mayor Bowser released her Fiscal Year 2022 (school year 2021-2022) budget. Join the WTU on June 2 on the steps of the Wilson Building to #FundOurFuture and support DCPS Librarians and call for small class sizes and the adoption of co-teaching and collaborative teaching models to help our students recover from the pandemic.

Read more about the Mayor’s budget proposal here.

Enrollment for the Sick Leave and Maternity Leave Banks is OPEN.

Open enrollment will occur from June 1, 2021 through June 30, 2021 and from August 1, 2021 through August 31, 2021.

Click here to submit your information or contact Charmaine Wilks at 202 517-1475 or [email protected] 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 2022 and August 2022. This is strictly for the use of the Sick Leave and Maternity Banks and not the Dental/Vision enrollment.

June DCPS and OSSE Licensure Webinar

Technology Problems?

Yesterday, Mayor Bowser released her Fiscal Year 2022 (school year 2021-2022) budget. Join the WTU on June 2 on the steps of the Wilson Building to #FundOurFuture and support DCPS Librarians and call for small class sizes and the adoption of co-teaching and collaborative teaching models to help our students recover from the pandemic.

For education, the Mayor’s budget proposal includes a 3.6% increase in the base amount of the Uniform Per Student Funding Formula, plus increased weights for English Language Learners and At-Risk Students. The Mayor’s budget also establishes new microtransit routes to provide students at 20+ elementary, middle, and high schools Safe Passage areas in Wards 7 & 8 and an $8 million increase for school-based mental health services. We also applaud the Mayor’s investments in affordable housing and direct economic supports to residents who have been hit hardest by the pandemic.

June 2 – Save DCPS Librarians READ-IN at the John A. Wilson Building, 4-5pm.

June 3 – DC Council, Committee of the Whole - FY2022 Budget Hearing

June 3 – Building Representative Call with President Pouge Lyons

June 5 – WTU Executive Committee meeting

June 7 - C.O.P.E.

June 8 – General Membership Meeting

June 15 – Legislative Committee Meeting

June 17 – WTU Training on the Grievance Procedures, 4:30pm

June 22 – Communications Committee Meeting

June 24 - Last Day of School for Students

June 25 - Records Day / PD Day for Educators

*Check the Weekly AM Brew for log-in information for all events and the AM Brew Blog for additional events.

Summer Professional Learning!!!

Register TODAY for these exciting, engaging and informative summer professional development courses and workshops HERE.

Decolonizing the Curriculum

Join Washington Teachers’ Union and Teaching for Change as we host a Decolonizing the Curriculum summer series beginning July 27th. This six-session series will feature presentations disrupting the master narrative in classroom curriculum, by providing hands-on strategies with lessons to be used in-person and virtually.

Each session is standalone (2 PLU's per session) so attend one or all six Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. EST via Zoom.

REGISTER TODAY

Tuesday July 27th at 5:00 p.m. EST Decolonizing the Curriculum with Teaching for Change

Thursday July 29th at 5:00 p.m. EST Tackling Controversial Topics in Early Childhood Education with Laleña Garcia

Tuesday, August 3rd at 5:00 p.m. EST COVID Tribunal with Caneisha Mills

Thursday, August 5th at 5:00 p.m. EST Politics of Hair with Dr. Cierra Kaler-Jones

Tuesday, August 10th at 5:00 p.m. EST Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) Role Play with Jessica Rucker and Judy Richardson

Thursday, August 12th at 5:00 p.m. EST Teaching about Voting Rights with Ursula Wolfe-Rocca

Here's What's Brewing Today

May 24, 2021

ICYMI: DC Educator Wellness Center

In partnership with EVERFI, a social impact educational technology company, the WTU is pleased to share with you the DC Educator Wellness Center. The funding for the DC Educator Wellness Center is provided by Johnson & Johnson. In the DC Educator Wellness Center you will find access to a prevention-forward, self-guided, digital microlearning experience designed to provide you with on-demand content related to mental health. The growing list of topics includes Mental Health Basics, Managing Mental Health Challenges, Developing Resilience, Supporting Loved Ones With Mental Health Challenges, and Mindful Living. You can read more here.

Budget Advocacy!  Support our Students!

‘Read-In’ to Save School Libraries, June 2, 4-5pm

Join DC Public School Librarians, Family and Friends to Save School Libraries and Librarians

Join us as we kick off School Budget Week, prioritizing literacy and working to prevent staff cuts across our schools. Receive free books, prizes, treats and learn how you can support our students. Watch your email for more information on how you can get involved!

Sign-up to Testify on the FY2022 School Budgets

The Committee of the Whole will be holding an Oversight Hearing on the School Year 2021-2022 budgets on June 3, 2021 at 9am. Sign-up to testify: www.ChairmanMendelson.com/testify

Council’s Special Committee on COVID-19 Pandemic Recovery will hold a hearing on May 26 focused on what the District’s public education system should look like coming out of the PHE. Email Malcolm Cameron at [email protected] before 6:00 p.m. on Monday, May 24, 2021 to sign-up to speak.

We Need Your Input

School Year 2021-22 Budgets. Let us know if your School Year 2021-2022 Budget has been cut and what positions are being eliminated. Click here to take our short survey.

Educators - Report your Certification and Recertification Concerns. Click here to let us know about your troubles obtaining your teaching credentials.

Class Coverage Survey. Are you being pulled from your regular duties? Click here to take our quick survey.

SICK LEAVE & MATERNITY LEAVE BANKS.

Click below to read more news and updates.

Which Internet Program is Right for your Students?

iDC Institute 2021 is a knowledge sharing conference on best practices for integrating technology.  DCPS is gathering educators and staff from around the District to collaborate, network, and learn together.  Join us for a virtual conference where you can connect, experience, and create!

Register Here: bit.ly/thriDC21

Sign up to Present: bit.ly/pstiDC

Participants will receive 7 PLUs for attending the full day. 

In partnership with EVERFI, a social impact educational technology company, the WTU is pleased to announce the launch of the DC Educator Wellness Center. The funding for the DC Educator Wellness Center is provided by Johnson & Johnson.

In the DC Educator Wellness Center DC Educators will find access to a prevention-forward, self-guided, digital microlearning experience designed to provide you with on-demand content related to mental health. The growing list of topics includes Mental Health Basics, Managing Mental Health Challenges, Developing Resilience, Supporting Loved Ones With Mental Health Challenges, and Mindful Living.

Check out these great professional development opportunities and REGISTER NOW.

Summer Professional Learning!!!

Register TODAY for these exciting, engaging and informative summer professional development courses and workshops HERE. Early Bird Discount Expires 5/21!

2021 WTU Teacher Leader Symposium

Thank you so much to those who were able to attend the 2021 WTU Teacher Leader Symposium...the presence, engagement, and questions from the audience are such key elements of this event's success. We are so proud of the immense dedication of our elite group of SY2020-21 teacher leaders. We hope you enjoyed the symposium and that it was thought-provoking and inspiring for you as well. Teacher leaders and their research papers are available at https://www.wtulocal6.net/2021_teacher_leaders

Part 1 Recording; Access Passcode: 5L$#=Zi2

Part 2 Recording; Access Passcode: f%MpT5%n

Part 3 Recording; Access Passcode: 9J@Za9dM

Click to read more...