Here's What's Brewing Today

Tuesday, September 7, 2021

Union Leadership Institute - Fall 2021

Calling all school -level elected officers.  Join us to learn more about how to ensure your voice and that of your members are heard!

Friday, September 17 from 4:30 - 6:00pm

All Newly Elected 2021-2022 Building Leaders, Please register here 

Saturday, September 18 from 10:00am – 1:00pm.

All 2021-2022 Building Representatives, SCAC, Personnel Committee, LSAT members, and Delegates to Representative Assembly, Please register here 

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

Here's What's Brewing Today

August 30, 2021

Welcome to the 2021-2022 School Year! I know you're excited to welcome your students to our schools and your classrooms. While this year will not be a "return to normal," we're excited to return to our classrooms after more than a year of virtual instruction.

While we're all excited for the start of the year, I know that you may also be nervous to be returning to in-person instruction. The WTU and DCPS signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) outlining health and safety protocols for schools and classrooms, details about possible simultaneous in-person and virtual instruction and how to handle leave for teachers contracting COVID-19. A FAQ is available here. As part of the agreement to safely reopen schools, the WTU and DCPS agreed on a #ReopenStrong: School Building Readiness Checklist outlining the protections for student and staff health guaranteed by DCPS as we return to full in-person learning. If you have any health and safety concerns, please report them here http://bit.ly/WTUSafeOpenings or contact your Field Representative immediately.

Last week, OSSE and DCPS announced a change to testing protocols for students. Students will now be automatically enrolled in the testing program which supports asymptomatic testing, symptomatic testing and testing for close contacts. The test will be a non-invasive, saliva-based PCR test; DCPS plans to test 10% of students each week.

If you are having any issues or concerns regarding your Office Depot card, please contact [email protected]. Information regarding the COVID Emergency Leave Policy will be forthcoming from DCPS this week.

The WTU will also be hosting a meeting with Building Representatives on Thursday, Sept 2 to discuss the first week of school and answer any questions about the MOA. Building Representatives will receive an email with further information about the meeting and a link to join.

We hope you have a great first week of the 2021-22 school year. Please reach out if you have any concerns as we kick off the new year!

In solidarity,

Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President

Washington Teachers' Union

Critical #MissingPerson

31-year-old Ian Solheim, a Wilson HS teacher, was last seen in the 1300 block of East Capitol Street, SE on Sunday, July 25, 2021.

Have info? Call (202) 727-9099/ text 50411

CLOSES SOON – 2021-2022 Open Season for Maternity Leave and Sick Leave Banks

The WTU is adding an Open Season from August 1^st through August 31^st for the Maternity Leave and Sick Leave Banks. To join either bank you donate 8 hours (one day) of the total 96 hours (12 days) that is loaded to your leave balance on October 1, 2021 (to join both banks, you’d donate two days or 16 hours). After enrollment, there is a 3 month wait before you can access the banks (ie, you’ll be eligible on January 1, 2022). Once you join the bank you remain in the bank, until you opt-out. If you have any questions contact Charmaine Wilks at [email protected] or 202 517-1475.

DCPS will not accept individual requests to be removed from either the Sick Leave and/or the Maternity Leave Bank. Please contact Charmaine Wilks at [email protected] before the October 1, 2021 if you’d like to be removed from these banks.

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

Here's What's Brewing Today

August 23, 2021

Attention School Counselors

As we move towards solidifying language specific to school counselors during contract negotiations the WTU would like you to review some language DCPS has proposed. Specifically, DCPS is proposing that principals and Local School Advisory Teams (LSAT) have the option to transition 10-month school counselors to 11-month school counselors; and 11-month school counselors to 12-month school counselors. Please complete the following brief survey to let the WTU know your desire regarding the proposed language. Click here to compete the survey.

CLOSES SOON – 2021-2022 Open Season for Maternity Leave and Sick Leave Banks

The WTU is adding an Open Season from August 1^st through August 31^st for the Maternity Leave and Sick Leave Banks. To join either bank you donate 8 hours (one day) of the total 96 hours (12 days) that is loaded to your leave balance on October 1, 2021 (to join both banks, you’d donate two days or 16 hours). After enrollment, there is a 3 month wait before you can access the banks (ie, you’ll be eligible on January 1, 2022). Once you join the bank you remain in the bank, until you opt-out. If you have any questions contact Charmaine Wilks at [email protected] or 202 517-1475.

DCPS will not accept individual requests to be removed from either the Sick Leave and/or the Maternity Leave Bank. Please contact Charmaine Wilks at [email protected] before the October 1, 2021 if you’d like to be removed from these banks.

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

Here's What's Brewing Today

Monday, August 16, 2021

ICYMI - IMPACT Review

On Friday, Chancellor Lewis Ferebee emailed you a document titled, “IMPACT Review Update: Initial Set of Evolutions to Impact and Preliminary Findings.” The WTU wants you to know that we do not consider this anything close to what is necessary to improve the flawed, ineffective IMPACT evaluation system.

AU’s summary of findings found: “Overall perceptions of IMPACT were more negative than positive, but with a great deal of variation in perspectives across teachers as well as school leaders.” “Many teachers and school leaders perceived that IMPACT created an unhealthy environment of distrust, fear and competitiveness in schools that trickles down into the classroom.” “Subjectivity, bias and gaming the system were all cited as threats to validity in teacher interviews, in school leader focus groups, and in the school leader survey.” And it found that “teachers perceived that the high-stakes and anxiety-producing environment may cause them (or others) to leave DCPS.”

Nowhere does DCPS adequately address these issues. We encourage you to read the full AU report.

ICYMI – MOA and Vaccination Policy

The WTU worked through the weekend to move towards finalizing a memorandum of agreement with DCPS on health and safety issues. We hope to reach an agreement soon.

The WTU supports the get-vaccinated-or-be-tested requirement for all DCPS educators and other school staff announced last week. Getting vaccinated, or getting tested regularly, and wearing face masks is essential now that we’ll be back in school buildings, five days a week—with the goal of having a full complement of healthy school staff. We strongly urge everyone who is eligible—including our students who are 12 years and older—to be fully vaccinated. If you are not vaccinated, testing will be available at your workplace or can be done elsewhere during work hours at the city’s expense, with no penalty for taking time off from work. The mandate does include exemptions, for medical and religious reasons. If you have any questions about the vaccination policy, please contact the WTU at 202-517-1477.

OSSE Educator Credentialing Information System - Technical Support Sessions

The OSSE Educator Licensure Technical Support Team hosts monthly virtual office hours for all individuals who require technical support (TS) to access and/or use the ECIS V2.0 online system to apply for a DC educator credential. Click here to learn more.

2021-2022 Open Season for Maternity Leave and Sick Leave Banks

The WTU is adding an Open Season from August 1^st through August 31^st for the Maternity Leave and Sick Leave Banks. To join either bank you donate 8 hours (one day) of the total 96 hours (12 days) that is loaded to your leave balance on October 1, 2021 (to join both banks, you’d donate two days or 16 hours). After enrollment, there is a 3 month wait before you can access the banks (ie, you’ll be eligible on January 1, 2022). Once you join the bank you remain in the bank, until you opt-out. If you have any questions contact Charmaine Wilks at [email protected] or 202 517-1475.

DCPS will not accept individual requests to be removed from either the Sick Leave and/or the Maternity Leave Bank. Please contact Charmaine Wilks at [email protected] before the October 1, 2021 if you’d like to be removed from these banks.

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

Here's What's Brewing Today

August 9, 2021

Council Approves Librarians are Essential Amendment – WTU’s on-going work to support a just budget.

We’d like to thank everyone who called, wrote, and tweeted to members of the DC Council asking them to support the Librarians are Essential Amendment to the SY2021-2022 budget. As a result of your advocacy, every DCPS school will have a Full-Time Librarian for the 2021-2022 school year.

DCPS has begun outreach for a NEW school budget model, which will be used to develop SY2022-2023 budgets. We invite you to join the next Legislative Committee meeting (watch the AM Brew for details) to learn more about our work to ensure every student has the resources they need in their school. In the meantime, we hope you’ll get involved in helping shape the next generation of school –level budgets by joining the DCPS New Budget Model Town Hall on August 12^th at 5:30pm. At this event, you’ll learn more about DCPS’ plans and be able to share your initial thoughts on the New Budget Model for Fiscal Year 23 (2022-2023 school year) that DCPS is developing.

Honoring Robert Moses

Math Literacy for All Alliance Family, FIU/FLAME is hosting a Virtual Celebration of Bob Moses' Life, and celebrating his work in Florida, on Monday, August 9th, 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm. To register, click here.

2021-2022 Open Season for Maternity Leave and Sick Leave Banks

The WTU is adding an Open Season from August 1^st through August 31^st for the Maternity Leave and Sick Leave Banks. To join either bank you donate 8 hours (one day) of the total 96 hours (12 days) that is loaded to your leave balance on October 1, 2021 (to join both banks, you’d donate two days or 16 hours). After enrollment, there is a 3 month wait before you can access the banks (ie, you’ll be eligible on January 1, 2022). Once you join the bank you remain in the bank, until you opt-out. If you have any questions contact Charmaine Wilks at [email protected] or 202 517-1475.

DCPS will not accept individual requests to be removed from either the Sick Leave and/or the Maternity Leave Bank. Please contact Charmaine Wilks at [email protected] before the October 1, 2021 if you’d like to be removed from these banks.

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

Here's What's Brewing Today

Monday, August 2, 2021

Reopening Schools

On January 29^th, Mayor Bowser announced that DC will reinstate indoor mask mandate as coronavirus cases rise in the region. It was previously announced that DCPS would require masks for all staff and students when schools open for in-person learning in August.

The WTU is committed to reopening our schools for in-person learning and continues to negotiate with DCPS over terms of a MOA for the 2021-2022 school year. We believe that DCPS must require social distancing, provide detailed information on HVAC systems, and limit simultaneously learning - where a single teacher is instructing students both in-person and via distance learning platforms. The Mayor approached union leaders from across the District last week to engage in a conversation about vaccine requirements (the WTU does not have further information at this time on whether or not the Mayor will institute a vaccine mandate for DC government or DCPS employees).

2021-2022 Open Season for Maternity Leave and Sick Leave Banks

The WTU is adding an Open Season from August 1^st through August 31^st for the Maternity Leave and Sick Leave Banks. To join either bank please click here: https://forms.gle/Q7sAsbViYgsHyXVt7

To join either bank, you donate 8 hours (one day) of the total 96 hours (12 days) that is loaded to your leave balance on October 1, 2021 (to join both banks, you’d donate two days or 16 hours). After enrollment, there is a 3 month wait before you can access the banks (ie, you’ll be eligible on January 1, 2022). Once you join the bank you remain in the bank, until you opt-out. If you have any questions contact Charmaine Wilks at [email protected] or 202 517-1475.

DCPS will not accept individual requests to be removed from either the Sick Leave and/or the Maternity Leave Bank. Please contact Charmaine Wilks at [email protected] before the October 1, 2021 if you’d like to be removed from these banks.

FY2022 Budget

On 8/3, the Council of DC will have the 2nd vote on the Local Budget Act & votes on the Federal Portion & Local Budget Emergency Adjustment Act. During the budget debate, we expect Councilmembers to move an amendment to require DCPS to move $3.5m to ensure there is a full-time librarian in every DCPS school. We expect some opposition to this amendment and its fate remains uncertain. Please watch your email in the event we need to mobilize to support our colleagues before the budget vote on Tuesday.

You can see the latest budget info from the DC Council here: https://bit.ly/3hRTYkl. The Chairman’s Budget Report (which lays out changes from the Mayor’s proposed budget) is available here.

On 8/10, the Council of DC will have the 2nd vote on the Budget Support Act. We do not currently expect any efforts to remove the Robert White amendment that requires DCPS to aggregate and release the results of teacher surveys concerning IMPACT as well as the American University report on IMPACT.

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

Here's What's Brewing Today

July 26, 2021

Last week, President Pogue Lyons and General Vice President Bell spoke before the city council. The WTU continues to call for DCPS to ensure all schools provide acceptable air quality, as defined by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers standard 62.1-2019, and share detailed air quality reports with the public. The WTU also believes that DCPS must ensure mask wearing is universal and that we must meet social distancing requirements, consistent with CDC guidelines. In addition to health and safety concerns, the WTU is committed to prioritizing research -based efforts to help students regain lost learning.

YOU CAN READ PRESIDENT POGUE LYONS' FULL STATEMENT HERE.

FY2021 Budget 

Last week, the DC Council held their first vote on the FY2022 budget (school year 2021-2022).

Councilmember Robert White moved an amendment that will require DCPS to results of a 2020 survey on the IMPACT teacher evaluation system so that we all can understand what teachers think of the IMPACT system. This measure is a step forward in obtaining data around teacher turnover and our work to replace the teachers’ IMPACT evaluation system. Also during the hearing, Chairman Mendelson expressed support for “finding funds within the DCPS budget” to ensure every school has a full-time librarian.

We’re continuing to monitor developments around the FY2022 budget. Watch your email for ACTION ALERTS as we approach the next votes on the budget, currently scheduled for Aug 3 and Aug 8.

Sick Leave and/or the Maternity Leave Banks

DCPS will not accept individual requests to be removed from either the Sick Leave and/or the Maternity Leave Bank. Please contact Charmaine Wilks at [email protected] before the October 1, 2021 if you’d like to be removed from these banks.

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

Here's What's Brewing Today

July 19, 2021

Everyone is anxious for schools to reopen this fall. After more than a year of being away from our school buildings because of the public health pandemic, it’s imperative that students and teachers get back to school.

Read more here.

FY2022 Budget Vote

The City Council will be VOTING ON TUESDAY on the School Year 2021-2022 budget. It is important that you contact Chairman Mendelson NOW ([email protected] or @ChmnMendelson) to ask him to reallocate $3.5m to ensure EVERY SCHOOL HAS A FULL-TIME LIBRARIAN.

Please CONTACT YOUR COUNCILMEMBERS NOW. Make your voice heard now and support your colleagues and our students!

Get Reading DC!

DCSBOE Ward 2 Representative Allister Chang is looking to speak with reading instructors, school librarians, and other interested educators about OSSE's recently released Comprehensive Literacy Plan. Please reach out to him directly at [email protected] if you are available and interested in providing your feedback on the plan. 

The WTU is looking for volunteers to help us analyze DCPS’ response to a FOIA request for information on literacy interventions. Please contact Joe Weedon @ [email protected] if you’d like to help.

The Statewide Data Warehouse Amendment Act

The DC State Board of Education introduced the Statewide Data Warehouse Amendment Act last week which would require OSSE to report annually on the state of teaching & teacher retention. Learn more here: https://lims.dccouncil.us/downloads/LIMS/47658/Introduction/B24-0355-Introduction.pdf

Sick Leave and/or the Maternity Leave Banks

DCPS will not accept individual requests to be removed from either the Sick Leave and/or the Maternity Leave Bank. Please contact Charmaine Wilks at [email protected] before the October 1, 2021 if you’d like to be removed from these banks.

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

Here's What's Brewing Today

July 12, 2021

Get Reading DC

The City Council will be VOTING THIS WEEK on the School Year 2021-2022 budget. We hope that Councilmember Allen will be introducing a budget amendment requiring DCPS to reallocate $3.5m to ensure EVERY SCHOOL HAS A FULL-TIME LIBRARIAN.

Please CONTACT YOUR COUNCILMEMBERS NOW to ask them to support this Budget Amendment.

Make your voice heard now and support your colleagues and our students!

First Lady Visits Payne ES, Updates on Negotiations for SY2021-2022

The WTU was honored to join First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and AFT President Weingarten on a tour of Payne Elementary School last week. We used the opportunity to tell her how passionate teachers are to return to their school buildings – SAFELY.

The MOU signed between DCPS and the WTU in December 2020 will remain in effect until the return to school in the fall. If you have any questions or concerns about facility safety if you’re working this summer, please report to your Field Representatives.

The WTU is continuing negotiations with DCPS regarding an MOU for the 2021-2022 School Year and submitted a detailed proposal to DCPS last week. At this time, the DCPS request for educators to disclose their vaccination status remains under negotiation and you do not yet need to submit your vaccination information to DCPS. We are committed to ensuring that you will not be compelled to submit your information but we hope to reach an agreement with DCPS that will compensate you appropriately if you choose to disclose your status.

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

Here's What's Brewing Today

July 6, 2021

School Year 2021-2022 Budget Update

It’s not too late to CONTACT THE COUNCIL to ask that every school has a full-time librarian for the 2021-2022 school year. Librarians play an important role in building positive cultures and supporting students and teachers in developing the literacy skills of our students. Make your voice heard now and support your colleagues!  The Chairman will be publishing his changes to the Mayor's proposed budget this week and the Council will be voting on the budget soon.

Supporting Literacy & DCPS Librarians. The WTU has filed a grievance against DCPS on behalf of excessed DCPS librarians, librarians who have been terminated as the result of excessing and teachers who have been denied the services librarians provide as a result of cuts to library programs by DCPS. The grievance alleges that DCPS has violated the WTU contract by eliminating school librarian positions. 

The WTU Welcomes Jannett Lopez & Juan Gonzalez

The WTU would like to welcome Jannett Lopez and Juan Gonzalez to the Field Services team. Regina Bell, the WTU’s general vice president, has also officially joined the WTU office team. Please welcome them.

COVID-19 Leave Extension to August 29, 2021

By Mayor's Order 2021-038, the District’s Public Health Emergency (PHE) was extended to July 25, 2021. Please note that COVID Sick Leave was last set to expire on May 20, 2021 with the expiration of the PHE but is now extended through August 29, 2021.

D.C. COVID-19 Support Emergency Amendment Act (CSEA) 

The CSEA temporarily amends the DC FMLA to create a new COVID-19 job-protected leave category (“COVID-19 Leave”). This entitlement is effective as of March 11, 2020 and expires on August 29, 2021.

COVID Sick Leave 

The provisions of COVID Sick Leave apply until August 29, 2021. Under COVID Sick Leave, the employee is eligible for up to ten (10) days (up to 80 hours) of leave at the regular rate of pay if unable to work (or unable to telework) due to a specific list of criteria.

Questions regarding the different types of leave can be directed to your Field Representative or to the DCPS Leave of Absence team at [email protected]. 

REMINDER: YOU'RE ON VACATION!!!

The WTU wants to encourage you to take time for yourself and your own mental health needs. If you have not already, please remember to set up your out-of-office reply as you are not obligated to read or reply to any email messages sent to your dc.gov email account after June 25, 2021. Enjoy your summer!!!

Attention All Special Education Teachers and Related Service Providers

If you have received any correspondence from your Principal or LEA Representative mandating you continue to complete any assignments or case management responsibilities after Friday, June 25, 2021, please contact Janice Brown Parker immediately at 202-957 9928 or [email protected].

Maternity Leave and/or Sick Leave Banks

Due to overwhelming demand, open enrollment for the Maternity Leave and/or Sick Leave Banks for the 2021-2022 school year will re-open August 1 through August 31, 2021. This will be your last chance to sign-up for the 2021-2022 school year.

To join either bank you donate 8 hours (one day) of the total 96 hours (12 days) that is loaded to your leave balance on October 1, 2021, the beginning of the fiscal year. Please be mindful that if you join both banks you will donate two days or 16 hours. After the donation is taken you must wait three months before you can access the banks. Thus, the first time you can access the bank would be January 1, 2022.  Once you join the bank, you remain in the bank until you opt-out.

If you have any questions about either bank, contact Charmaine Wilks at [email protected] or 202 517-1475. Enrollment links will be sent out again on August 1.

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

Here's What's Brewing Today

June 28, 2021

Thank you for your perseverance during this trying year! As you close up your classrooms for the summer, please ensure that the WTU has your personal contact information on file so you can continue to receive updates from us. While you’re away, our team will continue our work to ensure DC can safely reopen schools for the 2021-2022 school year and to improve the District’s IMPACT system.  And, we hope you’ll get involved in our campaign to close achievement gaps by highlighting your reading lists this summer!

Get Reading DC

The Council will be announcing their first budget marks this week. This process, outlining the changes the Council is making to the Mayor’s budget proposal is our first benchmark to know if we’ve secured funding to ensure EVERY school has a full-time librarian. 

It’s not too late to CONTACT THE COUNCIL. 

Click here to learn more about our campaign to #SaveDCPSLibrarians.

Honored Schools Life-Changing Teacher Award!

The WTU would like to congratulate Patricia West and Whittier Education Campus for winning the Winner of the 2021 Honored Schools Life-Changing Teacher Award!

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

Moral March on Manchin & McConnell

June 23 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm EDT

What is happening in state legislatures across the country in terms of passing voting restrictions is threatening our democracy. What extremists are doing in state legislatures is hurting us all. There has been a clarion call coming out of West Virginia, Kentucky and all across the nation. This democracy is not only worth fighting for, but that the people are rising up to defend it. Join us on June 23rd as we stand against voter suppression, the filibuster, and political retrogression.