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AM Brew - September 27, 2021

Here's What's Brewing Today

Monday, September 27, 2021

 

Last week D.C. Mayor, Muriel Bowser announced that all District of Columbia Public School personnel must be vaccinated by Nov. 1. Unlike the current vaccination requirement, there is no test out option, but employees with legitimate medical and religious concerns can request an exemption. As I stated in my response to the mandate, the Washington Teachers’ Union supports the principle of a vaccine mandate, but there must be accommodations, bargained with the union, for those with legitimate religious and medical exemptions and an agreement on how to handle people who don’t fall under these exemptions.  

We conducted a poll of the WTU membership shortly after the mandate was announced and found that while approximately 76% of respondents are fully vaccinated 24% are not and will be requesting various exemptions, some of which are not covered under the mayor’s order. My responsibility is to all our members, regardless of whether they are vaccinated or not. I have made a request to DCPS to bargain over the impact and effects of the mandate, especially for members who do not qualify for any of the two exemptions. 

If you have any concerns regarding this mandate or other issues at your school, contact your field services specialist.

Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President

 

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

 

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AM Brew - September 20, 2021

Here's What's Brewing Today

Monday, September 20, 2021

 

As we continue to monitor the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in our communities, I want to reassure you that the health and safety of all our members and their students is front and center. We have held or supported immunization and vaccination events in wards 5, 7, and 8, and will continue until we exhaust the grant that we received from the AFT. We are also responding to issues of safety at individual schools as they are reported to us. Be sure to work with your building leaders to guarantee that the HVAC systems are equipped with Merv-13 filters. In the absence of Merv-13 filters, each classroom must have a HEPA filter in accordance with the terms of the MOA. I urge you to report any health and safety concerns at your schools using the reporting form or by contacting your field services specialist directly. I will be meeting with the chancellor or his designee every Tuesday in the Situation Room to resolve your concerns.  

I would like to thank all newly elected and veteran site based WTU teams who took the time this weekend to participate in our fall Union Leadership Institute. I hope you will use the acquired tools to organize your buildings and to engage your building leadership in resolving matters pertaining to the enforcement of our collective bargaining agreement. 

I wish you a safe and productive week.  

Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President

Washington Teachers’ Union

 

Class Coverage Survey

Please let us know how often you are pulled from your regular duties to cover another class by completing the survey below:

https://bit.ly/CLASSCOVERAGESURVEY

 

Dunbar HS teacher, Alex Clark changing lives one bike ride at a time.

Click here to learn more: Forever Prime - Trek Blog | Trek Bikes

 

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

 

 

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AM Brew - September 13, 2021

Here's What's Brewing Today

Monday, September 13, 2021

 

Hello and welcome to Week 3 of the new school year. Congrats on making it through the first two weeks. I hope things have gone as smoothly as possible. If you are having any problems, reach out to your WTU building representative or the WTU field representative assigned to your school. They are listed on the back of the WTU Welcome Back newsletter.

We just passed a very sad and tragic 20th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States. As many of you know, among the passengers on the flight that crashed into the Pentagon were three 11-year-old DCPS students and three DCPS teachers. The students had been chosen to participate in a trip to study ecology in California with National Geographic Society researchers. Less than 35 minutes into the flight, it was hijacked and slammed into the Pentagon. As we reflect on the tragedy and those who perished, it gives us an opportunity to remember that our schools are filled with outstanding students who are pursuing excellence and with educators who go the extra mile to help their students reach and exceed their potential. We will keep these six souls and their families in our thoughts.

DCPS employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Sept. 19. DCPS continues to work out the details for employees to apply for vaccination exemptions through Peoplesoft. If you need an exemption from the vaccination mandate based on medical or religious reasons, email the ADA Team at [email protected].

Have a terrific week.

Jackie Pogue Lyons, President

Washington Teachers' Union

 

General Membership Meeting

All WTU members are invited to participate in the first General membership meeting for the 2021-22 school year on Tuesday, September 14 from 4:30 - 6:30 PM (Via Zoom). Please click here to register.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

 

Union Leadership Institute - Fall 2021

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 are archived at https://www.wtulocal6.net/AMBrew.

 

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AM Brew - September 7, 2021

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.

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AM Brew - August 30, 2021

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 hereAs 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 1st through August 31st 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.

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AM Brew -August 23, 2021

Here's What's Brewing Today

August 23, 2021

 

Welcome back! We hope everyone had a restful and productive summer with time to relax, reflect, and re-energize with family and friends. Thank you, again, for rising to the challenge of teaching online in 2020-21 while facing the uncertainty and anxiety of a worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. We simply cannot thank you enough for showing resilience and modeling the characteristics of lifelong learning for our students and each other.

This year, we’ve listened carefully to your concerns about a safe return to in-person interactions with students. To this end, we spent countless hours working through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to protect the safety of our students and school-based staff. Please take a moment to read it carefully and do not hesitate to reach out to us if we can answer any questions.

 

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 1st through August 31st 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.

 

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AM Brew - August 16, 2021

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 1st through August 31st 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.

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AM Brew - August 9, 2021

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 12th 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 1st through August 31st 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.

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AM Brew - August 2, 2021

Here's What's Brewing Today

Monday, August 2, 2021

 

Reopening Schools

On January 29th, 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 1st through August 31st 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.

 

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AM Brew - July 26, 2021

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.

 

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AM Brew - July 19, 2021

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.

 

 

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AM Brew - July 12, 2021

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.

 

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