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Dear WTU Family,
 I hope you are staying well and had a chance to again enjoy the signs of spring this weekend. In these uncertain times, your continued courage, solidarity, and unwavering commitment to justice are what fuel our collective strength—and this past week was no exception.
On Friday evening, WTU members stood loud and proud in Lamont Park for the Rally for Migrant Families, raising their voices for our immigrant students and families. Thank you for showing up in support. Your presence sent a clear message: our schools should be safe spaces, and our union stands with all families—always.
Just one day later, on Saturday, April 5, many of you showed up strong once again at the nationwide #HandsOff rally to fight back against overreach and defend public education. Your voices were heard not just across our city, but across the country.
We know not everyone will be able to attend today’s rally—Recess at the Capitol Part 2, taking place Monday, April 7 at 9:30 AM at Spirit of Justice Park. Many of you will be working during that time. But there is still a powerful way to stay involved: encourage your students and their families to represent us. With no school for students that day, it is a perfect opportunity for them to stand up and advocate for their futures.
These are challenging times, but when we band together, we win together. Every voice matters. Every action counts—no matter how small.
Passing the DC Local Funds Act is essential. Without it, our schools and communities stand to lose critical resources. But with your continued strength and solidarity, I know we can rise to this challenge—just as we always have.
Let’s keep showing up, speaking out, and standing together for our students, our profession, and each other. Wishing you a peaceful and powerful week ahead as we approach a well-deserved Spring Break.
In solidarity,
Jacqueline Pogue Lyons
President, Washington Teachers' Union
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Rally for Migrant Families
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PERB Hearing Examiner Finds that DCPS Violated the Law by Not Bargaining in Good Faith
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.png) On April 2, a Hearing Examiner with the DC Public Employee Relations Board issued a report finding that DCPS committed an unfair labor practice by refusing to bargain in good faith with WTU during contract negotiations last year. The report confirmed what we already knew: DCPS unlawfully refused to negotiate over several topics with WTU, including topics that had been included in the CBA for decades. While the parties eventually reached a new contract at the end of last year – which protected all of the rights of members that DCPS sought to take away – the process to get to that agreement was made difficult by DCPS’s unlawful actions in refusing to even discuss certain topics with the Union for months. We are pleased that the Hearing Examiner recognized that DCPS’s actions violated the law. DCPS may appeal the report to the full PERB within two weeks, which will decide whether the report will become the final decision of the PERB.
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Recess at the Capitol Part 2 -Today, Monday, April 7th
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 From 9:30 am until 3 pm today, Monday, April 7 (a Half-Day PD/Half-Day Record Keeping/ No School for students), join us for the Recess at the Capitol Part 2 at the Spirit of Justice Park (South Capitol St SW & C St SW, Washington, DC 20003) to urge the House of Representatives to pass the DC Local Funds Act as the Senate unanimously passed. For more context about this event, please click here. We understand that our members may be unable to attend this event due to its timing, which conflicts with your tour of duty; however, it would be helpful to inform parents about this event.
If you plan on attending, please contact our WTU Organizer, Mike, at 202-957-1782. To show solidarity, please wear your red WTU t-shirt as well.
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 All of the WTU Leave Banks are open. WTUmembers should follow all protocols and procedures when applying for leave. If you have any challenges, concerns, or have received a notice from DCPS in error, please reach out to leavebanks@wtulocal6.net.
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2025 Diverse Teacher Pipeline Grant Application
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 The Center for Black Educator Development is excited to announce that our 2025 Diverse Teacher Pipeline Grant Application is now open! They are seeking to support nonprofit organizations that are working to rebuild diverse teacher pipelines in their local communities. If your organization supports the recruitment, development and/or retention of diverse teachers, then they invite you to apply for this grant opportunity. Applicants can apply for grant funding for up to $100,000. Please click here for more information.
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WTU Election News From The WTU Elections Committee
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The 2025 WTU Elections are upon us! Click the link to access the 2025 WTU Elections Packet. Hard copies are available at the WTU Office. On April 1, 2025, the Election Notice will be mailed (via US Mail) to members' addresses on file with the WTU. If you do not receive the notice by April 7, 2025, contact membership coordinator Ms. Donita Jackson at djackson@wtulocal6.net to ensure your information is correct. To participate in electronic voting, you must have a PERSONAL email address on file with the WTU. If you do not, please email djackson@wtulocal6.net to rectify this. If you have any questions, contact the elections committee at wtu[email protected]!
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Upcoming Events, Activities, Meetings
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PD and Other Opportunities
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- 4H/Grow DC is a volunteer-powered program to support DC PK-12 school gardens thru growing veggie annuals, native pollinator plants, perennials edibles, even fig trees, as well as some volunteers’ time and talent support of a DC school.
Free to DC schools, registration required.
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