AM Brew - August 18, 2024

A Message from WTU’s President

Good Morning WTU Family!

It’s been a busy and exciting summer both locally and nationally! We can’t believe we are back in school already. We hope everyone had some time to relax and have fun with family and friends. We also hope you had some time for creative pursuits and maybe even some time to grow your professional knowledge.

We had a busy summer at the bargaining table. WTU would like to thank all our bargaining team members for working throughout the summer. Please continue to support the Contract Bargaining Team in our efforts to get a contract as soon as possible by wearing your red WTU tee-shirts on Fridays.

We hope you have a rigorous and productive week of professional development. Please let us know if you need help as you prepare to receive your students next week.

Thank you to the WTU members who came out to help distribute swag, prizes, and gifts at New Educator Orientation (NEO) and WTU’s NEO reception last week! Throughout the next year, please remember to reach out and lend support to more than 200 new DCPS educators as they begin their teaching journey in DC. We’d also like to thank our DC City Council, State Board of Education representatives, and Union leaders who joined us in welcoming our new educators at Lou’s City Bar. If you missed some of the photos posted on social media about this wonderful event, please click here.

As many of you know, WTU’s core mission since our return from COVID-19 is to encourage our students and their families to make reading a priority. We believe developing strong readers happens at home and at school. As a Union, we are committed to promoting literacy as a real solution to improving academic achievement so that children can thrive and be productive citizens. To learn more, please read my editorial recently published in The Washington Informer’s Back-to-School Supplement here. Throughout this fall, the WTU will be participating in a number of Back to School Festivals where we will give away a free book of choice to every child. (See Upcoming Events, Activities & Meetings)

Please consider coming out to participate in these exciting events!

On Thursday, September 5^th, we invite all kindergarten teachers to learn more about new legislation requiring literacy training at our Back-to-School Literacy Mixer from 4-7PM on the rooftop floor of the MLK Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G. Street NW. Come for free bites, beverages and leave with 5 new free books!

Thank you, as always, for your support! May we all have a safe, wonderful, and joyous school year!

In solidarity,

Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President

Washington Teachers’ Union

Hard to Fill Bonuses

The following educators should have received their $1500 hard-to-fill bonuses on August 14^th via direct deposit:

Social Worker
Psychologist
Special Education Teacher
Math/Science
World Languages
Speech Pathologist
Occupational Therapist
Physical Therapist
ESL/ESL Itinerant

If you haven’t received it, please reach out to your WTU Field Representative.

WTU’s Contract Bargaining Team Update

This past week, your hardworking contract bargaining team met with DCPS for another bargaining team session as we try to hammer out a fair contract as quickly as possible. Another bargaining session is scheduled for tomorrow – Tuesday, August 20^th. Stay tuned to WTU’s social media accounts later in the week to keep up with the latest.

Union Day: Watch Washington Commanders Live – 9/15/24

Free tickets for WTU-members are limited! RSVP your ticket request to [email protected] ASAP.

Filing a Grievance Over IMPACT Scores

If you would like to file a grievance over your final IMPACT score, please review the rules over what constitutes a violation for IMPACT available here. To file an IMPACT grievance with the support of the WTU, please reach out to your WTU Field Representative by Tuesday, September 3^rd, 2024.

WTU’s Official Facebook Page

Please be aware that the Washington Teachers Union is not affiliated with a Facebook page titled “DCPS Educators Only Network.” The WTU is not responsible for any content posted on the page and is not liable for any consequences arising from a teacher’s participation on the page. Please join the WTU’s Official Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube pages for accurate information about our Union.

TWITTER: https://x.com/WTUTeacher
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/WTULocal6/
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/wtu_teacher/
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvrkj6wxtayL6Rs1htHEylA

Enroll in Sick Leave/Maternity/Paternity Banks

Open Enrollment for the Sick Leave and Maternity/Paternity Leave Banks is in progress Thursday, June 13, 2024, through Saturday, August 31, 2024! Please use this link to access the change/enroll/cancelation application.

Updates to Secondary Grading and Reporting Policy

Thanks to the hard work of the WTU Secondary Grade Policy Committee DCPS has made changes to the grading policy.

Changes to Title IX

Read about the Changes to Title IX regulations.

Upcoming Events, Activities & Meetings

August 19^th @7PM – C.O.P.E. Meeting via Zoom
August 24^th @10-2PM – Ward 5 Back to School Giveaway Wheatly Education Campus
September 1^st – Deadline for DC Youth to submit video for possible performance at Youth Voices for DC Statehood
September 3^rd – Deadline to file IMPACT grievance with WTU’s support!
September 5^th – Back to School Literacy Mixer for Kindergarten Teachers, 4-7PM, MLK Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G. Street NW.
September 14^th – @11AM-2PM - DCPS Back to School Block Party, Jefferson Middle School
September 15^th – Union Day – Washington Commanders Home Openers Game!, 1PM
September 20^th – Youth Voices for DC Statehood 5:30-7PM
September 21^th – H-Street Festival @9-5PM, H-Street NE

Calling all DC Youth between the ages of 11-18!

Please join LWBDC on Friday, September 20^th from 5:30-7PM for a special celebration of DC Statehood taking place this fall. We invite youth to use your creativity and talent to come up with performances that advocate for and educate others on DC Statehood. While there will be an opportunity for live performances, please provide a video submission to be considered. All participants will be awarded cash prices. We are looking for performances in the following categories: Singing (can be accompanied by instruments), spoken word, acting/skit. Please email your video submissions and questions to [email protected]. SUBMISSION DEADLINE: September 1, 2024

Membership Update

Make sure you are eligible to vote & receive WTU Communications!

The AM Brew is distributed as a benefit to members of the WTU. In the coming weeks, we’ll be updating our database removing non-members from the distribution for the AM Brew. To ensure that you’re not inadvertently removed from the distribution list, please confirm your personal email address by emailing [email protected].

Your ability to vote in WTU elections and receive WTU Communications depends on our ability to reach you. We must have your personal email address for all communications.

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

Be sure to follow the WTU on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to keep up with the latest from your Union.

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