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Here's What's Brewing Today
Monday, August 28, 2023
Good morning! We’re excited to kick-off the 2023-2024 school year!
Each new school year is different and will bring new, and sometimes unexpected, challenges. After seeing how you, our city’s educators, have conquered everything thrown at you these past several years, I’m confident that you are up for any challenge that presents itself. And, I assure you that the Union will be at your side, leading the way to ensure that you and our students have the resources you need to succeed.
Today, as we start the new school year, I'm asking you asking you to get more involved with our Union. We, once again, need to win a new - and fair - contract that will ensure that you are able to be effective and grow as educators and, most importantly, meet the needs of our students. I also ask that you welcome your new colleagues, whether they are new to your building or new to the profession, and encourage them to join the WTU if they are not already members. And, if new educators or other colleagues aren't receiving the AM Brew, please ask that they send their personal email to [email protected] asking to subscribe to the AM Brew and other important updates from our Union.
We can and will continue to overcome the challenges facing us. Your team at the WTU looks forward to serving you this year! Reach out to the WTU should you have any questions, concerns about working conditions, or about your Union.
Together, we can and will make this the best school year yet!
In solidarity,
Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President
Washington Teachers’ Union
60th Anniversary of the March on Washington
The 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington wasn’t a commemoration but a continuation of the fight for true equality. Today, we are still fighting for our children to learn the truth about our history and true equality for everyone. Thank you to the AFT and all our members who came out to this tremendous historic event. Please follow us on social media to see photos and video of our events.
Get involved!
- Join the WTU Contract Action Team! Click here to complete the sign-up.
- Beginning this Friday and every Friday moving forward, please start wearing red (preferably your WTU Red T-shirt), take a picture of yourself during your lunch break, and post it on social media. Send the WTU your picture via email to [email protected]
- Between Friday, August 25th and Tuesday, August 29th take another picture with a clock and/or “30 hand sign” so that WTU can post it on our social media pages on August 31st to remind DCPS, the mayor, and the community about our contract expiring. Here, here and here are posters you can use as inspiration, but feel free to get creative. Please send the pictures to [email protected] and reshare/retweet on social media during your lunch break.
- Red for Ed - We’d also like to thank the many teachers who kicked off our first Friday wearing red for ed! Please keep sending us pictures as this Thursday, August 31st marks the beginning of the 30-day countdown to getting our contract.
We wish you a powerful and awesome school year, knowing the WTU is here to support you.
Back-to-School Events
Thanks to all for coming out to the Ward 5 Back-to-School event this past Saturday! Please consider coming out to volunteer for the next event - H-Street Festival.
- H Street Festival, Saturday, September 16th
- DCPS Back-to-School Block Party. Saturday, September 23rd, 2023, 11-2PM, McKinley Technology High School
Contact Mike Roland if your school is having a Back-to-School event that we should know about!
2023 Statewide Assessment Results
The Washington Post - D.C. student test scores improve incrementally after pandemic-era plunge
Last week, the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) released the results of the District’s 2023 Statewide Assessments (PARCC testing). The WTU is proud of the progress that our city has made and we know that the hard work and dedication of our teacher’s is driving the city’s results. However, we continue to recognize that far too many students are failing to reach proficiency and gaps continue to grow. We continue to prioritize these gaps in our contract negotiations with the District.
Click here to access OSSE’s presentation: 2023 Statewide Assessment Results
WTU's Contract Negotiating Team's Weekly Video Update
Click on photo or visit https://youtu.be/wPydj2Cx16Y
Watch previous weekly updates here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVsAq4LiCU_mjtJrOcqtlw0_yWg4LxvhE
IMPACT results are available in QuickBase.
Reach out to your field representative if you have any questions or concerns about your IMPACT report. Field Representatives - WTU Local 6 The deadline to file an IMPACT grievance is Sept 1.
Enrollment for the Sick Leave and Maternity Leave Banks is OPEN
Join the WTU Sick Leave and Maternity Leave Banks. If you are already a member, there is no need to rejoin.
Click here to join the WTU Sick Leave or Maternity Leave Banks
Contact Charmaine Wilks at 202 517-1475 or at [email protected] to enroll or with any questions. Open enrollment will occur from June 1, 2023 through August 31, 2023. After you complete the form, you will receive a confirmation email from Google Forms; be sure to check your spam folder.
In the news
- The Washington Post - In some schools, dread over the new year: ‘We’re scared to teach’
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The Washington Post - Five things to watch as students return to school
AM Brew News and Notices are archived at https://www.wtulocal6.net/AMBrew.
Upcoming Events
September 7 at 6:30 - Ward 7 Education Council Meeting
Professional Development
LEA Look Forward for Aug. 25, 2023
Back to School, Immunization Supports and More!
Be sure to follow the WTU on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to keep up on the latest from your Union.