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A Message from WTU President
Good Morning WTU Members!
I hope you enjoyed a wonderful long weekend! Last week, WTU’s Contract Negotiating Team met to prepare for our second Contract Bargaining Meeting with DCPS this coming Thursday, February 22th at 5AM. To say we were both shocked and angry by DCPS’s lack of respect in requesting a 5AM meeting time would be an understatement. To learn more about what transpired during the last contract negotiating team meeting, please watch the video update here.
As mentioned in last week’s AM Brew, the WTU will continue to visit building representatives in each school throughout the upcoming weeks to share DCPS’ proposed changes to our contract and determine the actions each school will take in protest to their unreasonable and unjust proposals. We look forward to visiting your school shortly!
DC public school officials released initial budget proposals last Tuesday. Mayor Bowser is proposing to increase the per pupil funding formula. However, school leaders are still predicting that budgets will be tight and limited. Please keep the WTU in the loop as your LSAT teams continue to meet. Please reach out to your school’s field representative if you need support of any kind during this tense and stressful budget season. We will let you know how we can come together to ensure that all schools are funded fairly.
Thank you, as always, for your support!
In solidarity,
Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President
Washington Teachers’ Union
Weekly Update - WTU’s Contract Action Team (CAT)
Watch WTU’s Contract Negotiating Team’s weekly update here: https://youtu.be/GTYvohUwjLY?si=hyIMLDgK6awPDTNO or click on the photo below.
We still need your photos wearing red on Fridays and signatures on our petition. Please encourage all to sign!
FY 2025 Budgets have been released!
Preliminary Budgets have been released here:
https://dcpsbudget.com/budget-data/
Mayor Bowser and DCPS Public Schools Release Initial School Budgets
https://mayor.dc.gov/release/mayor-bowser-and-dc-public-schools-release-initial-schools-budgets
Let the DC City Council hear your teacher voice!
HVAC broken, leaky roof, mold, doors not working? Register to testify at DGS’ Performance Oversight Hearing on Monday February 26 @9:30AM. Sign up and share best time to testify if after-school time is needed. https://lims.dccouncil.gov/Hearings/hearings/254
Concerns about the CBA, IMPACT, DCPS, Special Education? Register to testify at DCPS/OSSE Performance Oversight Hearing on Wednesday, Feb. 28th
Share your insights on the availability and effectiveness on mental health services for students
Jason Cherkis is working with The Office of the D.C. Auditor on the availability and effectiveness of mental health services to students in DC Schools as it relates to suicide awareness and prevention. Jason has surveyed social workers at The DC Department of Behavioral Health and is now seeking your insights. Please contact Jason at [email protected] if you have any questions.
Teachers: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DCPS_Teachers
Social Workers: Suicide Awareness and Prevention in D.C. Schools Survey (surveymonkey.com)
Counselors: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DCPSCounselors
Digital Equity Concerns in your Building?
DC Digital Equity presented at the February Rep Assembly Meeting. Have any concerns about technology in your school? Contact DC Digital Equity - [email protected].
Upcoming Events, Activities & Meetings
- February 20th @ 7PM via Zoom, W5EEEC General Body Meeting, INFORMATION
- February 20th @7PM W6PSPO, Registration Required for the Link, INFORMATION
- February 21th @7PM via Zoom, Ward 2 Education Council welcomes DC City Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, Registration Required for the Link, INFORMATION
- February 28th @9:30AM, DCPS/OSSE Performance Oversight Hearing, email for INFORMATION
- February 28th @6:15PM AFT PRAXIS BOOTCAMP, Registration Required. INFORMATION
In the News
- 02/13/2024 – The Washington Post – DC school budgets could send more to campuses but cut staff as costs rise
- 02/13/2024 – DC Policy Center – The fiscal future of public education in the District of Columbia
- 02/14/2024 – The Washington Post – As DC seeks fairness, a school integration plan divides Capitol Hill
- 2/14/24 – The Washington Informer – DCPS Budget Raises Questions About Staffing, Pandemic-Era Programming
Professional Development and Other Opportunities
AFT PRAXIS BOOTCAMP
The American Federation of Teachers remains dedicated to serving our members throughout their careers. In response to a significant decline in the educator workforce, particularly post-pandemic, the AFT is collaborating with ETS to support AFT teacher members in their certification journeys. Join the AFT and ETS for a test preparation online seminar with a preview of an upcoming Praxis support boot camp, a strategic program aimed at equipping AFT members with the tools needed to confidently prepare for Praxis exams. Register now.
When? Feb 28, 2024 | 6:15 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. EST
Who should attend? All AFT teacher members who need to pass Praxis exams.
Can’t attend the live event? Register anyway to receive access to the session recording.
Questions? Contact Nadia Torney at [email protected]
District of Columbia: OSSIE - Teaching & Learning PD Bulletin Board
https://mailchi.mp/dc.gov/august-2023-osse-tal-pd-bulletin-5423232
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.