A Message from WTU President

Good Morning WTU Members!

Thank you for continuing to send us the wonderful pictures of members wearing Red for Ed on Fridays! Wearing red one day a week reminds DCPS that we are serious about wanting to receive a contract as soon as possible. If you’d like to hear my podcast interview on the contract with WPFW 89.3 producer Chris Bangert-Drown, please click here for the link.

Our next Contract Action Team (CAT) meeting is on Wednesday, Feb. 7^th @ 5PM via Zoom. If you haven’t had the opportunity to attend, please come to the meeting. We want to know what contract actions you think we should take to get DCPS to negotiate with us in good faith. Thank you, again, to the members who joined our last CAT team meeting. We appreciated hearing your ideas!

On Wednesday, February 7^th, WTU member Candice Pettus will be speaking at an AFT Share My Lesson Webinar @6PM. This free one-hour session focuses on giving SPED teachers the essentials in how to implement the Individualized Education Program (IEP).  Let’s support our own as we join her online for this important session!

I wish you a peaceful and productive week ahead! Thank you, as always, for your support!

In solidarity,

Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President

Washington Teachers’ Union

Weekly Update - WTU’s Contract Action Team (CAT)

Our next Contract Action Team meeting is Wednesday, February 7^th at 5PM. Please join us! lHWkhlc1owQT09#success
Meeting ID: 816 3587 3339, Passcode: 302288

We still need your photos wearing red on Fridays and signatures on our petition. Please encourage all to sign!

Let the DC City Council hear your teacher voice!

HVAC broken, leaky roof, mold, doors not working? Register to testify about DGS’ Performance Oversight Hearing on Monday February 26 @9:30AM https://lims.dccouncil.gov/Hearings/hearings/254

Do you have a Special Education and RSP Grievance?

Complete this form if you would like to sign onto a Special Education and RSP grievance. Contact Field Rep Janice Brown Parker at [email protected] if you have any questions.

FY 2025 Initial Budgets to be released soon!

The FY25 initial budgets will be released soon. Review the LSAT newsletter to prepare the budget priorities for your school. Use the FY24 Budget Guide until the new budget is released. Budget webinar recording. Contact [email protected] if you need support.

Upcoming Events, Activities & Meetings

• February 5^th Committee on Political Education (COPE) @ 7:00PM INFORMATION
• February 6^th @ 4:30 XQ Discussion, Virtual, email for INFORMATION
• February 6^th @ 12PM, Boundary and Student Assignment “Lunch and Learn” for families with students who have special education needs or Individual Education Plans (IEPs) INFORMATION  
• February 7^th @ 5PM, Contract Action Team (CAT) Meeting, INFORMATION
• February 8^th @ 6-7:30PM, Ward 4 Alliance, Virtual, email for INFORMATION
• February 13^th @ 4:30PM, Representative Assembly Meeting, Building Reps and delegates will receive a link to join as a panelist. WTU members can observe the meeting online. INFORMATION
• February 13^th @7PM via Zoom, W3EdNet will host Council Chair Phil Mendelson, Registration Required. INFORMATION
• February 28^th @ 9:30AM, DCPS /OSSE Performance Oversight Hearing, email for INFORMATION
• February 28^th @ 6:15PM AFT PRAXIS BOOTCAMP, Registration Required. INFORMATION

In the News

• 01/01/2024 – National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform – Gun Violence Problem Analysis

• 1/28/2024 – The Washington Post – Shooting hoops, changing perceptions: D.C. students face off vs. FBI: A long-time-in-the-making game was part ofFBI officials’ efforts to build relationships with local communities – and recruit students to one day work at the agency.

• 01/29/2024 – The Washington Post – D.C. student activists are pushing for greener schools: A group of teens successfully got the city’s school board to back their proposal. Next, they’ll face the D.C. Council

• 01/30/2024 – Channel 4 News – Mother’s death inspires DC student’s pursuit of becoming a trauma surgeon (Evan Bowie, Ron Brown student, will be honored with an award from the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists)

• 01/31/2024 – D.C. Policy Center – The first year of Equitable Access: An examination of common lottery outcomes for at-risk students

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]

LEA Look Forward for Feb. 2, 2024: School Health Profiles OST Deadline, Foundations of Universal Design for Learning and More!

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 on the latest from your Union.