Good Morning WTU Family!
I hope your Monday is both peaceful and productive as you focus on professional development and record-keeping. If you experienced any powerful PD opportunities today, we’d love to hear about them—please share with the WTU! WTU will be working with the Chancellor and DCPS to get official guidelines, protocols, and procedures regarding the threat of immigration enforcement in DCPS schools. We know that our members want to ensure that our students, families, and our school communities are protected and safe.
Don’t forget to sign up for the Bowling for Gold Tournament to support the Community Services Agency's Emergency Assistance Fund. It’s a fun and meaningful way to help our union brothers and sisters in need. No bowling expertise is required to join and enjoy the event! If you’re interested, please reach out to Mike Roland at [email protected].
Additionally, if you’re a middle or high school teacher, we encourage you to join this Wednesday’s Online Teams Meeting with OSSE to discuss Reimagining High School Graduation Requirements. The session will be held on January 29, 2025, from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM.
As we shared in last week's Brew, we remain committed to keeping you updated on the newly ratified contract, approved on January 7, 2025. Be sure to check out this week’s Contract Spotlight below for more details.
Thank you for your continued dedication to our students and for being such an important part of the WTU community.
In solidarity,
WTU President Jacqueline Pogue Lyons
17.1.12
WTU Leave "Banks"
Teachers shall have the right to donate one (1) day of their sick leave per year to the "Sick Leave Bank." In addition, starting in school year 2025-2026, DCPS agrees to deposit sick leave hours as necessary to maintain a minimum balance of 10,000 hours of leave in WTU's Sick Leave Bank by October 1 of each school year, provided WTU certifies the Sick Leave Bank balance at the beginning of the school year. DCPS and WTU will collaborate to modify any existing policy or guidelines to the extent necessary to effectuate this provision.
17.1.12.6
Teachers shall not be required to exhaust all their accrued sick leave days and may instead retain up to ten sick leave days in their accrued sick leave balance, before being eligible to use the Maternity/Paternity Leave Bank, provided they are otherwise eligible to use the Maternity/Paternity Leave Bank. DCPS and WTU will collaborate to modify any existing policy or guidelines to the extent necessary to effectuate this provision. DCPS agrees to this proposal to the extent WTU agrees to move their Maternity/Paternity Leave Bank to PeopleSoft to allow for accurate auditing and tracking. This provision will not take effect until the Maternity/Paternity Leave Bank is active and visible in the District PeopleSoft system.
17.11
Wellness Days
Beginning in school year 2025-2026, DCPS shall provide one Wellness Day and two half-day Wellness Days for all Teachers per school year, without extending the work year as specified in Article 23 .1. Wellness Days are paid days on which school is closed for Teachers and students.
New Leave Provisions
This winter, the Washington Teachers' Union (WTU) is offering innovative and engaging professional development courses designed to enhance your teaching strategies and fulfill recertification requirements.
New winter classes include:WTU members enjoy discounted rates starting at $125, with the opportunity to earn 45 Professional Learning Units (PLUs) or three graduate credits from Trinity University, which can also advance you on the salary scale. Take advantage of the early bird deadline by February 14th and invest in your growth as an educator today.
Please take a moment to fill out this survey on Student Cell Phone Use in Schools. Your responses will help us to understand how cell phone use impacts the learning environment.
Mark your calendars now!
"Bowling for Gold" Tournament hosted by the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO.
When: Sunday, February 2, 2025
Where: Crofton Bowling Centre
Enjoy a day of bowling with your fellow union members and colleagues while supporting the Community Services Agency's Emergency Assistance Fund. WTU will pay the bowling fee which includes three games and the shoe rental. Please reach out to Mike Roland ([email protected]) if you’d like to attend individually or with a school team. Don't miss the fun—sign up today!
Please take a moment to give questions, comments, or concerns regarding the proposed requirements via this FORM.
To support our shared vision for inclusive school environments, please review AFT and DCPS' policies.
Online applications are now open to nominate a 7-12th grade STEM teacher for the Nation's Highest Honors for Teachers of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM, including Computer Science) HERE.
- Jan 23, 2025, WUSA-Channel 9, Parents frustrated about cold classrooms at this NE DC school Lorraine H. Whitlock Elementary School in Northeast DC just got a $45 million makeover. A few months into the school year, parents say the heat isn't working.
- Jan 23, 2025, The Washington Informer,Young People Kick Off Budget Season Deliberations Early at Annual Event
- Jan 24, 2025, WTOP, Ballou High School in DC holds pep rally for Washington Commanders
Educating Changemaking Program
Ashoka in partnership with UPENN is launching the Educating Changemakers Program. This free, 6-month professional learning experience is designed to empower educators and their students to create positive, systemic change within their classrooms and communities. At Ashoka we believe everyone has the power to be a changemaker.
Program Highlights:
• Timeline: January to June
• Time Commitment: 1–2 hours per week
• Format: Asynchronous blended learning (online modules, bi-weekly cohort meetings, and live workshops)
• Cost: Free
• Certification: Educators will receive a certificate from UPENN upon completion, which very likely assures continuing education credits.
• Focus Areas:
• Internalizing Changemaking: Understanding the educator’s role as a changemaker.
• Integrating Changemaking: Building problem-solving and entrepreneurial skills.
• Influencing as a Changemaker: Creating a culture of change in schools.
This program is perfect for forward-thinking educators who are passionate about student empowerment, equity, and real-world problem-solving. You can apply for yourself here, nominate an educator using this link, and additional information on the course can be found here.
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