Here's What's Brewing Today

Monday, January 30, 2023

IN MEMORIAM

Pamela Wilson – Luke C Moore

Juanita Radden – Hart Middle School

The WTU would like to express our condolences to the families of Pamela Wilson and Juanita Radden as well as to the Luck C Moore and Hart Middle School communities.

February is Black History Month

Celebrate African American heritage, tradition, and achievement & inspire young learners as we honor the triumphs and struggles of African Americans throughout U.S. history. The WTU endorsed the 2023 Black Lives Matter Week of Action. More details on specific WTU events will be sent in the coming days.

Save the Date – Feb 6 – 8 - BLM at School Week of Action

Update on the status of the CBA

Mayor Bowser has sent the CBA to the City Council, urging ‘prompt and favorable consideration of this legislation.’

On Wednesday, February 1, the Council will hold a Public Roundtable on PR25-0063 – The “Compensation and Working Conditions Agreement 23 between the District of Columbia Public Schools and the Washington Teachers’ Union, 24 Local #6 of the American Federation of Teachers.” WTU President Jacqueline Pogue Lyons will be speaking.

Under DC law, the Council has 30 days from when they received the legislation to act. We have every confidence that the Council will continue to follow the process and will act expeditiously to approve the contract.

DCPS in the news

Secretary Miguel Cardona - Turner Elementary School Visit - Washington DC | Flickr
Karon Blake’s family remembers teen as ‘loving, caring, respectful’ - The Washington Post
D.C.’s ‘Safe Passage’ aims to make school commutes safer. Some say it doesn't. - The Washington Post

Thanks to everyone who attended and participated in ULI.

Here are some highlights:

1. DCPS budgets will be released soon. Please review your current budget https://DCPSbudget.com, meet with your LSAT so your school is prepared when the budgets are released. Contact Sharona Robinson with any questions about your LSAT, including involving parents and community [email protected]. Please contact Quibilah Huddleston to share your FY24 budget priorities ([email protected]). 
2. DCPS has CATs – community action teams. Contact the CAT for your school for support Community Action Team | dcps
3. If you are being investigated by DCPS please contact your field rep or the WTU before you make any statements.
4. The CBA allows for a Student Behavior Management Team and Morning Block Team. Please make sure your school has active SMB and MB Teams. We heard from one school that uses restorative justice to manage student behavior. The WTU won a grievance at a school where the principal was forcing teachers to have ‘morning duty.’ Reach out to your field rep if you have any questions.

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

Upcoming Events

Retirement workshop

For newly hired, nearly retired and everyone in between!

Are you thinking about retiring in the next 5 years? We’ll have experts from DC Retirement Board and DCPS to give you information to make your move towards retirement smooth; how to prepare for retirement. 

Please join us.

Monday, Jan 30 @ 5pm
Via Zoom.

Meeting ID: 939 669 4583
Passcode: 148566

Communications Meeting

Tuesday, Jan 31^st @ 4:30
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83251275298?pwd=SE5SY3BjV1dKS3pXaFN0dTZZTGtGQT09
Passcode: 412550

Save the Date - Shared Vision

March 25^th

Ward Education Council Meetings for February

Ward 1 – No Active Education Council

Ward 2 - W2EC

Wednesday, February 15, ⋅7:00 – 8:00pm
Register for Zoom meeting

Ward 3 – W3EdNet

Tuesday, February 7th at 7pm via Zoom.  W3EdNet will host Kevin Wenzel, who is the Deputy Chief, Finance at District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS), to tell what he can about the DCPS budgets and answer questions from the audience.
Please register to attend via this link:  Click Here! 

Ward 4 Education Alliance

February 9, 2023, 6 pm - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82131530733
Councilmember Lewis George will be the guest. This is our opportunity prior to the budget decisions to let the Council Member know our concerns. It also informs legislation. Contact [email protected] for more information and a link.

Ward 5 Education Equity Committee

February 21, 2023
Email [email protected] for a zoom link

Ward 6 W6PSPO Meeting

February 13, 7-8:30
contact [email protected] for zoom link

Ward 7 Education Council

February 2, 6:30
Meeting Registration - Zoom
Email [email protected] for more information

Ward 8 Education Council

February 16

#RedforEd

Please wear red each Friday and post photos to social media. Please tag us @WTUTeacher

Professional Development

PD opportunities through OSSE

Click here: January 2023 OSSE Teaching and Learning PD Bulletin (mailchi.mp)

Reminders:

Teacher Certification and Licensing

WTU Surveys

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