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Here's What's Brewing Today
Monday, June 27, 2022
The WTU leadership and staff would like to thank everyone for your dedication and patience during this difficult year. Together, we stood up against DCPS to demand safe working conditions and accommodations for those most at-risk during the pandemic as well as more resources for our students. Among our notable achievements this year are:
- securing COVID-19 Leave for teachers.
- winning a $70,000 AFT Back to School Grant to sponsor school trips, school gardens, proms, book club celebrations, classroom libraries and much more.
- Joining substitute teachers in a Rally at Freedom Plaza and helping them secure fair wages.
- The IMPACT Committee worked with the Cleveland and Pittsburgh Unions to develop a framework for what a fair evaluation system should look like and the WTU is committed to presenting this work to DCPS and city leaders.
- Building upon our win in the budget to ensure every school has a full-time librarian, WTU showed its commitment to improving literacy outcomes for children by going to schools all over the District to give a free book to all children who received a vaccination, holding a book fair to give away over 40,000 books and also by supporting the AFT’s Reading Opens the World Campaign in schools over this city.
We know that this year was difficult and our work as a Union doesn't end with the last day of school. Over the summer months, your Union and your fellow WTU members will continue to advocate for a new contract, including improvements to our working conditions and pay. If you are not receiving the AM Brew in your personal in-box, please contact Valerie Kilby ([email protected]) to ensure your email is updated.
For educators retiring or leaving DCPS after this school year, we'd like to thank you for your service to our city's students. We know that we can count upon you to raise your voice to continue advocating for our city’s students and we encourage you to join the WTU Retirees Union.
Thank you for your dedication to our city's students!
In Solidarity,
The WTU Team
#Vote.
The WTU would like to thank you for your support of the WTU Endorsed Candidates in the DC Democratic primary last week. While our candidates came up short in the city-wide elections, we had several “wins” in the Ward races and look forward to working with a more labor friendly council in the coming years.
RALLY FOR A FAIR CONTRACT
3 Years Without a Contract is Too Long
Show the Mayor we’re united in demanding a fair contract now by joining us at Freedom Plaza, 1455 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004, Tuesday, June 28, 10-2:30.
Wear your WTU t-shirt.
DCPS Laptops
DCPS announced that it would centrally purchase and maintain an in-lifecycle device (no older than 3 years old) for every WTU teacher starting in SY21-22. DCPS also informed the WTU that it is extending its commitment to cover all WTU members under this plan starting in SY22-23. Consequently, every WTU staff member will be assigned an in-lifecycle laptop purchased centrally starting in SY22-23.
DCPS informed the WTU that the purchase of devices is underway and they are working closely with the manufacturer to deliver them to schools prior to the new school year, DCPS also noted that it anticipates and will prepare for potential COVID-related delays, due to international supply chain and shipping constraints. DCPS has promised to provide further updates on delivery timelines when available.
DCPS is also collecting all devices (laptops) to ensure they are updated and reimaged for the new school year. While this is optional, if your device is not reimaged and apps or new programs are not installed, your device may have issues when you return in August 2022. You will also experience delays if you need to have your device updated once school begins. Please reach out to your WTU Field Representative if you have additional questions or concerns.
Extra Duty Pay
WTU is continuing to push DCPS to ensure that all teachers receive payment for their work as grade level chairs as well as for club and team sponsorship and for simultaneous teaching. If you have questions about this, please reach out to your WTU Field Representative
CLOSES SOON - Sick & Maternity Leave Banks Enrollment Open
Open enrollment will occur from June 1, 2022 through June 30, 2022 and from August 1, 2022 through August 31, 2022. Contact Charmaine Wilks at 202 517-1475 or at [email protected] to enroll or with any questions. If you miss the Open Enrollment dates, you will not be able to enroll in "the Banks" until the next Open Seasons in June 2023 and August 2023. This is strictly for the use of the Sick Leave and Maternity/Paternity Leave Banks and not the Dental/Vision enrollment.
Click here to submit your information to enroll: https://forms.gle/3fP8XwSiU8kYXjiW9
WTU ELECTION NEWS
We thank you for your patience, flexibility and most importantly exercising your right to Vote!
Tomorrow, June 28th, is Count Day!
Election Results will be posted to the WTU Website and emailed to members within 48 hours.
If you have any questions for the Elections Committee, please email us at [email protected] or leave a message at 202-505-3309.
Building Elections
The building election packet were sent to Building Representatives, who are responsible for conducting building level elections, last week. Its contents can be found here. A full list of WTU local school leadership positions and their duties is available here.
AM Brew News and Notices will be archived at https://www.wtulocal6.net/AMBrew.
Professional Development
Last chance to register for the WTU Summer Institute
We’ve added new classes to the course list, including Thinking Mathematics, Grades 3-5 and Instructional Media Design and Production
Click here to see and register for summer courses
PRAXIS Math I support class
Are you worried about the math Praxis exam, or struggling to pass? The CSM Course uses next-generation personalized learning technology to build math skills and is particularly oriented towards people with math anxiety.
You can take the CSM Course for FREE this summer with a personal coach as part of a pilot with the American Federation of Teachers. The CSM Course is self-paced and online, and usually takes only 15-60 hours to complete. You can work on it as intensely as you want, and fit it around any other commitments you have.
Please register for the program here, or email Caroline Leach ([email protected]) with any questions.
Teacher Workshop at the National Museum of African American History and Culture
July 11 and 12, 2022 | 9:30am – 3:30pm (in person)
Make Good the Promises Teacher Workshop on Reconstruction
Upcoming Events
RALLY FOR A FAIR CONTRACT
3 Years Without a Contract is Too Long
June 28 at 10AM at Freedom Plaza
DCPS Hiring Fairs
The DCPS virtual hiring fairs aim to provide a one-stop shop for candidates to connect with schools around openings for next school while also learning more about other important processes and opportunities, such as joining the WTU.
Thursday, July 14 (4-7pm)
Reminders:
ICYMI: DC Educator Wellness Center
In partnership with EVERFI, a social impact educational technology company, the WTU is pleased to share with you the DC Educator Wellness Center. The funding for the DC Educator Wellness Center is provided by Johnson & Johnson. In the DC Educator Wellness Center you will find access to a prevention-forward, self-guided, digital microlearning experience designed to provide you with on-demand content related to mental health. The growing list of topics includes Mental Health Basics, Managing Mental Health Challenges, Developing Resilience, Supporting Loved Ones With Mental Health Challenges, and Mindful Living. You can read more here.
We’re continuing to update our database.
Please help us ensure we have your current personal contact information on file. Email [email protected] to provide us with updated information.
Be sure to follow the WTU on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to keep up on the latest from your Union.