Here's What's Brewing Today
Monday, May 2
The WTU will distribute t-shirts to all members who provided their mailing address and t-shirt size to their Building Representatives. Throughout the week please look out for surprises and more opportunities to celebrate and Teacher Appreciation!
Please wear your t-shirt on Friday May 6th to show unity and solidarity during contract negotiations. We encourage you to post photos on Friday to social media. Please tag @WTUTeacher with #TeacherAppreciationWeek and #AFairContract
Counselor’s Unpaid Work Grievance
WTU and DCPS are nearing a settlement of WTU's grievance involving the counselors' unpaid days of work. WTU provided its final edits to the agreement this week and we hope the agreement will be finalized in the coming days. Counselors will receive more information as it becomes available.
Simultaneous Instruction – Submit Request for Payment
Due May 3rd
Please complete this required stipend form by Tuesday, May 3rd for all simulcast assignments through Spring Break. This information will be validated by your school leader. An additional data collection will occur in June if any additional Simulcast assignments in Semester 2. Payments are expected to occur in Summer 2022. Please submit the form and include any questions you may have in your submission.
Website - WTULocal6.net
The WTU was proud to launch an updated website last week. We hope you’ll check it out at www.WTULocal6.net. With any website migration, some links may no longer work. If you have trouble finding content or you find a link that is not working, please email [email protected].
The updated website also includes a “Members –only” section, where information confidential to WTU members can be posted. Your Building Representative will be able to provide you a password. You can also receive your password at any of the website informational sessions (see upcoming events section below).
If you have any questions about the website, please contact 703-904-0000 or email: [email protected].
Building Elections
The building election packet was 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.
WTU ELECTION NEWS
Nomination Petitions have been submitted and the Verification Process has begun!
Upcoming Elections Events/Dates
- May 5th 6:30pm – MANDATORY Candidates Meeting with Elections Committee (Zoom link will be shared directly with verified candidates).
- May 10th 4:30pm – WTU’s Representative Assembly – Presidential Candidates will be provided with a few minutes to introduce themselves and their platform at this Rep Assembly Meeting.
- May 11th 5:30pm – 7:30pm – Candidates Review of Membership List (more information will be shared directly with verified candidates).
- May 12th 6:00pm – 8:00pm – WTU Elections Committee Candidates Forum (Zoom and Live Streaming). Presidential Candidates will engage in a Q & A discussion about issues raised by you the Members! Please click here to submit questions for the Forum. A flyer with additional information will be shared in the May 9th Morning Brew.
- May 17th 6:00pm – 8:00pm – WTU Elections Committee Virtual Meet & Greet hosted by Mrs. Denise Rolark Barnes Publisher of The Washington Informer. Flier with additional information will be shared in the May 9th Morning Brew.
Be on the lookout for a Special Edition of the Washington Teacher that shares more information about the Presidential Candidates running in this year’s election. Continue to check election updates through the Morning Brew to receive information about when Ballots should be arriving in the mail.
As a reminder please email Valerie Kilby at [email protected] with any changes to your personal information especially your mailing address. If you have any questions for the Elections Committee, please email [email protected] or leave a message by calling 202-505-3309.
COVID CORNER
Please continue to report COVID related issues to the situation room - http://bit.ly/WTUSafeOpenings
And any testing or reporting issues to OSSE (OSSE Online Complaint Form (dc.gov).
AM Brew News and Notices will be archived at https://www.wtulocal6.net/AMBrew.
May is Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Better Hearing & Speech Month
The theme for 2022 is Connecting People.
Professional Development
National Board Certification Support Class (starts 5/3)
Instructor: Maria Angala; Tuesdays: May 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31; 5:30-7:00pm
The class is composed of a series of comprehensive review sessions designed to provide interested National Board candidates important information about the certification process, time to examine component and Assessment Center requirements, the opportunity to plan how to meet requirements, and time to collaborate, gather resources and information needed to pursue certification — all in a supportive, constructive, and collegial environment. Participants may earn 20 PLU’s. RSVP HERE.
WTU Spring 2022 PD Trainer Search!!!
Here is the APPLICATION to join our team of highly engaging and knowledgeable PD Trainers.
*Application Deadline: 5/7 @ 11:59pm
*There will be opportunities to interview with a panel between 5/8 and 5/13/2022
*Accepted Applicants will be notified by 5/20/2022.
Reach out to Sarah Elwell at [email protected] or 202.957.9939 if you have questions or need further information.
Wellness Series with Aetna (all sessions are virtual @ 7:00pm-8:00pm)
Each session below is a one-hour “gift of self care” with unique perspectives and tools. Participants will find value in attending one, a few, or all the sessions to support yourself in creating a robust practice of Self Care.
Use this link to register for all or some of the two remaining sessions:
https://artofliving.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYkf-mgrD0qEtfZQOKQy_UwiRpBfShnBeLC
- THIS WEDNESDAY May 4th Making the Impossible, Possible - Setting and Achieving Your Goals
- June 8th Courageous Conversations: Healing Conversations about Systemic Racism
The 34th "Celebration of Youth" Essay Contest
This essay contest is open to all DCPS and DCPCS students in grades 4 to 9. The theme this year is asking the students to write an essay about a change they would like to create in themselves and the difference it would make in their lives. Essays are due May 14th. The contest values the thoughts and feelings of students and supports bringing awareness, responsibility, and reflection to personal stories. Coaches from UDC are available to help students with their essays. Winners and Honorable Mentions will be announced in June. Cash Awards will be given to over 60 students across the city during June. This opportunity is sponsored by Global Harmony Through Personal Excellence, a non profit in Washington, DC supporting the expression of children. Visit the Web site www.globalharmonyexcellence.org or CLICK HERE to get the full theme and complete set of guidelines for the contest. For questions call Dorothea Brady at 202 244 1682 or email her at [email protected]. They would be honored to have the participation of your students.
Upcoming Events
May 14 – WTU Teacher Leader Symposium
Earn 5 PLU's! Register HERE for an amazing lineup of research presentations on topics ranging from mental health to diversity in the curriculum to the certification/licensure process.
May 2 at 5pm – C.O.P.E.
Join Zoom Meeting; Meeting ID: 939 669 4583; Passcode: 148566
WTU Website Walkthroughs
Tuesday, May 3rd 6PM
Via Zoom. Meeting ID: 810 8576 9556; Passcode: 395523
Thursday, May 5th6PM
Via Zoom. Meeting ID: 810 8576 9556; Passcode: 395523
Tuesday, May 10th 6PM
Via Zoom. Meeting ID: 810 8576 9556; Passcode: 395523
Thursday, May 12th 6PM
Via Zoom. Meeting ID: 810 8576 9556. Passcode: 395523
Partner events and other upcoming events of interest are also posted to the AMBrew Blog.
Reminders:
Report unsafe conditions at http://bit.ly/WTUSafeOpenings
As part of the MOA, the WTU and DCPS teams will meet weekly to review and find solutions to any violations of the #ReopenStrong: School Building Readiness Checklist. If you see something out of compliance, please report it at http://bit.ly/WTUSafeOpenings. As you click on an area of the form, a drop-down box will appear to allow you to enter comments. Or simply complete the text box at the end of the form. All reports will remain confidential and no identifying information will be provided to DCPS.
WTU Memorandums of Agreement with DCPS.
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.