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A Message from WTU President
Good Morning WTU!
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! Thank you to all who kicked off the start of Teacher Appreciation Week at WTU’s BBQ party with a live band who played Go-Go music, the awesome dee-jay crew, delicious food from a BBQ food truck and the Koni Hawaiian Icee truck. Ward 8 DC Councilmember Trayon White (running for re-election) attended along with Eboni-Rose Thompson (running for Ward 7 Councilmember). I want to remind all members that these two leaders have supported the WTU, consistently, in its effort to get a fair and timely contract. In fact, Ward 8 DC Councilmember Trayon White was the first councilmember to speak out against IMPACT. As you know, American University in a study found IMPACT to be racist and biased against black and brown teachers in underserved communities. Under Eboni-Rose Thompson’s leadership as the current president of the DC State Board of Education, the State Board of Education was the first to pass a resolution for an on-time contract for the WTU this school year. I ask you to please consider volunteering for all the candidates we are supporting and consider donating funds to their campaigns. We need to ensure that those in political office will support us just as we have supported them.
We’d also like to take another moment to celebrate Beth Barkley, 2024 DC Teacher of the Year. We’d also like to congratulate Missy Testerman who was named 2024 National Teacher of the Year. A big shoutout to First Lady, Jill Biden, for holding the first-ever State Dinner to celebrate teachers.
Last Wednesday, WTU teachers marched alongside hospitality professionals of Local Union 25 to show support in their fight for a new contract. On Thursday, the WTU supported early childhood educators in their Rally to Save Childcare to restore the pay equity fund. We stood together to demand the funds needed to educate our youngest children of the District.
As you can see, we are committed to making alliances with other unions and community groups with whom we share a common interest. We stand by all workers in the fight to get what they deserve. Next week will be a call to action for WTU members around the city schools because the best way to appreciate teachers is to give them a contract!
I hope you enjoy a wonderful Teacher Appreciation week filled with little and big acts of kindness and appreciation. You deserve it!
In solidarity,
Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President
Washington Teachers’ Union
Weekly Update - WTU’s Contract Action Team (CAT)
The WTU Contract Bargaining Team is busy preparing for our next bargaining session with DCPS on Tuesday, May 7th.
If you have ideas on what contract actions your school should take, please contact your Building Representative and WTU’s organizer, Mike Roland, for support. Together, we must show DCPS we will not tolerate their proposed reduction of our rights! To learn more, please download WTU’s two-page summary of WTU’s Contract Negotiating Team’s 10 Proposals and 3 Memorandums of Agreement
Upcoming Events, Activities & Meetings
Note: May 9@4:30PM, via Zoom, Monthly Building Rep Call with WTU President Pogue Lyons is canceled this week due to VP Junior High Committee Meeting and meetings with City Council.
- May 6 @7PM, COPE meeting, INFORMATION
- May 8 @4:30PM, via Zoom, Topic: Vice-President of High School Committee Meeting. Meeting ID: 874 1881 0488 / Passcode: 946149 INFORMATION
- May 8 @5:30PM, via Zoom, Topic: Resolution to Support Peace in the Middle East & Peaceful Demonstrations Around the Country, Meeting ID: 874 1881 0488 / Passcode: 946149 INFORMATION
- May 9 @4:30PM, via Zoom, Topic: Vice-President of Junior High Committee Meeting. Meeting ID: 864 8924 6813 / Passcode: 732385 INFORMATION
- May 10 @4:30PM, via Zoom, Topic: Vice-President of Special Education Committee Meeting. Meeting ID: 882 5522 7247 / Passcode: 912480 INFORMATION
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May 14 @4:30PM, via Zoom, Rep Assembly Meeting, Building Reps and Delegates
will receive a unique link to join as a participant, INFORMATION - May 13 @4:30PM, via Zoom, Topic: Vice-President of Elementary School Committee Meeting. Meeting ID: 848 5194 3726 / Passcode: 428628
In the News
- 05/01/2024 – The Washington Post - How a Connecticut middle school won the battle against cellphones
- 05/01/2024 – Channel 9 News – Police Search for Suspects After Shots Fired Near DC Schools
- 05/01/2024 – The Washington Informer - D.C. High School Sports Roundup: Ultimate Frisbee, Baseball and Track and Field
- 05/03/024 – YouTube – WATCH LIVE: First lady Jill Biden hosts state dinner for 2024 Teachers of the Year
- 05/03/2024 – Channel 4 News - DC police said a student grazed by gunfire is ‘totally fine.' Here's what we know about recovery
- 05/04/2024 – Channel 4 News – Student grazed by bullet when gunfire flies through windows of DC’s Dunbar High; 2 Teens Arrested
- 05/04/2024 – The Washington Post – DC wants more kids to finish college. Here’s what it would take.
- 05/04/2024 – The Washington Post – Dunbar Student Grazed by Bullet Fired into DC School
LEA Look Forward – Weekly Updates
Membership Update
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