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A Message from WTU President
Good Morning WTU Members,
I hope you enjoyed a Thanksgiving holiday filled with fun, love, peace, and blessings! Thanksgiving Day always reminds me of the power of gratitude. None of us can move mountains alone. I, myself, am so grateful for all you do every day to support our union, the children of DC, and their families.
Last Tuesday, November 21st, Vice President Regina Bell and I testified at the D.C Council Hearing focused on two bills: Bill 25-200, the “Educator Retention for Student Success Act of 2023,” and Bill 25-499, the “Student Loan Repayment Assistance for Educators Act of 2023.” Although this hearing was focused on those two education bills, Chairman Mendelson, Councilmember Janeese Lewis George, Councilmember Parker, and Councilmember Frumin asked questions regarding the progress of contract negotiations, alternatives to IMPACT, and how the WTU tracks teacher concerns. When asked directly if DCPS had responded to our 13 proposals, please review my response here.
The WTU’s Contract Negotiating Team will continue to keep you in the loop on the progress of contract negotiations. We ask for your support in SIGNING OUR PETITION FOR SAFE SCHOOLS, wearing red for ED on Fridays, and sending us your group shots and selfies. Thank you to the members who asked friends and families to sign our petition over the holiday. As Helen Keller once said, "We live by each other and for each other. Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."
Thank you, again, for all you do every day to support this union, the children of DC, and their families. I wish you a fruitful and engaging week with your students!
In solidarity,
Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President
Washington Teachers’ Union
Weekly Update - WTU’s Contract Action Team
Please log in to hear tomorrow’s testimonies below:
- November 28: DC Council - Oversight Hearing – Teacher and Principal Retention: INFORMATION
Please share our petition for safe schools! We also need your beautiful photos wearing red on Fridays! Email photos to [email protected] or text them to 202-957-1782.
Open Enrollment - Benefits
DC Government open enrollment is going on now through Monday, December 11, 2023. Please take time to review your benefits in PeopleSoft and ensure all healthcare benefits to include your dental and vision are correct for the 2024 calendar year. This year the life insurance benefits are open for changes without submitting evidence of insurability (EOI) forms as well, so review these benefits for any changes that you need to make. You may increase, decrease, and/or cancel these benefits. Again, all changes must be made in PeopleSoft at ess.dc.gov.
DCPS will be hosting virtual/in office sessions starting next week and the invites will be sent to all employees. Please make sure you check your k12.dc.gov emails for these dates and times and contact the DCPS Benefits team with questions regarding your benefits at [email protected]
Give OSSE Feedback on Newly Released Financial Literacy Standards
OSSE will also hold listening sessions to hear directly from members of the public regarding a draft of new financial literacy standards. If you are interested in participating, please sign-up below.
- Listening Session for DC Educators
- Listening Session for General Public
In the News
- 11/21/2023 – The Washington Informer - D.C. Infrastructure Academy to Continue Mission at Spingarn High School
- 11/22/2023 – The Washington Post – DC Teens, now new authors, celebrate book launch: The high school students wrote books about climate change, extreme weather and grief
- 11/22/2023 – WUSA Channel 9 – Teens work to promote peace in DC
UPCOMING
Events, Activities & Meetings
- November 28: DC Council - Oversight Hearing – Teacher and Principal Retention: INFORMATION
- December 4th: Virtual Session – How Should Visual Elements and Features be Displayed? INFORMATION
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December 15: WTU’s Holiday Party, MLK Library Rooftop Terrace *RSVP here – Members-Only Password: WTU4u
* WTU MEMBERS-ONLY EVENTS
Professional Development and Other Opportunities
Membership Update
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