Here's What's Brewing Today
Monday, November 7, 2022
Contract negotiation update … The WTU and DCPS are still working out the details for arbitration. We will update the membership as soon as the details are available.
Teachers Deserve a Fair Contract
- Nov 17th – Day of Action - https://mobilize.us/s/Ht5jWD
- Town Hall – TBD
Thanks to all members who participated in the contract event at DCPS Central Office on Thursday. The mayor is watching, and it is important that she sees we’re united in our efforts to get a fair contract. Your voice matters!
Our next event is Thursday, November 17 at 3:30 or at the end of your tour of duty. We'd like all teachers to leave school together and march around your school or congregate in an area, take and tweet group pictures or email them to [email protected]. Wear your WTU t-shirt. Please encourage, parents, students and other community members to march with you in solidarity! Please participate - these actions make a difference. A flyer is available here.
Please click here to register, to let us know that you’ll be participating: https://mobilize.us/s/Ht5jWD
Contact your Building Rep or Field Representative for more information about on-going contract negotiations. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT ANY ACTIVITY YOU PARTICIPATE IN TAKES PLACE OUTSIDE YOUR TOUR OF DUTY. DCPS is watching!
CSO / DCPS Contract
The contract the between CSO and DCPS, subject to Council approval, is available here: https://lims.dccouncil.gov/downloads/LIMS/51455/Introduction/PR24-0991-Introduction.pdf
WTU in the news
Washington Informer - Teacher Contract Negotiations at a Standstill
ABC - 'Worst I've seen it': DC teachers call on Bowser for contract as arbitration nears
National Right to Read
School Librarians KC Boyd, Christopher Stewart and Angela Faulkenburg went to Capitol Hill to promote the National Right to Read Bill introduced by Sent Jack Reed and Rep Raul Grijalva
Volunteer opportunity at the Air and Space Museum (see flyer)
We’ve piloting 45-60 minute Engineering & Design challenges starting in January and are actively recruiting volunteers to facilitate this programming. Here is a link to the volunteer position description (clicking on the link will cause you to make a copy of the Google Doc), and a link to apply for this opportunity. Applications are completed through our volunteer management software. Contact Laura Blanton if you have any questions [email protected]
Vote – Election Day is Tuesday
Early voting has started. Please support for the WTU endorsed candidates.
City Council:
- At-Large: Elissa Silverman
- At-Large: Karim Marshall
- Ward 1: Brianne Nadeau
- Ward 3: Matthew Frumin
- Ward 5: Zachary Parker
- Ward 6: Charles Allen
DC State Board of Education:
- Ward 1: Ben Williams
- Ward 3: Michael Sriqui
- Ward 5: Robert Henderson
- Ward 6: Joshua Wiley
Read more here. And watch for opportunities to volunteer for WTU endorsed candidates on Election Day!
AM Brew News and Notices will be archived at https://www.wtulocal6.net/AMBrew.
Upcoming events
In addition to the events listed below, we encourage you to check out the WTU Members –Only Calendar where you can find a condensed list of upcoming WTU events.
COPE Meeting November 7, 2022 @ 7pm
Meeting ID: 939 669 4583
Passcode: 148566
Nov 7 Professional Development Day
Monday’s PD day is in person. The Chancellor expressed to the WTU that school-based PDs are in person. District based PDs will be virtual. Monday’s PD is school-based and will be in person.
2022-2023 PD SCHEDULE
- November 7, 2022 - Half-day records keeping / Half-day - School-based PD
- January 25, 2023 - Half-day records keeping / Half-day - School-based PD
- March 10, 2023 - District-led PD day
- April 10, 2023 - Half-day records keeping / Half-day - School-based PD
- June 23, 2023 - Half-day records keeping / Half-day - School-based PD
November Representative Assembly
The November Rep Assembly meeting will be on Tuesday, November 15th at 4:30. DCPS is closed on November 8th.
W3EdNet
Wednesday, November 9 at 7PM
Topic: DME and DCPS Planning
We are very happy to host staff from the offices of the Deputy Mayor for Education (DME) and DC Public Schools (DCPS) Planning Office. They will talk about the upcoming boundary review, master facilities plan, enrollment outlook, and school building plans, including MacArthur and Foxhall. In other words, a lot. The Washington Teachers Union has also asked for a few minutes to address us at the end.
Via Zoom. Register to participate Click Here!
Ward 4 Ed Alliance
Thursday, November 10 at 6PM
Hear from Julie Lawson on EDFest and the lottery.
- RFP for Master Plan and Boundary Study
- Safety and Security - including Safe Passage
- Update on Volunteer Clearance and coming together
- Supporting enrollment and resources in our Ward 4 Schools
Join via zoom.
Meeting ID: 897 2755 0010
Ward 5 Ed Council
Tuesday November 15 at 7PM
Email: [email protected] for a zoom link.
Ward 6 / W6PSPO
Tuesday, November 15 at 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Email: [email protected] for a zoom link.
#RedforEd
Please wear red each Friday and post photos to social media. Please tag us @WTUTeacher
AFT Student Debt clinics
AFT will continue to host a student debt clinic webinar Thursday evenings. Register at https://cvent.me/17XZka Webinar will include information about how to enroll in the free AFT Summer student loan member benefit. Additional information can be found at www.forgivemystudentdebt.org – this website contains all of the information on how to access PSLF in an easily digestible and understandable format.
STUDENT DEBT CLINIC RESOURCE GUIDE
After attending a Student Debt Clinic, we want to make sure you’ve got all the tools and information you need to take the next steps to start reducing how much you pay every month and get on a path towards a debt-free future! See attached for more information.
Reminders:
WTU Executive Board members
Your WTU Executive Board members are working tirelessly on your behalf and need to hear any concerns you have. Executive Board members’ photos and contact information is available here.
Are you a WTU Member?
Check your pay stub on Peoplesoft to see if you are a member of the WTU.
Member benefits include access to 1000s of lesson plans at Share My Lesson
Facility Concerns SY 22-23
Over the past two years, the WTU has met regularly to discuss facility issues with DCPS. Yet, many schools continue to have health and safety concerns. We ask that you let the WTU know of any health or safety concerns in your building by completing this brief form.
We’re continuing to update our database.
Please help us ensure we have your current personal contact information on file. Please email [email protected] with any questions or to be added to member mailings.