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Monday, October 16, 2023
A Message from WTU President
Good Morning WTU Members,
WTU would like to congratulate the DCPS Teacher of the Year, Beth Barkley! We’d also like to give a shout-out to the other finalists, Chad Harris, a music teacher at Stanton Elementary School; Kena Allison, a biology teacher at Washington Latin Public Charter School; Rabiah Harris, who teaches physical science and robotics at Ida B. Wells Middle School; and Aneesah Blount, a kindergarten teacher at Van Ness Elementary School. You are amazing teachers! Thank you for your hard work, dedication, and unending willingness to make an impact on the lives of our students.
Thank you to those who helped WTU distribute free books and the Stop the Violence petition at the Teachers Voice Festival this past Saturday! We would also like to thank EmpowerEd for giving WTU and our WTU Teacher Leaders an opportunity to participate in this exciting event.
The WTU Stop the Violence petition urges DCPS to stop stalling and come to the bargaining table. Please, if you haven’t signed it or forwarded it to your social media accounts, do it now! We need every WTU member to show their support for getting DCPS to the table. Our goal is to get teachers and community members to sign the petition no later than November 1st.
As mentioned in last week’s AM Brew, DCPS has not confirmed dates to return to the bargaining table. Thus, our Contract Bargaining Team did not meet this week. However, WTU’s Contract Action Team did meet and solidified plans for the following upcoming events:
- Wear a red shirt to the in-person SBOE meeting where our District State Board Representatives will vote on a RESOLUTION urging DCPS to give WTU a timely contract - October 18th @5:30PM at the Public Session of the State Board of Education (SBOE) (441 4th Street NW, Washington D.C., 20001)
- Sign up to testify October 18th @5:30PM at the Public Session of the State Board of Education (SBOE). All those interested must sign up by 5:30PM on Monday, October 17th via this link Meeting Information | sboe (dc.gov)
- Pass out our Safe Schools Petition, Halloween treats, and one free book of choice to children at the Hill-O-Ween at Eastern Market @ Friday, October 27, 2023, 5- 8:00 pm
- Pass out our Safe Schools Petition, Halloween treats, and one free book of choice to children at the Ward 7th Trunk or Treat on Tuesday, October 31st, at The Fields in Ward 7. (More details to come.)
If you missed the Oct. 11th Washington City Paper article titled “Fresh Off a Three-Year Contract Fight, DCPS and the Teachers’ Union Seem to be Headed for Another Long Impasse,” please read it. It captures DCPS’ history of delayed contracts and WTU’s concerns over their current lack of urgency. Finally, please make sure [email protected] has your personal email address. WTU communications/voting needs to be done via personal emails.
Thank you for your support! I wish you a peaceful and productive week.
In solidarity,
Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President
Washington Teachers’ Union
IMPACT Observation Dates – (Revised Dates)
Professional Development (new courses added)
And other opportunities
This FREE course is offered every Wednesday until December 20th. Teachers can join at any point. Registration is required. Click picture below to register or here.
Professional Development - Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE)
DC Comprehensive Assessments of Progress in Education (CAPE): INFORMATION
Local Education Agencies (LEA) October 13, 2023: INFORMATION
In the News
- 10/10/23 – The Washington Post – The Character and Courage of the People of Southeast DC
- 10/11/23 – Channel 4 – DC Educator Who Works with Migrants Named Teacher of the Year
- 10/11/23 – The Washington Post – Cardozo English Educator Named Teacher of the Year
- 10/11/23 - The Washington City Paper – Fresh Off a Three-Year Contract Fight, DCPS and the Teachers’ Union Seem to be Headed for Another Long Impasse
UPCOMING - Events, Activities & Meetings
October 17: Ward 3 Ed Network District's Boundary & Student Assignment Process @7PM (Virtual): INFORMATION
October 17: Ward 5 Education Equity Committee @7-8:30PM (Email for link): INFORMATION
October 17: Ward 6 Public School Parents Organization @7-8:30PM (Virtual): INFORMATION
October 18:Testify at Public Hearing @State Board of Education @5:30PM (Virtual): INFORMATION
October 25: DCPS & DC Retirement Board’s In-Person Retirement Session: INFORMATION
October 27: Pass out Petitions - Hill-O-Ween at Eastern Market: INFORMATION
October 31: Trunk or Treat at The Fields in Ward 7: INFORMATION
Complete the Digital Equity in Education Survey!
The Digital Equity in DC Education is compiling a DCPS tech snapshot, which we will be shared with the DME and Council. Your survey answers will help them round out the information they have been receiving from schools. Take Survey!
Membership Update
Make sure you are eligible to vote & receive WTU Communications
The AM Brew is distributed as a benefit to members of the WTU. In the coming weeks, we’ll be updating our database removing non-members from the distribution for the AM Brew. To ensure that you’re not inadvertently removed from the distribution list, please confirm your personal email address by emailing [email protected].
Your ability to vote in WTU elections and receive WTU Communications depends on our ability to reach you. We must have your personal email address for all communications.
AM Brew News and Notices are archived at https://www.wtulocal6.net/AMBrew.
Be sure to follow the WTU on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to keep up on the latest from your Union.