Here's What's Brewing Today

Monday, September 13, 2021

Hello and welcome to Week 3 of the new school year. Congrats on making it through the first two weeks. I hope things have gone as smoothly as possible. If you are having any problems, reach out to your WTU building representative or the WTU field representative assigned to your school. They are listed on the back of the WTU Welcome Back newsletter.

We just passed a very sad and tragic 20^th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States. As many of you know, among the passengers on the flight that crashed into the Pentagon were three 11-year-old DCPS students and three DCPS teachers. The students had been chosen to participate in a trip to study ecology in California with National Geographic Society researchers. Less than 35 minutes into the flight, it was hijacked and slammed into the Pentagon. As we reflect on the tragedy and those who perished, it gives us an opportunity to remember that our schools are filled with outstanding students who are pursuing excellence and with educators who go the extra mile to help their students reach and exceed their potential. We will keep these six souls and their families in our thoughts.

DCPS employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Sept. 19. DCPS continues to work out the details for employees to apply for vaccination exemptions through Peoplesoft. If you need an exemption from the vaccination mandate based on medical or religious reasons, email the ADA Team at [email protected].

Have a terrific week.

Jackie Pogue Lyons, President

Washington Teachers' Union

General Membership Meeting

All WTU members are invited to participate in the first General membership meeting for the 2021-22 school year on Tuesday, September 14 from 4:30 - 6:30 PM (Via Zoom). Please click here to register.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Union Leadership Institute - Fall 2021

Friday, September 17 from 4:30 - 6:00pm

All Newly Elected 2021-2022 Building Leaders

Please register here 

Saturday, September 18 from 10:00am – 1:00pm.

All 2021-2022 Building Representatives, SCAC, Personnel Committee, LSAT members, and Delegates to Representative Assembly

Please register here 

AM Brew News and Notices are archived at https://www.wtulocal6.net/AMBrew.

Professional Development

See all this week’s PD Highlights by clicking here.

REGISTRATION IS STILL OPEN---WTU Professional Learning - FALL 2021 Course Offerings

Sign up now for amazing, engaging, and informative virtual fall professional development with the WTU including these classes which start in September ($150 registration fee; 1 FREE class for new members):

• Accessible Literacy Framework (Starts 9/18)
• CLASSIC: Foundations: Organizing the Classroom for Teaching & Learning (starts 9/18)
• The Hispanic Culture and Spanish Language I (starts 9/18)
• NEWLY ADDED: Managing Behavior in School Communities (starts 9/22)
• Psychology and Education of Exceptional Children (starts 9/20)
• Successfully Integrating the Arts In Your Classroom (starts 9/25)

FREE WTU Workshops starting in September:

• The Game Factor (9/25)
• PRAXIS I Core Preparation Class (starts 9/22)
• Learn more and Register for all classes HERE.

During Hispanic Heritage Month, Join the WTU and Pulitzer Center for “Underreported Stories from Latin America” Series (5:30-6:30pm)

Please join Washington Teachers Union (WTU) and Pulitzer Center for a series of webinars featuring journalists who have extensive experience reporting on underreported issues facing communities throughout Latin America. The journalists are fluent in English and Spanish, and plan to utilize both languages for the presentations. The reporting they will feature is also available in both English and Spanish.

Underreported Stories from Latin America

• Thursday, September 16 (Perla Trevizo- The role of poverty and intergenerational trauma in fueling migration from Guatemala)
• Thursday, September 23 (Ana Maria Arevalo- Exploring the criminal justice system in El Salvador and the impact of the system on women)
• Thursday, September 30 (Pablo Albarenga- Elevating the stories of Indigenous rainforest defenders in the Amazon)

RSVP HERE: https://forms.gle/ma9rNQwZWubQqBNAA

WTU Professional Learning Abroad

There is still time to sign up for the WTU Professional Learning trip to Morocco in July 2022, based on travel guidance. 5% discount through the end of September!!! Check out the itinerary here: https://geeo.org/tour/wtumorocco/.

Additional PD Opportunities are available by clicking on the PD Blog

Upcoming Events

Sept 14 - General Membership Meeting at 4:30PM (Via Zoom). Please click here to register.

Sept 17 - Union Leadership Institute at 4:30PM. All Newly Elected 2021-2022 Building Leaders. Please register here 

Sept 18 – Union Leadership Institute at 10AM. All 2021-2022 Building Representatives, SCAC, Personnel Committee, LSAT members, and Delegates to Representative Assembly. Please register here.

Partner events and other upcoming events of interest are also posted to the AMBrew Blog.

Reminders:

Memorandum of Agreement

The 2021/2022 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and a FAQ on the MOA are available on-line.

Please report unsafe conditions at http://bit.ly/WTUSafeOpenings

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.

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