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Here's What's Brewing Today
Monday, September 27, 2021
Last week D.C. Mayor, Muriel Bowser announced that all District of Columbia Public School personnel must be vaccinated by Nov. 1. Unlike the current vaccination requirement, there is no test out option, but employees with legitimate medical and religious concerns can request an exemption. As I stated in my response to the mandate, the Washington Teachers’ Union supports the principle of a vaccine mandate, but there must be accommodations, bargained with the union, for those with legitimate religious and medical exemptions and an agreement on how to handle people who don’t fall under these exemptions.
We conducted a poll of the WTU membership shortly after the mandate was announced and found that while approximately 76% of respondents are fully vaccinated 24% are not and will be requesting various exemptions, some of which are not covered under the mayor’s order. My responsibility is to all our members, regardless of whether they are vaccinated or not. I have made a request to DCPS to bargain over the impact and effects of the mandate, especially for members who do not qualify for any of the two exemptions.
If you have any concerns regarding this mandate or other issues at your school, contact your field services specialist.
Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President
AM Brew News and Notices will be archived at https://www.wtulocal6.net/AMBrew.
Professional Development
Click here to find additional PD Opportunities are available by clicking on the PD Blog.
Anti-Racist Administration and School Leadership (ASL) post-graduate certificate at American University.
The American University School of Education is offering a post-graduate certificate for educators who are interested in becoming educational administrators. For many, this means school leadership as a principal or assistant principal; the ASL certificate also bolsters careers in central office and student support, among other options.
If you would like to learn more about this opportunity to grow your skills, please register here for a free virtual open house on Thursday, September 30th at 7 pm EST.
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 within the next two weeks ($150 registration fee; 1 FREE class for new members):
- English Language Learners 101 (starts 10/2)
- Instructional Strategies that Work for All Disciplines (starts 10/2)
- Integration of Computer Technology (starts 10/2)
- Managing Behavior in School Communities (started 9/22; limited spaces still available!)
- Psychology and Education of Exceptional Children (started 9/20; limited spaces still available)
- Reading Comprehension Instruction (starts 10/2)
- Social and Emotional Learning (starts 10/2)
FREE WTU Workshops starting in September:
- Excel with ELL’s (final session on 9/30)
Learn more and Register for all classes HERE.
Virtual Teachers’ Lounge
20 teachers will engage in twice-monthly gatherings online together in large and small groups over two months. Planned meeting dates are October 9, October 23, November 6, November 20, December 4, and December 18. Because of the importance of connections, connectivity and trust, it is our expectation that participants will, absent exigent circumstances, engage in all six gatherings. The participants have the option to decide at the end of the fourth gathering whether they would like to continue the Virtual Teachers’ Lounge. Those on the waitlist will be notified when there is a cancellation or new virtual teacher rooms opening. All participants will receive a $25 Amazon gift card, an educational resource (The Feeling Alphabet Activity Set) and a certificate of participation for volunteering their time.
If you have any questions, please send an email to [email protected]. Register online at http://tiny.cc/mc8iuz
or visit www.virtualteacherslounge2021.com
Upcoming Events
Upcoming hearings of the Committee of the Whole:
On Tuesday, September 28, 2021 at 9am the COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AND FACILITIES is hosting a roundtable discussion on School Facility Conditions During the Re-Opening for School Year 2021- 2022. You are encouraged to submit written testimony to [email protected] which will be included in the public record. You can watch the joint public oversight roundtable at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPJZbHhKFbnyGeQclJxQk0g/live
Save the Date:
Tuesday, October 26, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. Public Hearing on two Bills introduced by Councilmembers Lewis George, and R. White:
Bill 24-80 would make OSSE subordinate to the State Board of Education, provide SBOE with the authority to appoint the State Superintendent of Education, and allow employees of the District of Columbia Public Schools to serve on the SBOE.
Bill 24-101 would make OSSE an independent agency within the District government. The bill also clarifies OSSE’s oversight responsibilities, requiring the agency to verify data produced by local education agencies (LEA) and to investigate allegations of waste, fraud, or fiscal mismanagement by LEAs
Those who want to testify must register by the close of business on Friday October 22, 2021. You may also submit written testimony to [email protected]
Partner events and other upcoming events of interest are also posted to the AMBrew Blog.
Reminders:
Attention School Counselors
As we move towards solidifying language specific to school counselors during contract negotiations the WTU would like you to review some language DCPS has proposed. Specifically, DCPS is proposing that principals and Local School Advisory Teams (LSAT) have the option to transition 10-month school counselors to 11-month school counselors; and 11-month school counselors to 12-month school counselors. Please complete the following brief survey to let the WTU know your desire regarding the proposed language. Click here to compete the survey.
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.