A Message from WTU’s President

Good Morning WTU Family!

I hope you enjoyed a fabulous Labor Day weekend with family and friends! Every teacher deserves a holiday respecting your contributions to the children of DC with a day to relax.

Thank you to the WTU members who showed our discontent with DCPS’ failure to issue us a FAIR contract! We love seeing your photos in red and noticed the signs members placed in their cars and pictures. Our fight continues! WTU will keep you in the loop as we prepare a fair contract now letter for members to send to Mayor Browser.

As we continue to gear up for the year to come, I want to remind you that today is the last day to reach out to your WTU Field Rep if you want to file a grievance with WTU’s support. Also, today is the last day to enter AFT’s Realize the Dream Sweepstakes for a chance to win a school grant fueling a service campaign in your classroom, school, or community!

On September 14^th, WTU's leadership and staff will launch another book-giving event in support of our literacy campaign. Please consider volunteering at WTU’s book table from 11-2PM at DCPS’ Back to School Block Party held at Jefferson Middle School. If you are interested in attending, please reach out to WTU’s Organizer, Mike Roland at [email protected].

If you haven’t yet signed up for Thursday, Sept. 5th Back-to-School Literacy Mixer for Kindergarten Teachers, please take a moment to RSVP. We look forward to sharing new legislation requiring literacy training from 4-7P M on the rooftop terrace of the MLK Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G. Street NW. Come for free bites, beverages, live music, and leave with 5 new free books!

Thinking positive thoughts about you this week as many teachers prepare for Back-to-School night. Thank you, as always, for your support!

In solidarity,

Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President

Washington Teachers’ Union

WTU’s Contract Bargaining Team Update

As mentioned in last week’s AM BREW, contract negotiations with DCPS stopped abruptly on Tuesday due to the District’s (DCPS and OLRCB’s) insistence on:

• Increasing students' class sizes
• Removing safeguards for working hours
• Refusing to bargain over the length of the school year
• Possibly excessing highly effective and effective teachers
• Failing to sign contracts on time

Please continue to send your photos of members wearing red, and post signs. Signs can be placed in the back window of your car. Click here for the Proud WTU Member sign and here for the Fair Contract Now sign. Please email pictures to our WTU Organizer, Mike Roland, at [email protected] or text him at 202-957-1782. All requests for buttons or tee-shirts can be sent to Mike Roland. For further context, click here to read the Washington Informer’s recent article highlighting our current contract campaign status.

Register for WTU’s Fall Professional Development Courses!

One new Fall PD Course ADDED! Fall Professional Development Courses are open for registration here! Please check this link frequently as we will be adding courses throughout the next two weeks.

If you haven't had the opportunity to learn about AFT's Teacher Leader Program (TLP), please register for our online orientation session on Thursday, September 29th @4:30PM via Zoom.

TLP brings together a select group of 10 teachers throughout the school year to learn how to take active leadership roles in their schools, unions, and communities.

Those who finish the TLP program with a completed project will receive a stipend from the AFT and access to a nationwide online community of teacher leaders from all locals engaged in this work. Also, their completed project will be eligible for 60 PLUs. 

Through the AFT Teacher Leaders Program, the WTU and other local affiliates nationwide have:

• Established relationships among teachers and policymakers, community organizations and community leaders;

• Developed an informed teacher voice to participate in both the local and national dialogue on education;

• Established a vehicle for positive messaging about public schools and their unions; and

• Created a pipeline for future school and union leaders.

“One of the most rewarding professional development experiences I’ve had as a teacher.” —AFT Teacher Leader from Washington (D.C.) Teachers’ Union

To learn more, click here.

A Message from WTU’s President

Good Morning WTU Family!

I hope your first week of school with your students is exciting and we hope that you and your students have a safe, productive, and rewarding 2024-25 School Year! As we start this new school year, I wish we had better news to report regarding contract negotiations. As mentioned last week, contract negotiations with DCPS stopped abruptly on Tuesday due to the District’s (DCPS and OLRCB’s) insistence on:

• Increasing students' class sizes
• Removing safeguards for working hours
• Removing safeguards and refusing to bargain over the length of the school year
• Possibly excessing highly effective and effective teachers
• Failing to sign contracts on time

Now is the time to unite and make our voices heard! The WTU Contract Bargaining Team is asking you to take an action every day this week. Signs can be placed in the back window of your car. Click here for the Proud WTU Member sign and  here for the Fair Contract Now sign. Please email pictures to our WTU Organizer, Mike Roland, at [email protected] or text him at 202-957-1782. If you need buttons or tee-shirts, you can also reach out to Mike Roland.

Thank you to the members who joined us in giving away a free book of choice to children at Ward 5’s Back to School Giveaway at Wheatly Education Campus on Saturday. As a social justice Union, we continue to work toward great literacy outcomes for all our District students. Please consider volunteering at WTU’s book table on September 14^th from 11-2PM at DCPS’ Back to School Block Party held at Jefferson Middle School. Please reach out to WTU’s Organizer, Mike Roland at [email protected] if you are interested in attending.

If you haven’t had the opportunity to learn about AFT’s Teacher Leader Program (TLP), please register for our online orientation session on September 29^th at 4:30PM. TLP brings together a select group of teachers throughout the school year to learn how to take active leadership roles in their schools, unions and communities. Those who finish the TLP program with a completed project will receive a stipend. Slots are limited. Register now.

If you haven’t yet signed up for our Sept. 5th Back-to-School Literacy Mixer for Kindergarten Teachers, please take a moment to RSVP. We look forward to sharing new legislation requiring literacy training from 4-7PM on the rooftop terrace of the MLK Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G. Street NW. Come for free bites, beverages, live music, and leave with 5 new free books!

Thank you, as always, for your support!

In solidarity,

Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President

Washington Teachers’ Union

WTU’s Contract Bargaining Team Update

For further context, click here to read the Washington Informer’s recent article highlighting our current contract campaign status.

A Message from WTU’s President

Good Morning WTU Family!

It’s been a busy and exciting summer both locally and nationally! We can’t believe we are back in school already. We hope everyone had some time to relax and have fun with family and friends. We also hope you had some time for creative pursuits and maybe even some time to grow your professional knowledge.

We had a busy summer at the bargaining table. WTU would like to thank all our bargaining team members for working throughout the summer. Please continue to support the Contract Bargaining Team in our efforts to get a contract as soon as possible by wearing your red WTU tee-shirts on Fridays.

We hope you have a rigorous and productive week of professional development. Please let us know if you need help as you prepare to receive your students next week.

Thank you to the WTU members who came out to help distribute swag, prizes, and gifts at New Educator Orientation (NEO) and WTU’s NEO reception last week! Throughout the next year, please remember to reach out and lend support to more than 200 new DCPS educators as they begin their teaching journey in DC. We’d also like to thank our DC City Council, State Board of Education representatives, and Union leaders who joined us in welcoming our new educators at Lou’s City Bar. If you missed some of the photos posted on social media about this wonderful event, please click here.

As many of you know, WTU’s core mission since our return from COVID-19 is to encourage our students and their families to make reading a priority. We believe developing strong readers happens at home and at school. As a Union, we are committed to promoting literacy as a real solution to improving academic achievement so that children can thrive and be productive citizens. To learn more, please read my editorial recently published in The Washington Informer’s Back-to-School Supplement here. Throughout this fall, the WTU will be participating in a number of Back to School Festivals where we will give away a free book of choice to every child. (See Upcoming Events, Activities & Meetings)

Please consider coming out to participate in these exciting events!

On Thursday, September 5^th, we invite all kindergarten teachers to learn more about new legislation requiring literacy training at our Back-to-School Literacy Mixer from 4-7PM on the rooftop floor of the MLK Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G. Street NW. Come for free bites, beverages and leave with 5 new free books!

Thank you, as always, for your support! May we all have a safe, wonderful, and joyous school year!

In solidarity,

Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President

Washington Teachers’ Union

Hard to Fill Bonuses

The following educators should have received their $1500 hard-to-fill bonuses on August 14^th via direct deposit:

• Social Worker
• Psychologist
• Special Education Teacher
• Math/Science
• World Languages
• Speech Pathologist
• Occupational Therapist
• Physical Therapist
• ESL/ESL Itinerant

If you haven’t received it, please reach out to your WTU Field Representative.

 
WTU’s Contract Bargaining Team Update

This past week, your hardworking contract bargaining team met with DCPS for another bargaining team session as we try to hammer out a fair contract as quickly as possible. Another bargaining session is scheduled for tomorrow – Tuesday, August 20^th. Stay tuned to WTU’s social media accounts later in the week to keep up with the latest.

August 2024 - The Washington Informer - Back to School Supplement

Editorial by WTU's President Jacqueline Pogue Lyons

As many of you know, WTU’s core mission is to encourage our students and their families to make reading a priority. As a Union, we are committed to promoting literacy as a real solution to improving academic achievement so that children can thrive and be productive citizens. To learn more, please read my editorial recently published in The Washington Informer’s Back-to-School Issue here.  

A Message from WTU’s President

Good Morning WTU Family!

Congratulations to WTU’s Secondary Grade Policy Committee! Their hard work has paid off! DCPS made changes to the grading policy. Also, please take a moment to read about changes to Title IX regulations.  

This coming Wednesday, August 14^th, we are looking forward to welcoming more than 200 new District of Columbia Public School educators into the WTU family at the New Educator Orientation (NEO) at the Columbia Heights Education Campus (CHEC) and the WTU’s NEO reception to follow at Lou’s City Bar! If you want to volunteer to work with new teachers, please join us in getting to know those beginning their journey of educating our DC youth at these two exciting events. To learn more about how you can help during the orientation and reception, please contact WTU’s organizer Mike Roland at [email protected] no later than the end of day today, Monday, August 12^th.

Despite the roadblocks DCPS continues to throw in our way of getting a new contract, your hardworking contract bargaining team perseveres. To learn more, please watch a Contract Bargaining Team update here. If you have ideas on what contract actions your school should take, please contact your Building Representative and WTU’s organizer Mike Roland for support. Together, we must show DCPS we will not tolerate their reduction of our rights!

Also, please note that key Duty stipend and Hard-to-fill bonuses have not been paid out yet. DCPS has submitted both payment requests to the payroll team and they are awaiting confirmation on the exact payment date. When we receive the exact payment dates, we will let you know.

Thank you, as always, for your support!

In solidarity,

Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President

Washington Teachers’ Union

Filing a Grievance Over IMPACT Scores

If you would like to file a grievance over your final IMPACT score, please review the rules over what constitutes a violation for IMPACT available here. To file an IMPACT grievance with the support of the WTU, please reach out to your WTU Field Representative by Tuesday, September 3^rd, 2024.

WTU’s Official Social Media Pages

Please be aware that the Washington Teachers Union is not affiliated with a Facebook page titled “DCPS Educators Only Network.” The WTU is not responsible for any content posted on the page and is not liable for any consequences arising from a teacher’s participation on the page. Please join the WTU’s Official Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube pages for accurate information about our Union. 

TWITTER: https://x.com/WTUTeacher
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/WTULocal6/
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/wtu_teacher/
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvrkj6wxtayL6Rs1htHEylA

A Message from WTU’s President

Good Morning WTU Members!

On Wednesday, August 14^th, we will welcome new District of Columbia Public School educators into the WTU family at the New Educator Orientation (NEO) at the Columbia Heights Education Campus (CHEC) and the WTU’s NEO reception to follow at Lou’s City Bar! Please join us in getting to know those beginning their journey of educating our DC youth at these two exciting events. To learn more about how you can help during the orientation and reception, please contact WTU’s organizer Mike Roland at [email protected] no later than Monday, August 12^th.

Last week, WTU’s Contract Bargaining Team met with DCPS for another bargaining session. Continuing conversations over what constitutes a fair contract as well as keeping those important rights that we have had since the late 1960s continues to be the goal of our hard-working Contract Bargaining Team. We are grateful for their steadfast commitment to representing the views of our WTU members throughout the hot summer months.

If you would like to file a grievance over your final IMPACT score, please review the rules over what constitutes a violation for IMPACT available here. To file an IMPACT grievance with the support of the WTU, please reach out to your WTU Field Representative by Tuesday, September 3^rd, 2024.

Thank you, as always, for your support!

In solidarity,

Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President

Washington Teachers’ Union

In Memory

Last week, WTU was sad to hear of the loss of one of our members. John Mungai, math teacher at School Without Walls, passed away on July 31. Mr. Mungai also taught at Deal Ms. His colleagues remember him as a humble, beautiful, and kind educator.

The WTU was saddened to also learn of the loss of Mary Levy – a lawyer, ed finance expert, data collector, and top researcher of DCPS’ budget & policies for over 40 yrs. A mother of DCPS grads, Ms. Levy supported all our DCPS educators over the years and played an integral part in performing vital research to ensure WTU members received fair contracts. Many times, she sat at the table with WTU’s contract bargaining team members and generously gave well-researched guidance to the WTU. A consummate professional, Ms. Levy paid attention to the smallest of details, possessed a wonderful sense of humor, and never hesitated to provide support, even as recently as April 2024 when she addressed the WTU Rep Assembly about budget cuts. She will be remembered for her wise counsel and sorely missed.

Once we have more details of memorial or funeral service plans, we will let you know.

A Message from WTU’s President

Good Morning WTU Members!

The biennial AFT Convention is the most important policy-making body of the federation. This past week at the AFT Convention in Houston, Texas. WTU’s 17 delegates and the leadership team worked hard to review important resolutions, constitution, and bylaw amendments as well as vote on the leadership of the AFT. We were proud that one of the first orders of business by the delegates was to vote and endorse VP Harris for President. We were also excited to welcome her to the convention hall on Thursday! Her message both sent and received for this year’s presidential election was “Bring it On!, Bring it ON!, Bring it ON!” What an end to an invigorating week that started with the WTU receiving the Pride of the Union award for celebrating a significant increase in our membership last year! Thank you to all our members who continue to support our mission to serve, protect, and defend all DCPS educators.

Tomorrow, the WTU’s Contract Bargaining Team will meet with DCPS for another session.  We also intend to finalize plans for New Educator Orientation (NEO) which will take place for the first time in four years in-person on August 14^th at the Columbia Heights Education Campus. Please look out for more information on how you can volunteer to help welcome our new teachers to the District of Columbia Public Schools!

If you would like to file a grievance over your final IMPACT score, please review the rules over what constitutes a violation for IMPACT available here.

To file an IMPACT grievance with the support of the WTU, please reach out to your WTU Field Representative by Tuesday, September 3^rd, 2024.

Thank you, as always, for your support!

In solidarity,

Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President

Washington Teachers’ Union

Enroll in Sick Leave/Maternity/Paternity Banks

Open Enrollment for the Sick Leave and Maternity/Paternity Leave Banks is in progress Thursday, June 13, 2024, through Saturday, August 31, 2024! Please use this link to access the change/enroll/cancelation application.

Did DCPS Bring Back Teachers Excessed with DC Council Funding?

All schools had a challenging budget season and had to excess several positions. The WTU is collecting data to see if the excessing process was followed. Now that the Council has restored some funding, we want to make sure those funds are used to rehire teachers who were excessed. Please complete the school budget survey here: https://forms.gle/pcB35vWGn1qsXPRZ8

A Message from WTU’s President

Good Morning WTU Members!

This week has been another unprecedented week in national politics. Despite all the uncertainty, we hope everyone is finding time to enjoy their summer! This week our WTU delegates are attending the AFT Convention in Houston, Texas. Please wish our 17 delegates and our WTU leadership team safe travels. We are happy to announce that the WTU received the Pride of the Union award for celebrating a significant increase in our membership last year.

We also continued to work on plans for New Educator Orientation (NEO) which will take place for the first time in four years in-person on August 14^th at the Columbia Heights Education Campus. Please look out for more information on how you can volunteer to help welcome our new teachers to the District of Columbia Public Schools!

If you would like to file a grievance over your final IMPACT score, please review the rules over what constitutes a violation for IMPACT available here. To file an IMPACT grievance with the support of the WTU, please reach out to your WTU Field Representative by Tuesday, September 3, 2024.

Today, two Summer Institute courses - S.E.L. for Instructors and Reclaiming Assessments - begin! If you would like to earn PLUs, please register before 9AM here!

Thank you, as always, for your support!

In solidarity,

Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President

Washington Teachers’ Union

Enroll in Sick Leave/Maternity/Paternity Banks

Open Enrollment for the Sick Leave and Maternity/Paternity Leave Banks is in progress Thursday, June 13, 2024, through Saturday, August 31, 2024! Please use this link to access the change/enroll/cancelation application.

Did DCPS Bring Back Teachers Excessed with DC Council Funding?

All schools had a challenging budget season and had to excess several positions. The WTU is collecting data to see if the excessing process was followed. Now that the Council has restored some funding, we want to make sure those funds are used to rehire teachers who were excessed. Please complete the school budget survey here: https://forms.gle/pcB35vWGn1qsXPRZ8

A Message from WTU’s President

Good Morning WTU!

This past week, the WTU leadership joined the Metro Washington Labor Council for a Metro Labor Executive Board Retreat. Thank you again, President Epps, for your leadership in organizing this important conference.  We’d also like to thank DC Councilmember Anita Bonds for sending her Deputy Legislative Director to this week’s Contract Bargaining Team meeting with DCPS. We are grateful for her legislative support and for our bargaining team who continues to work hard this summer. To learn more about what transpired, please watch WTU’s Contract Bargaining Team update here.

If you would like to file a grievance over your final IMPACT score, please review the rules over what constitutes a violation for IMPACT available here. Your field representative is available to help you to file. Please reach out to your WTU Field Representative by Tuesday, September 3, 2024 if you would like to file an IMPACT grievance with the support of the WTU.

Please collect and present the following information to your field representative:

• Copy of the final IMPACT rating
• Narrative of procedural violations, citing page number in IMPACT guideline. Note: Disagreement with the evaluator’s comments does not constitute a procedural violation
• Personal contact information (email, phone number)
• Any evidence to support the procedural violation (i.e. emails or other documents)

Please keep in mind that you cannot file an Office of Employee Appeals (OEA) complaint and a WTU grievance. You may, however, file one or the other, but not both. If you do decide to file both, your complaint/grievance will be decided by OEA or the grievance process based on which was first filed.

WTU strongly recommends the grievance process. It allows you to file both a chancellor’s appeal and a WTU grievance. WTU strongly recommends that you file both. If you have any questions, please reach out to your Field Representative.

If you’d like to earn PLUs or graduate credits this summer, there is still time to enroll in the two remaining Summer Institute courses - S.E.L. for Instructors and Reclaiming Assessments.

Thank you, as always, for your support!

In solidarity,

Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President

Washington Teachers’ Union

Weekly Update - WTU’s Contract Action Team (CAT)

Watch WTU’s Contract Bargaining Team’s Weekly Update here: https://youtu.be/WF0RmyityDY or click on the image below.

If you have ideas on what contract actions your school should take, please contact your Building Representative and WTU’s organizer, Mike Roland, for support. Together, we must show DCPS we will not tolerate their proposed reduction of our rights!

A Message from WTU’s President

Good Morning WTU!

Despite the heat, we enjoyed spending time with numerous WTU members at Labor Night at the Nats on Friday night! WTU’s purchase of tickets for members meant that a portion of every ticket sold went to the Community Services Agency, and AFL-CIO, who has been helping workers and their families since 1991. Thank you to the WTU members who attended, and we hope you enjoyed the game!

For our football fans, please know we are planning to have a Labor Event at the Commanders Game vs. New York Giants on September 15^th! Please keep checking the AM BREW for announcements of free tickets for WTU members.   

If you believe your final IMPACT score was negatively affected by the PowerSchool software program used by DCPS, please reach out to your WTU Field Representative for support. If you have any other questions or concerns regarding your end of the year IMPACT score, please reach out to the WTU. If you’d like to earn PLUs or graduate credits this summer, there is still time to enroll in the two remaining Summer Institute courses - S.E.L. for Instructors and Reclaiming Assessments.

Thank you, as always, for your support! Stay cool!

In solidarity,

Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President

Washington Teachers’ Union

Weekly Update - WTU’s Contract Action Team (CAT)

Watch WTU’s Contract Bargaining Team’s Weekly Update here: https://youtu.be/uVY941soIR8 or click on the image below.

If you have ideas on what contract actions your school should take, please contact your Building Representative and WTU’s organizer, Mike Roland, for support. Together, we must show DCPS we will not tolerate their proposed reduction of our rights!

Enroll in Sick Leave/Maternity/Paternity Banks

Open Enrollment for the Sick Leave and Maternity/Paternity Leave Banks is in progress Thursday, June 13, 2024, through Saturday, August 31, 2024! Please use this link to access the change/enroll/cancelation application.

A Message from WTU’s President

Good Morning WTU!

Thank you to the WTU members who joined us on Saturday as we marched alongside our brothers and sisters in labor at The Poor People’s Campaign in DC! We marched to protest the evils of systemic racism, poverty, the war economy, ecological devastation, and the nation’s distorted morality of religious nationalism. Thank you to President Samuel Epps, President of the Metro Labor Council AFL-CIO, for organizing local labor for this important event.

If you believe your final IMPACT score was negatively affected by the PowerSchool software program used by DCPS, please reach out to your WTU Field Representative for support. If you have any other questions or concerns regarding your end of the year IMPACT score, please reach out to the WTU. If you’d like to earn PLUs or graduate credits this summer, there is still time to enroll in the two remaining Summer Institute courses - S.E.L. for Instructors and Reclaiming Assessments.

Thank you, as always, for your support! Have a happy and safe 4^th of July!

In solidarity,

Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, President

Washington Teachers’ Union

WTU’s Official Facebook Page

Please be aware that the Washington Teachers Union is not affiliated with a Facebook page titled “DCPS Educators Only Network.” The WTU is not responsible for any content posted on the page and is not liable for any consequences arising from a teacher’s participation on the page. Please join the WTU’s Official Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube pages for accurate information about our Union.

TWITTER: https://x.com/WTUTeacher
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/WTULocal6/
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/wtu_teacher/
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvrkj6wxtayL6Rs1htHEylA

Want a copy of the WTU’s Final Signed CBA with DCPS?

As mentioned in last week’s Brew To-Go, if you are looking for a copy of the final signed 2020-23 Contract Bargaining Agreement between the Washington Teachers’ Union and the District of Columbia Public Schools, please click here.

Enroll in Sick Leave/Maternity/Paternity Banks

Open Enrollment for the Sick Leave and Maternity/Paternity Leave Banks is in progress Thursday, June 13, 2024, through Saturday, August 31, 2024! Please use this link to access the change/enroll/cancelation application.