The Washington Teachers Union (WTU) released a survey on Monday, August 14th showing the increasing levels of violence in schools and the necessity of providing teachers and students with additional supports needed to address this growing concern. Thirty percent of teachers surveyed have been assaulted by students, the union said, with 42% of them saying they were slapped, punched or kicked.

The rise in school violence is one of the reasons teachers say they are resigning and not returning to the classrooms in record rates. To address these concerns, the WTU is calling on DCPS to form a special committee, provide counseling services for students, families and staff, give mental health first-aid training to staff and implement other recommendations before school starts on Aug. 28. DCPS hasn't yet responded to the union's proposal, the union said.

To provide new District of Columbia teachers with additional support, the WTU will host a special New District of Columbia Teachers Meet and Greet on Thursday, August 17th to warmly welcome and support new teachers as they begin their teaching journey this fall. Please spread the word! August 17th. 4-7PM Martin Luther King Jr.'s Memorial Library - Rooftop Terrace. Click here to RSVP.