Time Is Running Out To Save The Leave Banks!
If you haven’t joined yet, we urgently need you to sign up and donate by Friday January 9, 2026. This is your chance to make sure you are enrolled in both the Parental and Sick Leave Banks and help keep these critical resources alive for you and your colleagues.
- Sick Leave Bank: Your donation ensures the bank remains solvent for the rest of the year. With enough contributions, we can even provide retroactive support to those who missed access during Spring SY25.
- Parental Leave Bank: This bank is in a precarious position. It exists to help colleagues spend much-needed time with new additions to their families. It will only survive if we all step up now.
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Be A Part Of Our 2026 Candidate ForumWTU is hosting a virtual forum for Ward 1 Council and Mayoral candidates, where we’ll ask key education questions and hear their positions. After the public forum, WTU members will participate in an internal discussion to decide endorsement recommendations.
To prepare, check out the candidate's responses to the questionnaire: Link
Register today and don't miss this virtual event on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. We will continue this process with the other races in the coming months.
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Elections Are Ahead: Join COPE Now
At our last meeting, we finalized the WTU Candidate Questionnaire and began planning the virtual candidate forum for both the Ward 1 Council and Mayoral races on Wednesday January 7, 2026. We also discussed opening forums to the community and launching a communications plan to boost member participation. Join the COPE Committee this Monday, January 5th at 5PM to finalize forum details, react to candidate responses, and set the remaining endorsement schedule. Your input is critical to keeping education front and center in DC politics!
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Stronger Together: Support International Educators
Last month, we advanced our advocacy efforts with updates on petitions, visa renewal timelines, and strategies for upcoming DCPS budget hearings. We also began planning our approach to the visa renewals campaign at the upcoming candidate forum and opened nominations for Committee Chair/Co-Chair. Join us Monday to help drive these initiatives forward and strengthen support for international educators!
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Your Ideas Needed for Winter Party
In December, the Socialite committee started planning the January Winter Party, discussing venue options, catering ideas, entertainment like DJs and photo booths, and ways to make the event fun and affordable through sponsorships. We also brainstormed future social events such as bowling, movie nights, and volunteer opportunities. Join us Tuesday to help finalize party details and bring your ideas for making WTU social events unforgettable!
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Help Plan New Educator Support Today
The Professional Development committee confirmed new Trinity PD course offerings, discussed plans for a New Educator Welcome Meeting in January, and explored ways to support educators through surveys and mini-PD sessions. We also began outlining strategies for advertising and RSVPs to boost participation. Join us Wednesday to help finalize these plans and shape professional development opportunities for all WTU members!
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Join the Fight for Teacher Planning
In our last meeting, we advanced our Protect Our Planning campaign by reviewing actions taken so far, drafting a feedback survey, and planning next steps, including testimony prep for the January 21 Teacher Retention Hearing. We also discussed strategies for district-wide support and ways to engage members through school-based actions and social media. Join us Thursday to help finalize our organizing strategy and keep the momentum strong!
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Share Your Stories of Solidarity
We want to highlight the incredible ways WTU members stand together. Email us your story and include photos so we can feature your experiences in an upcoming newsletter. Your voice and moments of solidarity inspire us all!
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WTU Committee on Political Education Meeting (COPE) (Zoom) - 1/5/26, 5PM
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WTU International Educators Committee Meeting (Zoom) - 1/5/26, 7PM
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WTU Socialite Committee Meeting (Zoom) - 1/6/26, 5PM
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LSAT Collective (Zoom) - 1/6/26, 7PM
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WTU Professional Development Committee (Zoom) – 1/7/26, 5:30PM
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WTU Virtual Candidate Forum for Ward 1 Council and Mayoral Races (Zoom) - 1/7/26, 6PM
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WTU Organizing Committee (Zoom) - 1/8/26, 5PM
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WTU Executive Board Meeting (View Only) (Zoom) - 1/10/26, 9AM (10 for Members)
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WTU Special Education VP Committee Meeting (Zoom) - 1/12/25, 4:30PM
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WTU Representative Assembly Meeting (Zoom) - 1/13/26, 4:30P
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WTU Retiree Chapter Meeting (Lamond Riggs Library) - 1/14/26, 10AM
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WTU Career Educators VP Meeting (Zoom) – 1/14/26, 5PM
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Decoding Dyslexia DC Speaker (Zoom) – 1/14/26, 7PM
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WTU Senior High VP Meeting (Zoom) - 1/19/26, 4:30PM
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WTU Science Educator Committee (Zoom) - 1/20/26, 4:30 PM
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WTU Retirement Options Task Force (Zoom) - 1/20/26 5:00 PM
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DC State Board of Education Public Meeting (441 4th St. NW) 1/21/26, 5:30 PM
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WTU Junior High VP Meeting (Zoom) - 1/22/26, 6 PM
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WTU Specialized Services VP Committee Meeting (Zoom) – 1/27/26, 4:30PM
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WTU Elementary VP Meeting (Zoom) – 1/27/26, 5:30PM
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SHAPPE: Senior High Alliance of Parents, Principals and Educators (Zoom) - 1/27/26, 6 PM
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We have won our Arbitration over protecting our 4 independently Teacher Directed Morning Blocks per week. Now it is time to demand our protected planning time.
Our first step: Make sure everyone in your building knows their rights.
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The following are open forms you can use to inform the WTU of your opinion:
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Thank you for your continued dedication to our students, our schools, and our union. Let’s stay informed and united because together, we’re stronger.
In solidarity,
Washington Teachers’ Union
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