Schools will be closed on Monday, February 16, and the WTU offices will also be closed in observance of the holiday. We encourage all educators to take this long weekend to rest, recharge, and care for yourselves. As we move through February, we also invite you to continue celebrating Black History Month in your classrooms, communities, and daily practice.
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We asked members to share how they are celebrating Black History Month, and you delivered. Shoutout to Ballou Stay High School and their Black History Month Poetry Cafe, featuring original work from students and staff. Please share how your school is celebrating this month.
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Please note: There will be a cash bar and due to the high volume of RSVPs we will not be allowing +1s and institute a lottery. You will receive an email if you are selected from the lottery in the next few days from President Fuchs and will have 24 hours to respond affirming you are still attending before we move to the stand-by list. We appreciate you and will look into larger venues in the future if we continue to see a high interest.
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Opportunities to Get involved
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DC Council Performance Oversight Hearings - February and March
There are more opportunities to tell the DC Council how our government is doing spending our tax dollars. From DCPS to OSSE you can register to testify over Zoom or in person (or submit written testimony) at key hearings.
Lets show our power beyond the email!
| Date, topic & Link to sign up |
Potential Testimony Topics |
| 2/18: DC Public Schools |
IMPACT, Planning Time, International Educators, Weather emergencies, and more |
| 2/25: DC State Board of Education, State Athletics Oversight |
Empowering the DC State Board of Education to be a real school board, Athletic Trainers, All things DCPS Athletics |
| 2/26: Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining |
Grievance Process, Contract Enforcement and Violations, Contract Negotiations
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| 2/27: Public Service Commission |
Higher Utility Bills, Gas Smells On The Street, Excessive Street Construction by Washington Gas
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| 3/4: OSSE |
Special Education, Power Schools, School Busses |
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WTU Science Educator Committee (Zoom) - 2/17/26 4:30 PM
The WTU Science Committee is launching a district‑wide survey to identify science teachers’ needs around resources, supplies, IMPACT, and curriculum. Join our next committee meeting to help finalize the survey, advocate for dedicated PD time, and strengthen support for science educators across the district.
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WTU Retirement Options Task Force (Zoom) - 2/17/26 5:00 PM
The Retirement Options Task Force is digging into major issues affecting members’ retirement processing and we’re working to ensure educators get accurate benefit statements and clear guidance well before retirement. Join us on Tuesday to help review these issues, strengthen member support, and shape solutions that protect educators’ retirement security.
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WTU Senior High VP Meeting (Zoom) - 2/19/26, 4:30PM
The High School Committee’s last meeting focused on reviewing the committee’s purpose, discussing Cycle 1 IMPACT experiences across schools, and advancing the graduation requirements campaign through an email‑writing push and plans for coordinated testimonies before the SBOE. Join our next meeting on Thursday to continue shaping this campaign, add your school’s perspective, and help organize the collective advocacy needed to protect and improve graduation pathways for our students.
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WTU Communications Committee (Zoom) - 2/19/26, 5 PM
The Communications Committee is gearing up for major projects in 2026, including migrating the WTU website to AFT’s StatesWeb platform, improving our e‑newsletter, exploring printed monthly updates, and launching a member survey to better understand how educators receive information. Join us Thursday to help shape the new website, strengthen our outreach strategies, and build more effective, engaging communication tools for all WTU members.
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The linked memo provides key guidance on your contractual rights around Co‑Teacher Coverage, and we encourage educators to review it, share it with school leadership as needed, and follow the outlined steps if DCPS does not provide proper compensation.
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DCPS has adjusted the 2025–26 school calendar in response to the recent winter storm, adding an instructional day on March 12 and extending the last day for educators to Monday June 22 to make up for weather‑related closures.
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The WTU Leave Banks Policy is updated reported on and updated (if necessary) each month at the WTU Representative Assembly. You can check out the latest numbers and updates at the WTU Website.
Due to high usage the policies voted on in January are:
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Sick Leave Bank: 50% of requested amount for a maximum of 120 hours for the remainder of the school year. Some Retro for Spring of SY24-25 will be approved on a one time basis in the summer based on availability.
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Parental Leave Bank: Maximum of 80 hours for the remainder of the year.
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WTU Science Educator Committee (Zoom) - 2/17/26 4:30PM
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WTU Retirement Options Task Force (Zoom) - 2/17/26 5PM
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WTU Personnel Committee - 2/18/26, 5PM
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DC State Board of Education Public Meeting (441 4th St. NW) 2/18/26, 5:30 PM
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WTU Senior High VP Meeting (Zoom) - 2/19/26, 4:30PM
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WTU Communications Committee (Zoom) - 2/19/26, 5 PM
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WTU Junior High VP Meeting (Zoom) - 2/26/26, 6 PM
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WTU Specialized Services VP Committee Meeting (Zoom) – 2/24/26, 4:30PM
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WTU Elementary VP Meeting (Zoom) – 2/24/26, 5:30PM
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SHAPPE: Senior High Alliance of Parents, Principals and Educators (Zoom) - 2/24/26, 6 PM
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**NEW** WTU Replacing IMPACT Task Force (Zoom) - 2/25/26, 5:30PM
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WTU Committee on Political Education Meeting (COPE) (Zoom) - 3/2/26, 5PM
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WTU International Educators Committee Meeting (Zoom) - 3/2/26, 7PM
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WTU Specialized Services VP Committee Meeting (Zoom) – 3/3/26, 4:30P
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WTU Socialite Committee Meeting (Zoom) - 3/3/26, 5PM
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WTU Professional Development Committee (Zoom) – 3/4/26, 5:30PM
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WTU Organizing Committee (Zoom) - 3/5/26, 5PM
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WTU Executive Board Meeting (View Only) (Zoom) - 3/7/26, 9AM (10 for Members)
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WTU Special Education VP Committee Meeting (Zoom) - 3/9/26, 4:30PM
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WTU Representative Assembly Meeting (Zoom) - 3/10/26, 4:30PM
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WTU Retiree Chapter Meeting (Lamond Riggs Library) - 3/11/26, 10AM
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WTU Career Educators VP Meeting (Zoom) – 3/11/26, 5PM
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Professional Development Opportunites
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WTU will offer 2 Winter Course Opportunities for 45 PLUs or 3 Graduate Credits from Trinity University
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The Courses:
- Managing Behaviors in School Communities with Dr. Staci Adams-Burnett
- Virtual, Tuesday & Thursday, 5-7PM
- February 17th-April 10th
- Psychology and Education of Exceptional Children with Dr. John Taylor
- Virtual, Tuesday & Thursday, 4-7PM
- Feb 9-March 17 (already began)
The Costs:
- $125 for WTU Members, $150 for non-WTU Members.
- Additional $375 go Trinity University for the 3 Graduate Credits.
Click to learn more
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The following are open forms you can use to inform the WTU of your opinion:
| Form Title & Link |
Purpose |
| Elementary Grade Level Leads Group Grievance |
Let us know if you were an Elementary Grade Level lead who did not get compensated. |
| Planning Time Survey |
Let us know if you are getting your full protected amount of planning time free from required LEAP and Data Meetings |
| New Educators In DCPS |
If you are new to your profession and/or new to DCPS the WTU wants to hear from you! The WTU will be hosting sessions to learn more about how things are going for new Educators and how we can better support you. |
| Self-Contained Support – Fill out form |
The WTU is gathering feedback from self-contained special education teachers to better understand your experiences, challenges, and priorities. |
| WTU: SY24-25 Morning Block Payment Calculation - Complete to receive any money due to you – Fill out form |
Fill out this form to inform us if your school held meetings, how many, and when, so we can make the case for you to be adequately compensated by DCPS for taking your protected time.
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| WTU Support Form |
If you took leave on January 29, January 30, or February 2, and your leave was charged 8 hours instead of 6 hours, please share that with us.
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| Winter Storm Facilities Issues |
If you experienced damaged cars, freezing classrooms, or other unsafe conditions at DCPS facilities as a result of the recent winter storm, please take a moment to report these issues to us.
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