WTU News and Information 
October 10, 2014
CALENDAR

10/14/14 
JOINT GENERAL MEMBERSHIP/
DELEGATE ASSEMBLY MEETING
McKinley Tech HS
4:30 pm

10/23/14
"HAPPY HOUR" WITH
WTU-ENDORSED
CANDIDATES
5 - 7 pm
Tap & Parlour
2011 11th St. NW
Drinks and Refreshments

10/28/14
REGIONAL
FIELD MEETINGS
4:30 - 6:30 pm
Hardy Middle School
Stanton Elementary School
Whittier Education Campus

VISIT THE
NEW WTU WEBSITE

 
 

Our website has a

fresh, bold new look!  

On it you'll find a wealth of valuable resources, and documents outlining your rights as a D.C. Public School educator. You'll also have access to an ever-growing list of WTU member benefits.

 

Check it out!


SAVE THE DATE!

Join us Oct. 29 for a special Share My Lesson professional development & networking opportunity at AFT headquarters. This is an exclusive WTU member event. Refreshments and fun included! More details will be available at our meeting on Oct 14.
Changes to IMPACT
DCPS has made a number of important changes to IMPACT that you should know about. Click on the link below to see that those changes are. 

Need to Know More About the New PARCC Assessment?

Share Your Questions and Join Us on October 14!

  

Officials from the DCPS Office of Data and Strategy will present on the new Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) student assessment at the next Joint General Membership and Delegate Assembly Meeting, Tues., Oct. 14, 4:30 pm at McKinley Technical High School.

 

We need your input. Take this short three-question WTU PARCC Assessment survey and share the questions you want answered at the meeting. 

The WTU offers members a wide range of courses including "Making Data Work for You" and "Learning and Instructional Strategies That Work for All Disciplines."
Both of these courses are available starting in November.

WTU DELEGATE ASSEMBLY MEETING
WATCH A VIDEO OF A RECENT WTU DELEGATE ASSEMBLY MEETING

 Teacher Center Coordinators wanted!
The WTU Teacher Center
Professional Development Program is a collaborative program of the Washington Teachers' Union and the District of Columbia Public Schools.

Find out how to apply 

Quick Links
President's Message:
We are forging ahead on the 
contract, other priorities
WTU President Elizabeth Davis 
 

The first several weeks of the school year have been busy ones for the WTU--as I'm sure they have been for most of you. Your union has been active on a number of important fronts, including endorsing candidates for elected office (see story below), responding to the agenda put forth by Chancellor Kaya Henderson's "State of the D.C. Schools" speech (see story below) and standing up for those teachers victimized by IMPACT, our school district's broken teacher evaluation system.

 

Of course, I am keenly aware that the issue foremost on your mind as a D.C.P.S. teacher is almost certainly the status of contract negotiations. Be assured that your union is forging ahead with its goal of negotiating a new agreement that addresses those issues that you've told us are your most pressing concerns. There are several bargaining sessions scheduled for October--and we intend to be vocal in representing your interests at each one.

 

The union has been solution-driven in its approach to contract negotiations. In order to reclaim the promise of a high-quality public education for the children we serve, we believe that teachers, parents, the community, the school district and other education stakeholders must work together to solve problems and advance the vision of a school system that works for ALL of our children.

  

READ MORE HERE  

Union endorses candidates for office in D.C.,

votes "no endorsement" in mayoral race

 

The WTU has endorsed Rev. Graylan Hagler and Elissa Silverman (at-large);

Brianne Nadeau (Ward 1); and Charles Allen (Ward 6) for seats on the District of Columbia City Council. The union's executive board also voted unanimously to support the candidacies of Paul Zuckerberg for Attorney General; and Lillian Perdomo (Ward 1) and Ruth Wattenberg (Ward 3) for State Board of Education.

 

"WTU members believe that this election can usher in a new direction for our schools-one that is focused on working with educators, parents and the community to reclaim the promise of public education for all children," WTU President Elizabeth Davis said.

 

The executive board voted by consensus for "No Endorsement" in the race for Mayor of the District Columbia. "It's clear by our meetings and discussions that there was no clear choice among our members as to who they wanted the union to endorse for mayor," Davis said. "We believe a 'no endorsement' position is in the best interest of the WTU and its membership. The union is prepared to work with whomever is elected mayor."

 READ THE FULL STATEMENT HERE

WTU responds to Henderson's "State of the Schools"   

 

DCPS School Chancellor Kaya Henderson gave her "State of the D.C. Public Schools" speech on Sept. 30. In addition to touting her priorities, the chancellor noted that during her school visits on the first day of school she saw "engaged" teachers in schools across the city.  

In her remarks, the chancellor pointed out that DCPS has hired 700 new teachers for the current school year. Following the chancellor's speech, WTU President Elizabeth Davis told the press that she was concerned that these new teachers will end up leaving if the school system doesn't provide them with the necessary professional development and other supports. "Teachers need to be given time to plan and collaborate," she said. "They need more time to work and learn together, especially new teachers."   

   

A statement put out by the WTU president just prior to the chancellor's speech makes clear that the achievement gap is a top concern of the union and its members. "While we applaud those District of Columbia schools and students who have experienced modest academic gains, there continues to be a major achievement gap that has left far too many of our children behind--especially those from economically disadvantaged families. The top-down reforms advanced by DCPS leadership has done little to address this inequity."  

READ THE CHANCELLOR'S SPEECH

HERE'S THE WTU'S VIEW

HERE'S THE "REAL STORY" ON DCPS 

Extended day, IMPACT top agenda at
union's general membership meeting

 

Several issues were on the agenda when the WTU held its General Membership meeting at H.D. Woodson High School on Sept. 23. Members received updates on issues ranging from extended day and the status of IMPACT grievances to the WTU's new and improved website. The meeting also featured vendors showcasing the benefits and services available to WTU members, as well as information about the professional development classes available through WTU. 

 

A major issue was the extended school day program being pushed by DCPS. WTU President Elizabeth Davis told the meeting that the union "wants to strengthen the school day, not extend it." Eighty-four percent of the members responding to a WTU poll agreed with the union's position.

 

During the meeting, it was reported that the union has filed IMPACT grievance on behalf of more than 150 members. Those grievances are currently in first step of labor-management employee relations.

WTU president speaks at Cong. Black Caucus forum on cyberbullying, members participate in CBC activities 

 

WTU President Elizabeth Davis gave introductory remarks during a forum on cyberbullying at Dunbar High School on Sept. 25. Sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and the American Federation of Teachers, the forum was entitled "Raise Awareness, Lift Your Voice, End Cyberbullying." The WTU president said she was pleased to see that "cyberbulling " was the topic of the essay contest organized by the spouses of members of the Congressional Black Caucus.  

 

Thanks to the WTU, several D.C. teachers were able to participate in Black Caucus weekend activities, including workshops and a reception with members of the Baltimore Teachers Union.  

 

 




This Columbus Day let zipcar take you on your own voyage of discovery

Need a car to get out of town over the upcoming long weekend? Join zipcar through the WTU member affiliate and save. WTU members can join zipcar without paying the $25 set up fee and with a reduced annual membership of only $25 (down from $60). On top of that you'll save 10-20% on your weekday driving.  

 

What's zipcar? Glad you asked. It's a smarter way to get around the city.

  • *  Drive cars by the hour or day. Gas & insurance included.

  • *  In neighborhoods, cities and airports across the globe.

  • *  Save hundreds over car ownership.

  • *  Choose from sedans, hybrids, vans and more.

    Still have questions, check out

    http://www.zipcar.com/how
    To join the WTU affiliate and save some dough follow me: http://members.zipcar.com/wtu

     

D.C. Writing Project hosts noted author

and D.C. high school grad


The DC Area Writing Project will kick off its "DC Authors Table" series on Sat., Oct. 11, 2014 (11am - 1pm) at Howard University

(Room 117 Miner Building). Our first guest will be Lauren Von Der Pool who is the author of the book "Eat Yourself Sexy". Ms. Von Der Pool is a healthy-eating advocate, a world traveler and provides her nutritional expertise as the chef for Venus and Serena Williams. Her book is a vegan and raw food beginners guide on how to eat food that

makes you sexy from inside out. She is a product of DC Public Schools (Theodore

Roosevelt High School).