WTU meeting updates?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Latest DCPS statement does not call for work stoppage/strike. They will continue to teach virtually unless the Mayor says they can’t.

you mean the WTU statement? it calls for in-person teachers to refuse to show up to their assigned work stations. that’s a strike.

If arbitration decision says Dcps needs to provide info as promised in MOA would you still want your child to go back before that happens? Going back safely in person hinges on this.

I have confidence that my school (Janney) has met all the safety requirements. So yes, I would send my child back before the arbitration ruling.

And there it is. You see, whether you believe it or not, the union as an organization is concerned with ALL students, families, teachers, and staff, not just yours. You have every right to advocate for YOUR child and YOUR family, but the WTU is legitimately concerned for the health, safety and access to education for students across the district. It is against the equity priority to send children back to Janney, but not to another school - especially if that other school serves traditionally underserved populations and is already in some state of disrepair.

Since I know many believe that advocacy for students and families has nothing to do with the WTU's mission I will add that just like you have the right to say what you just said about your school and your child, the union also has the right to advocate for teachers because that is literally what it's there for. That's what unions do! Teachers have finally drawn a line at which they will not sacrifice for your children. That line is drawn at feelings of personal safety and the safety of their families, and whether or not you feel its appropriate based on scientific evidence, the fact is that your family is allowed to choose whether to go back to school. The union has every right to advocate for its members.

But I thought the talking point was that DL is an adequate substitute. I honestly don’t think anyone is speaking for ward 7 and 8 families. Both the union and the reopen parents are using them s pawns for their agenda.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Latest DCPS statement does not call for work stoppage/strike. They will continue to teach virtually unless the Mayor says they can’t.

you mean the WTU statement? it calls for in-person teachers to refuse to show up to their assigned work stations. that’s a strike.

If arbitration decision says Dcps needs to provide info as promised in MOA would you still want your child to go back before that happens? Going back safely in person hinges on this.

I have confidence that my school (Janney) has met all the safety requirements. So yes, I would send my child back before the arbitration ruling.

And there it is. You see, whether you believe it or not, the union as an organization is concerned with ALL students, families, teachers, and staff, not just yours. You have every right to advocate for YOUR child and YOUR family, but the WTU is legitimately concerned for the health, safety and access to education for students across the district. It is against the equity priority to send children back to Janney, but not to another school - especially if that other school serves traditionally underserved populations and is already in some state of disrepair.

Since I know many believe that advocacy for students and families has nothing to do with the WTU's mission I will add that just like you have the right to say what you just said about your school and your child, the union also has the right to advocate for teachers because that is literally what it's there for. That's what unions do! Teachers have finally drawn a line at which they will not sacrifice for your children. That line is drawn at feelings of personal safety and the safety of their families, and whether or not you feel its appropriate based on scientific evidence, the fact is that your family is allowed to choose whether to go back to school. The union has every right to advocate for its members.

I don’t undersand your word salad. Are you saying it’s fair to keep Janney closed because other schools may not be ready to open?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Latest DCPS statement does not call for work stoppage/strike. They will continue to teach virtually unless the Mayor says they can’t.

you mean the WTU statement? it calls for in-person teachers to refuse to show up to their assigned work stations. that’s a strike.

If arbitration decision says Dcps needs to provide info as promised in MOA would you still want your child to go back before that happens? Going back safely in person hinges on this.

I have confidence that my school (Janney) has met all the safety requirements. So yes, I would send my child back before the arbitration ruling.

And there it is. You see, whether you believe it or not, the union as an organization is concerned with ALL students, families, teachers, and staff, not just yours. You have every right to advocate for YOUR child and YOUR family, but the WTU is legitimately concerned for the health, safety and access to education for students across the district. It is against the equity priority to send children back to Janney, but not to another school - especially if that other school serves traditionally underserved populations and is already in some state of disrepair.

Since I know many believe that advocacy for students and families has nothing to do with the WTU's mission I will add that just like you have the right to say what you just said about your school and your child, the union also has the right to advocate for teachers because that is literally what it's there for. That's what unions do! Teachers have finally drawn a line at which they will not sacrifice for your children. That line is drawn at feelings of personal safety and the safety of their families, and whether or not you feel its appropriate based on scientific evidence, the fact is that your family is allowed to choose whether to go back to school. The union has every right to advocate for its members.

But I thought the talking point was that DL is an adequate substitute. I honestly don’t think anyone is speaking for ward 7 and 8 families. Both the union and the reopen parents are using them s pawns for their agenda.

How are the “reopen parents” using Wards 7 and 8 as “pawns” when they say that they are ready to return to THEIR schools in different wards?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parents on this board are just itching for a reason to demonize the union. Relax! Your kids will be back in school this week.

But now they are throwing down the gauntlet saying no 5 day a week school until all the kids are vaccinated. Never mind that there is no vaccination for kids. It’s outrageous. People who can will vote with their feet, which will only serve to erode the districts tax base.

[Anonymous]

aaand WTU is now tweeting that it is still unsafe to return *even after vaccination.* Ok Mayor Bowser - it is now go time to crush the union.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People were fools to believe this Feb 1 plan was actually happening.

Really? Because teachers were playing along. Pretty awful to mislead kids like this. They’ve been gearing up for weeks at this point. WTU should have decided this at least two weeks ago. What jerks. And I’m someone who gave up on the idea of in person school until next year, and was fine with it!

Huh No one has been gearing up? Also the WTU has stated from the beginning they were against in person for term 3. Why in heaven's name are you surprised and outraged about?

My kids classes have been rearranged. The in school kids have been assigned. My kid had introductory meetings with her new teachers and classmates. We have a new schedule. Yes, they were gearing up.

+1 my child had multiple days of instruction cancelled for the teacher to prepare for in-person. My school was absolutely preparing for it. I still think feb 1 will happen, but admit I’m an unrelenting optimist and could very much be wrong.

There was little prep done at some school. Still tonight teachers have been assigned in person classes of 3 and never had a chance to say good bye to their virtual class because they were assigned late Wed night. Thur was a day to set up classroom no actual precessional development on simulcast instruction too.

These plans are thrown together in my kids schools. The principal said in a planning meeting their regional superintendent assigned which kids needed to be in person and then teachers were asked to write and submitted data for kids they recommended for in person. Not a single opportunity was extended to parents asking them if they wanted to return. I’m actually okay if the school could pick which kids but they are claiming they asked parents who wanted in person and built plans around that. It’s simply not the case. As a result virtual is gonna go to trash to accommodate a handful of kid who were offered spots but never interested.

There is no transparency in the process and it’s a bum plan. I’m starting understand why some folks are pushing back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:aaand WTU is now tweeting that it is still unsafe to return *even after vaccination.* Ok Mayor Bowser - it is now go time to crush the union.

Omg.

Bowser, go, go!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:aaand WTU is now tweeting that it is still unsafe to return *even after vaccination.* Ok Mayor Bowser - it is now go time to crush the union.

The teacher union is not going to be crushed. As much as you may want it to be. The voting power of people associated with the union is too great. See the last time a mayor crossed the union. You may not like the union but plenty of other people NOT on this board do not feel the same way. I know that’s hard for you to believe

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:aaand WTU is now tweeting that it is still unsafe to return *even after vaccination.* Ok Mayor Bowser - it is now go time to crush the union.

The teacher union is not going to be crushed. As much as you may want it to be. The voting power of people associated with the union is too great. See the last time a mayor crossed the union. You may not like the union but plenty of other people NOT on this board do not feel the same way. I know that’s hard for you to believe

You’re going to be proven wrong. The unions cannot keep schools closed for two years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a bad play for WTU. I'm pro union in general, but you have to play your cards better than this. You're going to lose what little parental support you have left.

It’s odd that parents on this forum think this. They have tons of parent support, just less from white ones or the more wealthy ones.

Actually true. 6 parents forwarded their emails to me about my kids’ school reopening plan. They felt that the plan was not safe and cited sealed windows, broken hvac, the neighborhood being a major hotspot with many kids invited to come back that actually have parents with covid right now (coughing in the background). One parent forwarded her email which was in Spanish asking why she has to send her son back because she felt it wasn’t safe -she is clearly confused but has not even heard back yet!!!

This forum is such a departure from the reality for the majority of parents in DCPS. However it is true the loud wealthy white parents with extra time complain the most and tend to be the only voice heard. I’m tired of white folks speaking for our black families and don’t even listen to the black parents in their class. They dominate conversations and complain.

Our families have been impacted by covid and yours haven’t in the same way.

I strongly am against a plan that cries virtual learning for 75% of DCPS and accommodates whinny white parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:aaand WTU is now tweeting that it is still unsafe to return *even after vaccination.* Ok Mayor Bowser - it is now go time to crush the union.

The teacher union is not going to be crushed. As much as you may want it to be. The voting power of people associated with the union is too great. See the last time a mayor crossed the union. You may not like the union but plenty of other people NOT on this board do not feel the same way. I know that’s hard for you to believe

You’re going to be proven wrong. The unions cannot keep schools closed for two years.

Who said the schools will be closed for two years? You are crazy. I’m glad you believe everything thr union tweets out. Do you believe everything you read? Or just when it’s the union?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:aaand WTU is now tweeting that it is still unsafe to return *even after vaccination.* Ok Mayor Bowser - it is now go time to crush the union.

They haven’t tweeted that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:aaand WTU is now tweeting that it is still unsafe to return *even after vaccination.* Ok Mayor Bowser - it is now go time to crush the union.

The teacher union is not going to be crushed. As much as you may want it to be. The voting power of people associated with the union is too great. See the last time a mayor crossed the union. You may not like the union but plenty of other people NOT on this board do not feel the same way. I know that’s hard for you to believe

The power of crushing the union is in the fines that will be imposed due to illegal collective action. The AFT is not going to support the WTU and the union will only be able to weather fines so long. A bankrupt union is a crushed union. Whether it happens remains to be seen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Latest DCPS statement does not call for work stoppage/strike. They will continue to teach virtually unless the Mayor says they can’t.

you mean the WTU statement? it calls for in-person teachers to refuse to show up to their assigned work stations. that’s a strike.

If arbitration decision says Dcps needs to provide info as promised in MOA would you still want your child to go back before that happens? Going back safely in person hinges on this.

I have confidence that my school (Janney) has met all the safety requirements. So yes, I would send my child back before the arbitration ruling.

And there it is. You see, whether you believe it or not, the union as an organization is concerned with ALL students, families, teachers, and staff, not just yours. You have every right to advocate for YOUR child and YOUR family, but the WTU is legitimately concerned for the health, safety and access to education for students across the district. It is against the equity priority to send children back to Janney, but not to another school - especially if that other school serves traditionally underserved populations and is already in some state of disrepair.

Since I know many believe that advocacy for students and families has nothing to do with the WTU's mission I will add that just like you have the right to say what you just said about your school and your child, the union also has the right to advocate for teachers because that is literally what it's there for. That's what unions do! Teachers have finally drawn a line at which they will not sacrifice for your children. That line is drawn at feelings of personal safety and the safety of their families, and whether or not you feel its appropriate based on scientific evidence, the fact is that your family is allowed to choose whether to go back to school. The union has every right to advocate for its members.

But I thought the talking point was that DL is an adequate substitute. I honestly don’t think anyone is speaking for ward 7 and 8 families. Both the union and the reopen parents are using them s pawns for their agenda.

How are the “reopen parents” using Wards 7 and 8 as “pawns” when they say that they are ready to return to THEIR schools in different wards?

Not referring to the Janney poster. But there have been many posts advocating that we return because of the achievement gap - ignoring the fact that many of the families in these areas don’t feel safe to return because their school buildings are already in disrepair and DCPS hasn’t ever proved itself a trustworthy entity to them. Look, I’m at a school that I believe is safe to return and have a spot for my kid. I’m irritated with both DCPS and the Union for their terrible job negotiating and messaging. But I’m not going to pretend that other structural problems don’t exist and are exacerbated by the pandemic. It just feels icky to use them for my agenda, which is to get my kid back in school in some capacity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a bad play for WTU. I'm pro union in general, but you have to play your cards better than this. You're going to lose what little parental support you have left.

It’s odd that parents on this forum think this. They have tons of parent support, just less from white ones or the more wealthy ones.

Actually true. 6 parents forwarded their emails to me about my kids’ school reopening plan. They felt that the plan was not safe and cited sealed windows, broken hvac, the neighborhood being a major hotspot with many kids invited to come back that actually have parents with covid right now (coughing in the background). One parent forwarded her email which was in Spanish asking why she has to send her son back because she felt it wasn’t safe -she is clearly confused but has not even heard back yet!!!

This forum is such a departure from the reality for the majority of parents in DCPS. However it is true the loud wealthy white parents with extra time complain the most and tend to be the only voice heard. I’m tired of white folks speaking for our black families and don’t even listen to the black parents in their class. They dominate conversations and complain.

Our families have been impacted by covid and yours haven’t in the same way.

I strongly am against a plan that cries virtual learning for 75% of DCPS and accommodates whinny white parents.

oh stfu. the majority of the kids going back are black and latino. you should be busting your *ss trying to work with disadvantaged parents to get their kids back in school, whatever needs to happen, instead of reflexively deeming what white parents want as “racist.”