About 800 members attended the DFT mass meeting on Sunday, Jan. 25 at the Adoba Hotel in Dearborn. Thanks to all who came and brought with you all of your optimism and determination to begin a new era of democracy, organizing and action.
I was honored to deliver an address on the state of our union, which you may read here.
New DFT President Steve Conn, executive vice president Ivy Bailey, and the executive board members were sworn in yesterday by AFT Michigan President David Hecker.
"I want to salute the marvelous due militancy of Detroit teachers," Conn said. "It's time to take a stand for justice.
"I want to say to the governor, the politicians, and the corporate interests who they work for, we are fed up with the state-sponsored destruction of the Detroit schools."
Conn said he wants to re-incorporate the EAA schools into DPS, end the "obscene standardized testing regimen," and get a union rep in every building, among other goals.
He recalled the speech given by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963 as a situation similar to what Detroit teachers face today and "the fierce urgency of now."
The DFT Retiree Chapter meetings will move as of Jan. 13. The reitrees will no longer meet at Triumph Church on East Grand Boulevard.
We will now meet at the Michigan First Credit Union, 27000 Evergreen Rd., Lathrup Village, 48076. Also, instead of meeting on the third Tuesday of each month, we will meet on the SECOND Tuesday of the month.
News in this issue of The Detroit Teacher:
and much more....[Download here].
The DFT Memorial Scholarship Fund has reached "Cornerstone Society" status within the Anthony Wayne Society at Wayne State University. The honor goes to organizations that have reached the threshold of $50,000 of giving toward the institution and its students.
"This is made possible by the generosity and support of DFT members," said Paula Trilety, treasurer of the DFT Memorial Scholarship Fund. "Honoring or memorializing a colleague with a donation to the DFT Memorial Scholarship Fund is a special way to show you care."
Last year's scholarship recipient was Lia Heath-Day.
Donations can be made to the DFT Memorial Scholarship Fund and sent to the DFT, attention Paula Trilety, at 7700 Second Ave., Suite 427, Detroit, MI 48202.
The following DFT members are in urgent need of donated sick days: Andrea Williams, of Westside Academy; Brian Dolechek, homebound teacher; Lisa Bonner, school psychologist; Voncile Campbell, of Chrysler Elementary School; Gail Stamps, Blackwell Institute; Cynthia Williams of East English Village Preparatory Academy; Princess Wilford at Noble Elementary School; and Tracy E. Jolly at Pulaski Elementary School. If you can help by donating a sick day to them, please [download this form] and fax it to the Office of Payroll at 313-873-4448. The day IS NOT recorded as an absence. The number of days in your sick bank is just reduced and not recorded as used.