DFT President with Ingram, Care Moore, Morgan

Reading Opens the World Features Honored Guests

Detroit was ecstatic to have these three people participate in our book giveaway. AFT National Secretary-Treasurer Fedrick C. Ingram welcomed families and educators to Reading Opens the World. He announced that in May the organization will have given away 10 million books for free. We are thrilled to have had a hand in distributing 50,000 of those books. Poet Jessica Care Moore read one of her poems, I used to be a roller coaster girl and author Ellen A. Morgan, Ed. D read her book, Ellie’s Formal Table. They are standing with President Lakia Wilson-Lumpkins.

Election Committee is Sworn In

Four Election Committee members were sworn in at the April General Membership Meeting. Serving a two year term will be Onza Stokes, Laura Watts, Devette Brown and Julia Hunko. We thank these members for their service to the members of the DFT. Executive Vice President, Jason Posey, looks on. Be sure to say hello to Election Committee when you sign in at the May General Membership meeting.

Posey, Wilson-Lumpkins, Weiss, Martin at town hall

DFT Leadership Participates in Town Hall Meeting

At a town hall hosted by State Representative, Regina Weiss, three of our leaders attended the forum: DFT Executive Vice President, Jason Posey, DFT President, Lakia Wilson-Lunmpkins, and AFT Michigan President, Terrence Martin. Many union members were in attendance to listen to the information.

US Senate Candidate Addresses the Membership

.A candidate for the US Senate from Michigan, Hil Harper, came before the DFT General Membership meeting in April to ask for an endorsement by the union. He spoke to members about his support for unions, being a card-carrying member of one himself, as well as the reasons he would like our support in the upcoming August primary. The union will be hosting other candidates who are also seeking our endorsements.

School Board Heard Our Voices

Nothing About Us, Without Us!

Thanks to all who attended the Tuesday, April 10 Detroit Board of Education meeting at Mumford High School. DFT Members presented our concerns, which included:

Unfair teacher evaluations
Poor teaching and learning conditions
Unnecessary lesson plans expectations
Insulting dress code policy
Inconsistent attendance policies
Excessive/unnecessary paperwork

Questions about 3% Retirement Healthcare Refund? (from DPSCD Website)

Who do I contact if I have a question about my refund?

If you have a question about your ORS Refund amount or the interest, please contact ORS 1-800-381-5111. The district was not involved in the calculation of the refunds or the interest payments and cannot answer any questions. If you have a question about the timeline for refund or a question about verification process, please email the district at healthcare.refund@detroitk12.org.

For more information see the following DPSCD Web page: http://detroitk12.org/content/2018/03/16/employee-healthcare-refunds-update/

Official list of delegates for 2018 AFT Michigan and AFT National Conventions

Elections for the upcoming AFT Michigan 2018 Convention and AFT 2018 Convention will take place beginning Monday April 23, 2018.

This will be an online election. You will receive all the materials you need beginning Monday morning April 23, 2018 in an email from Direct Voice.

The voting period is from 4/23/2018 12:01:00 AM Central Time (UTC -6) to 4/27/2018 5:00:00 PM Central Time (UTC -6).

If you do not receive a ballot by 5 PM EST, please send an email to the Election Committee at dft231ec@gmail.com. Please include your name as listed with DFT, phone number and your personal email address.

The

2018-2020 DFT Election Committee ballot results

Election Committee Election Results (e)= elected

Devette Brown-65 votes (e)

Karren Keffer-42 votes (e)

Kim Mitchell -58 votes (e)

Karl Hartwig- 37 votes

Mignon Pierce- 35 votes

Linda Thomas -57 votes (e)

It has come to our attention this week that reports of violent threats have been made and directed at schools within our district.

Please know that we have been assured that DPSCD Administration and the Detroit Police Department are actively communicating with parents and the general community as well as investigating all reports and responding to them appropriately. We understand that messages aren't getting to staff timely or at all. Communication to staff should come from your building administration or district officials. If this does not occur, let the union know.

As you know, the safety

Here's our Executive Vice President Terrence Martin reading to students at Greenfield Union Elementary School.

Do you have a National Reading Month event involving teachers and students? Drop us a line and we'll cover it. Contact Ken Coleman, DFT Communications Specialist, at 313-875-6775.