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.

Marcus Garvey students watch solar eclipse

Marcus Garvey Students Watching the Eclipse

The solar eclipse came at the end of the school day, just in time for these Marcus Garvey students to put on their special glasses and mask to watch as the moon passed over the sun. Students across the city were doing the same. It was an astronomical event for all of us!

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.

For the Teachers, By the Teachers Gala Complete Success

An awesome time had by all during the "For the Teachers, By the Teachers" 4th Annual Teachers Appreciation Gala on June 16. Detroit Police Chief James Craig was keynote speaker.

The meal was delightful, the band was entertaining and laughter filled the air. The speakers’ inspirational stories gave motivation to the career we hold so dear. The Teachers, the sponsors, the speakers and the entertainment were acknowledged at the 4th Annual Teachers Appreciation Gala planned "For the Teachers, By the Teachers."

Every person walked away with a word of encouragement and a token of appreciation.

It is

Dr. Nikolai Vitti, DPSCD general superintendent, recently was a guest on the metro Detroit broadcast "The Teachers' Lounge."

The weekly broadcast airs on Comcast Cable in various cities, including Detroit on Channel 91. The show is co-hosted by Leslie Carlis, Marnina Rose and DFT officers William Weir and Donavon Gardner.

Here's a Web link to the broadcast https://www.facebook.com/theteachersloungedetroit/videos/2108441392778812/?t=3

Vitti discussed a variety of issues during the one-hour interview, including class size and race. It aired live on June 14.

What's missing from Michigan's proposed social studies standards? Read Bridge magazine feature:

https://www.bridgemi.com/talent-education/history-gets-conservative-twist-michigan-social-studies-standards

Read proposed K-12 Social Studies standards:

https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/SS_May_2018_Cut_Cap_Final_622356_7.pdf

You can offer comments:

https://fs28.formsite.com/pf98Hd/form7/index.html

WHAT'S NEW: Early dismissal protocol

Today, June 18, 2018, all schools will dismiss three (3) hours earlier than the normal dismissal time. The early dismissal is due to high temperatures developing into the afternoon.

Please see the following DFT/DPSCD contract language:

Article Twenty-Five: Emergency School Closures

Emergency Weather Conditions

"When individual schools are closed after the start of the school day, teachers will also be dismissed."

In the case of students who are not picked up immediately after dismissal:

Article Seven: School Schedules

Section seven:

"At the elementary school level, teachers will escort their students to the designated dismissal door; any students not picked up will be escorted by the teacher to a place identified in the building procedures. At the middle and high school levels, teachers will clear the halls of students in their area of the building."

WHAT'S NEW: Our Official AFT & AFT Michigan 2018 Convention Delegate Lists

The official delegates for the upcoming AFT & AFT Michigan 2018 conventions are:

AFT Michigan 2018 Convention

Enid Johnson
Kimberly D. Mitchell
Marsha Lewis
Beverly Wilkerson
Crystal Lee
Samantha Hoskin
Angela Link
Marva Fletcher
Dwan McGrady
Sean Perin

2018 AFT Convention

Enid Johnson
Kimberly D. Mitchell
Marsha Lewis
Beverly Wilkerson
Crystal Lee
Samantha Hoskin
Angela Link
Marva Fletcher
Dwan McGrady
Devette Brown

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