DFT Represented at the Nation's Capital

A group of DFT delegates registering for the National Convention in Washington, D.C.

NO to School Vouchers

Members hear from the Political Action Committee and AFT Retiree Activist, Lois Lofton-Doniver, about why we're against school vouchers in Michigan. We are asking for members to let the governor know.

Tea Party at Ronald Brown Academy

Seventh graders were greeted with a tea party from Ronald Brown Academy staff. More about this in the May/June edition of The Detroit Teacher.

DFT members in red for national convention

DFT at AFT National

The first day of the AFT National Convention featuring our DFT members in red.

Dr. Vitti guests on "The Teachers' Lounge"

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

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/