WASHINGTON– The following statement was issued by leaders and members of AFSCME, AFT, NEA and SEIU following the decision by the United States Supreme Court to rule against working people and in favor of billionaire CEOs and corporate interests in Janus v. AFSCME Council 31, holding that requiring fair-share fees in the public sector violates the First Amendment of the Constitution.  Read more by clicking here: https://www.aft.org/press-release/america-needs-unions-now-more-ever-supreme-court-sides-corporate

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." 

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

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." 

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

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

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/

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

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)