Step Up: Tell Your Story Change the Narrative Supplies: Sign In Sheet Training Prepared by WTU COPE Members 2017

Why Tell Your Story? Get your voice heard by key decision makers Put your story in the public record Shine a light on the truth that only those in the classroom really know Stand up and advocate for yourself, your students and our community Why Tell Your Story?

You are protected by the 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution If DCPS illegally attempts to retaliate, document all incidents and report it to the WTU There is power in NUMBERS – once others have heard your story they can fight alongside you! Do I need to worry?

Dealing with Principals If possible, talk informally to your principal and let them know: You are advocating FOR the students and the school You understand that a lot of what you are saying is out of their control and coming from DCPS Central (even if it isn’t…) If there is something that they want added you will do your best and keep their name out Dealing with Principals

This worksheet provides a basic outline for your testimony Once completed use it as a guide to type up your testimony The most effective testimonies come from the heart, so tell your story in the way you think is best! Using This Sheet

Writing Your Story

You are the expert You have lived the budget cuts You know the truth about what goes on when our schools don’t have enough funding You see how funding affect our kids Only you can counteract the narrative that DCPS spins You are the expert

Local Schools are facing extreme budget pressures leading to staffing cuts: Employee’s price increased by 4,000 each. At-Risk Funds are being used to supplant the general education funds instead of supplementing the students who need it. Unfunded Mandates (like LEAP) have forced schools to do more with less. What issues do you want to address? Budget Cuts

Find out about your school! Go to: http://www.dcpsdatacenter.com/fy18_initial.html Find out about your school!

Timeline & Opportunities Stages of DC Budget Development When Advocacy Opportunity Budget Instructions Issued to Agencies Fall 2016 Office of Budget and Planning Finalized Agencies Budgets Winter 2016 DCPS Budgets are Finalized and Submitted as Part of Mayor’s Budget February 2017 Performance and Oversight Hearings for All Agencies Mayor’s Budget Proposal Released April 2017 Council Hearings on Proposed Agency Budgets April – May 2017 Council Budget Mark-up Hearings, Two Budget Votes May – June 2017 Timeline & Opportunities

You do not need to have THE answer, but you must provide what you want to see happen as a result of this story What could your school do if you had more money? How would that benefit our students? Remedy

Telling Your Story

Find others who can address different elements of your issue Parents, Students, Community Organizations, etc. Tell them what you are doing and why, see if you can get them to join you! Create common THEMES so that your story does not get repetitive but still addresses the same issues Power in Numbers

Allies Parent-Teacher Organizations Other Educators Students Community Organizations & Nonprofits i.e., DC Fiscal Policy Institute Civic Organizations ANCs, Local Education Councils, etc. We can help you find the allies online Allies

Testimony Individuals get 3 minutes 2-2.5 pages long Elected Officials and Groups of up to 4 get 5 minutes 3-3.5 pages long If possible print out 10 copies in advance If you can’t make it you can submit directly via email or mail Testimony

Email anything you do to dialogue@wtulocal6 Email anything you do to dialogue@wtulocal6.org to tell the WTU about your action Tweet portions of what you write and tag affected parties and @WTUTeacher Post what you’ve written to Facebook Other? Social Media

DC Council Hearing Sign Up now! DC Council Budget Hearing Thursday, April 27th at 10AM or 5PM Room 500 Wilson Building 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW http://bit.do/educationhearings DC Council Hearing Sign Up now!