Overview

Welcome to District of Columbia Public Schools! Congratulations on being selected for a role with DCPS! New members of the Washington Teacher's Union (WTU) are invited to join us for New Educator Orientation (NEO) on Wednesday, August 19th, 2019. For additional information on any of the questions below, please contact teach.dcps@k12.dc.gov

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When is New Educator Orientation (NEO)?

• NEO will take place on Wednesday, August 19th, 2020. 

• The LIVE Plenary event will be from 9am-10:30am via ZOOM

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Location: Virtual

Why is NEO being held virtually this year?

• As you can imagine, our decision to hold NEO virtually this year is a direct response to the conditions created ​by covid-19. We are prioritizing the safety of our new educators, as this event is typically 500-700 people, and would go against DC Covid-19 Regulations. For more information on DC Covid-19 guidelines, please visit https://coronavirus.dc.gov

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Additional Resources from June PD's

• This past June, our amazing content team hosted a week-long professional development opportunity for all teachers that included sessions specific to content areas, classroom management, and student engagement, all in a Virtual Learning lens and geared toward the 2020-2021 School Year. We want our New Educators to also have access to this information. Please see all those additional resources HERE. 

 

Attendance

Who should attend New Educator Orientation?

• NEO is for all new DCPS employees who are new members of the Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) bargaining unit. This includes new staff in the following positions: Teachers, Counselors, Instructional Coaches, Library Media Specialists, Reading Specialists, School Psychologists and Social Workers. New DCPS staff in these positions who have experience in other districts and are new to DCPS should plan on attending NEO, as there will be important information about DCPS presented.

Do I have to attend?

• All staff members new to the Washington Teacher’s Union are strongly encouraged to attend. The sessions will provide an introduction to DCPS and the opportunity to receive an overview of DCPS content, curriculum and initiatives. Additionally, members from Human Resources, Benefits, and the Washington Teachers Union will be onsite to answer questions.

I was hired late during the 2019-20 school year. Can I participate in this year’s New Educator Orientation?

• Yes, you are welcome to attend this year’s NEO. If you were hired during the 2019-20 school year and would like to attend, please send an email indicating your intention to attend to teacher.orientation@dc.gov to confirm.

I am a veteran teacher from a different district. Do I need to attend New Educator Orientation?

• We strongly encourage all new to DCPS teachers attend, including veteran teachers. We want to make sure you have all the information you need to be successful in our district. Sessions are designed to be beneficial to both new and veteran teachers.

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Human Resources

For additional information on any of the questions below, please contact: dcps.benefits@k12.dc.gov  for Benefits; dcps.loa@k12.dc.gov  for leave of absence; dcps.onboarding@k12.dc.gov for PeopleSoft and compensation; or (202) 442-5715 for email support.      

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When will I receive an employee ID badge?

• The DCPS Clearance Office will be closed until at least September 30, 2020. As a result, the ID badge process has been suspended until further notice. Communication will be sent to DCPS employees once this service resumes. 

 

When will I receive my dc.gov email address?

• Email login information is sent to your personal email address within ten (10) business days of your start date.

What is PeopleSoft? 

• PeopleSoft is the self-service website where staff members manage all components of their employment, including direct deposit, tax preferences, benefits elections, and personal information changes (i.e. address). 

When will I receive my PeopleSoft information?

• PeopleSoft login information is emailed to your k12.dc.gov email address within ten (10) business days of your effective hire date.

When can I sign-up for benefits?

• New employees have 31 calendar days from their date of PeopleSoft access to enroll in benefits. Please note that benefits selections must be submitted in PeopleSoft (unless otherwise noted).

• CLICK HERE to see information about all of the Benefits Vendors.

How can I sign-up for direct deposit?

• OCTO provided a site that employees can access, and you should be able to get to your direct deposit information to make changes.  You can use the remote.dc.gov site and log in like you would if you were at work. You can start by clicking here and please see the screenshots below.

• Once you are into the secure site, you should be able to adjust your direct deposit in PeopleSoft by following these steps:

  • Click on the compass icon in the upper-right corner of the screen.

  • Click on “Navigator”

  • Then click through Self-Service>>Payroll and Compensation>>Direct Deposit.

When will I receive my first paycheck?

• DCPS employees are paid biweekly according to the 2020 pay schedule. The pay schedule can be reviewed here.

 

WTU

For additional information on any of the questions below, please contact the Washington Teachers Union at

(202) 517-1477 or the WTU Website. 

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As a teacher, do I automatically become a member of the Washington Teachers' Union?

• No. You must join your Union. Open our Membership Guide then log-in to PeopleSoft to become a WTU Member!

• The WTU acts as the teacher’s exclusive bargaining representative for purposes of collective bargaining with respect to wages, hours and other terms and conditions of employment. WTU members have a voice and a vote in Union elections and the development contracts.

What Benefits do I get from my WTU membership?

• WTU members have access to Dental / Vision benefits, Sick / Maternity / Paternity leave benefits and numerous discounts offered through the American Federation of Teachers.

• The WTU has negotiated with DC Public Schools 100% employer paid Dental and Vision benefits for all DC teachers. To enroll, you must sign-up for these benefits through your PeopleSoft account. You are eligible for Single as well as Family coverage.

• Please keep in mind, DCPS also offers health care coverage to teachers, but those benefits are not free and your premiums will be deducted from your paycheck.

 

IMPACT

For additional information on any of the questions below, please contact IMPACT at impact.dcps@k12.dc.gov or (202) 719–6553.

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Where can I learn more about IMPACT, DCPS’ teacher evaluation system?

• The IMPACT guidebooks contain detailed information about IMPACT and are available on the IMPACT Canvas Page. If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to the IMPACT team.

How can I access my IMPACT dashboard?

• To log on to the IMPACT database, please visit impactdcps.dc.gov. Your log in information is your dc.gov email address and password. The IMPACT database will be available by mid-September, after school leaders confirm the appropriate IMPACT groups for all staff. You’ll be notified by the IMPACT team when the database is available.

What are the DCPS Essential Practices?

• The Essential Practices are DCPS’ definition of effective instruction and outline the key actions we believe lead to increased student achievement. There are five Essential Practices:

  • Cultivate a responsive learning community

  • Challenge students with rigorous content

  • Lead a well-planned, purposeful learning experience

  • Maximize student ownership of learning

  • Respond to evidence of student learning

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Canvas

For additional information on any of the questions below, please contact canvas@k12.dc.gov.

What is Canvas?

• Canvas is an online platform that provides you with curricular resources across all subjects. These resources include scope and sequence documents, Cornerstones assignments, unit overviews, recommended anchor texts, and suggested summative assessments.

How can I access Canvas?

• To access Canvas, visit the login page. 

• Use your DCPS email and DCPS email password to logon.