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May 16, 2025


    Happy Friday, and happy World Education Support Professional (ESP) Day! It's been a busy week: our monthly Delegate Assembly meeting, a meeting of the Health Benefits and Wellness Committee (established by the CBA), a strong showing of AEA members and speakers at the School Board meeting, a visit to Washington-Liberty HS, and the awarding of a VEA scholarship to an aspiring teacher from W-L HS!















    Collective Bargaining Update

    We were asked to meet yesterday with members of APS staff to consider modifying the CBAs to change the effective date of the 8 weeks of Paid Parental Leave (PPL) to May 16 (day after SB budget approval). We believe this change will assist with the transition to the additional weeks with minimal fiscal impact. We agreed this was in the best interest of AEA bargaining unit members.  

    As a reminder, it has been previously communicated by APS that they 'gave' employees an additional 6 weeks of PPL. This was an increase negotiated by our bargaining teams.

    In addition, AEA invoked impasse procedures in connection with our current wage reopener negotiations. This step was taken after we did not reach agreement with APS by the March 1 deadline for declaring impasse. An impasse hearing was held on May 8 before a neutral hearing officer. At the hearing, AEA presented evidence that additional funds are available to support wage increases beyond the 2% allocation reflected in the school board’s publicly proposed budget. We believe this funding could and should be directed toward fair compensation for our members.

    The neutral hearing officer will issue a non-binding recommendation, which we expect to receive by June 1. It’s important to note that the school board may choose to accept or reject this recommendation.

    Thank you for your continued support and solidarity as we advocate for fair wages.

    Take Action


    Praxis Assistance

    VEA will be offering Praxis support for members and non-members from May 27-June 27.

    Registration closes on May 23rd.  *****************************************************  

    Quick Tips for Praxis Success  

    To assist educators in preparing for the Praxis, VEA will offer a series of virtual "Quick Tips" support sessions.   Each session will run for 2 meeting dates and will be 1.5 hours in length. Participants are eligible to sign up for more than one session if they need it.

    Sessions will be offered for the following areas:  

    5002 Elementary English

    5003 Elementary Math

    5004 Elementary Social Studies

    5005 Elementary Science

    5047 Middle School English

    5442 Middle School Science

    5038 English Language Arts: Content Knowledge

    5205 Teaching Reading Writing Things to Know  

    Registration is open until May 23, 2025   VEA Members -- $15 Non-VEA Members -- $75  

    Participants will be eligible to receive special access to a Praxis review resource!  

    Register at https://vea.link/UNG  to find out more information!  

    Even if this opportunity isn’t for you, feel free to share this widely!

    Equality Arlington Events

    In addition to all of the events and activities in the DC metro region forWorld Pride 2025from May 17 – June 8, 2025, there are lots of great events happening in Arlington beginning on Friday, May 16 and lasting through June 30! Equality Arlington has assembled a (non-exhaustive) list of many of the events happening in Arlington over the next month to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community!

    Below is our list of Pride Celebrations happening in Arlington beginning May 16! You can find more Pride celebration events listed at: Ultimate Guide to Arlington, VA Pride 2025 Events | Arlington Convention & Visitors Service or check Equality Arlington's website at: https://www.equalityarlington.org/events.


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