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May 22, 2026

    Happy Friday!  I hope everyone has a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend, and happy Eid to all who celebrate.  I'm sure folks have started counting days until the end of the school year!   There is so much joy and activity in these last few weeks, but unfortunately it is also a time where internal transfers may occur and inevitably there are issues with AC.  I've included some reminders about these issues below.


    Office Closure:   

    • Reminder: It's a 5-day weekend! APS is closed for Memorial Day Mon, May 25 and Tue, May 26, and for Eid al-Adha on Wed, May 27.  When APS is closed, the AEA office is closed.

    Congratulations to AEA members who were selected as APS All-Stars for the month of May:  ​Veronica Bartlett, Arlington Community High School and Kathleen Cody, Claremont Immersion School️.

    ​Thank you for all that you do!

    ​

    In case you missed it--AEA member, Dr. Laurie Sullivan was featured in your latest issue of NEA Today!   Please see the full article here:  This Teacher’s Lessons Are ‘Out of This World’ | NEA​

     

    ​

    ​Are you interested in becoming more involved in your union?   

    We have openings on several committees:

    Political Action Committee (PAC), Elections, Budget and Audit, Membership, and more!  Please email president.arlington@leavea.org for more information.

    More ways you can take action.


    Call to Action: Support LGBTQ+ Students at the School Board Meeting on Thursday (5/28)!

    We are looking for volunteers to give testimony at the next Arlington Public Schools (APS) School Board Meeting on Thursday May 28th at 7pm to amplify the requests for APS to address the mental health crisis among LGBTQ+ students. Messages and specific asks are included in the Equality Arlington and Arlington Gender Identity Alliance recently published letter to APS leadership here. We are looking for a handful of folks to sign up to give public comment at the meeting. If you’re interested, send an email to agia4students@gmail.com so we can provide support and coordinate across speakers. Details of what to expect below!

    When and where is the School Board meeting?

    The next School Board meeting is Thursday May 28th at 7pm ET. The School Board meetings take place in the Board Room of the Syphax Education Center, 2110 Washington Blvd, 2nd Floor, Arlington VA 22204.




    Who can give public comment at a School Board meeting?

    Members of the APS or broader Arlington community, including past and present parents of APS students, past and present APS staff, past and present APS students, Arlington business owners, and Arlington County residents are eligible to provide comment.



    How do I sign up to give public comment?

    It’s easy! Speakers may sign up online in advance. The online speaker form is typically posted four business days before the School Board meeting (given the Memorial Day holiday, we're not sure if it will open up earlier or later than usual, but we will keep folks posted) and remain open until 4 p.m. the day before the meeting (Wednesday, May 27). If you miss the deadline, you can still sign up to speak in-person the day of the School Board meeting (just get there early to reserve one of the spots). Spots for day-of sign-ups tend to be a bit more limited, so it’s best to sign up in advance.



    What do I say?

    Speak from the heart! You only have two minutes and they’ll go by quickly, so we recommend folks prepare talking points (and Equality Arlington and AGIA will help volunteers with that). For this meeting we want to emphasize that APS data shows that LGBTQ+ students, particularly transgender and non-binary students, are experiencing significant mental health challenges. We think this is an important opportunity for APS to show their values of equity and inclusion and devote additional resources to meaningfully address these disparities. Equality Arlington has articulated four specific asks and it’s important to include those asks in your comments. Specific examples of why this is important to you/your family are always powerful to include.



    Can I participate virtually or do I have to go in person?

    Speakers are able to provide comments either in-person or by phone. Equality Arlington would prefer folks to go in person as it is a more powerful and impactful way to advocate. If you can only provide comments via phone, you must indicate that on the sign-up form.


    Does this sound like something you can help with? If so, reach out to agia4students@gmail.com and we’ll talk you through next steps.

    Thanks for your support for LGBTQ+ students in Arlington!

    ​Licensed Bargaining Survey

    ​The licensed bargaining unit survey is still open for feedback.  Please take a few moments to compete the survey:


    End of Year Issues


    What happens when the AC malfunctions?

    ​Email your school administrator to make sure they are aware of the problem.  If they are aware, ask them what the plan is for repair.  Once the maintenance request is placed, repairs can be tracked in real time.


    What happens if I am transferred?  

    The CBA outlines what the process should look like.  Keep in mind that transfers are considered a management right, and they are not grievable.

    Jump Start Your NBCT Journey!

    If you've ever thought about National Board Certification but weren't sure where to start, this one's for you. VEA Jump Start is a multi-day, hands-on workshop happening June 24–26, 2026 in Portsmouth— built and led by teachers and designed to meet you exactly where you are. Whether you're ready to dive in or just starting to explore, you'll leave with real clarity, practical tools, and a community of fellow educators walking the same path. It's open to all eligible Virginia teachers, and space is limited. Come find out what's possible.

    ​NEWS FROM VEA

    ​



    We Won't Be Silent!

    Lifting our voices to express our shock and anger yesterday, VEA members joined peers from other unions affected by Governor Spanberger’s veto of the historic new collective bargaining legislation. Hundreds turned out for a protest and march in downtown Richmond organized by our partners in the Virginia Public Sector Labor Coalition. We will continue to not be silent in the face of union busting, particularly after working so long and hard for this law and being led to believe our governor had our backs on it.

    A Salute to Our Students

    As June approaches, I just want to congratulate all our students who are graduating. Graduation is an outstanding achievement, whether it’s from elementary, middle, or high school, and I’m so proud of both our students’ milestones and of the hard work of our schools and educators who make it possible. We love seeing young people succeeding and setting themselves up for even better things! Truly, public education is a rewarding way, in so many ways, to spend one’s career.

    Summer School You Won't Want to Miss

    We’re on the cusp of achieving great things and to make them a reality for our students and educators, we’ve got two outstanding training opportunities for VEA leaders and members this summer. Put these on your calendar—you’ll be glad you did!

    Leadership Conference - July 12-14, 2026

    VEA’s annual Leadership Conference for local presidents, vice presidents, secretaries, treasurers, and ESP directors serving during the 2026-27 membership year will also be held at The Westin Richmond, ahead of our Summer Organizing Institute. Register here. 

    Summer Organizing Institute - July 14-16, 2026

    You can register now for VEA’s Summer Organizing Institute, also at The Westin Richmond. Open to any VEA member, the institute focuses on strengthening member engagement, developing local leadership, and continuing to build educator and worker power. Registration closes June 8. 

    Secure Your Spot Here

    Ready to Be a Presenter at VEA's Summit?

    VEA's Summit on Educators of Color is set for November 6-7, 2026, with the theme “Be Empowered: Claim Your S.E.A.T. at the Table.” (SEAT= Solidarity, Empowerment, Action, and Transformation). As we prepare, Summit planners welcome your presentation proposals. Information on the topics they’re looking for can be found at the link below. The proposal submission deadline is June 14.

    Submit a Proposal Here

    Your Union is Ready to Help You on a National Certification Journey

    If you've ever thought about National Board Certification but weren't sure where to start, this one's for you. VEA Jump Start is a multi-day, hands-on workshop happening June 24–26, 2026 in Portsmouth, VA — built by teachers, led by teachers, and designed to meet you exactly where you are. Whether you're ready to dive in or just starting to explore, you'll leave with real clarity, practical tools, and a community of fellow educators walking the same path. It's open to all eligible Virginia teachers, and space is limited. Come find out what's possible. Registration closes on June 3rd.

    Register Here

    Mark Your Calendars!

    George M. Johnson, New York Times bestselling author of All Boys Aren’t Blue, one of the most challenged books in our country, will be in Richmond for a Pride Storytelling event on June 6. Stay tuned for more details


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