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April 10, 2026

    Happy Friday--I hope everyone had a restful Spring Break. Only a few more weeks to go! April is full of recognitions, celebrations, and observances (see below), and hopefully we'll be celebrating warmer weather soon! If you haven't done so already, please complete your ballot and return to the AEA office in the envelope provided. You have until April 30 to cast your vote for our new AEA Vice President!

    Speaking of recognitions, congratulations to AEA member Sean McGee of Montessori for being named an APS All Star for March.

    April is also the start of Early Enrollment for AEA membership. New members who enroll now won't have dues deduction until September!  Please share the following link:  Welcome to Virginia Education Association's online membership application!

    April Recognitions, Celebrations and Observances Across APS

    April is filled with opportunities to recognize the people, cultures and contributions that strengthen our school community. Throughout the month, APS celebrates staff, students and families while honoring a range of cultural and religious observances.

    Monthlong Recognitions

    • Arab American Heritage Month

    • Autism Acceptance Month

    • Month of the Military Child

    • National Volunteer Month

    • National Occupational Therapy Month

    • School Library Month

    • National Poetry Month

    • Child Abuse Prevention Month

    Weekly and Daily Observances

    • April 1: Paraprofessional Appreciation Day

    • April 4: School Librarian Day

    • April 6–10: National Assistant Principal Week

    • April 15: Purple Up Day (Wear purple to show support for military-connected students)

    • April 20–24: Public School Volunteer Week

    • April 20–24: Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week

    • April 22: Administrative Professionals Day

    • April 22: Earth Day

    • April 28: School Bus Driver Appreciation Day

    Religious and Cultural Observances

    APS recognizes and respects the diverse beliefs and traditions of our community. In April, some observances include:

    • April 1–9: Passover (Jewish)

    • April 5: Easter (Christian)

    • April 12: Orthodox Easter (Christian)

    • April 14: Vaisakhi (Sikh and Hindu)

    These recognitions provide meaningful opportunities to celebrate our community, reflect on shared values and support one another across APS.


    UPDATE: Collective Bargaining Bill

    Our action is working! Governor Spanberger is considering good technical amendments which would then result in the bill returning to the GA to be voted on April 22.However, we cannot take anything for granted and we need to make sure Governor Spanberger will continue to hear from our members. We know for sure she is hearing just as loudly from the opposition, so we need to keep up our action!The deadline for Governor Spanberger to sign the bill is Monday at midnight. As soon as we know what happens, we will send an update to all members to let you know how this bill will affect public school workers.

    Here's what you can do to between now and Monday:

    1. Send an email to Governor Spanberger by clicking the link below

    Note: This action works best when you add personal stories to the email and write your own subject line.

    Email Governor Spanberger

    2. Call the Governor's office .

    Not sure what to say? Scroll down on this email and we have some quick talking points!



    Click below or call: 804-786-2211



    Call Governor Spanberger

    Talking Points

    • All public sector workers deserve the right to collectively bargain.

    • The 2020 Collective Bargaining bill is a job unfinished. 11 school boards have agreed to bargain collectively, but not one of them has given their employees the rights that we see in HB 1263/SB 378.

    • Polling, including public polling from Christopher Newport University and internal polling conducted by AFSCME and SEIU, shows this legislation is wildly popular, with at least 68% public support.

    • Lifting the ban on bargaining is a significant opportunity to demonstrate how state leadership can deliver for working families.

    Community Events and Ways to Take Action

    Tue, Apr. 14     School Board Budget Work Sessions  


    9am-2:45pm   Watch Work Sessions Live  or at Syphax Education Center, School Board Room, 2110 Washington Blvd. 22204

    Tue, Apr. 14   School Board Meeting: Public Hearing on the School Board's Proposed FY 2027 Budget


    7:00 pm           Watch School Board meeting online, on Comcast Ch. 70, Verizon Ch. 41 or at Syphax Education Center, 2nd FL, 2110 Washington Blvd. 22204

    Thu, Apr. 16   School Board Meeting: Recognition of Arab American Heritage Month and Month of the Military Child; Strategic Plan Priority – Student Academic Growth and Success (Focus on Literacy); Information on Special Education Annual Plan and Update on the Changes to Non-Traditional Secondary Programs


    7:00 pm           Watch School Board meeting online, on Comcast Ch. 70, Verizon Ch. 41 or at Syphax Education Center, 2nd FL, 2110 Washington Blvd. 22204

    May is Asian American and Jewish American History Month - Submit a video!


    Arlington Community Opportunities and Events:

    Free Tax Return Preparation Help Until 4/15


    Still need to file taxes? Community partners can help for free! Free tax return preparation assistance is available for households with low to moderate incomes. Details on eligibility, locations, and appointments are available at Central Library and Columbia Pike Library.

    Sat, Apr. 18         Clarendon FitFest - 5K Run @8 & Fitness Fair @9, a community-centered wellness event designed to promote active lifestyles, holistic health, and meaningful connections


    8 am-12:30 pm  Mason Square Plaza, 3351 Fairfax Drive, 22201

    Tue, Apr. 28         Arlington Child and Youth Well-Being Plan Network Virtual Meeting. Arlington County invites you to help create the vision and roadmap for a vision, engagement strategy, and identify what's working (or not) for children and youth. 4:30 - 6 pm         Virtual meeting. Register here to get the Zoom link.





    NEWS FROM VEA


    The latest updates from VEA's Department of Government Relations & Research

    The Big Two

    The General Assembly has adjourned, but two major issues remain: finalizing the state budget and the form collective bargaining legislation will take. The outcomes of both will have significant implications for educators, school staff, and students across Virginia.

    State Budget Still in Limbo

    The primary sticking point on the budget remains how to address the cost of the state’s data center tax exemption. A report just issued yesterday by Good Jobs First highlights how significant the issue has become. In fiscal year 2024 alone, Virginia’s data center sales tax exemption cut state revenue by more than $1 billion, with an estimated $267 million in lost funding for public schools (about $212 per student statewide). These losses will only get larger in coming years.

    When local impacts are included, the total cost of the exemption is estimated to reach $1.39 billion annually, with even higher projections on the horizon. At the same time, these subsidies generate relatively few permanent jobs, raising serious questions about whether this level of public investment is sustainable or aligned with Virginia’s priorities.

    The Senate has proposed scaling back the exemption to generate new revenue for priorities like educator pay and school funding, while the House has taken a more cautious approach. Until there is agreement on this issue, or another revenue solution, the budget remains unsettled. The Governor has called a special session for April 23rd for lawmakers to resume budget work. A new budget must be in place before the new fiscal year begins July 1 to fund state services and programs.

    For educators and school divisions, this uncertainty has real consequences. Local governments and school boards are currently working to finalize their own budgets, without knowing what level of state support they can expect. The longer this process drags on, the more difficult it becomes to plan for staffing, compensation, and student services.

    Will the Governor Tinker with the Collective Bargaining Bill?

    VEA’s top legislative priority, establishing a statewide framework for collective bargaining for public employees, has passed both the House and Senate and is now on the Governor’s desk.

    As of yesterday, we expect the Governor to propose amendments to the bill, likely technical in nature, though the details have not yet been released. When they are, the legislation will return to the General Assembly for consideration during the reconvened session on April 22nd.

    In the meantime, advocacy is critical. VEA members across the state are already making their voices heard, urging the Governor to sign this legislation and support a fair, consistent framework for collective bargaining in Virginia. We know that opponents are actively urging her to veto or weaken the bill.

    Now is the time to speak up.

    Click Here to Take Action!

    It’s Crunch Time

    The coming days will be critical. Decisions on both the state budget and the collective bargaining bill will shape the future of public education in Virginia, impacting funding, working conditions, and the ability of educators to have a voice in their profession.

    We will continue to keep members informed as these developments unfold.


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