February 14, 2025

Feb 25, 2025

4 min read

Union Power Happy Hour is canceled for today

Happy Friday, and Happy Valentine's Day! Thanks for showing the love to your colleagues and your students! I hope you were able to relax on our early release day and snow day this week. It's nice to have a long weekend to look forward to, and perhaps more snow in the coming week?

Speaking of love...have you seen your building reps wearing our new AEA T-shirts? We started a "Participation Passport" a few months ago--fill up a card, get a T-shirt (while supplies last). Want to know more? Go ask your building rep ☺️

Last night's school board was full of celebrations---The choir from Hoffman Boston did a great job! I spy some AEA members...

APS also recognized a lot of career milestones--Celebrating Dedication: APS Honors 2025 Service Award Recipients - Arlington Public Schools--be sure to congratulate your colleagues on their achievement. Finally, I highly recommend the "Four Little Heroes" Documentary that is on the APS website (part of it was shown at the SB meeting).

NEWS FROM VEA

Neither Rain Nor Snow...

On Wednesday, I got to be part of a crowd of committed education activists, including other VEA members, who rallied in rain and snow outside the U.S. Capitol to stand up for students and public schools. We did this as Congress prepared for confirmation hearings for U.S. Secretary of Education nominee Linda McMahon and as President Trump is said to be working on an executive order to dismantle the Department of Education. Doing away with the DOE would have negative impacts on our students and colleagues: Economically disadvantaged students, families, and schools would lose desperately needed funding; students with disabilities would lose access to vital programs; afterschool and summer programs would be gutted; and crucial mental health programs and staffing would be cut. How Dismantling the Department of Education Would Harm Students | NEA

Join Colleagues, Leaders for an Important Conversation on Immigration and Schools Tuesday

Please join us for Empowering Schools: Advocating for Immigrant Students and Educators, an online conversation on immigration and its impact on our schools and communities, this Tuesday, February 18, from 6 to 7 p.m. We will explore how educators can react to immigration enforcement actions and how we can best support our immigrant communities.

Right now, many immigrant communities are living in uncertainty and fear, and we must come together to listen, learn, and stand in solidarity with them. We encourage all members to be part of this vital dialogue. Please RSVP by Monday, Feb 17. RSVP Here.VEA has also pulled together some essential immigration resources, which you can access here.

'Read Across America' Brings Students and Books Together

Join the nationwide celebration of literacy and grab a book to share with a young reader. Every child deserves to explore diverse perspectives and ideas through books to help them understand the world around them. Let's make reading a lifelong adventure! To learn more about NEA’s annual event, Read Across America, and how you and your students can celebrate it, visit nea.org/readacross.

Happening Monday: VEA, REA, CEA Supporting March for Working Families

VEA and the Richmond and Chesterfield Education Associations are among a coalition of local organizations holding a March for Working Families to show support for voting rights, strong unions, good jobs, accessible housing, and immigrant rights. The event is set for Presidents Day, February 17, at 9:30 at Abner Clay Park in Richmond.

Learn More Here

VEA RA Pre-Convention Dates and Times

Our VEA Convention, April 3-5 in Abington is fast approaching! For those interested in becoming delegates, and those locals who have not yet submitted names, please remember that delegate lists are due to VEA by Tuesday, February 18, 2025.

For those who are already delegates, here are some important dates for you to keep in mind.

Preconvention Caucus Dates

Thursday, February 20, 2025 - 5:30 pm
Monday, February 24, 2025 – 5:30 pm
Saturday, March 1, 2025 – 10:00 am
Tuesday, March 4, 2025 – 7:00 pm

Open Hearing Dates

Tuesday, March 25, 2025 – Project Solidarity – 6:00 pm
Wednesday, March 26, 2025 – Budget – 6:00 pm
Thursday, March 27, 2025 – Resolutions – 6:00 pm

VEA Vibe Check in Less Than Two Weeks

VEA Vibe Check, an opportunity for members to gather in a safe space and enjoy a supportive community, is sponsored by the Minority and Women's Concerns Committee and VEA's Department of Human and Civil Rights. The next session is set for Wednesday, February 26, with a topic of Love: Loving our Students and Maintaining Harmony with Colleagues. Join the online group to help nurture one another and gain strength and balance for the demands of being an educator in today’s world. The Vibe Check is a virtual event and will run from 7-8 p.m. on the 26th.

Future Educators Eligible for Beblon G. Parks Scholarship

The Beblon G. Parks Scholarship awards either two $1,000 scholarships to two high school seniors planning to pursue a career in education or one $2,000 scholarship to a single high school senior, depending on the pool of qualified applicants. A letter of nomination from a current VEA or VEA-Retired member is required. The deadline to submit the application and supporting criteria is March 31, 2025.

Apply Here

The End is in Sight for the 2025 GA Session

This is the final week of this year’s General Assembly Session, which means all our work pays off. Catch up on our government relations team's key efforts and learn how to get involved as we head into the crucial final week.

See the Latest Here

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