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May 1, 2026

  • May 15
  • 6 min read

Happy Friday, and happy May Day! This last week was a busy one. From celebrating our bus drivers on Tuesday, to listening sessions with SPED and MIPA educators, lobbying in DC on behalf of educators and wrapping up the week with a May Day rally near NEA HQ, we are making our voices heard!

What is NEA focusing on with lobbying?  Find more information here:  Action Center | NEA

Need to know about May Day?  MAY DAY STRONG

Speaking of which---you should have received a ballot via email from BallotPoint. This is for District H, which Arlington is a part of. Two candidates from the ballot will be elected to the VEA Board of Directors. Please take a moment to vote.  

Next week is Teacher (Educator) Appreciation Week.....Please stop by and say hello if you know we're in the building.

May is full of opportunities to celebrate--

  • May is Mental Health Awareness Month, AANHPI (Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders) History Month, and Jewish American History Month.

  • May 4-8 is Teacher Appreciation Week.

  • May 6 is School Nurses Day.

  • May 16 is World Education Support Professionals Day, introduced by Education International, a global union of educators of which NEA is a part.

  • May 17 is the 71st anniversary of the historic Brown v Board of Education decision by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Policies for Public Comment and Engagement Opportunities

APS Launches Adopt-a-School: Building Strategic Partnerships for Student Success

Learn more about the Adopt-a-School program. Complete the interest form.

Thu, May 14   School Board Meeting: Recognition of Asian American and Pacific islander (AAPI) and Jewish American Heritage Months; Strategic Plan Priority – Operational Excellence (Focus on Information Services); Information on VSBA Legislative Positions & Superintendent’s Proposed FY 2027-36 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)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

Fri, May 15       Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed for adults who regularly interact with adolescents (age 12-18), hosted by APS for staff, families and community members.


9 am – 3 pm    Register prior (link needed). Wakefield High, 1325 S Dinwiddie St, 22206

Tue, May 19     School Board Work Session with Advisory Committees: End-of-Year Reports6:30 pm               Watch Work Sessions Live  or at Syphax Education Center, School Board Room, 2nd FL, 2110 Washington Blvd. 22204

Thu, May 28   School Board Meeting: Recognition of JROTC; Strategic Plan Priority – Student-Centered Workforce (Focus on Professional Learning); Action on Final FY 2027 Budget (Tentative) and VSBA Legislative Positions7:00 pm          Watch School Board meeting online, on Comcast Ch. 70, Verizon Ch. 41 or at Syphax Education Center, 2nd FL, 2110 Washington Blvd. 22204


Arlington Community Opportunities and Events:

Mon, May 4        County Board Townhall Meeting

6:30-8:30 pm   Central Library Auditorium, 1015 N. Quincy St, 22201


Sat, May 9        Arlington History Fest VA 250: Telling Arlington’s Story


10am-5 pm   Kenmore Middle School, 200 S Carlin Springs Rd. 22207

Tue, May 12       Author Talk and Indonesian Cooking Demo with Pat Tanumihardja—including a free tasting!

6:30-7:30 pm   Arlington Central Library, 1015 N Quincy St, 22201

Fri, May 15       Bike to Work Day hosted by BikeArlingtonRegister here. Receive a FREE T-shirt and find Pit Stops set up across the region.

Sat, May 16      Neighborhood Clean-up Day | Dispose of bulky household items and metal with County assistance.


More ways you can take action.


Policies for Public Comment


Number

Policy Title and link to Draft Policy

Anticipated SB Action

Comment Period Opens

Comment Period Closes

Policy questionnaires

I-1.33

Teaching and Learning Goals



Aug 2026

Apr 29, 2026

May 29, 2026

Provide Feedback

General Membership Meeting

Per our Bylaws, we will be hosting a General Membership Meeting on May 6 from 5-6 pm..  At this meeting, you will have an opportunity to ask questions about our union, find ways to become involved, and ask questions about the CBA.

Please note that this meeting is not for discussing individual member issues or grievances. Please contact the AEA office with individual issues.

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NEWS FROM VEA


May Offers a Lineup of Teachable Observances for Educators and Students

May is a month chock-full of observances, and we want to be sure you know about them so you and your students can take advantage of the learning they offer. These events can be meaningful ways for our young people to broaden their understanding and appreciation for the historic significance and current importance of sometimes overlooked people and issues of great significance. Here are some topics and events to keep in mind:

  • May is Mental Health Awareness Month, AANHPI (Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders) History Month, and Jewish American History Month.

  • May 4-8 is Teacher Appreciation Week.

  • May 6 is School Nurses Day.

  • May 16 is World Education Support Professionals Day, introduced by Education International, a global union of educators of which NEA is a part.

  • May 17 is the 71st anniversary of the historic Brown v Board of Education decision by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Share 'Monumental Memories' at Upcoming VEA Vibe Check

VEA’s Vibe Check, sponsored by the Minority and Women's Concerns Committee and the Department of Equity, Justice, and Learning, is an opportunity for member educators to gather in a virtual safe space for meaningful conversations. May’s topic is “Monumental May Memories.” Our goal is to capture a holistic end-of-year experience through incorporating elements of reflection and celebration while also honestly recognizing the exhaustion that often sets in as the school year concludes.  Join us on May 13th from 7-8pm.

RSVP HereYou Ready to Share Your Expertise at VEA's Summit?

VEA's annual 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, and because much of our best learning comes from one another, Summit planners welcome your presentation proposals. Information on the topics we’re looking for can be found by clicking below. The proposal submission deadline is June 14.

Submit a Proposal HereJump Start Registration is Just Around the Corner!

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. Registration will open on May 11th!

Make a Statement and Support a Future Educator, Too

The Beblon G. Parks Scholarship Fund awards either two $1,000 scholarships to two high school seniors planning to pursue an education career or $2,000 scholarship to one senior, depending on the pool of qualified applicants. To support the scholarship, the Beblon G. Parks Scholarship Fund Committee is selling t-shirts. VEA’s LGBTQIA+ Committee designed the shirt, emblazoned with “All are Safe in VA,” our hope for every educator and student in Virginia’s schools. “Justice Is Not Optional” t-shirts were designed by the Fitz Turner Commission for Human Relations and Civil Rights because we don’t wait for justice in education. We demand it!

Order HereVEA to Hold Summer Book Study for Advocates of Racial and Social Justice

As we continue to learn and grow as a community of advocates for racial and social justice, our Department of Equity, Justice, and Learning, in conjunction with the Fitz Turner Commission, will host a virtual summer book study. Doing so, we hope to create a space for learning, reflection, and dialogue among activists like yourself. Participants will be expected to stay current with the reading, engage in discussions and study questions, and reflect on how the topics apply to our daily lives and work. Members of committees, commissions, and staff have suggested a selection of books. When you register and answer the first two questions on the form, you’ll have an opportunity to choose the book you prefer, and the book with the most votes will be the one read for the book study. Register below by May 4: There is space for only 40 members and we’re almost at max capacity!

Register HereSave the Date!

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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