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May 2, 2025
- Jun 9, 2025
- 6 min read
Happy first Friday of May! We are in the home stretch--close to being under 30 instructional days left...
This week I had the chance to visit Ashlawn Elementary, Barrett Elementary, and Wakefield High School. Such great energy at all of the sites, and I appreciate everyone who took a moment to stop by and say hello. Speaking of great energy, yesterday (International Workers' Day) I joined hundreds of NEA members and union members from the DMV for a march and rally in DC. We are all united by our desire for better working conditions and better pay.
Our Vice President, Dani Jones was interviewed by NEA about compensation for ESPs--read the article here:
Have a great weekend. May the 4th be with you :)
Looking to become more involved on your Union?
We have openings on both the Licensed and Support Bargaining Teams---please email president.arlington@leavea.org for more information.
We are now holding elections for building representatives for the 2025-2026 school year. Check your email for details.
Learning Opportunity
Engagement Opportunities
Thu, May 15 School Board Meeting: Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Recognition; Human Resources Update; Action on Program of Studies Update and Adoption of the Final FY 2026 Budget – Tentative
7:00 pm Watch School Board meeting online, on Comcast Ch. 70, Verizon Ch. 41 or at Syphax Education Center, 2110 Washington Blvd. 22204Wed, May 28 Celebration of Excellence in honor of APS staff, including Teacher, Principal, Assistant Principal, Support Employee, and Leader of the Year.5:30 pm Washington-Liberty High School, 1301 N Stafford St. 22201Thu. May 29 School Board Work Sessions on Inclusive Practices (Special Education)2:45 pm Watch Work Sessions Live or at Syphax Education Center, Rooms 254-258Thu. May 29 Advisory Committees End-of-the-Year Reports Work Sessions – Advisory Council on Teaching & Learning (ACTL), Budget Advisory Council (BAC) and School Facilities and Capital Programs (FAC)6:30 p.m. Watch Work Sessions Live here or at Syphax Education Center, Rooms 254-258More at: Community Engagement Opportunities with automatic translation into: Español Монгол አማርኛ العربية (Other languages)Arlington Community Events:
Sat, May 3 4th Annual Arlington Fair Housing Conference :The Buck Stops Here: the Importance of Local Enforcement, hosted by the NAACP Arlington Branch11 am – 3 pm Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, 4444 Arlington Blvd. 22204Wed, May 3 Expungement Clinic hosted by the Arlington County Bar Association10 am – 3 pm Arlington Presbyterian Church, 918 S Lincoln St, 22201Fri, May 9 Dreaming & Doing Together with the Dream Project5:00 pm Register Here! Lubber Run Community Center, 300 N Park Dr, 22203Mon, May 12 Community Volunteer Reading Night hosted by Aspire Afterschool Learning5 - 6:00 pm Registration link. 909 S Dinwiddie St, 3rd Floor, 22204Wed, May 14 Economic Issues Facing Arlington: Tariffs, Layoffs, and Workforce Stability, hosted by Advance Arlington7:00 pm Lubber Run Community Center, 300 North Park Drive, Arlington, VA 22203More at: Community Engagement Opportunities with automatic translation into: Español Монгол አማርኛ العربية (Other languages)Summer Camp Registration is OpenCheck out the Arlington Parks & Recreation Summer Activities Webpage for a variety of options to keep kids engaged and active.
From AEA-PAC
Greetings AEA Voters---
Please mark your calendars for one of the following voting days:
May 4th at Washington-Liberty HS from 10-6, or May 10 at Drew ES from 10-6.
If you'd like to poll greet, please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0F4BA4AA28A0FA7-56266126-getout.
Our very own AEA President, June Prakash is a candidate for APS School Board. June brings a proven track record of results from her time in the classroom, as PTA President at Ashlawn ES, and as our two-term President. We are excited to have an opportunity to have an educator on the school board where decisions are being made about us. We won't get there if you don't vote (and bring all the eligible voters you know)!
If you'd like to know a bit more, follow June on Facebook (June Prakash for Arlington School Board) or www.friendsofjune.com.
NEWS FROM VEA
Walking the Talk on May DayI had the privilege of joining fellow VEA and NEA members in Washington yesterday to be part of a May Day march, a wonderful opportunity to let the world know that educators and all workers need and deserve respect and honor. May 1 is a day set aside annually for workers from around the world to unite and celebrate the power of solidarity, the fight for progress, and the need for stronger, more inclusive communities across our nation and the world. It was a great day to be in our nation’s capital! |
The Fight for Better Salaries Goes OnEarlier this week, NEA released four reports with its latest research on salaries for teachers and ESPs around the country and, while there has been some progress, there is still much more to be made. Here in Virginia, the General Assembly is still a far cry from its stated goal of bringing our teacher salary to at least the national average. I know our members will continue to hold legislators accountable for this—and I know I sure will, too. Click below to see the press statement we made when the reports came out and see an example of the media coverage we generated. We will eventually win this battle! |
Deadline to Register for VEA’s Educators of Color Summit is Next Week“Intent vs Impact: C.A.R.E. – Communication, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence” is the theme of VEA’s rescheduled Summit, now set for May 30-31 in Richmond. This event, which aims to foster a collaborative environment empowering educators, administrators, students, parents, and community members to work together in pursuit of racial and social justice in our schools, is open to VEA members and not-yet-members. It’s also an excellent opportunity to show your support for DEI programs.An added feature this year is the EOC Choir, and the agenda, in addition to top-notch speakers and workshops, also features conversations with legislators, educational performances and entertainment, a Speed Networking session, and the EOC Dance. Registration Deadline is May 9. If you registered for the Summit before it had to be rescheduled, you must register again.We’re looking forward to seeing you there and enjoying this great event, which Old Man Winter forced us to postpone. |
Speaking Up for Our KidsVEA’s Chad Stewart, a policy analyst in our Government Relations and Research Department, had a chance to speak out on the importance of mental health programs in our schools yesterday, after news broke that the Trump administration was cutting funding for some of those programs. He did a great job, and you can see the story by clicking the button below. |
VEA Research: What Federal Education Cuts are Costing UsDismantling the U.S. Department of Education puts our public schools, educators, and students at risk, including in your school division. Learn how federal cuts will directly affect your local school division: Click below and then on your school system to download your community-specific fact sheet, created by VEA Government Relations and Research. |
Make Your Summer Union Plans Now!Looking to sharpen some of your skills while enjoying your summer break? VEA will offer three separate training opportunities for members in July: Leadership Training (for local officers), the Summer Organizing Institute, and the ESP Conference. All three will be held in Richmond. To learn more and to secure your spot, click below. Sharing Your Experience and Expertise at the State LevelSome are longstanding, like the Instruction and Professional Development and Education Support Professionals committees, and the Fitz Turner Commission for Human and Civil Rights. Some are brand new, like the Collective Bargaining Committee. Either way, your Union maintains a lineup of statewide committees and commissions to help guide our work—and we’re always looking for members who are qualified for and interested in serving in this way. Want to learn more? Know someone who might fit the bill, including yourself? Check out our form and let us know of your interest—we’ll be delighted to talk more! |
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