April 11, 2025

presidentarlington
Apr 24
8 min read

Happy Friday. We made it to break time! I hope you have a safe and peaceful break. It has been a busy few weeks for all of us--last week several members traveled to Abingdon, VA for our VEA state convention. Our delegates had the chance to witness and participate in advocacy in action. Speaking of advocacy in action--I want to acknowledge everyone who has come out to the School Board meetings over the past few weeks. I do believe your voices have been heard, as we've seen some movement in the right direction regarding cuts. No one should ever be in the position to publicly advocate for their positions, and the anxiety that comes with unanswered questions is not acceptable. This is a place where APS needs to do better.

If you attended last night's School Board meeting, Dr. Duran reaffirmed APS commitment to all students, and mentioned the lawsuit filed by NEA to help push back on harmful directives:

APS Focuses on Supporting Every Student by Name, Strength and Need as Federal Guidance Evolves

The U.S. Department of Education recently issued a letter requiring school divisions to certify they are not using federal funds for discriminatory practices.

APS is reviewing the certification carefully and believes that we remain in full compliance with federal and state law, affirming our adherence to federal anti-discrimination laws.
We are confident that our work to support all students reflects our core values and helps ensure they are seen and supported.
The deadline to sign the certification letter is April 23. Yesterday, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and National Education Association (NEA) reached an agreement in court that pauses the DEI certification until after April 24. This gives the court time to hear the preliminary injunction argument, which is scheduled for Thu, April 17.
As we move forward, APS will monitor the hearing, which may change the requirements for certification.
APS will continue to engage with our community, provide transparent updates and plan thoughtfully to ensure we meet the needs of every student in our schools.

Our focus remains on knowing every student by name, strength and need as well as the academic success of every student.

No matter which side of the aisle you stand on, I encourage you to stay informed: Protect Public Schools | NEA

News from AEA-Political Action Committee (PAC)

The AEA-PAC is excited to announce that they have endorsed our very own AEA President, June Prakash as candidate for APS School Board. June brings a proven track record of results from her time in the classroom, as PTA President, and as our 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!

Please vote (and bring all the voters you know!) on May 4th at Washington-Liberty HS from 10-6, or on May 10 at Drew ES from 10-6.

If you'd like to poll greet, please email June at the office or sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0F4BA4AA28A0FA7-56266126-getout.

If you'd like to know a bit more, follow June on Facebook (June Prakash for Arlington School Board) or www.friendsofjune.com.

*PAC is fully funded by private donations, not dues. If you'd like to become a part of the PAC, please email the AEA office.

Upcoming APS Community Engagement Opportunities:

Thu, May 1 School Board Meeting: Honored Citizens Recognition; Safety and Emergency Management Update; Action on the Adoption of the Final FY 2026 Budget7:00 pm Watch School Board meeting online, on Comcast Ch. 70, Verizon Ch. 41 or at Syphax Education Center, 2110 Washington Blvd. 22204More at: Community Engagement Opportunities with automatic translation into: Español Монгол አማርኛ العربية (Other languages)Arlington Community Events:Last call: Tax Help for Low- and Moderate-Income HouseholdsNeed help with tax preparation? Clinics are open around Arlington and neighboring communities2025 STEAM Fellowship application is openAPS teachers can receive a $5,000 stipend for a summer fellowship in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) from the Arlington Community Foundation. Apply here by April 15Tue, Apr. 15 Dreams and Shadows Author Dr. Emma Violand-Sánchez discusses her new book 4:00 pm One More Page Books, 2200 N Westmoreland St, 22213Tue, Apr. 22 Celebrate the release of Dr. Emma Violand-Sánchez’s inspiring Memoir Dream and Shadows: An Immigrant’s Journey5:30-7 pm Syphax Education Center, School Board Room, 2110 Washington Blvd. 22204Sat, Apr. 26 Live In Arlington Information Fair, hosted by Arlington’s Housing Division11am-4pm Walter Reed Recreation Center, 2909 16th St. S, 22204More 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.

Policies open for public comment:

Number	Policy Title and link to Draft Policy	Anticipated SB Action	Comment Period Opens	Comment Period Closes	Policy questionnaires
J-5.3.30	Admissions	Jun 2025	Apr 4, 2025	May 4, 2025	Provide Feedback

More opportunities

Democratizing NoVA

Greetings AEA members,

It is time to gather the energies and initiative of the many people of Northern Virginia who are working to plan and build a Northern Virginia that is truly inclusive, equitable, sustainable, and democratic. Please join us on April 26-27 for “Building Community Power, Growing Community Wealth: Democratizing NOVA Summit 2025” on the Fairfax Campus of George Mason University.

REGISTER TODAY!

Northern Virginia is in the midst of a rapid transformation - the choices made today will define the region for years to come. What kind of community will emerge over the next decade? Whose voices will shape its future? And whose interests will get priority? Through a lively mix of workshops, panel discussions, interactive activities, tabling, and cultural events, participants in the Democratizing NOVA Summit will dig into the regional challenges that are affecting us, learning from each other as well as from experts in the fields of community wealth, solidarity economics, just transition, restorative justice, community safety, participatory democracy, democratic technologies, and constitutional change.

What to expect?

The first day of the Summit (Saturday, April 26) will offer a community roll call, workshops, sharing of stories, dynamic panel discussions featuring organizations such as the Virginia Solidarity Economy Network, Lazera Ministries, Fairfax County, and The Democracy Collaborative, and a keynote address by Dr. Anthony Cook, founder of the Coalition for Racial Equity and a Democratic Economy (CREDE) at Georgetown Law.

On the second day (Sunday, April 27), we will roll up our sleeves and get to work through a variety of workshops and interactive activities designed to share knowledge and explore innovative approaches to building community power and growing community wealth. We are currently accepting proposals for workshops. Click here to propose a workshop!

This Summit is convened by the Democratizing NOVA Council and supported by Next System Studies and the Center for Social Science Research at George Mason University, as well as a growing network of community partners.

Summit participants will receive light refreshments in the morning and a box lunch.

What is Democratizing NOVA?

Democratizing NOVA (DNOVA) is a community-university partnership that seeks to catalyze a democratic, just, and sustainable transition in Northern Virginia. We convene community members, leaders, and businesses together with academic scholars to explore the challenges and opportunities for remaking our region into a place that is truly equitable, inclusive, sustainable, and democratic. The first Democratizing NOVA Summit was held in April 2022. You can see video highlights and resources from the first Summit here.

NEWS FROM VEA

2025 VEA Convention: Success in the Southwest!

Our first convention in beautiful Southwest Virginia was a big success—the venue, the accommodations, the scenery and, most importantly, our members all came through in a spectacular way! Our 350+ delegates got so much done, from working through a lineup of member-created New Business Items, to updates on our Union’s fight for human rights and for public education-friendly candidates, to approving a budget, and much more. We also passed the improvements to our governing documents that we called Project Solidarity, positioning VEA even more strongly for the future—and in all that, managed to have a very good time, too! Many thanks to the many members, staff, and others who made this event work so well!

Telling It Like It Is

I urge you to check out this video clip from a press conference Rep. Abigail Spanberger held Tuesday morning in Richmond. Among the impressive speakers in this one-minute snippet is Richmond Education Association member Sharon Gilbert, who spoke clearly and strongly about the power of collective bargaining.

Watch Here

What to Expect at VEA's Summit on Educators of Color

“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. If you registered for the Summit before it had to be rescheduled, you must register again. 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. 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.

VEA Members Rock It with Legislators at the Capitol and at Home

I’m happy to tell you that the results of the 2025 General Assembly for students, educators, and public schools are significantly better because of the work you, our members, put in. I can’t thank you enough for the emails, phone calls, personal lobbying, talking about issues with your friends and neighbors, and everything else you did during this session. Read about some of your most important accomplishments here!

Save the Date for 'Day of Action'

NEA members and allies are planning a National Day of Action on May 1, created to launch a proactive campaign to advocate for a better common vision for America. Areas of focus for the ongoing effort will be the needs of neighborhood public schools (including full funding of Title I and IDEA), support for working families, improved availability of affordable housing, and broader access to high-quality healthcare—and all of these before turning to the interests of our billionaires. May 1 actions won’t be protests, but a call for better lives for millions of Americans. More information to come; in the meantime, you can learn more here.

VEA Vibe Check: Bouncing Back for Spring

Need a boost as you come into the school year’s home stretch? Sign up for VEA’s next Vibe Check, a virtual event set for Wednesday, April 30 from 7 to 8 p.m., and you’ll have a chance to connect with colleagues around the state, thanks to VEA’s Minority and Women's Concerns Committee and Department of Human and Civil Rights. It's our way of nurturing the educators who shape the future, and offers a supportive community to help you balance the demands of being an educator with fortitude and inner strength.

Can You Spare Two Minutes to Help a Child?

VEA proudly supports the 5000 Families initiative, a crucial program providing state housing voucher support to low-income families with school-age children. Stable housing directly impacts students' educational outcomes. Children experiencing housing instability face significant academic, social, and emotional challenges, making it harder for educators to effectively support their learning and well-being. However, funding for this essential program is at risk of being vetoed by the governor, and your voice is needed to protect this critical initiative. Please take 2 minutes now to urge the governor to support stable housing for Virginia families. Together, let's advocate for housing stability that supports our students, families, and educators alike.

VEA 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 Human and Civil Rights, 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 HCR committees and commissions 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, and do it by April 22: There is space for only 30 members!