April 25, 2025

Jun 9, 2025
7 min read

Happy Friday! I hope everyone had a restful break. It's not too soon to be counting down yet, is it? We're heading into another busy season, but hopefully we'll have some time to have fun with our students and colleagues. Speaking of fun...I'm trying to get to more schools in the next few weeks--armed with coffee, donuts, and swag--hope to see you!

Did you know that we are offering Early Enrollment right now? This is a great chance to 'try now, pay later' and see what being in a union is all about (if you refer a new member, you get $10!) NEA Join Now

This week we met with the Superintendent and Cabinet, and I wanted to share a few takeaways from our conversations:

Regarding June 17th Primary Day--Schools will be open. Syphax staff is working with schools to make sure voting can happen in a way that does not compromise safety of our students, or impact any of the promotion ceremonies.

Cell-phone pouches for next year: Syphax staff is working with HS and MS admin to determine needs for pouches, and incorporating feedback from the "Your Voice Matters" survey.

SeeSaw--the discontinuation of SeeSaw has been mentioned a few times, and APS says it was discontinued for several reasons, one being that it wasn't secure. If you feel like this has impacted your instruction, please let me know.

Regarding surplus notices--All surplus notices have been sent, with the exception of those to employees at Title I schools (APS needs to wait on final funding amounts). We know that this can be a stressful time. If you received a notice, and believe you have seniority over another staff person, please report that to your principal. APS is obligated to offer you one similar position. We advise that you take the position offered, and if you are not satisfied with the placement, continue to look at openings over the summer. APS is committed to filling all open position with surplus positions before hiring externally.

Please let me know if you have questions about any of the above. Please note that the "Contact Us' feature on the website is not functioning properly, so a direct email or call is best.

Have a great weekend!

Kudos

Congratulations to members Dawn Scattolini of Kenmore MS and Alexandra Davis of Drew ES for being named APS All-Stars for April.

All Member Meeting

Our Bylaws require us to have an all-member meeting each May. This is a good opportunity to check in and ask questions. This year, the meeting will be on May 8th at 6:30 via Zoom. We'll send out a few reminders, but here is the link to join:

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/79020820188?pwd=pvbacKCTIozISQi6rFeEeGmwFQCvRW.1

Building Rep Elections

Please be on the lookout for an email from our office about Building Rep elections for next year. The Building Rep terms are one year, with no term limit. This is a great way to become more involved in our union.

News from AEA-PAC

Greetings AEA---

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 email June at the office or 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.

*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.

NEWS FROM VEA

We've Got Clout, and We Use it for Members

It was great that the Virginia Department of Education announced that it wanted teachers to apply to be on committees to determine cut scores for SOL tests in math and ELA. It wasn’t so great that they gave only a few short days notice to complete the process, which included about an hour of paperwork. We went public, and the deadline has been extended! Read about it here. We need teachers on those committees because teachers know their students and how to best help them succeed. If you’re interested, click here.

Norfolk Members Stand Up for DEI, Get School Board's Backing

Members of the Education Association of Norfolk rallied over the weekend and then showed up at the city’s school board meeting Wednesday night to voice opposition to the potential suspension of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion services in the school system. The result? Norfolk has become, it appears, the first school division in Virginia to reject federal mandates to do away with DEI. Check out the TV news clip below, where the three educators who address the board are EAN President James Parker and members Mary Ann White and Nick Green. Great work, EAN!

Watch Here

More DEI Doings, More VEA Stepping Up

I also had the opportunity to weigh in on Loudoun County’s decision not to sign the anti-DEI certification, which came after the Norfolk decision. Here’s what I had a chance to say on a Washington, D.C. television station.

Watch Here

Our National Union Stands with Us

The legal power of the National Education Association has been working for us in the DEI fight, as well—and it’s paying off! Just this week, after NEA filed a lawsuit, the District Court of New Hampshire issued a preliminary injunction against the U.S. Department of Education. The court ordered the U.S. Department of Education, Secretary McMahon and all of their agents and employees and anyone acting directly or indirectly in concert with them to stop enforcing and/or implementing earlier measures including the “Frequently Asked Questions About Racial Preferences and Stereotypes Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act,” the End DEI Portal, and the April 3, 2025 certification requirement for school divisions. The legal battle will continue, but this is a huge win for students and educators.

Registered (or Re-Registered) yet for the Educators of Color Summit?

“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.

What Federal Cuts Are Doing to You and Your Students

Dismantling 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.

Click Here

Does Your Local Have Plans for the 'Day of Action' on May 1?

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. Tell us what your local’s plans may be here.

Spring is an Excellent Time for a Vibe Check

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.

Interested in Serving on one of VEA's Statewide Committees or Commissions?

Some 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!

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.

Teaching & Learning's Latest Newsletter is Online

The latest issue of Teaching & Learning Today, a monthly newsletter from VEA’s Department of Teaching and Learning, is ready for reading on VEA’s website! It will help you keep up with all that T&L has in the works: opportunities available for our members, areas we’re focusing on, and future ventures. Please know that you are also welcome to speak with us about any opportunities that you might be interested in.

Read Here