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May 22, 2013
Discounted Ocean Breeze and Kings Dominion Tickets
Discounted tickets to Ocean Breeze and Kings Dominion are available for all VBEA members.

May 4, 2013
Relay for Life
RELAY FOR LIFE UPDATE VBCPS participated in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life last weekend - April 20-21, 2013, at Salem HS. The weather held out, and we had a great night! THANK YOU TO EVERYONE ON THE VBEA TEAM...including School Board members Joel McDonald, Dottie Holtz, Bev Anderson and Leonard Tengco! The VBEA team alone raised over $2,000 for cancer research. VBEA will also be supporting the City of Virginia Beach's Relay for Life at Cox HS on May 18-19. If you'd like to join our team or make a donation, you can go online to http://www.relayforlife.org/ and sign up for Team VBEA or you can call the VBEA office at 486-0202 or email ldurham@vbea.org.

April 15, 2013
Relay 4 Life
The VBEA is participating in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of Virginia Beach Schools. This event will be taking place at Salem High School, April 20-21, 2013. We are currently looking for participants to join our team! The first 40 volunteers who sign up by registering online will receive a FREE Team VBEA T-shirt. Registration is $10 per person, and you can register at www.relayforlife.org/vbschoolsva. Invite your friends, family, neighbors, colleagues, etc. and get in on the celebration!

March 23, 2013
For 2012 Tax info - CLICK HERE

March 15, 2013
2013 VEA Mini-Grant
Do you have an idea but need money to implement it? The Virginia Education Association is proud to provide mini-grants to support members’ ideas designed to improve student learning. We invite you to submit your proposal for a mini-grant for any amount up to $500. Please see attached flier! Deadline: June 3, 2013 for mini-grants awarded on September 4, 2013.

March 15, 2013
2013 Assistant of the Year Guidelines
The March rep packet contains the guidelines for the 2013 Assistant of the Year program. Please make sure this information is given to the person in charge of the Assistant of the Year process at your school. Attached you will find a copy of the 2013 Guidelines for Assistant of the Year.

March 5, 2013
Read Across America
VBEA's Read Across America Celebration, held this past Saturday at Barnes and Noble Town Center, was a fun day for everyone! So far, the event had over $800 in sales and the proceeds we receive from the event will be donated to the Virginia Beach Education Foundation.

February 28, 2013
VBEA Participates in the American Heart Associations GO RED! Day
The participation and results in the American Heart Association's event, Paint the Town Red/ Wear Red Day were fantastic! There was more than $3,000 raised by the 17 Virginia Beach Schools that participated. THANK YOU to all of the schools that helped make this effort SUCH A SUCCESS! This worthy cause will be an annual event for VBEA, and next year, we plan to increase the number of schools that participated; as well as our donation. Way to go, Team VBEA!

November 19, 2012
ALL 9 VBEA RECOMMENDED CANDIDATES FOR CITY COUNCIL AND SCHOOL BOARD WIN ELECTION!
Bev Anderson, Bobby Melatti, Dan Edwards, Leonard Tengco, and Joel McDonald were all elected to the School Board on November 6th. Mayor Sessoms, Rosemary Wilson, Amelia Ross-Hammond and Glenn Davis were all elected to the City Council.

November 9, 2012
VBEA reps voice their concerns with School Board members.

September 22, 2012
VBEA RECOMMENDED CANDIDATES FOR CITY COUNCIL AND SCHOOL BOARD
School Board- Bev Anderson At-large, Joel McDonald in Rose Hall, Dan Edwards in Kempsville, Leonard Tengco in Centerville, and Bobby Melatti in the special at-large race. City Council- Amelia Ross-Hammond in Kempsville, Glenn Davis in Rose Hall, Rosemary Wilson At-large, and Will Sessoms for Mayor.

September 7, 2012
VBEA PROVIDES NEW TEACHERS AT TOCLI WITH MEMBERSHIP AND TEACHER SUPPIES!
Over 100 new teachers joined the VBEA at TOCLI in August. Along with the great benefits of membership, they were also able to choose what they needed from the VBEA Grab-and-Go.

February 9, 2012
SIGN UP TO BE A VEA CYBERLOBBYIST NOW!
Public Education and its employees are under attack from the General Asembly. Follow the link and sign up to be VEA Cyberlobbyist to help fight back against funding cuts, cuts to our retirement and to our continuing contract! Follow veadailyreports.com EVERYDAY to get the latest information!

February 9, 2012
JEANS DAY FOR LOUISA COUNTY RAISES $13,471.40
VBEA President Dominic Melito presented a check for $13,971.40 to the Louisa County School Board and Education Foundation on Tuesday, February 7th. Thank you to all of those who participated!

February 9, 2012
OVER 100 TEACHERS AND SUPPORTERS ATTEND THE VBEA GRADE-IN
When 90% of teachers report significant stress levels and many indicate that they work 50-75 hours a week on school tasks, we have a problem!

October 11, 2011
VEA RECOMMENDS ADRIANNE BENNETT IN THE 21ST HOUSE DISTRICT
Members of the VBEA Political Action Committee for Education (PACE) interviewed both Adrianne Bennett and Ron Villanueva, the two candidates for the 21st House District seat. Click the link above to read more.

September 20, 2011
STATE WANTS 40% OF TEACHER EVALUATION TO BE STUDENT PROGRESS
The Virginia Department of Education is requiring all school divisions to adopt new teacher evaluation components by the beginning of the 2012-13 school year.

September 20, 2011
VBEA ACTUALLY SAVED YOU 8% OF YOUR SALARY!
How did the VBEA save you 8%? Well, if it hadn’t been for the VEA and cyber-lobbyists across the state, not only would we not have gotten a 3% increase, we would have had to take a 5% cut in pay!!

September 20, 2011
VBEA WELCOMES YOU BACK WITH A 3% INCREASE!
VBEA set out last year to achieve a 3% raise for 2011-12. In spite of another round of budget cuts at the state level and millions of dollars taken by city council, the VBEA was able to secure the 3% increase.

September 12, 2011
VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN TO JOIN NEA PRESIDENT DENNIS VAN ROEKEL ON A CONFERENCE CALL TO DISCUSS THE PRESIDENT'S JOBS BILL TONIGHT (MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12,) AT 7:00 PM!
This invitation is open to NEA members only! Please call the VBEA office at 486-0202 or send an e-mail to dmelito@vbea.org for the necessary information.

September 6, 2011
WELCOME BACK WITH SOME INSPIRATION FROM THE NEA!
The VBEA is here for you as another school year begins. Need some inspiration? Need to know that somebody is by your side and that your voice is being heard? Click on this link to watch 9,000 NEA members proudly "STANDING STRONG!"

July 21, 2011
VBEA WILL BE WELL REPRESENTED AT VEA'S SMITH ORGANIZING SCHOOL JULY 26TH - 28TH
What did you do during your summer vacation? Well, eleven VBEA Board Members and Association Activists are taking 3 days at the end of July to attend the Reggie Smith Organizing School sponsored by VEA at the University of Richmond. Read more about what they'll be learning by clicking on the link above.

July 21, 2011
VBEA IN ATTENDANCE AT THE SCHOOL BOARD RETREAT
School Board members met July 11 and 12 at Renaissance Academy to discuss school funding at the various levels and receive updates on their Strategic Plan and Compass to 2015. Follow the link above to read about some of the topics that were discussed.

July 20, 2011
SOS (SAVE OUR SCHOOLS) MARCH IN DC AT NOON ON JULY 30TH
The VEA and NEA are supporting and encouraging people to attend the SOS (Save our Schools) March in D.C. on Saturday, July 30th at 12:00 noon at the Ellipse (President's Park South.) Everyone is welcome to attend the March! Click the link above to read more about the March.

May 31, 2011
VBEA EFFORTS LEAD TO A 3% INCREASE IN OVERALL COMPENSATION FOR SCHOOL EMPLOYEES
VBEA efforts to obtain a 3% increase in compensation began back in August 2010. VBEA, along with VEA members from across the state, also defeated Governor McDonnell's efforts to have current school employees take a 5% pay cut next year! Altogether, the VBEA/VEA/NEA saved school employees 8% of their salary for 2011-12! Follow the link to read more about VBEA's year-long efforts.

May 10, 2011
PLEASE ATTEND THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING TONIGHT TO FIGHT FOR AN EQUITABLE RAISE FOR SCHOOL EMPLOYEES!
The City Council will vote tonight on a budget that will take an additional $9.2 million from the school board budget and use it to increase the raise of city employees to 2.5%. The VBEA has a proposal that will allow the school board to match that 2.5% raise for school board employees as well. Please arrive at the Council meeting tonight sometime between 5 and 5:30. WE NEED AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE! BRING YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY AND OTHER SUPPORTERS OF SCHOOL EMPLOYEES! We will be meeting at the tree to the right of the front of City Hall. The meeting will begin at 6:00. Click the link above to view the actual proposal.

April 14, 2011
VEA CYBERLOBBYISTS STOP A 5% PAY CUT FOR SCHOOL EMPLOYEES!
The VEA was able to stop the Governor's efforts to cut school employees pay by 5% by allowing school boards to make CURRENT school board employees contribute 5% of their salary toward VRS. Click the link to see how VEA stopped other efforts to undermine our VRS and how YOUR state legislators voted!

April 4, 2011
WE ARE ONE: NEA!
On April 4, 1968, 43 years ago in Memphis, a long struggle for human rights and human dignity ended in the tragic assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but it brought economic justice and the respect that all people deserve to 1,300 city sanitation workers. Follow the link for more information, including how to send letters to Congress to stop cuts in the federal education budget and for Congress to listen to educators on re-authorization of ESEA (No Child Left Behind.)

March 31, 2011
TAKE ACTION TO STOP A 5% PAY CUT FOR TEACHERS!
Follow the link above to send a letter asking your Senator to reject two of the Governor's budget amendments. The first permits your local school board to require you to pay the 5% VRS contribution, and the second allows virtual schools to rob the general fund.

March 17, 2011
VBEA OFFICE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OPEN HOUSE PICTURES AND REPORT
11 Former VBEA Presidents, School Board members Brent Mckenzie and Patrick Salyer, City Councilman Bob Dyer and over 78 people overall attended the VBEA Office 30th Anniversary Celebration on Sunday, March 27th.

March 15, 2011
SCHOOL BOARD TO VOTE TONIGHT (3/15) ON THE BUDGET!
Tonight the School Board will vote on a budget that calls for a 3% increase in compensation (2.5% bonus and a .5% raise) for all school employees.

March 2, 2011
VBEA RESPONSE TO THE MAKE UP PLAN FOR THE FEBRUARY 10 SNOW DAY
It is the position of the Virginia Beach Education Association that teachers be allowed to flex their time between March 15th and May 13th in order to also enjoy an extended Memorial Day weekend and be off on May 31st (providing we do not have any other days of instruction lost to inclement weather.)

March 1, 2011
VEA LOBBYING EFFORTS LEAD TO $75 MILLION MORE IN STATE FUNDING FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION!
That means over $5 million for Virginia Beach City Public Schools. Click on the link to see an interview on 13 News with VBEA President Dominic Melito and City Council Member Bob Dyer. In the interview, Melito voices concerns that City Council may take some or all of the extra $5 million dollars from the state even though the 2011-12 budget for VB Schools is $100 MILLION less than the budget in 2007-08!!

February 28, 2011
I TEACH AT THE BEACH TERVIS TUMBLERS AND BEACH TOWELS ON SALE FOR $20!
We are now taking orders for "I TEACH AT THE BEACH" Tervis Tumblers and Beach towels at a cost of $20 a piece. Order now as the towels will be available at the March 9th Rep meeting. We are expecting the Tervis Tumblers to be available after March 15th. Click on the link to order your towels and tumblers today!

February 24, 2011
TAKE ACTION NOW! SEND AN E-MAIL TO SUPPORT PUBLIC EDUCATION IN VIRGINIA!
Please write your Senator now urging him/her to stand firm on funding for PreK-12 public education.

February 24, 2011
8 SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS ATTEND THE VBEA REP MEETING ON FEBRUARY 9TH!
Around 60 VBEA leaders joined 8 of the 11 school board members for table discussions about issues of planning time, new programs and many of the other issues and concerns raised by the VBEA Elementary School and Middle School Advisory Committees.

February 15, 2011
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT, MAYOR SESSOMS!
Mayor Sessoms has sent out an e-mail in response to the VBEA e-mail campaign. Clearly, the Mayor supports our Virginia Beach City Public Schools. Click on the link to see the Mayor's response.

February 14, 2011
E-MAIL CITY COUNCIL NOW! TELL THEM NOT TO CHANGE THE REVENUE SHARING FORMULA!
Find out which City Council members stood up for the Virginia Beach City Public Schools in the Council workshop on Tuesday, February 8th by clicking the link to this story!

February 14, 2011
VBEA HOSTS 8 OF 11 SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS AT THE FEBRUARY VBEA REP MEETING
Around 60 VBEA leaders joined 8 of the 11 school board members for table discussions about issues of planning time, new programs and many of the other issues and concerns raised by the VBEA Elementary School and Middle School Advisory Committees.

February 2, 2011
VBEA ADVISORY COMMITTEE CHAIR MEETS WITH DR. MASSEY TO DISCUSS MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER CONCERNS
On Monday, January 31st, VBEA Middle School Advisory Committee Chair Kaitlin Jensen and VBEA President Dominic Melito met to discuss the Middle School teachers' concerns and offer some suggestions. Click the link above to read about the meeting and see what issues the VBEA raised and what suggestions were offered.

February 1, 2011
ASK YOUR GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEMBER TO SUPPORT THE 3% BUDGET AMENDMENTS!
Act Now to Put a Salary Increase into the House and Senate Budgets Take Action! Contact your Delegate and Senator now to support the Tata house budget amendment and the Houck senate budget amendment that will provide funds for an increase in teacher and ESP pay. Follow the link to send your e-mail NOW!

January 18, 2011
E-MAIL YOUR GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEMBERS NOW!
Send an e-mail to your members of the General Assembly! Tell them that you want the state to provide funding for a 3% raise for school board employees, but not at their expense! Urge the members to vote NO to allowing school board to make current school board employees contribute 5% of their salary to VRS!

January 3, 2011
GENERAL ASSEMBLY UPDATES FROM THE VEA ARE AVAILABLE!
Go to http://www.veadailyreports.com/ to see the latest information about what the Virginia General Assembly is proposing for public education. It's crucial to stay informed! The latest report has VEA Government Relations Director Rob Jones' response to Governor McDonnell's budget amendments.

December 13, 2010
VEA HOLDS STATEWIDE PRESS CONFERENCE ASKING FOR A 3% RAISE!
VEA Will Fight for 3-Percent Pay Increase- Flanked by VBEA President Dominic Melito, Presidents of five other local Associations, and VEA President Meg Gruber, VEA President Dr. Kitty Boitnott Wednesday told reporters that VEA will seek a 3-percent salary increase for public school employees in the upcoming session of the General Assembly.

November 30, 2010
SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION WITHDRAWS REQUEST TO ADD 8 MINUTES TO THE INSTRUCTIONAL DAY FOR THE 2011-2012 CALENDAR
After hearing from so many of you, the School Administration withdrew their request to add 8 minutes to the instructional day for 2011-12. They will, however, recommend keeping mid-term exams for high schools, but allow a 10 day window at the end of the 1st semester to give the exams. They will also allow flexibility on how the mid-term is given. Click the link to read more!

November 23, 2010
VBEA PRESIDENT DOMINIC MELITO AND VEA GR DIRECTOR ROBLEY JONES MEET WITH DELEGATE TATA TO DISCUSS THE VEA LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
During their discussion, Delegate Tata said that he supports the VEA efforts for a 3% increase for school employees and is against any effort to supplant the Federal money from the Education Jobs Act. Read more about the meeting by clicking on the link above.

November 23, 2010
VEA IS MAKING GAINS TOWARDS A 3% PAY INCREASE FOR SCHOOL EMPLOYEES
Some prominent leaders in the State House and Senate are in support of providing funding for the state's share of a 3% increase for School Employees, including Senators Chuck Colgan and Frank Wagner, and Delegate Bob Tata!

November 17, 2010
"I TEACH AT THE BEACH" TERVIS TUMBLERS ARE NOW AVAILABLE!
Order your "I Teach at the Beach" 24 oz. Tervis Tumbler today for only 20 dollars, including the lid! The tumblers will be available at the December 8th VBEA Rep meeting. For more information and to download an order form, follow the link above!

November 17, 2010
VBEA MEMBERS FILL THE BOARD ROOM AT THE SCHOOL BOARD BUDGET HEARING ON NOVEMBER 9TH!
On November 9th, approximately 100 teacher and ESP members of VBEA arrived at the School Board Budget Hearing to express their desire and support for a 3% salary increase to start in February of 2011. The initial funding for such an increase would come from a $14.4 million grant from the Federal Jobs Bill, continuing funding would have to come from support from the City of Virginia Beach and the state of Virginia through increased allocations to public school funding.

November 17, 2010
VBEA ELEMENTARY ADVISORY COMMITTEE CHAIRS MET WITH ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENTS JEANNE CROCKER AND SHIRANN LEWIS
On Friday, November 12th, Fran Mongin, Debbie Aardahl and VBEA President Dominic Melito met with Jeanne Crocker and Shirann Lewis to discuss the concerns that the VBEA elementary school reps have shared with them as well as suggestions for how things can change. Click on the link to see the concerns and suggestions that were made.

October 19, 2010
VBCPS CALENDAR COMMITTEE TO RECOMMEND BANKING 8 MINUTES in 2011-2012
The VBCPS Calendar Committee will be recommending to the school board that 8 minutes be added to every instructional day. They are also recommending the end of mid term exams.

October 13, 2010
School employee reception with Congressman Nye on Friday, October 15th
Friday, October 15, 2010 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. La Marinella Trattoria Italiana 2105 West Great Neck Road Virginia Beach, VA 23451

October 11, 2010
Tell your General Assembly Members that you want a 3% raise!
Follow the link above to send your e-mail today!

October 4, 2010
Check out the latest information about VRS, ABC Privatization and health insurance from VEA Government Relations Director Rob Jones

October 1, 2010
VBEA Every Member Meeting October 13th in the Kellam HS Cafeteria Beginning at 4:30 pm
The VBEA Board of Directors has moved a recommendation that all school employees receive a 3% raise to begin on February 15, 2011.

October 1, 2010
NOT Waiting for Superman
Want to see what fallacies there are in the movie Waiting For Superman?

August 15, 2010
VDOE Workgroup meeting on the teacher evaluation tool is on Monday, August 16th in Richmond.
VBEA President Dominic Melito is one of 4 VEA members from across the state that will be a participant at this 1st of 3 meetings.

May 26, 2010
Pictures from the 2010 Teacher Assistant of the Year Reception
On Monday, May 17th, The VBEA and VBCPS honored the Teacher Assistants of the Year for 2010.

May 12, 2010
Pictures from the VBEA VB PTA Rally
Check out some pictures of the over 100 VBEA and VB PTA Council members at the May 11th City Hall Rally!

May 11, 2010
RALLY FOR TODAY IS STILL ON!
Now, more than ever, the rally to stop City Council from taking $8.8 million dollars from the school system is needed! We need to make our voices heard!

May 6, 2010
VBEA and Virginia Beach PTA's to hold a rally!
On Tuesday, May 11th, the VBEA and Virginia Beach PTA will be holding a rally at City Hall from 5:00 pm to 5:30 pm. We need everyone to come support our school employees and students!

May 4, 2010
CITY COUNCIL TO RECOMMEND CUTS TO SCHOOL BOARD BUDGET!
The Virginia Beach City Council is meeting this afternoon in a workshop at 4:00 pm to discuss the 2010-11 City Budget. They will be recommending cuts to the proposed Virginia Beach School Board budget at this meeting. Please make every effort to attend this meeting!!

February 15, 2010
ACT NOW TO SAVE PUBLIC EDUCATION IN VIRGINIA!
IT'S CRUNCH TIME! The House and Senate have each passed a budget bill. There is now a conference committee made up of members of the House and Senate that will come up with one version of the budget. Right now, the Senate version calls for over $666 million more in public education funding over the next two years than the House version does. Click the link to ACT NOW!

February 10, 2010
Read Across America March 7th!
The VBEA hosted a Read Across America Event at the Pembroke Barnes and Noble (4485 Virginia Beach Blvd) from 2pm to 4pm on Sunday, March 7th to celebrate Dr. Suess' Birthday. We raised over $400 for the Virginia Beach Education Foundation! Click the link to see some pictures!

February 5, 2010
GENERAL ASSEMBLY UPDATES
You can get the latest on the bills in the General Assembly that affect public education.

February 3, 2010
SUPERINTENDENT MERRILL VISITS THE VBEA BOARD
Dr. James Merrill, Superintendent of the Virginia Beach City Public Schools, attended the regular meeting of the VBEA Board of Directors to discuss the lastest information affecting his upcoming proposal for the 2010-2012 biennial budget.

January 5, 2010
HELP PROTECT SCHOOL FUNDING AND OUR VRS.
The total SOQ cuts, including the support cap, in the introduced state budget total $1.15 billion for the biennium.

December 17, 2009
Become a Cyber lobbyist!
Want to keep informed about the latest changes to VRS and the education budget in Virginia? Then sign up to be a VEA Cyber lobbyist. You will also receive 3-5 requests a year to send a letter to our state leaders.

December 15, 2009
Virginian Pilot and VRS
VBEA President Dominic Melito responds to the Virginian Pilot Article on December 6th concerning VRS.

November 19, 2009
General Assembly Committee talking about reducing VRS benefits!
The House Appropriations Committee (HAC) Retreat continued on November 18th, and VRS Director Robert Schultz and HAC Fiscal Analyst Michael Jay offered a "Review and Comparison of State Retirement Systems."

November 18, 2009
VBEA Officer and VEA Convention Delegates Petitions
Want to be a VBEA Officer (President, Vice President, Secretary, or Treasurer?) Want to go to the VEA Convention in Virginia Beach?

October 29, 2009
Contact your General Assembly Members
Tell them that you are against any changes to weaken the Virginia Retirement System (VRS.) Follow the link to find out who your Delegate and State Senator are and how to contact them!

October 2, 2009
Send Governor Kaine a letter. It's easy to do!
The Governor Is Now Crafting His Budget for 2010-2012. VEA, with the help of active members like you who attended the "Caps Hurt Kids" rally and the SOQ hearings, was successful in lobbying the Board of Education to "Advocate against permanent structural changes to the Standards of Quality that result in decreased funding for K-12 public education."

October 2, 2009
VBEA makes strong showing at the Board of Education Hearings
Over one-third of the crowd on Wednesday night at the Board of Education Regional Hearing in Chesapeake was made up of VBEA members, administrators and School Board Member Patricia Edmonson.

September 16, 2009
Stay informed about Decisions in Richmond
Want to know what the latest budget information and other decisions of the Virginia General Assembly? Sign up to be a cyberlobbyist!

September 10, 2009
Our new website
Our new website has been successfully launched!

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