Upcoming Levy Supports Kids!

Staffing funded by local levy dollars

The Maintenance and Operations Levy Supports Kids!

The future of our community begins with our public Schools.  The renewal education and operations levy is NOT a new tax; it simply replaces expiring levies.

As you became aware through the McCleary action, the state had not fully funded many aspects of basic education.  With the social and emotional needs of our students, the state also woefully underfunds or does not fund at all certain staffing categories that our students and members rely upon for support.  The levy helps fill the gap to fund essential services and community priorities serving ALL students.

  • Special Education
  • Classroom programs and programs of choice
  • Additional teachers, nurses, counselors, mental health, and general staff
  • Safety and security staff
  • Family-Community Resource Centers
  • Sports and extra-curricular offerings like orchestra, band, choir, and theater
  • Maintenance and utilities for buildings and grounds

For more information please visit https://vansd.org/levy/

For those who want sign up as a volunteer and/or to request a sign: https://www.ccgsvancouver.com/connect/

Please remember to vote!  Ballots are due February 14, 2023

VEA supporting PTA (Parent Teacher Association )

PTA stands for Parent Teacher Organization. The T in PTA is just as important as the P! Strong PTAs work together as parents and teachers to create amazing school communities. We have serveral PTAs in Vancouver with teachers serving in active roles and/or on PTA boards, helping to plan PTA events or working PTA events on top of teaching!  These PTAs are strong because of this dedication.  But there are other ways to PTA – check out this short video about Why PTA? https://youtu.be/xzGtGcYdEFs

PTA membership is important because it helps to fund what is happening in our local schools but also it helps to support the advocacy and equity work PTA is doing at a state and national level. Currently WA State PTA is working on a diversity audit to see how they can better reach the voices that are not already heard at the table. The advocacy part of PTA is working on issues like preventing gun violence, strengthening school safety and funding, and making sure that every student is getting the best education possible. This is where most of a member’s dues go. Strong PTA member numbers help to get several things to happen in legislation. Two local bills that were started right here in Vancouver were the “breakfast after the bell” policy and the “Tiffany Hill” Bill. You can learn about the top 5 things that Washington State PTA is currently advocating for in the next WA state legislative assembly:    https://www.wastatepta.org/focus-areas/advocacy/

We encourage all VEA members to become members of PTA so we continue our PTA work together. Local PTA board members should be able to give you their links to join or the links for most PTAs are here: https://www.wastatepta.org/get-involved/find-your-pta/

Here also are some PTA resources for Teachers that you might like to check out:

https://www.pta.org/home/About-National-Parent-Teacher-Association/Benefits-of-PTA-Membership/Focusing-on-the-T-in-PTA

We are so thankful for all our staff and look forward to continue the work to make our schools the best they can be. If you have any questions, please feel free to email Michelle Weinmaster through the Vancouver Council PTA at vancouverpta@gmail.com.

 

COVID-19 22-23

Guidance for the 22-23 school year with the COVID-19 and subsequent variant’s changing landscape.

VPS

Governor Announcements

Department of Health

CDC

Clark County Public Health

EEOC

OSPI

Labor and Industries (worker protections and notifications, masks, distancing, cleanliness, etc).

 

National Board Certification Information

VEA National Board Candidate Support Cohort Program

In 2022-23 VEA will provide facilitated support for candidates going through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification process. Candidate support is optional for teachers completing their National Boards; however, teacher candidates who are part of a support program show a significantly higher passing rate.

As part of a cohort, candidates receive support, instruction, and feedback from their trained facilitators who are VEA colleagues. Examples include: “unpacking” the National Board component prompts, finding evidence of National Board standards, and ensuring alignment.  To participate in the cohort, please complete the survey monkey found under “news flash” AND the registration form found under the documents tab above.   Clock hours will be available.

Details on the 2022-23 cohort:  Here! Please note the location of the Foundations course will be in person at Roosevelt Elementary.

Please check out the registration information here

Are you interested in working in public education?

Do you know someone who would be a great addition to the (Vancouver Public Schools) VPS team?

VPS is hiring substitute employees in the following areas:

  • Substitute Teachers
  • Substitute Paraeducators (instructional and special education)
  • Substitute Bus Drivers

To view a complete job posting and apply, visit the district website; www.vansd.org, select VPS Jobs.

If you need assistance, please contact Human Resources (hrdesk@vansd.org or (360)313-1080). Vancouver Public Schools is an equal opportunity district in education programs, activities, services and employment.

VEA calls for Racial Justice

Through ongoing conversation with our VEA Equity Team and Executive Board, VEA is eager to share a specific CALL FOR RACIAL JUSTICE in VPS, presented to VPS School Board Directors and Superintendent Webb via email on June 11, 2020.

VEA looks forward to collaborating with VPS, alongside other key stakeholders, through intentional dialogue and transparent communication moving forward. Thank you to VEA members for your sharing the commitment to doing better for Vancouver students, colleagues, and our greater community!

VEA Equity Team Mission

The mission of the VEA Equity Team is to empower educators and students to be actively anti-racist by dismantling systemic barriers and injustice in the VEA, our schools, our community, and our profession. We acknowledge that painful racial inequities and injustices exist and persist in our community. We strive for safe, welcoming and affirming schools for all educators, students, and families, inclusive of the Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQ2IA+, people with disabilities, people of all ages, people with any citizenship status or socioeconomic status and their intersectionalities.

Supporting those who supported us

The VEA received an overwhelming level of community support during our labor action in 2018.  We encourage using the following businesses and services who supported VEA directly as a way to pay it forward and support them during these difficult times.

Don’t be taken in

The Freedom Foundation (previously called the Evergreen Freedom Foundation), a known anti-union group, is trying to put a wedge between members. They have been contacting members to encourage them to drop their union membership. This is not a coincidence. They are funded by groups that are not for public education. And who is the largest advocate for public education? The Union!Read More

The Purpose of the Vancouver Education Association

The preeminent purpose of the Vancouver Education Association shall be to work for the improvement of the schools of the state and nation in general, and particularly for the improvement of the Vancouver public schools to the end that these institutions become progressively better places for the students and teachers to carry out the educational activities that are necessary for the attainment of a quality education of the children they serve.