Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Voter Registration

New voter identification cards are being mailed from the State Board of Elections to your address of record in Virginia. If you have not received your new card by October 10th, then you need to check with your county/city Voter Registrar before October 15th.

The Alexandria Board of Elections is located at 132 N Royal St (across the street from City Hall). Their telephone number is 703-746-4050 and they can be found on the Internet at http://www.alexandriava.gov/elections .

October 15th is the voter registration deadline in Virginia to vote in the November 6th general election.

Check your voter registration status now with the Virginia Board of Elections at http://1.usa.gov/RpeffZ.

Possible reasons you need to check today:
  • You've moved since you last voted
  • You got married and changed your name
  • You're in college or temporarily living in another lcoation

People have died to guarantee your right to vote.

Get out and VOTE ON NOVEMBER 6th!

Friday, September 21, 2012

Be an ESP Advocate for Public Schools

Education support professionals (ESPs) are significant contributors to the education, safety, and success of public school students.

Learn what other NEA colleagues are doing to improve their schools and their work places. Click here.

Resources for National Hispanic Heritage Month


National Hispanic Heritage Month


September 15 – October 15


San Miguel de Gualdape was the first European settlement in North America. It was founded in Georgia in 1526, 81 years before Jamestown. St. Augustine, Florida was founded in 1565 and is the oldest city in the United States. Hispanic Americans have been making contributions to life in the U.S. ever since.
Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage month with the following lessons, activities, videos, and more.

Protect Your Digital Identity


Learn how to clean up and identify personal information about you online from this article on NEA Today.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Political Endorsements Made

APACE, the political action arm of the EAA, has interviewed candidates for City elective offices and has announced its endorsements.  The questionnaires submitted by endorsed candidates and other information are listed on the APACE website.

No membership dues are used in the activities of the Alexandria Political Action Committee for Education (APACE).  APACE is registered with the State Board of Elections (PAC-12-00083).

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

ACPS Email Exchange


I’ve reproduced the following emails so that members can see the attitude that Kevin North exhibits in dealing with a support professional’s concerns about “being bumped down 2 steps.” 

Gina 

From: Kevin North
To: Gina Miller
Cc: Mort Sherman
Sent: Wed, 20 Jun 2012 6:06 PM
Subject: Re: Reply to emails??
Gina,
I don't have time to acknowledge emails when we think we can have the complete response and resolve the issue in a reasonable time. As I stated, I don't think a 24 hour response time is unreasonable particularly knowing that in this case, the concern is about her compensation for the next school year. Also, multiple emails and phone calls within a few hour period on the same question does not help our ability to be responsive.
It doesn't matter if you are teaching children, driving a bus, serving food or whatever role our employees have, they all deserve a prompt response to their concerns. We work very hard to provide a high level of service and Ms. [redacted] will receive a resolution to her concern in a reasonable amount of time.
Kevin

From: Gina Miller
To: Kevin North
Cc: Mort Sherman
Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2012 5:50 PM
Subject: Re: Reply to emails??
Dear Mr. North,
I am saddened that a simple email or phone call to even acknowledge an email over-taxes your staff. I guess we assume that those of us tasked with teaching children might deserve a simple response of any kind. Perhaps we can meet to discuss this unless you are too busy. I think Dr. Sherman should also attend.
Gina A. Miller
EAA President

From: Kevin North
To: [redacted]
Cc: Beth Cooke
    Gina Miller
    ThuHang T. Nguyen
    [redacted]
    Morton Sherman
Sent: Wed, 20 Jun 2012 3:06 PM
Subject: Re: Reply to emails??
Ms. [redacted],
Your first email to us on this issue was late yesterday afternoon and you have sent several since then and Gina Miller called us also. I understand that this is an important issue to you and it is to us as well, but we need some time to research it and find out what is required to resolve it. We are serving over 2200 employees and I receive about 80 emails a day, so we need adequate time to take care of your request along with all others. I do think a response within 24 hours is reasonable.
I know Beth Cooke is looking into your request and will have some insight shortly.
Kevin North

From: [redacted]
To: Beth Cooke
    Kevin North
Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2012 2:22 PM
Subject: Reply to emails??
I am just wondering if you reply to very serious emails from ACPS employees? Your lack of interest is very troubling. My question about being bumped down 2 steps is very serious. I will contact my principal Thursday morning with my problem if you do not reply to my question. [redacted] cc's Dr. Sherman on every email he sends out.
[redacted]
Special Ed. Para