On Tuesday, August 3, 2010, Princess Moss gave the key-note speech for the Louisa County Public Schools Convocation ceremony at the new Moss-Nuckols Elementary School. A cousin of the school’s name-sake, Princess Moss is a former President of the Louisa County Education Association, the immediate Past-President of the Virginia Education Association, and currently serves on the Executive Committee of the National Education Association in Washington, D.C. A former Music Teacher in Louisa County, Ms. Moss emphasized the importance of building a community of supportive colleagues to assist you in your career, and the absolute importance of becoming a life-long learner, who remains up-to-date on new technologies and educational tools. She praised the new Moss-Nuckols school as evidence that Louisa County is continuing to grow and thrive, and that the citizens, leaders, and employees of Louisa County are committed to their children’s future.

This has been a tremendously successful year for the Blue Ridge UniServ.  We have been very active, have grown in membership, power and influence, and we have had some great successes.  Beginning with the largest rep training in the State last July, continuing through our excellent membership recruitment last fall, budget trainings and seminars during December and January, political activism throughout the region in February and March(including the Rally in Richmond!), and ending most recently with our District-wide ESP Conference last Saturday.  I am very proud of our leaders and our members.  Have a great summer and get plenty of rest!!!!  Let’s hit the ground running when we start back up!  NTOs in Louisa, Fluvanna and Cumberland are scheduled for July 29-31!  Keep up the great work!  Together we are making a difference.

At the 2010 VEA Annual Convention in Virginia Beach, President Kitty Boitnott presented the President’s Award for Excellence in Organizing to the Orange County Education Association for the Rally in Richmond, which is credited with turning the tide in the fight for K-12 funding, and saving countless educational jobs. OCEA was represented at the awards ceremony by President Wanda Jones, Vice President Lori Guess, and Representative Kyle Wormuth. Leaders from the other BRU locals and the UniServ Director were on hand to cheer the award. Congratulations to OCEA and all of BRU!!!! WE MADE A DIFFERENCE!!! LET’S DO IT AGAIN!!!!!

Believe it or not Summer is on its way! Our members throughout the UniServ are starting to see light at the end of the tunnel from a LONG school year, where we fought hard to keep funding for K-12, our members, and our students. We are proud of our victories, but know that there is much more to accomplish. Your BRU Board will be meeting on May 18th to discuss plans for next year. If you have ideas on items that you would like to see the Board address, please email the UniServ or your local Presidents. Together we can move mountains!

Channel 8 in Richmond, had a very good video of the Rally.  Congratulations to all of our members and leaders!

Channel 8 in Richmond Coverage of Rally

Leaders and members from each of the BRU Locals joined leaders and members from around the State at the OCEA Rally in Richmond to protest proposed cuts to K-12 Education spending.  Speakers included parents, teachers, students, and administrators.  Hundreds of people brought home-made signs and slogans.  The Rally finished with the crowd of hundreds singing the Twisted Sister song “We’re not gonna take it” to the General Assembly and to the Governor.

NBC 29 — Video of Rally in Richmond

BRU officers and members joined our colleagues from around the State to demand funding for schools and stating loud and clear: “We’re not gonna take it anymore!” In addition to the OCEA leaders, speakers included Dr. Kitty Boitnott (VEA President); Robley Jones, VEA Director of Government Relations; Kathy Burcher the PTA legislative director; Dr. Robert Grimmesy, Orange Superintendent; and Senator Ed Houck. Kyle Wormuth (OCEA) spoke eloquently about how the cuts to K-12 wll personally affect him; and several students gave heart-felt pleas to the General Assembly not to dismantle their schools. Our Rally is just the beginning! I hope the Governor and the General Assembly heard us LOUD AND CLEAR: WE ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!!!!

Check out these sites for more information:
http://www.nbc29.com/global/Category.asp?C=175568&autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=4580677&flvUri=&partnerclipid=

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/EDUCGAT27_20100227-150001/327238/

The Orange County Review has done a very supportive article regarding the Rally in Richmond, highlighting the contributions by OCEA officers Wanda Jones and Lori Davis. Please read the article at: http://www2.orangenews.com/ocn/news/local/education/article/rally_in_richmond/52703/

There is also a great article on the VEA website; please check it out here: http://www.veanea.org/top-stories/rally-2010-02-24.html

SEE YOU IN RICHMOND!!!!!

VEA needs your help lobbying the General Assembly to fund the public schools. Sign-up at the following link to be a cyber-lobbyist! VEA will send you updates on events in Richmond, and will assist you in sending emails to your delegates and senators. It couldn’t be simpler: http://www.veanea.org/legislative/cyberlobbyist.html