Message from the President – July 2024

26 Jul Message from the President – July 2024

July FLAVA Presidential Message

Dear FLAVA Members and Virginia World Language Educators,

As July draws to a close and we eagerly anticipate the start of the new academic year, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to each of you for your unwavering dedication to advancing world language education. Your enthusiasm and commitment are truly the heart of our community, and I am delighted to share some exciting updates with you.

Registration for FLAVA 2024 is Open!
We are thrilled about the upcoming Fall FLAVA Conference, taking place from October 10-12, 2024, at the picturesque Norfolk Waterside Marriott. The conference is shaping up to be an exceptional event, and we encourage you to register soon to ensure you secure a room in our limited hotel block. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to connect with fellow educators, gain new insights, and be inspired by our keynote speaker, Dr. L.J. Randolph, Jr., President of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). Register Now to reserve your spot!

Here is the Quick-Glance Schedule for a sneak peek at what’s in store.

Exciting Door Prizes Await!
We are thrilled to announce an array of fantastic door prizes for the conference, thanks to our generous sponsors. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s in store so far:

• Gift Cards: $50 American Express, $50 Amazon, and $25 Amazon gift cards.
• Exclusive Book Sets: Spanish novel collections and beautiful art books from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
• Educational Subscriptions: A 1-year access to Flangoo and Garbanzo.
• Unique Experiences: A two-week professional development course in Salamanca, Spain (airfare not included).
• Local Treasures: A Central Virginia basket of locally made items.
• Special Book “Book-quet”: Includes five reader books for you to choose from.

We look forward to sharing these wonderful prizes with you!

We Value Your Feedback!
As we explore options for FLAVA conferences for 2026 and beyond, please remember that our current contract with the Norfolk Waterside Marriott covers the period from 2023 through 2025. Your insights are incredibly important to us as we begin planning for future events beyond this contract. We invite you to share your thoughts by completing our FLAVA Conference Venues and Timing Survey for 2026 and Beyond by August 8, 2024. Your feedback will guide us in creating events that best meet your needs and aspirations. Please feel free to share the survey with your colleagues and networks, as every perspective helps us in shaping an exceptional experience for everyone.

Advocacy Update
As we gear up for the new academic year, we encourage you to support and promote the value of multilingualism in your community. A great resource is the free poster from JNCL titled “Language at the Intersection,” which highlights how multilingualism enhances professional skills across various fields. You can download and distribute this poster, as well as access a series of interviews to advocate for language programs in your school and community. Download the Poster and Access Interviews.

While the House has approved full funding for the World Language Advancement and Readiness Grants (WLARP) for FY25, it still needs to pass the Senate. Additionally, the House Appropriations Committee has proposed significant cuts to FY25 education funding, including the complete elimination of the Title III English Language Acquisition program. For detailed information, please refer to JNCL’s press release, which provides a comprehensive breakdown of the proposed changes to education funding.

We urge you to take action and show your support for world language and other education programs by sending a message through the Legislative Action Center. It takes less than five minutes and can make a significant impact.

Thank you for your continued advocacy and support!

A Heartfelt Thank You
I want to extend my deepest appreciation to our conference team—Virginia Kibler, Heidi Trude, Cherie Duma, Beth Marshall, Sue Robertson, Kathryn Murphy-Judy, Holly Fitterer, Aliea Lewis, Dali Tan, and Kelly Arble—for their tireless efforts and dedication. Your commitment is truly what makes our conference a success.

As summer comes to a close and the new school year approaches, I hope you enjoy these final days of relaxation and preparation. I look forward to seeing you at FLAVA 2024 and to a year full of growth and inspiration.

Wishing you a wonderful end to your summer and a fantastic start to the new academic year!

Warmest regards,
Eric Jaworski
FLAVA President