Why Red?

Any visitor to our site will notice that our primary color is red.

While this site was put together using a Wix template the choice of the color was done with a lot of thought. At the risk of sounding pedantic, I believe it is important to detail the symbolism behind the color for us here in Alexandria. The choice of red was made for several reasons:

Reason #1 - In 2012 the Red for Ed movement began as a single chapter in North Carolina (1). The movement evolved and started to work closely with the National Educational Association (NEA) where it began to gain steam. Red for Ed rose to national prominence in 2018 when it was the catalyst behind numerous educator strikes across the country. To this day the NEA and the Red for Ed movement have been advocating for more resources to public schools, and in honor of their work we have chosen red.

Reason #2 - Speaking of the NEA, Alexandria has a local chapter of the NEA titled the Educators Association of Alexandria (EAA). The EAA has also chosen red to represent their organization and the Alexandria City Public School (ACPS) staff members who make it up. In honor of our local union and the work they do for our educators here in Alexandria we have chosen red.

Reason #3 - Here in Alexandria we have one of the most well known high schools in the country. While it does not have the same famous name anymore, Alexandria City High School (ACHS) has served as the city's sole high school since 1971 with red being one of its primary colors (2). All ACPS students will eventually go to ACHS making it as ubiquitous Alexandria experience I can think of. Everyday our students enter its walls to learn. In honor of our students we have chosen red.

Reason #4 - As cliché as it is nothing says teaching like a crisp red apple. This symbol represents the literal blood (also red), sweat, and tears our educators (i.e. teachers, bus drivers, office personnel, etc.) have put into helping our students become the best they can be. In honor of our education staff members here in Alexandria we have chosen red.

Reason #5 - Red is the color of passion and if you are here reading this I know, like me, are passionate about our public schools. While I know we as community members sometimes disagree on how exactly to move forward, I know we all agree that we love our public schools and want to see them become the best in the area, if not the country. In honor of the love, support, and advocacy we get from the community we have chosen red.

In short, red was chosen because it best symbolizes our students, staff, and the advocacy we do for them. We are in for a long fight so always remember Red for Ed!

If you want to get periodic updates please sign up for our mailing list on our "Connect" page. I look forward to working with all of you wonderful Alexandrians to help make our public schools the best they can be!

-Alex's Pen

REFERENCS

1.) https://capitalresearch.org/article/red-for-ed-an-activist-arm-of-the-nea/

2.) https://www.acps.k12.va.us/about-us/history-of-acps/tc-williams#:~:text=In%201971%2C%20the%20city%20consolidated,serving%2011th%20and%2012th%20graders.