e-Update
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October 2009
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Published by
The Association of Wisconsin School Administrators
4797 Hayes Rd.,
Suite 103
Madison, WI 53704
P: (608) 241-0300
F: (608) 249-4973
Web: www.awsa.org
Views expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect AWSA policy or advice.
Questions or comments about this newsletter? Contact Tina Hogle at tinahogle@awsa.org
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Domestic Partners Now Have Rights Under the Wisconsin FMLA
By Attorney Timothy L. Stewart , DeWitt Ross & Stevens S.C.
The Wisconsin Legislature and Governor Doyle recently modified the Wisconsin Family and Medical Leave Act to treat same-sex "registered domestic partners" and same-sex and opposite sex "unregistered domestic partners" similarly to how the WFMLA treats spouses. The WFMLA leave entitlements for "unregistered domestic partnerships" became effective on June 30, 2009. The leave entitlements for registered domestic partnerships became effective on August 1, 2009.
Change in Leave Entitlements
Prior to this change, the WFMLA required employers with at least 50 employees to provide the following types of leave to employees on an annual basis:
1. 6 weeks of bonding leave for the birth or adoption of an employee's child;
2. 2 weeks of leave for the serious health condition of the employee; and
3. 2 weeks of leave for the serious health condition of the employee's parent (including the parent of the employee's spouse), spouse or child.
The revised WFMLA did not change the bonding leave described in item 1. above, or the leave for the employee’s own serious health condition described in item 2. However, for purposes of the leave described in item 3., an employer will have to treat a domestic partner the same as a spouse. That is, an employee will be able to take up to 2 weeks of leave per year to care for a domestic partner, and up to 2 weeks of leave per year to care for his/her domestic partner’s parent.
Registered vs. Unregistered Domestic Partnerships
The new leave entitlements apply to employees who are in either a registered domestic partnership or an unregistered domestic partnership.Registered domestic partners are two individuals who meet the following:
1. Each individual is at least 18 years old and competent to enter into a contract;
2. The individuals live together;
3. Neither individual is married to, or in a domestic partnership with someone else;
4. The individuals are not nearer of kin to each other than second cousins, whether of whole or half blood or by adoption;
5. The individuals are members of the same gender; and
6. The individuals are registered as domestic partners.
To register as domestic partners, the couple must: (a) apply for a declaration of domestic partnership to the Clerk of Court in the appropriate county; and (b) file a declaration of domestic partnership with the Register of Deeds.
To be considered an unregistered domestic partnership (which does not require any registration with the State), the following must be met:
1. The individuals are each at least 18 years old and legally competent to enter into a contract;
2. The individuals live together;
3. The individuals are not related by blood in any way that would prohibit marriage under the Wisconsin Code;
4. The individuals consider themselves to be members of each other's immediate family; and
5. The individuals must agree to be responsible for each other's basic living expenses.
What Should an Employer Do Now?
We suggest that the first thing each employer should do is replace its current WFMLA poster with the updated one that can be found at: http://www.dwd.state.wi.us/dwd/posters.htm. Then, we recommend changing your written FMLA Policy to incorporate the domestic partner relationship. However, when making this change, you should make sure that you do not inadvertently apply this new Wisconsin law such that the reader believes it also applies to the federal FMLA. That is, if you did not address these two laws separately in your Policy before, there is even more reason to do so now.
If you have any questions regarding this matter, or any matters pertaining to the Wisconsin or federal FMLA, please do not hesitate to contact Timothy L. Stewart at (262) 754-2869 or tls@dewittross.com.
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Notes:
~~Did you know that AWSA's past legal articles are archived on our website?
You can find them AND our sample administrator contract at:
http://awsa.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=78~~
~~The majority of AWSA members report that their district provides liability coverage. Does yours?~~ |
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The Standard for Politically Effective School Leaders
With the 2009-10 school year well underway and the 2009-11 State Budget carnage still fresh in our minds, it is a good time to continue our discussion on how you can help strengthen the SAA and become an even stronger advocate for the children in your school district. The last article in this series discussed the purpose and inner workings of the SAA. This article focuses on what you must do to be a politically effective school leader.
The politically effective Wisconsin school administrator does the following in advocating on behalf of Wisconsin school children:
STAY INFORMED
Your knowledge of the issues and of the legislative process builds credibility with your legislator; and your credibility dictates your legislator’s level of response to your concerns. Stay up to date on legislative/political issues by reading the SAA Capitol Report as well as your local newspapers. Also, before contacting public officials, it is vitally important that you know and understand the SAA’s positions on issues. If you ever have questions concerning legislative issues, please contact the SAA at 608-242-1370 or via email through the SAA website at www.wsaa.org.
FOCUS ON YOUR LEGISLATORS
Rather than wasting time and energy contacting all legislators, concentrate on influencing your legislators. Communication from citizens residing outside their district rarely influences lawmakers. Focus your efforts where the potential for influence is greatest – your legislators.
BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOUR LEGISLATORS
The best way to influence your legislators is to develop relationships with them. Each legislator has a “small circle of experts” that they count on for advice on various legislative issues. It is important for you to become one of your legislator’s experts on K-12 education issues. Inviting your legislators to your school is a great way to begin or continue developing this relationship. In fact, make it a point to meet with each of your legislators to review key issues at least once a year. It’s a good idea to coordinate these visits with your district’s administrative team.
KNOW YOUR LEGISLATOR’S STAFF
A legislator’s staff is the gatekeeper to power. If you cannot talk directly with your legislator, expressing your school district’s concerns to an office staffer, whom you know and who knows you, is the next best thing.
KEEP SAA STAFF INFORMED
SAA members are an invaluable source of field intelligence for SAA staff. Legislators often speak more candidly with constituents than they do with lobbyists. Inform the SAA staff what your legislators are saying in their districts. Also, remember to copy the SAA on your communications to your legislators.
PARTICIPATE IN SAA POLICY DEVELOPMENT
We encourage your participation in every step of the SAA policy development process available to you through the SAA Legislative Committee and your professional association. Also, do not hesitate to respond to SAA positions on legislative issues. Participation in the policy development process, and member review of and response to SAA positions, is the best way to ensure that SAA positions represent the views of the members.
RESPOND TO SAA LEGISLATIVE ALERTS
Grassroots lobbying is the real strength of the SAA. Our ability to mobilize SAA members in response to SAA legislative alerts is the backbone of our grassroots strategy. When the SAA issues a legislative alert, we need your response. Our success on important legislation depends on it.
CONTRIBUTE TO THE SAA PAC
The School Administrators Alliance Political Action Committee (SAA PAC), which is supported by members of all four SAA member associations, was created to strengthen the SAA as a political organization. SAA PAC funds are used for campaign contributions designed to strengthen our relationship with key legislators and to influence legislation. A strong SAA PAC is critical to our success on legislative issues.
The SAA, like your professional association, is prohibited from using any portion of its budget to make contributions to anyone running for or holding elective office. Therefore, if we want a stronger voice in Madison to help us advocate more effectively on behalf of Wisconsin school children, it is vital that we support the SAA PAC.
I hope you find this information useful in understanding how you can be more effective as an advocate for Wisconsin school children. If you have any questions please contact SAA Director of Government Relations John Forester at (608) 242-1370 or john.forester@wsaa.org. Thanks for listening and, as always, thank you for your efforts on behalf of Wisconsin school children. For up-to-date reports on legislative activities, please visit the SAA’s website at www.wsaa.org.
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Techno-Tip
Making Use of the AWSA Website and New "Members Only" Feature
The best way to access all the benefits of our new website, including easy form completion, is to log in.
Never logged in? Simply use your preferred email address as the username and AWSA as the password. If you are an active member, you'll be asked to create a new password so your information is secure.
No more downloading forms, printing, filling in by hand, and then faxing or mailing to AWSA with payment.
When logged in, all of your basic information will automatically populate registration and renewal forms, so that the information doesn't need to be manually entered each time. This will make registrations quick and easy!
You can also pay online with a credit card, or select the online option to pay by check or purchase order and request an invoice. You should automatically receive a confirmation for each transaction in your email. To print an invoice for your business office, simply log on to your portal page and select the invoice to print. If you have any questions about this process, please contact Alli at the AWSA office.
If your secretary usually renews your membership and/or registers you for conferences and workshops, please share your login and password information with her or him.
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Focus on Leadership
by Julie Brilli, AWSA President
Dear Members,
October is here and I am sure that many of you, like me, are focused on the ghosts, goblins, and “tricks or treats” that will haunt us later in the month. Nevertheless, according to a September announcement from the DPI the life of one of these October goblins is destined to be extinguished . . . soon. A new balanced assessment system, reflective of what many educators have been clamoring for since the passage of NCLB, will be unveiled for the students potentially by the 2011-12 school year.
The DPI has been working under the leadership of our new State Superintendent, Tony Evers to address this long-standing concern and honor what we know and understand about best practices for the assessment of student learning. In 2005, the School Administrators Alliance formed the SAA High School Project Team which focused on, among other issues, state standards and assessment and the role of state testing as one measure of student achievement.
The project team identified the primary purpose of an effective assessment system, “to provide educators with timely access to information they can use for instructional planning and school improvement.” Furthermore, the position paper highlighted the four key components of an effective state test including:
- relevance to students and parents
- timely and meaningful feedback to improve learning
- current and longitudinal data for program evaluation purposes
- efficiency in terms of the time required and expense of administration (dollars, lost instruction time, etc.).
The new balanced assessment system advocated by our State Superintendent will respond to each of the preliminary recommendations of the SAA High School Project Team. The DPI has released a timeline for the implementation of this new assessment system. According to the timeline: A vendor will be selected by Spring 2010. Test design and item development with educator input will take place during the 2010-11 school year. Field testing will likely occur in Spring 2011. Educators will be involved throughout the test development process including test design, item writing/reviewing, establishing scoring criteria, and standard setting.
We are excited to have Assistant Superintendent, Jennifer Thayer, at the convention to share more about the Department’s plans for a new state assessment system. In addition, Jennifer will provide an update on the Common Core Standards initiative and the draft revisions to Wisconsin’s Model Academic Standards.
AWSA and the School Administrators Alliance will convene an assessment committee in November to provide input to the committee and keep each of us informed on developments as the new system is designed. I look forward to working with all of you through AWSA as we collaborate with the DPI to put the current WKCE goblin to rest and regain our focus on the critical work of student learning.
Partners in Education,
Julie A. Brilli
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Professional Development: Upcoming Events
Annual Convention: The Future of Education is NOW!
October 28-30, 2009
It's a new world, and the changes are coming at us and our students rapidly and ceaselessly.
In order to help our students meet the challenges of a global community in a technology focused age, we need to inform ourselves about the skills students will need to be successful in their lifetime and the ways in which to lead our schools to this end.
- Keynote speakers:
Neil Howe, Steve Gilliland and a special preconvention session with Todd Whitaker
- Concurrent sessions on best practices with Wisconsin administrators
- Networking with colleagues during sessions and at social events
- Hot Topic sessions on R t I, Legal and Legislative Updates, and Bullying Prevention
- Exhibit Hall with the latest products and services from AWSA's business partners
- Bookstore
- And more!
Take advantage of our NEW online registration!
For more information about the convention and to register online, click HERE.
Register now for these December workshops!
Interview & Interrogation Skills for Administrators: December 1, 2009--Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells
AWSA Legal Seminar: December 2, 2009--Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells
New Building Administrators Conference Series Session III: December 3, 2009--Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells
Mark your calendar for your Commission Conference (designed by our colleagues, for our colleagues!)
High School Principals Conference, January 27-29, 2010--Concourse Hotel, Madison
Associate Principals Conference, February 3-5, 2010--Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells
Elementary Principals Conference, February 10-12, 2010--Hotel Sierra, Green Bay
Middle Level Principals Conference, February 17-19, 2010--Paper Valley Hotel, Appleton
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AWSA News
Critical Trends Survey
Thanks to those of you who completed the September Critical Trends Survey. Five hundred and fifty completed surveys were returned to us and we have shared the data with our commission advisory committees. The committees have used the preliminary results to ensure that the 2010 commission conferences address the topics of highest concern to you.
Again, we appreciate the time you took to complete your survey, and will continue to use the data to inform our work at AWSA!
AWSA Award Winners
The following individuals and organizations have been selected by the AWSA Awards committee and approved by the board of directors to receive AWSA’s 2009 Recognition Awards for their commitment to the students, communities and field of education in Wisconsin.
Distinguished Service Award for Demonstrated Leadership to AWSA
Gene Britton, Retired member, AWSA Field Representative
Gene retired from the principalship in 1998, after 20 years as an active AWSA member. At that time, AWSA requested that he continue his distinguished career in education by working for AWSA as a Field Representative in Region 6. After 10 years reaching out to principals as a field rep providing information, guidance and support, Gene handed over the reins to another recently retired administrator. Gene has touched the professional and personal lives of hundreds of administrators through his professionalism, thoroughness, depth of knowledge and dedication to the mission of AWSA.
Distinguished Friend of Education
Congressman Dave Obey, Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District
Education is a key priority for Dave Obey, and he is one of the two House leaders strengthening federal investments in education. Dave believes our children deserve to be taught in smaller classes by well-trained teachers in safe, modern buildings. He also believes that every student willing to work should be able to get a college education. As the lead author of President Obama’s recovery package, Congressman Obey spent a lot of time on the House Floor explaining what the bill does and why. AWSA is grateful for Congressman Obey’s commitment to providing our students with an educational foundation that will make us a stronger state, nation and world.
Special Recognition Awards for Service to School and Community
David Minor, President/CEO--Superior/Douglas County Chamber of Commerce
The award is presented in recognition of the Chamber’s contributions to the school district of Superior and its strong and positive partnership with the education community.
Parent Connections Committee, Lincoln Erdman Elementary School, Sheboygan, WI
The award is presented in recognition of the hard work, dedication and positive influence displayed in organizing and operating Lincoln-Erdman’s Parent Connections Committee.
Renea and Todd Frederick, F-M Enterprises, Inc., Merrill,WI
The award is presented in recognition of the dedication, commitment and countless contributions to the students, families, staff and community of Merrill by Todd and Renea Frederick.
Are You Enjoying the Ride?
All of us at AWSA hope that you are “enjoying the ride” as a result of a successful start of teaching and learning within your school year. It is easy to get caught up in the frenetic pace and challenges that cross our desks and we can forget to focus on the positive around us. Steve Gillaland, author of Enjoy the Ride, will be one of the keynote speakers at our Annual Convention at the end of this month (October 28-30, 2009) at the Kalahari in Wisconsin Dells. He will highlight his thoughts on how each of us can find time each day to reflect on the good around us and to use that energy to recharge our optimism for the work we do with staff for kids each day. We do shape the approach we have to the day and when we wrap that approach around the solid energy within our buildings generated by implementation of best practice, rich professional discourse about learning, and engaging classroom activities, it bolsters our attitudes and helps us achieve more.
Many are facing difficult times in Wisconsin as our fiscal picture remains gloomy and a number of our members are in the heart of making very difficult decisions based on budget cuts. It is during times of such stress that our confidence can be shaken. I think about Rushworth Kidder’s work when I hear, read, and experience times of strife. Kidder wrote Moral Courage, a powerful read that reminds us to stay grounded in our values with integrity. His writing is practical and creates reflection on what we do each day, why, and to consider our risks.
The best way to enjoy the ride, even when there are bumps in the road…..take a page from Dr. Alan Zimmerman and be sure each and every day to “hang out with people who lift you up”. AWSA stands ready to be a resource and base of support to further your work in the field. We are excited to be a part of your journey! ~Kelly Meyers
Seeking Wisconsin High Schools that are Doing Good Things!
Adolescent Literacy, Closing the Achievement Gap, Formative/Summative Assesement: These are areas in which Wisconsin high schools are making great strides. We receive requests from members asking us where these schools are and what they are doing and we'd like to provide a system for connecting people to share best practices.
The high school statewide network and high school commission have developed the Exemplary High School program which will identify schools that have processes and programs in place that address these three areas. Designation as an Exemplary High School requires completion of an online application (with supporting documentation) to be reviewed by a panel of education leaders. Once the schools have been identified, their contact information will be available to other schools across the state.
Please consider applying for this designation and being a resource to your colleagues. Links for each category are listed below.
Closing the Achievement Gap
Use of Summative/Formative Assessment to Inform Instruction
Adolescent Literacy
Renewing Your AWSA Membership Online
With the state of the economy, we in the educational leadership profession need each other's support more than ever. There is an easy way we can help AWSA strengthen services for all of us in these tough times.
AWSA has developed an online process for membership renewal and conference registration. If every AWSA member used this online process to conduct business we could redeploy 50% of one of our staff members time from data entry to value added work strengthening our information, professional development and advocacy services.
This online process requires you to login to your member portal on our website. We know that none of us look forward to having another login and password. However, once you have logged in once or twice it will be a breeze.
AWSA staff stands ready to help you with any questions or difficulties you encounter the first time you try the online process. Since this is a busy season for membership renewal we have included directions at the link below. Don't hesitate to call us for phone support!
CLICK HERE to access detailed instructions for renewing online.
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State News
Exemplary Middle Schools Announced
For the third year, the Association of Wisconsin School Administrators and Department of Public Instruction have identified Wisconsin’s Exemplary Middle Schools of 2009. This award program was instituted in 2007 through AWSA’s Middle Level Commission to recognize the good work that middle schools are doing.
Criteria for this recognition include one or more of the following:
• rapid improvement in reading and/or math scores in the past school year;
• reading and/or math scores in the top 10% in the past year; and,
• high growth in scores in reading and/or math for schools comprised of a high poverty population.
Of the 306 schools that were eligible based on grade level configuration, the following eighty-three schools have received certificates indicating their achievement as an Exemplary Middle School. These schools are also eligible to apply for the 2009-10 Wisconsin Middle School of Excellence Awards, which will be presented at the Middle Level Commission Conference in Appleton on February 18, 2010.
Kudos to the principals, teachers and students of these schools!
- Albany Middle School, Traci Davis
- Bayside Middle School, Don Galster (Fox Point J2)
- Benjamin Franklin Jr. High School, Connie Negaard (Stevens Point)
- Birchwood Middle School, Jeff Stanley
- Bonduel Middle School, Connie Rutledge
- Brillion Middle School, Ann Hatch
- Campbellsport Jr. High School, Kristen Langer
- Cedar Grove-Belgium Middle School, Jeanne L. Courneene
- Central Middle School, Wayne Thuecks (Hartford J1)
- Chetek Middle School, Bryan D. Yenter
- Chilton Middle School, Scott Fritz, Rich Appel
- Clayton School, Albert Kanipes
- Clear Lake Jr. High School, Chris Petersen
- Clintonville Middle School, Tom Dechant
- Cudahy Middle School, Michael Carolan
- Cumberland Middle School, Jim Sciacca
- DeForest Area Middle School, Paul Herrick
- De Pere Middle School, Tammy Woulf
- De Soto Middle School, Martin Kirchoff
- Deerfield Middle School, Jeffrey Stenroos
- Einstein Middle School, David Boden (Appleton)
- Ellsworth Middle School, Steve Broton
- Forest Park Middle School, Matthew Lesar (Franklin)
- Galesville-Ettrick-Trempealeau Middle School, Paul Uhren
- Glacier Creek Middle School, Tim Keeler (Middleton)
- Greendale Middle School, John Weiss
- Horace Mann Middle School, Vicki Ritchie (Sheboygan)
- Hudson Middle School, Dan Koch
- John Long Middle School, Greg Kabara (Grafton)
- Kennedy Middle School, Steven Bold
- Kettle Moraine Middle School, David Carr
- La Farge School District, Shawn Donovan
- Lake Denoon Middle School, Ryan Oertel (Muskego Norway)
- Lake Geneva Middle School, Joe Lynch, Anne Heck
- Lake Shore Middle School, Carolyn J. Wilson (Mequon Thiensville)
- Little Chute Middle School, Lori Van Handel
- Lodi Middle School, David Dyb
- Lomira Middle School, Robert Lloyd
- Luxemburg-Casco Middle School, Michael Snowberry
- Menomonie Indian Middle School, Stephanie Feldner
- Mishicot Middle School, Tom Ellenbecker
- Mount Horeb Middle School, Jeffrey Rasmussen
- North Shore Middle School, Michele Schmidt (Hartland Lakeside)
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- Oak Creek East Middle School, Peter DeRubeis
- Oak Creek West Middle School, Donald Kreuser
- Oakfield Middle School, Paul Dix
- Olson Middle School, Tom Reisenauer
- Omro Middle School, Paul Williams
- Onalaska Middle School, Roger Fruit
- Oostburg Middle School, Steve Harder
- Paideia Academy, Ellen Becker (Kenosha)
- Parkview Jr. High School, Tracy Elger
- Pilgrim Park Middle School, Mike Sereno (Elmbrook)
- Pioneer-Westfield Middle School, Julia Ferris
- Potosi School, Terry Mengel
- Poynette Middle School, Brian Sutton
- Riverdale Middle School, Sharon H. Ennis
- Rosholt Middle School, James Grygleski
- Saint Croix Falls Middle School, Kathy Willow
- Sevastopol Jr. High School, Adam Baier
- Shawano Community Middle School, Daniel Labby
- Shullsburg School District, Loras Kruser
- Slinger Middle School, Dean Goneau
- Spring Valley Middle School, Gretchen Cipriano
- Steffen Middle School, Deborah L. Anderson (Mequon-Thiensville)
- Stockbridge Middle School, Chad Marx
- Templeton Middle School, Patricia S. Polczynski (Hamilton-Sussex)
- Traeger Middle School, Jeanne Koepke (Oshkosh)
- Unity Middle School, Elizabeth Jorgensen
- Urban Middle School, Susan Nennig (Sheboygan)
- Van Brunt Middle School, Aaron Olson (Horicon)
- Walden III Middle School, Bob Holzem (Racine)
- Walker Middle School, Randy Watermolen (Sturgeon Bay)
- Waunakee Middle School, Shelley Weiss
- Waupun Area Middle School, Steven Bass
- Wausaukee Jr. High School, Jan Dooley
- Webb Middle School, Casey Campbell (Reedsburg)
- Webster Transitional School, Robert W. Klimpke (Cedarburg)
- Webster Stanley Middle School, Marceline Peters-Felice (Oshkosh)
- Weyauwega Middle School, Scott Bleck
- Whitefish Bay Middle School, Lisa Gies
- Wisconsin Hills Middle School, Robyn A. Martino
- Wrightstown Middle School, Steve Gromala
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Principal of the Year Nominations Sought
The Wisconsin Principal of the Year program recognizes principals whose leadership has resulted in improved student learning, instructional collaboration, and a safe and positive school environment. If you know a principal who is deserving of consideration for this award, please complete the nomination form by clicking on the appropriate link below.
Elementary Principal of the Year Nomination
Middle Level Principal of the Year Nomination
High School Principal of the Year Nomination
Nominees will receive the official Wisconsin Principal of the Year application, which is also the NASSP or NAESP application. Those who complete the application will be considered for the state level award by a panel consisting of representatives from WASDA, DPI, WPTA, WEAC and WASB.
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National News
National Principals Month Resolution Proposed on Capitol Hill
Rep. Susan Davis, D-California, has introduced a congressional resolution to designate October 2009 as National Principals Month. The resolution, which is currently pending in the U.S. House of Representatives, would honor elementary, middle, and high school principals for their passion and dedication to students across the country.
NAESP and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) worked together with Davis’ office to craft the resolution’s text. Among the findings, the resolution states:
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Principal “leadership is second only to classroom instruction among all school-related factors that contribute to what students learn at school”;
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Principals set the academic tone for their schools and work collaboratively with teachers to develop and maintain high curriculum standards ... and set performance goals and objectives”; and
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Principals “are expected to be educational visionaries, instructional leaders, assessment experts, disciplinarians, community builders, public relations experts, budget analysts, facility managers, special programs administrators, and guardians of various legal, contractual, and policy mandates and initiatives as well as being entrusted with our young people, our most valuable resource.”
As the federal government continues to emphasize the role of principals as the catalysts for school reform efforts, it is only appropriate for the U.S. Congress to recognize these dedicated professionals in the month when the brightest and best among them are being honored,” said NAESP Executive Director Gail Connelly. “NAESP and NASSP are pleased to support the National Principals Month resolution offered by Representative Susan Davis.”If passed by the House of Representatives, the resolution would encourage U.S. residents to observe National Principals Month with appropriate ceremonies and activities that promote awareness of school leadership in ensuring that every child has access to a high-quality education. NAESP and NASSP are proud to honor these dedicated education professionals. We encourage you to contact your U.S. representatives and ask them to co-sponsor Davis’ resolution to make October 2009 National Principals Month.
Green Thumb Challenge
The Green Education Foundation is launching the largest student gardening initiative in history, calling on Pre K-12 schools to plant 10,000 indoor or outdoor gardens! GEF’s website will provide everything that a novice would need to plant gardens, including checklists for school approvals, plot location guidelines; indoor container garden suggestions, funding sources (including grant templates) garden plans, vegetable and flower suggestions and much more. GEF provides a multitude of standards-based lessons linking gardening to science, math, language arts, creative arts and technology. Summer internships and community service programs will be available to middle and high school students. Register by Dec. 15, 2009 and be entered into a raffle for free garden kits (gloves, tools, seeds, etc.) or cash prizes to jump start and/or fund your gardens, enroll today at www.GreenEducationFoundation.org.
Register by Dec. 15, 2009 and be entered into a raffle for IXG Green Packs (which include: reusable drink and snack containers, a reusable bag and a NGW organic tee) for your school (limit 50).
About Green Education Foundation
Green Education Foundation (GEF) is a non-profit organization that provides educational resources that promote sustainable, impactful pro-green behaviors in children, families, and communities. GEF believes that children learn best through hands-on programs which enhance a child’s critical thinking and understanding of why and how they should adopt new green habits. GEF also believes that what is healthy for the environment is healthy for children and their communities. With this in mind, GEF programs provide a hands-on component coupled with lessons that promote environmental sustainability and individual health and well-being.
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From the AWSA Home Page
International Exchange Program with China
AWSA and WASDA have been working with DPI the past few months to
establish an exchange between Chinese and American administrators.
We are pleased to announce that 12 administrators from the State of
Wisconsin were chosen to participate in this first exchange. Four of
the members will represent AWSA:
- James Curler, Principal Barton Elementary School in West Bend
- Jennifer Gracyalny, Principal Hillcrest Elementary School in Pulaski
- Larry Haase, Principal Menahsa High School
- Mark White, Principal Hintgen Elementary School in LaCrosse
These four will host delegates from the Chinese exchange upon their arrival in the US on November 10, 2009. In return, the US contingent will travel to China for nearly two weeks in April 2010. We are eager to learn from the experiences that are secured and bring both cultural and educational insight from this unique opportunity to all members. Our hope is this is the first of several exchange opportunities that we can extend to AWSA members who hold interest in expanding global connections.
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Resource Center
To borrow any of the books in our Resource Center, contact Robing Herring at robinherring@awsa.org or call 608-241-0300.
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Teach Like Your Hair is on Fire
Rafe Esquith
In his new book, Esquith gives any teacher and parent the tips, techniques, exercises, innovations, and vision that have made him one of the most celebrated teachers in the world. Instead of ruling with an iron fist, Esquith asks his ten-year-old students to “be nice and work hard“, and encourages them to embrace personal codes of behavior. His students voluntarily come to school at 6:30 am and stay well after five; they come during vacations, too. They learn to handle money with an in-class economic system. They read great literature, tackle algebra, take field trips all over the world, and play baseball and rock ’n’ roll. Above all, the students in room 56 are treated with respect and given license to engage in the world of ideas.
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Making Differentiation a Habit: How to Ensure Success in Academically Diverse Classrooms
Diane Heacox
If you’re a teacher with an academically diverse classroom—and what classrooms aren’t these days?—you need this resource. Framed around the critical elements for success in today’s classrooms, this book provides you with specific user-friendly tools to help you seamlessly integrate differentiation practices into your daily routine.
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Catching Up or Leading the Way: American Education in the Age of Globalization
Yong Zhao
Educators, policymakers, parents and others interested in preparing students to be productive global citizens will gain a clear understanding of what kinds of knowledge and skills constitute “digital competence” and “global competence,” and what schools can—and must—do to meet the challenges and opportunities brought about by globalization and technology. (Listen to Yong Zhao speak in person at the 2010 Wisconsin School Leadership Academy. Watch the AWSA website for details.)
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AWSA
4797 Hayes Road, Suite 103 | Madison, WI 53704 | (608) 241-0300
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