MSAA Matters
March 2020
March 9
Dear Colleagues,
We are writing this special edition to share with you that MSAA is carefully following recent developments with COVID-19 (known as the Coronavirus) in regards to our professional development workshops here, at the office, as well as the upcoming off-site conferences.
Professional Development Workshops at MSAA
In regards to the professional development daily workshops, our cleaning company is using Clorox wipes on all table tops and counter tops in the common spaces in the conference rooms, kitchen and front entrance.
Off-site upcoming Conferences
We are monitoring the situation and will make decisions and take action closer to the date of each event. Specifically,
State Dance Tournament Tuesday, March 10th Framingham High School
State Cheerleading Tournament Sunday, March 15th Worcester State University Cancelled as of 3/12 MSAA Board Vote
PK-8 Spring Conference Friday, March 27th - Devens Common Cancelled as of 3/12 MSAA Board Vote
National Honor Society Conference Thursday, April 2nd - College of the Holy Cross Cancelled as of 3/12 MSAA Board Vote
Assistant Principals' Conference Monday, April 6th - Doubletree Hotel Milford MA Cancelled as of 3/12 MSAA Board Vote
Additionally, we will communicate with each venue as the Conference approaches. There is a meeting today with the Devens Common Events Manager.
Today, MSAA Executive Director Gaine has been in direct communication via conference call with DESE Commissioner Riley and M.A.S.S. Executive Director Tom Scott regarding ongoing networking and potential plans.
In the meantime the links that were shared last Thursday remain in this Newsletter and have proven to be valuable resources. Please find the links below.
Precautions to take in several venues
On a final note remember these simple steps and make sure they become part of everyone's day to day routine.
Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Use Alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
When coughing and sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue. You can also cough or sneeze into your sleeve. Throw used tissues in the trash and immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Avoid sharing drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, dishes, towels or other items. Wash these items thoroughly with soap and water after use.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick whenever possible.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill.
Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
Take care, and please contact MSAA with any questions, as we are your organization, and are here to help.
Sincerely,
Beth
Beth Wittcoff
MSAA Assistant Executive Director
Middle Level and Elementary Committee Liaison
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NAESP Leadership Immersion Institute
NAESP Leadership Immersion Institute
May 5-6, 2020 | Augusta, ME
This 2-day event is a highly structured, interactive professional learning opportunity that integrates research-based best practices in mentoring and adult learning with educators’ knowledge and experiences. Principals from all grade levels and district personnel are encouraged to participate! Training topics include:
- Mentoring Principals to Lead Learning Communities
- Build Culture: Creating Schools that are Great Places to Teach and Learn
- Empower People: Leading Learning to Bring Out the Best in Teachers and Students
· Optimize Systems: Ensuring School Operations, Processes and Contexts Support Effective Teaching and Learning
The program curriculum has been newly redesigned to align with NAESP’s 2019 edition of Leading Learning Communities: Pillars, Practices, and Priorities for Effective Principals, the 2015 Professional Standards for Educational Leaders, and NAESP’s Mentor Competencies. To learn more about the program, visit https://www.naesp.org/mentor or Register
Upcoming Professional Development, Special Events & Conferences
Special Events/Conferences
NAESP National Leaders Conference, Sunday, 3/22 - Wednesday 3/25 Crystal City Hyatt Regency, Arlington, VA Click here to review NAESP's platform and resolutions. Cancelled by NAESP 3/11
PK- 8 Spring Conference, Friday 3/27 at Devens Common Devens , MA Cancelled as of 3/12 MSAA Board Vote
Assistant Principals Conference , Monday, 4/06 8:00 AM (Register) 8:30 AM Conference begins at the Doubletree Hotel Milford, MA Cancelled as of 3/12 MSAA Board Vote
NAESP Leadership Immersion Institute, Thursday 5/5 - Friday 5/6 in Augusta, Maine
Upcoming Professional Development:
March
Monday, 3/9, How to Deliver Effective Feedback to Faculty and Staff: Effective Coaching Strategies and Setting Clear Expectations, Dr. Judy Ann DeLucia, 8:30 am - 3:00 pm, MSAA Office, Register Combined with Having the Difficult Conversation: Pre- and Post-Evaluation Discussions.
Friday, 3/13, Infusing Social-Emotional Learning in Your District, School, Classroom and Practice (Part Two of this workshop is offered on Friday, April 3, 2020. Price includes both sessions.), Dr. Deborah Brady, 8:30 am - 3:00 pm, MSAA Office, Register Cancelled
Wednesday, 3/18, Teaching with Poverty in Mind: How to Build High-Achieving Schools for ALL Students, Dr. Nancy Spitulnik, 8:30 am - 3:00 pm, MSAA Office, Register
Tuesday, 3/24, Legal Aspects of Employee Discipline, Colby Brunt, Esq., 9:00 am - 2:00 pm, MSAA Office, Register
Thursday, 3/26, PBIS Systems: Creating a Positive Climate and Safe, Supportive Learning Environment, Maureen Gilman, 8:30 am - 3:00 pm, MSAA Office, Register
Thursday, 3/26, How School Leaders Build Strong School Cultures, Improve Faculty Morale and Increase Student Achievement, Dr. Paul B. Ash, 8:30 am - 3:00 pm, MSAA Office, Register
Friday, 3/27, Using Data for Continuous SEL School-wide Improvement, Cathy Giles, 8:30 am - 3:00 pm, MSAA Office, Register
Friday, 3/27, Supporting the Literacy Growth of "At Risk" Students, Dr. Deborah Brady, 8:30 am - 3:00 pm, MSAA Office, Register
Friday, 3/27, ADHD and Executive Function in the Classroom, Brendan Mahan, 8:30 am - 3:00 pm, MSAA Office, Register
Monday, 3/30, Increasing Student Engagement in the Middle School Classroom, Dr. Nancy Spitulnik, 8:30 am - 3:00 pm, MSAA Office, Register
Monday, 3/30, Rethinking Behavior Support Second Offering! Jessica Minahan, 8:30 am - 3:00 pm, MSAA Office, Register
Tuesday, 3/31, Don't Give Up! Strategies to Build Perseverance and Tenacity in Adolescent Learners, Jennifer Miller, 8:30 am - 3:00 pm, MSAA Office, Register
April
Thursday, 4/2, School Law Update, Colleen Shea & Joan Stein, 9:00 am - 2:30 pm MSAA Office, Register
Thursday, 4/2, Finding the Write Answer: Writing in Mathematics for Grades 9-12, Polina Sabinin and Rebecca Steinitz, 8:30 am - 3:00 pm, MSAA Office, Register
Friday, 4/3, Anxiety and Unmet Needs in the Classroom ADHD Essentials, Brendan Mahan, M.Ed., M.S., 8:30 am - 3:00 pm, MSAA Office, Register
Friday, 4/3, Integrating Technology in the Classroom: An Ed Tech Workshop for Beginners, Maureen Gilman, 8:30 am - 3:00 pm, MSAA Office, Register
Monday, 4/6, Cultivating SEL for Staffs: Caring for our OWN Emotional Well-Being!, Cathy Giles, 8:30 am - 3:00 pm, MSAA Office, Register
Tuesday, 4/7, The School Leader: Surviving & Thriving, Andrew Marotta, 8:30 am - 3:00 pm, MSAA Office, Register
Monday, 4/13, Working in Classrooms with Students with Neurological and Emotional Disorders, Jane M. Hardin, M.Ed., 8:30 am - 3:00 pm, MSAA Office, Register
Tuesday, 4/14, Everybody Reading, Everyday: Creating a School-wide Culture of Literacy, Liz Garden, Principal, 8:30 am - 3:00 pm, MSAA Office, Register
Tuesday, 4/14, How to Build High Performance Teams in Your School and Design Effective Meetings, Paul B. Ash, Ph.D., 8:30 am - 3:00 pm, MSAA Office, Register
Thursday, 4/30, "I'm Done; What Do I Do Now?": Meeting the Challenge of Academically Advanced Students in a Classroom of Diverse Learners, Janis R. Baron, 8:30 am - 3:00 pm, MSAA Office, Register
Thursday, 4/30, So You Want (Or May Want) To Be A Superintendent, Paul B. Ash, Ph.D., 8:30 am - 3:00 pm, MSAA Office, Register
May
Tuesday, 5/12, Recalibrating Schoolwide Discipline and Student Support: Building a Restorative and Accountable Approach, Larry Dieringer, 8:30 am - 3:00 pm, MSAA Office, Register