IALAS President Álvarez's Message
July 2022
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We do hope that you are enjoying the summer and getting rest. Sadly, like you, we are heartbroken by the horrific act of violence committed in Highland Park, Illinois during the 4th of July weekend. It is disheartening that we are living in a time where our daily activities can bring so much fear, anxiety, and distress. Fourth of July is a day where our communities get together to celebrate our commonalities and differences for the country we love.
The senseless evil that took place in Highland Park makes us think about what another tragedy like this says about the world we live in – and the world in which our children will grow up. We are especially praying for our fellow educator Dr. Keely Roberts, superintendent of Zion Elementary School District 6 and her family. She and her 8-year-old twin sons, Cooper and Luke, were among those shot during Highland Park's Fourth of July parade Monday. Friends of the family have started a GoFundMe campaign to support medical needs. Our hearts go out to her and her family and all the families that lost loved ones and those injured. We thank the heroes, those who are first responders and others that shielded and guided those to safety. This latest incident robbed us of the simple act to live and celebrate as has the other horrific incidents. As we struggle with these issues ourselves, we will find that our children are struggling with them as well. The questions they will ask will not lend themselves to easy answers. But they will provide an opportunity for us as educators, parents and caregivers to teach about the character of our country, about the values we hold, and about working together to find and advocate for solutions. Providing you with resources from Highland Strong Community.
We wish you the safest summer possible, we hope you find time to heal. Continue to be alert, take extra precautions and if you see something, say something.
In the coming months, we will be sharing upcoming events where we hope you will participate. We look forward to being together as familia.
New IALAS Signup To Register As A Member
We have upgraded our membership system to make it easier to become a member, more streamlined for all of our events, and more efficient ways to communicate with our membership, keeping them up to date with everything going on at the state and national level.
We know that this past year has been difficult for many organizations. With budgets tightening up and our job roles increasing, we hope that you and your school district will consider joining IALAS as we prepare for a great year together.
If you are joining as an individual, please follow this link.
If you are joining as an group of administrators from the same District or CPS Network, please follow this link.
NOTE: When signing up using the institutional membership, you will sign up two members initially. You will later receive a coupon code via email to give to other members in your organization which will allow them to sign up as part of your group.
As with anything new, there will be a learning curve with our new membership system. If you have any questions, please reach out to me (dswartz@ialas.org) or our members-at-large board member, Beatriz Lappay (blappay@ialas.org).
IALAS Board Looking For A New Board Member
To be eligible to be nominated, appointed, or elected to the Board of Directors, an individual must be an active member in good standing for at least one year and reside in or be employed in the service of a public Pre-K-12 school district operating within the state of Illinois. The membership dues for the appointed or elected Board of Directors shall be waived during their role.
Here is what the role entails:
The two secretaries shall share the responsibility of keeping the minutes of all regular and special IALAS meetings. The secretaries shall promptly transmit to each member the minutes of such meetings and see that all notices of meetings and other IALAS events are duly given in accordance with the provisions of the bylaws. The secretaries shall perform duties as assigned. In the absence of the secretaries, the president will appoint a member to take minutes.
Please click here if you are interested in joining the Board.
Illinois Principals Association Elects its First Latino President
As always, thank you for all you do. Continue to spread your IALAS wings as anti-racist, equitable, educational leaders. We look forward to seeing you virtually or in-person in the coming months.
Respectfully,
Elizabeth Álvarez, Ph.D.
IALAS President