September 16, 2024

Good morning, and happy Monday!

I hope you had a restful weekend after our first full and busy week. Thank you for a wonderful back-to-school night. Many parents shared how much they enjoyed meeting you and hearing about the year.

Picture day is Tuesday, September 17. All students and staff must have their pictures taken to make new ID badges. We will provide classroom coverage if needed. 

As you start working on your Educator Evaluation documents please remember to not sign them until they are approved by your evaluator. 

Here is a link to the Student Activities information shared by Christine at the faculty meeting: 

AHS Student Activities Financial How To's 2024-2025

I have also shared a basic spreadsheet for you to start tracking your time as an advisor. I ask that you make a copy of the form, rename it by adding your club/activity, and share it with me. I will create a folder to house the collected information.

Another reminder to check in PowerSchool that you have accepted your club advisor contract. 

Please see the message below from the PTO: 

Hello Teachers!

We hope your year is off to a great start, and hopefully some snacks helped during this first full week! In case you didn’t notice, there was a QR code that linked to a google form that is also accessible here:

Teacher Favorites Form

Last year we found Amazon wish lists to be a great way to get our community to send in snacks and supplies, so to expand on this, we’ve created this form to hopefully help facilitate supplies being sent in, as well as gift giving throughout the year. The hope is that for even the upper schools, that if information is easily accessible, people will be more likely to take the opportunity to give. We’re hoping to send the link to the spreadsheet out to the community next week, so please take a few minutes to fill this out when you can. We also welcome any/all feedback from you, so please let us know if there’s anything we can do to help you/any programs you’d like to bring in for your students/etc..Thank you!!

Below you will find some professional development opportunities. Let me know if you are interested in any that come with a cost. 

Join us Tuesday, September 24, 2024, @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm EDT for

Schools Can Help the Anxious Generation: A Call for K-12 School Leaders

Many of us are seeing unprecedented numbers of students struggling with mental health challenges. There ARE things we can do in schools to help. Save the date and join me for a FREE live webinar with author Jonathan Haidt of the New York Times bestselling book, The Anxious Generation. 

In this edWebinar, social psychologist Dr. Jonathan Haidt will walk educators through the research on our urgent youth mental health crisis, present four norms for collective action, and outline what schools can do now to improve mental health for kids and teens.

Come with any questions you might have for Dr. Jonathan Haidt about the role of schools in dealing with social media, phones, and adolescent mental health issues. There will be time for questions at the end of the presentation.

Feel free to attend this edWebinar yourself or share the registration link with K-12 teachers, librarians, school leaders, district leaders, education technology leaders, and school counselors and psychologists. 

Register for free here.

School Year 2024-2025 Professional Development Workshops

In-Person Workshops at the MSAA Office, Franklin  Please join us! Professional Development Workshops are available to add to your career growth! MSAA is a DESE approved provider of PDPs. Workshops provide participants with a repertoire of strategies and activities which they are able to use immediately in their schools.

2024-2025 MSAA Professional Development Flipbook

IN-PERSON WORKSHOPS

IN-PERSON   PRESENTER: Dr. Michael Rubin, Uxbridge High School Unlocking Potential: Demystifying and Utilizing AI in Your School October 1, MSAA Office, Franklin, MA

IN-PERSON   PRESENTER: Tracey Calo, Grafton Public Schools Lesson Design with the Brain in Mind October 2, MSAA Office, Franklin, MA

IN-PERSON   PRESENTER: Dr. Judy Ann DeLucia, Seaside Educational Consultants How to Deliver Effective Feedback to Faculty and Staff ~ Setting Clear Expectations October 3, MSAA Office, Franklin, MA (8:30 - 11:30 am)

IN-PERSON   PRESENTER: Dr. Judy Ann DeLucia, Seaside Educational Consultants Having the Difficult Conversation: Pre & Post Evaluation Discussions October 3, MSAA Office, Franklin, MA (12:30 - 3:30 pm)

MSAA / DESE EARLY LITERACY SUMMIT VARIOUS PRESENTERS: DESE Early Literacy Summit: Preschool Through Fifth Grade October 4, MSAA Office, Franklin, MA (8:30 am - 12:00 pm)

A SOUL OF LEADERSHIP OFFERING  VARIOUS FACILITATORS Feed Your Soul: A Gathering Space for School Leaders of Color - Supporting One Another with a Focus on Self-Care First Meeting (In Person): Saturday, October 5 - 9:00 am - 1:00 pm, TBD Five Virtual Sessions: Thursdays 5:30 - 7:00 pm (Dates TBD) Three In-person gatherings: Saturdays - October 5, February 8, and June 7 (Previous Feed Your Soul participation is not required)

IN-PERSON  PRESENTER: Maria Melchionda, MA Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Prioritizing Student Health with a Quality Physical Education Program and How to Evaluate Your Program! October 8, MSAA / MIAA Office, Franklin, MA

IN-PERSON   PRESENTER: Jessica Peterson, Newman Elementary School Supporting Educator Wellness - Beyond Self-Care October 9, MSAA Office, Franklin, MA

A SOUL OF LEADERSHIP OFFERING  VARIOUS FACILITATORS Supporting One Another with Difficult Conversations and Situations A Monthly Virtual Group for Principals First Meeting (In Person): Thursday, October 10, 2024 - 8:30 - 1:30, MSAA Office, Franklin, MA Six Virtual Sessions: Thursdays 4:00 - 5:30 pm (November 7, December 5, January 9, February 6, March 6, April 3)

IN-PERSON   PRESENTER: Melissa Davis, Education Advisors LLC Diffusing the Difficult Child October 10, MSAA Office, Franklin, MA

IN-PERSON   PRESENTER: Bruce Michitson, Seaside Educational Consultants Climate and Culture Teams: Establishing Positive and Effective Culture through Community Building, Shared Leadership and Responsibility October 15, MSAA Office, Franklin, MA

IN-PERSON   PRESENTER: Craig Aarons-Martin, CCM Education Group Navigating Uncharted Waters: Sustaining Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Face of Adversity October 16, MSAA Office, Franklin, MA

IN-PERSON PRESENTERS: Dr. Rich Drolet, KP Reg. School District & Dr. Armand Pires, Medway Public Schools Effective Strategies to Become the Leader you Envision October 17, MSAA Office, Franklin, MA

IN-PERSON   PRESENTER: Amy Rose, Rockport Middle/High School Leading at All Levels October 18, MSAA Office, Franklin, MA

IN-PERSON   PRESENTER: Tom Millett, Westwood High School Restorative Conversations with Students October 22, MSAA Office, Franklin, MA

IN-PERSON   PRESENTER: Dr. Curtis A. Bates, Seaside Educational Consultants Utilizing Restorative Practice and Community Circles to Build School Communities and Reshape School Discipline October 23, MSAA Office, Franklin, MA

IN-PERSON   PRESENTERS: homeBASE Program, Concord Middle School homeBASE: How to Develop a Homegrown Advisory October 24, MSAA Office, Franklin, MA

IN-PERSON   PRESENTER: Pam Garramone, Positive Psychology Keynote Speaker, Author Feel Happier: Even in Tough Times October 29, MSAA Office, Franklin, MA

IN-PERSON   PRESENTER: Craig Aarons-Martin, CCM Education Group Cultivating Brave Spaces for LGBTQIA+ Youth and Staff October 30, MSAA Office, Franklin, MA