Post on 21-Oct-2014
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Launching a Successful Middle Grade Partnership Network
Cindy Freeman, Council President
Jeff Harris, ACSA Board Member
Derrick Lawson, ACSA MGPN LiaisonNovember 7, 2013
Expected OutcomesYou will: learn about the ACSA Middle Grade Partnership Network
(ACSA MGPN) - a great PLC for middle grades administrators.
learn how to launch and maintain an active Partnership that pools resources to provide for wonderful presenters, best practices, networking opportunities, technology updates, school site visits and more!
receive an ACSA MGPN toolkit which contains resource tools to help you launch and grow a Partnership network.
A Little Bit of History …after Caught in the Middle (late 1980’s), middle grades principals met and formulated the first Partnerships…
…informal breakfast and lunch meetings to provide mutual support…
…became CMGPN supported by CDE…
…then came Taking Center Stage, TCS Act II…
…the result…Middle Grades Consortium
Why is the ACSA Middle Grades Education Council
now shepherding this effort?
ACSA Strategy IV:We will build and maintain vibrant, purposeful
networks of educational communities.
“Cutting edge” information will be provided to ACSA members based on self-identified areas of interest
Networks are created between ACSA and both traditional and non-traditional groups
Members connect virtually with other members
Purpose of ACSA MGPN A collaborative, administrator-to-administrator and
school-to-school Network Sponsored by the ACSA Middle Grade Council Local Network meets during the year to support,
visit, mentor, and assist one another Focus is specific to middle grades
education
Benefits of ACSA MGPN Participation1. Provides up-to-date information on CDE activities and initiatives,
state and federal mandates, and pending legislation. 2. Gives access to current middle level research, special state or
federal projects, grants or special funding opportunities. 3. Enables participants to provide input on state middle grades
policy development. 4. Allows you to visit model middle schools in your region to see
best practices.5. Provides a network of people from/with whom to share resources,
ask questions, or solicit ideas. 6. Provides a forum to voice and solicit input on middle grades
issues, challenges and solutions.7. Can be part of a pool of resources to provide relevant middle-
level professional learning and development.
Region P’s MGPN Story
How do I start a Partnership Network? Start small (i.e. breakfast group). Invite colleagues you already know or are
acquainted with; have them bring a colleague. Send out personal e-mail invitations. Call middle grades principals in your area. Join up with an existing group of middle grades
principals.
How do I build a solid constituency? Cultivate a Web presence
Send letters and brochures to area Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents and principals
Cultivate County contacts
Connect with local ACSA Middle Grades Education Council Representative
Connect with local CLMS contacts
Various Models Across the State Region P
Meets 5 times bi-monthly, half and full day mtgs Kick-off weekend meeting $500 annual membership
San Diego Breakfast meetings Professional development
Rural Northern California group Saturday meetings each quarter
Format of Region P Meetings Book Club Partner Association reports and updates
Speakers Professional Development Presenters
Site Visits Best Practice Showcases
Tech Links Connection and Mutual Support time
Agendas
Kick-Off Meeting A weekend meeting off-site with a built-in social
networking time with a meal or activity
Team building activity (modeled for site use)
Set budget, topics, books, speakers for year
Select host sites for year
Establish contact listing and best practices to share or site leadership team needs
Growing a Middle Grade Partnership
Book Clubs Purchase 4 books annually Books reflect the chosen topics of professional
development
Study guide/PowerPoint included Quick reads key Use a “Novel in an Hour” Strategy
Pre-read and discuss with pre-determinedguided questions form
Speakers Recognized principals District leaders across the region County Office curriculum specialists and facilitators
University professors publishing a book Authors and presenters from conferences who are
in the area at key times
State and Federal representatives Specialized vendor representatives Research Personnel
School Site Visits Host Sites showcase unique, special, or highly
effective programs/practicesie: No Zero Zone, AVID, Watch DOGS
Schools to Watch or showcase sites based on requests for team visits
Distinguished Schools with signature practices
Potential Formats For Meetings Informal breakfast or lunch meetings Formal agendized half or whole day meetings On-line Webinar, Adobe Connect, Skype, or blog forums
Calendar: Region P Example We meet 5 times bimonthly Meet from 8:30 to noon and then a group lunch Twice we meet full day Initial meeting is a Friday/Saturday Everyone brings their calendars and we map it out
Growing a Middle Grade Partnership
Gathering Our Info Through Surveys: Topic selection Book selection Practices to showcase Requests for team visits
Dues: Determine Your MGPN Fee Region P Example: $500 per year to cover costs of -- Books, Speakers, Continental Breakfast and group lunch for
meetings- Kick-off weekend rooms and conference location- Postage and printing of materials for meetings
Roles and ResponsibilitiesExample: Region P Officers
President: Coordinates speakers and agenda
Vice President: Helps coordinate survey info
Secretary: Takes minutes of meetings, maintains directory
Treasurer: Monitors and updates dues & budget
Tech Master: Facebook, Twitter, Tech links
Resources to Help You ACSA MGPN Toolkit
TCII website http://pubs.cde.ca.gov/tcsii/index.aspx CLMS and Schools To Watch personnel
www.clms.net, www.clms.net/stw ACSA Middle Grades Council Reps
www.acsa.org/middlegrades
County liaisons State symposia contacts
Questions and
Next Steps
Testimonials I am a new member who is already seeing the benefits of the Region P Partnership. Region P provided a wonderful presentation through Linda Solis on "Rebooting School Culture." The timing was perfect. Region P provides valuable networking opportunities with other principals who are outside my own school district.
~ Jim Owen, Principal March Middle School Val Verde USD
Testimonials
I came to the middle school principalship with no secondary experience. Site visitations to Partnership schools, collaborative meetings with my counterparts from other districts, and the wide range of ideas I've gathered from our meetings have been invaluable to me. Seeing great programs and strategies during our meetings has allowed me to take those back to my site and make my school a better learning environment.
~ James Judziewicz (U-Jay-Vitch), Principal Elsinore Middle School Lake Elsinore USD
Testimonials I've been associated with Region P for about 14 years as an administrator. Out of all the conferences, inservices and trainings I have attended, being a member of Region P Partnerships has been the most valuable. I find being able to collegially be a member of a group that shares anything and everything makes my job easier... AND I feel supported. Can't imagine my administrative life without the support of my Region P colleagues.
~ Karen Hayes, Principal Margarita Middle School Temecula Valley USD
Contact UsFor more information regarding the ACSA MGPN, please contact:
Cindy Freeman, Council Presidentcifreeman@pylusd.org
Charles “Derrick Lawson, MGPN LiaisonCharles.Lawson@dsusd.us
Mary Gomes, Council Executivemgomes@acsa.org
Thank you for the opportunity
to be of serviceto you!