Middle grade council acsa mgpn l summit presentation 2013

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!