Dear Colleagues,

With September almost behind us, I hope this second edition of the September MSAA Matters Newsletter finds you well. I know from our Ring Central Gatherings that it is has been a very busy and, at times, stressful month. Once again you proved your mettle and persevered through, solving all kinds of problems along the way.

This edition is packed with resources. News on upcoming professional development is included from DESE, MDSC, and The Special Olympics popular fundraising event, Over the Edge. There are also timely articles and information regarding our own outstanding professional development offerings through December! Thank you Rich Kelley for your commitment to securing meaningful professional development for administrators, teachers and staff. And, finally, there are some suggestions for celebrating National Principals Month in October.

Your National Organizations

I want to call your attention to each of your national organizations. In this edition I will focus on the National Association of Elementary School Principals for PK-8 Administrators. In the next edition I will focus on the National Secondary School Principals Association for Middle & High School Administrators.

If you have not already joined MSAA, be sure to join your National Organization, NAESP and/or NASSP when you do. If you have joined MSAA already but not NAESP/NASSP, you certainly can still join. MSAA strongly advises that you do join our national partner because of the benefits of membership at the national level.

There are so many benefits you gain by belonging to both. In this edition I have included three documents from John Quinn, NAESP Zone Director Representative, and Principal of the Clara Barton Elementary School in Oxford. John has written an important letter outlining all of the reasons as to why you should join. Also included is a document that outlines your member benefits and a document with the NAESP legal information which includes information on a $2,000,000 liability insurance policy that is included with your membership. Additionally, if you join there is more coverage you can access. These documents are directly below this section of the newsletter. Also, NAESP has begun an APs Rising Mail List for Assistant Principals with valuable resources specifically curated for Assistant Principals. Click here for more information.

DESE Professional Development Opportunities

Of note, DESE also has some fabulous opportunities. Two we thought would be of particular interest to you, the My Career and Academic Plan, (MyCAP) workshops and MSAA's joint professional development with the Early Lead Learning Team.

The My Career And Academic Plan (MYCAP) is a student-directed, multi-year planning tool designed to personalize learning and increase students’ understanding of the connections and relevance of what they do now to their future success. The MYCAP is offering 3 workshops:

Workshop 1: MyCAP Basics November 5, 2020 1pm-3pm

Connect

o Learn the design characteristics of effective CCA and MyCAP programs

o Review data tools to help with student analysis

o Map current advising program and identify assets and gaps

Workshop 2: Developing the Framework January 7, 2021 1pm-3pm

Connect

o Focus on the specifics of a comprehensive grade level scope and sequence of CCA and MyCAP ensuring every domain is attended to every year

o Incorporate the three stages of career development education – awareness, exploration and immersion – ensuring all students have access to experiential learning

o Explore the capacity of your district/school’s online college and career advising system

Workshop 3: Putting It All Together February 4, 2021 1pm-3pm

Connect

o Create a plan for successful implementation of your CCA and MyCAP program

o Develop a range of communication materials to explain your new program’s value to multiple stakeholders

o Learn how to evaluate the quality and impact of your program, and sustain it over

Suggested members for your team: Counselor, Administrator, Teacher, Specialist (Special Education, EL, etc.) Register your team of four here.

Additionally MSAA and DESE's Early Lead Learning Team are collaborating again this year to offer high quality professional development on Creating a Caring Community: Caring for Ourselves and Our Staff Using a Trauma-Informed Lens. The 2020-21 series will be virtual and will commence with a statewide kick-off event and a keynote from Dr. Nicole Christian-Brathwaite on addressing the social and emotional well-being of elementary school staff, including principals. The statewide kick-off event will be followed by a webinar, regional networking sessions in December, February, and May, two book discussion groups (January and March) and a statewide convening in April. If you are interested in registering for the October 27th statewide kick-off convening, please register using the following link. You can also find the link directly below this section with the dates of the follow up book groups and networking dates.

MA Down Syndrome Congress

The Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress (MDSC) is sponsoring a series of webinars this Fall, please see the attached flyer, directly below the NAESP information, the DESE MYCAP information and the MSAA/DESE professional development.

Special Olympics Fundraiser Over the Edge

MSAA has been asked to call your attention to the Special Olympics fundraiser Over the Edge that will go on as rescheduled for Friday, October 2 and Saturday, October 3. For those of you who may not know, Over the Edge is one of their signature fundraising events where a participant rappels 22 stories from the roof of the Hyatt Regency in Boston. Usually scheduled for July, Over the Edge was rescheduled for October. They just recently got the green light to go but now they are in the process of recruiting the final 45 slots available. To rappel, a participant must raise $1,000. We have extended the fundraising timeline to Friday, November 20 to give all participants more time. Click here for more information.

National Principals Month

October is National Principals Month. Here are a few suggestions to recognize the important and critical work you do. #ThankAPrincipal throughout October promotes principals by sharing pictures and links. Schedule shadowing visits with key stakeholders such as lawmakers or local dignitaries. MSAA will seek to get a a state resolution recognizing National Principals Month. Here is the National Principals Month webpage.

Timely Articles

Also included in this edition are four timely articles in the Article Section of the newsletter:

• Teaching Like The Future Depended On it
• How to Support LGBTQ students in Remote Learning
• School Attendance in COVID
• How To Tell If Distance Learning is Working For Your Child

Ring Central Meetings Now Monthly & a Guest Speaker

Additionally, please note that Ring Central Gatherings have moved to monthly. See the Ring Central Gatherings section of this newsletter for the specific dates. On Monday, October 26th labor attorney Sheilah McCarthy, of Lenow and McCarthy, will visit with us during the All Level Meeting. She will be sharing with us the work she can do to support Principals and will be available to answer your questions. This workshop was designed as we received many questions from members regarding personal liability during this time. Please forward any questions you have to bwittcoff@msaa.net by Monday, October 19th.

Celebrating Art Dulong

And finally, on a very positive note, most of you know former MSAA Assistant Executive, Arthur Dulong, as the person who organized and ran a very successful MSAA Summer Institute for many years. However, many of you may not know his storied past in the realm of high school track and cross country. This uplifting piece form the Worcester Telegram link is directly below.

Closing Message from Bill Gaine

On behalf of MSAA and Executive Director, Bill Gaine: Stay safe, stay strong and take time for yourself.

Warm Regards,

Beth

Beth Wittcoff

MSAA Assistant Executive Director

MSAA Matters Newsletter

Middle Level and Elementary Committee Liaison

Social Media

See member email for links to these gatherings!

There will not be a meeting on the Monday holidays.

1st Monday of the Month High School Administrator Gatherings 3 PM

October 5

November 2

December 7

January 4

February 1

March 1

April 5

May 3

June 7

2nd Monday of the Month Assistant Principal Gatherings 4 PM

October 12 Holiday

November 9

December 14

January 11

February 8

March 8

April 12

May 10

June 14

3rd Monday of the Month Middle Level Administrators 3 PM

October 19

November16

December 21

January 18 Holiday

February 15 Holiday

March 15

April 19 Holiday

May 17

June 21

4th Monday of the Month All Level Administrators 4 PM

October 26

November 23

December 28 Winter Break

January 25

February 22

March 22

April 26

May 24

June 28

1st Tuesday of the Month PK-8 Administrators 4 PM

October 6

November 3 Election Day

December 1

January 5

February 2

March 2

April 6

May 4

June 1

October - December Professional Development

October 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020, Succeeding with English Language Learners Approved by DESE for Use Toward the 15 PDPs in ELL for License Renewal for Teachers, School Clinicians, and Administrators five-part series; take one session or all, Dr. Cindy Crimmin, Ribas Associates, Asynchronous Online: registrants may work at their own pace, English Language Arts/Literacy, Register

October 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020, Low Socio-economic Status (SES) Students and Families: Strategies for Closing Achievement Gaps and Reducing Special Education Referrals, Dr. Roseli Weiss, Ribas Associates, Asynchronous Online: registrants may work at their own pace, Curriculum and Instruction, Register

October 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020, Teaching Face-to-face, Hybrid, and Remote for Maximum Academic and Social-Emotional Learning Growth, Elayne Gumlaw, Asynchronous Online: registrants may work at their own pace, Curriculum and Instruction, Register

October 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020, Classroom Management (with a component on remote learning), Cynthia Marchand and Carol Gregory, Ribas Associates, Asynchronous Online: registrants may work at their own pace, Curriculum and Instruction, Register

October 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020, Succeeding with Students with Special Needs five-part series; take one session or all, Jane Hardin, Ribas Associates, Asynchronous Online: registrants may work at their own pace, Special Education, Register

October 1 & 5, 2020, Reducing Anxiety in Students Two part Online workshop; 3pm - 5pm, Jessica Minahan, Synchronous Online Workshop, Safe and Supportive Learning Environments, Register

October 7, 2020, Legal Aspects of Student Discipline, Colleen Shea, Esq., 9-11am, Leadership/Administration, Register

October 19, 2020 and November 2, 2020, Building a Classroom Management System that Works, Dr. Nicole L'Etoile, TEACHERS21, Synchronous Online Workshop, Curriculum and Instruction, Register

October 20, 2020 – December 17, 2020, Paraprofessional Training - FIVE MODULES, five-part series; take one session or all, Penny Copplestone and Dr. Kathleen Larche, TEACHERS21, Synchronous Online Workshop, Curriculum and Instruction, Register

October 21, 2020, Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) Course for Administrators See flyer for course structure; October 21, November 4 & 18, and December 2 & 16 4:00pm-6:30pm each day, Kaitlyn Torossion, Synchronous Online Workshop, Leadership/Administration, Register

October 23, 2020, Paraprofessional Training, Session 2: Characteristics of Disabilities and the IEP (Part I) five-part series; take one session or all, Penny Copplestone and Dr. Kathleen Larche, TEACHERS21, Synchronous Online Workshop, Curriculum and Instruction, Register

October 27, 2020, How to Close Pandemic-Related Achievement Gaps NEW DATE: October 27 3- 6pm, Paul B. Ash, Ph. D., Synchronous Online Workshop, Curriculum and Instruction, Register

October 28, 2020, Tools, Strategies and Resources to use for Engaging the Reluctant Elementary Student Collection in a Remote Setting see flyer for workshop structure, 10-28, 11-12 plus one day small group instruction, Maureen Gilman, Seaside Educational Consultants, Synchronous Online Workshop, Curriculum and Instruction, Register

October 29, 2020, Teacher Leadership and Instructional Coaching, four-part online workshop; additional dates 12/10, 1/21 and 2/25, Shoshy Starr, TEACHERS21, Synchronous Online Workshop, Leadership/Administration, Register

November 5, 2020, ADHD in the Era of COVID two-part workshop; second date 11/6, Brendan Mahan, M.Ed., M.S., ADHD Essentials, Synchronous Online Workshop, Special Education, Register

November 16, 2020, Promoting a Growth Mindset during Remote Learning: We Have No Choice See Flyer for Workshop Structure -11-16-20 and 11-30-20, plus one day small group instruction, Dr. Curtis Bates, Seaside Educational Consultants, Synchronous Online Workshop, Curriculum and Instruction, Register

November 17, 2020, Co-teaching/Collaborative teaching: How to change the mindset and 'flawed' implementation of true co-teaching in a virtual world; creating collaborative teaching teams to work with all students See Flyer for Workshop Structure -11-17-20 and 12-01-20, plus one day small group instruction, Shannon Pirrello and Dr. Judy DeLucia, Seaside Educational Consultants, Synchronous Online Workshop, Curriculum and Instruction, Register

November 18, 2020, Creating Safe and Supportive Classrooms Using PBIS Strategies in a Remote Setting see flyer for workshop structure; 11-18, 12-2 plus one day small group instruction, Maureen Gilman, Seaside Educational Consultants, Synchronous Online Workshop, Safe and Supportive Learning Environments, Register

November 19, 2020, The Four Right Drivers of Change and Whole School/School System Change NEW DATES: 11/19 and 12/10/20 3-6pm, Paul B. Ash, Ph. D., Ribas Associates, Synchronous Online Workshop, Curriculum and Instruction, Register

November 23, 2020, Paraprofessional Training, Session 3: Characteristics of Disabilities and the IEP (Part II) five-part series; take one session or all, Penny Copplestone and Dr. Kathleen Larche, TEACHERS21, Synchronous Online Workshop, Curriculum and Instruction, Register

December 3, 2020,How to Deliver Effective Feedback and Have a Difficult Conversation in person or on screen, See Flyer for Workshop Structure -12-03-20 and 12-16-20, plus one day small group instruction,

Dr. Judy DeLucia, Seaside Educational Consultants, Synchronous Online Workshop, Leadership/Administration, Register

December 4, 2020, Hanging In with Challenging Students, Jeffrey Benson, TEACHERS21, Synchronous Online Workshop, Safe and Supportive Learning Environments, Register

December 7, 2020 to December 8, 2020, The Emotional Impact of Learning Disabilities two-part workshop; second date 12/8, Brendan Mahan, M.Ed., M.S., ADHD Essentials, Synchronous Online Workshop, Special Education, Register

December 8, 2020, How to Further Close Achievement Gaps for Special Education, Minority and Low-income Students NEW Dates: 12/8 and 12/15 3-6pm each day, Paul B. Ash, Ph. D., Synchronous Online Workshop, Curriculum and Instruction, Register

December 9, 2020, Project Based Learning (PBL) during remote learning See Flyer for Workshop Structure -12-09-20 and 12-21-20, plus one day small group instruction, Dr. Curtis Bates, Seaside Educational Consultants, Synchronous Online Workshop, Curriculum and Instruction, Register

December 14, 2020, Paraprofessional Training, Session 4: Accommodations and Modifications Overview five-part series; take one session or all, Penny Copplestone and Dr. Kathleen Larche, TEACHERS21, Synchronous Online Workshop, Curriculum and Instruction, Register

December 17, 2020, Paraprofessional Training, Session 5: Social Emotional Learning five-part series; take one session or all, Penny Copplestone and Dr. Kathleen Larche, TEACHERS21, Synchronous Online Workshop, Curriculum and Instruction, Register