AASSP News

Summer is over, there was a cool crispness to the air this morning, and Football Friday Nights have started. That means each of you are giving 100% to your school, your students, and your teachers! As we prepare for the opening of football season, remember that you will turn around & you will be discussing region standings for playoffs, putting up the Christmas Tree, and then preparing for semester exams.

WOW! What an honor it is to help serve you all as President of this great organization. AASSP is full of great leaders, great mentors, and great people! I remember my first year as an AASSP member - the people I met, the mentors I spoke to, and the great conversations that were had. Many of those great leaders have since retired and are enjoying life on the lake and with their toes in the sand. Those moments have impacted my career in many ways as I continue to lean on those words I heard many years ago.

These impactful moments took place at events like the AASSP/AAMSP Fall Conference. I hope to see you all at one of the best conferences to attend. Additionally, you will be able to earn almost 10 hours toward your quality PD hours. The information learned and conversations had at conferences like this help you work through difficult situations that may arise during your career.

You all have a daunting task each day to keep every ball rolling in the same direction. Trying to keep pushing people for excellence, while juggling your own tasks and turbulence that you face. Doing all of this with a smile on your face and attempting to keep spirits high in your school. Principals do not have "off days". As you go, so goes your school! This is why it is important to network with other principals. They are the only ones that truly know what you deal with on a daily basis!!

I hope you all are ready for Friday nights! Have you checked the stadium lights, the scoreboard, put your schedule in DragonFly, and lined up security? I bet that sentence reminded some of you to get those things checked off.

As always, please reach out to me if you need anything, you have many people to assist you as you go through your school year. Blessings for a great school year!!

Greensboro Middle School is set to open the first Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality (AR/VR) Lab in Greensboro, Alabama, thanks to a generous award from the Air University K-12 STEM Outreach Program. The grand opening is scheduled for August 27th at 10:00 am.

The AR/VR Lab, featuring ten advanced workstations, will immerse over 200 students in grades 6-8 in virtual reality. This cutting-edge technology will enable students to create and explore their own virtual experiences, offering new opportunities for learning and creativity.

The Air University K-12 STEM Outreach Program aims to "inspire, cultivate, and develop exceptional STEM talent" by providing resources to underserved communities. The investment in Greensboro Middle School’s AR/VR Lab reflects this mission and supports the development of the next generation of STEM leaders.

Mrs. Patricia Roberson, Air University, and Drs. Dominic Combs and Hope Whiteside of The University of Alabama were instrumental in bringing the AR/VR Lab to Greensboro Middle School. Their vision and commitment were key in establishing a strong partnership between Air University, the University of Alabama, and Greensboro Middle. "This lab is more than just a technological innovation; it’s a catalyst for transformation," said Dr. Combs. Dr. Whiteside added, "Our collaboration demonstrates the power of united efforts towards a common goal. We are eager to see how this will inspire students to pursue STEM careers and positively impact the broader community."

“Greensboro Middle School is excited to be at the forefront of providing advanced STEM opportunities for its students. This lab is a transformative addition for both our students and community. It unlocks new possibilities for learning and creativity that we've never experienced before. We are deeply grateful to our partners and look forward to the future with great anticipation," said Principal Anthony Sanders.

As the summer fades and the excitement of a new school year begins, I want to extend a warm welcome back to each of you. This time of year is filled with anticipation, fresh starts, and countless opportunities to inspire and guide the young minds entrusted to our care. Your leadership is crucial in setting the tone for a successful school year, and I am confident that, together, we will make this year one of growth, achievement, and meaningful connections.

As we embark on this journey, I would like to encourage you to consider an incredible opportunity for your students: joining the State Association of Student Councils sponsored by the Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals (AASSP). By affiliating your Student Council Association (SCA) or Student Government Association (SGA) with the State Association, you empower your student leaders to connect with peers across the state, share ideas, and develop the skills they need to be effective leaders in your schools and beyond.

The benefits of being part of this larger network are immense. Students will gain access to leadership training, statewide conferences, and resources that will help them grow as individuals and as leaders. This affiliation not only strengthens your SCA or SGA but also enriches your school community by fostering a spirit of collaboration and shared purpose among student leaders.

I also want to bring your attention to an upcoming opportunity for your student council advisors. On October 9, a free workshop for advisors will be held at the CLAS office. This workshop is an excellent chance for advisors to learn, connect, and exchange ideas with their peers, ensuring they are well-equipped to support and guide their student leaders throughout the school year. I encourage you to forward this invitation to your student council advisor, who can contact me at Katrina@clasleaders.org for more information.

Thank you for your unwavering commitment to your students and your schools. Your dedication and leadership make a profound difference in the lives of young people, and I am excited to see the positive impact you will continue to make this year. Let’s work together to create a school environment where every student feels valued, heard, and empowered to lead.

As the sun rises on the 2024-25 school year, I would like to extend a heartfelt welcome back to all Alabama school administrators. After a well-deserved summer break, we are excited to kick off another year of growth, innovation, and dedication to our students.

This school year promises to be an inspiring journey as we continue to foster environments where learning thrives and every student has the opportunity to excel. Your leadership is crucial in navigating the challenges and celebrating the successes that lie ahead. With your unwavering commitment and vision, I am confident that this year will be marked by significant achievements and positive changes. I encourage you to take advantage of all that being a member of CLAS offers, most specifically, the first “CLAS” professional development opportunities that are available throughout the year.

Let’s embrace this new year with enthusiasm and a shared goal of enriching the educational experience for our students. Together, we will build on the progress of previous years and create a supportive and dynamic learning community.

Welcome back, and here’s to a fantastic and fulfilling school year!

As administrators continue to examine better ways to help students through the process of grade level and/or school transitions, Florence Middle School took a time-tested and research-based approach towards preparing their incoming 7th graders for a smooth transition into middle school.

According to Dr. Ashley Bowling, FMS principal, Camp Falcon was a wonderful experience for both students and parents, providing an opportunity to get a glimpse into what middle school life will be like.

Meeting Student Needs at Camp Falcon

Throughout the day, students participated in a variety of engaging sessions that introduced them to different aspects of middle school. Here's a quick overview of the activities:

• Academic Sessions: Students learned about the academic expectations at middle school, what a typical day looks like, and tips for managing their time effectively.
• Culture and Falcon Expectations: FMS administrators and teachers introduced students to the culture of the school, highlighting the important ingredients of Falcon values. Students learned about the importance of respect, responsibility, and community, and how these values will guide their behavior and decisions.
• Technology Workshops: With technology playing a vital role in education, the FMS team conducted sessions on how to use the school's tech resources effectively and safely. Students got hands-on experience with the devices and platforms they would be using in their classes.
• School Tours: To help students feel more comfortable in their new environment, the rising 7th grade students were led through guided tours of the school. This helped familiarize them with the layout, including key locations, such as the library, cafeteria, and gym.
• Parent Q&A: Dr. Bowling and her staff held a special session for parents to ask questions and learn more about what to expect in the upcoming school year. This open dialogue was greatly appreciated and provided valuable insights into the concerns and hopes parents have for their children.

Community Support and Engagement

Dr. Bowling obtained support to host the event from community sponsors, who generously pitched in to cover the costs of the Camp Falcon t-shirts and the pizza lunch. The contributions made it possible for FMS to provide the camp at no cost to families, which was greatly appreciated.

Positive Feedback

According to Dr. Bowling, the feedback from Camp Falcon was overwhelmingly positive. Many parents shared how much they appreciated the opportunity to see their children excited and engaged, while students expressed enthusiasm about the new experiences and friends they made.

"Camp Falcon made my child feel confident and ready for middle school,” one parent commented. “They are excited to start the new school year, which is a huge relief for us!"

Thank You!

Dr. Bowling thanked everyone who made Camp Falcon possible, from her dedicated staff to the supportive parents and sponsors.

“We look forward to seeing the positive impact of Camp Falcon throughout the school year as our 7th graders continue to grow and thrive,” Dr. Bowling said. “Here's to a fantastic start to middle school!”

I hope you all had a great Summer, and I also hope you all had a great start to the 2024-2025 school year! We have some great things going on in our schools in Alabama, and this would not be possible without the great leadership from the principals and assistant principals. Thank you for your hard work! This will be a great year, and I am grateful that I get to be a part of it! Keep that in mind as you move through the year. Yes, we will have some days that are not as good as others, but in the words of Ray Wylie Hubbard, “…the days that I keep my gratitude higher than my expectations, Ah! Well, I have really good days.”

You are the key to the success for those under your care. I am not saying you cause success or the lack thereof, per se; however, I am saying that you might be the difference in the outcome because of your leadership. What are you doing to ensure the success of those under your care? We are here to help you in your endeavors, so please contact us when you have a question, when you get stuck, or when you need a ‘pick me up.’ Your officers and board at AASSP are here to help, and we want to be a partner with you as you engage those under your care in learning.

We have a great year planned for you. Our fall meetings will be excellent opportunities to engage with your peers in your district; our professional learning events are designed to help you in your growth as a leader; and our 2024 AASSP/AAMSP Fall Conference will be amazing to say the least! You will not want to miss the Fall Conference. Our goal is to provide the best professional learning, networking, communication, and advocacy we can, and we try to do it in a fun and interesting way. I can’t wait to see you at events during the 2024-2025 school year.

I have one piece of advice for school leaders for 2024-2025. Be a noticer. I don’t mean trying to catch people doing things wrong, I mean take the time to notice things about those under your care so that you can show genuine care and concern for everyone. For example, if you walk in a teacher’s room and notice several pictures of cats, don’t ask them about their dog. The same is true for students. School leaders are the absolute best at noticing things about their students, and students love that. However, if we use the same skill for the adults under our care, think about how powerful that would be to the positive culture in your school. Adults love being noticed too. Let’s build a culture of noticing.

My hope for you is the best year of your career during the 2024-2025 school year. Thank you for all you do for those under your care. You are all rock stars in my book!

The Alabama Legislature adjourned the 2024 legislative session sine die Thursday, May 9 with 11 days remaining of their constitutionally allowed 105 days.

The Legislature began the 2024 session at a breakneck pace, burning through half of their 30 legislative days in just five 3-day legislative weeks. The aggressive schedule led to lean committee calendars as leadership focused on their marquee legislation: the CHOOSE Act education savings account bill; the Parents Right to Know curriculum transparency bill; and the divisive concepts bill.

You can find a list of middle and high school-related bills enacted in the 2024 session grouped by topic at the end of this column, and you can see a list of all 2024 education-related bills enacted here.

Advocacy in the “off season”

Legislators began pre-filing bills for the 2025 session on May 21, and out of the 48 bills already filed, eight relate directly or indirectly to public education. Legislators are now sending double the number of education bills to the Governor for signature than they did a decade ago, and we expect that trend to continue. That makes your relationship with your school’s legislators more important than ever!

The legislative offseason is a great time to build or strengthen your relationship with your school’s legislators. If you’re not sure who they are, use this tool to find them with your school’s address. You are the best person to provide your legislators with valuable boots-on-the-ground insights into your school’s strengths and needs!

Please reach out if you have questions about state laws and policies related to elementary education. Email me at whitney@clasleaders.org or call me at 205-602-7465. I’m here as a resource for you!

Middle and High School-Related Bills Enacted in the 2024 Session

Discipline

• HB168/Act 2024-98 (Woods): Revises some definitions of obscene materials and adds a definition for "virtually indistinguishable image." The State Board of Education is required to require the local board of education to develop and implement a policy by the start of the 2024-25 school year banning "private, explicit, or pornographic images" generated with AI as well as the possession, publication, or sharing of those images. Effective 10/1/2024.
• HB188/Act 2024-262 (Collins): Defines in state law a procedure for assigning a long-term suspension or expulsion to a student that includes a discipline hearing, which the student or his/her parent may waive. Effective 10/1/2024.
• SB157/Act 2024-409 (Orr): Teachers are now required to have and follow an approved classroom management plan and are allowed to exclude students from the classroom for 5 specific misbehaviors if they have first followed the approved classroom management plan. Principals now have a state-defined procedure to follow before returning an excluded student to class and teachers have the right to appeal this return in certain circumstances. Effective 6/1/2024. (CLAS one-pager; ALSDE sample board policy)

Athletics

• HB251/Act 2024-397 (Robertson): Requires portable athletic eligibility for military dependents with a bona fide move related to change orders. Effective 10/1/2024.

Administration/Personnel/Other

• HB290/Act 2024-392 (Oliver): Requires every public and private school to develop and implement a cardiac arrest plan to address cardiac events on campus. Effective 10/1/2024.
• SB53/Act 2024-352 (Orr): Students who are 14 or 15 no longer need a work permit from their school administrator before seeking part-time employment. Effective 6/1/2024.
• HB331/Act 2024-389 (Woods): Changes the state report card so that students who transfer into a public school from a nonpublic school are excluded from the school's academic achievement grade for three years. Effective 10/1/2024.

Email: katrina@clasleaders.org
Website: www.clasleaders.org/aassp
Location: Council For Leaders in Alabama Schools, Pelham Street, Montgomery, AL, USA
Phone: 8002393616