NMSA in Action - January 2010 - Middle School Journal

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January 2010 • Volume 41 • Number 3 • Pages 54-56

What's Happening

Middle Level Essentials & Ninth Grade Academy Conference

April 22–23, 2010
Las Vegas, Nevada

A conference providing an in-depth look into topics essential to the success of middle level schools, including:

Differentiated Instruction
Using Assessment to Guide Instruction
Literacy
Math
Technology

2010 Institute for Middle Level Leadership

July 18–21, 2010
Williamsburg, Virginia
Williamsburg Lodge

July 25–28, 2010
Whistler, BC, Canada
Hilton Whistler

Enjoy interactive classroom sessions, discussions, peer-facilitated learning, and opportunities to address topics that matter to you!

www.nmsa.org/leadership

NMSA 37th Annual Conference & Exhibit

November 4–6, 2010
Baltimore, Maryland

NMSA2010—Innovate.Create.Inspire.
450+ sessions in topic areas critical to middle grades education including

STEM—Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math
Information Literacy and Technology
Fine Arts
Using Assessment to Guide Instruction
Narrowing the Achievement Gap
AYP
Differentiated Instruction
Literacy
Parental Involvement

Visit www.nmsa.org/annual

Important Dates!

Call for Nominations – NMSA Board of Trustees
Ever considered serving on the NMSA Board of Trustees? Now is the time! NMSA is accepting nominations for the 2010 election. Members are encouraged to nominate themselves or a colleague. Find the nomination form at www.nmsa.org/callfornom

Nomination forms must be faxed or postmarked by January 15, 2010.

Call for Artwork Submissions – Month of the Young Adolescent
A key feature of the Month of the Young Adolescent celebration is engaging students in local school and community activities, but also giving students a voice and recognition internationally. Each year we encourage students to submit creative projects that will be featured in the online publication, Expressions from the Middle.

Visit www.nmsa.org/moya, select Student Engagement, then Call for Submissions.

Entries due March 12, 2010.

Fogartie Honored at NMSA Conference

At the NMSA Annual Conference and Exhibit in Indianapolis, Elizabeth Fogartie received NMSA's Distinguished Educator Award. Launched in 2003, this award recognizes outstanding practitioners in middle level education—those who have made a significant impact on the lives of young adolescents through leadership, vision, and advocacy. Principal of Webb Bridge Middle School, Alpharetta, Georgia, Elizabeth is an exceptional leader who has, through visionary leadership, propelled her school to state and national prominence. The epitome of a lifelong learner, Elizabeth Fogartie reaches out to mentor other schools while improving practices at her own school. Local and state representatives and senators are frequent visitors to Webb Bridge, and they have come to know Elizabeth as an example of excellence in leadership at the middle level. Extremely knowledgeable about every aspect of middle level education, Elizabeth has a dynamic personality, boundless energy, an eternally optimistic outlook, and the ability to guide others in doing what is best for students.

Teammate of the Year Award Developed for Youth

The Ripken name is synonymous with character, integrity, and perseverance, which form the cornerstone concepts in the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation's (CRSF) youth programming efforts. Through the Healthy Choices, Healthy Children (HCHC) character education curriculum, CRSF strives to honor the memory of Cal, Sr. A consummate teacher and leader, Cal, Sr. was never happier than when he was working with kids.

The Teammate of the Year Award, presented by the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, will honor deserving youth that have made positive choices, inspired others to act, and become positive leaders in their communities. Each year, CRSF, in conjunction with National Middle School Association (NMSA), will honor a deserving youth who truly exemplifies the traits of Cal, Sr. The first Teammate of the Year Award will be presented at the 2010 NMSA Annual Conference in Baltimore, MD. Any school implementing the HCHC program will be eligible to nominate one youth for the Teammate of the Year Award. Visit ripkenfoundation.org for award criteria, eligibility requirements, and application process details. Nomination materials will be available April 30, 2010, and nominations will be accepted through June 1, 2010.