The 9 minute video below is of Charlie describing his latest and upcoming trips around the state.
REGIONAL MEETINGS:
Charlie loves to meet with MASA members all over the state. This week begins several weeks of putting the miles as he visits with our members. He will be leaving for Baudette, MN today for the Region 8 Retreat. From there he will be taking a few days off to do some fishing in Minaki, Canada. Next week Charlie will be in Chisholm for the Region 7 meeting. At the end of next week he will be attending the MASA Board Retreat here in St. Paul. All current and new board members of MASA will be attending. Following the Board Retreat, Charlie will be participating in the annual Klobuchar Bike Ride. When he returns from the bike ride, Charlie will be attending the Region 5 meeting in Staples. Then at the end of July, Charlie will be joining Regions 3 & 4 for their combined retreat at Thumper Pond in Western MN.
THREE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT:
The first of the three items is ... MN History Center presents MN's Greatest Generation - The Depression, The War & The Boom. Charlie was able to tour the new exhibit at the MN History Center. He found it to be very educational and a great experience for groups, families and school field trips. Some highlights of the exhibit include: a 1930's Movie Theater, a 1940's soda fountain, and a C47 Fighter Plane. One item of note is a family bible of Charlie's that his family donated. This bible was carried by his father as he fought in WWII. Thanks Charlie for a wonderful donation to a piece of MN's history!
The second item of interest is the 2009 MN Schools of Character & Promising Practices Award Ceremony. This event was held on May 21st at the MN State Capitol Rotunda. The 2009 MN Schools of Character were The Blake School and Schumann Elementary in Long Lake. The 2009 Emerging MN Schools of Character were Waseca High School and SAGE Academy Charter School. And the final group of honorees was the 2009 Promising Practice Awards. This honor was bestowed upon the Avalon School in St. Paul, Chatfield Elementary Schools in Belle Plaine, Orono Middle School, The Blake School, Schumann Elementary in Long Lake and Waseca High School. Congratulations to each one of you!
The third item for you to know of is the very moving and touching memorial service of Kathleen Macy, retired superintendent of the Stillwater Area Schools. Charlie attending her memorial service on Friday May 22nd. Charlie was very moved by the kind words of friends and family. Several MASA members spoke of their former colleague and friend. They included Carol Erickson, retired; Don Schuld of Stillwater; and Meria Carstarphen, St. Paul. Kathleen will be dearly missed!
STATE FUNDING & INFORMATION:
MASA is currently waiting to see how Governor Pawlenty will unallot state funds. We are keeping our fingers crossed that K-12 funds will be spared.
Tom Melcher of the MN Department of Education will be traveling the state to discuss changes for school districts coming out of the legislative session. He is unable to explain the unallotment and shift.
MASA is working the MN Department of Education to plan the August "Back to School" Workshop for Superintendents. This day-long workshop will be held on Wednesday, August 12th at the Northland Inn. Watch your emails and the MASA website for registration information. Housing is now open. Please visit our website for that information.
FEDERAL CHANGES - BEYOND THE STIMULUS:
There will be dollars shifted to some new federal programs. These programs include the Teacher Incentive Fund, School Improvement Fund, Striving Readers, and a High School Initiative. Since the money is not new money but simply being shifted from other funds, watch for these funds to loose their funding: Safe and Drug Free Schools, Even Start Family Literacy, College Access Challenge Grants, Mentoring, Civic Education, Ready to Teach, Javits Gifted and Talented, National Institute for Literacy, Academies for American History and Civics, Close Up Fellowship, and Foundations for Learning. Programs that will have their funding slashed include: Education Technology State Grants and the Abstinence Education Program. More detailed information can be found on the US Department of Education's website.
Very, very nicely done!
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