June 17th EditionPain, Promise, and the Path to Racial JusticeBy Jim Lynch and Joe Schroeder, AWSA Race is a social construct. The genome has been mapped, and we know that our species share 99.9% of our DNA with one another.1 That “social construct” has very real meaning in our country. Babies who are black and white are born with the same amazing potential. However, based solely on the social construct of race, we can predict wide disparities for people of color in education, criminal justice, health, and poverty. And, here in Wisconsin, we have some of the widest disparities in the nation.2
COVID-Related Edition of the Update Coming MondayOn Monday, June 22, the DPI will be releasing COVID-related guidance for next school year. This guidance, as well as, other timely COVID related information will be included in a special edition of the Update on Monday. New Law: Important ID Card Changes for Fall '20by Gary D Haas, Sr Business Development Exec with Lifetouch The state of Wisconsin recently passed a law with important new ID requirements for Wisconsin schools. This law goes into effect on 7/1/2020. Here is a link to the statute itself. High level, this is what schools are required to do. 2021 State Superintendent Election and the SAA Endorsement ProcessBy John Forester, WI School Administrators Alliance Wisconsin voters will elect a new State Superintendent in April 2021. As the SAA reported a couple of weeks ago, two candidates have announced their campaigns to become the next State Superintendent, Pecatonica Superintendent Jill Underly and Assistant State Superintendent Sheila Briggs. The SAA anticipates a crowded primary field to be assembled before the January 5, 2021 candidate filing deadline. Why? We are aware of several other potential candidates who are currently weighing a bid. Also, using history as our guide, an open seat for State Superintendent tends to draw a large candidate pool. Elementary Principals Convention: New DatesFebruary 3 - 5, 2021 - NEW DATE! | Osthoff Resort | Elkhart LakeDue to COVID, AWSA has moved the date of the Elementary Principals Convention from October 7-9, 2020 to February 3 - 5, 2021 at the Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake. Registration will open this fall! This year's convention will feature:
If you have any questions about the 2021 Elementary Principals’ Convention please contact AWSA at 608-241-0300. June 22nd EditionGuidance Released by DPI and WIAAEducators are busy preparing for what comes after the state’s school closure order expires on June 30. Today, the DPI released its comprehensive Forward Education guidance document. What are Districts Planning to Do This Fall?The Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators is planning on conducting a survey to school districts this week to share their preliminary plans for fall instruction. When the results are released we will pass this information along to you. COVID Advocacy: Funding and FlexibilityFunding: What We Know
Funding: 2020-21 State Budget Educators planning for next school year, during the ongoing COVID Pandemic, need flexibility from state laws and rules to best meet students’ needs. Flexibility related to licensure, hours of instruction, assessment, and more will need to be provided as soon as possible as districts put plans in place. Professional Learning: Building Effective Leadership AcademyIn these highly challenging times for leading and living, it is natural for even a seasoned, deeply skilled school leader to feel overwhelmed and uncertain in the post-COVID environment. Given the COVID-19 pandemic, we have updated our Building Effective Leadership Academy content this year to address:
Click here for more information about the BEL Academy. NASSP Members: Last Chance to Register for Annual Members MeetingYesterday, NASSP members received a reminder to register for the Annual Members Assembly. We encourage you to participate in the Assembly as you will have the opportunity to vote for Wisconsin's very own Gregg Wieczorek for the office of NASSP President-Elect!
The official vote will take place at Noon CST on July 8th during the virtual business meeting with the purpose of electing various positions to the board and to vote on new bylaws. One of the positions to be determined is president-elect. If you register for the meeting you will be able to attend and vote to help Gregg win the election. All NASSP members in good standing are eligible to vote. The process should be short, taking between 15 and 30 minutes.
Gregg, the principal of Arrowhead High School in Hartland, is a former AWSA board member and served as our president for the 2005-06 school year. In 2012, Gregg was named Wisconsin Secondary Principal of the Year. Currently, Gregg is finishing his fourth year on the NASSP board where he has served as treasurer for the past two years.
Jostens Virtual ConferenceThe Jostens Renaissance Virtual Conference on July 13-15, is being offered to all educators and student leaders at no cost. |