Association News

Registration Now Open!
MASA Fall Conference
September 30-October 2, 2018
Madden's on Gull Lake, Brainerd

Registration is now open for the MASA Fall Conference!

What do you think of when you hear the words, “public education?” What do you think your students think of? How about their parents? District staff? Community members? Our audiences are many and diverse, and every individual has an idea of what “school” means to them – and therefor what schooling should be today. So what’s your story? A critical part of school leadership is cultivating an accurate narrative about the state of public education, and sometimes that can be challenging given the range of audiences and perspectives. Let’s take some time this fall and reflect on the stories of success, the opportunities provided by a system that is accessible to all, and the great presence of our schools in communities across Minnesota. Let’s celebrate public education!

Our keynote speakers include: 

Peter Gamwell, a former teacher and superintendent who has spent more than three decades studying creativity. Peter will share a fresh perspective on how to nurture creativity, innovation, leadership, and engagement — and of course, celebrate public education.

The MASA 2018 Richard Green Scholar Dr. Kim Gibbons. Kim’s work, entitled, “Effective Universal Instruction: An Action-Oriented Approach to Improving Tier 1,” will inform us of the requirement to ensure high levels of learning for all students.

Bill Stainton, Emmy Award-winning TV producer, writer, and performer. Bill says that public education taught him how to interact with people with diverse ethnic, socioeconomic, religious, and other backgrounds and that he firmly believes that a robust, healthy, and world-class public education system is the most important ingredient for a world-class future. Join us and hear about Bill’s experiences (including behind-the-scenes stories with celebrities like Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Nye the Science Guy) and how creative, enthusiastic leadership can create magic worth celebrating!

Breakout sessions have been announced!
You can find the full schedule online

Dale G. Jensen Golf Tournament
On Sunday afternoon, golfers will enjoy the Dale G. Jensen Golf Tournament, benefiting the MASA Foundation. All conference participants are invited to play, no matter your skill level!

Register online at: http://regonline.com/masagolf18

The tournament will be held at Pine Beach East Golf Course at Madden's.

Service Recognition at the MASA Fall Conference
MASA service recognition will be presented during the 2018 MASA Fall Conference on Monday, October 1 at the 8:30 am General Session.

Members who have completed 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, or 45 years of administrative service and five years as MASA members may receive service pins. Pins are awarded immediately following completion of eligibility years. Eligibility years are counted as school fiscal years.

Members who have completed 10 years of administrative service and five years as MASA members will be recognized in the awards program and with certificates which they will receive by mail following the conference. Certificates are awarded immediately following completion of eligibility years. Eligibility years are counted as school fiscal years.

Fill out the service recognition form here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5CL9CXB

Registration Still Open!
MASA Great Start Cohort
Registration is now open for the 2018-19 MASA Great Start Cohort!

If you are aware of any new superintendents or administrators, please encourage them to register for the Great Start Cohort!

MASA is committed to providing excellent professional development that will support you in your professional practice. As a member of the Great Start Cohort (GSC), you will have the opportunity to meet other new leaders, receive information from seasoned leaders, and develop practical skills designed to help you be successful in the first year of your new position. In addition to the five traditional workshops (linked to MASA conferences for travel and schedule ease), participants will also receive access to the GSC Online Toolbox that contains supporting documents and videos on popular topics. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be granted for each session in the series. Whether you are an experienced administrator or are new to your leadership role, this workshop series is a wonderful opportunity to network with your colleagues and enhance your skills.

2018-19 MASA Great Start Cohort Schedule
Session 2: September 30, 2018 - Madden's on Gull Lake, Brainerd (Prior to the MASA Fall Conference)
Session 3: December 3, 2018 - MASA Offices, St. Paul
Session 4: February 6, 2019 - MASA Offices, St. Paul
Session 5: March 6, 2019 - Minneapolis Marriott Northwest, Brooklyn Park (prior to the MASA/MASE Spring Conference)

Session 1 was held on August 8, 2018 at the Minneapolis Marriott Northwest, Brooklyn Park.

Topic information and registration is online at https://www.regonline.com/greatstart1819

MASA Podcast Survey
Our new podcast was begun to share and discuss ideas and concerns of our leaders from around the state of Minnesota. We want to learn what issues are at the top of your "concern" list. We also want to know what is a success or an accomplishment in your district. We need to know the good news as well as the concerns. We want to spread the successes and address the concerns.

Please take a moment to complete the questionnaire - this information will provide material to research and discuss in future podcast.

Views and Voice: Episode 10 Online Now!

Check out the latest episodes online now!
Episode 1: Immigration
Episode 2: Message about Public Education
Episode 3: Possible Vision of an Innovative High School
Episode 4: High School Proposal
Episode 5: School Shootings
Episode 6: Interview with Superintendent Matt Grose
Episode 7: Interview with Superintendent Sandy Lewandowski
Episode 8: Principal Rob Reetz - Project-based learning, 21st century leadership
Episode 9: Superintendent Deb Henton, North Branch Area Public Schools
*NEW* Episode 10: MDE Commissioner Brenda Cassellius

MASA is grateful to our online convener and podcaster, Dr. Jane Sigford, who has volunteered her services for this initiative. Jane is a MASA retiree and loves nothing more than challenging us (and herself) to think, create, and share ideas.

Registration Now Open!
MASA and Springsted Incorporated present...
School Finance Elections: A Comprehensive Planning Model for Success
Monday, October 8, 2018
-and/or-
Monday, April 8, 2019
9:15 am - 4 pm
at the MASA Building in St. Paul
Register online

Based on past workshops, registering a district team is highly recommended to ensure a common understanding.

This is a workshop based on the book of the same title co-authored by our presenter, Dr. Don Lifto. The workshop's content represents a marriage of research and successful practice, emphasizing systems and strategies rather than specific campaign tactics, allowing school administrators to elevate their thinking to a more comprehensive and long-range vision of election planning. Don has worked with dozens of school districts running operating, bond, and technology elections throughout the US, and is a well-known and respected presenter and author on the topic of finance elections.

MASA Jobsite Listings!
It’s hiring season and the MASA Jobsite is ready to help you find great staff for your district.

Visit the MASA Jobsite at jobsitemnasa.org.

To search for candidates by job type, job category or region of the state log-in on the Jobsite with your district's account - and then click "search for candidates" at the top of the page!

If you need assistance, please contact Jeanna at 651-789-4062 or by e-mail at quinn@mnasa.org.

Looking for a job in education? Visit https://jobsitemnasa.org/

Member Memos

YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities: Equity Innovation Center
Superintendent Newsletter

The YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities’ Equity Innovation Center is a hub for bringing together diverse stakeholders from all sectors to develop a common understanding of and design solutions to challenges related to diversity, equity and inclusion.
 
The YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities is well-known for our commitment to healthy living, youth development and social responsibility. With our legacy of positive change in communities, we launched this center of excellence to learn, practice and share. We don’t claim to have all the answers. Instead, we bring together thought leaders and change agents from across the region to:

• Identify best practices
• Develop next practices
• Convene individuals, groups, educators and power communities

Read the full newsletter online here.

InvestMN: New Beginnings for Education Leaders
Check out the newest piece from Shari Prest with Ark Associates, "New Beginnings."

Request to MASA Members: Share Your Strategic Plan?
This fall, the Aspiring Superintendents Academy will be exploring leadership in strategic planning and we would like to provide some examples to our cohort members. If you are willing to share your district plan, please email a copy to Mia Urick (urickm@mnasa.org) by September 1. Thanks for your help! 

Sample Some of the MASA ExpertEase Videos!
Sample Some of the MASA ExpertEase Videos! As part of our strategic plan to deliver a multi-tiered system of professional development that meets the individualized learning goals of all members, MASA has partnered with Infinitec to create a library of professional development videos that are available to MASA members 24/7. Members can view these videos for their personal professional development and also to engage their teams in discussions surrounding critical topics. We now have forty-five videos online and we feature a wide variety of topics, including those that MASA members can use to complete their PD requirements for teacher relicensure at no cost. Each month, we will be offering several sample videos that will be directly linked from the MASA website (no sign-in required). See below for a few sample videos. We hope you enjoy these videos; please let us know what you think! Find the entire library on the MASA website!

*NEW* MASA Presents: Communicating with Your School Boards
Presented by Nan Records, Regional Low Incidence Facilitator, Sourcewell
Retired Special Education Director, Sherburne Northern Wright Special Education Cooperative, MN

Nan advocates for the role school leaders should take in communicating with their school boards and/or governing boards as part of their jobs. She presents why this is important, hot topics to address and offers suggestions for ways to promote good communicating relationships.

*NEW* MASA Presents: A Question of Balance... The Art of Contract Negotiations
Presented by Greg Vandal, Retired Superintendent Sauk Rapids Rice School District

Greg Vandal provides a primer on the Public Employee Labor Relations Act (PERLA), presents contract negotiations from the perspective of courtship or relationship based experiences and discusses two common approaches, traditional bargaining and interest based bargaining.

Professional Learning

*NEW* Get Out the Vote Seminar
September 27, 2018
11:30 am-1 pm
Springsted Incorporated | Map
Event Flyer

Springsted Incorporated is offering a “Box Lunch Seminar" for school district employees, school board members, and campaign volunteers. The seminar will focus on research and best practices designed to maximize voter participation in school referenda. In addition to the lunch seminar at Springsted, school districts will have the option to participate remotely through WebEx.

This training seminar will be presented by Don Lifto, Consultant at Springsted. Lifto is a frequent presenter on referendum research and strategies at AASA, NSBA and ASBO and has had more than a dozen articles published on this topic in national journals.

*NEW ENTRY!*
Looking for a book study for your leadership team?
MASA's "What We Are Reading" Blog is a great resource. Thanks to our book blogger, Steve Malone, Superintendent of Becker Public Schools for being our Reader Leader! Check out a sample today.

Be sure to check out the newest post from Superintendent Malone on The Trust Edge by David Horsager.

*NEW* MDE WIDA Professional Learning Workshops
Various Dates
Apply by August 24, 2018

Leading Schools for Language Learner Achievement
August 28 to August 29, 2018
MDE in Roseville

Application form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MZD88S9

WIDA Screener (Online) Face-to-Face Workshop
September 5, 2018
MDE in Roseville

Registration form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XCTQBVB

Live Webinar – Providing Supports for English Learners
September 17, 2018
WebEx Link

View all the workshops here.

MASSP Emerging Leaders Workshop
Designed for administrators with 3 years or less experience.
September 25-26, 2018
TIES Conference, St. Paul, Minnesota
Registration Form

This workshop is designed to meet the needs of building administrators who are in their first three years of leadership. This two-day workshop is designed to enhance practitioner and leadership skills (day one) and sensitize and inform on legal responsibilities, student discipline and legal issues faced by building leaders (day two).

MASSP Student Discipline Workshop
September 26, 2018
TIES Conference Center, St. Paul, Minnesota
Registration Form

Roger Aronson, MASSP Attorney/Lobbyist is one of the most highly regarded experts in school law in the State of Minnesota. This workshop will explore legal implications and the administrator's role including provisions you may not know about. Find out what is new for school administrators in multiple areas of student discipline. Information is practical and may offer guidelines for policy development. 

2018-19 MASSP School Law Seminars
Registration Form

Dates:

• October 2, 2018 - Mankato - Mankato City Center Hotel
• October 3, 2018 - Rochester, Northrop Community Center
• October 16, 2018 - Hibbing, Hibbing Park Hotel
• October 23, 2018 - Mahnomen, Shooting Star Casino
• November 1, 2018 - St. Paul, TIES Conference Center
• November 7, 2018 -  St. Cloud, Holiday Inn and Suites
• January 30, 2019 - Minneapolis, Minneapolis Marriott City Center

MASSP Attorney/Lobbyist Roger Aronson is conducting one-day seminars throughout the state presenting the most up to date information on school law. Roger is one of the most highly regarded experts in school law in the State of Minnesota. Find out what is new in school law, have your legal questions answered and gain valuable insight.

2018-19 MAEOP Conference
October 3-5, 2018
Pier B Resort, Duluth
Information online
Now Open! Registration Form

Mark your calendars now for MAEOP’s 2018 State Conference October 3-5 in Duluth. It’s a perfect time to learn, network, and engage with other members of the Minnesota Association of Education Office Professionals. Check-in starts Oct. 3, with the conference running Oct. 4-5. Jerrid Sebesta, former KARE11 TV meteorologist, will deliver the opening keynote.

1. MAEOP is affiliated with the National Association of Educational Office Professionals (NAEOP), the only national association for office professionals in the educational institutions in the United States.*
2. Prepare for challenges and focus your work by discovering how regulations and laws affect your organization.
3. Get practical tech tips from our breakout sessions.
4. Gather ideas for working successfully with students with mental health needs.
5. Learn about new leadership opportunities at local and state levels.
6. Build your credibility as an educational office professional by keeping up to date with the latest developments.
7. Learn from the best – from other professionals who have been in your shoes and know your daily struggles.
8. Learn what your peers are up to and develop your resource network.
9. Build your professional network and meet administrative professionals from across the state.
10. Be inspired to continue and commit to your professional development.

21st Century School Office
Sponsored by the Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association

Dates: 

• Wednesday, October 24 - St. Paul, click here to register!
• More dates coming soon: check mespa.net/PD for updates & other opportunities

Price: $150 for a team (school leader and administrative assistant) — use the code SUPERSUPT to register you and your district teams for $25 off!

Want to go home on time? Maintaining a work-life balance is so important, but as a principal or school secretary, that may seem next to impossible. If you're buried in office work, emails, "do-you-have-a-minute" and juggling schedules on top of what you really want to be focusing on, we can help! Join us for this one-of-a-kind professional development that has been created for school office teams by school office teams to help you make your school office more efficient, manage crisis response, set standards and expectations, and bond together! You'll have work time to discuss your current office challenges and successes, and create a plan together to implement new strategies to make it even better!