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Schools becoming more 'tolerant' as 'zero tolerance' rules end |
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Texas Middle School Association:  35th Annual Conference & Exhibit Planning Committee Meeting

Planning Committee Meeting Texas Middle School Association DATE: September 30, 2009 TIME:6:30 PM LOCATION: Coppell Middle School West, 1301 Wrangler Cr., Coppell, TX 75019 MORE INFORMATION:  The 35th Annual Conference of the Texas Middle School Association will be held in Arlington, Texas on March 4-6, 2010.  Ours is the only conference in the state dedicated solely to the middle level educator.  This year's conference will feature keynote sessions by Neila Connors and Rick Wormeli.  Featured speakers will include Mark McLeod, Randy Thompson, Debbie Silver, Monte Selby, Sharon Faber, Diana Day, Steve Green and Kathy Hunt-Ullock. Breakout sessions will address the most timely topics facing educators today, including (but certainly not limited to!) Adolescent Development, Advisory / Advocacy, Assessment, At-Risk, Brain-Based Learning, Classroom Management, DI, Diversity, Exploratories, Gifted / Talented, Leadership, Literacy, Research, RTI, Scheduling, Service Learning, Special Education, Standards, Teaming, Technology, and Urban Issues.  Our Annual Conference will provide you with the opportunity to learn, to share and to connect. We would like to invite you to be a part of the excitement by joining our 2010 Conference Planning Committee.  There are many ways you can help in the planning process.  Attend this meeting and see how you, your campus, and your students can be a part of the excitement! Refreshments will be served.  To ensure we have ample refreshments, pleaseRSVP if you will be attending the planning meeting. For more information on the Annual Conference, visit our website. Want to volunteer to help, but you can't attend the meeting? Download our volunteer form. Do you have a unique student performing group that you would like to showcase at the conference? Download our Call for Student Performances. There's still time to submit your students' artwork for our T-Shirt / Logo competition!  Download our Call for Artwork.

ARKLATEX 2009: Differentiated Leadership for the Whole School

General Information

Registration Form Workshop Dates October 3, 2009    Who Should Attend Any mid-level Administrator, teacher or team leader from Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas    Workshop Location Cope Middle School 4814 Shed Rd Bossier City, LA 71111    Hotel Information Holiday Inn Bossier City 2015 Old Minden Road Bossier City, LA 71111 Phone: 318-742-9700 Rate: $70 Quality Inn and Suites 2717 Village Lane Bossier City, LA 71111 Phone: 318-742-7890 Rate: $79 (includes breakfast) Featured Speaker Dr. Randy Thompson Breakout Speakers ARKLATEX 2009 will feature breakout sessions by leading educational experts from all three states. ARKLATEX 2009 is a collaborative effort between the Arkansas Association of Middle Level Education, The Louisiana Middle School Association and the Texas Middle School Association. Registration Costs Individual Option:  Only $60 per individual prior to September 15, 2009. After September 15, 2009, the registration cost will be $75 per individual. Cost includes lunch, a certifi cate of attendance and a workshop t-shirt. Pre-register using this form. On-site Individual Registration will be available at the $75 rate.   Team Option (PREFERRED):  Register a team of 6 for only $325 prior to September 15, 2009. After September 15, 2009 the registration cost for a team of 6 will be $350. Cost includes lunch, a certificate of attendance, materials and a conference t-shirt. Teams may register onsite at the $350 rate FEATURED SPEAKER Featuring Randy Thompson Leadership is a Contact Sport! Based on the book Differentiated Leadership, this session will demonstrate how to make every adult in your system a leader. Participants will learn how to dramatically reduce discipline referrals, develop meaningful curricula that will motivate students (and teachers), create fl exible schedules, identify and solve group issues, facilitate change, create motivating staff meetings, and much more. Participants will also learn, in their roles as leaders in schools, about interactive, brain-based management systems which enable and require positive and productive interactions, while disabling interactions that are negative and counterproductive.  In Randy’s own words, “Leading change in schools has been compared to trying to change the tires on a car while it’s moving. To me it is more like trying to nail Jell-O to a tree! Many good administrators have been undone by bad systems within their buildings. In this session we will look at how to use brain-based strategies to facilitate change in schools, simplify your life and enhance your school. We will look at how to assess your systems, how to get ownership with your staff, and how to keep things simple. Whatever your leadership role, strategies will be shared to help the leaders become a more effective Leadership Team, and every staff member a better leader. “Past participants have said this is the most practical session on leadership they have ever attended. Participants will leave with System Models, Forms and Processes that will help defi ne issues and simplify the change process. What I do is demonstrate how to get your staff invested in each other’s success. When teachers are truly invested in each other’s curriculum development, classroom instruction, discipline and so on, progress is inevitable. These strategies will make a difference in your classroom and on your campus!” About Randy: Randy is a graduate of the University of Florida and has worked at both the Middle and High School levels in Florida and Michigan. As a high school teacher Randy was recognized as “Teacher of the Year.” He has also been a coach, assistant principal, curriculum coordinator, and principal. He is currently president of Makitso, Inc. Randy has become a much sought after keynote speaker and presenter at state and national conferences. In addition to presenting and keynoting at conferences, Randy has also provided a variety of consultative training services for schools and districts in over 40 states (and counting) and several foreign countries. Randy is well known for his sense of humor and very practical strategies for school improvement. Not only will he help your school continue to raise the bar, he will make it fun as well.

2009 Workshop Series: RTI.. Successful Intervention for Today's Diverse Learners

About These Speakers

Registration Form Are you in need of a resource that shows teachers how to implement RTI in the classroom? As a result of NCLB legislation and the reauthorization of IDEA 2004, Response to Intervention (RTI) is now a mandated process for documenting the existence or nonexistence of a learning disability. The Texas Middle School Association invites you to join our expert presenters as they present an overview of key concepts and accountability practices that benefi t students in inclusive classrooms. Dedra Stafford and Randy Thompson will demonstrate how general and special education teachers can use research-based interventions effectively to individualize instruction, monitor individual student progress, and implement strategies to meet the specific needs of today’s diverse learners. Workshop Schedule  8:30 - 9:00 AM Registration 9:00 - 11:00 AM Session One 11:00 -11:30 AM Q&A / Audience Interaction 11:30 - 12:30 PM Lunch 12:30 - 2:30 PM Session Two 2:30 PM Wrap Up Response to Intervention - September 26, 2009 Grand Prairie TX Dedra Stafford Dedra Stafford is a nationally recognized consultant and author. She creates entertaining, hands-on, interactive workshops that get educators energized and excited about teaching. As a former classroom teacher, she understands the need for practical ideas that can be implemented immediately. In addition to presenting at conferences across the nation, Dedra has also certifi ed over 300 teachers through technology classes in Oklahoma. She is a dedicated board member of the Oklahoma Middle Level Education Association and is a NMSA on-site cadre member. Dedra is passionate about middle level education and will energize participants with new and innovative ways to reach and teach the students of today. Dedra presents entertaining and informative presentations. One of her areas of expertise deals with technology. Dedra has the unique ability to put teachers at ease when dealing with echnology issues. She is a middle level advocate and a presenter who understands the issues teachers face on a daily basis.   Randy Thompson Randy Thompson is a graduate of the University of Florida and has worked at both the Middle and High School levels in Florida and Michigan. As a high school teacher Randy was recognized as “Teacher of the Year.” He has also been a coach, assistant principal, curriculum coordinator, and principal. He is currently president of Makitso, Inc. Randy has become a much sought after keynote speaker and presenter at state and national conferences. In addition to presenting and keynoting at conferences, Randy has also provided a variety of consultative training services for schools and districts in over 40 states (and counting) and several foreign countries. Randy is well known for his sense of humor and very practical strategies for school improvement. Not only will he help your school continue to raise the bar, he will make it fun as well.

2009 Workshop Series: DI for Today's Digital Learners

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP

Registration Form
 

TMSA is the state’s premier association for middle level issues. This workshop offers you and your staff an affordable opportunity to learn from industry experts, discover helpful resources, best practice solutions, and the opportunity to network with other middle level educators... all in one location. 

Interested Audience: All middle level educators

Locations
Amarillo, September 24, 2009
West Campus Amarillo College: Lecture Hall
6222 West 9th Street
Amarillo, TX

San Antonio, October 10, 2009
Anson Jones Middle School
1256 Pinn Road
San Antonio, TX 78227

Registration Costs
$75 includes lunch and materials

Session Topics
Differentiated Instruction,
Technology, RtI, Teaming

Questions
tmsa2@austin.rr.com
512-462-1105
www.tmsanet.org

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Debbie Silver

Debbie Silver is an award-winning educator with 30 years experience as a classroom teacher,staff development instructor, and university professor. Her numerous recognitions include being named the Louisiana State Teacher of the Year. Along the way she has taught almost every grade level and most every kind of student.

Dr. Silver has been an invited author for several educational journals and has given keynotes at   state, national, and international conferences in 49 states, Canada, Europe, and Asia. She has been a featured teacher for the PBS OnLine Teacher Chat and for KDS Knowledge Delivery  Systems.

Debbie’s book, Drumming to the Beat of Different Marchers: Finding the Rhythm for Teaching Differentiated Learning, has just been updated and rereleased by Incentive Publications. Songs she co-wrote with Monte Selby are featured on his cds. She is married to Dr. Lawrence Silver, and together they have 5 sons.

Dedra Stafford

Dedra Stafford is a nationally recognized consultant and author. She creates entertaining,  hands-on, interactive workshops that get educators energized and excited about teaching. As a former classroom teacher, she understands the need for practical ideas that can be implemented   immediately.

In addition to presenting at conferences across the nation, Dedra has also certifi ed over 300 teachers through technology classes in Oklahoma. She is a dedicated board member of the Oklahoma Middle Level Education Association and is a NMSA on-site cadre member.

Dedra is passionate about middle level education and will energize articipants with new and innovative ways to reach and teach the students of today. Dedra presents entertaining and informative presentations. One of her areas of expertise deals with technology. Dedra has the unique ability to put teachers at ease when dealing with technology issues. She is a middle level advocate and a presenter who understands the issues teachers face on a daily basis.

We Want You... to Present at TMSA!

DOWNLOAD YOUR CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS FORM HERE   Middle level educators from around the state gather at the Texas Middle School Association’s Annual Conference. It is THE conference for Texas middle-level educators to join together in learning, dialoging, networking and exploring the topics critical to today’s middle-level professionals.    Submission Information You are submitting to present a concurrent (breakout) session. These sessions deal with a variety of current topics appropriate to middle-level education.  Innovative instructional methods, trends and special programs are featured.  These sessions are 60 minutes in length.    Application Review Process Applications will be processed by the Presentation Review Committee.  Applicants will be notified of their proposal’s status after the Presentation Review Committee has evaluated all entries. Applicants must: Make sure the proposal is relevant and significant to middle level education Clearly describe goals and rationale for the proposed presentation Indicate the attended audience Make sure the title reflects the content of the proposal Avoid pejorative references and discriminatory comments Applicants must submit a copy of their session’s handouts with their application to present   The Presentation Review Committee chooses presenters from across the state.  In addition to the guidelines listed, evaluations from previous TMSA presentations, as well as the number of applications submitted per presenter, are taken into consideration. Presenters are not guaranteed slots on the program, even though past sessions may have been well received.   Presenters serve on a contributing basis and are required to register for the annual conference at the presenter rate of $125.  As contributors, presenters are not reimbursed for lodging, travel, audiovisual rental, or conference registration.   Guidelines for Completing the Application Preferably, all information should be typewritten. If you chose to handwrite your proposal, be sure to print all information neatly.  Additional room will be needed for the narrative portions of the application: attach type written forms as needed. A copy of your session’s handouts should be submitted with this form. Applications must be received by November 15, 2009.   Please make sure the title adequately reflects the content of the session.   Program Book Description TMSA reserves the right to edit program book descriptions and titles for clarity and /or space limitations.   How to Submit Your Application To Present Fax—Fax your application to 512-462-0991. EMail--Email directly to TMSA.             Mail—Mail your application to:                                    TMSA                         PO Box 41060                         Austin, TX 78704

"Healthy Students Are Better Learners"

""Healthy students are better learners. Not only mustschools contribute to student health through policy and daily practice, but health promoting schools are safer, calmer and host students demonstrating higher academic engagement and success than schools that are not health promoting."    
—J Schultz"

The following information is borrowed from the National Middle School Association's website. We at TMSA are equally as passionate about coordinated school health program,and would like to share this information with our members:

As an advocate of coordinated school health programming, National Middle School Association provides resources to schools and communities in their efforts to develop healthy, productive, and ethical citizens.

Campaign for School Wellness
The new report, A Mission Becomes a Mandate: Campaign for School Wellness, kicks off the Action for Healthy Kids Campaign for School Wellness. Campaign for School Wellness assists schools, parents, and communities in effectively implementing, tracking, and strengthening their wellness policies and practices.

Preteen Vaccination Campaign
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has launched a campaign to encourage a routine health checkup for 11-and 12-year-olds and to make sure these young people are vaccinated against serious, sometimes life-threatening diseases such as meningitis, tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, and cervical cancer.

Free Health Planning Resources for Schools
The Healthy Schools Program, an initiative of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, provides tools and solutions to help schools create healthier school environments by promoting nutrition and physical activity to students and teachers. Any school can register online and gain access to the resources, free of charge.

NAEP Writing Assessment

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), the Nation's Report Card, has released results of the 2007 writing assessment. The assessment was given to approximately 40,000 students in 8th grade and about 28,000 students in 12th grade. The 8th grade sample provides results for the nation, for 45 states, and 10 urban school districts. The 12th grade sample reflects national results only.

Among items of note is that there were statistically significant gains in writing at the 8th grade level. Eighty-eight percent of all 8th grade students were at or above basic level, (compared to 85% in 2002 and 84% in 1998), and 33 percent were at or above proficient (compared to 27% in 1998). Since the last assessment, 19 states, three districts, and the Department of Defense schools made gains. Improvements across several student groups were noted.

It is also significant that scores for Black and Hispanic students increased by 10 points, compared to 1998; and the gap between White and Black students decreased from the 2002 and 1998 assessments.

The entire report is available at the The Nation's Report Card.

Texas Middle School Association's New Website

We are thrilled to unveil our new website.  We hope you will find it helpful and user-friendly.

Please take some time to see what the site has to offer. And please come back often!

If there are any additional features you'd like to see added to the site, please let us know! We want the site to be YOUR site.