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New England League of Middle Schools 460 Boston Street, Suite 4 Topsfield, MA 01983 Tel: (978) 887-6263 Fax: (978) 887-6504 Email: nelms@nelms.org |
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November 12, 2008 |
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New Executive Director Vacancy Deadline Nears December 1, 2008 looms as the deadline for those interested in applying for the NELMS Executive Director vacancy that begins July 1, 2009. The vacancy exists due to the announced retirement of long-time director, Bob Spear. For complete information, please go to the NELMS web site. Capable, competent leadership is critical for the growth of the League! Continuing with our renewed emphasis on advocacy the following activities and meetings took place over the summer or will take place shortly. State Commissioners of Education – Bob Spear, the Executive Director is planning his annual fall meetings with each state’s Commissioner of Education. These meetings are helpful as NELMS learns ways that we can support state initiatives and they learn about the many services and resources associated with your NELMS organization. Summit – The 3rd Annual Middle Level Symposium is in the planning stages. This invitational event is designed so that state-level policy individuals and middle level educators can design and develop action plans for middle level education in each of the 6 states in New England. Over the last 2 years, many initiatives have been undertaken in almost every state. Mass Commission – Bob Spear, the NELMS Executive Director has been attending the Massachusetts Commission on Middle Level Education over the past 2 years. Along with COMMLE and MSSAA, we have been a voice of middle level education on this panel. A final report is being drafted that will surely help build understanding and positively influence middle level education in the commonwealth. Attend Summer State meetings – RIMLE (Rhode Island), VAMLE (Vermont), NHAMLE (New Hampshire), and COMMLE (Massachusetts) all had strategic planning extended meetings over the summer. Because we work closely with all the state organizations, NELMS was invited to the table to hear plans for the ‘08-‘09 school year, jointly discuss middle level issues and for NELMS to offer assistance where ever possible to the state organization. State Leaders meeting – During the last week in July, the State Leaders’ meeting took place in Vermont. It was VAMLE’s turn to host the leaders from each of the New England middle level organizations and NMSA. Joint topics such as advocacy were discussed and ideas shared to help facilitate new and improved means of better serving young adolescents, each state and NELMS’ members. NMSA Affiliate Summit – Under the sponsorship of NMSA, leaders from across the country gathered in Albuquerque, NM to discuss national and state issues associated with middle level education. In addition, leaders learned about effective non-profit associations and friends and networks continued to nurture the sharing of ideas and suggestions. October is Month of the Young Adolescent October is Month of the Young Adolescent, an annual international collaborative effort of education, health, and youth-oriented organizations. Initiated by National Middle School Association (NMSA) and supported by NELMS and many affiliates, Month of the Young Adolescent brings together a wide range of organizations to focus on the needs of students in the important age range of 10 to 15. The key messages for the celebration are: The importance of parents being knowledgeable about young adolescents and being actively involved in their lives. The understanding that healthy bodies plus healthy minds equal healthy young adolescents. The realization that the education young adolescents experience during this formative period of life will, in large measure, determine the future for all citizens. The knowledge that every young adolescent should have the opportunity to pursue his or her dreams and aspirations, and post-secondary education should be a possibility for all. Ideas for Schools and Communities
Guidelines for Initiating a Proclamation
Who should I contact? Governor's Offices
City/Town Councils/Selectmen School Board Things to do Celebration Features Student Work Ideas for Schools and Communities Creating a Legacy for you, the students, and middle level education! NELMS proudly asks every middle level educator to continue or begin participation in our Annual Appeal. We encourage all educators and friends of educators to get involved and help us establish a lasting legacy for middle level education by becoming a NELMS Legacy Member. In our first year 2007, through the generosity of charter contributors, we raised over $9,865.00 toward our goal. We know that middle level students are special and many are evolving into wonderful young people. We know that they face challenges that others purport to understand but do not really comprehend. We know this critical time greatly influences values, personal safety, and self-identity. We also know that our students are capable of learning to high levels and that schooling is in fact “All About Learning”. We know what works to effectively educate young adolescents. Advocacy can help others understand these issues more deeply. However, too many people in positions of great influence do not see this potential. They do not believe that young adolescents can find success, do not fully understand the developmental issues that influence classroom learning, and do not know which effective practices promote learning. We frequently see educational and other leaders developing policy or making decisions that are at odds with research-based practices and effective learning for our students. Therefore, advocacy for students, teachers, and the middle level has evolved into our top priority at NELMS! Since our inception, NELMS has always advocated for middle level education as our resources allowed. Today, and in the future, we see advocacy as a continuing, long term, and critical need. The Board of Directors believes in our Annual Appeal and that it is time for every middle level educator to participate in creating a lasting legacy for educators, our students and our country. With your help, NELMS will:
Please consider one of these “Legacy Levels”:
Does a spouse have a matching donation provision at their place of work? Do you know someone in your family or in your community that might be able and willing to help with this drive? Perhaps a neighbor, a friend of a friend or a member in your church would be interested in the work we are trying to accomplish. Please ask them for their support. If they are interested, we can help you inform them with more information. Can you donate a month’s worth of coffee money? Can you donate a month’s worth of television? Can you donate one month’s cell phone expenses? Can you donate a tank of gas? Can you place a value on what NELMS has meant to you, your school, or the ways NELMS has influenced practices in your school and across the region that make a difference? (NELMS is a 501©3 charity. All contributions are deductible in accordance with IRS rules and regulations.) Payment options available are:
We need your help during this Annual Appeal to create a lasting legacy to support and nurture middle level education now and into the future. Please send your donation TODAY! "Begin your school year on a positive note with a very important message."
Hey everyone -- Just in case you missed it, I thought you'd like to see
this incredible 5th grade boy deliver the keynote address to over 20,000
teachers a few days ago in Dallas, TX. A friend at NASSP sent it to me, and wow, I was blown away. It's only 8 minutes long, but you can see and feel the energy in the room. Join the NELMS Fundraising Committee What skills do you have??? Do you like to laugh a lot? Do you have a gift for raising money? Want to coordinate and plan fundraising activities and events? Advise others on sponsorships and grants for the League and help organize fund-raising activities including: Annual Legacy Appeal Raffles Tournaments Special Events E-mail Nancy Barry at NELMS with your desire to help.
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