ACSA Region VII President, 2011-2012
REGION 7 MAINTAINS ROCK SOLID LEADERSHIP!
It is hard to believe that we are more than half-way through the year! So far 2011-2012 has been quite interesting! The State budget & school funding continue to present school leaders with grave challenges. ESEA re-authorization remains controversial and uncertain. Common Core Standards are here with no curricular adoptions on the near horizon. Questions are swirling around Transitional Kinder – to be or not to be? Discipline, Bullying, Program Improvement remain as issues for schools. Yet, in spite of all this, Region 7, along with many other ACSA school leaders across the state, remain rock solid in the pursuit of excellence by:
- Championing public education
- Working to ensure students have the essential knowledge and skills needed to excel
- Supporting educational leaders
The Region has been busy in such pursuits through the many outstanding programs provided for members. Joe Stewart and the CEL Council, with the help of the San Joaquin COE, put together an outstanding event in October. There were 450+ participants who enjoyed a great meal and an outstanding speaker, Matt Emerzian. All attendees left knowing that they MATTER in making a difference every day! Region 7 held the first General Assembly in October with Dr. Scott Siegel, Ceres Unified Superintendent, providing us with some interesting data and information about the “Expectation Gap.” The General Assembly on January 19th at Dave Wong’s in Stockton promised to be exceptionally informative given the issues currently surrounding “Social Media & Schools.” The presenter was Trent Allen. Charters have held some great mini PDPs such as “The Power of Professional Learning Communities,” provided by Stanislaus Charter; College and Career Readiness in Tuolumne Charter; and the “The Answer is in the Room,” presented by the winning author of the book by the of same name, Alan Blankstein, sponsored by San Joaquin Charter. Yes, Region 7 continues to be rock solid!
We look forward to the Legislative Action Day in Sacramento on April 15 and 16. Stay tuned for more information on that. The 2012 Spring Conference brochure should have arrived in your inbox (it is included in our winter newsletter and here on our website as well). Barbara Cortese and the Conference Committee have an awesome experience lined up for you. Outstanding General session speakers include Marc Johnson, 2011 National Superintendent of the Year; Gina Cataneda, Probation Officer who will speak about her unique Gang Intervention techniques; and Keena Turner, former SF 49er football star. We will be celebrate our Award Winners on Friday evening and, new this year, there will be a Saturday afternoon Kentucky Derby Soiree! This promises to be loads of fun! The conference will held May 3-6, 2012 at the Embassy Suites in Tahoe. Please make every effort to attend!
ACSA has a lot to offer, invite a non-ACSA colleague to join. Join our membership campaign to make ACSA and Region 7 MEMBERSHIP STRONG. Take up the challenge; Share the joys of ACSA!
Yours in ACSA Service,
Mary J.
Mary C. Jones, Ed.D
President, Region 7