Newsletter
Greetings:
As you return to your classrooms for the beginning of a new semester, GMSA is excited to announce the newest members of the Lighthouse Schools to Watch program. On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Georgia Lighthouse Schools to Watch program, we are proud to announce the results of this year's school visitation. Georgia is nationally recognized for the strong school improvement efforts sustained by these schools.
It is not too late to join us in Savannah for our 34th Annual Conference and Exhibit, February 27-28, 2012! We are pleased to feature Dr. Neila Connors as our Keynote Speaker. Educators from in-state and out-of-state will be sharing their best practices and great ideas with middle level educators from across the state. For more information, please see the feature article included in this newsletter.
Kimothy Jarrett
GMSA Executive Director
Dr. Neila ConnorsKeynote Address
34th Annual Conference & Exhibit
February 27-28, 2012
Savannah, Georgia
Congratulations to Our 2012
Lighthouse and Beacon Schools!
The Board of the Georgia Lighthouse Schools to Watch program announced that Lee Middle School in Sharpsburg, Georgia, principal, Dr. Bob Heaberlin, has been named a Lighthouse School to Watch for 2012-2015.
In addition, the Board announced that Holcomb Bridge Middle School in Alpharetta, GA, principal, Ms. Joy Schroerlucke, has been named a Beacon School to Watch.
The designations were part of a rigorous written application and two day site visit by a team of trained evaluators. The schools are now part of the National Forum's Schools to Watch program.
One of the fundamental components of this prestigious program is the process of redesignation that schools must go through every three years. This ensures that they are continuing their journey of excellence and still follow the criteria of the national program.
This year, 6 schools received their redesignation:
Crabapple Middle School, Roswell, GA (Dr. Nathan Buhl, principal) was redesignated for the 3rd time. Crabapple was originally named a Lighthouse School to Watch in 2003, the first year of the program at both the state and national level.
Gladden Middle School, Chatsworth, GA (Dr. Ardith Bates, principal) and Webb Bridge Middle School, Alpharetta, GA (Ms. Susan Opferman, principal), were redesignated for the 2nd time.
Hahira Middle School, Hahira, GA (Ms. Janet Hendley, principal), Morgan County Middle School, Madison, GA (Dr. Joe Hutcheson, principal), and Pickens County Middle School, Jasper, GA (Dr. Chris LeMieux, principal) were redesignated for the first time.
Georgia is one of 19 states in the country to participate in the Schools to Watch program, and became the first of the 19 states to win unanimous approval from the Forum to institute the program at the state level. In order to become a Lighthouse School to Watch, a school must demonstrate that it is achieving excellence in the criteria established by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform. This criteria covers four areas: academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity, and organizational structures and processes. The criteria is research-based and promotes excellence in education in an environment designed to meet the unique needs of the middle grades learner.
Dr. Robert Balfanz of Johns Hopkins University, in his ground-breaking research on high school dropouts and early indicators at the middle school level, cited the work of the National Forum's Schools to Watch program as one of 6 programs at the middle level that are making a significant difference in lowering dropout rates in high school across the country.
Want to visit these great schools? Become a site evaluator! For more information see the LSTW Training Form
*******CONFERENCE NEWS*******
Building Blocks of Success
This year's conference will feature Dr. Neila Connors, author of If You Don't Feed the Teachers, They Eat the Students and the companion book If You Don't F.E.E.D. (Fuel, Empower, & Engage Daily) the Students They S.T.A.R.V.E. (Stop Trying and Reject Valuable Education).
Dr. Connors has written numerous articles and has presented to public and private school educators, school boards, superintendents, state and national organizations, parents, counselors, international school educators, and corporations in the 50 states, Canada, and Europe.
Throughout her career, Dr. Connors has had the privilege of working with students in grades K-12. She has been an elementary and middle school teacher, administrator, as well as, holding positions on the collegiate and state level.
Georgia Middle School Association
34th Annual Conference and Exhibit
February 27-28, 2012
Marriott Riverfront Hotel
Savannah, Georgia
CONFERENCE PLANNER
Monday, February 27th
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Registration
8:15 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Complimentary Danish and Coffee
9:00 a.m. - 10:10 a.m. Concurrent sessions
10:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Exhibit Hall open
10:20 a.m. - 11:50 a.m. General Session
Dr. Neila Connors, Keynoter
11:50 a.m. - 12:50 p.m. Lunch on your own [boxed lunches available for sale]
11:50 a.m. - 12:50 p.m. CMLA meeting/lunch
11:50 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. POMLE meeting
12:50 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. concurrent sessions
1:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Silent Auction viewing and bidding
2:10 p.m. - 3:20 p.m. Concurrent sessions
3:30 p.m. - 4:40 p.m. Concurrent sessions
4:50 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Concurrent sessions
6:00 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. Wine and cheese reception in exhibit area; Silent Auction winners announced
Tuesday, February 28th
8:15 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Registration
8:15 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Complimentary Danish and Coffee
8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. GMSA General Business Meeting
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Exhibit Hall open
9:00 a.m. - 10:10 a.m. Concurrent sessions
10:25 a.m. - 11:35 a.m. Concurrent session - Neila Connors
12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Awards luncheon (invitation only)
Hotel Information:
Make your reservations at the Marriott Riverfront Hotel
(912-233-7722)
Room Rate: $155 single/double (same great price as last year)
All reservations must be made no later than February 3, 2012; Reservation made after this date will not be at the conference rate
Stay at the Marriott and qualify for one of 3 drawings for your choice of: 50% off registration for the 2013 conference, OR A $50.00 VISA gift card
Enjoy the convenience and camaraderie of staying at the conference site on River Street!!!!
Need $500.00?
We are still accepting Teacher Grant applications through January 20, 2012. Winners will be recognized at our annual conference.
Teacher Grant Application
