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Greetings!
Greetings! Much is happening at the Oregon Montessori Association! Members of the OMA Board are actively engaged in advocacy projects relating to the QRIS pilot project and teacher training credentials articulation. As this work continues to unfold, OMA will keep our members posted. I am focusing the majority of my time on learning the infrastructure of OMA, but I have also had some wonderful experiences connecting with professionals in, and out, of the field of Montessori. On July 1st and 2nd I traveled north to Seattle and then to Leavenworth to connect with the board of the Pacific Northwest Montessori Association at their annual retreat and make regional connections with wonderful people passionate about Montessori education. It was so productive to meet face-to-face and learn that the work PNMA is doing for their members on legislative and licensing issues is quite similar to the current work OMA. In June I was honored to meet with Mark Siegel, who serves as the Executive Director of OFIS, is on the Board of CAPE, and is the assistant Headmaster of the Delphium School. One of his recommendations was for Montessori schools to reach out to their local representatives now that the legislative session has ended and invite your representative to visit your school in the fall. As we all know, getting people in the door of your school can be the pivotal moment of understanding. This is grassroots advocacy at its best!
I will be attending the Qualifications Credentials and Pathways (QCP) Sub-committee of the Professional Development Committee for Oregon today, Monday, July 15th.
~ OMA Salary Report ~
The 2013 - 14 OMA Salary Report is ready! Download the Survey Report here. We will offer this survey again in the winter of 2014 - be sure to participate! The more schools responding, the more useful the information we can provide in the next report.
~ OMA Assistant Workshops are scheduled. Registration opens July 18th through OMA (not the host school) ~
Corvallis Montessori School is hosting the Willamette Valley area workshop on Monday, August 26th.Portland Montessori School is hosting the Portland area Assistant Workshop Saturday, September 21st at the Providence Childcare Center. This year we are encouraging schools to send their staff in teams - as guide and assistant - so that they may participate in breakout sessions for planning their strategies for their working relationship in the classroom. All teaching levels are welcome!
~ Membership Renewal Letter ~
Go to OMA's website and renew online or be on the lookout for your membership letter in the mail! Remember, all member benefits are extended to your staff, Board members, and parents so that your entire community can stay abreast of OMA happenings! Include preferred email addresses when you send in your membership form and we'll update our records to ensure your account is current.
Renew your school membership or join before July 26th and take 5% off your annual dues!
Special this year: If you renew or join as a school before August 4th, we will include your school's name in a drawing to receive the booth materials from Discount School Supply after the Congress! This company has generously offered to donate their booth materials, and we are happy to extend the gift to lucky member schools. You will be entered to win toddler materials, primary materials, and elementary materials - whichever level(s) your school offers. Plus, we will include any art supplies that are part of the donation.
With respect and peace ~
Laura Pilkington, M.A., M.Ed.
OMA Director
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