|
White House Summit on Next
Generation High Schools
| |
|
| | MSA Executive Director, Todd Mann and Director of Magnet School Leadership, Kelly Bucherie participate in the WH Summit on Next Generation High Schools. |
This month representatives from Magnet Schools of America were invited to participate in the first-ever White House Summit on Next Generation High Schools. The purpose of the event was
to highlight students, educators, philanthropists, and entrepreneurs who are reinventing the high school experience. It also served as an opportunity to highlight new resources and investments dedicated to advancing high school redesign.
For example, IBM is committing to open an additional 25 P-TECH magnet schools. In six years or less, students at P-TECH graduate with a high school diploma and a no-cost, two-year associate degree in a growth industry field such as computer programming. The Children's Museum of Pittsburgh will partner with museums and libraries to bring high-quality maker education to 75 schools across the country. With the help of Kickstarter, the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh will launch a web and print-based Making in Schools toolkit next spring that will allow thousands of teachers and students to access high-quality maker education.
With $100 million in new investments and matching funds, the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) will expand the reach of its College Readiness Program to 300 additional high schools. The College Readiness Program provides resources and support to students, teachers, and schools in order to increase the number of students participating and succeeding in rigorous Advanced Placement coursework.
International Baccalaureate's Career-related Program (CP) is expanding, and for the first time in 2016, will be made available to all secondary schools across the globe, including U.S. high schools. CP provides students
with a transferable and hands-on set of skills, including coding, webdesign, and digital-media development.
Thirteen Change the Equation (CTEq) companies including Intel, Lockheed Martin, and Dow are committed to dramatically expanding the number of volunteer hours that their STEM professionals contribute to schools and out-of-school programs.
To learn more about these efforts, please read this fact sheet
|
|
2016 National Policy Conference
Meeting at the Pinnacle of Public School Choice
| |
 Do policy makers in your state know about the value of magnets? This is the event where you will learn how to interact with decision makers and change the discussion about school choice and magnet schools. Held annually in the nation's capital in February, the policy conference is designed to help magnet school leaders and educators understand the complex federal, state, and local policy issues that matter most to magnet schools.
During the conference, political leaders and policy experts will provide their analysis on matters related to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the Common Core Standards, federal education funding, legal and civil rights issues, and new educational research.
Attendees will also visit Capitol Hill to meet with their congressional representatives, and participate in grassroots sessions focused on communicating with state and local leaders.
Please plan to attend and be an influential voice for magnet schools!
The Liaison Capitol Hill
415 New Jersey Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20001
February 10-12, 2016
|
If You Build It, They Will Engineer It
Building a Maker Space for Elementary Students
| |
 Katie Decker, Principal, Walter Long STEAM Academy
2013 National Magnet School
Principal of the Year
There is a new concept to support engineering education that is sweeping the nation. It is Maker Space. Just what is a Maker Space you say? It is a space that is created where students can engineer anything. With the next generation science standards elementary schools are now tasked with integrating the engineering design process. Most are not equipped or ready for this type of instruction. Creating a Maker Space is a great place to get started.
There are Maker Spaces popping up all over the country and many great suggestions and tips for starting them. The key to the space is room for collaboration and experimentation. We have been researching and looking at examples to determine what might work for our space. We know that we will need to clearly label all equipment and come up with systems for use of materials and replacement of used materials. We are excited to use the space to repurpose some of our recyclable materials. It is also a great way to involve our community partners in our creative efforts. What real problems can the students tackle if they have the materials and tools to create solutions? Keep reading...
|
|
Awards Deadline - Extended
|
 With the introduction of a new application process and submission platform, we thought you might need a few extra days to complete your national award applications.
Please review each of our programs below for important new deadlines.
National Merit Awards
The national merit awards program was created to recognize the best magnet schools in the United States. These awards are given to magnet schools that show a commitment to high academic standards, curriculum innovation, successful school integration and diversity efforts, and the delivery of high-quality educational services to all students.
There are two categories of merit awards: (1) Magnet Schools of Excellence, the most prominent merit award given to magnet schools, and (2) Magnet Schools of Distinction, the second highest award of recognition. The top rated magnet schools in the Excellence category are eligible to receive MSA's most prestigious awards including the Dr. Ronald Simpson Award, which includes a $5,000 cash prize.
Application Deadline Extended: Monday December 14, 2015
Be sure to watch our merit award application webinar for helpful guidance.
This award was established in 2009 and recognizes an outstanding magnet school leader who has succeeded in providing innovative programs that promote equity, diversity, and academic excellence for all students. This individual will be chosen from our of regional principals of the year.
To be selected as a regional magnet principal of the year, candidates must be nominated by their district level magnet director. School districts may only select one principal per year. Once nominated, candidates must submit a narrative application and recommendation letters.
Application Deadline Extended: Thursday, December 17, 2015
National Magnet School Teacher of the Year
The Magnet Teacher of the Year Award was established in 2010 and recognizes an outstanding full-time teacher who exemplifies excellence in the classroom and is acknowledged by their peers, parents, and students for their exemplary contributions made to their profession. This individual is chosen from a group of regional teachers of the year.
Regional teachers of the year are selected from MSA's eight regions through a competitive application process. To be chosen, candidates must first be nominated by their district level magnet director. Once nominated, they are
asked to submit a narrative application that describes their professional and educational background, teaching philosophy, community and family engagement efforts, and successes in the classroom.
Application Deadline Extended: Thursday, December 17, 2015
|
|
National Student Poster Contest
| |
|
| 2015 National Magnet School Student Poster Contest Winner
from BCPS.
|
As part of the celebration of National Magnet School Month in February, we are proud to sponsor our 10th Annual National Student Poster Contest. We encourage all elementary, middle, and high school magnet students to participate. Cash prizes will be given to the top posters in each grade level category.
Be sure to watch this instructive webinar featuring Gus Galluzzo from Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) to learn how his magnet program runs a district-wide competition to build excitement and participation in the poster contest.
BCPS has submitted the most winning posters and has come up with some creative ways to use these student works of art in their marketing and outreach materials.
Poster Submission Deadline:
Friday, January 15,2016
|
|
Welcome to the MSA Team
| |
We are proud to announce the addition of two new staff members to the MSA team. They are both passionate about magnet schools, improving public education, and helping advance the mission of our organization.
 Barbara Escobar is our new Membership Program Coordinator. She is a native from southern California and a magnet school alumni. Barbara is a researcher by training and is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. As part of her current research, she is interested in the study of policy as it relates to academic outcomes of students, particularly, in the STEM fields. Barbara's general interests are in K-12 education, science education and school finance. Prior to MSA, she served as a research associate for the Wisconsin Center for Educational Research, Wisconsin Equity and Inclusion Lab and the American Council on Education in Washington, DC.
Ms. Escobar received her BA in cognitive sciences from UC-Irvine and her M.Ed. from Harvard Graduate School of Education. She is committed to advancing the mission of MSA through evidence-based solutions in collaboration with our regional directors and school members.
You may reach Barbara via email at: barbara.escobar@magnet.edu
 Fawzia Ampaware is our new Administrative Assistant and provides support to our Director of Operations managing the activities of the national office. This includes overseeing all administrative duties related to membership and conferences. Ms. Ampaware graduated from Frostburg State University located in Maryland in 2014 with a B.S. in Biology and a focus area in pre-pharmacy.
While at Frostburg she worked for the Student Support Services Office and was a member of the Pre-med Society, Black Student Alliance, and Student Human Resource Management (SHRM). Ms. Ampaware shares the same vision as Magnet Schools of America and believes that everyone has the right to a high-quality education.
You may reach Fawzia via email at: fawzia.ampaware@magnet.edu
|
|
Upcoming Webinar
Sponsored by the National Institute for Magnet School Leadership
|
How to Create a Boundary-less Classroom that Promotes Student Development
December 9, 2015
1:00 p.m. EDT
This presentation will feature the 2015 National Magnet School Teacher of the Year, William Daniel from Boone High School in Orlando, Florida. For the past 23 years Mr. Daniel has served as the Director of Boone High School's National Academy of Finance Honors Magnet Program; an award winning program that has been recognized for its ability to teach and promote financial  literacy. Bill serves as the school's IRS Vita Site Coordinator and leads the Central Florida Educators' student-run federal credit union.
--------------------------
The National Institute for Magnet School Leadership has hosted numerous professional development webinars over the last two years. They can be viewed on our archives webpage by using the passcode: MAGWEB2015
|
| Magnets Making News |
Mancuso has led Design Architecture Senior High for 17 years, steering one of Miami-Dade's premier magnet schools to national recognition while nurturing a diverse cast of students who have gone on to become successful architects and performance artists, photographers and fashion designers.
When a child discovers an early passion for performing, it can quickly become an all-consuming interest beyond a mere hobby. Thanks to magnet programs, like Pebblebrook High School's Cobb County Center for Excellence in Performing Arts, students in metro Atlanta can have the opportunity to pursue their dreams of a performing arts career.
The Buffalo Public Schools - along with First Student, the district's transportation provider - are piloting a software application at six schools so parents can track their child's bus and its estimated time of arrival at the bus stop using a smartphone, tablet or other computer.
Bower, who teaches Advanced Placement U.S. history at John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School, said he has seen his students struggle with applying geography concepts to their everyday experience, losing interest as a result.
Students at Catherine Kolnaski Magnet School collected cardboard and other recyclables, teamed up to build "video games" that could be played in real life, then on Friday showed other students how to play the games in classrooms turned into "arcades."
Twelve-year-old Javier Brito-Diaz will gain firsthand experience in running his own business as he represents Lima schools in the Lima/Allen County Young Entrepreneurs Academy starting this week. Javier said his idea for a business is a clothing store that caters specifically to people around his age.
The program will begin with the addition of CTE tracks at Jefferson High School focused on advanced and bio-manufacturing. New CTE tracks include advanced welding; robotics and automation; engineering design and problem solving or engineering math.
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation recognized 13 Jackson-Madison County schools for their achievements in their wellness programs during a ceremony at the LIFT Wellness Center on Monday.
* Do you have exciting news to share about the magnet schools in your community? Please send them to: communications@magnet.edu
-------------------------------------
Stay Connected!
Donate to Magnet Schools of America
Using Organization ID#19411
 Schools Students Want. Schools Students Need.
MISSION: Providing leadership for high quality innovative instructional programs that promote choice, equity, diversity, and academic excellence
for all students.
|
|
|
|
