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Magnet Schools of America Newsletter
e-Choice
May 2014
Another for the Record Books!
Giant puppets helped create a festive mood at the end of conference party held at the CT Science Center.
The national conference in Hartford wasn't like any we've ever had. Not only did we kick off the event with a keynote address by 17 year old Adora Svitak and four other local high school students, over 200 parents attended the conference for the first time. We played like kids at the CT Science Center, observed the 60th anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education decision, recognized magnet school excellence through our awards program, and hosted workshops in magnet schools across the region. Everyone will remember the student performances featuring drumming, rapping, dancing, string instruments, ukuleles, scenes from the Wizard of Oz, and much, much more! 

If you enjoyed the Hartford conference, just wait to see what we have planned for 2015 in Raleigh, NC (April 23-26). The home of Bluegrass, great North Carolina BBQ, and some of the best magnet schools you will ever see. 
Adora Svitak leads a discussion on the power of listening to student voices to enhance learning. 
 
Not only is Wake County home to the 2014 Simpson Award winner, Combs Leadership Academy, but a district long known for promoting equity and diversity through their district magnet schools. We will celebrate their legacy by recognizing alumni from across the nation who have attended magnet schools, as well as learn from their model of inclusive Gifted & Talented academic magnets.
 
On behalf of everyone at MSA, we want to thank everyone who made MSA Hartford 2014 a fantastic success! 

A.B. Combs Wins Simpson Award
A.B. Combs Principal, Muriel Summers Accepts the Donald R. Simpson Award during the 32nd National Conference.

During the national conference MSA announced the recipients of its national merit awards. The A.B. Combs Leadership Magnet Elementary in Raleigh, NC was named the recipient of the Dr. Ronald P. Simpson Distinguished Merit Award. This award is given annually to the nation's top magnet school and commemorates the organization's founding member, Dr. Ronald P. Simpson. It also includes a $5,000 cash prize sponsored by American Education Solutions, Inc. 

"We are honored to give our highest merit award to A.B. Combs," said Executive Director, Scott Thomas. "It's the only magnet school to earn the Simpson award on two separate occasions in our organization's history." The school also received the award in 2006. "A.B. Combs earned this recognition because it is a model magnet school that reflects the values, mission, and pillars of Magnet Schools of America."

Combs Leadership Magnet Elementary School is part of the Wake County Public School System and integrates the philosophies of Dr. Stephen Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. The vision of this leadership model is evident in all that happens at A.B. Combs, from student-led conferences to student-written speeches and student goal-setting. Its elements and principles have been replicated in over 1,400 national and international schools. In 2008, Dr. Steven Covey captured the success and impact of A.B. Combs in his book, The Leader in Me, making A.B. Combs a household name.
 
In addition to the Simpson Award, MSA also announced the recipients of its other top national merit awards.
  • Advanced Technologies Academy (Las Vegas, NV) received the Dr. Donald Waldrip Award, which is named after MSA's first Executive Director.
  • Pathways Academy of Technology and Design (Hartford, CT) received the American Education Solutions, Inc. Secondary Magnet School of Merit Award.    
  • Collinswood Language Academy (Charlotte, NC) received the DKH Consulting Services, Inc. Elementary Magnet School of Merit Award.    
  • Diamond Path Elementary School of International Studies (Apple Valley, MN) received the Presidents Merit Award of Magnet School Excellence.     
  • High School, Inc. (Hartford, CT) received the inaugural Jeffrey N. Stein National Career Academy Coalition Award, sponsored by Judith Stein.    
  • Roland Park School for International Studies (Tampa, FL) received the New & Emerging Magnet School of Merit Award (Whole School), sponsored by Hogan Lovells, LLC.  
  • Legette Blythe Elementary School (Charlotte, NC) received the New & Emerging Magnet School of Merit Award (Program within a School), sponsored by Hogan Lovells, LLC.    

Nearly 300 public magnet schools applied for merit awards this year making 2014 especially competitive. To see a full list of the 2014 awardees including Schools of Excellence and Distinction, please visit www.magnet.edu  

 

National Principal of the Year

American Education Solution's David Kikoler and Elaine Rosales (L) present Adrianne Leal (Center) with the National Principal of the Year Award along with 2013 Principal of the Year Katie Decker and Executive Director Scott Thomas (R)

 

Congratulations to Adrianne Leal from Coral Reef Senior High School in Miami, Florida for being named the 2014 National Principal of the Year. Adrianne has been the principal of Coral Reef for the last ten years, which is known as Miami's "mega magnet." It features six unique magnet academies including Agriscience and Engineering Technology, 
Business and Finance, International Baccalaureate (IB), Legal and Public Affairs, Medical and Health Sciences, and Visual and Performing Arts.

 

Ms. Leal's leadership and philosophy is evident in the success of her students. Coral Reef graduates 99 percent of its seniors who overwhelmingly transition to post-secondary education. The school has received national recognition by the College Board for having the largest number of African American and Hispanic students succeeding in Advanced Placement (AP) classes. Last year alone, Coral Reef administered 3,900 AP exams with a 57% passing rate. In 2013, it was ranked number 13 in U.S. News and World Report's Best High Schools.

 

"Adrianne was selected from a group of very talented and dedicated magnet school principals," said Executive Director, Scott Thomas. Her school is nationally recognized and offers many challenging academic programs that provide students with the necessary knowledge, skills and opportunities they will need to succeed in life."  

 

National Teacher of the Year

2014 National Magnet School Teacher of the Year, Ron Hustvedt, Jr.
We are proud to announce that Ron Hustvedt, Jr. from Salk Middle School is the 2014 National Teacher of the Year. 
Mr. Hustvedt is a Middle Grades Social Studies Teacher in the Elk River Area School District in Minnesota. He has been teaching for 16 years.

During his time at Salk Middle he helped create a dynamic new magnet program that challenges and supports students. He is credited for helping integrate the humanities with the school's S.T.E.M. theme and making its History Day competition a school-wide success.

Among his many accomplishments, Ron was appointed by the Governor of Minnesota to serve on the Minnesota Social Studies Review Committee where he coordinated the state's K-12 historical inquiry standards.

In addition, he has been a pioneer in his district on the use of "flipped classroom" teaching methods and has presented on technology-based instructional practices in social studies and history. 

"Mr. Hustvedt is so deserving of this award," says parent Korrine
Rademacher. "His love of teaching shows through in every fiber of his being. He awakened a new appreciation of history for our 6th grade son. Mr. Hustvedt is a shining example of a true educator; it is obvious he loves his career!"

Student Poster Contest Winner

Thank you to all the students, teachers, schools and districts who participated in the 8th annual national student poster contest. Online voting for the top posters from the elementary, middle and high school levels took place in February 2014 as part on National Magnet School Month. 
 
Based on these votes, this year's poster contest winner is Isabella Lytle, seventh grade student at Sudbrook Magnet School in Baltimore, MD. Her school is part of Baltimore County Public Schools. 
 
Congratulations Emily for submitting such a beautiful poster that helps us celebrate magnet schools!
New Leadership Takes Helm
MSA's new president Doreen Marvin (R) with Executive Director, Scott Thomas (L) during the national conference.

During our annual business meeting held at the national conference, Doreen Marvin assumed her new role as President of Magnet Schools of America. Similarly, Sara Wheeler began her new position as President-Elect of the organization. 
 
Doreen Marvin is the Director of Development at LEARN in Old Lyme, CT. LEARN is a Regional Educational Service Center (RESC) for southeastern Connecticut, which provides a wide-range of training and education services to individuals and organizations.  

Doreen has been a longtime leader within MSA and has served as Region I Director and Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee. She will serve as President for a two-year term and will be a key spokesperson and strategic leader for our organization. 

 

New President Elect Sara Wheeler

Sara Wheeler has 40 years of experience in the field of education and is employed by District Five of Lexington and Richland Counties in Irmo, South Carolina. She will serve as President-Elect for a two-year term and will become MSA's next President in 2016. Sara has served as Region IV Director of Magnet Schools of America for the last several years and has been involved with the organization in a variety of capacities. 

 

We are very happy to have both of these tremendous leaders at the helm of our organization for the next four years. We are confident their knowledge, experience, and vision will help elevate MSA to new heights.

 

New Regional Directors Elected

 

On the first day of the national conference four new regional directors were elected by members of MSA during regional meetings. These individuals will serve on the board of directors and will be responsible for representing their respective regions at the national level. The new regional directors include:

 

Region 2: Bryan Stoll, Baltimore County Public Schools, Baltimore, MD

 

Region 4: Dr. Kim Morrison, Mount Airy City Schools, North Carolina

 

Region 6: Pamela Sherley, Chicago Public Schools, Chicago, IL 

 

Region 8: Dr. Ginger Cole, Los Angeles Unified School District, CA

 

Magnets in the News

  
A.B. Combs Leadership Elementary School was named the top magnet school in the country by the Magnet Schools of America on Friday at its annual conference. A.B. Combs is the first magnet to twice win the Dr. Ronald P. Simpson Distinguished Merit Award, named after the national nonprofit group's founder. The school also won in 2006.

 

 

A Midlands educator has been named the president-elect of Magnet Schools of America. Sara Wheeler was sworn in to her new role last week at the Magnet Schools of America's annual conference in Connecticut. 

 

 

For the first time ever, Connecticut is hosting the annual conference of Magnet Schools of America, and on Friday, magnet schools from southeastern Connecticut got a chance to show off.

 

 

When I was hired in 2002 as the Principal of Normal Park Museum Magnet School in Chattanooga, Tenn., the school was in crisis - with failing test scores, a dilapidated building, and low enrollment. My job was to transform the school into a museum magnet school.

 

 

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Connecticut Education Commissioner Stefan Pryor, Gov. Dannel Malloy and both of Connecticut's U.S. senators listened to graduating seniors at University High School of Science and Engineering, a magnet school at the University of Hartford.
 
Magnet Schools Morphing into Museums
 
A Hollywood elementary school will morph into a museum on Wednesday - its hallways becoming exhibition corridors; its students turning into docents.

 

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