Massachusetts Elementary School Principals' Association
MESPA Monday Memo
May 29, 2017
From the Executive Director:
The Ayes Have It!

Last week, the MSSAA hit the magic number of 888 “yes” votes required to approve amending their Articles of Organization to accept elementary members and change the name of the association.   The vote paves the way for a unified PK-12 group to be called the Massachusetts School Administrators Association (MSAA).      

A huge thank you to MSSAA leadership and staff for their extra effort to get out the vote. This vote was the major hurdle on the road to unification. Those who voted were overwhelmingly in favor of the change. The challenge was just getting members to vote in sufficient numbers.   

Next up?  Constitutional changes related to the make-up of the Board of Directors.  These changes require approval of the MSSAA Board of Directors (scheduled for June 1st) and the Annual Meeting at the Summer Institute on July 27.  

Join Your New MSAA!

Membership Enrollment Forms
Current MESPA members should have received a letter in the US mail last week from MESPA and MSSAA leadership announcing the coming changes.   Membership enrollment forms are being prepared now and will be mailed out during the first week in June.  
Please note that this summer’s payment will be made to the Massachusetts Secondary School Administrators Association (MSSAA) because the new name (MSAA) will not take effect until after August 1st, 2017.   

Committees
Members will also have the opportunity to sign up to serve on a committee - a new way (for MESPA members) to get involved and connect with colleagues at all levels. A new Elementary Committee will plan professional learning and support opportunities geared toward elementary members.  Continuing committees include: Middle Level, Assistant Principals, Urban, Teaching & Learning, Educational Policies, Legislative, and Retired.  

Membership Dues
  • Dues for Active Membership remain the same ($300 for state) with the option to join our national association, NAESP for an additional $235. 
  • Retired membership will now be FREE!  NAESP Retired dues remain $60.
  What Else is New?
  • More than 80 Professional Development workshops discounted for you and your staff.  Sessions are of interest PK-12. The association is licensed and approved by DESE to award PDPs for all offerings.
  • A stronger voice for principals at the state level.
How Will Elementary Members Be Represented in the new MSAA?
The MESPA Board has submitted nominations for the following positions on the new MSAA Board:
  • 3rd Vice President (to become President in 3 years)
  • Two Elementary At-Large Representatives
  • NAESP Representative
The new Elementary Committee will elect a chair next fall who will also serve on the Board. Elementary members could be elected to chair other committees in the future.   I will serve as a part-time Assistant Director in the new association. Among my primary responsibilities will be to serve as a liaison to the Elementary Committee and to help facilitate the transition of our members into the new association.  

Join Your New MSAA
MESPA and MSSAA have worked together to pave the road to unification. The new MSAA will continue to provide the same member services and support that you have come to expect from MESPA, as well as opportunities to connect with colleagues from around the state through social media, blog posts, support groups and institutes/conferences.  

Thirty states across the country offer PK-12 associations. We are excited about the professional learning, services, advocacy and potential for growth that a unified PK-12 association will provide principals across the Commonwealth.   Join us today!

Rick Rogers
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
Excellence through Social Emotional Learning Network
  Excellence through Social Emotional Learning (exSEL) is looking for Massachusetts districts interested in joining a network focused on promoting social emotional learning (SEL) in schools. The exSEL coalition and its partners— The Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy, Teachers21, and Transforming Education—will work directly with teams of district leaders to: 
  • Design and implement SEL initiatives that advance student learning and success, starting with a focus on growth mindset;
  • Collect and analyze SEL data to better understand learning and inform decision-making;
  • Increase teacher engagement in and capacity for school and district efforts; and
  • Develop skills, structures, and policies that can sustain effective practices over time. 
  All Massachusetts school districts are eligible to participate in the exSEL Network. We are looking for a minimum one-year engagement. Districts are expected to contribute $5,000 per year to help offset the total cost of these services.  

To apply, please follow the format outlined in the request for applications form. Please notify us of your intent to apply by June 30. Applications are due July 31.