We're pleased to announce the launch of  MSA Magnet Advantage , a program which offers members-only discounts on computers, office supplies, insurance, shipping, and more. Starting today, you can begin using your discounts and enjoying immediate savings. We'll also be sending you emails with special promotions to increase your savings opportunities.

Second, we've launched a targeted, Magnet-only jobs board! While both members and non-members can post jobs, members will receive a significant discount. With this feature, you can fill and find positions quickly, thanks to our search functionality and resume database access. Moreover, your postings can be distributed across other education job boards at your discretion.

We hope you will take advantage of these two new MSA member benefits!

 

With outstanding academic performance and a focus on curiosity and innovation, Glacier Hills Elementary School of Arts & Science (GHESAS) is one of the best magnet schools in the country. Glacier Hills uses science and mathematics, technology and multimedia arts to create the collaborative atmosphere essential to cultivating deeper learning experiences for its students. At GHESAS, students are prompted to ask questions and take risks through its inquiry approach, which encourages students to engage through application. As one of Magnet Schools of America's 18 national demonstration schools, this Eagan, Minnesota magnet school embraces the core missions of diversity and inclusion to prepare its young students to thrive in a global society.

Originally established in 1993, GHESAS became a magnet school in 2007 to attract students from beyond the traditional neighborhood attendance zone and improve the school's performance. In the ten years since, Glacier Hills' population has doubled - it now boasts 760 bright students from a wide array of backgrounds. Once a school that was often overlooked, GHESAS has transformed into an in-demand center of learning, with a waiting list that has doubled over the past four years.

Glacier Hills thoroughly embodies MSA's belief that diversity is a central pillar of what makes a strong magnet school. Fifty-two percent of the school's population are students of color, and a remarkable 48 languages are spoken by the student body. The school's demographic makeup reflects the realities of our modern global world, and provides students with the many known benefits of learning in a diverse classroom.

In addition to GHESAS' academic focus, the school has social justice standards that foster tolerance and acceptance among people from many different backgrounds. GHESAS' curriculum is inclusive and culturally responsive to the school's growing and diverse student population. Keep Reading >>

Healthy Hands Cooking had the pleasure and privilege of teaching more than 500 elementary students the importance of nutrition, gardening  and healthy food preparation by aligning HHC Kids Club educational wellness materials with current Science Units of Study for Kindergarten to 5th grade at Dutch Fork Elementary School in Irmo, SC. Students used various hands-on activities to learn about solar energy, conservation, recycling, mixtures, solutions, graphing, heat energy, and more through a variety of tasty experiments and delicious garden goodies!

"HHC is the whole package that includes health, skill sessions, current units of study and state standards with S.T.E.A.M components, recipe planning, measurement, use of what is growing in our gardens and food safety. The learning opportunities are endless and the kids are just so engaged! Every time I see kids in our hallway they ask when we're going to cook again. I look forward to continuing with this program in the future." 

- Amy Umberger, Resident Scientist, Magnet Theme Coordinator,
 Dutch Fork Elementary School

"Dutch Fork Elementary is an Environmental Sciences Magnet School whose mission is to develop students who care about the world they live in and express critical thinking through natural curiosity and wonder. The mission of HHC parallels our school efforts. We believe HHC will greatly enhance school programs that have a genuine interest in helping students to use the language and tools of both farmers and chefs in making healthy food choices".

- Julius Scott, Principal, Dutch Fork Elementary School

President Signs Budget Deal for FY 2019

In an impressive victory for MSA and the magnet school community, the United States Congress and the President agreed to a final budget deal that funds the U.S. Department of Education for fiscal year 2019. The agreement includes $105 million for the Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP). This sustains the $7.35 million increase to the program that was provided last year.

The agreement also carries with it a significant shift on the use of federal funds for student busing to combat segregation. The bill eliminates a decades-old legislative rider that prohibits the use of federal funds for transportation costs for school desegregation. MSA worked with the National Coalition on School Diversity to ensure that this outdated anti-busing provision from the 1970s did not prevent current MSAP grantees from using their funding for school transportation as authorized under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

This change will allow at least seven current MSAP grantees to continue with their plans to provide federally supported transportation services to students that wish to attend a new magnet program. Without outreach by our members and active representation by MSA in the halls of Congress, this legislative victory could not have been accomplished!

For nearly 20 years, the Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Conference has gathered the most dynamic and creative education professionals from around the world to share best practices. Its impact has been felt by thousands of districts, schools, educators - and ultimately students. Sharing best practices is a collaborative process - helping our colleagues and sharing what we know works can help not only our teaching practices, but our students' results.

If you are a principal looking for evidence based practices to better engage students, improve school culture, improve active teaching, use data to drive and improve instruction, integrate technology and increase student achievement for ALL students, this is the conference for you! 

Your colleagues at the Blue Ribbon Ribbon Schools of Excellence Conference may come with different experiences and expertise, but they share your challenges and goals. Join us for 3 or 4 days of collaboration, innovation and learning, and discover new ways to spark change in your schools and classrooms with evidence based practices.

Our host hotel, The Disney Yacht and Beach Club has sold out, but educators are booking at the Swan and Dolphin hotel next door.