Message from FADSS CEO Bill Montford |
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FADSS 2023 Spring Conference Brought Meaningful Conversations and Connections
It was wonderful to see so many superintendents at the FADSS 2023 Spring Leadership Conference last week. I heard very positive feedback about the conference, and truly hope that it provided you with the professional development that you are seeking given the increased challenges associated with running a public school district.
I applaud your commitment to public education and your willingness to serve the students, teachers, administrators, school-based staff, and ultimately your community.
We need to continue to build upon the conversations, connections, and camaraderie that was ignited during the FADSS 2023 Spring Conference. While there may be differences of opinion, I firmly believe that the strength of our association is, and has always been, grounded in the commonality of this valued and meaningful profession.
Florida superintendents are and have always been stronger together, and I thank each of you for your commitment to public education, your colleagues, and FADSS.
I also want to take a moment to thank FADSS Business Partners, both our Annual Partners that support the association year-round and our Associate Partners. The support of our business partners enables FADSS to further enhance our conference offerings and connects you and your school district with the best education-related products and services. FADSS is extremely proud of our business partner program, and I appreciate your active participation in the Business Partner Showcase and networking opportunities with our partners. You can download the business partner directory HERE.
And once again I want to acknowledge the FADSS staff for successfully executing another stellar FADSS Conference. The seamless flow of the conference is a testament to the hard work that happens both “behind the scenes and onsite.” It is this attention to detailed planning and implementation that makes certain a FADSS conference is always a huge success!
Lastly, be on the lookout for information about FADSS upcoming Regional Meetings and as always, if I or any member of the FADSS staff can be of assistance, do not hesitate to reach out to us.
Yours in Education,
Bill Montford
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"Do the best you can until you know better.
Then when you know better, do better."
- Maya Angelou
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Spring Conference Highlights
By Katrina Figgett, Director of Training
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Dr. Sameer Hinduja: Preventing and Responding to Social Media Misuse: The Superintendent’s Role
The FADSS 2023 Spring Conference got off to a great start with a keynote presentation from Dr. Sameer Hinduja, Co-Director of the Cyberbullying Research Center, and Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Florida Atlantic University. Dr Hinduja addressed both the positive and negative aspects of social media and covered appropriate responses by schools to online bullying of students, both in and out of school, including the importance of documentation and video and screen shot recordings. He reminded the audience that although the US courts are supportive of First Amendment free speech rights, expressions that disrupt learning, interfere with school discipline and the educational mission, and threaten other students are not protected and require intervention. Most importantly he discussed creating a school climate that empowers students to help themselves and others by building digital resilience and encouraging counter speech.
More information about cyberbullying, including specific resources for educators, parents, and students and be found at https://cyberbullying.org/.
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Supt. Addison Davis: Closing Achievement Gaps and Improving Student Outcomes
Addison Davis, Hillsborough County Schools Superintendent, gave one of the many excellent presentations on the second day of conference. Supt. Davis’s passion for teaching and learning shone through as he spoke about how the Hillsborough school district has implemented an aggressive series of reforms that have moved it from 35th in the state to 19th. A major part of those reforms has been the development of a shared vision of excellent instruction and theory of action that empowers all students to learn and succeed. The district has codified this in Four Principals of Excellent Instruction that define what best practices in classroom teaching look like in the core content areas.
The district has also put in place a college student fellowship program to ultimately aid in the recruitment of high quality teachers and continues its push to have leaders, teachers, and support staff provide direct support for teaching and learning rather than using a leadership-coaching design. The hiring of a data strategist and Response to Intervention facilitator have further created support systems that relieve teachers and leaders from time spent in data mining and administrative paperwork.
As the district looks to the future the focus is moving to address the wellbeing of all stakeholders, engaging and motivating learners through expanded offerings, particularly in CTE, and continuing to expand involvement from parents and the community, and to grow and leverage public-private partnerships.
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Student Voice – Santa Rosa and Duval County School Districts
Rounding out a great conference Dr. Karen Barber, Superintendent Santa Rosa, and Dr. Diana Greene, Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) Superintendent, presented on how their districts are listening to students and strengthening student engagement. Dr. Barber talked about the development of their strategic plan with its focus on student engagement and support to enable all students to reach their highest potential. To that end, she shared more about their district success in implementing broadcast classrooms to provide students with a variety of educational opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable (for a more extensive writeup please see the District Highlight in the FADSS August 12, 2022 enewsletter). Dr. Barber also discussed their Student Advisory and Safety Councils that started in 2019. Facilitated by the district’s Director of Safety and Directors for Middle and High School secondary students meet and can voice their concerns and ideas related to school safety.
Dr. Greene shared about Duval’s JAGS (Jacksonville Association of Governing Students) program. This program, which began in 2016, is an exploratory and immersive experience that connects young leaders to a diverse number of stakeholders throughout the community with the hope of empowering and engaging them to become stewards of the city.
Students in grades 9-12 are eligible for membership if they serve in an elected or nominated position in their school and are nominated to JAGS by their relative school principals. The JAGS program allows DCPS students representation on district committees including the dress code, the student code of conduct and mental health awareness committees. They also provide input to the superintendent, school board and district staff. Part of the responsibility of the group is working to hear from all student peers and to bring their thoughts and feelings to the various committees. The JAGS also undertake research on topics to present at school board meetings and to the Duval City Council, and ultimately facilitates students and adults coming together to address the needs of the community. An observed benefit is that the institutional nature of the advisory group allows students to engage with the district on issues that might otherwise be the subject of a walk-out demonstration or student-led protest rally.
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Dr. Greene participates in a JAGS discussion with DCPS students, listening to their concerns and suggestions. |
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FADSS Superintendent's Administrative Assistant Training Set for April |
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FADSS is excited to announce that this year’s Institute for Professional Assistants to Education Leaders (PAEL) is set for April 5-7, 2023, in Tampa.
PAEL is specially designed for, and by, Administrative Assistants/Secretaries to Superintendents and/or School Boards, along with anyone who supports that administrative role. Participants will share and discuss best practices, learn from colleagues through conversations about the most pressing challenges and issues school districts face, and network with colleagues around the state to build a support system that can serve as a resource throughout the year.
Registration will be going out within the next week, and we hope every superintendent will encourage their Administrative Assistant/Secretary to attend this valuable professional development opportunity.
If you have any questions, please contact FADSS Staff Assistant Renae Wallace.
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Registration Deadline for
"Launch to Learning STEM meets CTE" Event is March 1
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FADSS is pleased that due to our continuing relationship with Blue Origin Club for the Future and the Northeast Florida STEM2Hub, we are able to bring a second “Launch to Learning” event to fruition. The one-day event will be held on Friday, March 31st at the Blue Origin Manufacturing Complex.
The deadline date of March 1 to register is quickly approaching and you will not want to miss out on this unique, one-of-a-kind opportunity. This event will build on last’s year’s educational opportunity with a focus on Career Technical Education (CTE) and provide an even closer behind the scenes view of the Blue Origin manufacturing facility, which will include a unique opportunity to tour the High Bay and talk to the engineers working on the rocket components.
PLUS.. Attendees will also be able to board a New Shepard crew capsule which will be on site.
PARTICIPANT REGISTRATION:
Registration is open to Florida District School Superintendents, District CTE Directors, CTE Supervisors, Deputy Superintendents of Curriculum, and/or Chief Academic Officers, a maximum of 2 participants per district. Again – the key focus is CTE and we strongly encourage participation of the individual in your district overseeing CTE.
Registration information was sent out earlier this month and the deadline to register is Friday, March 1st. If you need the registration information resent to you or have questions about the event, please contact Katrina Figgett.
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Thank you to FADSS 2023 Spring Leadership Conference Business Partners |
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Be sure to follow FADSS on Twitter [@PublicSchoolSup] and tag FADSS in your district tweets so we can share the great stories and happenings in Florida public schools across our state!
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Florida Association of District School Superintendents
208 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32301
850.577.5784
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