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Our work as principals and assistant principals is ever-changing and continues to evolve each year, and this year is no exception. The redesign of Virginia’s Accreditation and Accountability System and the proposed proficiency cut scores for SOL assessments require schools to adjust their approaches to strategically assess, monitor, and manage expectations for student achievement. [See commentary from Dr. Kathleen Smith here.] Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction Ms. Emily Anne Gullickson, a member of the VASSP board, continues to meet virtually with members every month to discuss important state education issues.
I want to take a moment to share with you some specific advantages of membership in VASSP as you address the challenges of your job. The full list of benefits can be found at www.vassp.org and www.nassp.org), including:
• Professional Growth: VASSP offers a wide array of professional development opportunities that are tailored to address the ever-evolving demands of educational leadership. These opportunities are designed to equip you with the latest strategies, best practices, and insights to effectively manage your school and drive its success. Our Institutional Membership, which includes school membership in both the Virginia Student Councils Association and the Virginia Association of Honor Societies, extends opportunities for professional growth to your SCA and honor society advisors as well.
• Advocacy and Support: The VASSP is committed to advocating for policies and
initiatives that directly impact our schools and students. As a member, you'll have the chance to contribute your voice to these efforts, ensuring that the concerns and needs of your school are represented at the state and national level.
• Research-Based and Peer-Tested Resources: Empower your decision-making and strategy with credible, research-backed tools and information, ensuring that your actions are both effective and well-informed.
• Recognition and Awards: Each year, the VASSP celebrates outstanding leadership and innovation through various awards and recognition programs. Your accomplishments deserve to be highlighted, and this platform can provide the acknowledgment they merit. With the Institutional Membership, your student council leaders can also achieve recognition for their efforts with the VSCA Achievement Award and other recognitions.
• Inspiration and Renewed Purpose: Engaging with a community of like-minded professionals can reignite your passion for education, remind you of your purpose as a leader, and inspire you to create meaningful, lasting change in your school environment. With the Institutional Membership, your SCA and honor society advisors will also be inspired to continue their work by networking and participating in our advisor programs.
• Protection, Security and Liability: The national association's in-dues professional liability insurance program affords members peace of mind. There are no premiums payable by members or their schools for this plan. The insurance policy provides professional liability coverage for claims filed against each eligible member of VASSP-NASSP. Each member gets their own $2 million liability coverage and up to $10,000 for the reimbursement of legal expenses incurred when a member is subject to a job-related, due-process proceeding. Membership also includes $5,000 accidental death benefit.
As I reflect on my own journey as a principal, I can confidently say that my involvement with the VASSP-NASSP has been nothing short of transformative. Through shared learning and collaboration, VASSP-NASSP empowers us to overcome any challenge and guide our schools toward a brighter future. VASSP offers several membership levels. The Institutional Membership is a popular choice among principals. Institutional Membership is owned by the school and includes a principal membership in VASSP and NASSP, school membership in the Virginia Student Council Association and Virginia Association of Honor Societies, and an Administrative Assistant Subscription. As we all know, administrative assistants are crucial to the success of a school. Purchasing this subscription allows VASSP to communicate with them directly on issues pertinent to their role in support of the principalship. In addition to the Institutional Membership, school leaders can choose a school-purchased Professional+ Membership or an individually purchased Professional Membership. You can join online via www.vassp.org. If you're already a member, THANK YOU for actively participating in one of the nation’s oldest state school principals’ associations! I encourage you to share this letter with any non-members you know, including aspiring administrators in your school division’s leadership pipeline, and invite them to join VASSP-NASSP.
If you have any questions about membership or would like to learn more about how to get involved, please do not hesitate to contact our state association CEO Dr. Randy Barrack, 804.355.2777, rbarrack@vassp.org or contact me. I can be reached via email at mpatterson@nps.k12.va.us or by phone at 757.892.3230. Together, we can achieve great things for our students and our schools.
Wishing you a fantastic school year!
Sincerely,
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