Magnet School Month | Legislative Update | Register for 2020 | In the News
Show Your Appreciation for Last Week of National Magnet School Month
February is our month to celebrate magnet schools! During the last week of National Magnet School Month, it's Show Your Appreciation Week.

Finish National Magnet School Month by taking time to show appreciation for the people that make your magnet school a success. Think of creative ways to say thank you to your principals, teachers, magnet coordinators, and staff.
Vote for Your Favorite Student Poster
MSA has narrowed it down to the top 5 ELEMENTARY, top 5 MIDDLE and top 5 HIGH school student posters. All we ask in closing out National Magnet School Month is for you to participate and place your votes.
Legislative Update
Last week, the White House released President Trump’s fiscal year 2021 budget request, which includes a proposed budget for the Department of Education.

As in previous years, the president’s budget proposes dramatic spending cuts to ED, seeking to reduce the total funding for the department by 8.4 percent. In addition, this year President Trump is proposing to consolidate all 27 funding streams under the Every Student Success Act (ESSA), including the Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP) into a single Elementary and Secondary Education for the Disadvantaged Block Grant, which would then be funded at $4.8 billion below the level at which all of the consolidated programs are currently funded.

The proposal is not expected to receive serious consideration in Congress, given that it would significantly upend K-12 funding only a few years since
Photo: Rachel Dawn Lincoln
Wake County Public Schools, North Carolina meeting with Congressman David Price during the 2020 Policy Training Conference.
changes made under ESSA have come fully into force. MSA is working with its members of Congress to remind them of the importance of MSAP as a separate funding stream, and to advocate on behalf of increased funding for the program for next year.
Pre-Con Session Line-up
Join Us For the Pre-Con Sessions on April 13

Secure your seat today and don't miss out on these "must see" pre-conference workshops, included in your MSA 2020 conference registration. Pre-con starts at 2 p.m. on Monday, April 13, so book your travel accordingly. Read more about the pre-con workshops below:

Built for schools. Designed for learning.
EXPAND YOUR TOOLS AND THEIR MINDS
Presented by HP Education Solutions, which offer students everywhere, all-the-time access to the content, curricula, and collaboration they need to enable true learning, delivering meaningful outcomes for themselves and their communities. 

Shining a Spotlight on Magnets and School Choice
Presented by National School Choice Week
National School Choice Week looks forward to participating in the Magnet Schools of America 2020 National Conference in Clark County, Nevada. As an independent public awareness effort designed to help families find schools that meet their children's needs, we are grateful to shine a positive spotlight on the effective, transformational work of America's magnet schools, along with other K-12 education options. Learn more.

Introducing Metacognition
Presented by Cambridge Assessment International Education
Metacognition strategies can boost students’ achievement. Research shows that effective use of metacognition strategies can have a positive impact on students’ achievement. This interactive workshop will introduce the different elements of metacognition and their potential to improve learning. We will try out some practical teaching strategies that encourage metacognition in K-12. Participants will also be provided with ways of finding out more about this important topic. Also, educators will share how metacognition strategies are used in their classrooms to improve student achievement. Learn more.

How to Let Students Drive Their Own Learning
Presented by SmartLab Learning by Creative Learning Systems 
In this hands-on session, educators will take on the role of learner as they experience SmartLab Learning—a five-stage framework that increases a student’s capacity through engaged, active, and social problem-solving. Learn more.
Is Your School a Certified Magnet School?
Applying for national certification raises the level of performance consistent throughout school districts nationwide and creates a platform from which all magnet schools can flourish. Magnet Schools of America’s national certification process is designed to recognize the hard work of the best magnet schools in the nation and to help them as they grow. In addition, the certification becomes invaluable to your marketing and ability to seek support for your school.

We are currently accepting applications for the next cohort of schools. Learn more. See what others say about the benefits of certification.
Congratulations to Our Regional Winners
2020 Regional Magnet Principal of the Year
REGION I
Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, The District of Columbia
Angela O’Dowd
PS 62- The Magnet School for Computer Science and Innovation
Theme(s): Computer Science
Grade(s): PreK-5
New York City Community School District 27 & 29
Queens, New York
 
 
REGION II
Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa, Marianas Islands and Trust Territory of the Pacific
Lori Conner
Carrillo Elementary Magnet School
Theme(s): Communication and Creative Arts
Grade(s): K-5
Tucson Unified School District
Tucson, Arizona
 
 
REGION III
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands
Lisa S. Noffo
Medical Academy for Science and Technology
Theme(s): STEM: BioMedical Sciences, iMed, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Physical Therapy
Grade(s): 9-12
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Homestead, Florida
REGION IV
Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, International
Dr. Kappy Steck
Forest Lake Elementary
Theme(s): NASA Explorer School (STEM) and Elementary Learning Collaborative (Accelerated Core Curriculum)
Grade(s): K-5
Richland School District Two
Columbia, South Carolina
 
 
REGION V
Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas
Candice Hartley
Baton Rouge Center for Visual and Performing Arts
Theme(s): Visual and Performing Arts
Grade(s): K-5
East Baton Rouge Parish School System
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
 
 
REGION VI
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin
Vanessa Martinez
Horace Mann Dual Language Magnet
Theme(s): Dual Language
Grade(s): K-8
Wichita Public Schools - USD 259
Wichita, Kansas
2020 Regional Magnet Teacher of the Year
REGION I
Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, The District of Columbia
David Viesto
The Aerospace/Hydrospace Engineering and Physical Sciences High School
Theme(s): Aerospace and Hydrospace Engineering
Grade(s): 9-12
Bridgeport Public Schools
Bridgeport, Connecticut
 
 
REGION II
Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa, Marianas Islands and Trust Territory of the Pacific
Athena Mertes
Thurman White Academy of the Performing Arts
Theme(s): Arts, Audio Video Technology, and Communications
Grade(s): 6-8
Clark County School District
Henderson, Nevada
 
 
REGION III
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands
Wayne Worthley
Redland Middle School
Theme(s): STEM: Agriscience and Robotics
Grade(s): 6-8
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Homestead, Florida
REGION IV
Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, International
Joshua Hunter
Moore Square AIG/GT Basics Magnet Middle School
Theme(s): Gifted and Talented/AIG Basics
Grade(s): 6-8
Wake County Public School System
Raleigh, North Carolina
 
 
REGION V
Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas
Kristin Bumgardner
Baton Rouge Magnet High School
Theme(s): Academic College Preparatory
Grade(s): 9-12
East Baton Parish Public School System
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
 
 
REGION VI
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin
Megan Heitkamp
Salk Middle School
Theme(s): Pre-Engineering STEM focus
Grade(s): 6-8
ISD 728
Elk River, Minnesota
Policy Training Conference Recap
The Policy Training Conference wrapped up on Feb. 7, after two days of engaging speakers and visits to Capitol Hill. The Policy Training Conference assists magnet school professionals in understanding the complex federal, state and local policy issues that influence magnet school programs. All photos courtesy of Rachel Dawn Lincoln.
John King, President of the Education Trust and former U.S. Secretary of Education had a fireside chat with MSA Executive Director Todd Mann about equity in education.
S.C. Congressman Joe Wilson with the South Carolina attendees at the Policy Training Conference after receiving the Champion of Magnet School Excellence Award!
Eugene Robinson, Pulitzer Prize-winning Columnist, The Washington Post and Political Analyst, MSNBC discussed race and diversity in the country.
Dr. Anna Hinton, Director, Parental Options and Improvement and
Jennifer Todd, Supervisory Education Program Specialist for the Office of Evidence Based Practices wrapped up the event.
Magnets in the News
A Bright Future Starts with New Haven Magnet Schools
A bright future starts with New Haven Magnet Schools. With specialized theme-based curriculums – like performing arts and science and technology– you can be sure to find the best fit for your child.  Read more.
Wake Hopes that Spanish and Chinese Language Magnet Schools can Compete with Charters
The Wake County school system will add three new magnet schools focused on teaching foreign languages in an effort to compete with charter schools and private schools for students. Read more.

Have a story you want to share with MSA members?
 Send along to communications@magnet.edu .

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e-Choice | February 2020