From the President -Greetings!  Like many of you, I am involved in the MI-LIFE program and have found the sessions and lessons invaluable.  This month I have asked Jane Perzyk from MI-LIFE to share with us some advice on using technology to make life a little bit more manageable.  Read on >

Dear Members -I know you are all extra busy this time of year, as we are at the MEMSPA offices. There is so much going on it is difficult to know where to start. I’ll bullet some of the information in an effort to make it easier to read: Read on >

The Reading Principal - Bill Rich, MEMSPA Past President and principal of McFall Elementary School with the Thornapple Kellogg Public Schools, will share his love of reading to students with MEMSPA members in a regular article titled, The Reading Principal.  In each article, Bill will share a favorite book that has been “field tested” with elementary students. This month, Bill discusses Petite Rouge by Mike Artell.
Read on >

Conference Update - The MEMSPA 83rd Annual State Conference will take place December 1-3 in Kalamzoo, Michigan. We have lined up all of our general session speakers, and this promises to be a conference you MUST attend. Our speakers this year are Dr. David Walsh, Dr. George Sugai, and Dr. Debbie Silver.  Read on>

Under the Dome -We in the education community often assert that an issue should be off limits because it violates the premise of local control.  Whether it’s a mandate that the Legislature hands down concerning fitness policy or testing requirements from the federal government, education is subject to many mandates and policy changes from our state legislature and Congress and sometimes these mandates make us uneasy as they take away a local district’s ability to make local decisions.
Read on >

Retiree Corner - This section of the newsletter this month focuses on events and information for retiree members or members considering retirement in the near future.  Read on >

Golf Outing - Don't forget, the MEMSPA School's Out Golf Outing is on Friday, June 20, in Mason, Michigan.  This year, the region with the highest percentage of participants will be awarded the use of the Up-John Suite at the Kalamazoo Radisson for a two hour region hospitality.  Don't miss this chance to network with colleagues from around the state.  Register >

A Mission of the Heart - Leaders in High-Needs Districts Talk about What It Takes to Transform a School.  What does it really take to transform a troubled school into one where students thrive?  What do principals actually do during the school day?  What traits and skills do they consider essential to turning a struggling school around? 
Read on >

Update from Dubai - MEMSPA Member Deb Wolf is in the middle of an exciting adventure working to grow instructional leadership with administrators in schools in Dubai.  Follow this link to read the latest tales of her travel and experience.  Read on >

NAESP National Convention -

Paul Wenger, Iowa | Annette Erickson, MEMSPA | Mark White, Wisconsin | Susan Townsend, Michigan

Many members of MEMSPA made it out to the National Association of Elementary School Principal's annual convention in Nashville, TN.  There, Zone 6 was well represented by members from Michigan, Iowa, and Wisconsin.

Article Submission - Have you ever read an article from a magazine, newsletter, or other source and thought, "I should pass this along to others,"? If you come across an article or have a story worth passing along to your colleagues, please contact Peter at peter@memspa.org.