Welcome back to another exciting year full of potential in the world of Alternative Education. In connecting with some of you, the consensus is this summer just flew by, and many of us are finding things are still going strong as we start the 2023-24 school year. In times like these, I see the benefit of our MAAP organization. As members of one of the nation's premier alternative education organizations, please do not hesitate to reach out to your fellow members for advice, encouragement, and validation. We are a strong group of educators as diverse as the students we serve, and one of our biggest strengths is the combined experience and compassion we have for each other. Please do not hesitate to tap into this when needed.
There are a lot of new opportunities out there for Alternative programs this year. Thanks to a lot of hard work last year by many of our MAAP STARS students and advisors, we have a significant grant to support schools participating in MAAP STARS programs. There is also a new grant promoting service-learning programs in schools. The specifics for both of these grants are being worked out, and more details will be sent out as soon as we have them.
I want to give a personal shout-out to De Musselman. A man who, for years, has impacted many lives in the MAAP community was recognized by his hometown of Faribault with a Lifetime Achievement Award. It is a well-deserved honor for such a humble man who has touched many lives.
MAAP has several significant events this fall, and I encourage you to take advantage of them. MAAP 101 for new educators to the alternative education world is an excellent networking opportunity. MAAP STARS Fall Leadership Conference is a wonderful overnight opportunity for your MAAP STARS student leaders to learn and develop your local programs.
Finally, welcome back; the positive impact on so many young lives searching for inspiration and education would not be possible without you. Thank you for that.
See You In Mankato February 7-9th!!
MAAP STARS Information
Hope you're all enjoying making preparations to greet your SY '23-24 students and planning to get a MAAP STARS Chapter off to a GREAT start too!! This is the PERFECT year to be involved in STARS because MAAP is fortunate to have been given grant money from our State Legislature to help increase the number of schools/programs who are involved in MAAP STARS. We're hoping you will reach out and encourage others in your MAAP Region to join this awesome youth organization. We will hold three state-wide events and hope that Regions will plan STARS Chapter events too to build more camaraderie with other schools.
MAAP STARS STATE-WIDE EVENTS SY' 2023-2024 ~
OCTOBER 5 & 6, 2023 STARS FALL LEADERSHIP Conference @ Lake Beauty Camp in Long Prairie. You can send up to 5 students who demonstrate leadership potential with an STARS Advisor or two. They'll participate in team building and leadership training sessions. They'll elect a new STARS Officer Team and learn how to run a STARS Chapter and encourage their peers to join up!
MAAP’s Youth Organization, MAAP STARS, is holding a two-day conference for Students and STARS Advisors. Each school/program may bring up to five students who demonstrate leadership abilities. We focus on developing a team of students who will be leaders back at their school and help motivate other students to get involved in MAAP STARS activities. The Students and Advisors stay together as a team throughout the workshops. The STARS members also elect their leadership team for the school year. Everyone learns more about the STARS (Success-Teamwork-Achievement-Recognition-Self-esteem) organization and how it fulfills its mission: WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Please consider joining MAAP STARS this school year. You can find out more details and registration forms at this link:
https://tinyurl.com/MAAPSTARSFall2023
February 21, 2004 STARS LEGISLATIVE DAY at the State Capitol, House & Senate Buildings in St. Paul. Each member school sends a group of student leaders with their STARS Advisor(s) to St. Paul to meet with their Legislators. This is a chance for students to share about their school experiences with legislators as well as see how their state government works firsthand.
APRIL 25 & 26, 2024 STARS SPRING EVENTS Conference in Mankato. Students have the opportunity to demonstrate artistic, career, and life skills they have developed. There's a variety of competitive and demonstration events to choose from. This is the culminating activity that touches on all the aspects of what MAAP STARS is about: Success-Teamwork-Achievement-Recognition & Self-esteem!
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