May Update

Dear AAESP Members,

First and foremost, I extend my deepest gratitude to all of you for your unwavering dedication. Your commitment to excellence in education has not only been the driving force behind our Association’s success but has also significantly impacted the lives of the students, educators, and communities you serve.

As another academic year draws to a close, I must reflect on our journey together. As an Association, it has been a year filled with challenges, triumphs, growth, and resilience. Legislatively, disappointments like the Veto of SB 140 have made it difficult to help our schools and districts move forward, however we have had success like HB 193. Our voices matter! I look forward to seeing what the Governor signs into law in the next few weeks. Other association celebrations are Chantel Black receiving the National Outstanding Assistant Principal of the Year Award, and Heather Conn receiving the National Distinguished Principal. They are fantastic principals and serve their school, district, and association at the highest levels.

You have all navigated unprecedented moments, adapting to new modes of learning, overcoming logistical hurdles, and prioritizing the well-being of our school communities. Your unwavering resilience and adaptability have been a beacon of light, inspiring those around you to persevere in the face of adversity. As you reflect on the past year, celebrate the milestones you have reached and the lives you have touched. Also, acknowledge the lessons you have learned and the areas where you can continue to grow and improve. Our work is never done, but it is through reflection and collaboration that we pave the way for a brighter future.

In closing, I want to express my heartfelt thanks for the privilege of serving as your President this past year. Working alongside such dedicated professionals has been an honor and a privilege, and I am grateful for the friendships and memories we have shared. As we bid farewell to another school year, let us do so with a sense of pride in all that we have accomplished together. May the summer bring rest and rejuvenation, and may we return in the fall with renewed energy and enthusiasm to continue our important work.

Wishing you all a safe and enjoyable summer break.

Warm regards,

Joshua Gill

President, Alaska Association of Elementary School Principals

Dear Principals,

As the school year ends, I want to thank each of you for your hard work and dedication to educating our students across the state. This year has been incredibly challenging, and each of you has risen to the occasion.

First and foremost, thank you for your unwavering commitment to our students, families, and communities. Your tireless efforts to ensure that every student receives a quality education are truly inspiring. Your dedication and professionalism have made a significant difference in the lives of countless young Alaskans.

I also want to express my appreciation for your advocacy work. You have been steadfast advocates for education, effectively communicating the realities of your schools to legislators. Your role as a trusted source of information for policymakers is invaluable, and your efforts have raised awareness about the critical need for education funding. The impact of flat funding on our schools is a significant concern, and your voices have been crucial in highlighting these challenges within our communities.

To those retiring or leaving, the Alaska Council of School Administrators (ACSA) extends our deepest gratitude for your service to Alaska's students. Your educational contributions have been immeasurable, and you will be greatly missed.

For those principals returning next year, we look forward to continuing our partnership in supporting your efforts to provide the best possible education for Alaska's students. Your dedication and hard work on behalf of our students are truly commendable, and we are grateful for your ongoing commitment.

As we approach the end of this school year, it is essential to remember that advocacy starts now for the upcoming year. I urge you to reach out to your legislators and engage with candidates in the upcoming election cycle. Building relationships with pro-public education legislators is crucial to advancing our policy goals when the 34th Alaska Legislature convenes in January of 2025.

During the summer, I hope you take the time to relax! You have earned a well-deserved break, and we hope you return in the fall feeling refreshed and ready to continue your important work.

ACSA expresses our deepest appreciation to all our principals for your incredible work this school year. Your hard work, dedication, and commitment to education have positively impacted the lives of countless students across Alaska.

Thank you, and we look forward to working with you in the future. Please let us know if our team can be of further assistance, we are here to serve!

Be well,

Dr. Lisa S. Parady

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Thanks to those who were able to join us this year for our monthly PK-12 Principal Meetings! We look forward to kicking off our meetings again next September and are also planning on having weekly drop-in meetings for members to connect and collaborate with one another. We look forward to seeing you in the fall!

Our 2024 Alaska Principals' Conference will take place September 26th, 27th, and 28th at the Sheraton Anchorage. Details are forthcoming and it will be a great event for all school leaders. Mark the dates down now and plan to attend!

Sectional Applications are Open!

If you are interested in presenting at the Alaska Principals' Conference, either during a sectional or roundtable, please complete the following form:

2024 Principals' Conference Sectional Application (google.com)

Please take a few minutes to complete the survey below regarding how AAESP can best provide support to you as we look to plan programming for the upcoming year. Thank you!

We invite you and your leadership team to our 16th Annual Alaska School Leadership Institute (ASLI), an educational conference designed for school and central office leaders.

Embracing the School Leader Paradigm as our guiding principle, this year's conference promises insightful discussions and productive planning sessions.

Our agenda is focused on empowering you to elevate your schools through a process of continuous improvement. We'll harness the power of the cycle of inquiry to examine past practices and learn how to more efficiently work as a team to chart a course for the future.

Join us at ASLI as we embark on a journey of "becoming while doing" --exploring ways to be a learning leader leading a learning organization.

ASLI is designed for leadership teams from rural and small schools, but school teams from anywhere in Alaska can participate. There will be large and small group sessions, time to learn with colleagues in our same role from other districts, plus dedicated time to work together as a school or district team.

The Alaska School Leadership Academy is accepting applications for their next cohort of early career school principals. This unique program is designed to provide early career principals in Alaska (in their 1st or 2nd year as lead or assistant principal) with a collegial cohort engaged in networking, skill building and mutual support across the state.

Applications are open until September 4th and can be accessed at either the above link or at: 2024-2025 Alaska School Leadership Academy (ASLA) Application (google.com)

If you, or someone you know, is in their first or second year of the principalship, please plan to apply. We are looking forward to again working with our early career principals this coming year, and have terrific sessions planned.

Contact Jennifer Rinaldi jrinaldi@alaskaacsa.org or Bridget Stark bstark@alaskaacsa.org if you have questions.

We will be kicking off our second year of BELA (Building Educational Leaders for Alaska) in the fall. This year's BELA group participated in leadership building sessions, leadership framework discussions and met with current principals and superintendents to learn more about the ins and outs of the jobs. We also offered support for those applying and interviewing for positions.

It is time again to gather names of teachers who are interested in becoming principals and of principals who may be interested in the superintendency and/or other district level leadership positions. This program is not a certificate program, but a way to support people as they start and/or complete programs and/or move into new or different leadership environments. We will offer leadership sessions and time with current state leaders to learn from and collaborate with.

We need your help in getting the word out! Take a minute to go to a teacher and let them know you believe in their leadership potential as a principal or other district leader. Let a principal know that you think the superintendency would be a great fit for him or her. The link below is a way to show interest and sign up to get more information. It would be great if you would help encourage our future state educational leaders. If you are reading this and think YOU would like to be part of BELA, add your name too!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfFuj_OXwKJHIW5mAeHB3axCImrTw1RngAT_SL_ha9U-H0OCA/viewform?usp=sf_link

NEW NEXT YEAR.. If you are already an educational leader in Alaska, we want to support you too! Our BELA program will include PD and cohorts for continued learning and growth for all administrators, no matter how long you have been in the job. Watch for more information about this in the fall or reach out to Jennifer Schmitz at JSchmitz@alaskaacsa.org.

Computer Science Connections

Dates: May 28-29, 2024 (Reg. closes May 20th)

Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Location: Anchorage Education Center

Target Audience: Grade 5/6 Teachers

No cost for class and no cost 1 optional UAA credit

Are your teachers out of time to add more to their teaching day? Integrate CS!

Learn how to integrate CS into math, science, language art, and social studies. This might be your solution to meeting the CS Standards.

Please feel free to reach out to Cheryl Bobo at cbobo@alasakacsa.org. for more information.

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions, concerns, or areas that your association can support you! -Jen

Email: jrinaldi@alaskaacsa.org
Website: www.alaskaprincipal.org
Location: 234 Gold Street, Juneau, AK, USA
Phone: 907.242.9989
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/akprincipals
Twitter: @alaskaprincipal