
Administrator Updates: ATH RIC
March 2025
March Administrator Newsletter
PLEASE COMPLETE THE SURVEY on PRAXIS PREP
Region 2 Curriculum Directors Meeting - April 10
- NEW LOCATION: Alabama School of Cyber Technology & Engineering (ASCTE)
- Address: 229 Wynn Dr. NW Huntsville, AL 35805
- Meeting Begins 9:00 am - We will tour ASCTE first and then conduct our meeting. Last session of PLU after lunch.
Follow Us On Social Media
Region 2 Requests Links
Remember, If you have specific professional learning needs please use the PD Request Form or if you need to reserve a learning space at the Regional Inservice Center or on the Athens State Campus, please use the Facility Reservations form.
Important Dates
NEW DATE & Location for Athens NORTH - Session # 4
- Thursday, March 13
- Sandridge Student Center Ballroom on the campus of Athens State University
ALEX Updates - NEW WEBSITE OVERVIEW (Virtual)
- Tuesday, April 8 (Virtual 3:30 - 4:00 pm)
- Register HERE!
- New Website
Social Studies Course of Study Sessions
- Monday, June 16: 8:00 - 11:00 (K-6)
- Monday, June 16: 12:00 - 3:00 pm (7-12)
- Both Sessions at the Athens RIC
Register for the 2025-2026 Powerful Learning Network (PLN)!
Registration Link Below
- Powerful Learning Network
- Peer Coaching Workshops
- In-District Professional Learning
Need APLDS Hours? Check out these ONLINE Courses
ALSDE Resources for Principals
Need Help with SRIPs and Student Plans? Check out Virtual Office Hours
- MTSS Virtual Office Hours - ALSDE Support
- Every 3rd Friday of each month at 10:30 am.
- Webex Link located in AL-MTSS Sway https://sway.cloud.microsoft/cPgdAqvQ26TWPCnL?ref=Link&loc=play
OMI - Mathematics
New Math APLDS Options
Christy Lockhart - Region 2 Math Specialist
CLAS - Upcoming Administrator PD
Maxwell Leadership Foundation's Leadership Series
ALSDE is excited to continue our partnership with the Maxwell Leadership Foundation to host the statewide Leadership Development Series as an important step to support our Alabama educators and staff. Leadership Development is based on John Maxwell’s renowned and proven leadership development content and – based on feedback gathered from educators who have previously participated in them –are times of meaningful conversation and real encouragement that foster strong, resilient relationships.
Led through discussion groups, Leadership Development is based on lessons in leadership values. Participants will learn about how transformational leaders live these values in their personal and professional lives. These lessons include a variety of topics designed to add to any leadership toolbox. The beginning of each session will briefly feature a special guest speaker. Then, participants will enter break-out sessions with fellow-educators from across Alabama to read the lesson together, discuss leadership values, self-evaluate, and goal-set.
All Alabama educators are invited to attend Leadership Development monthly to connect with teachers, district and school administrators, and state education leaders. Attendance is unlimited. Educators may register and join individually from their own devices.
Leadership Development will be held virtually from 3:30-4:30 p.m. CST on the following dates:
- 10/2/24 Teachability
- 11/6/24 Humility
- 12/4/24 Generosity
- 1/8/25 Priorities
- 2/5/25 Valuing People
- 3/5/25 Personal Growth
- 4/2/25 Adding Value
To register, click here.
CLAS 2025 Law Conference - March 6
Thursday, March 6, 2025 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Montgomery Marriott Prattville Hotel and Conference Center at Capital Hill
2500 Legends Parkway, Prattville, AL
The CLAS Law Conference is Alabama’s premiere education law event featuring presentations on the diverse legal issues impacting school and district administrators. Join respected experts in the field of school law and learn to navigate legal encounters with much greater knowledge. Do not miss this opportunity to sharpen your legal knowledge!
Member Non-Member
Pre-Registration before February 28$190$450
Registration after Februrary 28$250$498
Hotel Reservations: The Montgomery Marriott Prattville is full. Click here to view close-by hotels to book your room.
Cancellations: All cancellations must be received no later than February 27, 2025. Our commitment to delivering a successful event requires us to guarantee resources such as food, meeting space, and other resources in advance. If you do not attend the event or fail to cancel by the appointed date, you will be billed the full registration fee. We understand unforeseen circumstances can arise and advise you to contact us at events@clasleaders.org as soon as possible in the event you are unable to attend.
Special accommodation requests must be submitted to the Professional Learning office 30 days in advance of the event. Email requests to pd@clasleaders.org.
This conference is on the state approved list for APLDS hours.
Participation in this conference serves as a Phase I activity for the PLUs below. The conference can only be used on one PLU. Need PLU details? Click here!
504 Empower Hours
The Alabama Association of 504 Coordinators is hosting a series Empower Hours focusing on the many different legal aspects of Section 504. The webinars are designed for educators and administrations who want to gain a better understanding of the legal issues while supporting students with disabilities under Section 504.
$25 for CLAS/ALA504 Members
$50 for Non-Members
Registration includes the following sessions:
- February 13, 2025 - 11:00 am - 12:00 pm - Empower Hour #3
- May 8, 2025 - 11:00 am - 12:00 pm - Empower Hour #4
For those who are participating in PLUACLD1213, you must attend at least 3 of these sessions.
Questions? Contact help@clasleaders.org for assistance.
2025 CLAS Convention: June 8 - 11
- Lights, Camera, Leadership!
- Step into the Spotlight at the 2025 CLAS Convention
- June 8 -11, 2025 | Mobile, Alabama
- Register HERE
Spring 2025 Confererences
Alabama Association of Prevention Attendance & Support Services
AAPASS State Conference
March 11-14, 2025
The Battle House Hotel
26 North Royal Street | Mobile, AL 36602
Don't miss this opportunity to learn from and listen to speakers that will cover issues facing student support services! This conference will provide you with all the updates you need to better serve your students.
AAPASS Pre-Conference: Enhancing Attendance Management and Data Solutions
Join us for the AAPASS Pre-Conference as we dive into the critical issues surrounding student attendance and the tools that can help streamline tracking and management. This pre-conference event will feature two insightful sessions:
Tuesday, March 11th, Session 098 - 2:00-2:45
Attendance 101 Panel: This session will provide a comprehensive overview of effective attendance strategies and policies. Experts will discuss best practices, common challenges, and innovative approaches to improving student attendance across various educational settings.
Tuesday, March 11th, Session 099 - 3:00-3:45
PowerSchool & Attendance: Learn how to maximize the functionality of PowerSchool to enhance attendance tracking and reporting. This session will focus on the integration of PowerSchool with attendance systems, exploring how the platform can be used to streamline processes, improve data accuracy, and foster greater engagement with students and families.
Whether you are new to attendance management or looking to sharpen your skills, this pre-conference is designed to provide valuable insights and actionable strategies to optimize your school’s attendance system.
PowerSchool, Unified Insights, and Schoology
EL and SPED Professional Learning
Special Ed. Curriculum Resources
ARI & Literacy Resources
ARI December Newsletter
- February ARI Newsletter
- Leadership & Implementation Teams
- Data Informed Decision Making
- Universal Core Instruction (Writing)
- APT - Young Writers Contest
- Fluency
- ACAP Updates
- Unified Insights & Analytics Info (Resource Folder)
- SRIP Guidance including 4th Grade Implications
- Building a Better Sentence - PD
- LETRS Calendar & FAQ
- Neuhaus Structured Literacy Modules
- SoR Spotlight Schools
- Student Centered Coaching
- Family & Community Engagement (Fluency resources)
- Quick Links to Support District Leaders & Administrators
How to Create ATOT Accounts in Education Directory
DISCLAIMER Concerning APLDS PD Sessions
This APLDS professional learning experience requires a minimum of 10 registered participants to proceed as scheduled. If the minimum registration is not met, the session may be canceled.
Alabama Principal Leadership Development System
PowerSchool Professional Learning Guidance
- All Principal Act state-approved professional learning clock hours must be awarded through the PowerSchool Professional Learning platform under the Office of APLDS (Alabama Principal Leadership Development System) (ALSDE).
- For ACLD PLUs, participants must also register for the PLU course in PowerSchool Professional Learning to receive PLU credit.
- Look for the APLDS Name or LOGO to ensure the PD is Principal Act Approved.
Where To Find APLDS PD in PowerSchool
Principals and APs can find the state-approved list in PSPL the following ways:
- Search for “aplds” in Course Search (under Course tab)
- Click on the “Alabama Principal Leadership Development System (APLDS)” tag (under Course tab)
APLDS Stipends Requirements
Region 2 Request Links
Remember, If you have specific professional learning needs please use the PD Request Form or if you need to reserve a learning space at the Regional Inservice Center or on the Athens State Campus, please use the Facility Reservations form.
A+ Best Practices Center Peer Coaching Workshops - APLDS Approved PD
- Peer Coaching Registration
- Contact Dakota Punzel for more Information at dakota@aplusala.org or (205) 908-0059
MORE Administrator PLUs
Physical Education PLU
- ACLD PLU 1267: Positive Impact of Quality Physical Education on Academic Performance
- The Alabama State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (ASAHPERD) has developed a PLU for active superintendents, district administrators, and school administrators to increase their knowledge of quality physical education, what should be observed in a quality class, and how a quality program increases academic performance among students.
- Participants will learn the difference between physical education and physical activity and learn the appropriate standards for each grade level in physical education.
- Additional Information including Costs
- Register HERE!
Funding Summer Learning
- Braiding Funds to Maximize Student Outcomes in Summer Programs.
- Video from Dr. Molly Killingsworth
ARI Updates
- ARI Comprehensive Memo
- Neuhaus Structured Literacy Modules for PreK, K-12, and Higher Education COMING SOON!
- ARI Quick Links
Office of Student Learning
Math Nation - Algebra 1 Research Study
- Opportunity to utilize Math Nation curriculum materials.
- Platform Resources include: Study Expert videos (including Spanish-language), digital assessment tool, and intervention tool.
- Research Study is High School Algebra 1 ONLY.
- Schools join the study, not individual teachers.
- Participating teachers will get up to $1700 stipend.
- 2 Days of Mandatory PD, 4 additional optional PD days.
- For more information, contact Becca Phillips at Becca@MathNation.com
Emergency Certification Resources
PREP - Emergency Certificates, Long-Term Subs, and New Teacher On-Demand Training.
Counselors and PowerSchool SIS Staff
ALSDE Department Websites and Region 2 Specialists Contacts
CLICK THE DEPARTMENT ICON TO ACCESS THE WEBSITE!
AMSTI - Region 2
Assistant Director - Emily Byrd
ASIM - Region 2
Assistant Director - Emily Byrd
ARI
Ken Kirby - Regional Literacy Leadership Specialist (RLLS)
Kimberly Hargett - RLLS: Limestone, Hartselle, & Morgan.
Kim Goodwin - RLSS: Blount, Cullman City & Co. & Oneonta
Melissa Penley - RLSS: Athens City & Lawrence Co.
Tracie Howard - RLSS
Angela Richardson - RLSS
OMI
Christy Lockhart - Region 2 Math Specialist
Office of Student Learning
Principal Mentoring Act - APLDS
Dr. Anna Shepard-Jones - APLDS Specialist
Office of Instructional Services
- Dr. Brad Lewis - RIC Director (256) 233-6574 Brad.Lewis@athens.edu
- Deepa Manandhar - Program & Financial Assistant (256) 233-6576 Deepa.Manandhar@athens.edu
- Physical Location: 1115-A Hwy 31 Athens, AL