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The 10 Common Principles
Learning to use one's mind well
Less is more, depth over coverage
Goals apply to all students
Personalization
Student-as-worker,
teacher-as-coach
Demonstration of mastery
Tone of decency and trust
Commitment to entire school
Resources dedicated to teaching and learning
Democracy and Equity
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Mid-Atlantic Connections
The Newsletter of the Mid-Atlantic Coalition of Essential Schools, Inc.
August 2005
Message from MACES Executive Director
It feels good to stop and to reflect on last year before plunging into the 05-06 school year. We appreciate the participation and commitment of all of our partner schools. The 04-05 school year featured a new working relationship with Drexel University, our partner in pursuing resources to bridge the K-16 Disconnect. We also entered into a partnership with Lehigh University in the training initiative for "Aspiring Principals."
PARENT/STUDENT TREKS
Our planned events provided many opportunities to get to know school communities: staff, students and parents. The spring featured 2 Parent/Student Trek experiences: one for 55 parents and students at Cooke Middle School; and one for 60 parents and students, at Arcadia University. Overall evaluations of these activities were very positive and hopeful that more parents and students would take advantage of these treks next year. As a result of the Student/Parent Treks, a Student and a Parent's Bill of Rights was developed. We will revisit those rights as a theme for Student/Parent
Treks 05-06.
NATIONAL CENTER DIRECTORS MEET IN PHILA
In June, MACES hosted Coalition directors from all over the U.S. Twenty-six directors representing 13 regions of the country worked on the redesign of a Coalition national presence. Staff members from Cook-Wissahickon provided a panel discussion of the Affirmation process that they utilized in becoming an "affirmed coalition school." Louis Cohen, National Director of CES, visited several coalition schools to learn more about MACES' work. He was impressed with his visit to Cook-Wissahickon and Cooke Middle School and promised some national commitment to Kensington High School.
TREK - JUNE 28-29-30, 2005
The Summer Trek was the first dedicated solely to high schools. Seventy teachers, administrators, parents and students came to Cape May for 3 days of intensive focus on current high school needs. The theme of Trek was: "Preparing High School Students with the Skills and Knowledge Necessary to Succeed in the 2lst Century." Sessions focused on: Advisory and Student Advocacy; Gap Analysis, Closing the Achievement Gap; Collaborative Teacher/Administrator Leadership; Building A Positive School Climate that Invites and Engages Parents and Students, Project-Based Learning; Transitions: Strategies for 9th Grade Orientation and Listening to Student Voices. The facility and the sessions were conducive to positive and constructive outcomes. Overall, there was tremendous satisfaction expressed by participants and many requests to continue the serious work begun on Advisories and Student Advocacy.
The requests garnered from participants at Parent/Student Trek and/or Summer Trek will be honored during the coming year's collaborative and school-based sessions. We look forward to a productive and engaging school year and hope that you and your school will become MACES members. Finally, all MACES sessions result in Act 48 credit hours which will be attributed to the next five-year mandate.
Collaborative Dinners
Collaborative Meetings are open to Affiliated Schools and are based on how particular principles have been actualized in schools. The common principles selected for 05-06 focus are:
- A tone of decency and trust
- Personalization
- Student-as-worker, teacher-as-coach
- Goals apply to all students
The format for collaborative dinners invites schools to present evidence from their school community, to share practices and to exchange practices, experiences and resources. All member schools are invited to attend with the administrator and 2 participants from his/her school. Although the topic is the same, there is a separate forum for secondary participants and a final sharing time. A fee will be assessed for additional participants.
MACES hosts collaborative dinners at the Doubletree Hotel at Roosevelt Boulevard and Grant Avenue, at 5:00 p.m. These sessions are over by 7:15 p.m. Act 48 credit is provided. The schedule for 05-06 is:
- Tuesday, Nov. 15: Tone of Decency and Trust
- Tuesday, Jan. 10: Personalization
- Tuesday, March 21: Student-as-Worker, Teacher-as-Coach
- Tuesday, May 9: Goals Apply to All Students
Student/Parent Trek
This year will feature 2 Treks: one in the fall and one in the spring. Both Treks will be held on a college campus and will feature a campus tour and information sessions about college life for both parents and students. This opportunity is offered to all member schools for students in grades 5-12. The day includes bus transportation, continental breakfast and lunch. The cost for participation is: $100.00 per person
The dates for Student/Parent Trek are:
- Wednesday, December 14, 2005
- Wednesday, June 7, 2006
Subsidiary Formation
The MACES Board has approved Partners in Professional Development as a subsidiary organization to MACES. PIPD's function is to provide training and facilitation for schools and organizations beginning to explore avenues of reform. The formation of Partners will allow the non-profit the latitude to develop new products based on individual school needs.
Administrator's CFG's
Critical/Collaborative Friends Groups will be offered to all administrators. These sessions will be hosted by Rosemary Cataldi, Principal of Hancock Demonstration School, and Gerald Branch, Principal of Cook Middle School. Each of these sessions will utilize the "critical friends" format for sharing issues, challenges and successes. Protocols and other instruments will provide a structure for these discussions which occur over a light dinner. A current text, as well as other readings, will stimulate thinking and sharing of current practice. Please refer to the menu for participation costs.
Upcoming Coalition Dates to Remember
October 4-6
Workshop at Federal Hocking High School
Student Engagement: Advisory, Democracy and Relevance
Cost: $300.00
November 3-5
Fall Forum in Boston, Mass
Reclaiming the Freedom to Learn
* Board Changes *
We are pleased to announce the newly elected president of the MACES Board, Rosemary Cataldi. Ro brings a long history of coalition work as a facilitator, leader and administrator. We take this opportunity to recognize and to appreciate the effort and commitment of our outgoing president, Chuck Connor. Chuck assumed tremendous responsibility and demonstrated both leadership and support during some rough and shaky days for MACES. We are indebted to him for helping to keep this mission alive and hope that he remains connected to MACES for many years to come. Other members new to the board are noted below.
Board Members
Rosemary Cataldi, President
Orion Freeman, Treasurer
Paul Adorno, Secretary
Teresa Alvarez
Ralph Burnley
Terri Clark
Estelle Freeman
Star Weiss
Howard Salasin (Emeritus)
Affiliation
The school affiliation form for September 1, 2005 to December 31, 2005 is attached. Please return this form with your check for $250.00 ASAP so that you can receive all notices and participate in all events.
Newsletter Archives
December 2004
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