It is with great excitement and pride that I serve as the President of the Northwest Region Pennsylvania Middle School Association (NWPMSA). The Northwest Region is affiliated with the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE), formerly known as the National Middle School Association (NMSA). Our region encompasses Cameron, Clarion, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, McKean, Potter, Venango and Warren counties.

The NWPMSA board consists of teachers and administrators who strive to provide the very best information about middle level education to schools, parents, and allied organizations. This year our goals are to expand active membership in our region and meet the needs of middle level educators and students. In true middle level fashion, our regional executive board works as a team committed to the professional development of outstanding middle level educators.

The NWPMSA is pleased to offer a grant opportunity for local educators once again this year. NWPMSA will fund up to three (3) $350 grants for the 2011-2012 academic year. The purpose of the grant program is to support learning activities/projects beneficial to middle level students. The grant program supports activities/projects that are not funded by school district budgets. Details regarding this grant opportunity can be found on the website.

In addition to our fall grant opportunity, the NW Region PMSA will once again be offering a Spring Professional Development Institute across two counties. We are also planning another student leadership conference for the fall of 2012. Please check the https://www.pmsaweb.org/ website frequently for details on the great things happening in the Northwest Region PMSA!

Finally, I hope that you will join our region in promoting middle level education and become either an institutional or individual member of the Pennsylvania Middle School Association. Members have the opportunity to apply for Schools to Watch recognition, grant funding, and discounted professional development opportunities. Membership information can be found at https://www.pmsaweb.org/Membership.aspx. To support these efforts, we are always looking to expand our regional board and you are invited to join us at our monthly meetings. If you have any questions, want to share something great that is happening in your building, or are interested in joining our board, please contact me via email at forbes001@gannon.edu.

Sincerely,

Leighann Forbes

President, Northwest Region Pennsylvania Middle School Association