14

Reports

from the PMSA Regions

With the 2006 Pennsylvania Middle School Association State Conference behind us, we can now reflect on the amazing opportunities it fosters for the hundreds of people who attend each year.  The time, effort, and dedication of the many Pennsylvania Middle School Association board members was truly an awesome sight to witness.  We would like to thank all of the middle schools that brought artwork created by middle level students to showcase during the conference.   The artwork included paintings, drawings, sculptures, pottery, jewelry, etc.  The display showed true talent and amazing abilities of middle level students from all over Pennsylvania.  We would also like to thank those teachers who sent in or brought student reflections completed by students representing over 30 Pennsylvania middle schools.  The educators who attended this year’s conference were able to enjoy the reflections during the Monday luncheon.

 

The Eastern Region Board held its last meeting in State College during the conference.  Items discussed included the development of new regions within the East as well as ways to increase membership.  Plans are underway for our informational night at Lackawanna College

on April 27^th, 2006.  This meeting is for anyone interested in getting involved with the PMSA organization who represents the Northeast, IU’s 16, 17, 18, & 19.  A principal’s breakfast and an Eastern Region Conference are events also being discussed and planned for the year 2006.  In May, we will be supplying award certificates to every middle school in the Eastern Region.  Please use these certificates for your middle school’s end of the year awards.  They can be used to honor any middle level student who has contributed to his/her school in a positive way.

 

We are also continuing to look for interested members who currently work in the East; IU’s 14, 20, 21 & 29, the South Central region; IU’s 12, 13, & 15, and the Southeast; IU’s 22, 23, 24, 25, & 26, who may be willing to get more involved in PMSA.  If you have an interest in helping us to develop those proposed regions, please contact Jessica Singleton, President, at j_singleton@easdpa.org.  If you have any ideas of how we can better serve our current members, or how we can increase membership, please let us know.  Our next meeting will be held at the Ephrata Middle School on Thursday, May 11^th, 2006.  All are welcome to attend this meeting to learn more about us.

The northwest region reports information about the up coming spring conference.   The conference will be held May 2nd, beginning at 4:00 with dinner at 6:00 to 6:30. 

 

The speaker at the Conference will be Dr. Pat Hanna, a local psychologist.  He will kick off the conference with a 1/2 hours presentation. Followed by nine break out sessions.  Approximately 40 to 50 people will present their best practices and the newest strategies for the middle level. 

 

Additionally, there was discussion about holding a  Professional Breakfast to entice new members to join.  It will take place in June.  The focus of this breakfast was to encourage members from the IU#9 region.  Plans will be finalized at the May meeting.