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News from the Executive Director's Office

Len Ference

             As the school doors across the land opened and the teachers prepared to meet and welcome the students and parents, in another part of this country the school doors were blown shut.  The Katrina Disaster woke us up to the power of nature and the devastation that could befall us at any time.  Again, the resolve of our people and the caring for each other is manifested as people from coast to coast plan to help those impacted by this tragic event.  I think of those school doors that are closed and may not open.  I imagine children who will not be in school or living in their home.  In middle school we pride ourselves on the “team concept.”  In fact, highly effective teams have been taking on the role of families.  They become the bond for the students, the connection that the student so desperately needs to feel the sense of belonging.  It is now time that all middle level educators, students, parents and families bond together to help in any way possible those members of our extended family who have been hurt in some way by this natural disaster.  I encourage you to use this as a teachable moment with your students.  The objectives are community service, caring, giving, helping, sympathizing, and making a difference in someone’s life.  It is now time for us to be there for those suffering and to help make their day, so that we can replace those bitter memories from this event with moments of compassion and healing.

Pennsylvania is the National Middle School Association Star for 2005!

             This is a banner year for PMSA and all middle level educators across the state.  We will be hosting the National Middle School Association Conference in Philadelphia on November  3-5, 2005.  Our colleagues from across the nation and from outside the Continental United States will be visiting us.  We would love to welcome them with 10,000 Pennsylvania Middle Level Educators.  The conference will be the best staff development opportunity for you to experience.  It will enable you to see outstanding practices that make a significant difference in student learning, and meet people from across the country to share ideas and practices.

 

Join us in Philadelphia for a grand party.