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 2020  Winter Newsletter
Partnerships for Pupil Progress
During a Pandemic and Beyond
For Education Leaders
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.” ― Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities... Click Here to Read


2020 Bits 'n Pieces Fall
Talking Trust
​A University of Minnesota survey of over 15,000 educators, was conducted in June of 2020.
The most frequently cited concern for staff was building relations during a period of racialization, violence, and COVID-19 issues. Trust-building emerged as a major component of staff/student relationships that helped students to feel they belong and that encourage an effective learning environment.
As in any trust relationship, competency, motive, understanding, and dependability are essential and can be expressed through the following (spoken or unspoken) student queries and staff responses... Click Here to Read
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2020 Bits 'n Pieces Summer 
Communicating in Uncertain Times
These are unpredictable times for parents, students, and educators. It is particularly challenging for educators to communicate accurately when Covid-19 adaptations are continually evolving. Therefore, your communications need also to be based on the fundamental priorities of public education and your schools, regardless of the setting and/or time frame within which those priorities will be achieved. The following are some tips for communication success in conjunction with unprecedented adaptations... Click Here to Read


2020 Bits 'n Pieces Spring
Time
Schools with later start times enabled 60% more students to get at least 8 hours of sleep per night. When start times were delayed to 8:35 am or later, student’s academic performance improved significantly. Students’ grades were higher in core subjects, they got higher scores on state and national tests and their attendance rates improved while tardies decreased. Students who slept fewer than 8 hours nightly reported significantly higher levels of depression symptoms, caffeine consumption, and substance abuse. Click Here to Read


2020 Bits 'n Pieces Spring
COVID-19 Communications
People are stunned (that could never happen here!) and confused (multiple mixed messages) by the pandemic the world is experiencing. Covid-19 presents a new way of teaching for most educators and an evolving way of learning for students. It is crucial that School District leaders develop and disseminate a communication plan outlining expectations for principals, teachers, students, and parents. Click Here to Read


2019 Bits 'n Pieces Winter
Teacher Shortages
Your success as a school leader depends on the instruction and outcomes that take place within classrooms. That means that one of your key jobs is creating a climate and engaging a system that will identify, attract, and retain the very best teachers. Unfortunately, that job is made more difficult by the teacher and substitute teacher shortage that exists and is growing. Click Here to Read


2019 Bits 'n Pieces Summer
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
The 2005 law builds on key areas of progress in recent years, made possible by the efforts of educators, communities, parents, and students across the country. The law addresses not only achievement, equity, graduation rates, etc. but also includes requirements to prevent abuse of students. Click Here to Read


2019 InvestMN ​Talking Points
Power Boosters
These are dynamic and often divisive times. Our lives and the lives of our children are pelted daily with conflicting opinions, alternative facts, stories of violence, personal shaming, and hateful words. This is the environment in which our children’s characters form and behaviors become entrenched. Click Here to Read


2019 InvestMN Talking Points
Communicate Kindness
These are dynamic and often divisive times. Our lives and the lives of our children are pelted daily with conflicting opinions, alternative facts, stories of violence, personal shaming, and hateful words. This is the environment in which our children’s characters form and behaviors become entrenched. Click Here to Read
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2019 Bits 'n Pieces Winter
Superintendent Tenure and Compensation/Anxiety at a Glance/Media Matters Click Here to Read


2018 InvestMN Winter
New Beginnings
This is the beginning of a new year and the time for superintendents in school districts – large or small – to develop a comprehensive communication plan for themselves. In some districts, the superintendent is the communication department. Other school districts have communication staff. Regardless of those variables, you are the voice of the educational community and you will be most successful if you are visible and approachable. Click Here to Read


2018 Bits 'n Pieces Summer
Did you know? 
Minnesota was ranked as the second smartest state by CNBC/According to the StarTribune poll conducted from April 15 through 18, 2018, of Minnesotans/Students who have experienced summer learning loss over the years are an average of two years behind their peers by the end of sixth grade. Two to three hours per week of maintenance learning is required during summer vacation to prevent any learning loss. Click Here to Read


2018 Bits 'n Pieces Spring
Schools Remain the Safest Places for Kids
Parents watch their loved ones head off to school as the tragedies of the past invade their minds and confidence in the safety of our schools is questioned. Click Here to Read


2018 Bits 'n Pieces Spring
Safety Begins at Home
We read or hear about violence regularly so it is natural to assume that there is more violence today than in the past. In fact, despite some painful and tragic events, the opposite is true. It is impossible to maintain a free society and also eliminate all opportunities for violence. But we can influence the likelihood that violent acts will occur through the culture in our homes, communities, and schools. The following is a tip sheet on how we can all reduce violence in our society. Click Here to Read


2018 InvestMN Talking Points
How to Conduct Meetings that Matter
How many meetings have you attended begrudgingly, reviewing your text messages while information was being presented? Worse yet, how many meetings have you led while others were similarly disengaged? Click Here to Read


2018 InvestMN Talking Points
Definition of Personalized Learning
How many meetings have you attended begrudgingly, reviewing your text messages while information was being presented? Worse yet, how many meetings have you led while others were similarly disengaged? Click Here to Read


2018 InvestMN Talking Points
Generation What?
Three generations traveled to New York City with a long list of places to visit in a short two-day time frame. Upon leaving the hotel, the baby boomer in the group would ask someone knowledgeable for directions to a specific site or restaurant and it felt good to her that people were generous enough with their time to guide the threesome to several destinations. Click Here to Read


2018 Bits 'n Pieces Winter
Did you know?
Minnesotans ranked first among 50 States in.../Minnesotans ranked second among 50 States in.../Minnesotans ranked third among 50 States in... 
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