Blogs

What's the True Value of a Conference?

By Drew Thomason posted 09-16-2019
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What's the true value of a conference? What's your return on investment of your time and money? For me, the one thing that is the biggest benefit and value of going to a conference is something that I had never even considered before. It's what I call the Shakeup Effect. Your in a different place, with a different cast of people, on a different schedule. Your routine has been temporarily overhauled. This shakeup primes your brain for new ideas and "AH-HA!" moments. But those new ideas and "AH-HA!" moments need fuel to really takeoff. That fuel is great speakers, practical sessions and passionate attendees. Great speakers have the ability to inspire ...
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Lunch Tables

By Christopher Taylor posted 09-10-2019
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Mount Carmel Grade School is selling 4 lunch tables in good condition, asking $200 a piece. Can deliver within 40-60 miles or possibly meet half way if longer distance away. Please contact the office 618-262-5699 ask for Chris T
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Alliance Legislative Report 101-24: Governor Enacts Minimum Teacher Salary

By Alison Maley posted 08-30-2019
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GOVERNOR ENACTS $40,000 MINIMUM TEACHER SALARY LAW Governor JB Pritzker continued working through the 600 bills that were approved by the General Assembly and sent to his desk. Many of the new Public Acts have an immediate effect on school districts. While some of the bills recently signed allow for greater flexibility for local districts, there are many that may also have serious repercussions.  One of the most consequential bills signed into law is HB 2078   (Stuart, D-Collinsville) . In yearly increments,   HB 2078   increases the minimum teacher salary to $40,000 per year. The minimum salary increase would be phased in as follows: Not less ...
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Alliance Legislative Report (101-25) - Governor Completes Bill Signings

By Alison Maley posted 08-28-2019
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GOVERNOR COMPLETES BILL SIGNINGS Governor JB Pritzker has completed action on all bills that have been sent to him by the General Assembly. The legislature approved 600 bills this spring that required action by the governor. The governor signed most all of them into law. Seven bills were vetoed – most of those being duplicative of other bills that already had been signed. One bill was issued an amendatory veto. Of the 600 bills passed, nearly 20 percent either directly or indirectly affected local school districts. The   Digest of Bills Passed   contains a summary of all of these bills. BILLS RECENTLY SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR HB 247   (Carroll, ...
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Alliance Legislative Report (101-23)

By Alison Maley posted 08-19-2019
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GOVERNOR WORKING HIS WAY THROUGH BILLS Governor JB Pritzker has been signing into law dozens of measures every week as he works through the 600 bills that were approved by the General Assembly and sent to his desk. Just last Friday, the governor acted upon 150 pieces of legislation. Many of the recent bill signings were bills opposed by the Alliance that will cause challenges for local school districts. The Alliance offered amendatory language in most cases to try to make the bills less onerous for school districts. Letters were also written to the governor asking for vetoes or amendatory vetoes, but instead the bills have been enacted into law. HB 2719 ...
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Advocacy in Action (8/9/19)

By Alison Maley posted 08-09-2019
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View in a browser August 9, 2019 Alliance Report 101-22 The summer months are typically slow for legislative activity. The legislature adjourned at the beginning of June and does not return until October 28. Governor JB Pritzker quickly signed into law the bills that established the Fiscal Year 2020 state budget, and now is acting upon other pieces of legislation. ...
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Alliance Legislative Report 101-22

By Alison Maley posted 07-30-2019
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The summer months are typically slow for legislative activity. The legislature adjourned at the beginning of June and does not return until October 28. Governor JB Pritzker quickly signed into law the bills that established the Fiscal Year 2020 state budget, and now is acting upon other pieces of legislation. The last three Fridays the governor has signed into law dozens of bills. All bills that have been approved by the legislature have been sent to the governor. The governor has 60 days to act on those measures. Expect gubernatorial action to sign or veto legislation until August 27, when the 60 day clock runs out for the latest bills sent. School board ...
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2019 IL AP Coordinator Workshops Part 1

By PrinciPal Connection posted 07-29-2019
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The following information is shared from The College Board: AP Coordinator Workshop: Part 1 This half-day workshop – all new for the 2019-20 school year - is designed to help new and experienced AP coordinators learn how to efficiently and successfully manage their schools' AP program – from the beginning of the school year through fall ordering. In this workshop, you will have the chance to exchange best practices and learn new ways to handle the responsibilities of coordinating an AP program. Learning Outcomes: After this workshop, you will be able to: Access, setup, and use the AP Registration and Ordering system Enroll students and manage ...
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Alliance Legislative Report (101-21)

By Alison Maley posted 06-04-2019
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LAWMAKERS GO HOME FOR THE SUMMER After missing the scheduled session adjournment date last Friday, the Illinois General Assembly continued working through the weekend and completed its business. The House of Representatives completed its work Saturday evening. The Senate arrived in the Capitol Sunday and worked through the day to finish its agenda. Both chambers have now adjourned until the veto session to be held October 28-30 and November 12-14. It was an eventful end of session as   Governor JB Pritzker   was very successful in his first legislative session. A balanced Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 state budget was approved with bipartisan support. Likewise, ...
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Alliance Legislative Report (101-20)

By Alison Maley posted 06-04-2019
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GENERAL ASSEMBLY STILL HAS WORK TO DO May 31 st, the scheduled legislative adjournment date, has come and gone, but the legislature has not yet completed its business. As was reported in the   last Alliance Legislative Report   , most of the key components of a final budget compromise package were filed this week, but lawmakers ran out of time before everything could be considered. The House of Representatives worked into the evening Friday, but had already announced its intentions to be in session through the weekend. House members are in session today (Saturday). The Senate worked into the early hours Saturday in a bid to finish its agenda, and ultimately ...
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Alliance Legislative Report (101-19)

By Alison Maley posted 06-04-2019
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LEGISLATURE WORKS THROUGH THE FINAL DAY The Illinois General Assembly was working feverishly today (Friday) to try and finish its aggressive agenda before the midnight deadline for adjournment. Though significant issues have been taking shape and discussions are continuing in committees and on the chamber floors, many of the more controversial issues need more time for negotiations. The House of Representatives just announced that it plans to be in session through Sunday – therefore missing the scheduled adjournment deadline. In the past couple of hours, amendments have been filed to enact legislation for a Fiscal Year 2020 state budget, a Budget Implementation ...
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Test

By Drew Thomason posted 06-02-2019
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This is a test
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Illinois chosen as one of four states to participate in inaugural Civic Engagement Champions Award

By PrinciPal Connection posted 05-30-2019
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The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is encouraging middle school teachers to apply for the National Association of State Boards of Education’s (NASBE) Civic Engagement Champions Award. NASBE chose Illinois as one of four states to participate in the inaugural year of the honor. NASBE will award one Illinois middle school teacher $5,000 and recognize the winner at the organization’s annual conference in October. The Civic Engagement Champions Award is open to all middle school teachers in any discipline. Applicants are asked describe how they help students become active and responsible members of their communities. “I am amazed and inspired by the ...
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Alliance Legislative Report (101-18)

By Alison Maley posted 05-24-2019
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ALLIANCE LEGISLATIVE REPORT (101-18) - LEGISLATURE HEADS DOWN HOMESTRETCH The Illinois General Assembly is fast approaching the scheduled May 31st deadline for adjournment. Both the Senate and the House of Representatives are working today (Friday). The Senate does not have session scheduled for Saturday or Sunday, but will return to the Capitol Monday. The House had scheduled session days straight through the weekend, but cancelled session for Saturday. Lawmakers have huddled in various groups to negotiate key pending issues over the past week. Leaders and bill sponsors are meeting to find agreements on legislation regarding: legalization of recreational ...
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Advocacy in Action (5/17/19) - Committee Approves Consolidation Bill

By Alison Maley posted 05-17-2019
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View in a browser May 17, 2019 Contact Legislators Today Several opportunities exist to contact your legislators and share your opposition to many of the pending bills listed in the latest Alliance Legislative Report . Please use the following links to share your views.   Vote no on Curricular and School Mandates (Civics mandate, minimum teacher ...
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Advocacy in Action (5/10/19) - Contact Legislators on Forced School Consolidation

By Alison Maley posted 05-10-2019
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View in a browser May 10, 2019 Contact Legislators Today Several opportunities exist to contact your legislators and share your opposition to many of the pending bills listed in the latest Alliance Legislative Report . Please use the following links to share your views.   Vote no on Curricular and School Mandates (Civics mandate, anger management ...
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Alliance Legislative Report 101-16

By Alison Maley posted 05-10-2019
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ALLIANCE LEGISLATIVE REPORT (101-16) - SCHOOL CONSOLIDATION LEGISLATION TO BE HEARD With the end of session on the horizon, many important pieces of legislation are being discussed in Springfield. One of the bills that could impact schools and their communities the most,  HB 3053 (Mayfield, D-Waukegan)  is scheduled to be heard Wednesday, May 15. HB 3053 addresses forced school district consolidation. Specifically, the bill requires identification, before May 1, 2020, of no less than 25 percent of school districts in Illinois that will be required to hold a referendum to consolidate in the next general election.  An appointed board will place referendum ...
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Advocacy in Action (5/3/19)

By Alison Maley posted 05-06-2019
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View in a browser May 6, 2019 Contact Legislators Today Several opportunities exist to contact your legislators and share your opposition to many of the pending bills listed in the latest Alliance Legislative Report . Please use the following links to share your views.   Vote no on Curricular and School Mandates (Civics mandate, anger management ...
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Alliance Legislative Report 101-15

By Alison Maley posted 05-03-2019
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ALLIANCE LEGISLATIVE REPORT (101-15) - LEGISLATURE BEGINS BUSY LAST MONTH OF SESSION As was reported earlier this week in the IASB Legislative Alert and the IASA Capitol Watch, the Illinois State Senate approved a tax reform package Wednesday. SJRCA 1 proposes to amend the Illinois Constitution to allow for graduated income tax rates. SB 687 contains the graduated income tax rates that would be put in place if SJRCA 1 is approved by the voters. SB 689 would repeal the estate tax that is currently imposed in Illinois. SB 690 would, beginning in levy year 2022, place school districts in every county under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL). ...
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May's Attribute: Advocative

By PrinciPal Connection posted 05-01-2019
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Featured Attribute Advocative – Develops implicit relational knowledge of the educational system through keen attention to human interest and need; actively advocates for students, teachers, and school with local, state, and federal policy makers. Associated Competency Cultural Responsiveness – Promotes cooperation, collaboration, and connectedness among a community of learners while responding to diversity, need, and capacity. Associated Intelligence Systems – Individual understanding of the inter-workings and leadership of complex systems within an organization. For Your Reflection Alison Maley, Government/Public Relations Director, ...
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