Blogs

Remote Learning Days and E-Learning Resources

By PrinciPal Connection posted 2 days ago
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Introduction The following is a modified version of the notice state superintendent Dr. Carmen Ayala issued on March 27, 2020 ISBE has declared that Remote Learning Days will begin for schools statewide on March 31 and continue until in-person instruction can resume. During Remote Learning Days, schools may implement either an E-Learning Plan or a Remote Learning Day Plan that provides students with instruction and access to educators through whatever means possible. Schools may use up to five Remote Learning Planning Days at any time after March 30 to work on Remote Learning Day Plans in partnership with their collective bargaining units.   ...
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Staying Connected with the IPA

By Jason Leahy posted 12 days ago
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First, we want to give you a heartfelt thank you from everyone here at IPA. On the best days, being a school leader is challenging. Now you are tasked with solving what can feel like impossible problems. But you are proving they are not insurmountable, and are handling it with grace, compassion and ingenuity. If you have the time, think about tweeting out a picture of your staff stepping up to meet the needs of kids and use the hashtag #ILSchoolStepUp. We are honored to serve you, and if the association can do anything to help, please do not hesitate to contact us. If you have mailed in an event registration recently but have not received a registration confirmation ...
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Spring 2020 IPA Region Events Status

By Drew Thomason posted 14 days ago
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LAST UPDATED 3/16/2020 Stay Connected with the IPA Here. Region Date Status Abe Lincoln  Student recognition breakfast 4/30/2020 Canceled Blackhawk Region meeting 3/23/2020 Canceled Student recognition breakfast 4/17/2020 Canceled Region meeting 5/11/2020 Canceled Central Illinois Valley Region meeting 4/1/2020 Canceled Bradley Social 4/7/2020 Canceled Student recognition breakfast 4/27/202 Canceled Student recognition breakfast 5/4/2020 Canceled Corn Belt Region meeting/social 3/17/2020 ...
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School Closure Information for Building Administrators (FAQs)

By Brian Schwartz posted 14 days ago
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Updated March 29, 2020 at 1:28 pm On Friday, March 20, 2020, Governor Pritzker announced that all Illinois schools will now be closed through Tuesday, April 7, 2020. (Chicago Public Schools are shuddered through Monday, April 20, 2020.) From Tuesday, March 17 through Monday, March 30, 2020, ISBE has mandated that all days otherwise designated for school will be “Act of God” days. These are non-instructional and non-attendance days.  ISBE is encouraging all school districts to provide learning opportunities to all students, through whatever means possible.  Student work during this time should not negatively impact student grades, as these days are ...
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Coronavirus Information for Schools

By PrinciPal Connection posted 25 days ago
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**UPDATED 3/28/2020** We want to give you a heartfelt thank you from everyone here at IPA. On the best days being a school leader is challenging. Now you are tasked with solving what can feel like impossible problems. But you are proving they are not insurmountable, and are handling it with grace, compassion and ingenuity. If you have the time, think about tweeting out a picture of your staff stepping up to meet the needs of kids and use the hashtag  #ILSchoolStepUp . We are honored to serve you, and if the association can do anything to help, please do not hesitate to contact us. Remote Learning Days and E-Learning  Resources School Closure ...
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IASB Legislative Report - 2/28/20

By Alison Maley posted 30 days ago
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COMMITTEES MOVE SLOWLY DESPITE WORKLOAD Legislative committees in the Capitol convened this week, but considered only a fraction of the bills scheduled for hearings. Even though there are hundreds of bills assigned for committee action, sponsors seemed content with putting their hearing off for another day. There are three legislative weeks left before the deadline to have bills considered in committee, but waiting only causes a chaotic committee process later that eventually results in impactful bills being rushed through the process without due consideration, testimony, or debate.   The House of Representatives did approve one bill and sent it over ...
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Budget Address & Legislative Report 2-21-20

By Alison Maley posted 02-21-2020
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GOVERNOR DELIVERS BUDGET ADDRESS Governor JB Pritzker delivered his State Budget Address Wednesday before a joint session of the Illinois General Assembly. Following several days of previewing his message of managing State debt and establishing new government efficiencies, he did highlight some spending increases – including for K-12 education. Using new revenue sources adopted in the Governor’s historic first legislative session last year, and taking advantage of an economic upturn in the State, Pritzker focused his new spending on educational and social programs. Spending increases are slated for pre-K, K-12, and higher education priorities, as well ...
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Marguerite F. Key Fellows Award for Illinois' Principals 2020 Nominations Open till March 16

By PrinciPal Connection posted 02-20-2020
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The Marguerite F. Key Fellows Program at Northern Illinois University recognizes P-12 principals across Illinois for the great work they're doing with students to improve post-secondary access and success rates. A $1,000 honorarium is awarded to each of the Fellows. The process is simple, requiring just a nomination letter, candidate resume and a brief overview of their contributions. The obligations are limited to participation in our summer Fellows Institute, which previous attendees indicated was a very worthwhile professional development opportunity.  This year’s institute is scheduled for June 25, 2020 on NIU’s main campus in DeKalb. This year’s ...
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Alliance Legislative Report (101-28) - State of the State Address

By Alison Maley posted 01-31-2020
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GOVERNOR DELIVERS STATE OF THE STATE In the annual State of the State address, Governor JB Pritzker touted his accomplishments from his first year in office and cast a vision for the State of Illinois. Public education was an important topic during the speech as the governor mentioned education several times in direct and indirect ways. One of the most encouraging statements made during the speech was that “our most important commitments are to our children and their education.”   While the governor covered achievements from his first year in office like additional education funding and a new school construction grant program, there were also many forward ...
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College Board Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy Coach Tools Webinar 1/13/20 – 1/17/20

By PrinciPal Connection posted 01-09-2020
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THE FOLLOWING IS A GUEST POST FROM THE COLLEGE BOARD The College Board is excited to share details on the use of “Coach Resources for Official SAT® Practice.” Khan Academy® offers exclusive access to Official SAT® Practice to anyone, anywhere, anytime, for FREE! This webinar will review all the tools available to students and teachers within Official SAT® Practice, a review of how to link College Board and Khan Academy® accounts for the most effective practice recommendations and details on the new Official SAT® Practice Lesson Plans. This feature allows teachers, counselors, and other educators the ability to view progress and practice on Official SAT® ...
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Seclusion & Restraint Information - Emergency and Permanent Rule Updates (UPDATED 12/12/19)

By Alison Maley posted 11-25-2019
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Following reporting by  ProPublica  and the Chicago Tribune on reports of unlawful isolated seclusion of students in Illinois school districts and special education providers, the Illinois State Board of Education took emergency action to end the use of isolated seclusion, expand data collection on instances of time-out and physical restraint, and investigate cases of seclusion. Please see below for a summary of the emergency rules, proposed permanent rules and additional resources. **UPDATE 12/12/2019 - ISBE Proposes Permanent Rules** The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has filed proposed permanent rules  for student time out and restraint. ...
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Advocacy in Action: Emergency Action on Isolated Seclusion and Restraint of Students

By Alison Maley posted 11-21-2019
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Following reporting by ProPublica and the Chicago Tribune on reports of unlawful isolated seclusion of students in Illinois school districts and special education providers, the Illinois State Board of Education will take emergency action to end the use of isolated seclusion, expand data collection on instances of time-out and physical restraint, and investigate cases of seclusion. Statement from Dr. Jason Leahy, Executive Director, Illinois Principals Association: “The Illinois Principals Association supports the Illinois State Board of Education and Governor’s office as they address reports of unlawful isolated ...
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A.P/A.D. Evaluations

By Mark Riley posted 11-21-2019
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Good Afternoon, We have recently combined our Assistant Principal and Athletic Director positions.  We are trying to figure out how to weight this positions evaluation (50% each, etc.) and wanted to hear how other schools that combine that position do it.   Do you evaluation A.P. and A.D. separately?  Do you 50/50 the evaluation.  Appreciate the help.
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Alliance Legislative Report 101-27: Veto Session Wrap-Up

By Alison Maley posted 11-15-2019
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LAWMAKERS WRAP UP VETO SESSION The Illinois General Assembly concluded the Fall Veto Session this week and adjourned until January 28, 2020. Legislators deliberated on a mix of revisions of legislation that was enacted earlier this year, hold-over issues from the spring session, and some new issues which emerged. At the conclusion of the session, Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) announced that he would be retiring in January. This, of course, begins the political maneuvering among those Senators who wish to replace him.   LEGISLATIVE ACTION FROM THIS WEEK SB 10 (Manar, D-Bunker Hill) reinstates a competency test for persons seeking ...
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Alliance Legislative Report (101-26) - Legislature Returns for Veto Session

By Alison Maley posted 11-01-2019
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ALLIANCE LEGISLATIVE REPORT (101-26) -  LEGISLATURE RETURNS FOR VETO SESSION The Illinois General Assembly was back in Springfield this week to begin the Fall Veto Session. In most years, the House and Senate take on a mix of veto overrides, new proposals, or unfinished business from the spring. However, with only a handful of gubernatorial vetoes from the spring session, and with the recent announcements of legislators being arrested on corruption charges, normal legislative issues were set aside for most of the week. For observers, media, and watchdog groups, it was the scandal allegations that were on their minds. Some new and unfinished business ...
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Site-Based Expenditure Reporting: What Building Level Administrators Need To Know

By PrinciPal Connection posted 10-31-2019
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The 2019 Illinois Report Card is now available to the public. Districts and communities will see school-by-school spending data for the first time on the Illinois Report Card. Since this is the first year that school-by-school spending data are available, there may be many questions, especially from your local community. Make sure you know what is in the Illinois Report Card so you can steer the narrative about your school. Below are resources relating to site-based expenditure reporting that can help. We will update this page as more resources become available (last updated 10/31/2019). SCHOOL FINANCES: Site-Based Expenditure Reporting (A PDF from ISBE) ...
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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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