NMSA in Action

Message from the President

My memories of junior high PE are not particularly positive, as I was what you might call "athletically challenged." But I do recall one success—I learned to turn a backwards somersault on the balance beam. I still remember the feeling of elation when I managed to complete that feat while keeping my balance on that rather narrow apparatus perched high above the ground (at least it seemed high at the time).

I'm reminded of this incident as I consider the challenging responsibilities middle level educators face as we struggle to maintain our balance in today's educational climate. On one side of the scale, is the task of raising academic standards and increasing our students' performance on state assessments. On the other side, is our responsibility to understand the needs of young adolescents and create middle schools designed to meet their needs. I admit to being concerned as I hear of middle schools abandoning best practices for educating young adolescents in the name of raising test scores, but at the same time, I understand the pressure to raise those scores is real. How do we maintain our balance? I believe it's by approaching this issue with an attitude of both/and instead of either/or. And the good news is that research shows us we can do both.

The tenets found in This We Believe: Successful Schools for Young Adolescents and the accompanying research and resources book have been expanded upon in a new NMSA publication, This We Believe in Action. This book examines each of the fourteen characteristics in detail and is accompanied by a DVD that visually demonstrates what each one looks like when placed into practice at a "real, live" middle school. I urge you to add this valuable resource to your professional library and use it as a guide to help you keep the balance while helping your school best serve the needs of its students.

My balance beam incident? I left out an important part. I didn't do it alone; I had friends spotting me on each side, helping me to maintain my equilibrium. As you continue your school year, remember, you too have friends to help you keep your balance. Your state, regional, or provincial affiliate organization can be of great support in helping you access professional development or resources specific to your area. Another important friend is NMSA, the only national organization focused exclusively on the education of 10- to 15-year-olds. In your quest to maintain that all-important balance between being academically challenging and developmentally responsive, use our resources as well. We can provide you with books, professional development kits, assessment tools and support, current research summaries, on-site professional development tailored to your school's needs, and a wealth of other information and services. Check out our Web site at www.nmsa.org, or give us a call at 1-800-528-NMSA.

With the help of your "friends" you can continue to accomplish amazing feats while maintaining your balance on the beam. Don't give up! If you fall off, get back on and keep at it. We'll be right there beside you.

Patti Kinney
NMSA President

Board Launches School Support Fund

National Middle School Association is seeking tax-deductible donations to our Disaster School Support Fund. Our goal is to raise $100,000 by January 1, 2006, to help middle school teachers and students affected by the recent hurricanes in the Gulf Coast area. One-hundred percent of the money donated will be distributed through $2,500 grants to schools that have been directly impacted. This may involve schools that have been hit by the storms or schools that have taken in displaced students. Beginning in January, we will award the grants on a first-come, first-served basis until the money we have collected has been distributed.

These funds can help teachers replace classroom supplies, materials, or be used for special classroom projects as school resumes for these students. Donations can be made by credit card via NMSA's online bookstore at www.nmsa.org or they can be sent directly to NMSA headquarters at 4151 Executive Parkway, Suite 300, Westerville, OH 43081. Please note "School Support Fund" on the memo line of each check. We invite schools that are raising money for hurricane victims to consider donating to this fund, especially if they want their efforts to go directly to middle school students and teachers. The NMSA Board of Trustees has designated $25,000 of NMSA's reserves to help launch the NMSA School Support Fund. Please join with us as we reach out to support those impacted by these tragic events as they strive to move forward and help their students return to school. For further information regarding other ways to help in hurricane relief efforts, check out NMSA's Web site.

Middle Level Essentials Conference

Make plans now to attend the Middle Level Essentials Conference January 30-31, 2006, in Louisville, KY, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. This conference provides an in-depth look into three topics essential to the success of middle level schools—differentiated instruction, classroom management, and the culture of poverty. Rick Wormeli, Jack Berckemeyer, and Rita Pierson are the featured speakers. Visit NMSA's Web site for full details

Encyclopedia of Middle Grades Education

A unique new resource, The Encyclopedia of Middle Grades Education, is one of NMSA's newest releases. Co-edited by Vince Anfara, Jr., Gayle Andrews, and Steve Mertens (and co-published by Information Age Publishing and NMSA), the encyclopedia is truly a one-of-a-kind resource for middle grades educators, policymakers, and higher education professors. Hundreds of entries written by knowledgeable experts in the field of middle level education, as well as several pertinent essays focusing on middle grades education, combine to make this an important resource for anyone involved in middle grades education. Consider adding this resource to your middle level library. Literally, the "A to Z" of middle grades education are found in this encyclopedia. It is available to NMSA members at the special rate of $99 (400 pages).