Congressional App Challenge

The annual Congressional App Challenge is under way! The CAC is a Congressional initiative to encourage engagement in computer science. Middle and high school students from across America are invited to participate. We’re still accepting registrations. If you know a young coder, please encourage them to participate here.

Summer Institute 2018

We had another great Summer Institute last week at Mt. Nittany MS led by our keynote speaker, Dr. Rob Furman. Thanks to everyone who presented and attended! If you missed it, you can check out many of the presentation resources right here.

Big Win for your school!

Now through Nov. 30, Horace Mann is giving away up to $60,000 in funding through DonorsChoose.org. And this time, they’re spreading the wealth even further: Administrators, principals and teachers are all eligible to win! Forty winners will receive up to $250 in DonorsChoose.org funding and ten grand-prize winners will receive up to $5,000 in DonorsChose.org funding. Winners will be announced in December. You’re reading that correctly: There will be 50 winners. One of them could easily be you! Click here to enter today!

PAMLE Members-Only Section

Interested in handouts from past conferences, videos, and examples of Best Practices for middle level, as well as additional information? Log into the MEMBERS section of the website. Click on the “Members” menu at the top left-hand side of the page. If you don't know your login information, email support@pamle.org to get your username and password. Building administrators - to give website access to members contact Paul Meck at pmeck@verizon.net.

Girls Who Code

Did you know that less than a quarter of computing jobs are held by women, and that number is declining. Girls Who Code is working to reverse the decline. They would love to work with you to increase the number of Clubs in Pennsylvania and position our state as a leader in growing CS education and reaching girls who are historically underrepresented in computer science. Contact Eve Balick  at eve.balick@girlswhocode.com or for more information or check out their website!

Tell Your Story!

PAMLE Keynote Speaker, Mark Brown, wants you to "Tell Your Story" so check out the latest blog articles on his website: Will They Remember? and UNFORGETTABLE PRESENTATIONS Virtual Class Starts TUESDAY!

NEWS FROM PDE

The U.S. Department of Education had approved Pennsylvania’s ESSA Consolidated State Plan as revised. Approval of Pennsylvania’s Consolidated State Plan is a significant moment for public education in Pennsylvania. The plan is shaped by the guiding principles of transparency, equity, and innovation, and underscores the commonwealth’s commitment to creating more balanced and comprehensive school progress measures, reducing testing time, and supporting Pennsylvania’s educators and school leaders. Read this letter from PA Secretary of Education, Pedro Rivera.

The attached Locally Selected On-Track Assessment Guidance Document is the second of several communications that will offer guidance on the indicators included in the Future Ready PA Index. This document, in conjunction with the PIMS technical manual, is intended to provide administrators with the information necessary to select and report a local assessment if they choose to do so. LEAs in need of technical assistance with on-track or proficiency assessment should contact the Bureau of Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction at RA-EDFUTUREREADYPA@pa.gov or 717-525-5057. For PIMS application support, please call 1-800-661-2423. Thank you for your dedication to shaping the futures of Pennsylvania’s students.

different approach ON safety

With the school year well underway, many local school districts have tightened up security retrofitting their facilities with state-of-the-art technology such as remote-controlled door locks, motion and metal detectors, and protective shields.

But one local school district is taking a different approach for keeping it students, teachers and staff safe.

At Bentworth School District, Superintendent Scott Martin is putting the emphasis on school violence prevention. He believes that mental health programs can play a pivotal role by reaching out to students who are dealing with psychological problems. Read more about their approach here.

This Month From GenerationOn!

Check February is Black History Month, and serves as a time to honor and reflect on the expansive history, culture, struggles, accomplishments and contributions of the African American community. Check out these great resources from generationOn.

SHARE A BEST PRACTICE!

PAMLE’s mission is to promote best practices for middle level education. To accomplish this mission, PAMLE believes sharing best practices with one another is a road map to achieve this goal. As a result, we encourage you to share the great things happening in your school, programs and activities that make a difference in middle level instruction. There is no doubt that your practices will help other schools and teachers to better meet the developmental needs of our young adolescents. So, please fill out this Google Form to join us in our mission to promote best practices for middle level education! The submissions can be found under Best Practices in the Members Only section of our website. We hope many schools can implement these practices in order to improve, constantly grow, become "A Schools To Watch" and retain this prestigious recognition.

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Pastoral Care: A New Type of School

Young Adolescent Learning

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