IPA PrinciPal Connection

IPA Member's Only Section

Don't miss out on the resources available to you on the IPA's Member's Only Section of the website which can be found at www.ilprincipals.org. The sites username is ipamember, and the password is everystep. The IPA's Member's Only website is the only place you will find archived IPA Newsletters and Bulletins, topical legal information, everything you would want to know about recertification and the ECS system, and much more. Take a look today.

IPA Offers Podcasts

Are you an audio learner or would like the opportunity to grow professionally with the convienence of your iPod or MP3 player? If so, click here to visit IPA's podcast site.

ISBE Provides Guidance on Assessment Accomodations for ELL Students

Click here for more information.

Illinois Principals: Wellness Role Models for Students

The Move & Crunch Challenge is an exciting new program that elementary principals can use to build awareness and commitment to wellness among students, parents and school staff. The Challenge is coordinated by the Illinois NET Program in partnership with the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Illinois Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. In this statewide competition, elementary school principals model healthy choices by logging the days they meet daily recommendations for both physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption. They also challenge students, parents and school staff to compete in the Challenge and to “Move” and “Crunch” their way to wellness.

The schools with the top scores for participation and planned support activities will be awarded an $800 grant that can be used to purchase wellness curriculum and educational materials with a nutrition component. Winning schools will be named in three school size categories based on student enrollment. Please visit here for more information.

Mark Your Calendar Now: Third Annual Coalition High School Conference

The third annual High School Conference sponsored by the Coalition for Illinois High Schools is scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, June 16-17, 2008 at the Doubletree Hotel in Bloomington, Illinois. The theme of the conference is Leadership and Learning: Connecting the Dots, and will feature Doug Reeves and Deborah Pickering as keynote presenters. More information will be available soon.

Underage Drinking Flyers Now Available

The Illinois Principal Association is once again partnering with the Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois (ABDI) to offer the “Straight Talk About Underage Drinking” flyer that addresses the myths, health issues, and the consequences of underage alcohol consumption.

As in the past, it is offered during the High School Prom and Graduation season. Log on towww.abdi.org to view the flyer and complete an order form for your school. You may also contact the ABDI office at (217) 528-4371 for an order form.

Schoolbus Clean Diesel Grant Opportunities

The American Lung Association of Illinois would like to alert interested schools in Illinois of an opportunity to receive grant funds to be used toward reducing emissions from diesel engines. Coordinated with USEPA, this grant provides local funding for projects that demonstrate emissions control technologies, vehicle and engine replacement, cleaner burning fuels, and idling reduction strategies. The opportunity to apply for these grant is being offered immediately on a time-limited basis. For further information please contact Angela Tin at the American Lung Association at 217/787-5864.

Severe Weather Preparedness Week

The week of March 3rd is Severe Weather Preparedness Week in Illinois. The question has arisen as to whether schools must comply with the week’s activities, including the practice tornado drill on March 4th. Schools are not required to participate. Severe Weather Preparedness Week activities are discretionary, and are meant to raise awareness of tornadoes and severe storms. Note: Illinois law does require schools to conduct a minimum of one severe weather and shelter-in-place drill during the school year.