Celebrating Assistant Principals Nationwide
The National Association of Secondary School Principals-parent organization of NASC, NHS, and NJHS—in partnership with the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the American Federation of School Administrators, has declared April 10–14 as National Assistant Principals Week. The week honors and recognizes the contributions of assistant principals to the success of students and schools in the United States. Make sure you play an active role in this important week by planning activities, sending e-cards, and telling your assistant principal just how much he or she means to your school. For ideas, visit www.nassp.org/apweek.
Making a World of Difference
Are you ready to celebrate your student leaders? National Student Leadership Week (NSLW) is April 16–22 and it is dedicated to recognizing and supporting the important role of student leaders. Each year, councils and chapters use this week to show how student leadership can positively impact schools and communities. This year’s theme, “Making a World of Difference,” gives students the perfect opportunity to show how one local action or project can change the world. It also ties in with the NASSP Student Leadership Initiative: Global Citizenship. Students can enter our “Tasty”-style how-to video challenge to show us how they’re making global change using #NSLW17 and #MakingGlobalChange on Instagram. Be sure to pull out the centerfold insert, Participation Station, to share with your students. Information about NSLW and the video challenge is included there. Also, visit www.nasc.us/nslw, www.nhs.us/nslw, or www.njhs.us/nslw for shareable social media posts, suggested activities, and outreach resources.
We Want to Hear From You
The NASSP office wants to learn about your chapter’s or council’s accomplishments from this school year. Each spring, we ask you to share statistics about your activities through our annual adviser survey. With more than 33,000 NHS and NJHS chapters and NASC councils combined, the collective wisdom of advisers offers us important insight. It also substantiates—through compelling statistics—the significant difference student members make in the lives of their school communities through service projects and leadership activities. You will be notified when a link to the survey is available. Please set aside some time to complete the survey.
New NASC Programs and Services Coming — Stay Tuned!
NASC wants to ensure that student council advisers and student leaders are getting the most from its programs and resources. In support of this goal, NASC has conducted extensive research to better understand what advisers need and value.
We will be adding new features and enhancing existing resources for the 2017–18 school year with no increase in affiliation fees. For example, new advisers will be able to jump-start their councils with a toolkit created specifically for them. All NASC advisers will find new options in a more robust online Adviser Resource Center. The ever-popular National Student Project Database will be streamlined for easier use. In addition, advisers and student leaders will have the opportunity to tune in to a first-ever leadership webinar series.
Ultimately, NASC aims to support you with your council management and training by providing resources that deepen your students’ engagement and development as leaders. Be on the lookout for upcoming announcements about these new features as we work to make your NASC affiliation more valuable for advisers, students, and schools!
The Sky is the Limit
Take advantage of the early-bird member rate and save when you register for this year’s NASC National Conference. The early-bird registration deadline is April 14, 2017. Held in partnership with Pinkerton Academy, located in Derry, NH (about one hour from Boston), the NASC National Conference will bring together more than 1,000 student leaders from across the country for an inspirational three-day event. From June 26–28, 2017, student council members and advisers will meet with their peers to enhance their leadership skills. This year’s theme, Out of This World Leadership, will include sessions from speakers and trainers that address issues specific to middle level and high school students.
Urge Your Students to Attend the Spring Virtual College Fair
Encourage your students to register for the virtual college fair, taking place on Thursday, May 25, 2017. Building on the success of the NHS virtual college fair during the spring and fall of 2016, this event invites participation by any grade 9–12 students and their parents. The fair is designed to support increased access to and success in college. Attendees can use their computer, tablet, or smartphone to become acquainted with—or narrow down—colleges and universities on their wish list. Attendees from around the country will be able to chat live with admissions counselors representing participating colleges and universities. Even graduating seniors on their way to college will benefit from resources provided at the fair to promote a successful transition to college and beyond. Advisers and counselors of affiliated schools are encouraged to register as well. To learn more about participating schools or registration, visit www.nasspvirtualcollegefair.com. For more information, read Participation Station, which you can share for your students to enjoy.
Dates To Remember
April
Advisers and principals notified about affiliation renewal NHS/NJHS Outstanding Service Project Award winners notified NJHS Outstanding Achievement Award winners notified NHS/NJHS Rynearson National Advisers of the Year winners notified
April 10–14: National Assistant Principals Week
April 15: Kyker State Association Service Project Award program application deadline
April 16–22: National Student Leadership Week and announcement of National Councils of Excellence
April 19: NHS/NJHS college admission planning webinar: “First Steps in Your College Search
May
NHS Scholarship winners notified
May 25: Virtual College Fair
June
Kyker State Service Project Award winner(s) notified Warren E. Shull NASC Adviser of the Year Award winner announced at the NASC National Conference
June 26–28: NASC National Conference, Pinkerton Academy, Derry, NH
June 30: National affiliation renewals due