August 22, 2024

 THE HENTON HEADLINES

August 22, 2024

Thinking about Exploring a Four Day School Week?

I recommend listening to this MPR interview with Carlton Schools Superintendent Donita Stephan who is leading the change from a five-day school week to a four-day week this year in Carlton. Great interview, Donita!

Who is the Leader for your Region?

MASA has nine regions and from time to time MASA must communicate directly with the leaders of each region. Please send the name of your region leader/s to taylor.ethen@mnasa.org or deb.henton@mnasa.org.  

In Search of a Premier Professional Development Opportunity?

MASA’s Advanced Leadership Academy, ALA, has been in development for the past two years. All superintendents received an email with more information and a registration link. We hope you consider joining up to 30 of our colleagues for the next 18 months who will learn together, receive executive coaching, enhance their leadership skills, and be endorsed by MASA. Be sure to register here soon as there are only 30 slots available!

Seeking Painters and Golfers who are Coming to the Fall Conference!

Many have registered for the September 30-October 1 MASA Fall Conference held this year at Madden’s near Brainerd. There is still time to register here.

Each year there is a golf tournament during the Sunday afternoon preceding the conference. This year it will occur on September 29. Not a golfer? Me either. We have scheduled a wine and painting party for those who wish to paint a picture of Minnesota and sip some wine or a nonalcoholic beverage with friends. Both events are fundraisers for our supportive MASA Foundation. Please register for golf or the painting party here.

Communication is Critical!

As school leaders, we know the importance of successful communication with a variety of stakeholders.  Our partners, the Donovan Group, know this, too.  We are working together to offer you the opportunity to participate in our first MASA Communications Academy.  Come yourself, bring a communications colleague from your district if you can and learn things to do and things to avoid to improve communications in your district!  Here’s a link to more information.

Order MASA Gear

In celebration of our new MASA logo,  we are excited to offer an MASA Store! Orders will be accepted through August 27. You can choose to have items shipped to you, or you can pick them up at the fall conference. Please note - 10% of the purchase price will be donated to the MASA Foundation.

*Update on last week’s Headline: Cybersecurity Incident Reporting Law*

I learned this week that new legislation passed in 2024 has reporting requirements for school districts that experience “successful” cybersecurity incidents. The word “successful” is the new information I received. Not every incident needs to be reported.

As a reminder, you or your lead technology person should have received this email with more information. 

Leadership Matters!

“Learning is the only thing the mind never exhausts, never fears and never regrets.”  Da Vinci