July 1 marked the beginning of the 2007-2008 term for NAESP’s newly elected board members. New president Mary Kay Sommers of Fort Collins, Colorado, will lead the team, which includes Nancy Davenport as president-elect, and newcomers Linda Chamberlin as Zone 3 director, J. Edward Pollard Jr. as Zone 4 director, Juli Mary Kwikkel as Zone 6 director, and Mark Terry as the Foundation director for middle-level schools. We’re excited to have these accomplished principals on the NAESP Board of Directors and look forward to what they have in store for the next three years.

Welcome!

NAESP, in partnership with the MetLife Foundation, offers Sharing the Dream grants, which help principals fund parent and community engagement efforts in their schools. Since 2004, grants have been allocated to principals and their schools throughout the nation to develop projects that improve their relationships with parents, create a welcoming school climate, and connect students and families with needed resources.

Last year, 30 principals were awarded with grants. This year’s deadline for applications is June 8. Use this opportunity to further engage your school with the community. Applications are available at http://www.naesp.org/client_files/SharingtheDreamApp2007.pdf.

Thousands of principals have soared to Seattle this week for NAESP’s 86th Annual Convention and Exposition and for two days straight, they’ve been welcomed with sunny skies and unusually warm temperatures. But alas, this is Seattle and the raindrops are expected later today. But the principals have plenty of exciting sessions to choose from indoors in the Washington State Convention & Trade Center. For the latest on what’s happening at this year’s Convention, visit Convention News Online at http://web.naesp.org/convNews/ to read about sessions and events. And for a real treat, read blogs from Jan Borelli, principal of Westwood Elementary School in Oklahoma, and Tracy Latimer, an aspiring principal at Eisenberg Elementary School in Nevada. NAESP's Convention will continue through April 2.

In less than two weeks, thousands of principals will “Soar to Seattle” for NAESP’s 86th Annual Convention and Exposition (March 29-April 2) at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center. Some of the highlights of this year’s Convention include keynote speakers Jonathan Kozol, Marian Wright Edelman, and Erin Gruwell; the presentation of NAESP’s inaugural Read Aloud Award; the release of NAESP’s 2007 fundraising survey results; and sessions on issues important to principals, including No Child Left Behind, school leadership, interpreting data, early childhood education, and technology. For further information about the Convention, visit www.naesp.org

NAESP created the Read Aloud Award this year to recognize and support quality children’s books, develop a love of reading within students, and encourage principals to read to children. Principals from across the country voted for their favorite book from a list of nominated titles and (drum roll please)…NAESP’s inaugural Read Aloud Award goes to The True Story of the Three Little Pigs! (written by Jon Scieszka and illustrated by Lane Smith), a memorable parody of the fairy tale, "The Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf," told from the perspective of Alexander T. Wolf.

The presentation of the Read Aloud Award will be made during NAESP's Annual Convention and Exposition in Seattle on March 31 at 10 a.m.