TO:               News Editor/News Director

CONTACT:        Sheri L. Thompson, Director of Communications, Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals
122 Valley Road, P.O. Box 39, Summerdale, PA 17093
(717) 732-4999 (Office)
(717) 395-6814 (Cell)
(717) 732-4890 (Fax)
[email protected]

RELEASE:       UPON RECEIPT

(Harrisburg, Pa.) — Margaret S. Foster, principal/chief academic officer of Bear Creek Community Charter School in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., recently assumed the presidency of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP), headquartered in Summerdale, Pa.

PAESSP's membership of approximately 3,800 is comprised of elementary, middle level and secondary school principals, assistant principals and other edu- cational leaders and is affiliated with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

Ms. Foster took over the association reins from 2009-10 President Rebecca L. Stanfield, a middle school principal in the Troy Area School District, following the association's annual business meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2010, during the 18th annual PAESSP conference in Pittsburgh.

"I am humbled and honored to represent principals across Pennsylvania as President of PAESSP.   Our signature services of quality staff development including PIL offerings that are second to none, combined with Act 93 meet and discuss support, legislative influence and prompt legal support, make our organization unique as we champion the cause of our members. As President, it is my duty to continue the mission and to bring the voice of our members to the decision making table in Harrisburg and in Washington D.C.   I look forward to my year of service and to advancing the great work that principals do in their schools for kids every day," said Ms. Foster.

Ms. Foster began her career as a 9th-11th grade Applied Science teacher at Monroe City Vocational-Technical School. She then became the dean of students at Susquehanna Community School District from 1997-2000, followed by the elementary school principal at Mountain View School District.

Ms. Foster has been a member of PAESSP for 10 years. Most recently, she served the association as the 2009-10 President-Elect. Before taking this position, she served as the PAESSP federal relations/legislative co-chair, elementary division (2006-2010). She was also the East I Elementary Regional Representative on the PAESSP Board of Directors (2003-2009).   

In addition, Ms. Foster served as a reviewer for "NSTA Recommends®" (National Science Teachers Association) and wrote several articles for the Pennsylvania Science Teachers Association (PSTA) newsletter, "Exchange," from 1998-2003. Since 1997, she has been an active member of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Ms. Foster received a bachelor of science degree from Slippery Rock University. She received a master's degree in education and her principal certification from East Stroudsburg University.

PAESSP's Mission: To ensure a quality education for every child by comprehensively supporting the educational leaders of our schools.

PAESSP's Vision: To be the best service organization of its kind in the United States.

TO:               News Editor/News Director

CONTACT:        Sheri L. Thompson, Director of Communications
Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals, 122 Valley Road, P.O. Box 39, Summerdale, PA 17093
(717) 732-4999 (Office)
(717) 395-6814 (Cell)
(717) 732-4890 (Fax)
[email protected]

RELEASE:       UPON RECEIPT

(Harrisburg, Pa.) — Dr. Barry L. Purvis, principal of Chambersburg Area Senior High School, Chambersburg Area School District, was recently named President-Elect of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP), headquartered in Summerdale, Pa.

PAESSP's membership of approximately 3,800 is comprised of elementary, middle level and secondary school principals, assistant principals and other edu-cational leaders and is affiliated with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

Dr. Purvis assumed his new position on PAESSP's Board of Directors following the association's annual business meeting held during its 18th annual conference in Pittsburgh on Oct. 26, 2010.

"I am pleased and honored to represent PAESSP as the President-Elect. I have personally benefited from PAESSP through expert advice, superb professional development and networking with some of the country'ss finest principals. I look forward to serving Pennsylvania'ss principals and welcome their input on how we can continue to keep Pennsylvania at the forefront of student learning, while also supporting school leaders and the numerous challenges they encounter each day," said Dr. Purvis.

Dr. Purvis began his education career as a physical education teacher in the Chambersburg Area School District. He then became the assistant principal of the Chambersburg Area Middle School followed by the assistant principal at Chambersburg Area Senior High School. In addition, he has been an adjunct professor at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania since 2002.

Dr. Purvis has been a member of PAESSP for 21 years. He currently serves the association as chairperson of PAESSP's Secondary Awards Committee (since 2004). Most recently, he served as the Central II Secondary Regional Representative on the PAESSP Board of Directors (since 2004). In 2006, he was selected as PAESSP's High School Principal of the Year in the MetLife/National Association of Secondary School Principals' (NASSP) Principal of the Year Program.

Known in his district as "Dr. P.," he has worked tirelessly to improve the school environment and to share his clear vision and expectations for his school. He is a strong leader who seeks the development of well-rounded individuals and acknowledges the accomplishments of the students and the staff.

While Dr. Purvis was principal at the Chambersburg Area Middle School, they received the "National Blue Ribbon Award" in 2002, and the school was a finalist for the Pennsylvania Middle School of the Year in 2003. He also coached girls' varsity basketball at Chambersburg from 1979-1996 and was selected Coach of the Year twice.

Dr. Purvis received a bachelor of science degree in health and physical education from East Stroudsburg University. He then received a master's in educational administration and has a super-intendent's letter of eligibility from Shippensburg University, as well as a doctorate in educational administration from Widener University.

He resides in Chambersburg with his wife Joyce, daughter Kia and granddaughter Kiana.

PAESSP's Mission: To ensure a quality education for every child by comprehensively supporting the educational leaders of our schools.

PAESSP's Vision: To be the best service organization of its kind in the United States.

"This year's conference once again provides an Act 45 opportunity for principals and definitely meets the primary purpose of professional development in an educational environment to increase the effectiveness of all who are engaged in the teaching-learning process. As I have come to know over my 11 years of being part of this organization, the conference also gives attendees the opportunity to network with other school administrators, which is also a very important element," said Janet M. O'Rourke, 2010 conference chairperson.

A few of the awards to be given out at the conference include the National Distinguished Principal and the Assistant, Middle Level and High School Principals of the Year. These will be given during PAESSP's 26^th annual banquet from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010.

In addition to the more than 75 vendors exhibiting their wares for schools and classrooms, a multitude of informational breakout sessions and keynote addresses will be presented to attendees by five nationally known speakers and educators from across the state and during the three-day conference. Dr. Victoria Bernhardt, executive director of the Education for the Future Initiative, will be presenting a keynote session on the topic of her book, Data, Data, Everywhere: Bringing All the Data Together for Continuous School Improvement, on Sunday, October 24 during the First General Session.

Also presenting on Sunday is Jon Gordon, an education consultant and author of international best-sellers including The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel Your Life, Work and Team with Positive Energy and The No Complaining Rule: Positive Ways to Deal with Negativity at Work, will be present, "Create a Culture of Greatness in Your School," at the Second General Session.

Presenting on Monday, October 25 is Dr. Richard DuFour, the author and lead consultant for two of ASCD's video series How to Build a Professional Learning Community and Through New Eyes: Examining the Culture of Your School. His keynote, "Once Upon A Time: Addressing the Pervasive Mythology of Education," will be presented during the Third General Session.

Dr. Mel Riddle, the final keynote speaker on Monday, October 25, is the associate director for high school services for the National Association for Secondary School Principals (NASSP). He will present "No-Cost School Improvement: Leading Changes in School Culture" at the Fourth General Session.

Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidates, Attorney General Tom Corbett and Dan Onorato, have been invited to speak on Tuesday, Oct. 26 between 9:15-10:00 a.m. In addition, Barbara A. Chester, president of the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), and Jana Frieler, president of National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), will also be in attendance.

On Tuesday, Oct. 26 at PAESSP's Annual Business Meeting (8:15-9:15 a.m.), President Rebecca L. Stanfield, a middle school principal from the Troy Area School District, will 'pass the gavel' to President-Elect Margaret S. Foster, principal/chief academic officer of the Bear Creek Community Charter School in Wilkes Barre, Pa., making her the 2010-2011 PAESSP president.

For further information, or to schedule an interview or photo, please contact Sheri Thompson, PAESSP director of communications/public relations, at (717) 732-4999 (office), (717) 395-6814 (cell), or [email protected]. (Note: See enclosed schedule of events for times.)

###

PAESSP's Mission: To ensure a quality education for every child by comprehensively supporting the educational leaders of our schools.  

PAESSP's Vision: To be the best service organization of its kind in the United States.

Hopewell Principal Joins National Education Leadership Board

Contact:
Bob Farrace, NASSP, 703-860-7257
[email protected]

Reston, VA; August 11, 2010--Michael Allison, principal of Hopewell High School in Aliquippa, Pa., has been appointed to a four-year term on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), the nation'ss leading professional organization for middle level and high school principals and assistant principals.

Allison has been at Hopewell since 1998, joining the staff as an assistant principal before becoming its principal in 2000. He served as president of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals in 2008, and has served as an adjunct faculty member at Franciscan University of Stuebenville, where he earned a master's in educational leadership in 1996.

As a member of the NASSP Board of Directors, Allison will participate in shaping the organization'ss federal education policy agenda that advocates for the needs of secondary schools and their students. Allison will also travel to Washington, D.C., periodically to meet with fellow board members and with national figures and federal education policymakers.

"With the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (currently called No Child Left Behind) being considered for reauthorization, this is a crucial time to consider how federal legislation affects schools," said NASSP Executive Director Gerald N. Tirozzi. "And Michael will be right in the thick of those conversations, providing federal policymakers a much-needed reality check on how their policies will affect actual schools."

About NASSP

In existence since 1916, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) is the preeminent organization of and national voice for middle level and high school principals, assistant principals, and aspiring school leaders from across the United States and more than 45 countries around the world. The mission of NASSP is to promote excellence in school leadership. NASSP administers the National Honor Society ®, National Junior Honor Society ®, National Elementary Honor Society ®, and National Association of Student Councils ®. For more information about NASSP, located in Reston, VA, visit www.principals.org.

# # #