ARSA REPORTSOfficial Publication of the Arizona Rural Schools Association

in this issue...

ARIZONA RURAL SCHOOLS 2013 ANNUAL CONFERENCE • Designing HOPE for Success •

Flagstaff September 19-21

Make plans to attend the 19th Annual Rural Schools Conference at the Little America Conference Center. Enjoy a professional day in the tall pines and an opportunity to network with administrators from around the state. The conference promises to be a great time. Friday’s Keynote, Rick Miller will share how success can be reached with all students when you use Common Care Standards when teaching the Common Core. Rick led a 7 year research literature review

to understand the dynamics of a child’s success or failure. His findings

revolutionized the understanding of youth development and what is needed for them to be successful.The conference begins Thursday morning with a golf tournament at the beautiful Flagstaff Ranch. Come enjoy the cool pines and autumns colors while you enjoy a walk in the park. It is a beautiful course.

Thursday afternoon exhibitors set up and registration begins with a reception following.

Page 1 • ARSA Annual

Conference

• Eliminating Net

Metering...

Page 3 • Handwriting in the

21st Century

Page 5 • ARSA Annual

Conference (con’t.)

• ARSA Annual Golf

Tournament Info

Page 6 • ARSA Annual

Conference Schedule

Page 9 • Eliminating Net

Metering... (con’t)

Page 11 • ARSA Annual

Conference

Registration

Summer 2013

s

Eliminating Net Metering CouldRaise School Taxes

By Rick Romain

School districts across the country, including Arizona, are turning to solar Distributed Generation (DG) power plants located at their facilities to cut their electricity costs. With the money they’re saving, without any burden to the taxpayer, they are able to retain more teachers and programs in the face of budget cuts and diminishing options to find other cost reductions. Beyond the environmental and other indirect benefits, some schools are using solar installations to teach kids about renewable energy.

Today a battle ensues at the Arizona Corporation Commission over DG policy. Arizona Public Service, Tucson Electric Power and Unisource

Continued on page 5

Enjoy a professional day in the tall pines and an opportunity to network with administrators

from around the state. The

conference promises to be a great time.

Continued on page 9

s

Page 2

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Page 3

Handwriting in the 21st Century? Why Handwriting Still Belongs in Today’s Classrooms

There can be no denying that digital tools are changing instruction in the 21st century classroom. As a result, some educators have shifted their focus away from handwriting instruction, and too many schools and districts are devoting little or no time to the subject. Although the majority of the elementary school day is still spent completing work and assignments by hand1, as many as 1/3 of students are struggling to achieve functional competency in handwriting.2 As students become increasingly reliant on digital communication, school is often the only place where students get any instruction and practice with putting pencil to paper.

What are the academic benefits of handwriting instruction? On January 23, 2012, Zaner-Bloser—a publisher of handwriting and other literacy materials—and the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) jointly organized a conference in Washington, D.C.: “Handwriting in the 21st Century? An Educational Summit.” 10 Educational leaders and handwriting researchers gathered to debate the importance of handwriting (both print and cursive) in K-5.9

Research presented at the summit demonstrated how handwriting supports students’ cognitive development4 and overall academic achievement.5 Handwriting is a foundational skill that can influence students’ reading, writing, language use, and critical thinking. Students without consistent exposure to handwriting instruction and practice are more likely to have problems retrieving letters from memory,6 spelling accurately, extracting meaning from text or lecture,7 and interpreting the context of words and phrases.2

When properly taught, handwriting enables students to perform more efficiently the hierarchy of skills required in other subjects, which ultimately leads to better grades, better test scores, and better academic performance.7 The act of putting pen to paper helps students to “absorb knowledge” in a way that visual or audio learning cannot.8

1 Researchers generally agree that students require formal instruction in order to acquire the skills necessary to write legibly and fluently. If handwriting is not learned and practiced (especially in the earlier grades), students are not given the opportunity to experience the related benefits of this skill.

Educators who question the need or usefulness of spending valuable class time teaching handwriting to students would be wise to take a look at the latest research favoring the continued teaching of handwriting. The convergence of evidence leaves little room for doubt about the value of handwriting and the continuing need for this critical skill in the 21st century classroom. Encouraging districts and schools to adopt handwriting policies or programs is one way to begin improving instruction and ensuring competency in handwriting, which is still critical for 21st century learners.

1 Graham, S. & Santangelo, T., 2 Conti. G., 3 Saperstein Associates, 4 Rosenblaum, Weiss & Parush, 5 Case-Smith, J,.6 James, K.H., 7 Peverly, S., 8 Albright, M., 9 Hanover Research

10 To learn more, please visit: http://www.hw21summit.com or contact Jennifer Gotkin, Zaner-Bloser at 800-248-2568 Ext. 2578

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ARIZONA RURAL SCHOOLS 2013 ANNUAL CONFERENCE• Designing HOPE for Success •

Flagstaff September 19-21

Continued from page 1

Friday provides a full day of professional development with specific breakouts for administrators and educators. Strands ranging from: strategies for the common core, using effective strategies with struggling students, PARCC implementation, special education, keeping utility cost down, facility management and more. The conference provides a great opportunity to network while attending valuable and pertinent educational and professional

development sessions. Clock hours will be earned for continued education and recertification. Exhibitors tear down later that afternoon.

Saturday morning is a special element of the conference where outstanding educators are recognized with a banquet and one is selected as the Arizona Rural Teacher of the Year. ARSA also inducts individuals into the Hall of Fame, who have

had a positive impact in furthering quality education in rural Arizona.See how simple common care standards are necessary for ensuring student success with the common core standards. Find out what research says by attending this year’s conference. Please consider joining us in the cool pines and escape the heat for a day of professional learning. We are only as strong as our membership!

There is no dishonor in losing the race. There is only dishonor in not racing because you are afraid to lose.

Garth Stein

By Bill Blong

5th Annual Golf Tournament Thursday, September 19, 2013

Flagstaff Ranch Golf Club 3605 S. Flagstaff Ranch Road I Flagstaff I AZ I 86001 I 928-226-3111

Exclusive private course Four person scramble

Conveniently located just 8 minutes from the conference hotel Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. Shotgun start at 9:00 a.m.

Player entry fee includes: Green Fees, Cart, Practice Range AND a Box Lunch!

Awards: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place Teams, Closest to the Pin, and Longest Drive Dress Code: Shirt with collar, Shorts mid-thigh or longer, No denim

Registration Closes September 6, 2013 For more information, check our website www.azruralschools.org or contact Bill Blong at (928) 386-8977 or email at

azruralschools@yahoo.com

Page 6

ARIZONA RURAL SCHOOLS

ASSOCIATION2013 Annual State

Conference

Designing HOPEfor Success

September 19 – 21, 2013Little America, Flagstaff

Thursday, September 19th

9:00 am Golf Tournament at Flagstaff Ranch: Shotgun Start 12:00 pm Exhibitor Registration & Set-Up4:00 pm Conference Registration5:00 pm Reception with Exhibitors

Friday, September 20th

7:30 am Continental Breakfast with Exhibitors 8:00 am First General Session Introduction of County Teachers of the Year Mr. Rick Miller Keynote Speaker9:45 am Breakout Sessions & Visit Exhibitors until 12:1512:15 pm Luncheon: Second General Session 2:00 pm Breakout Sessions & Visit Exhibitors until 3:303:30 pm Exhibitors break down

Saturday, September 21st

8:00 am Banquet Breakfast Buffet: Third General Session9:00 am Annual Awards Ceremony 11:15 am Presentation of 2012 Teacher of the Year11:30 am Door Prizes Awarded11:45 am Adjourn

Page 7

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Energy Services are claiming the benefits of DG fall short of the value they provide under the current “Net Metering” rules that require full retail credit for every kilowatt hour delivered back to the grid by DG power plants. DG supporters counter with extensive studies of their own, which identify numerous assumptions and criteria made by the Utility Companies that misrepresent the value of DG. These studies conclude DG provides 1.5 times the value of the full retail credit required under the current policy.In the end, which is likely somewhere in the middle between the two positions, the Utility Companies are promoting continued reliance on their sole source options and are aggressively funding the current effort to change policy in a manner they know will eliminate the viability of DG alternatives. DG supporters are organizing grass roots support and making the case for opening the market to competition and alternatives which also provide indirect benefits, the primary of which, is “Clean Energy”.The Utility Companies argument seems disingenuous 7 years after creating the program. Their recent success in pursuing a rate increase because of lost revenues due to Energy Efficiency, DG and Net Metering programs flies in the face of the stated purpose of the program, “keeping overall energy costs down for everyone.” The actual result penalized those who did not pursue the aforementioned programs because the Utility Companies failed to fulfill their obligation, “mitigating the need to build more generation and transmission infrastructure.”In light of this deliberation and another, “Deregulation” just getting started, it has never been more important than it is now for all Arizona stakeholders to become aware, informed and involved in the energy debate. For more information: www.traditionsllc.net/AZenergy www.traditionsllc.net/blog.

Eliminating Net Metering Could Raise School TaxesBy Rick Romain

Continued from page 1

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Page 11

ARIZONA RURAL SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION 2013 CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FORM

FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA September 19 – 21, 2013

Total number of Member Conference Registrations for conference ________ X $200 = $ ___________

One free Member Conference Registration for every five attendees. Total number of Non-Member Conference Registrations ________ X $350 = $ ___________

Registration includes all conference meals. Meals for guests may be purchased at the rates below. Please indicate how many

additional meals are desired.

Thursday Reception _______ extra tickets @ $20 ___________

Friday Continental Breakfast _______extra meals @ $15 ___________

Friday Lunch _______ extra meals @ $30 ___________

Saturday Breakfast Buffet _______extra meals @ $20 ___________

Total $___________

Organization name: __________________________________Telephone: __________________________________

Administrator: _______________________________________e-mail:______________________________________

Contact Person:_______________________________________e-mail:______________________________________

Website: _________________________________________________________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________________________________________________ City: ______________________________________________ State: ______________ Zip:_____________________

Names of Conference Registrants: 1._______________________________________________ 2. ______________________________________________

Please attach a list if you are sending more than two people to the conference. Thank you!

No Registration Refunds after September 1, 2013. Please return registration along with check in correct amount.

Please Make Checks Payable To and Mail To: Arizona Rural Schools Association

P.O. Box 3123 Parker, AZ 85344

A block of rooms will be available until August 18, 2013 at the conference rate. Rooms will continue to be allotted at the group rate if available. Call Little America at 800-865-1401 for reservations.

Arizona Rural Schools AssociationP.O. Box 3123Parker, AZ 85344

PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE

PAIDPHOENIX,AZ

PERMIT NO.750

Don’t

Miss

It!

Arizona Rural Schools Association2013 Annual ConferenceSeptember 19-21, 2013

Little AmericaFlagstaff, AZ

• Rick Miller •Keynote Speaker

Play Golf in the cool pines at Flagstaff Ranch Golf Club,limited space available.

Designing Hope for Success

For more information contactBill Blong at 928.575.4501 or 928.386.8977

orvisit our website: www.azruralschools.org