MREA Launches Social Media Partnership with Districts

mreaadminAchievement Gap, Other Rural Issues

MREA currently is partnering with six school districts to develop and implement a strategy using social media to better connect with parents and their communities. The Social Media Project, launched last spring, includes providing districts a social media plan and providing half-day training sessions to their teams. The next session will be held in Grand Rapids on Aug. 19. If … Read More

Telecommunications Grants Available Now

mreaadminOther Rural Issues

A recent Telehealth Grant offered by the US Department of Agriculture program will allow rural school districts across the nation, an opportunity to obtain a $500,000 Distant Learning and Telehealth Grant, offered by the USDA. US Tele-Medicine, a leader in telehealth services is offering a Matching Funds Program that will enable school districts across the USA to obtain the grant. … Read More

Join us at Hospitality Room at MDE Conference

mreaadminOther Rural Issues

MREA will host a hospitality room at MDE’s Back to School Conference on Aug. 6. Join us from 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the Fireside room for beverages, hors d’oeuvres and networking with other superintendents. The event is sponsored by GenerationReady, formerly known as Editure. Contact Diane at mrea@mnrea.org with any questions.

Apply for State Task Forces by July 23

mreaadminAssessment and Accountability, Opportunity Gap, Other Rural Issues

MREA encourages you to be the Voice of Greater Minnesota Education and raise your hand to participate in one of the five statewide education task forces created as a result of this past legislative session. The application deadline is July 23. It is essential that rural Minnesota’s voice be present on each of these advisory and decision making bodies.  In … Read More

Nominate an Innovative Project

mreaadminAchievement Gap, Assessment and Accountability, Opportunity Gap, Other Rural Issues, Quality Teachers

MREA seeks to recognize an innovative program that got results in Greater Minnesota schools this past school year with its annual Profile of Excellence Award. Nominations are due June 14. View the submission requirements. MREA will recognize the 2013 recipient at its Annual Awards Banquet in November at Cragun’s on the Lake in Brainerd. The annual Profiles of Excellence Program aims to … Read More

MREA Welcomes Diane Vosen as New Coordinator

mreaadminOther Rural Issues

MREA announced today Diane Vosen as the new administrative coordinator. Diane brings more than 20 years of experience in communication, organizational management and special events to MREA. She previously worked with the Alzheimer’s Association Minnesota-North Dakota Chapter, where she assisted with outreach and marketing, education program delivery, and special event coordination throughout 40 counties in western Minnesota. This included the … Read More

MREA Announces Keynote for Annual Conference

mreaadminAssessment and Accountability, Opportunity Gap, Other Rural Issues

MREA announced today that the 2013 Annual Conference will feature renowned North Carolina State Superintendent Mike Ward as the keynote. Ward, president of the Council of Chief State School Officers, will be speaking about “Why Good Enough is Not Good Enough Anymore” to help us connect our rural classrooms with the realities of competing in a global economy.  The conference will … Read More

AASA Seeks Input on Sequestration and Job Cuts

mreaadminOther Rural Issues

AASA just released it’s latest Economic Impact survey that calls for input on sequestration and job cuts. Please take a few moments to complete it. AASA plans to use this survey in an organized, cooperative advocacy campaign. The FAA was able to make a case to Congress that sequestration was bad policy. By collecting the job cuts data, providing AASA … Read More

MREA Launches Social Media Partner Program

mreaadminOther Rural Issues

MREA has launched a Social Media Partner Program to help member school districts effectively use the tool to connect with parents. Last week, MREA began training interested districts on the social media trends, a strategy for their schools and implementation techniques. MREA commissioned The Write Advantage Inc. to develop a quick-start strategy based on research and best practices and train … Read More

Free Training for Supporting Military Children

mreaadminOther Rural Issues

The Military Child Education Coalition® (MCEC) will host a free training opportunity on May 15 and May 16 in St. Cloud on Supporting Children of the National Guard and Reserve. MCEC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, worldwide organization, and it performs research, develops resources, conducts professional institutes and conferences, and develops and publishes resources for all constituencies.  It is focused on … Read More