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IALAS February Newsletter
February 2024
President Message by María Burgos
Dear IALAS Famila,
As we step into February, I'm thrilled to kick off the month with warmth and celebration, aligning with our mission to foster inclusivity and appreciation within our diverse community. February not only marks the month of love but also holds significant cultural and historical milestones. As February unfolds, let us honor Black History Month with a profound recognition of the remarkable contributions and achievements of our Black brothers and sisters throughout history. This month serves as an opportunity to reflect on the rich tapestry of diversity that shapes our educational community and to amplify the voices and narratives that have often been marginalized. Together, let's foster an environment that celebrates the cultural wealth within our organization and the broader educational field.
In the spirit of our mission, let's infuse this month with our shared passion, commitment, and dedication, mirroring the unconditional commitment we bring to our roles as educational leaders in districts and communities day in and day out. As we celebrate Valentine's Day, let's express appreciation and affection for our colleagues, embodying the spirit of collaboration that defines our association and strengthens the educational landscape for the students we serve.
Our commitment to serving students and communities remains at the core of what we do. This February, let's reflect on the progress we've made and the positive impact we continue to have, staying true to our mission of promoting diversity, equity, unity, and education.Your passion makes our association vibrant, and your commitment makes it strong each day.
Additionally, on behalf of the IALAS Executive Board, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to each one of you for contributing to the tremendous success of our recent event. Your active participation, insightful contributions, and energy transformed this gathering into a truly invaluable and meaningful experience.
A special thank you goes to our esteemed keynote speakers, dedicated panelists, moderators, attendees, and our amazing sponsors. Your collective efforts and commitment to excellence have left a lasting impact.
Please know that our IALAS Board appreciates your dedication to our collective vision, and we’re eagerly looking forward to seeing all of you at our upcoming events. Stay tuned for updates in our newsletter! Thank you once again for being an integral part of the IALAS familia.
In unity and anticipation for a future of continued success,
María Burgos
IALAS President
Scholarship Updates by Vice President Nick Guerrero
IALAS would like to highlight our five mentors and three mentees for SY2024. We appreciate your leadership, mentorship, and willingness to receive support. Aforementioned, our goal is to provide support, guidance, and mentorship to rising administrators and district leaders. However, both parties will determine what the relationship will look like, sound like, and feel like.
If you are still interested in participating, please complete the forms and we will do our best to connect y’all throughout the school year.
Scholarship Applicants
Less than two months remain to apply to IALAS scholarship.We will offer three $1,000 scholarships to three different IALAS members in Latino/a serving districts.The deadline to 3/31/24.
If you are interested in applying, please complete the Google Form HERE. You can email Nicholas Guerrero at Nguerrero@ialas.org with any questions.
Introductory essay.
Brief biography.
Profile picture.
Professor letter of recommendation #1.
Professional reference letter of recommendation.
IALAS member letter of recommendation.
Partnerships, Membership and Advocacy
Partnerships by Treasurer Kris Rivera
IALAS is honored to showcase one of our sponsors, BluePoint Alert Solutions. Please see the message below from our valued sponsor!
BluePoint Alert Solutions is a Rapid Emergency Response System that provides immediate notification to building occupants and first responders upon an activation. As you know, School safety and security is a complex process that starts with mental health and continues all the way to public perception. A key part of every district's plan includes notification and response: from calling 911 to letting the entire building know there is an emergency and moving into your protocols. BluePoint is and can be an important piece of every district's plan around immediate notification and response. Our Pull-Stations are simple and easy to use in an emergency, automating notification and response and increasing situational awareness for all involved. Additionally, BluePoint can integrate with existing PA systems, access control and IP camera’s – bringing all of those pieces together to create a cohesive response plan in an emergency. Our ultimate goal is to increase confidence in any crisis response, whether a weapons threat event or a medical emergency. We have the privilege of partnering with many districts in Illinois including J. Sterling Morton District 201, West Chicago District 33 along with dozens of others. Here are two links, first a video of Fred Cedena, Director of Facilities and Security at West Chicago District 33 speaking about the value of BluePoint https://youtu.be/NBxbYy6H0fI and the second is our BluePoint website https://bluepointalert.com/ where you can learn more about what we do.
BluePoint is a proud sponsor of IALAS and I’d welcome the opportunity to speak with you further about BluePoint and the value it would and could provide to your school and district.
David Ochs
630-215-5588
Membership Announcement and Career Opportunities by Members at Large Darlene Vargas
It’s a great time to become a member with the Illinois Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents. By joining IALAS, you will have access to a wide range of resources, including professional development opportunities, networking events, and mentorship programs. You can also join committees and working groups, which will help you stay up to date on the latest issues impacting Latino school administrators and superintendents.
If you are interested in an individual membership click here!
If you are interested in an organizational membership click here!
Advocacy by Historian Rocío del Castillo
OELA regains management of Title III funds
Language Magazine
Last month, management of Title III — the state grants for improving instruction of English learners, amounting to $890 million (FY2023) — returned to the US Department of Education's Office of English Language Acquisition, having been under the remit of the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education for the last 15 years. Read More
7 effective ways teachers can advocate for English learners
Owlcation
Throughout the past few decades, the number of English language learners in public schools across America has risen drastically. In fact, in the last decade alone, the number of ELLs has grown by 60%, making them the fastest-growing student population in the U.S. Read More
Bilingual students miss out on advanced classes and gifted education. This teacher fights for change
Chalkbeat Colorado
In second grade, Carlota Loya Hernández spent a lot of time coloring at her desk. She didn't speak English and her teacher didn't speak Spanish, so crayons and paper were her go-to activity at school in Colorado's San Luis Valley. Read More
Career Opportunities
Are you curious about what new leadership positions are already being posted for the 24-25 school year? With the job market constantly changing, it's important to stay up-to-date on the latest job postings. You can search online for different job listings on the links below:
http://www.schoolexecconnect.com/available-positions/
https://www.topschooljobs.org/
Additionally, remember to visit IALAS on social media platforms and emails, where we frequently share job postings and updates. Stay connected with us for the latest opportunities!
Professional Book Recommendation
Secretary I Martín Da Costa
Secretary II Francela López
The Power of Latino Leadership, Second Edition, Revised and Updated
Culture, Inclusion, and Contribution
Juana Bordas
By 2045 Latinos will make up 1 in 4 Americans. They are projected to be 78% of the new entries into the labor force in the next ten years. By sheer numbers alone, Latinos will shape the 21st Century. What does it take to lead such a varied and vibrant people who hail from twenty-six countries and are a blend of different races? And what can leaders of all cultures and ethnicities learn from how Latinos lead?
Juana Bordas takes us on a journey to the very heart and soul of Latino leadership. She offers 10 principles that richly illustrate the inclusive, people-centered, socially responsible, and life-affirming ways Latinos have led their community. This model is uniquely suited to this century’s multicultural, global age.
This new and expanded edition includes a chapter on intergenerational leadership that recognizes vast generational shifts are occurring: ten thousand Baby Boomers retire every day and Millennials and Zs are the largest generations in history. Six out of 10 Latinos are millennials. This new chapter can guide us in preparing the next generations to take the helm of leadership.
This unprecedented and wide-ranging book shows that Latino leadership is indeed powerful and distinctive and has lessons that can inform leaders of every background.
Experience the power of inclusion, community, and taking action! An updated, expanded edition.
ALAS Event & Connection Opportunities
IALAS IMPACTO 2024 Educational Conclave
IALAS IMPACTO 2024 Educational Conclave & Gala, A special thank you goes to our esteemed keynote speakers, dedicated panelists, moderators, attendees, and our amazing sponsors. Your collective efforts and commitment to excellence have left a lasting impact.
Thank you to our 2022-2023 Sponsors!
Upcoming Events
IALAS is hosting a variety of events in the coming months that offer members a chance to learn from and collaborate with one another, as well as to get up-to-date on the latest research and trends in the educational field. Additionally, they provide members with the chance to expand their professional networks, which can be invaluable for career growth. Please keep the following dates open:
Annual Statewide Conference: April 12, 2024- More Information to Follow
Follow IALAS on Twitter @IllinoisALAS or Linkedin @Illinois Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents
Use the QR Code to join your familia on Linkedin