July 2012

Here’s hoping you got your Consolidated Application completed in a timely manner!  If you didn’t know the word “sequestration” before, you know a lot more about it now than you probably ever wanted!

We just finished the first Planning Meeting for the Fall ACET Conference in Houston.  Our theme will be “Joining Forces for Texas Children” and the conference will be held October 22-23 at the Westin Galleria.  Registration should be up on the ACET Website no later than June 29, so please register early!

This will be a different Fall conference than in the past in the fact that it is only two days (Monday-Tuesday).   The second day will end at 3:00 pm (with days starting with continental breakfast at 7:00 am), so you may want to plan your flights/travel plans accordingly.  We will have extended registration open on Sunday, October 21, for those who come in later that evening.

We have been working very closely with TEA throughout this time and looked very carefully at the Spring conference evaluations to give you the best information in the shortest amount of time.  We will again have the New Directors’ Academy this year on the first day, with focus sessions presented by TEA and other experts in the field for “experienced” ACET members.  The second day will have two back-to-back sets of concurrent sessions featuring “what works” from our ACET members and other presenters, as well as our Luncheon/Keynote Speaker and the final being an update from TEA.

Please remember that this year is an election year for ACET; there will be a general election for President-Elect, Vice President for Membership, and Secretary.  In order to run for President-Elect, a person must have served for at least two full years in one or more of the following positions:  Regional Director, Secretary or Vice President for Membership, served as Chairperson of one of the standing committees, or served on the Program Planning Committee.  There are no pre-requisites for Vice President for Membership or Secretary.  Also, ACET will hold elections in during the Region Meetings for even-numbered Regional Directors and an Alternate.  Please consider this opportunity to serve ACET- this is a great organization and a great opportunity to lead and serve!

I hope you have been receiving the Monday updates from NAFEPA from your regional directors; if not, please let us know and we will make sure you are getting the latest information on happenings about education from Washington, DC!

This should be a busy fall with lots of activity at both the federal level (especially with the upcoming elections) and with the state (with the upcoming Legislative session).  Please stay involved and in touch with both your state and federal representatives to let them know the good things that are happening in your district and the concerns you have for the future.

Here’s hoping you have a restful summer and a great start to the new school year!  It is an honor and privilege to serve as your President of ACET- let us know how we can help!

Sincerely,

Ricky Mitchell

President, ACET