1. 11 Schools to Watch Advocacy Webinar Presenters: Ericka Uskali-Executive Director – National Forum Tracy Cain-Administrative Assistant – National Forum Fran Salyers-Conference Coordinator– National Forum Ellen Fern – DC Advocacy Rep – Washington Partners Kuna Tavalin – DC Advocacy Rep – Washington Partners Hannah Allen – DC Advocacy Rep – Washington Partners

2. 2 Call Instructions Please mute line *6 or click microphone on computer screen. Ask questions by typing in at the bottom of the screen.

3. Webinar Overview Forum’s Advocacy Goals Forum’s Advocacy Goals Purpose of Hill Visits and What to Expect Purpose of Hill Visits and What to Expect Scheduling Procedures Scheduling Procedures Hill Visit Resources Hill Visit Resources Advocacy Training Advocacy Training Details for STW Conference Details for STW Conference 3

4. 4 Forum Goals and Key Strategies Creating a National Movement for Middle-Grades School Improvement Vision and STW criteria State Schools to Watch Program Policy statements Meeting with policy makers Public communications Improving school and classroom practice Engaging policy makers and the general public

5. 5 What is Advocacy? Advocacy is organized action in support of an idea or cause. Advocacy is organized action in support of an idea or cause. Advocacy is constituents educating elected officials on important issues and sharing ideas on what works. Advocacy is constituents educating elected officials on important issues and sharing ideas on what works. Advocacy is establishing ongoing and trusting relationships. Advocacy is establishing ongoing and trusting relationships.

6. 6 Purpose of Your Hill Visits  The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was signed into law in December 2015. This bill reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and replaces No Child Left Behind.  ESSA maintains focus on improving graduation rates and intervening in low- performing high schools.  Thank elected official and staff for their work in passing this important law, and discuss how changes will affect your work.  Visits let elected official and staff know about STW located in their district/state. Share what’s working in your school and why your school was designated a “School to Watch”.  Excellent opportunity to talk about importance of middle grades in ensuring students are successful and ready to move on to high school prepared for post secondary options related to college and career.  Congress likes to connect with success and experts in the field. You can become a “go-to” resource.

7. 7 What to Expect on the Visit Meeting may be with staff instead of elected official. Meeting may be with staff instead of elected official. The meeting may take place in the elected official’s office or at another location (e.g., Capitol steps, hallway) chosen by elected official’s staff. The meeting may take place in the elected official’s office or at another location (e.g., Capitol steps, hallway) chosen by elected official’s staff. Your visit will probably last for about 20 to 30 minutes. Your visit will probably last for about 20 to 30 minutes. What to share What to share Introductions Introductions The National Forum and STW The National Forum and STW About your school and the impact of STW About your school and the impact of STW Challenges and success stories Challenges and success stories What to suggest or “Ask For” What to suggest or “Ask For” Recommendations from Talking Points provided by the National Forum Recommendations from Talking Points provided by the National Forum Invite them to visit your school Invite them to visit your school Leave folder with the education staffer Leave folder with the education staffer

8. 8 Hill Visit Be on time! Allow about 30 minutes for transit from the hotel and another 30 minutes to get through security in Congressional buildings. Be on time! Allow about 30 minutes for transit from the hotel and another 30 minutes to get through security in Congressional buildings. There is a Metro station located at the conference hotel but many schools choose to take a taxi to their meeting. There is a Metro station located at the conference hotel but many schools choose to take a taxi to their meeting. Transportation to your meeting is your responsibility. Transportation to your meeting is your responsibility. Wear business dress clothing and Wear business dress clothing and comfortable shoes. Dress in layers. comfortable shoes. Dress in layers. Stay on message. Stay on message.

9. 9 Scheduling Procedures The National Forum will try to schedule your visit with your elected official on Thursday, June 23rd between 1-4pm. Your scheduled visit time and meeting location will be posted on 2016 STW Google Site as soon as it is confirmed. We will need the names of all members from your school participating in the Hill visit. This meeting time may be scheduled at the last minute and may also be changed at the last minute. This is due to your elected official’s schedule. If your elected official is not available, a meeting will be set up with the his/her education staff. Please stay flexible and keep 1-4 pm open. One person in your group will be the designated contact. We will need a cell phone number for this person. This cell phone number will be confirmed in an email sent to you with your scheduled meeting time. If there are multiple schools being honored from the same congressional district, visits will most likely be scheduled at the same time.

10. 10 Questions or Problems Hannah Allen of Washington Partners schedules Hill visits. Hannah Allen of Washington Partners schedules Hill visits. Contact information: Contact information: Phone: (202)349-2332 Phone: (202)349-2332 E-mail: hallen@wpllc.net E-mail: hallen@wpllc.nethallen@wpllc.net Hannah is your contact for last minute changes. Hannah is your contact for last minute changes.

11. 11 Hill Visit Resources documents will be listed on the Schools to Watch website. Each school’s contact person will be sent an email with this link. Study them ahead of time. Talking Points, Tips for a Successful Meeting, and What to Expect documents will be listed on the Schools to Watch website. Each school’s contact person will be sent an email with this link. Study them ahead of time. At the conference, you will be given a National Forum Leave behind Folder for meeting with your elected official. At the conference, you will be given a National Forum Leave behind Folder for meeting with your elected official. The National Forum will have your STW Profile and Promising Practice in your Leave behind Folder. Feel free to bring copies of other documents you would like to add to the folder. The National Forum will have your STW Profile and Promising Practice in your Leave behind Folder. Feel free to bring copies of other documents you would like to add to the folder.

12. 12 STW Advocacy Training Session Thursday, June 23 rd immediately following conference opening session Thursday, June 23 rd immediately following conference opening session Purpose Purpose Further prepares you for your Hill visit Further prepares you for your Hill visit Share any last minute details and changes Share any last minute details and changes Hear from others who have done a Hill visit Hear from others who have done a Hill visit Touch base with Schools to Watch ® and National Forum Leadership Touch base with Schools to Watch ® and National Forum Leadership Questions will be welcome Questions will be welcome

13. 13 More Information Confirmation for meeting times will be posted on Google Sites Confirmation for meeting times will be posted on Google Sites You will receive a confirmation email and directed to Google Sites. You will receive a confirmation email and directed to Google Sites. Make sure you go over the packet you get during conference check-in. Visit times could have changed at the last minute. Make sure you go over the packet you get during conference check-in. Visit times could have changed at the last minute. Please note that if your school is scheduled for an early Thursday Hill visit, you will receive an invitation to a Wednesday night training session. Please note that if your school is scheduled for an early Thursday Hill visit, you will receive an invitation to a Wednesday night training session. This PowerPoint will be posted on the National Forum’s website, www.middlegradesform.org, under conference. This PowerPoint will be posted on the National Forum’s website, www.middlegradesform.org, under conference.www.middlegradesform.org

14. 14 Conference Registration Go to www.middlegradesforum.org to register Go to www.middlegradesforum.org to registerwww.middlegradesforum.org Pay with check, credit card or PO Pay with check, credit card or PO Fax (217) 469-6025 or mail to: National Forum P.O. Box 224 Savoy, IL 61874 Fax (217) 469-6025 or mail to: National Forum P.O. Box 224 Savoy, IL 61874 Cancellation Policy Cancellation Policy Cancellations must be emailed to tracycain@middlegradesforum.org Cancellations must be emailed to tracycain@middlegradesforum.orgtracycain@middlegradesforum.org Please call to verify receipt of cancellations at (815)564-8923 Please call to verify receipt of cancellations at (815)564-8923 Prior to 4/30/16 – Full Refund Prior to 4/30/16 – Full Refund 5/1/16-5/21/16 - $100 fee per registrant 5/1/16-5/21/16 - $100 fee per registrant After 5/21/16 - No Refunds After 5/21/16 - No Refunds No partial refunds for groups - substitutions are allowed No partial refunds for groups - substitutions are allowed

15. 15 Conference Hotel Marriot Crystal Gateway Hotel 1700 Jefferson Davis Highway Arlington, VA 22202 (703)920-3230FULL

16. 16 Overflow Hotel Crowne Plaza Washington National Airport 1480 Crystal Drive Arlington, VA 22202 (703)416-1600 $229 single/double, plus tax/fees To insure conference rates make reservation before May 31, 2016.

17. 17 Washington DC Helpful Hints Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider. Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider. Must send a letter with a request 5 weeks in advance. http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/ceremonies/wreath_layings.html Must send a letter with a request 5 weeks in advance. http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/ceremonies/wreath_layings.htmlhttp://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/ceremonies/wreath_layings.html Even though the National Forum is setting up your Hill visit you may want to call your elected official’s office to see if you can be scheduled for a tour of the Houses of Congress and/or Library of Congress or to receive a flag that has flown over the Capitol. Even though the National Forum is setting up your Hill visit you may want to call your elected official’s office to see if you can be scheduled for a tour of the Houses of Congress and/or Library of Congress or to receive a flag that has flown over the Capitol. Day and night tours of the monuments are a great way to see many of the sites in a short amount of time. Tours can be scheduled through the hotel concierge. Day and night tours of the monuments are a great way to see many of the sites in a short amount of time. Tours can be scheduled through the hotel concierge. All Smithsonian museums are free. All Smithsonian museums are free.

18. See you in Washington, DC 18