New York,
NY (July
15,
2004) --
Developed in collaboration with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), Scholastic, the global children's publishing and media company, recently hosted the first Principal Fellows Program at Scholastic's worldwide headquarters in New York City during the week of July 6-9. The 2004 Principal Fellows Program was created as a forum for Scholastic to interact with school leaders to receive a firsthand perspective on the state of our nation's elementary, middle and high schools. The Principal Fellows also offered Scholastic insight on how the company could best continue to meet the needs of principals across the country.
The 2004 Principal Fellows are Merian Stewart of (Arthur Amos) Noyes Elementary School in Altadena, California, Les Potter of Silver Sands Middle School, Port Orange, Florida and Patricia Welch of Hillcrest High School in Country Club Hills, Illinois.
While at Scholastic, the Principal Fellows reflected on the trends affecting all grade levels and discussed critical issues that impact the principal's role, such as year-round schooling, state standards and curriculum, transitioning through grade levels and the
No Child Left Behind Act. The program also gave the principals an opportunity to share best practices, exchange ideas with their peers, and share their thoughts on the common challenges and opportunities in their schools.
“Scholastic is committed to addressing the evolving needs of principals and other educators across the country,” said Ernie Fleishman, Sr. V.P., Education and Corporate Relations. “The Principal Fellows Program affords us the opportunity to learn about the successes and challenges of educators so that Scholastic can continue to develop and publish the products and services that best serve their school communities.”
All of the Principal Fellows have held administrative posts for at least 10 years and were chosen based on recommendations from the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).
"Scholastic has wisely tapped into a rich educational resource by discussing issues and trends with seasoned school principals," said Vincent Ferrandino, NAESP's executive director. "We applaud the Principal Fellows Program and look forward to its future."
Gerald N. Tirozzi, Executive Director of the NASSP added, “With the responsibilities of the principalship changing on what seems like a daily basis, the resources school leaders need to support their efforts must adapt to those changes. Scholastic should be commended for developing the Principal Fellows Program to better understand the ever-changing role of the principalship.”
About Scholastic
Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books. Scholastic creates quality educational and entertaining materials and products for use in school and at home, including children's books, magazines, technology-based products, teacher materials, television programming, videos and toys. The Company distributes its products and services through a variety of channels, including proprietary school-based book clubs, school-based book fairs, school-based and direct-to-home continuity programs; retail stores, schools, libraries, and television networks; and the Company's Internet Site,
www.scholastic.com .
About NAESP
Established in 1921, the National Association of Elementary School Principals serves 30,000 elementary and middle school principals in the United States, Canada and Overseas.
About NASSP
NASSP, the preeminent professional organization and the national voice of middle level and high school principals, assistant principals, and aspiring school leaders, provides its members the professional resources to serve as visionary leaders. NASSP promotes excellence in school leadership to Congress, the administration, the national media, and the general public. Through its programs and student leadership services, NASSP promotes the intellectual growth, academic achievement, character development, leadership development, and physical well being of youth.