Newsletters

News from NMANS President By Dr. Kathryn Weil

Dear Colleagues, Daylight Savings Time puts a whole new “light” on our days. Just as we think spring is here and we can wake up to a sunny morning, BAM, here comes Daylight Savings time to plunge us back into the morning darkness and winter. Of course, the other side of that coin is the long, light evenings that take us into summer. Unfortunately, I’m so tired by evening from getting up in the dark that I can’t enjoy the sunny late afternoons. The purpose of DST is to save energy costs. However, a research study by the University of California of the state of Indiana which held out for many years (as does Arizona still) from implementing DST, showed that energy costs actually increased by $8.6 million per year after Indiana finally switched to DST. So much for that theory. Daylight Savings Times was originally conceived by Benjamin Franklin in 1784 during one of his many trips to Paris as an American Delegate. The idea wasn’t actually implemented until 1916 in England when “Summer Time” was instituted. During WWII, the British set their clocks forward 2 hours during the summer in hopes of saving even more energy (see above research study). The US began using DST in 1916 as well, beginning April 30th through October. The DST law was repealed in 1919, but re-instituted in 1942 as “War Time” when the clocks were set forward one hour year-round. After WWII, DST was a local option until 1974 when President Nixon signed the Emergency Daylight Saving Time Energy Conservation Act of 1973 that set DST again year-round. I remember that dark, cold winter of 1974 with no fondness; getting up in the dark, scraping my windshield in the dark, driving to school in the dark. I’m ranting about DST because it is an acute reminder to me that the school year is winding down. We’ve all experienced the phenomenon of the school year flying by faster each year. Well, this year has been no different. The students are beginning to get “spring fever” and the teachers are tired. The end isn’t quite in sight, but we can almost see that glimmer. At this time of year I begin to think about what I’ve accomplished during the current school year. I get a little anxious, because my list is long and the time is short.

My “to do” list for NMANS is likewise long. The Board is working on the following items that we would like to wrap up before June: 1. The Spring Administrator’s Conference on April 18th will give us a chance to hear from our lobbyist about the Legislative Session and from some very generous APD police officers will present their security program. 2. Board members are in contact with the PED to discuss the possibility of non-public schools participating in the State Standards-Based Assessment Program. 3. In addition, Board members are in contact with the PED to discuss the re-instatement of the Non-Public Schools Commission. This would give the non-public schools more of a voice in education in New Mexico. 4. Planning for the 2008 Fall Conference will be underway with information about the keynote speaker available to member schools. 5. NMANS will have a “presence” at the annual CAPE (Council for American Private Education) Conference in Washington, DC. Our Treasurer, Nancy Suedkamp will be attending. All of the NMANS Board members appreciate your support during this school year and look forward to working with you and your school the remainder of this year and 2008-09.

News from NMANS Lobbyist By Daniel Ulibarri The session ended at noon on February 14th. Each of our bills timed out in committee. There should be a special session in which we are seeking to at least input SB262 into a larger tax package. Here are the bills we are continuing to advocate for: HB 269- Classroom Supply Tax Credit, SB 290 - School Computer Hardware Loan Fund SB 462 - Certain Scholarship Donations Tax Credit Details about all of these bills may be found on the legislative website:

[|__http://legis.state.nm__] I hope to have more news at NMANS Annual Administrators’ Conference on April 18. By Kelly McEachran, NMANS Board The NMAA Forum with public and private school administrators was very positive for both groups. The public sector had a big misunderstanding about athletic scholarships from private schools. Basically, nobody gives any. I’m sure we will have our skeptics…but, at least they heard the truth from the horse’s mouth. From this meeting I believe the push to move private schools up a classifications will be cooled off. I also believe the public sector realized that “sour grapes” was part of the issue due to five private high schools winning state basketball championships last year.
 * What’s New with NMAA**

New Mexico Technology Summit in April By Dr. Jill Brown, NMANS Board Secretary The New Mexico STE is sponsoring Don Knezek, ISTE CEO, as the keynote speaker for the New Mexico K-12 Technology Summit at the Embassy Suites in Albuquerque, April 30-May 2, 2008. ([|http://www.hprec.com)] To read more about Don Knezek go to:

[|__www.iste.org/AM?Template.cfm__]? Section=About_ISTE Meeting Details may be found at: __http://nmste.wikispaces.com/Meeting+Agendas__.


 * NMANS Mission Statement**

The mission of NMANS is to be the advocate for all children attending nonpublic schools in New Mexico. Its purpose is to assure that these students receive the benefits of diversity, free choice, and excellence in education through collaboration and communication.

News from NMANS Executive Director By Linda Honeyfield NMANS is once again hosting our **Annual Administrators’ Conference**. It will be held on Friday, April 18 from 11 until 2:30 p.m. at the Jewish Conference Center located at 5520 Wyoming NE in Albuquerque. Daniel Ulibarri, NMANS Lobbyist, will update you on legislative issues. **The main topic for the day is //School Safety//**. We have two APD Officers who will present on this very important topic. You won’t want to miss this! Member school administrators charge is $10/person which will also cover lunch. Nonmember school administrators charge is $20/person which will also cover lunch. Please RSVP to me at: lindadanhoney@gmail.com or call me at (432)553-1812. You may mail your check to: NMANS Administrators’ Conference P.O. Box 14865 Albuquerque, N.M. 87191-4865 We look forward