For almost a decade, now, the TCRWP has led once a month Wednesdays for all the leaders of TCRWP schools. Last year, 2010-2011, for the first time, the TCRWP created similar events for the many Assistant Principals who play a critical role in leading literacy work. During that year, these conferences were funded by the Kornfeld Foundation, and therefore they were offered to participating schools at no cost, with the provision that the days are only open to Assistant Principals who make a commitment to attend regularly.

In the year ahead, 2011-2012, all of Kornfeld's support will be channeled toward a new Principals as Mentors Project, leaving no funding available to support the AP Wednesdays. The TCRWP has been seeking funding for this important offering, and has decide to sponsor the AP Wednesdays ourselves, if need be, rather than cancelling this important structure. This means that schools are again invited to send one Assistant Principal to a series of five AP Wednesdays, spaced at even intervals throughout the year, starting with Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011. Additional memberships are available at a cost of $1200.

Many of these Wednesdays will include keynote addresses by nationally-renowned literacy leaders, including David Booth and Smokey Daniels. All of the days will include ongoing small group study groups, as well as courses on special topics.

The conferences will begin with a keynote by a renowned speaker in literacy or leadership. The keynote will be followed by small study groups and then optional lunchtime workshops.

To discuss your eligibility for future Assistant Principals as Curricular Leaders Conference Days, please write to Laurie Pessah at laurie@readingandwritingproject.com.