MESC Professional Learning Needs Assessment

MANS, through a partnership with the Michigan Equitable Service Collaborative (MESC) seeks your input.

This biennial survey is designed to identify teacher and administrator professional learning needs among Michigan's non-public school community. The information collected will allow the statewide MESC to construct a comprehensive plan for state and local professional learning opportunities that support a long term vision for learning. Utilizing this data, and data collected from other sources, a calendar of opportunities will be organized making use of Title IIA equitable services in accordance with ESSA regulations.

This survey should be completed by administrators and classroom teachers. We ask administrators to distribute the survey link to each classroom teacher to ensure a wide variety of perspectives.

The survey should take less than seven minutes to complete, and it will be open through 5:00 p.m. on January 31, 2024.

Questions about this survey should be addressed to Angelia Salas. We thank you for your input!

FINAL NOTICE: 31aa Application for School Safety and Mental Health Funding Due January 7, 2024

Pursuant to Public Act 103 of 2023, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) announces the extension of the application deadline for funding for school mental health and school safety initiatives to January 7. 2024. Section 31aa (MCL 388.1631aa) provides per pupil funding for local school districts, both traditional public school districts and public school academies; intermediate districts; nonpublic schools; and Michigan School for the Deaf for activities to improve student mental health and improve student safety. For more information on this funding opportunity, please visit the School Health and Safety website.

MANS sought clarification on the use of 31aa funds for personnel and this is the response from the Michigan Department of Education via the Attorney General's Office: "As long as the funds are used for noninstructional purposes and items that do not constitute a primary function of the school, the nonpublic school could hire staff (e.g., social workers, counselors, school nurses) directly or contract for staff using 31aa funds."

Click here for MDE 31aa recording.

Click here for 31aa Webinar Resources.

MANS 31aa Third-party Vendor Webinar

The Michigan Association of Non-public Schools (MANS) invited business partners to help members understand the types of services they can provide to schools through the 31aa grant funding. The presenters provided participants with an idea of school safety and mental health services and products that could be added to your 31aa applications.

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) and Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP), announce the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) grant program opportunity.

The purpose of the 21st CCLC grant program is to create community learning centers for those times when school is not in session. Programs must provide students with academic enrichment opportunities as well as additional activities designed to complement their regular academic program.

These funds will be awarded through a competitive grant process to local education agencies (LEAs), both traditional public school districts and public-school academies (PSAs), intermediate school districts, community-based organizations (CBOs), Indian tribe or tribal organization (as such terms are defined in Section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Act (25 U.S.C. 450b)), faith-based organizations (FBOs), and other public or private entities, or a consortium of these entities, to provide comprehensive community learning center services. The 21st CCLC grant program aligns with Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan (SEP) and supports multiple SEP Goals.

January 16, 2024, from 10:30 a.m. –12 p.m. (noon) - Application Information Webinar.  Register here for the webinar.

January 19, 2024 – Intent to Apply (date changed to give more time to apply). The intent to apply form and corresponding link will become available for interested organizations to access on the 21st CCLC webpage.

February 8, 2024 - Intent to Apply DUE. Submission of this notice is a prerequisite for this application; however, it does not obligate the organization to submit an application.

Please send questions to Lorraine Thoreson, 21^st CCLC Manager.

Google Certification Academy

Join Google Trainer John Sowash this winter and become a Google Certified Educator! This virtual course will introduce you to creative ways to use technology in your classroom AND prepare you for the Google Educator exam. 

• Cost: FREE - limited scholarships available*
• Dates: January 16, 18, 23, 25, 30 and February 1, 6, 2024
• Time: 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. EST (sessions are recorded for on-demand viewing)
• Platform: Google Meet and Google Classroom
• 11 hours of continuing education credit included

*A limited number of scholarships are available for nonpublic school staff. Use coupon code MESC24 at checkout to register at no cost.

Van Andel Education Institute On-Demand Webinars

The Van Andel Education Institute (VAEI) offers on-demand webinars for K-12 educators on a variety of topics. VAEI is dedicated to creating K–12 classrooms where curiosity, creativity and critical thinking thrive. They are transforming education by offering student programs, teacher professional development and instructional tools that bring inquiry-based learning to life and engage students in thinking and acting like scientists.

This skill-based course explores the pivotal role of positive interactions in building trust between students and teachers in the classroom, ultimately guiding them to develop a personalized plan for enhancing positive interactions and monitoring progress.

In this course, you will:

• Discover the power of positive interactions and learn about the 5-to-1 ratio.
• Examine and reflect upon your current interactions with learners.
• Develop a plan for building trust with students through positive interactions.
• Track your progress using a simple template.
• Apply your knowledge and share reflections with other participants.
• Earn 4 SCECHs

New Advanced Tech Courses for Students

Dive into Michigan Virtual's new Mobile App Design with MIT App Inventor course, suitable for students at any programming level. They'll learn to build functional mobile apps using MIT App Inventor's user-friendly visual environment, covering app design, usability, and security. For those with a programming background, Michigan Virtual's Video Game Design with Java course offers an immersive experience in game development, utilizing Java and Greenfoot. Students will gain hands-on skills in game design and project lifecycle management. 

Virtual ESI for Building Leaders Workshop Series

Catapult Learning invites you to join them for Virtual ESI for building leaders. This three-day virtual workshop series is led by Michelle Doyle, a leader in educational consulting and equitable services. These three sessions will cover the essentials of understanding equitable services through federal education programs for students attending private schools.

Workshop One - January 16 at 2:00 p.m.: Title IIa and ESSA Consultation

Workshop Two - January 17 at 2:00 p.m.: Title I

Workshop Three - January 18 at 2:00 p.m.: IDEA

Catapult Learning PDNow

Professional development (PD) should solve today’s education challenges and meet educators where they are – that’s where we step in. PDNow is Catapult Learning’s professional learning platform that pairs more than 45 years of school partnership excellence with technology, giving your K-12 educators access to high-quality PD that builds capacity – anywhere, anytime.

GPS Solutions provides a mental health professional who conducts one-on-one, group, and whole group support that focuses on both proactive and reactive ways to promote self-awareness, managing emotions, social awareness, developing empathy, maintaining and repairing healthy relationships, and responsible decision-making. This support is designed for students, staff, and leaders so that the strategies identified can be supported with all stakeholders within the building.