MANS Weekly Update
April 12, 2024
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Action Alert: School Safety and Student Mental Health Funding | On Thursday, April 11 MANS sent out a Legislative Action Alert. The current proposed legislative budget for the State of Michigan for Fiscal Year 2025 would remove funding available to students who attend nonpublic schools for safety and mental health resources. Nonpublic schools have previously received this funding to assist students and the removal of this opportunity will negatively impact our schools. Please share with all school families to advocate for equitable access to resources for nonpublic students. | |
Registration Opens Next Week for MANS School Law Seminar - June 14, 2024, Lansing, MI | |
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The 2024 MANS School Law Seminar is coming this summer! This half-day session is designed to allow you to engage with and learn from practitioners and others on important legal issues facing schools. By attending, administrators will be empowered to proactively address legal challenges and implement effective policies within their schools.
Look for a registration email early next week!
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MANS Creating Pathways Toward School Success - July 26, 2024, Lansing, MI | |
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Creating Pathways is a professional learning opportunity tailored for school secretaries and administrative assistants in Michigan’s nonpublic schools. Participants will spend the day networking with peers, exploring technology, safety protocols, mental health awareness, and reflect on faith within their roles. Creating Pathways empowers school secretaries and administrative assistants with the knowledge and tools to effectively contribute to their school’s success while embracing the challenges and opportunities that shape their roles.
Share this opportunity with your school's most important ambassadors - your school secretaries and administrative assistants! Look for registration information to come soon.
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MANS 2023-2024 SCECH Application Form – Share with Educators! | |
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At the end of each school year, individual educators seeking SCECHs must apply for them using a MANS SCECH application form.
Here are the steps the school SCECH facilitator needs to take this spring:
- Complete your Google spreadsheet – both tabs.
- On the educator tab, make sure the total column is tallying everyone's SCECHs. Not sure how to do that? Click here
- Share with your educators how many SCECHs they may apply for.
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Last, share with your educators this MANS SCECH Application Form so they may apply for their SCECHs.
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Deadlines: Educators renewing their certificates this year MUST apply for their SCECHs no later than June 15, 2024. All others have until July 26, 2024, to apply for SCECHs.
Questions may be directed to Shelley Long.
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MDE Office of Educator Excellence – Comment Period Open on Proposed Changes to Administrative Rules | The Michigan Department of Education Office of Educator Excellence (OEE) is proposing changes to the following administrative rules: Teacher Certification Code, Teacher and Administrator Evaluation Tools, and School Social Worker Certification Code. Public comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. on April 19, 2024. | |
School Drinking Water Program | |
Water entering a school or child care building is required to meet federal and state drinking water quality. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) School Drinking Water Program was created to provide guidance and tools for all school and childcare facilities regarding communication, plumbing assessments, water management plans, sampling plans, sample collection, interpretation of results, risk reduction actions, and water moving programs for school personnel. | |
2024 School Wellness Award - Application Window Open | |
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The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has announced its application window for the 2024 School Wellness Award. All Michigan K-12 public and non-public school buildings are eligible to apply.
MDHHS, in collaboration with the Michigan Department of Education, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, and the United Dairy Industry of Michigan, invites school buildings to apply for the award by May 22, 2024. New this year is automated scoring, so school buildings receive their award level immediately upon submission of their application.
Direct questions to Karen Krabill Yoder at MDHHS.
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Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment Program Reporting Requirements | |
Public Act 316 of 2023 was recently enacted. It requires that all children in Michigan enrolling in their first year of school have a dental screening beginning with the 2024-2025 school year. School administrators are required to report the total number of kindergarten students who receive a dental screening to MDHHS by Nov. 1 of each year. Schools should be aware of the process for reporting this data. | |
America 250 - Students Invited to Participate in National Contest | |
In 2026, the United States will mark its Semiquincentennial: the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, America 250, has developed a national contest: America’s Field Trip. Students from grades 3-12 are invited to share what America means to them through essay, artwork, or video. The contest submission deadline is May 17, 2024. Twenty-five first-place awardees from each grade level will receive free travel and lodging for a three-day, two-night trip to a select cultural site. | |
Month of the Military Child (MOMC), Purple Up! For Military Kids Day and Purple Star Designation | |
April has been designated as the Month of the Military Child (MOMC). The theme for 2024 is “Military Youth and Children: Brave, Fearless and Resilient.” The Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) has developed a website that supports MOMC activities, including a toolkit, community activities, and other efforts to support our military-connected students. | |
Summer Camp College Course for High School Students: MCS1111: Coding Club-C with Robots | |
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Lawrence Technological University is hosting a summer camp for high school students July 22-26, 2024, where participants can earn college course credit. This intensive camp offers hands-on application of acquired skills to solve robotics problems. Students will engage in writing C code for VEX IQ robots, incorporating various sensor types and actuators. The camp includes assignments, a project, a quiz, and a final exam, providing a comprehensive learning experience.
For course content questions, contact Professor of Computer Science Dr. CJ Chung.
For registration questions, contact Director of Admissions Jane Rohrback.
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Free ESEA Equitable Services Webinar | |
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The U.S. Department of Education, Office of Non-Public Education, is hosting a free webinar on Tuesday, April 16th, at 2:00 P.M. (ET), on the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA): Equitable Services for Eligible Private School Children, Teachers, and Other Educational Personnel, to provide an overview of the equitable services requirements under Title I, Part A and Title VIII, Part F of the ESEA. Presenters include staff from the Department’s Office of Non-Public Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, and Office of the General Counsel.
The ESEA requires local educational agencies (LEAs) and other eligible entities to provide for the equitable participation of private school students, teachers, and other educational personnel, and, in some cases, families in some of the ESEA’s major programs. This webinar will cover general requirements that apply to all ESEA equitable services, as well as specific requirements for Title I, Part A and programs covered by Title VIII, Part F, which includes Title I, Part C; Title II, Part A; Title III, Part A; Title IV, Parts A and B; and Project School Emergency Response to Violence (Project SERV). The Department published ESEA Title I, Part A Equitable Services Updated Non-Regulatory Guidance in May 2023, and ESEA Title VIII Equitable Services Non-Regulatory Guidance in July 2023.
Participants must register - complete the online registration form ASAP to ensure you receive a link to participate.
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Transformative Education Scholars Program (TESP) - Loyola University Chicago | |
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MANS is pleased to announce a partnership with Loyola University Chicago TESP. As a member of the Transformative Education Scholars Program (TESP), a minimum of 12-15 members will complete one of the participating academic degree programs with the benefit of a 30% tuition discount. Scholars will receive a 30% tuition discount each semester of their academic degree program. Discount applies to required courses within the degree program only and does not cover fees or other expenses
Eligibility for Transformative Education Scholars Program: Must apply to and be accepted to one of the participating academic programs and must be admitted as part of a cohort of at least 12-15 members of the organization.
Participating Degree/ Endorsement Programs include:
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Resources from Our Partners | |
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Supporting Our Educators: As it is National Stress Awareness Month and Teacher Appreciation Week is around the corner, now is an excellent time to think about how to support educators in an impactful and actionable way. Whether it’s built into new teacher training or summer PD or planning ahead for fall programming to support a smooth 2024-2025 school year, the timing is ripe for EmpowerU’s educator PD campaign. The links below will take you to three new case studies highlighting the amazing, real results teachers have had with EmpowerU.
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Meemic Insurance Teachers Sweepstakes | |
🍎 Calling all educators! Spread the word. Meemic Insurance is showing our love for educators with an exciting sweepstakes! Ten lucky winners will each receive $300 for their school and $300 for their classroom. It's our way of saying THANK YOU for all that you do!
Let's celebrate the incredible impact of educators together. Enter to win by April 24, 2024!
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National AI Literacy Day Webinar - April 19 at 11:00 a.m. | |
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Michigan Virtual announces an upcoming webinar in celebration of National AI Literacy Day, taking place on April 19th at 11:00 a.m. This webinar will provide an overview of the impact that AI technologies are having in K-12 education, highlighting the critical need to build AI literacy skills with educators and students. Presenters will also provide an in-depth look at how a number of schools and organizations are implementing curricula, programs, and training initiatives to cultivate AI literacy among students and educators, in partnership with Michigan Virtual, a statewide non-profit supporting innovation in K-12 education.
Reserve your spot today and feel free to share with your colleagues!
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Michigan Virtual's Innovation Bootcamp - June 17 to 20, 2024 | |
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Michigan Virtual noted they are often asked what prompted them to start their EdTech Catalyst program, including an EdTech Innovation Bootcamp and Pitch Contest. And with their 2024 program launching soon, they decided to take this opportunity to share the “why” behind it.
The program was started to help close the gap between what EdTech companies make and what classrooms really need. They believe teachers are not just users of technology but also innovators who can help improve education. Teachers, administrators, parents, and others in the education ecosystem know the everyday challenges and opportunities better than anyone else, making them well-suited to develop solutions.
Do you have an idea that will improve teaching or learning? Join them this summer during their Innovation Bootcamp and prepare for their EdTech Pitch Contest on July 18, where your idea could win a share of $22,000 in startup grants plus legal and marketing support. The 2024 Innovation Bootcamp will run June 17-20 with live morning sessions via Zoom. Stay tuned for signup information in early April!
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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.
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