MANS Weekly Update

March 1, 2024

Important Updates

MANS is Hiring!

The Michigan Association of Non-Public Schools is expanding the team! In our commitment to grow the professional development offerings and enhance our service to our members, MANS is seeking a qualified individual to join our team as a Program Associate. The Program Associate will assist in coordinating and facilitating professional learning opportunities provided by MANS and the Michigan Equitable Service Collaborative (MESC). We look forward to welcoming a dedicated, entrepreneurial individual who shares our vision for faith-based education in Michigan.


To apply for the position, please send resumes to Shelley Long no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 15, 2024. The anticipated start date for this role is July 2024.

Job Description

MANS 2024 Public Policy Day - March 19, 2024 in Lansing

Register by Tuesday, March 5 to guarantee appointments.


The MANS team is working hard coordinating appointments with your Senators and Representatives. Please register by Tuesday, March 5 to ensure ample time to confirm meetings to discuss important topics with your elected officials.

Register Here

MANS 2024 Education Conference and Expo Call For Presenters

The Michigan Association of Non-public Schools invites you to share your expertise and insights at the upcoming MANS Education Conference and Expo. Education professionals, your contributions can enrich the conference experience for attendees and inspire meaningful dialogue. We welcome you to submit a session proposal that highlights innovative approaches, best practices, and emerging trends in education. Join us in shaping an impactful program that empowers educators and fosters excellence in teaching and learning.


Important Dates:

  • March 15th - Call for Presenters Submission Deadline
  • April - Presenters notified about proposal selections and Conference registration opens
  • July - Presenters notified when their session is scheduled
  • September - Early bird registration ends
  • October 17 & 18 - MANS Education Conference & Expo
Call for Presenters

Michigan Equitable Service Collaborative (MESC)

Scholarships for the Program For Inclusive Education (PIE)

The Michigan Equitable Service Collaborative (MESC) is offering five partial scholarships to participate in the University of Notre Dame, Alliance for Catholic Education, Program for Inclusive Education (PIE). PIE is an 18-credit hour program for educators employed in Catholic schools/(arch)dioceses. The program offers a licensure track for eligible teachers who wish to pursue additional licensure in Mild Intervention upon program completion. For applicants without a teaching license or who are already licensed in special education, PIE offers the opportunity to further develop their expertise in meeting the needs of diverse learners through a unique Catholic school lens. Join PIE and more effectively welcome, serve, and celebrate all students!

 

MESC is offering five $5,000 scholarships. If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, please contact Angelia Salas.

State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECH)

Applying for SCECHs

Please share the following with your staff:


The Google spreadsheet kept by the school serves as the administrator's signature.


The SCECH application serves as the educator's signature. Educators seeking SCECHs must apply for them at the end of each school year. See page 11 of the SCECH Handbook.

MANS SCECH Handbook

The SCECH application for the 2023-2024 academic year opens in April 2024. If you've already completed your PD for the year and need early access or if you have any questions, reach out to Shelley Long.

State Updates

The Michigan Department of Education Celebrates March is Reading Month

Since 1994, March is Reading Month has been a month-long celebration promoting the importance of reading with learners and their families. This effort directly supports goal 2 of Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan to improve early literacy achievement. The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) reminds educators and families to be mindful of the philosophy of windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors when selecting books to engage with students and children throughout March is Reading Month.

Learn More

Title IV, Part A Stronger Connections Grant, Competitive Application Release Announcement

The Michigan Department of Education has been awarded $26,504,263 by the U.S. Department of Education under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) Stronger Connections Grant (SCG). The Title IV, Part A (page 168) SCG program uses Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act for state education agencies to competitively award subgrants to Title I, Part A eligible high-need local education agencies (LEAs), including public school academies (PSAs), to expand vital mental health services and provide additional support to design, enhance, and implement initiatives that will promote safer, more inclusive, and positive school environments. Note there is a requirement for school districts to include nonpublic schools in the planning, implementation and evaluation of any proposed project.

Learn More

2024 Virtual Education Workforce Job Fairs

In support of Goal 7 of Michigan's Top 10 Strategic Education Plan to increase the numbers of certified teachers in areas of shortage, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is pleased to share the dates for the 2024 Virtual Education Workforce Job Fairs, presented in cooperation with the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO). The 2024 virtual job fairs are open to employers of educators and all individuals seeking to work in the education field.


The first job fair will be held on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in partnership with Central Michigan University (CMU). The second job fair will take place on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Both job fairs will use the Brazen virtual platform to increase access to individuals seeking education jobs in Michigan.


For information and to register, job seekers and employers should visit the Education Workforce Job Fairs website.


For information on how to become a certified educator in Michigan, please visit the Office of Educator Excellence website


Staff are also available to answer specific certification questions sent to MDE-EducatorHelp@Michigan.gov.

Certificate Application Fee Reimbursement Program

The Certificate Application Fee Reimbursement program has been designed to retain and incentivize early renewals of educators renewing their certificates for the first time between October 1, 2023, and September 13, 2024. There is no need to apply for this reimbursement. This program is available until funds are exhausted. Please visit the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) Certificate Application Fee Reimbursement website for more information.

Federal Updates

FREE Online Course for Private School Practitioners: Intensive Behavior Supports Learning Series

Are you looking for FREE professional development to enhance your knowledge of how to provide behavioral supports to your students? Would you like to gain skills and knowledge to assist all students, including those with disabilities, in your classroom?


If you answered yes, then you are invited to join the PROGRESS Center for their upcoming 4-week interactive virtual learning opportunity on behavioral supports. This is for private school educators, school leaders, and other stakeholders and will be held every Tuesday beginning March 5 through March 26, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (ET).


A Zoom link will be provided after registration is confirmed and a certificate of attendance will be available for those who attend all four sessions. The course breakdown is:

  • Week 1: Behavior Theory
  • Week 2: Antecedent and Instructional Strategies
  • Week 3: Consequence Strategies for Increasing and Decreasing Behavior
  • Week 4: Using Data to Measure, Monitor, and Inform Decisions


Please be sure to register to ensure your space is reserved to attend this helpful and informative class!

Opportunities

Michigan Virtual Strategic Planning

Michigan Virtual is updating its strategic plan and values your feedback and insights on how they can best help support Michigan students and educators in the coming years. Your response to this survey will be used to help them align with your needs and to identify new opportunities to partner with educators to improve teaching and learning across Michigan. The survey should take 10-15 minutes to complete. Responses are completely anonymous and will be added to a larger pool of data for use in their strategic planning process. Thank you for taking the time to share your insights with Michigan Virtual.

Take the Survey

Prepare Your Students for Civic Participation

The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation is inviting government classes from Grand Rapids area nonpublic schools to participate in a special forum for future voters at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum on March 21. Designed with high school students in mind, forum participants will learn the history of voter rights in the United States, hear from the Kent County Clerk's office, learn about initiatives and ballot questions, and have the opportunity to register to vote.

Learn More

Transformative Education Scholars Program (TESP) - Loyola University Chicago

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: 

 

Loyola University Chicago Website
Email for More Information

Resources from Our Partners

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.

Learn More

GPS Solutions

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.

Learn More

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