Volume 3 No. 11
Can practicing kindness build better character? The leaders at Triumph Academy, a Charter school in Monroe County, believe that a little kindness goes a long way to develop great kids that become good citizens. That is why they had their 725 K-8th grade students join a network of over 13 million students from over 24 thousand schools from around the world in the Great Kindness Challenge this past February. But Triumph Academy went a step further and expanded the challenge to cover the entire month.
 
The Great Lakes Kindness Challenge is a worldwide initiative that encourages kids to live their lives with "an abundance of joy and kindness." Students were sent home with a kindness checklist for students and their families to participate in during the next month. Items on the checklist included:
 
-       Smiling at 25 people
-       Complimenting five people
-       Helping a younger student
-       Picking up 10 pieces of trash on campus
-       Sitting with a new group at lunch
 
When students completed a task, they received verification from their guardian that the activities were performed and submitted their checklist at the end of the month. Triumph Academy has a "house system", so the school leaders decided to further encourage student participation by creating a competition between the houses to see how many activities students could complete.
 
During the month, Triumph Academy also added their own program called "Be Kind First." This program asks students to distribute five "smile cards" to people throughout their community. Triumph Academy's contact information was printed on the card and the school asks that those who were touched by a Smile Card share their experience on social media. Triumph was overwhelmed by the response that their programs had received. Amy Tansel, principal at Triumph Academy, stated, "We received emails and calls from people all over the community."
 
Triumph Academy opened in 2004 and has built their curriculum on the pillars of moral focus, academic excellence, personal responsibility, and parental partnerships. At Triumph Academy, bullying is not tolerated, students are expected to be kind to others and demonstrate respect and courtesy at all times. They empower their students to take personal responsibility for their academic success and character development, helping them to build the grit and skills they will need to tackle any challenge with confidence.
 
The combination has proven successful for these Monroe County children.


Keep smiling Triumph Academy!

Learn more about Triumph Academy by visiting their website: 
Providing training for our school board members is always a priority at Bay Mills. Seasoned board members use it as a refresher and new board members are introduced to the rules and regulations of serving on a charter school board. 
 
Below are some photos from our August 5th training session held in Novi, Michigan. Our board members enjoyed a networking dinner along with presentations from two speakers Albert Bertram and Joseph B. Urban.
 
Albert Bertram serves as the Chief Financial Officer for the Bay Mills Indian Community and presented on Financial Literacy and Communication for Boards and Administrators. Joseph B. Urban gave a presentation about Bay Mills Charter School Board Responsibilities, focusing on "The Technical Stuff." 

Albert Bertram Presents to Academy Board Members on Financial Literacy and Communications

Academy Board Members watch as Joseph Urban presents 

Joseph B. Urban presents on the responsibilities of an Academy Board Member


If you want to help our children get a great education and are interested in becoming a School Board member at one of the Bay Mills Charter Schools, please contact Megan Ringuette at (906) 248-8419 or mringuette@bmcc.edu.
Interested in gaining educational experience? Or are you looking to add to your resume? Consider becoming a charter school board member for a public school academy authorized by Bay Mills Community College Charter Schools Office!
 
At Bay Mills Community College, we support a quality education to urban, minority and/or poor children.
 
Bay Mills will provide all of our academy boards with pertinent training so that they are able to make choices that are in the best interest of the students that attend their academies .
 
Our public school academies are always looking for new members that bring a range of skills, experiences and desire to help the Academy students to excel academically, as well as having the goal of advancing the mission of Bay Mills.
 
Some requirements of the position:
  • Engagement with the goals of the Academy
  • Enthusiasm to be an ambassador for the Academy
  • Willingness to fulfill the obligation of a board member, as well as continue to uphold the standards of being a board member
           
Board Member Qualifications:
  • Citizen of the United States
  • Resident of the State of Michigan
  • Submit materials requested by the College Charter Schools Office such as:
    • Public School Academy Board Member Appointment Questionnaire
      • Must include authorization to process a background check of the nominee
      • Submit annual disclosure of conflicts of interest
Members of the Board of Directors shall include:
  • At least one parent or guardian of a child attending the school
  • One professional educator; preferably a person with school administrative experience
Members of the Board of Directors shall NOT include:
  • Any member appointed or controlled by another profit or non-profit corporation
  • Academy employees or independent contractors performing services for the Academy
  • Any current or former director, officer, or employee of a management company that contracts with the academy
  • College officials or employees 
All Academy Board members shall serve in their individual capacity, and not as a designee of any other person or entity. If it is found that a person is serving as a representative or designee of another person or entity, they shall be deemed ineligible to serve as a Director of the Academy Board. They shall be removed from office in accordance with provisions found in the Resolution or Schedule 2: Bylaws.
 
Note that a Director serves at the pleasure of the College Board, and may be removed with or without cause by the College Board at any time.
           
Working with an Academy is the perfect opportunity to advance your career interests, expand your knowledge on education and help children receive a quality education that will last a lifetime. Apply to become a board member today!

For more information or to receive an application, please contact Megan Ringuette, Bay Mills Community College Charter Schools Office Compliance Coordinator at 906-248-8419 or mringuette@bmcc.edu.
About Bay Mills Community College Charter Schools
Bay Mills Community College began authorizing charter schools in the year 2000 and now authorizes 46 schools serving approximately 22,000 students. Fall 2015: 22,729 and Spring 2016: 22,257
 
Our Mission: To ensure a quality education for urban, minority, and/or poor children by improving and expanding educational opportunities through innovative oversight methods. To provide academy boards with the necessary support and training so that they may make educated decisions that are in the best interest of the students that attend their academies.