August 2017
MANS NOTES
A monthly newsletter to keep you informed.
Executive Director's Corner
Start of a New School Year
"Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it. 
Boldness has genius and power and magic in it."
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Dear MANS Member Schools, Staff, Colleagues, and Friends:
 
We are in an especially important time for leadership, vision and smart thinking. Changes in the world we live in are rapid and far-reaching. Our charge to educate children in Christ-centered schools is undeniably vital and one that requires a boldness in action; courage in our convictions; and strength to battle those who dismiss the value of faith in society.
 
There is still time join us at GO BOLDLY, the 2017 MANS Administrators' Conference to be held on October 11-13, 2017 at Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island. We are pleased to be returning to this beautiful location. This promises to be an outstanding few days of learning as well as a way to re-charge yourself after a busy opening to the school year. Please consider joining us on Mackinac Island.
 
MANS has an exciting year of professional opportunities ahead. We are finalizing the 2017-18 calendar of events. Most of the dates are outlined in MANS Notes. Some key dates to mark down are our Public Policy Day - March 8, 2018 and Law Day - June 26, 2018. 
 
After a successful two-day report reading period, MANS' accrediting body, MNSAA, has begun to issue certificates of accreditation to qualified faith-based member schools. Thank you to all those who took time from their busy schedules to assist in the readings, and our congratulations to the schools receiving their accreditation.
  
Legislative and policy issues impacting faith-based schools are front and center in Lansing and nationally. MANS staff has shared much of what is going on at the annual members' back to school principal meetings.  Please watch for the Legislative E-News updates to stay current on all of these important issues. 
 
Thank you for all that you do for children and families in Michigan. We are truly blessed to have such an outstanding collection of faith-based schools and faith-driven leaders who are making a difference in countless lives.
 
Please feel free to contact us to offer your suggestions and help us to allow you to make the most of your MANS membership.

Sincerely,

MANS Executive Director
Save-the-Dates
Public Policy Day 2018
Public Policy Day is scheduled for March 8, 2018 at the Radisson in downtown Lansing. Look for registration information to come out late fall, 2017.

Additional Upcoming Dates to Save:

  • December 1, 2017: Technology Gathering
  • December 8, 2017: Advancement Deep Dive
  • January 17, 2018: ESSA Title IIA Webinar
  • February 9, 2018: Advancement Deep Dive
  • April 2018: CLC Network full day trainings
  • June 2018: School Improvement Event
  • June 26, 2018: School Law Seminar, Lansing
  • August 2, 2018: Office Staff Training, Lansing
  • October 18 & 19, 2018: Education Conference & Expo, Grand Rapids
Upcoming Event
Thank you to our Mighty Mackinac Sponsors! 

Catapult Learning partners with schools to provide a large range of professional development opportunities.   
Delta Education has been a leader in hand-on science education for over 30 years; providing teachers an avenue to engage their students. 
All Covered provides education IT technology solutions to schools. 

FACTS RenWeb provides administrative software such as tuition management, along with grant and aid assessment software to faith-based schools. 
McGraw Hill provides teachers and students with the tools they need to be successful teachers and learners. Visit their website to see the numerous products they offer.  
Blauckbaud helps schools achieve their goals and mission with one   solution for school data. They understand the challenges private schools face and are uniquely positioned to deliver schools a future within one modern, cloud-based, fully connected system.
 
For over 185 years, William H. Sadlier, Inc. has been dedicated to preparing K-12 students for success in academics with rigorous English Language Arts and Mathematics programs and forming them in the Catholic faith through their catechetical programs. Sadlier offers a variety of educational solutions from print to technology. 
MNSAA

MNSAA is hosting a webinar series on the accreditation process. Join us Thursdays in the month of September for the following webinars:
 

  • Sept. 7 - 10:00 am: Preparing for a MNSAA Self-Study
  • Sept. 14 - 10:00 am: Welcome to Accreditrac 
  • Sept. 21 - 3:30 pm: Serving on a MNSAA Accreditation Visit Team
  • Sept. 28 - 10:00 am: Preparing your MNSAA Annual Report
Click here to register for any of the above webinars.
MANS Member Benefits
State Continuing Education Clock Hours
Did you know that in addition to in-services, educators can earn SCECHs for participating on school committees, mentoring and for accreditation site visits? Below are the materials you will need:
Questions? Contact Shelley Long, Administrative Assistant at slong@m-a-n-s.org
or 517-372-0012.
Fund Development Opportunities
MANS Social Justice Grant 
Teachers in MANS member schools are encouraged to apply for a 2017-2018 MANS Social Justice Grant. Created as a way to honor former board member Helen Casey, the grants  support classroom projects that connect service to academic and religious instruction. Service should engage students around genuine community needs while making classroom content relevant.

Join us for a one-hour webinar on September  7, 2017 at 3:30 pm . Please click here to learn more and  register  for the webinar. 


Application deadline: October 20, 2017. 

Projects will be reviewed in November and funding will be disbursed in December. Don't miss this opportunity to bring additional resources to your classrooms!! 
2017-2018 Building Healthy Communities: Step Up for School Wellness Program
This program is flexible to meet the diverse needs of school buildings across the state and provides students, teachers and administrators with the training, curriculum, equipment, funds, communication tools and external coaches needed to create a healthy school environment that supports a culture of wellness. During the application process, each interested school can customize the program by selecting the resources that are a good fit for their individual building. Applications are being accepted until September 30, 2017,
 
Blue Cross® Blue Shield® of Michigan, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Michigan Department of Education, Michigan Fitness Foundation, Michigan State University Extension, Michigan Team Nutrition, United Dairy Industry of Michigan and Action for Healthy Kids are working together to improve student health and transform school environments through Building Healthy Communities: Step Up for School Wellness.  
Professional Development Opportunities
MANS Advocacy Webinar
Legislative advocacy is a critical component to fulfilling the mission and goals of faith-based education. Your voice has tremendous impact in Lansing as well as in your local community.

Join us at 10:00 a.m. on September 20, 2017 for the M ichigan A ssociation of N on-public S chools (MANS) Advocacy Webinar. We will provide you a preview of the legislative calendar, information on the issues that may impact non-public schools and the simple strategies you can take now to partner with MANS and Michigan Catholic Conference in their advocacy efforts. 

This webinar is ideal for school administrators, board members and parent advocate, so please encourage them to register as well.