December 2019 MANS Notes
Executive Corner
Dear MANS Member Schools, Staff, Colleagues, and Friends, 

As Christmas is quickly approaching and a new year to follow, the staff at the Michigan Association of Non-public Schools wishes you a peaceful and joyous season. During this busy time of year, may you find a moment of peace to reflect on the greatest gift ever given; the gift of our Lord and Savior. 
 
We look forward to seeing you at the many events we have lined up for 2020. As you start your new calendar, make sure to mark the following dates:

  • March 12, 2020 – MANS Public Policy Day
  • June 25, 2020 – MANS School Law Seminar
  • July 31, 2020 – Creating Pathways Toward School Success 
  • October 15-16, 2020 – One Michigan One Mission Conference and Expo 
 
Christmas blessings,
Brian Broderick
Executive Director
Angelia Salas
Director of Services
Shelley Long
Administrative Assistant
Molly Koll
Program Associate
Advocacy
State News
Legislature Restores Some Critical Items; More Work to be Done
After a prolonged stalemate, the legislature and governor negotiated the restoration of $573 million of the $947 million vetoed by the governor at the start of the fiscal year.  The supplemental budget for the 2019-20 fiscal year included funding for the Michigan Tuition Grant Program, a program that provides grants to needy students attending Michigan’s private colleges and universities.  

The supplemental budget included a $10,000,000 line item for school safety grants and panic buttons for public schools only. Nonpublic schools were included in the proposed supplemental budget but were removed during the negotiation process. This will be a focus of MANS for what is an expected second supplemental budget in January. MANS will also seek restoration of funding for Robotics grants for nonpublic schools and for reimbursement of state-imposed health and safety mandates. MANS members will be asked to weigh in with legislators and the Governor’s office in early 2020 to make the case that all Michigan children should be in safe environments no matter where they attend school.
Governor Whitmer's Brief Regarding Mandate Reimbursement
The latest filing in the mandate reimbursement case before the Michigan Supreme Court saw Governor Whitmer and State Superintendent Rice argue that the appropriation to reimburse nonpublic schools for state health and safety mandates is unconstitutional. This in despite of the language that has been approved by the legislature and former Governor Snyder for three years running. It is important to point out that the Governor's brief is only related to the Mandate Reimbursement case and does not affect any current service non-public schools receive like shared time, dual enrollment or the equitable participation in federal title programs.

The position of the Governor and State Superintendent is not a surprise, though usually a governor defends state law that is litigated. The Michigan Catholic Conference (MCC) issued a news release faulting their legal reasoning and contending that “the state has an obligation to ensure all children are educated in healthy and safe environments.”

MANS and the MCC will file an amicus brief defending the appropriation this week and make a request to participate in oral argument as there no longer is a party in the case that will defend the statute. It is expected that other amici briefs will be filed in support of the appropriation as coordinated by MANS and MCC. The Michigan Supreme Court will decide the case sometime in 2020.
Governor Whitmer's statewide FAFSA Challenge
The Michigan College Access Network's annual College Cash Campaign has begun, and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently   announced her statewide “Governor’s FAFSA Challenge" . The goal of the campaign and challenge is to increase the number of students completing the FAFSA and scholarship applications. To participate in the challenge, the governor asks schools to do the following:
  • Set a bold FAFSA-completion goal;
  • Select a FAFSA champion; and
  • Track FAFSA completion data using the Michigan FAFSA Tracker.
The challenge includes numerous student incentives, including the opportunity to host Gov. Whitmer, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II and other Michigan celebrities as their commencement or Decision Day speaker.  

U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Applications
Michigan’s application for the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools (ED-GRS) recognition program is now open. The aim of U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools (ED-GRS) is to inspire education institutions to strive for 21st century excellence by highlighting promising practices and resources that all can employ. Application deadline in January 23, 2020.

Response to Public Comments on the Proposed Michigan Standards for the Preparation and Practice of Special Education Administrators 
The Michigan Department of Education issued a memo addressing concerns expressed during the first round of public comment on proposed Michigan Standards for the Preparation and Practice of Special Education Administrators and invites participation in a second round of public comment.

National School Choice Week - Save the Date: January 29, 2020
The Michigan Association of Non-public Schools is sponsoring the 10th annual National School Choice event at the Michigan State Capitol on Wednesday, January 29, 2020. The planning committee is looking for a variety of student-led displays, performances and testimonials to share at the event. Learn more and sign up by clicking the link below.

Michigan State Police Grant form Campus Sexual Assault Funding
Funding will support the efforts of public and non-public colleges, universities, and high schools to reduce sexual assaults among student populations. Eligible program categories include education, awareness, prevention, reporting, bystander intervention, peer advocacy groups and student organizations dedicated to campus sexual assault prevention, and campus improvements related to student safety. Applications will be accepted until 12:00 p.m. EST on January 15, 2020. 

LifeChanger of the Year 2019-2020
LifeChanger of the Year is an annual program recognizing K-12 educators and school employees across the country. This program celebrates those who are making a significant difference in the lives of students by exemplifying excellence, positive influence and leadership. Nomination deadline is December 31, 2019.  

The American Prospect High School Essay Contest
The American Prospect magazine, in partnership with Omidyar Network, announces the first annual American Prospect Essay Contest. This competition will give high school students the opportunity to read and reflect on one of four renowned books exploring how the economy works in terms of poverty, race, markets, and democracy. The students’ essays will explore where the economy falls short and what we might do about it. Prizes total $30,000. The deadline for submissions is March 31, 2020.

Professional Development
MANS Events
Save-the-Date for MANS Public Policy Day
March 12, 2020 - Lansing, Michigan
Registration for the 2020 MANS Public Policy Day will soon be open. Be sure to join your colleagues from across the state as we grapple with educational policy issues that impact faith-based schools.Don't miss this important day!
Planning Your 2020-21 Calendar?
As you are preparing your 2020-21 academic calendars, don't forget to mark October 15-16, 2020 as the One Michigan One Mission Conference in Lansing, Michigan. Visit the MANS website for more information regarding lodging, Keynote Presenters and the Call for Presenters.

MESC Events
These events are offered at a significant discount exclusively to non-public schools. Contact the Michigan Association of Non-public Schools for more information.
MESC Professional Learning Needs Assessment
The Michigan Equitable Service Collaborative (MESC) is asking non-public school administrators and teachers to complete the 2019-2020 Non-public School Professional Learning Needs Assessment Survey. The results of the survey will inform the professional learning plans the MESC develops for the 2020-2021 academic year in accordance with ESSA regulations.

Learning Forward 2020 Cohort
The Michigan Equitable Service Collaborative (MESC) is excited to partner with Learning Forward to offer Michigan's non-public schools the opportunity to participate in both the Learning Forward Readiness Assessment and the Learning Forward Professional Learning Cohort, a year-long cohort that will shape the way learning occurs in your building.

The Learning Forward Readiness Assessment provides school administrators, system leaders and MANS a 365 degree assessment of how we provide professional learning in the state. School administrators will learn where their professional development is meeting the needs of educators and how it can be strengthened using the Learning Forward Standards for Professional Learning . System leaders will be provided anonymous data that will help them improve their efforts to provide effective and comprehensive professional learning services. Prior to the launch of the cohort, the MESC will invite all non-public schools to participate in the Readiness Assessment to determine the level of professional learning occurring in your building. 

The Learning Forward Professional Learning Cohort will engage non-public school administrators from across the state to focus on building capacity for effective, comprehensive professional learning. This cohort will meet in Lansing, Michigan twice and will include virtual follow up. The registration fee is $150.00 and includes lunch at all face-to-face meetings, virtual follow-up and materials. Up to 30 State Continuing Education Clock Hours will be available at an additional cost.

Dates to remember:
  • January 2020 - Readiness Assessment and Registration Launch
  • April 28-29, 2020 - Session One: The Principal's Role as a Learning Leader
  • June 17-18, 2020 - Session Two: Establishing and Maintaining a Culture of Continuous Learning through Teacher-Led Learning Teams (PLCs)

VAEI NexGen Inquiry-based Science Cohort
The Michigan Equitable Service Collaborative is excited to partner with the Van Andel Education Institute to offer a second year of sustained professional development event for science teachers in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

This year long training will offer teachers:
  • An interactive opportunity to experience an investigation that models inquiry-based science.
  • Strategies for successfully incorporating a process of scientific inquiry as well as a classroom culture of thinking and collaboration.
  • Access to VAEI lessons aligned to Next Generation Science Standastandards and ready for implementation and customization.
  • Easy-to-implement strategies that support the processes of scientific inquiry and engineering design, scientific habits of mind, and a rich, collaborative learning environment.
  • Development of a portfolio to support inquiry-based science learning.
  • Support in implementation throughout the year with individualized action plans and frequent feedback loops.

This training is valued at over $1,000.00 and is offered to Michigan non-public schools for only $100. All workshops will be held in Lansing, Michigan and will include lunch.

Project-based Learning
February 28, 2020 - Lansing, Michigan
Join Trevor Muir as you learn through hands-on activities how to brainstorm, plan, and manage projects. Using project planning tools, participants will start designing their first projects, and will be equipped to finish the designs on their own and with their collaboration teams. This session is ideal for administrators and classroom teachers in grades K-12.
 
The cost for this training is $25.00 per person and includes lunch. State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs) will be available.

MESC Professional Learning Grant Opportunity
The Michigan Equitable Service Collaborative (MESC) is pleased to offer a limited number of professional learning grants to Michigan's non-public schools. Grants of up to $5000 are available based on the guidelines contained in the 2019-20 Michigan Equitable Service Collaborative Professional Learning Grant. The purpose of these grants is to increase student achievement by improving the quality of instruction and to encourage the growth of professional learning systems in non‐public schools.

MESC Newsletter and Website
Stay up-to-date on the current professional development offerings available to Michigan non-public schools by visiting the Michigan Equitable Service Collaborative website and read our latest newsletter.

Additional Offerings
The Van Lunen Fellows Program: 2020-21 Application is Now Open!
The Van Lunen Fellows Program is a year-long professional development program designed for leaders of Christian schools. Each year, up to twenty-four heads of Christian schools participate in the program that includes three in-session weeks. Fellows come from a variety of Christian faith traditions, including Catholic, Lutheran, Christian Reformed, interdenominational, and more. Sessions are presented in a dynamic and rigorous format that includes interactive workshops and expert training in areas such as financial management, marketing, strategic planning, sustainability, student recruitment and retention, and other topics relevant to executive management. 

“GoOpen Michigan” Online Toolkit
The Regional Educational Media Centers Association of Michigan (REMC) has established a #GoOpen Michigan toolkit on its website to provide educators with information about using Open Educational Resources (OER) in education.

MNSAA Accreditation
Get Engaged!
The MNSAA Leadership Council invites you to support school improvement efforts over the coming calendar year. We are seeking volunteers to assist in a number of exciting initiatives:
  • NSBECS Evidence Committee - Work with your peers from across the state to examine and make recommendations for quality evidence sources using the Dashboard for Rubric Scoring.
  • School of Distinction - This committee will inform the new model for recognizing distinctive schools and serve as a peer review for applicants.
  • Endorsements - This group will examine the adoption of endorsements that can be added to MNSAA accreditation.
  • Cross-diocesan visits - MNSAA is seeking up to 20 individuals to serve on accreditation visits outside of their diocese to help identify best practices from across the state.

Each of these committees is ideal for administrators and teacher leaders wishing to better understand the National Standards and Benchmarks. The committees will be convened for a face-to-face meeting in 2020 and then have the option to work virtually.

Please contact Angelia Salas at asalas@m-a-n-s.org for more information or to volunteer.
Innovative Solutions
School Counselor License Renewal and SCECH Changes
The School Counselor License is a five-year license with unlimited renewals. Each renewal adds five years to the license’s validity. As of February 6, 2020 specific professional development hours will be required for renewal. Michigan Compiled Law (MCL) 380.1233 (6-8) was amended in 2017 requiring school counselors to complete fifty (50) professional development hours specific to college and career preparation as part of the total required 150 hours of professional development necessary for renewal.

The hours must be accrued as follows: 
  • 25 hours - college preparation and selection; and 
  • 25 hours - career consultation; 5 of which MUST include the exploration of military career options.
Grant Opportunities
The Meemic Foundation: Pop In 2 Win
The Meemic Foundation introduces the "NottaGrant", a monthly opportunity to simply "pop in" to be entered to win a valuable enhancement for an educator's school to enhance classroom learning! Just a few clicks and you're entered to win a Sphero RVR Programmable Robot for your classroom.  Enter by December 31, 2019! 

Congratulations to the November MANS Member Winners!
  • St. Augustine Catholic School - Richmond, Michigan
  • Grand Rapids Christian High School - Grand Rapids, Michigan
Meemic: Complete Classroom Makeover
The Meemic Foundation is giving away 12 Complete Classrooms® from Lakeshore valued at up to $10,000 each! From design to installation, winners will work with design experts from Lakeshore to create a customized classroom to meet the needs of PreK-5 grades. No application needed! Just log into your Foundation Club account and nominate yourself to be entered to win. Entries must be received by December 31, 2019.

National School Library of the Year Award
The National School Library Program of the Year (NSLPY) Award, guided by American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) recognizes school library programs that meet the needs of the changing school and library environment. Exemplary school library programs ensure that the students and staff are effective users of ideas and information. These programs empower learners to be critical thinkers, enthusiastic readers, skillful researchers, and ethical users of information. Deadline is January 1, 2020.

Business Partner Corner
MANS is grateful for the following business who help us bring you effective and affordable services. Please click the links to visit the websites to learn more about how they can assist you.