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

Thank you to all who participated in MANS Public Policy Day on March 14th. MANS administrators and Board members were able to meet with more than seventy-five members of the legislature. Public Policy Day continues to be a powerful vehicle for sharing our agenda for faith-based schools with policymakers in Lansing. It is important that you continue the conversation with your senators and representatives. Senate Majority Leader, Mike Shirkey, said it perfectly during his lunchtime address, "Never assume we see what you see, hear what you hear, know what you know. We need all citizens to be diligent and engage". Please continue to reach out to your elected officials and let them know what is important to your school. Click here to see the talking points you can use as you contact your legislators. 
 
MANS Law Day is scheduled for June 27th in Lansing. This informative half-day session for MANS administrators outlines some critical legal issues confronting schools. Please mark your calendar and plan to attend. Registration information will be out soon. We will also be launching registration for the Creating Pathways Retreat for school administrative assistants. The sessions on Google Drive, school safety, self-care and legal issues are specifically designed for your front office staff.
 
Finally, save the date for the 2019 MANS Administrators’ Conference, Building Leadership for Learning. This year's event will take place at the Grand Traverse Resort in Traverse City, MI October 16-18. Registration will open on April 8th. Be sure to register right away to take advantage of early bird pricing.   


Wishing you a blessed Lenten season, 
MANS Executive Director
Advocacy
State News
School Drinking Water Training Program
The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will help identify school plumbing containing lead. The DEQ can schedule a voluntary school site visit where they will help develop the following:
  • Plumbing Assessment and Profile;
  • Sampling Plan; and a
  • Public Communication Plan. 
National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grant
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service has selected Michigan to receive NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant funds in the amount of $760,988 for School Food Authorities (SFAs) participating in the NSLP. These funds will allow SFAs to purchase equipment needed to serve healthier meals, meet the new nutritional standards with emphasis on more fresh fruits and vegetables in school meals, improve food safety, improve quality, and expand access. 

Public Comment on the Proposed Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
The Michigan Department of Education, Office of Great Start, is requesting public comment on the proposed Michigan Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (aka Early On®) Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2019 application.

Professional Development
MANS Events
Save the Date - MANS Law Seminar - June 27, 2019 - Lansing, Michigan

Save the date for the Michigan Association of Non-public Schools MANS School Law Seminar in Lansing, Michigan. This half-day session which will provide a legal overview on hot topics impacting non-public schools. Registration and additional details soon. Registration and additional details coming soon.
Save the Date - MANS Creating Pathways Retreat - August 1, 2019 - Lansing, Michigan

A conference designed to meet the professional development needs for school administrative assistants. Join your colleagues from non-public schools across the state for a day of learning and networking . Registration coming soon.
Save the Date - MANS Administrators' Conference - October 16-18, 2019 - Grand Traverse Resort - Acme, Michigan

Gather with more than 200 non-public school educational leaders and learn school improvement strategies as you examine the issues facing faith-based schools in Michigan. The Administrators’ Conference offers a demanding schedule of professional learning along with time for reflection and fellowship. Registration coming soon.
MESC Events
These events are offered at a significant discount exclusively to non-public schools. Contact Michigan Association of Non-public Schools for more information.
Gather with other non-public school educators for a day of building a shared understanding of differentiated instruction.

Choose from one of the three workshops and locations across Michigan where the MESC will be hosting this discounted professional development event.

  • Focusing on Growth and Eliciting Evidence - May 13, 2019 - Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • Student Growth and Goal Setting and Instructional Ladders - May 14, 2019 - Lansing, Michigan
  • Applying Reports - May 15, 2019 - Ann Arbor, Michigan

Learn more about the sessions by clicking here .

Event registration is $25.00 and includes lunch. This is 75% off the regular NWEA training price.

5 State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs) will be available for $10.00.

Professional Learning Institute
The Michigan Equitable Service Collaborative (MESC) is excited to partner with Catapult Learning to offer a full-day Institute on Professional Learning. Gather with your peers to build leadership and instructional capacity that impacts student achievement in non-public schools. Participants will build a shared vision for learning, examine best practices and develop plans for establishing effective PLCs under the direction of Catapult consultant Ann Cunningham-Morris. This session is discounted for non-public schools in Michigan and is ideal for administrators, instructional leaders and classroom teachers. Click here to learn more.

Choose from one of the three locations across Michigan where the MESC will be hosting this discounted professional development event.
 
  • June 18, 2019 - Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • June 19, 2019 - Lansing, Michigan
  • June 20, 2019 - Canton, Michigan
 
Event registration is $25.00 and includes lunch.

State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs) will be available.

Van Andel Education Institute (VAEI) Science on the Grand
July 15-16, 2019 - Grand Rapids, Michigan
Join VAEI in creating a classroom culture that supports STEAM instruction. Develop lessons — by grade level — for inquiry-based STEAM content, and nurture your own curiosity for personal growth and enjoyment. Plus, you’ll see that you’re not alone with many networking opportunities for you to engage with other teachers by grade level and content area. Learn more about this two-day training by  clicking here .

The Michigan Equitable Service Collaborative is offering Michigan non-public schools the opportunity to attend this two-day training at 75% off the cost!  Use the coupon code "MESC19" to receive your discount.

MESC 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.

Additional Offerings
The U.S. Army Recruiting Command - April 12, 2019 - Harper Woods, Michigan
The Great Lakes Battalion will host a training for educators, administrators and community partners from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Wayne County Community College (South Campus). This training will educate administrators, educators, and community partners about the benefits, training, jobs and lifestyle the Army offers.

Teach with Chrome
John Sowash will be offering Teach with Chrome, a practical one-day workshop that will help you unlock the hidden potential of Chromebooks and web-based tools in your classroom.
  • April 2: Schaumburg, Illinois (Courtyard Hotel)
  • April 16: Detroit, Michigan (Wayne County Community College)
  • April 17: Grand Rapids, Michigan (Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum)
Michigan Integrated Behavior and Learning Support Initiative State Conference - April 25-26, 2019 - Lansing, Michigan
This two-day conference will provide an opportunity to learn the latest in research and best practices related to Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), strengthening the implementation of MTSS within your context and connecting and sharing with other attendees. Deadline to register is March 30, 2019.

Detroit Children's Business Fair - May 4, 2019 - Detroit, Michigan
The Mackinac Center for Public Policy and Tech Town Detroit are partnering to offer children ages 6-15 the opportunity to present their business strategy for a chance to win a $100.00 cash prize.

Michigan AfterSchool Spring Conference - May 6, 2019 - Kalamazoo, Michigan
Join the Michigan AfterSchool Association for a chance to interact, learn and grow together with your peers, be motivated by inspirational speakers and learn best practices in out-of-school time programming at the annual conference. 

miGoogle Conference - Call for Presenters
The miGoogle conference is currently accepting submissions to present your classroom technology ideas. Submit your proposal for a 50 minute session by May 24, 2019. Chosen speakers will be notified by June 20, 2019. The conference will be held on November 5, 2019 at Lake Fenton High School.

MNSAA Accreditation
MNSAA Report Readers

Volunteers are needed to review the 2018-2019 MNSAA Annual Reports. Reviewers will join us in Lansing on July 10-11, 2019 to read and discuss a selection of annual reports from MNSAA schools across the state. This is an excellent development opportunity for schools preparing for a visit and for those interested in serving on site visit teams. Please complete this brief survey to indicate your availability. We look forward to hosting you in July. SCECHs will be available.
Innovative Solutions
State Continuing Education Clock Hours
Have you supervised a student teacher? You can earn 25 SCECHs per semester for doing so! Click here for the Participant Verification Form.
Grant Opportunities
Michigan Youth for Service Poster Contest
The Michigan Community Service Commission is sponsoring The Michigan Youth for Service Poster Contest , which is an opportunity for students to showcase their artistic talents and inspire Michiganders to make a difference in their communities. All elementary, middle school and high school students are encouraged to create original artwork representing the importance of volunteerism and service. Entry Deadline: May 1, 2019

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan: Building Healthy Communities
In an initiative designed to prevent childhood obesity, the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is offering a grant to Michigan schools to create supportive school environments through healthy eating and physical activity.

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 student STEAM kit from littleBits! 

Business Partner Corner