April 1, 2020
MEMSPA is committed to supporting you in any way that we can during this unprecedented time. We are working tirelessly to bring you up-to-date news during the COVID-19 pandemic. We do believe that this time can also be used for professional and personal growth. For that reason, we have decided to continue our Weekly Update featuring Leaders that are sharing fantastic messages and resources for their peers.

Please feel free to share this with any of your network that you think would find benefit in reading. We know this can be an isolating time, and we want you to know that we are here to keep you connected. If you have any resources that you think would be great to share, please don't hesitate to send them to Taryn Hurley at taryn@memspa.org .

-Your MEMSPA Team
Thoughtful Leadership in Challenging Times
Michelle Allen, MEMSPA President
The dynamic and complex nature of the situation we face as a nation is overwhelming and thought-provoking all at one time. As school leaders with a direct and very personal connection to every sector of society, we are in a unique position to understand, support, appreciate and serve others while also being called upon to be innovative leaders in our own space. There’s no road map in times like these, but together we’ll find our way. The power of our MEMSPA community will prevail as we help define what learning and life looks like during this historic time.

The dramatic changes we’ve experienced over the past two weeks are unsettling, for sure. It’s been over 100 years since society has experienced a health crisis that shook the bedrock of “life as we know it” in this way. Collectively we pause, ponder, and process what is happening to us as individuals and as a community in a way that redefines our understanding of “the human condition”.  

The inspiring stories of people coming together to do whatever it takes bring hope while the sobering images, news of shortages, and daily climb in totals bring an extreme sense of vulnerability . The range of emotions is intensely personal yet common in that we share the desire to balance them all - pushing past the worry, trepidation, fear and dread to inspire those around us to believe, hope and triumph during this difficult time.  

The key to fortifying our work and staying strong is connection.  Last week’s #MEMSPAchat “ Principals Leading Through Unchartered Waters”  left me feeling excited and united in the sense of community and purpose we share. While each of our districts and school families is unique, ultimately we share the same responsibility to do our very best to serve those around us.   

We are living history together, and in doing so, are called upon as leaders to think deeply about how to spend our time and energy for the greater good.  In the midst of such uncertainty, there’s also a great opportunity. So I offer three guiding questions to frame our thinking and to shape our reactions to the every changing reality playing out before us.  

What are we, as a profession, really being called upon to do and be in our society during this historic time as a nation?  

How will we, as a profession, be remembered as a contributing factor in getting the country through all of this?

What will our legacy contributions during this time do to change the face of our profession forever - to reignite a passion for educators, inspire kids to become teachers, and solidify the value and role of public education?

As leaders it’s our responsibility to see beyond what’s right in front of us, put some of what we have experienced as “normal, expected or ideal” aside for a while, and to ponder the messages around us so that we can serve our communities well during this difficult time.  The why and what  must triumph over how for a while. There’s just not a one size fits all recipe given the current context.       It’s a call to action . . . it’s our duty!  We are on the front line.  

There are no easy answers, but together, we’ll find a way to #LiveWellLeadStrong even now. Our MEMSPA leadership team is committed to supporting principals in this work. Each week our update will feature articles and information you can use with your staff and in your communities to help connect, support and inspire because our families deserve it!

Stay well, Friends,

Michelle Allen
MEMSPA President
TEACHERS / SCHOOLS should be represented here too!
Not to fight disease but to help keep the calm by spreading care, compassion and accurate information through 
our capacity for human connection.  
The Main Idea - Tips & Resources for LEADERS in Disruptive Times
Jenn David-Lang
 I wake up each morning and can't believe the extent of this crisis. I hope you are safe and well.

Many people are sending resources to help  teachers  with remote learning, but I am writing  before  the 15 th  of the month to share  resources for  leaders  in disruptive times .

First , one of the things that makes this time so disruptive is that you are managing change you didn’t ask for!

You can learn to make the best of it by mastering the  C’s of change  such as   clarity, communication, collaboration, culture,  and  commitment .

I am creating a series of  one-pagers  about the different C’s.
Click here for the first one-pager on how to bring  Calm and Comfort  to your school.

FREE VIRTUAL MASTERMIND FOR SCHOOL LEADERS
A virtual group to explore the challenges of
leading through disruptive times

Next , together with my colleague  Mitch Center , we are offering two  free  masterminds for school leaders. These are small online groups to discuss the topic of “leading in disruptive times” in April and May.

To be eligible, you need to be a school leader who is available for all four biweekly sessions and is willing to share and participate.

One group is Tuesdays, 5-6pm EDT: 4/7, 4/21, 5/5, & 5/19.
One group is Thursdays, 9-10am EDT: 4/16, 4/30, 5/14, & 5/28.

If you are interested, click here now to sign up because the spots will fill up quickly:



A PAGE OF RESOURCES FROM THE MAIN IDEA

Finally , I created  a page on my website  with compiled resources from THE MAIN IDEA on 3 topics to  help you lead in disruptive times :
  1. managing change
  2. enhancing interpersonal skills (like communication)
  3. resources to become more resilient, centered, and organized

Click here for this page:  RESOURCES FOR LEADING .


Stay safe and be well,

Jenn

***Current PASSWORD for previous book summaries:
 Booklyn (no, not Brooklyn)
Virtual Meeting Norms to Share with Your Staff
Derek Wheaton
The Marshall Memo
Kim Marshall
You're probably flooded with suggestions and resources for dealing with online instruction and meetings, but I'm passing along a few more, just in case.

This very unusual time we're going through might be an opportunity to discuss interesting articles from recent Memos with colleagues - and perhaps explore the archive. Let me know if you need a reminder of your password at  www.marshallmemo.com .

This week's quotes and articles come from The New York Times, Communique, Phi Delta Kappan, Cult of Pedagogy, Mark Rober's website, School Library Journal, The Education Gadfly, Teachers College Record, Elementary School Journal, American Educator, Forge, and Leadership Freak. Here are the headlines:

- More ideas and resources for remote learning

- Is now the time to bring back "current events"?

- Social media in a Florida high school

- Administrative constraints on instructional coaches

- Interleaving - the key to students retaining skills and concepts

- Why do many kids hate the sports they once played with enjoyment?

- Things to stop doing for greater happiness

- What leaders can say when they're put on the spot

If you want an HTML version of this week's Memo, please click here:

To listen to a podcast of last week's issue (#829), please click here:

For a podcast of this week's issue, just log in at  www.marshallmemo.com  later this week and click Podcasts.

All the best for health and sanity,

Kim
Flexibility in Title Funds
Though there are many unknowns out there regarding the impact of the Coronavirus on the 2019-2020 school year, MDE has applied for and been granted some flexibility with the use of federal funds per the #COVID-19-021 memo from Venessa Keesler. Districts now have the opportunity to discuss ways in which they can continue to provide education learning opportunities for students during the "stay at home" period. Please read the memo and consider how your district can take advantage of this new flexibility. The memo outlines the following key points, as well as ways in which the flexibility has been approved.

  • Districts will not need to receive prior approval for the purchase of technology supports during this period of emergency. Districts should e-mail their regional consultant to inform him/her of the changes. All changes and approvals must be noted for future audit purposes.
  • Additional budget amendments will be allowed for an extended period. Changes to local budgets will need to be made when those amendments occur, in order to reflect the actual expenditures.
  • Congress is currently debating a relief bill that may include additional Title funds. If that is successful, MDE will communicate about additional funds. It is important to note that this memo pertains to flexibility to use current district allocations.
  • MDE will provide additional information and updates as they become available. If you have questions, please contact Fred Williams, Regional Support Unit Manager, at  WilliamsF3@miichigan.gov.
Partner Spotlight
Free Resources to Support Continued Learning During School Closures
HMH is offering schools and families a comprehensive collection of high-quality resources to help keep students engaged and learning safely. Here you'll find free learning activities, lessons, downloadables, and videos for Grade K–12 kids to keep learning and growing at grade level.  Click here for At-Home Learning Support
In addition HMH is offering complimentary access to our resources noted below.  
 
Grades 3-8
Waggle  allows students to engage in adaptive literacy and math instruction and practice outside of the classroom. Teachers can gauge students’ knowledge and growth with  Waggle ’s real-time insights. Plus, embedded hints and encouragement foster growth mindset, which is especially important when students and teachers are unable to meet in person
Free Through July 1
Grades 3-12
Writable  provides access to scaffolded, skill-based practice across genres with over 600 customizable assignments and the ability to create your own. Robust feedback tools support the revision process and make it easier to guide students during periods of virtual instruction. Plus, detailed reports help teachers track progress from anywhere.  Writable  also helps schools and districts tie assignments to Google Classroom or LMS and monitor growth across grade-level or district-wide teams.
Free Through July 1
Grades K-3
Amira Practice, powered by Artificial Intelligence, provides 1:1 reading practice and coaching to K-3 students who already have foundational reading skills. Amira listens to students read out loud and provides real-time feedback. This digital program helps create motivated and masterful readers by delivering personalized tutoring backed by reading science. 
Free Through July 1