Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District
November 2019
In this edition:
  • New Staff Welcome
  • Technology Matters - Gmail & Google Calendar
  • What's New
  • Educator Certification Reminder
  • Link to 2019-20 Regional Directory of Schools
  • PD Registration - Unified Talent
  • Stork News
  • United Way Campaign
  • SET SEG/BCBS Open Enrollment
  • Classified Ads
  • Job Postings
  • Dates to Remember
Superintendent's Message
Dear TBAISD staff,

With Thanksgiving around the corner, the month of November gives us all an opportunity to reflect on our work and service to our region. As I reflect on recent events I am reminded of two TBAISD organizational values: Relationships and Listening.  

As a member of our TBAISD family, we believe in the power of collaboration. Modeling this value was ever present during Regional Staff Development Day (RSDD). Over 900 professional educators throughout our region collaborated in five different locations to learn and grow. Many educators commented that they appreciated the diversity of topics and “learned specific things to take back to their classroom immediately.” Almost 700 of the participants provided feedback with 90% responding satisfied or very satisfied with the sessions. Please help me in thanking Dr. Kelly Coffin, Paul Bauer, Brandi Reynolds and many other staff who facilitated this awesome event. Planning has already begun for next year’s RSDD.  

Honoring varying perspectives, our TBAISD family values Listening. Bringing this value to life is exhibited in the work centered around SAIL (Serving Achieving Inspiring Learning). We have a diverse set of chairs and co-chairs representing every aspect of our organization. The individuals leading our strategic plan demonstrate the importance of listening by including multiple voices from individuals within and outside of our organization as evident by over 60 individuals meeting monthly to advance our work. Additional surveys and inclusion activities show the dedication and determination to ensure we are listening and meeting our targets. If you see the following individuals and co-chairs, please tell them thank you for the extra time, energy and effort.
  • Transportation: Shawn Biddle, Marc Wills
  • Identity/Branding:  Jennifer Stairs, Tom Mills
  • Roles/Supports/Programming: Tina Schelich, Sarah Olree
  • Climate/Culture: Corianne Street, Kaitlyn Larabee
  • Financial Policy: Shawn Biddle, Becky Mix
  • Safety Protocols Timothy VanderMeulen, Laura Miller
Partnering to learn, serve, and lead, the TBAISD vision is to ensure every learner will have pathways to a meaningful life.

Finally, I am so grateful to all of you for your contributions in helping us fulfill our vision through advancing our strategic plan (SAIL). Together, we can accomplish so much!  

Respectfully,
Nick Ceglarek, Ed.D.,
Superintendent
New Employee
Welcome

Keri Carpenter
Teacher Assistant, Traverse Heights

Education: Newberry High School, Northern Michigan University, and Walden University.
Certification: Elementary Ed
Experience: Northport Public School long-term substitute
Hobby/Interests: Spending time with her 2-year-old son.
Rockwell "Wells" Otto Rieck
Born October 31, 2019
10 lbs. 11 oz., 22" long to
Sunny Rieck, Early Childhood Teacher for SE
Gmail Migration
As mentioned in August during our opening day, we are transitioning from using Microsoft Outlook email to Gmail and Google Calendar . A full transition will be completed after the end of the work day, November 26. A few reasons why we are switching include:
  • Most of our LEAs use Gmail and Google Calendar, so this will help us with calendar appointments.
  • Gmail allows more e-mail personalization
  • Unlimited storage
Below you will find linked resources that will be helpful in understanding the transition. Please take time to review all the information.
LIVE UNITED,
Join the campaign!
The annual United Way giving campaign is underway now through November 27, 2019. Please consider making a one-time or recurring payroll deduction donation. Use the 2020 Pledge Form to designate how you want your donation to support our local community. Return your pledge to TBAISD payroll manager Tina Martinek before the Thanksgiving break.
Great things happen when we LIVE UNITED!
Options for donation include:
Option A: Influence the condition of all
Option B: Focus your donation (Basic need, Education or Health)
Option C: Restricted Contribution to any partner agency or other 501(c)3 organization ( examples: TBAISD New Campus Spirit Pantry (to supply pantry provisions) OR TBAISD Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) Fund which directly supports and helps purchase AAC devices that become the personal property of students in need.)
PD Registration Transition
Professional development registration has gone through a series of transitions over the past three months as adjustments are made with TBAISD technology resources. The GoSignMeUp application TBAISD has used for several years no longer met expectations, and in the interim, Eventbrite was utilized to work through the 2019 Regional Staff Development Day. As we move forward, we have rooted our PD registration process within PowerSchool's Unified Talent which is a one-stop hub that connects valuable data to support our professional learning and human resources information within a single platform.

Your patience and perseverance in this transitional time is appreciated. If you need assistance with the TBAISD Professional Development Learning Portal please contact the following individuals:
General Education support:
Jennifer Jesse, jjesse@tbaisd.org
231.922.6349
Special Education support:
Nikki Sheehan, nsheehan@tbaisd.org
231.922.6229
What's New
Now Available!
Regional Directory of Schools
The 2019-20 Directory of Schools is now available online! Find it linked HERE or on the TBAISD website under the Schools & Programs tab.
Educator Certification Reminder
The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is reminding educators with a certificate expiration date of June 30, 2020 to log into the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS) and begin updating account information. The MDE memo with requirements is available on this link
LSC Community Open House

The Life Skills Center is hosting an Open House for community members, TBAISD staff, family and friends. If you have never been to the Life Skills Center, this is your invitation! Building tours and refreshments will be provided. Grab your coworkers and visit this beautiful facility!
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 5 - 7 p.m.
Open Enrollment
SET SEG/BCBS Employee Benefits
2020 Health Insurance Renewal (non-MESSA group
benefits) will occur on the following dates:

Monday, November 25
12 noon until 4:00 p.m., Leelanau Room, Arnell
Tuesday, November 26
12 noon until 4:00 p.m., CTC Learning Center
ACE Student Fundraiser

Students from the Transition Central ACE (Adult Community Experience) program are raising funds for student class adventures. Orders will be taken between November 18 and December 6, and will be delivered in time for the December holiday season. EASY holiday shopping for a good cause!
Coffee - $12 for 12 oz. ground or whole bean
Gift Certificates - $20 each
Students will be selling on December 4, or contact ACE staff members Rachel McBride or Chris Kindlinger to order direct.
Community Collaboration
~Contribution by community partner Honor Bank
Staff members of an Emerging Leaders program at Honor Bank have completed a community service project that brings Little Free Libraries to the Honor and Traverse City bank locations. Little Free Libraries is a nonprofit organization that inspires a love of reading, builds community, and sparks creativity by fostering neighborhood book exchanges around the world. With the Honor Bank Little Free Libraries, the Emerging Leaders chose to focus on children’s books.
This project would not have come to fruition without help from the Traverse Bay Area Career-Tech Center for donating metalwork for Honor Bank logos, and Honor & Onekama Building Supply for donating the building materials. We hope that our communities will embrace these libraries and participate in the book exchanges.
vintage_birthday_card.jpg

Birthday Spotlight
See who celebrates a birthday this December. LINK
Dates to Remember
November/December (Link to full year here )
November 21 - Life Skills Center Community Open House, LSC, 5-7 p.m.
November 26 - Life Skills Center Talent Show, LSC, 9-10:30 a.m./12:30 - 2 p.m.
November 28-29 - Thanksgiving Holiday, No School
December 3 - Board of Education Meeting, Arnell Administration Building
Dec 23 - Jan 3 - Holiday Break, No School
Classified Ads
Seeking: A used recliner for a classroom at Oak Park. Please contact Sandy Shearer or Megan Woolcott at 933-8597 if you are willing to donate.
For Sale: 2010 Audi A4 turbo Prestige Quattro in good condition. Black with beige leather interior, four snow tires, 151K miles. Asking $6,500. Contact Sandy Shearer, 630-244-6529.
For Sale: Black breakaway lanyards with a plastic hook to attach ID badges. Available in bags of 100. Any TBAISD department/school needing them please email Colleen Tennant with the quantity you need.
Have something to sell?
Send your item description, asking price and contact information to hjewell@tbaisd.org and it will appear in the next staff newsletter. Reaching over 500 readers every month!
Current Job Board

Please help with outreach and awareness by sharing the current TBAISD job opportunities  LINKED HERE  with others in your social circle. All current job openings are listed on the TBAISD website under  Employment.
Photo Gallery
Halloween Trick or Treat at Arnell Administration Building
Kingsley Stags honor Nash's Journey
In October, during Cancer Awareness Month, the Kingsley Stags varsity football team honored little Nash Nichols, the three-year-old son of TBAISD Engagement Behavior Specialist Angie Nichols, who is a fierce warrior fighting childhood cancer.
SAIL 
Serving, Achieving, Inspiring, Learning

Our Vision:
Partnering to serve, learn, and lead to ensure every learner will have pathways to a meaningful life. 
Our Mission:
Working together to develop learners with purpose, strong schools, and engaged communities.  
TBAISD| 1101 Red Drive, Traverse City, Michigan | 231.922.6200 | www.tbaisd.org