In this edition:
- New Employee Welcome
- Technology Matters - Gmail & EduPaths
- Educator Certification Reminder
- Detroit Public TV Documentary - Recruiting Teachers
- Link to 2019-20 Regional Directory of Schools
|
|
- Assistive Technology News
- Children's Advocacy Center Outreach
- Job Postings
- PD Registration - Unified Talent
- Dates to Remember
- SAIL Committee Updates
|
|
Dear TBAISD staff,
This month’s
Check It Out
newsletter is dedicated to the incredible work happening with our strategic plan. We have teams of individuals working through phase one goals highlighted in
Serving, Achieving, Inspiring, and Learning
(SAIL). Many thanks to committee leaders, co-chairs, staff members, and partners, who are working to ensure our organization meets our mission to develop learners with purpose, strong schools, and engaged communities. Our very best to everyone during this holiday season!
Respectfully,
Nick Ceglarek, Ed.D.,
Superintendent
|
|
SAIL Committee Updates
Transportation:
Co-chairs
Shawn Biddle, Marc Wills
The student transportation goal committee is comprised of ISD staff, two LEA superintendents, and representatives of our transportation provider. The committee’s focus is on establishing common protocols for training and communication, as well as identifying specific actions that will reduce travel time for students to a reasonable and consistent length. Future work includes reviewing and developing training for transportation staff and establishing common language between ISD staff and transportation staff.
The working objectives of the committee are:
- By September 2020 we will improve our student’s experience while being transported as measured by incident reports.
- By January 2020 transportation will implement additional routes, to reduce the overall travel time for students on a bus, with 90% of student routes at 2 hours or less.
- By June 2020 to increase communication and data sharing with internal and external stakeholders, with protocols in place.
Roles/Supports/Programming
:
Co-chairs
Tina Schelich, Sarah Olree
The goal of this committee is to develop a structure and process to increase understanding of TBAISD roles, supports and available programming to all stakeholders. Initial data indicates a lack of clarity of roles and responsibilities of TBAISD services for both internal and external audience members. Current committee work is focused on identifying areas of service that need clear descriptors explaining the role of the team/department providing services to the region. With the help of human resources department, a review of organizational structure, website content, and existing printed materials is helping identify gaps related to TBAISD roles/supports and programming. This aligns with the work of the brand and identity committee and will support communication clarity about the ISD. By June 2020, the committee will develop a structure and process that will create clarity of internal roles, supports and programming of the organization to all TBAISD staff. Once established internally, similar communication processes will be used to inform external audiences.
Identity/Branding:
Co-chairs
Jennifer Stairs, Tom Mills
The committee working to develop the TBAISD identity and brand is deep into research that will guide decision-making behind creating a strong brand that relates to what people know and think about our organization. In addition, the committee is exploring work done by other ISDs around the state who have completed similar re-branding and visual identity work. Initial tasks focus on the internal audience and establishing clarity and common understanding of the work and role of TBAISD. This project aligns with the work of the Roles/Supports/Programming committee work and will support communication clarity about the ISD. By the end of the 2019-20 school year, the committee expects to have key talking points (conversation guide) as part of a district-wide communication plan to establish common language that all staff will use to express the key perceptions we are striving to own.
Climate/Culture
:
Co-chairs
Corianne Street, Kaitlyn Larabee
The goal of this committee is to promote a positive work climate and culture that builds on the values of TBAISD and supports all team members. The committee reviewed the Spring 2019 SAIL Staff Survey to prioritize areas of focus related to the goal. A top priority based on the survey results is to increase celebration of good work within the organization. To address this need, the committee is working to create an all-inclusive employee recognition system. This system will provide multiple opportunities for employees to recognize each other for the values they demonstrate in their everyday work. The committee is also working to plan events that will help foster a sense of belonging and unification within the organization. We look forward to sharing the outcomes of this work with you in the near future.
- Financial Policy: Co-chairs Shawn Biddle, Becky Mix
The financial policy committee is comprised of eight ISD staff members and two LEA superintendents. The committee’s focus is on developing a financial policy that will identify key organizational priorities, provide transparent budget assumptions, and include specific long-term funding goals. Future work includes developing draft policy language that includes multiple scenarios for committee review and discussion before presenting the final recommendation to the board of education in February 2020.
- Safety Protocols: Co-chairs Timothy VanderMeulen, Laura Miller
The safety protocols committee is working on the goal of “assessing the safety protocols to inform professional training both internally and externally.” The committee is focusing on having policies, protocols and safety plans for each TBAISD building by the beginning of 2020-2021 school year. We are working with building leadership to identify team members who will support the task of creating comprehensive safety plans that include the current Emergency Operation Plans (EOPs) and are further enhanced with the PREPaRE framework of addressing crisis prevention and response in school settings.
|
|
|
|
Brittany Banks
Teacher Assistant, New Campus
Experience:
Pine Rest Mental Health, administrative, crisis management
Fun Fact:
Family characteristic: all (mom/dad/daughter) have red hair (including the cat!)
|
|
|
|
Megan Scheele
HR Generalist, Arnell Admin Building
Education:
Central Michigan University and Benzie Central High School
Experience:
Hagerty Insurance licensed sales agent, Crystal Mountain HR Generalist
Hobby/Interests:
Spending time with family and friends, kayaking, camping and travel
|
|
|
|
Detroit Public TV Documentary
Teacher Recruitment in Rural School Districts
Recruiting and retaining highly qualified teachers in rural districts is a persistent struggle in the United States.
This documentary
includes research on teacher recruitment and retention across the country, and specifically in rural Michigan. It highlights the actions that state and local education leaders are taking to recruit and retain teachers. The documentary features the Central Michigan University teacher education program, Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District’s Teacher Academy, Elk Rapids School District, Maple Valley Schools, Bellaire High School, and others.
|
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
|
Assistive Technology
The TBAISD assistive technology department and Life Skills Center are partnering with REMC to produce tactile symbols of core language that are accessible by students who are blind. The easily reproducible shapes were designed by The Center for Literacy and Disability Studies at the University of North Carolina. The files are a free 3D printer resource available on the
UNC website
.
The current collection of 3D symbols in the assistive technology library represent 18 of the 36 Common Core words. They are distinguishable by their shape, texture and Braille print as well as standard print to help people with sight to distinguish. The 3D symbols will be used to help students learn to use common words for communication purposes.
|
|
|
|
Gmail Support
Below you will find linked resources that will be helpful in understanding TBAISD's transition to Gmail.
|
|
|
|
Learning Opportunities
What is EduPaths?
EduPaths is a FREE professional development portal for ALL Michigan educators. EduPaths courses are designed to expand understanding on a wide variety of topics and help educators share best practices. Courses are available online and are completely self-paced and intended to help educators personalize their own learning plan anytime and anywhere.
Benefits:
- Access to free professional learning opportunities
- Provide awareness of professional learning opportunities from in region and across the state
- Provide State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs)
- Address diverse needs of staff through focus on instructional and/or technology opportunities
|
|
PD Registration
If you need assistance with the new TBAISD Professional Development Learning Portal please contact the following individuals:
|
|
General Education support:
231.922.6349
|
|
Special Education support:
231.922.6229
|
|
|
|
|
TBAISD Board of Education Links
|
|
|
|
Birthday Spotlight
See who celebrates a birthday this January.
LINK
|
|
|
|
Dates to Remember
January
(Link to full year
here
)
January 6 - School resumes
January 7 - Board of Education Meeting, Arnell Administration Building
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
Walmart Grant Recipients
TBAISD Transition Central is the recipient of a
Walmart Giving Grant
that will be used to provide students across the Traverse Bay region various experiences that introduce new skills, strengthen confidence, and encourage independence as they transition to adulthood.
|
|
|
|
Knights of Columbus Gift
Thank you to Knights of Columbus St. Francis of Assisi Parish Council 13958 for their generous donation to students
with Autism
served by the TBAISD program. The support and kindness students receive from members of the community are an important part of making a difference in a child's educational experience.
|
|
Traverse Heights Holiday Helper
TBAISD staff and volunteers welcomed students from MOCI and SXI programs for an afternoon holiday celebration on December 5.
|
|
Annually, the TBAISD Traverse Heights center for special education treats parents to an extended care program around the holiday season. Students gather for arts and crafts, sports and recreation, and a delicious pizza party while parents take advantage of free time to dine out or get errands done without having to rush home to care for their child.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Classified Ads
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!
|
|
TBAISD| 1101 Red Drive, Traverse City, Michigan | 231.922.6200 | www.tbaisd.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
