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August 2021 | Monthly news for and about the staff of Northwest Education Services (formerly TBAISD)
A unique situation
We are approaching another school year with a growing excitement for returning to the classrooms and services we offer our students and fellow educators, and remain cautiously optimistic as we address the ongoing challenges presented by COVID-19.

Our ability to adapt last year allowed us to overcome pandemic-related obstacles and to maintain in-person instruction for an overwhelming majority of the 2020-21 school year. I have faith in our ability to remain flexible again this year as we make determined efforts to monitor local COVID-19 data while aligning our operations and procedures with the recommendations of medical experts.

One of our organizational values is putting students and learners first, and we understand the importance of in-person instruction and the benefits it provides. We appreciate the efforts you have all made, and continue to make in honor of that commitment to our students by preserving in-person learning to the best of our ability.

Due to our unique situation in serving a vulnerable population of students, and a significant number who attend other school districts in our five-county area, we believe requiring masks for students and staff who are in the presence of students is a responsible step to take – one that was supported by our safety committee and follows current public health guidance.

As we work through a landscape that continues to shift beneath our feet, the safety of our students and school community remains the guiding principle for our decisions. Your support is greatly appreciated as we make our best efforts to serve our students and community in a safe environment.

Respectfully,
Dr. Nick Ceglarek
Northwest Education Services Superintendent
North Ed News
Rebranding Update
Rebranding work is pushing forward, full steam ahead toward Opening Day and beyond! You’ll notice some of the progress on Sept. 1 at Opening Day (see below for more Opening Day info), but here are a couple other items we felt worth mentioning:

Renaming North Ed’s Programs
In case you missed it (see July 22 email: “Staff Notice: Renaming North Ed Programs, Services”), we have a few new names for services and programs! See all the changes in the organizational chart on our Staff Intranet. You can also read about how those new and old names [like: Creekside School (formerly New Campus School)] should be used going forward as our community adjusts to our new names!
This Just In: New Letterheads
With new names comes new letterheads! Final versions of letterhead for our center-based programs, Career Tech and North Ed have been posted to our Staff Intranet.
Opening Day
The stakes have never been higher than this year’s Opening Day! Gold is on the line as 10 teams compete in Olympic-themed games for a chance to walk away as champions, and a couple prizes.

Opening Day begins at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1 at Thirlby Field in Traverse City. Please allow yourself enough time to find a seat and visit with colleagues prior to the 8 a.m. start time. We are planning to host Opening Day regardless of the weather, so please bring an umbrella if rain is in the forecast.
As you enter the event, visit the tables to pick up your HR paperwork, goodie bags and T-shirts, which you can wear for certain work-related events (check with your supervisors for specifics).

We’ll keep the games a surprise for later, but we have a full roster of North Ed employees who have joined the Olympic teams, which represent various departments and centers. Look for signage where each team will be situated at Thirlby Field as you take your seat in the home stands to cheer on your squad.
You’ll get a healthy dose of organizational information, too – from new and former employee recognition to SAIL progress, Regional Staff Development Day updates and more.

We’d also like to thank our generous donors for their support: HPS, Meemic Insurance and SET SEG. Their sponsorship is greatly appreciated!
As the event is outside and social distancing measures are encouraged, masks are not required, but are certainly welcome. We will continue to monitor COVID-19 data and public health guidance as we near Opening Day and make you aware of any changes as soon as we are able.

Following the Opening Day event, employees will join their colleagues to continue the day. Supervisors will advise of meeting times and places.
Social Hour
The North Ed Executive Team and Wellness Committee are co-hosting a social event from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 2 at Rove Estate Vineyard & Tasting Room, 7007 E. Traverse Highway (M-72), Traverse City, MI, 49684. Rove Estate has graciously given us access to an event tent for this social hour, so come enjoy fellowship and conversation with colleagues or sit back and take in the views of Rove’s vineyard situated at the base of the Leelanau Peninsula! Light appetizers will be provided, and beverages will be available for purchase.
HR Updates
North Ed COVID-19 Protocol
Masks are required, regardless of vaccination status, for all students and for North Ed employees whenever students are present. Due to the unique student population North Ed serves – who come from a wide geographic area with varying rates of COVID-19 transmission and vaccination statuses – the decision to require masks was made with support from North Ed’s internal safety committee and aligns with current recommendations from local medical professionals, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Here is a brief summary of some protocols that will be implemented for the start of the school year, understanding the need to be flexible and adjust as recommendations from government agencies may change:
  • Masks required for students and staff who are around students.
  • Unvaccinated individuals must wear masks at all times.
  • Masks required for anyone riding school buses.
  • Social distancing measures in school facilities (3 feet when masked and whenever possible).
  • Daily cleaning and sanitation of school facilities and equipment.
  • Quarantining, contact tracing and reporting protocols in coordination with local health departments.
HSA Changes
Employee Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) currently administered by TCF Bank will be transferred to Optum Financial at the end of this month if no action is taken. Employees who already have an HSA at Optum Financial or who have already transitioned their accounts to Lake Michigan Credit Union (a new option for North Ed employees) are not impacted by this change. Refer to an Aug. 5, 2021 email, “Staff Notice: Health Savings Account Info” for more details.
Hiring Referral Bonus
Want to earn $500? We have a number of open positions at North Ed, so employees are being offered a $500 bonus for successfully referring someone who joins our team as a teacher assistant! Now through Sept. 30, 2021, simply email the name of your referral to HR Generalist Jaime Lewis. If that person is hired, you’ll get a $500 bonus in your paycheck! It’s that easy!
General Interest
Our fellow colleague
John Sandula, who has been an employee at North Ed’s Transition Campus for over 23 years, has been diagnosed with esophageal cancer. He is seeking treatment and has openly shared his situation on social media and with North Ed Administration. Our thoughts are with John and his family during this challenging time, and we hope he has a full and speedy recovery. A Meal Train webpage has been created, which offers opportunities for those interested in lending their support and contact information for anyone who wishes to reach out to John directly.

July SAIL(ORS) on Deck

Congratulations to North Ed accountant Carol Balhorn who was honored on Aug. 3 for her dedication to building Relationships as recognized by her North Ed colleagues through the SAIL Organizational Recognition System (SAILORS). In July, the system generated 7 submissions in 4 SAIL values, within 5 different staff groups.
Recognize a staff member TODAY!
Congratulations Carol!

Please join us in congratulating Assistant Superintendent of Special Education Carol Greilick as the 2021 recipient of the Marvin Beekman Award, a prestigious honor presented by the Michigan Association of Administration of Special Education (MAASE). A surprise announcement was made during the North Ed August Board meeting and Carol was officially presented the honor during MAASE’s Summer Institute, held virtually Aug. 11. View Video

Community Engagement
Summer programs have been in full swing and we are so grateful to be able to continue learning opportunities for students throughout July and August. Read more about making community connections through the North Ed Migrant Education Program.
Be sure to get ALL the news! View all August news in web browser
Tech Updates
Google Meet
All Northwest Education Services staff now have access to all Google Meet features, including Breakout Rooms, Polls, Q&A, Recording and Whiteboarding. Google Meet is a virtual communications and video-conferencing tool available through your employee Google accounts. Check out the link below to learn about how to use these tools.

North Ed Technology Services
North Ed Bookmark Folder
You may notice a “North Ed Bookmarks” folder on the bookmark bar when using the Google Chrome internet browser. Earlier this year, the former TBAISD Portal was decommissioned, and this new North Ed Bookmarks folder contains all the links employees would have found on the Portal, including the MyInfo – Direct Deposit link where employees can access paycheck information.
However, PowerSchool web addresses are changing, so if you created bookmarks for those, they will need to be updated.
For assistance with your MyInfo password, contact Teresa Whitscell at 231.922.6493. For assistance with all other technology issues, contact the North Ed Help Desk at 231.922.6307. 
Staff Resources

Dean Transportation
Now hiring bus drivers, attendants and mechanics!
Apply in-person at 800 Parsons Road, Traverse City

Northwest Educational Services
(Formerly TBAISD)
1101 Red Drive, Traverse City, MI 49684
Tel. 231.922.6200 |  NorthwestEd.org