Three Oaks Public School Academy, located in the west Michigan city of Muskegon, is one of the many Bay Mills schools currently operating amidst the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. “Though this fall may look a little different, our commitment to your child remains the same,” wrote Principal Monecia Vasbinder in a letter to parents and students. “At Three Oaks, we believe every single student is important and every single student can thrive.”
For Three Oaks students, thriving may mean schooling in a virtual environment, or attending in-person classes. Currently offering both 100% virtual and 100% in-person learning options to students, Principal Vasbinder stresses providing choice to students and their families, “We allowed all families to choose either in-person or virtual school and 50% of our families chose in-person instruction.” With that, Three Oaks empowered teachers to also choose their role in fulfilling student needs. “Some teachers chose to help fully in-person or online while others chose to teach a hybrid classroom,” continues Principal Vasbinder, “Through it all, this year has shown how strong our school community really is.”
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As the state of Michigan enters a three-week shutdown due to COVID-19 and schools, including Three Oaks, face closing to in person learning, it is important to look back and reflect on the school year and its successes. The community of Three Oaks in particular shined with tremendous support from students and families when it came to implementing safety protocols for those electing to attend in person classes. “Because of their cooperation we were able to keep that in-person option available longer than anyone else in the city of Muskegon,” states Principal Vasbinder. As of November 23rd, Three Oaks is shut down until January 11th to in person learning due to the rise in COVID-19 cases in Muskegon County; classes that were in person will now be taught virtually.
The Three Oaks team worked hard to pre-assess students before the start of the school year, allowing them to hit the ground running with instruction during the first month. For students who chose to attend online school, teachers have brought engaging life lessons to their students over Zoom. One teacher even took her students on a virtual shopping trip to demonstrate how to use proportions to compare unit prices during a math lesson on ratios. Amidst all the changes this year, teachers also learned how to administer the Acadience assessment and a whole new phonics intervention system.
For the entire Three Oaks community, one of the highlights of the fall season was a drive-thru ‘Trunk or Treat’ Halloween event, where 500 people received treats and learning materials during the event, which had the largest turnout of any parent night in academy history. “This is just one example of how the team at Three Oaks continues to engage families, even in this difficult time,” notes Principal Vasbinder, “As we have moved to the next phase of this challenging year, we are staying focused on our mission to engage and empower our students to reach excellence and develop the skills to become leaders in our community.”
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To promote continuous success and quality education, Three Oaks staff develops, implements and evaluates curriculum annually. The academy is also a proponent of academic acceleration, embracing the principle of accelerating learning in which students who demonstrate mastery of knowledge and skills are included in enrichment programs. Students at Three Oaks also participate in the ‘Character Choices Program’ designed to help students develop their personal character, become lifelong learners, and transform into quality citizens within their communities.
Character Choices focuses on nine monthly traits, which are woven into the curriculum throughout the entire year and are aligned to Common Core Standards; making it a regular part of the school day and a part of the dialogue of the students’ day. Each trait is assigned a focus month to allow the students more time to delve into the true meaning of the trait. Character Choices thus far in the school year focus on traits that resonate with the year we have had in 2020, instilling Respect, Responsibility, and Cooperation as characteristics for students to understand and achieve.
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Three Oaks Public School Academy is a tuition-free PreK through sixth-grade public school.
After more than five years of research, planning and development by educators and parents, Three Oaks Public School Academy opened in 2003 with 90 students and now houses 375 students. Three Oaks Public School Academy is managed by Choice Schools Associates and is authorized by Bay Mills Community College Charter Schools Office to offer PreK through sixth-grade education for a maximum enrollment of 400 students.
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ANSWERING QUESTIONS DURING THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES |
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The impact of COVID-19 on schools have left many with uncertainty and unanswered questions. In an effort to help ease the minds of teachers, parents and students, Bay Mills Community College Charter Schools Office has partnered with MAPSA and the Michigan Council of Charter School Authorizers to help provide answers. Information about how schools are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic is rapidly changing. In response, here is a link to frequently asked questions and other resources to help keep you up to date on any official action taken. The page is updated daily at 1PM EST.
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Interested in gaining educational experience? Or are you looking to add to your resume? Consider becoming a charter school board member for a public school academy authorized by Bay Mills Community College Charter Schools Office!
At Bay Mills Community College, we support a quality education to urban, minority and/or poor children.
Bay Mills will provide all of our academy boards with pertinent training so that they are able to make choices that are in the best interest of the students that attend their academies.
Our public school academies are always looking for new members that bring a range of skills, experiences and desire to help the Academy students to excel academically, as well as having the goal of advancing the mission of Bay Mills.
Some requirements of the position:
- Engagement with the goals of the Academy
- Enthusiasm to be an ambassador for the Academy
- Willingness to fulfill the obligation of a board member, as well as continue to uphold the standards of being a board member
Board Member Qualifications:
- Citizen of the United States
- Resident of the State of Michigan
- Submit materials requested by the College Charter Schools Office such as:
- Public School Academy Board Member Appointment Questionnaire
- Must include authorization to process a background check of the nominee
- Submit annual disclosure of conflicts of interest
Members of the Board of Directors shall include:
- At least one parent or guardian of a child attending the school
- One professional educator; preferably a person with school administrative experience
Members of the Board of Directors shall NOT include:
- Any member appointed or controlled by another profit or non-profit corporation
- Academy employees or independent contractors performing services for the Academy
- Any current or former director, officer, or employee of a management company that contracts with the academy
- College officials or employees
All Academy Board members shall serve in their individual capacity, and not as a designee of any other person or entity. If it is found that a person is serving as a representative or designee of another person or entity, they shall be deemed ineligible to serve as a Director of the Academy Board. They shall be removed from office in accordance with provisions found in the Resolution or Schedule 2: Bylaws.
Note that a Director serves at the pleasure of the College Board, and may be removed with or without cause by the College Board at any time.
Working with an Academy is the perfect opportunity to advance your career interests, expand your knowledge on education and help children receive a quality education that will last a lifetime. Apply to become a board member today!
For more information or to receive an application, please contact Megan Ringuette, Bay Mills Community College Charter Schools Office Compliance Coordinator at 906-248-8419 or mringuette@bmcc.edu.
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About Bay Mills Community College Charter Schools |
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Bay Mills Community College began authorizing charter schools in the year 2000 and now authorizes 46 schools serving approximately 22,000 students. Fall 2015: 22,729 and Spring 2016: 22,257
Our Mission: To ensure a quality education for urban, minority, and/or poor children by improving and expanding educational opportunities through innovative oversight methods. To provide academy boards with the necessary support and training so that they may make educated decisions that are in the best interest of the students that attend their academies.
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