October 2019 MANS Notes
Executive Corner
Dear MANS Member Schools, Staff, Colleagues, and Friends

Thank you to all who attended the 2019 MANS Administrators’ Conference. We hope your time in Traverse City was meaningful both spiritually and professionally. This conference was the kick off to a yearlong partnership with Learning Forward. Next month the Michigan Equitable Service Collaborative (MESC) will be launching a readiness assessment survey for all non-public schools in the state of Michigan. This survey will provide data that will measure the current state of professional learning in Michigan’s non-public schools. The results of the assessment will be used to identify participants for the spring 2020 Learning Leaders Cohort. Please stay tuned to MANS Notes and the MESC Newsletter for further information regarding the readiness assessment and the Learning Leaders Cohort. 

MANS has kicked off a new effort called “MANS on the Road”. We know that our member schools are doing wonderful and innovative things in your schools and we are asking that you share them with us. Let us know of special events that you have coming up at your school. We would love the opportunity to come to your school and share all of the good news with other members. Click here to let us know when we can visit your school. 

The MANS staff has begun work on the 2020 MANS Professional Development events. Make sure to include the following professional development events in your Title IIA plan. Each of the following events will be held in Lansing, Michigan. 
  • MANS Public Policy Day – March 12, 2020 
  • MANS School Law Seminar – June 25, 2020
  • One Michigan One Mission Conference – October 14-16, 2020 

We look forward to seeing you at these events in the coming year.

Blessings,
MANS Executive Director
Advocacy
Federal News
2020 Blue Ribbon Schools Application
The United States Department of Education as released the 2020 National Blue Ribbon Schools program application. Schools interested in applying need to pre-register by November 6, 2019 and final applications are due December 19, 2019.

State News
National School Choice Week - Save the Date: January 29, 2020
The Michigan Association of Non-public Schools is sponsoring the 10th annual National School Choice event at the Michigan State Capitol on Wednesday, January 29, 2020. The planning committee is looking for a variety of student-led displays, performances and testimonials to share at the event. Learn more and sign up by clicking the link below.

Low Income Exam Reimbursement Program for 2019-2020 School Year 
The state of Michigan has financially supported assessments for low-income students for more than a decade. This support will continue for the AP (Advanced Placement) exam, IB (International Baccalaureate) exam and CLEP (College Level Examination Program) exam.

Public Comment on the Revised Model 24/7 Tobacco-Free Schools Policy
The Michigan Department of Education, Office of Health and Nutrition Services, is requesting public comment on the Revised Model 24/7 Tobacco-Free Schools Policy.

Michigan Integrated Continuous Improvement Process (MICIP) 
The Michigan Integrated Continuous Improvement Process (MICIP) is the pathway for districts to improve student outcomes by assessing whole child needs to develop plans and coordinate funding. MICIP will provide districts with a streamlined, integrated process and web-based platform that focuses on whole child needs for all children to succeed. Through the MICIP platform, districts will receive pre-populated data from MiSchoolData, the MiDataHub, and Michigan Department of Education, to reduce time on legal compliance issues, and to provide easily accessible tools and resources.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis Information
Cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in people and animals have been reported in Michigan counties. Anyone in an area where EEE is circulating should take steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites. The risk is highest for children and people over 50 years. Strong consideration for postponing, rescheduling or cancelling evening outdoor activities is advised.

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) Nutrition Gateway is Live
Local staff using child nutrition systems can now log into MDE Nutrition Gateway as a single point of entry into any MDE system for which they have approved access. Submitting applications, claims for reimbursement, documentation for reviews, or pulling data for meals served can now easily be located with one log in.

There are two documents for your guidance when using the new Gateway:
School Counselor Professional Development & Renewal Requirements 
Districts, school counselors, and stakeholders are being reminded of the upcoming changes to school counselor professional development requirements for license/certificate renewals per MCL 380.1233 (6-8).

U.S. Census Ambassador
Making sure ALL children are counted is especially important for education. 2020 Census responses will drive decisions on how more than $675 billion in federal funds will be distributed each year for the next 10 years to educational programs. Fall teacher ambassador recruitment is now live! Apply to be a teacher ambassador by October 24. Email CLMSO.SISambassador@census.gov for more information and how to apply.

Prudential Spirit of Community Awards Seeking Top Youth Volunteers
Students in grades 5-12 are invited to apply for 2020 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards if they have made meaningful contributions to their communities through volunteer service within the past 12 months. Students must complete the online application by November 5, 2019.

Study Abroad Scholarships for American High School Students
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) provides more than 1,000 merit-based scholarships each year for U.S. high school students to study abroad for a summer or an academic year in over 25 countries.

LifeChanger of the Year 2019-2020
LifeChanger of the Year is an annual program recognizing K-12 educators and school employees across the country. This program celebrates those who are making a significant difference in the lives of students by exemplifying excellence, positive influence and leadership. Nomination deadline is December 31, 2019.  

Professional Development
MANS Events
Thank you to all who joined us at the 2019 MANS Administrators' Conference. Remember, this is just the beginning of a deep dive into effective building-level professional development. Stay tuned to MANS Notes and the MESC Newsletter for additional information regarding the upcoming assessment and cohorts.

If you have not already completed the conference evaluation, please click here to let us know what you liked and what can be improved. We value your feedback and use it when planning future MANS conferences.

MESC Events
These events are offered at a significant discount exclusively to non-public schools. Contact Michigan Association of Non-public Schools for more information.
VAEI NexGen Inquiry-based Science Cohort
The Michigan Equitable Service Collaborative is excited to partner with the Van Andel Education Institute to offer a second year of sustained professional development event for science teachers in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

This year long training will offer teachers:
  • An interactive opportunity to experience an investigation that models inquiry-based science.
  • Strategies for successfully incorporating a process of scientific inquiry as well as a classroom culture of thinking and collaboration.
  • Access to VAEI lessons aligned to standards and ready for implementation and customization.
  • Easy-to-implement strategies that support the processes of scientific inquiry and engineering design, scientific habits of mind, and a rich, collaborative learning environment.
  • Development of a portfolio to support inquiry-based science learning.
  • Support in implementation throughout the year with individualized action plans and frequent feedback loops.

This training is valued at over $1,000.00 and is offered to Michigan non-public schools for only $100. All workshops will be held in Lansing, Michigan and will include lunch.

MESC Website
Stay up-to-date on the current professional development offerings available to Michigan non-public schools by visiting the Michigan Equitable Service Collaborative website. Look for the professional learning grants

Additional Offerings
WEBINAR: Social Emotional Learning with Dr. Joe Ricca
November 5, 2019 - 9:00 a.m.
Social emotional learning, or SEL, is the idea that education should go beyond academics. In today's world, social skills and emotional development aren't ancillary to an excellent education; they're a crucial part of it. But the implementation process goes beyond programming. Communicating the value of social and emotional learning is a vital part of the process. It's changing the culture of the school community. It's selling SEL.

Join Michigan Virtual on Tuesday, November 5 at 9:00 a.m. for a webinar where you’ll hear from Dr. Joe Ricca, Superintendent of White Plains Public School in New York, who will share how he delivered this message and helped his school community embrace social emotional learning.

Innovating Education for Social Impact
November 7, 2019 - Detroit, Michigan
The Notre Dame Club of Detroit and the Archdiocese of Detroit Department of Catholic Schools are proudly co-sponsoring this year’s local Universal Notre Dame (UND) night. Join Notre Dame alumni, friends, families and other Catholic school supporters for an engaging discussion about education by Fr. Kevin Sandberg, CSC, Ph.D., the Executive Director of the University’s Center for Social Concerns.

Place-Based Education Conference
November 7-9, 2019 - Flint, Michigan
Come experience a three-day conference designed to inspire and support a community of educators around the power of place-based learning. Learn how to incorporate place-based learning into your curriculum to engage your students in meaningful learning and strengthen their ties to their community.   

Military Careers and Opportunities Training
School Counselor Military Options
November 8, 2019 - Grand Rapids, Michigan
This training will showcase the military and the numerous work-based learning programs, benefits and career opportunities that today's military can provide to Michigan students. SCECHs will be available. 

Teacher Boost powered by Michigan Virtual
November 21, 2019 - Mason, Michigan
Are you looking to make the switch from top-down, teacher-led instruction to student-centered learning? Join the Michigan Virtual team for Teacher Boost — a day-long event where you'll walk away with a plan for transforming your classroom into a space for student-centered learning.

Girls' STEM Day
November 23, 2019 - Lansing, Michigan
MSU is hosting an educational, informative, fun event on Saturday, November 23, 2019 called  Girls' STEM Day . This event is for k-4th graders, is filled with hands-on activities, and is FREE. Registration is required and chaperones may bring up to 3 students. 

“GoOpen Michigan” Online Toolkit
The Regional Educational Media Centers Association of Michigan (REMC) has established a #GoOpen Michigan toolkit on its website to provide educators with information about using Open Educational Resources (OER) in education.

The Well: Faith-based Tutoring
Come to The Well! The Well is a faith-based tutoring business that benefits the whole community, from affluence to poverty. We allocate a portion of each student's tutoring session cost into a scholarship fund for children in Lansing who specifically lack in reading proficiency, yet whose families cannot afford remedial reading support at full cost.

MNSAA Accreditation
MNSAA Accreditrac is now open for the 2019-20 school year.
MNSAA Webinar Series
Join Michigan Non-public School Accrediting Association experts this November to learn more about the accreditation process through four webinars. Each will focus on a different component of accreditation, and should provide new information to seasoned vets as well as first timers joining MNSAA. Webinars wills be recorded and posted to Accreditrac. Click the links below to register:
Innovative Solutions
School Committee State Continuing Education Clock Hours
School committees are a great way to receive 25 SCECHs per school year. Committee meetings are best described as curriculum meetings, school improvement meetings and/or professional learning community meetings. Staff meetings or similar events are not considered committee meetings. Click below for complete instructions.

Please call Shelley Long at 517-372-0012 or slong@m-a-n-s.org with SCECH questions.

Grant Opportunities
The Meemic Foundation: Pop In 2 Win
The Meemic Foundation introduces the "NottaGrant", a monthly opportunity to simply "pop in" to be entered to win a valuable enhancement for an educator's school to enhance classroom learning! Just a few clicks and you're entered to win a Teacher’s Discovery $100 gift card for your classroom!  Enter by October 31, 2019! 

Congratulations to the September MANS Member Winners!
  • Monroe Catholic Elementary School - St. Michael Archangel School - Monroe, Michigan
  • Brother Rice High School - Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
  • Most Holy Trinity School - Fowler, Michigan
  • Grand Rapids Christian Elementary School - Grand Rapids, Michigan

Meemic: Complete Classroom Makeover
The Meemic Foundation is giving away 12 Complete Classrooms® from Lakeshore valued at up to $10,000 each! From design to installation, winners will work with design experts from Lakeshore to create a customized classroom to meet the needs of PreK-5 grades. No application needed! Just log into your Foundation Club account and nominate yourself to be entered to win.

Business Partner Corner
MANS is grateful for the following business who help us bring you effective and affordable services. Please click the links to visit the websites to learn more about how they can assist you.