Important Updates

99h Robotics Grant Application Deadline to Apply October 31!

The 2022-23 99h robotics grant application is now available in NexSys and will close on October 31, 2022, at 4:30 p.m.

The total award for the 2022-23 FY is $600,000 for nonpublic schools.

Click here to Learn More

EANS II - Deadline to Apply November 15!

If your school is eligible to participate in the Economic Assistance for Nonpublic Schools (EANS) that was part of the American Rescue Plan (ARP), you should have received notice from the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) that the application process has opened. In order to be eligible your school had to have reported a low income population of 20.1% or higher in the original EANS I application process. The deadline to apply for these funds is November 15, 2022.

This link will take you to the most recent guidance from the United States Department of Education (USDE).

This document created by MANS shows examples that nonpublic schools successfully applied for in EANS I.

MANS Education Conference & Expo - November 3 & 4, 2022

We are just over a week away from the 2022 MANS Conference and Expo. Conference and special event options are filling up fast! Don't miss your chance to connect with nearly 2,000 faith-based colleagues from across the state.

The Conference and Expo this year contains so much more than great keynote addresses and sessions. Learn more about all of the extras we have planned for you below.

MANS Needs YOU! The MANS Education Conference operates on volunteer energy! Please consider volunteering two hours during your time in Lansing. In return, you'll receive countless thank you's and a fancy limited edition volunteer t-shirt. Click here for the volunteer sign up form.

Registration Is Open and Editable!

• Instructions to Modify a Registration: Log in to your existing registration with your email and password here. The system takes you to the registration process for the account as it is – all information entered and selections that were made will show up. This is the proper place to make any changes to the registration; it will update appropriately.

• Add an Excursion: Spots are still available for a number of SCECH earning content and grade specific sessions that will enhance your MANS Conference Excursions details may be found here.

• Educational Sessions: More than 100 sessions on a diverse selection of topics for all grade bands are scheduled (subject to change) for you. The current list may be found here.

• Meet-Ups: There are three Meet-Ups scheduled on both Thursday and Friday based on grade bands. The Meet-Ups provide you needed time to share lunch and ideas with your peers from across the state. You can join on one or both days. Be sure you select lunch(es) when you register. 

ArtPraise is a faith-filled student art competition which allows students to showcase their artistic talents in a large venue and compete for prizes for the top three winners. Students participating in the contest will be asked to submit visual art pieces using the following media: photography, drawing, painting and sculpture. Art will be showcased throughout the expo hall and conference attendees will vote for their favorites. 

*The digital form is still open for submissions! Artwork being mailed must arrive by October 28th, and artwork being dropped off at the conference must arrive by 8:00 a.m. on November 3rd. Click here for more information.

Mobile App Coming Next Week!

• Mobile App: Look for the mobile app to be released next week! It will be your conference guide and will include all sessions, SCECH tracking, sponsors and exhibitors, and more!
• SCECHs have been approved; depending on the sessions you choose (faith-based sessions are not SCECH eligible), you may earn up to 10.25 SCECHs for this event. You will track SCECHs using the mobile app. 

Construction!

Leave early in order to arrive on time! There is a lot of construction in the Lansing area. Please refer to this map to help you plan your route into downtown Lansing.

Look for the new two way streets in downtown Lansing including Capitol Avenue, Grand, Walnut and Pine!

November PD for School Administrators

A New IDEA in the Great Lakes State

MANS is pleased to partner with ADAC to offer training and consultations on Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) services in Michigan. IDEA provides federally funded special education services to nonpublic school students with learning differences.

Accessing and leveraging the full equitable share of IDEA-funded services can be a challenge.

To this challenge, there’s a simple solution: knowledge.

• Knowledge of how IDEA is supposed to work.
• Knowledge of the IDEA student referral process.
• Knowledge of the IDEA child find process.

Come to one of three FREE trainings with ADAC to learn more. Each training will be offered from 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM. with light refreshments for breakfast along with lunch. These trainings will:

• Provide private school leaders with full understanding of IDEA, so that they can maximize proportionate share funding to serve students with learning differences;
• Offer private school leaders with effective ways to utilize the proportionate share funding; 
• Educate private school leaders about the data and the importance of it;
• Review ways to leverage the state's auxiliary law with IDEA to more effectively serve students with learning differences; and 
• Provide ADAC with an opportunity to survey private school leaders to collect critical field data.

Join us on one of the dates below:

• November 28, 2022: Kalamazoo Regional Education Service Agency – Kalamazoo
• November 29, 2022: Michigan Catholic Conference or Diocese of Lansing (depending on attendance) – Lansing
• November 30, 2022: Sacred Heart Major Seminary – Detroit

Click here to Register Today!

Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program Deadline is October 31!

The deadline is quickly approaching for educators with student loan debt to benefit from temporary changes made to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

Click Here to Learn More

Rescheduled PROGRESS Center Private School Forum

The PROGRESS Center, a U.S. Department of Education grant funded program, will host a virtual national forum for private schools, Interventions and Supports for Promoting PROGRESS in Private Schools.

Due to technical issues with the Zoom platform on September 27, the PROGRESS Center rescheduled the this forum for 11:00 AM-1:00 PM (Eastern) on Tuesday, October 25, 2022.

Click Here to Learn More

Don't forget that Monday, October 24 is the last day to register to vote or update voter registration ONLINE or by mail before the statewide general election. Eligible citizens can still register to vote up to and on Election Day, but beginning Tuesday, Oct. 25, must do so in-person at their local clerk’s office and provide proof of residency.

Click Here to Learn More

Michigan Department of Education Accepting Nominations for

2023-2024 Michigan Teacher of the Year

Teacher recognition is an important component of teacher retention and studies show that increased retention results in higher student achievement. The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is opening the nomination process for 2023-24 Michigan Teacher of the Year (MTOY), an annual program that recognizes outstanding teachers in our state. Each year, 10 Regional Teachers of the Year (RTOYs) are selected through a competitive application process, with one of the RTOYs named Michigan Teacher of the Year.

Please make nominations using the online form, which is available until October 24, 2022 at 11:59 p.m.  

Click here for Memo #087-22

National Partners

National Blue Ribbon Schools Registration Opens for 2023 Award

Registration is now open for the 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools program. Register here by October 26, 2022 to receive your school code and keyword to submit an online application for the 2023 program. The information you enter will be transferred directly into the online application. Your school code and keyword will be sent to you via email on November 1.

Everything that private schools need to apply for the program is now available on CAPE's web site under the Blue Ribbon Schools tab, found here. As explained on our website, schools interested in applying MUST pre-register for the program by October 26, 2022.

For additional information, you may email CAPE or call them at 844-883-CAPE.

Youth Virtues, Valor, and Vision Awards

The National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) has opened the nomination process for the 2022 – 2023 Youth Virtues, Valor and Vision Awards.

This award recognizes students in elementary and secondary schools who through selfless service, determination, innovation and ideals are changing the world while bearing witness to their Catholic faith. The YVVV Awards are sponsored by Archangel Education + Technology.

Nominate the student who embodies the standards of personal conduct and public service through their faith, leadership and service to others. The deadline for nominations is December 2, 2022. Notifications will be made by end of December.

Click here to email NCEA for additional information.

Professional Learning Opportunity

VAI's K-12 New Teacher Network - Free

Teachers are among a school’s most precious and valuable resources — so let's set them up for success! Introducing VAI's K-12 New Teacher Network, an innovative PD program that brings new teachers together in a supportive network with individualized guidance so they can thrive in their new roles. Free for the 2022-2023 school year. Give your new teachers a network of other educators who, like them, are braving this career for the first time. 

Click Here to Learn More 

Meemic PopIn2Win Monthly Grant

September 2022 PopIn2Win Award: $50 Teachers Pay Teachers e-gift card.

You love the classroom funding assistance you get from grants...but hate all those darn questions you have to complete to apply for funding. And you just don't have the time it takes to complete some of these grant applications. It sounds like you want a grant that's not a grant!

Click here for more information and to nominate yourself!

You can find your local Meemic Agent’s contact information at Meemic.com/Agent or send an inquiry email to Appreciation@Meemic.com with your school’s contact information. 

Invest Your EANS Funds Wisely! Catapult Learning Can Help!

Have EANS funds to spend? Invest them in research-based solutions and services that are proven to reduce learning loss, support your students and families, and assist your school leaders and teachers. Catapult Learning offers programs such as:

• Reading & Math Intervention
• Accelerated Learning
• High-Dosage Tutoring
• Coaching & Professional Development
• STEM & Robotics Enrichment
• Life Skills & Mindfulness
• Family Counseling & Services
• Summer Learning
• And more!

Best of all, our programs can be customized to fit the unique needs of your school. Click here to learn more about EANS funding and how Catapult Learning can help you invest in your students.