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February 2022 | Monthly news for and about the staff of Northwest Education Services
Celebrating Career and Technical Education

Dear North Ed Staff,

It’s National Career and Technical Education Month so please join me in celebration of our Career Tech colleagues and students for creating an environment that nurtures student success via hands-on experiences, rigorous integrated academics, mentoring opportunities, and certifications and industry-specific training. 
 
Career Tech students graduate well-prepared to make meaningful contributions in higher education and the workforce, and we salute the efforts made by these promising young people to use the skills they gain in our classrooms in their professional lives. We must also thank our Career Tech instructors and staff, and our partners in education at the local school districts for their hard work and commitment to supporting student growth. Our students would not be as successful without you. 
 
North Ed is not alone in this celebration of Career and Technical Education Month, as we were joined virtually last week by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for a roundtable discussion, in which the Governor expressed her support for the opportunities created by CTE programs. That conversation allowed us to highlight some of the accomplishments of our Career Tech programs, and we could not have been more pleased with the presentations and efforts coming from our Engineering Academy, Welding and Culinary Arts students and staff. 
 
North Ed serves students from all backgrounds and learning abilities across our region, and this month we are glad to shine a spotlight on the unmatched technical learning options available at Career Tech. We also appreciate the chance to host this virtual discussion with Gov. Whitmer to build awareness of not just our Career Tech programming, but other opportunities and educational services we provide, with hopes that investment and support for all students in all areas of education will grow.
 
We deeply appreciate the work our North Ed team is doing in service to our region and thank you for remaining dedicated to our students and communities.

Respectfully,
Dr. Nick Ceglarek
Northwest Education Services Superintendent
Celebrations
Black History Month
In recognition of Black/African American History Month, here are a few things to check out:
  • Google Drive Resources: This folder includes lesson plans, social media content and other resources you can use in your classrooms with students or for your own personal exploration and learning.
  • StoryWalk: Visit the exhibit displayed along the sidewalk at Arnell Administration (1101 Red Drive, Traverse City) to learn more about the ways African Americans have shaped our society.
  • Lunch and Learn: Watch the award-winning documentary “13th” and discuss your thoughts and reactions with colleagues at a virtual Lunch and Learn session, to be held 12-1 p.m., Feb. 23. The film is available on Netflix and YouTube and combines archival footage with testimony from activists and scholars to examine how the country's history of racial inequality drives the high rate of incarceration in America. Those unable or who prefer not to participate in the virtual session are welcome to post their thoughts to a Google Classroom dedicated to the event.
  • Community Events: Northwestern Michigan College has a number of events occurring throughout February for Black History Month. More information can be found online here.
  • Social Media Trivia:  Throughout February, North Ed has been posting Black History Month trivia questions on its Facebook page (@NorthEdNews) every Thursday – with other trivia posted Tuesdays. Check us out and put your brain skills to the test.
Trivia!
Who was the first African-American male to run for president?

A. Frederick Douglass
B. Malcolm X
C. Jesse L. Jackson Sr.
D. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

NOTE: Answer provided at end of this Check It Out. View in Web Browser
Welcome new employees
Lori Burns
Secretary, Admin East

Previous work: Owner of Green Island; K-1 teacher in Grand Rapids
Education: Aquinas College, Western Michigan University, M.A. in Early Childhood
Fun Fact: Owned Green Island retail store in downtown Traverse City for 20 years


Rebekah McMullen
Teacher Assistant, Bridgeway

Previous work: Acorn Health; Huron Township Police Department
Education: Ball State University, B.A. in criminal justice
Interests: Music, travel, hiking and spending time with friends and family



North Ed News
North Ed Apparel Store Now Open
At long last, North Ed swag is now available for purchase! Order direct from our approved supplier. It's easy! Browse the North Ed online catalog TODAY!
Website link location:
Intranet/North Ed Brand/Be a Brand Ambassador
Update your Voicemail Message
If you haven't already, check your voicemail message and update it with North Ed lingo. The objective is to express unity across the organization in our new name and update all references by removing TBAISD from all communication. Here is a LINK that explains how to change your voicemail message.

Getting it Right
Speaking of lingo, as you talk about Northwest Education Services (North Ed), it is important that we all use the correct choice of words and represent the organization in unified fashion. The integrity of the brand depends on each of us supporting the same standards. If you have questions about rebranding or need a logo for an event, document or presentation, please avoid clipping and pasting our brand from random resources. The BEST PRACTICE is to reach out to the Communications Department at NorthEdNews@NorthwestEd.org for all your rebrand needs!
Google Template Gallery
Hey Google Document fans, you can now find North Ed templates for our most current Google Doc letterhead, Slides, Forms and Quiz templates in your Google Drive Template Gallery. No need to save a copy to your H or T Drive files! Click the template you want and PRESTO, a copy of the template opens! Name it and create it. As simple as that!

Using North Ed lingo and representing the brand in a professional way with set standards means that Google templates ensures you are using the latest and greatest version of our branded assets. Other Microsoft Office branded documents can still be found in the North Ed T Drive via easy links found on the staff intranet. Be sure to submit a Help Desk ticket if you can't find what you are looking for.
Text Message Opt-in
North Ed shares important and timely information, such as school closures and urgent news alerts, with staff via SMS text messaging. To participate in this service, simply text any one of the following words to the number 67587: subscribe, optin, or yes. Repeat the opt-in process for any wireless phone numbers that you wish to include. You'll know you were successful if you receive the following reply message:
  • You’re registered 4 SchoolMessenger notifications. Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help. Msg&data rates may apply. Msg freq varies.
Coffee & Conversation
Superintendent Nick Ceglarek will conduct a Coffee & Conversation listening tour at North Ed sites in the coming weeks to provide an opportunity for direct dialogue among staff members and administrators. Staffing levels, school closure decisions, uncertainty arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and related protocols have been discovered as common themes among North Ed staff, according to results of recent strategic planning focus groups and the staff wellness survey included in January’s edition of the Check It Out newsletter.
Some stops on Superintendent Ceglarek’s tour may be held virtually or in a hybrid setting. Dates and times for stops at each site will be communicated soon, though staff are welcome to attend any of the sessions. 
School Threat Assessment Webinar
A free seminar called “Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management in K-12 Schools: Identifying Risk and Preventing School Violence” will take place at 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 28. The seminar, led by Dr. Melissa Reeves, is being offered by the Community Mental Health Association of Michigan and partners.
The two-hour virtual session will provide an overview of sound and proven behavioral threat assessment and management approaches designed for schools. To register for the event, click here.
North Ed Network News
Learn more about North Ed programs, services, students and colleagues in the quick links below!
REMC 2C News - February 2022 - Instructional Technology Tips!
Career Tech News - January 2022
Assistive Technology - Jan. 21, 2022 - More Instructional Tech Tips!
Wellness eBlast - Feb. 7, 2022
Farm to School - January 2022
Be sure to get ALL the news!
If you read the newsletter in your email inbox, you may be missing the full story!
Business Office Updates
Employee Timekeeping
Thank you to our hourly employees for their willingness to complete paper timesheets as well as entering time in the UKG Ready system while we were testing it. As of Feb. 21, 2022 hourly employees will only record their time using the UKG Ready system. Northwest Education Services employees located in a center-based program must scan their badge at a Kronos time clock at the beginning and end of their workday. Employees working in a setting without access to a timeclock may punch in and out each day by accessing the Kronos Online Clock found in the North Ed Bookmarks folder when using Google Chrome.
Employees entering time directly on timecards may access the UKG Ready system using the UKG Ready link in the North Ed Bookmarks folder. Access to UKG Ready and Kronos Online Clock is also available through a webpage on our staff intranet. For assistance with the UKG Ready system, contact your supervisor or Tina Martinek at tmartinek@NorthwestEd.org.
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Mileage Rates Increase
The IRS standard mileage rate has increased to 58.5 cents per mile, effective for travel dates on or after Jan. 1, 2022.  
The mileage voucher has been updated and is in the staff intranet available for downloading.  
W-2's Issued
W-2's for the 2021 calendar year have been issued. Employees with mailboxes at the Arnell Administration building (1101 Red Drive) received their W-2's in their school mailboxes. All other employees received their W-2 via U.S. mail. Employees can access paycheck information online by using the MyInfo - Direct Deposit link found in the "North Ed Bookmarks" folder in the Google Chrome internet browser.
HR Updates
BCBS COVID-19 Testing Options
Blue Cross Blue Shield members with pharmacy coverage can obtain over-the-counter COVID-19 tests in-person through the insurer’s preferred pharmacy network, which includes pharmacies within Walmart, Rite Aid and Sam’s Club stores. Service fees may apply. For more information about the preferred pharmacy network and at-home COVID-19 testing, visit Blue Cross Blue Shield's website.
Blue Cross Blue Shield members will continue to receive reimbursement of up to $12 per test for purchases at non-preferred pharmacies. The federal government continues to offer four free COVID-19 tests to all households. They can be ordered online by clicking the button below:
MARSP Pension Seminars
The Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel (MARSP) will hold virtual seminars in April that are designed to help school employees understand the newest laws and how they affect you as you plan for retirement.
Pension Plus/DC Seminar: Tuesday, April 19, 2022
BASIC/MIP/DC Converted Seminar: Wednesday, April 20, 2022
$500 Referral Bonus Continues
North Ed staff can earn a $500 bonus for successfully referring someone who joins our team as a teacher assistant. Due to an ongoing need to fill vacant TA positions, this opportunity will remain in place until vacancies are filled. Simply email the name of your referral to HR Generalist Jaime Lewis. If that person is hired, you will get a $500 bonus in your paycheck.
General Interest
Grand Traverse Guns & Hoses Benefit HOCKEY GAME
Watch the 8th annual Police vs. Fire benefit hockey game on Feb. 26 at Center Ice Arena. This year's fundraiser is dedicated to supporting the needs of our North Ed colleague and friend John Sandula who is undergoing treatments for esophageal cancer.

January SAILOR on Deck!

North Ed Early Childhood physical therapist Dr. Kristy Burns was recently honored by the Board of Education for her dedication to the value of Excellence as recognized by her North Ed colleagues through the SAIL Organizational Recognition System (ORS).
Happy Birthday!

See who celebrates in March:
All-Staff Event
Join North Ed Staff & Families!
Beat the winter blues with family fun snow tubing at Timberlee Hills in TC.
  • Sunday, Feb. 27
  • 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Fun for all ages!
  • Free hot cocoa when you show your North Ed ID badge!
Please purchase tickets in advance so Timberlee can staff accordingly!
Career Tech in Focus
Career & Technical
Education Month
February is Career and Technical Education Month and our North Ed Career Tech staff are welcoming student visitors and actively recruiting 10th grade students for the 2022-23 school year. The enrollment window is now open!
Hosting Gov. Whitmer
North Ed Career Tech was excited to host Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Friday, Feb. 11 for a virtual roundtable discussion that highlighted the importance of career and technical education. A special thank you to regional school leaders who joined us for the day (above left) and to the Career Tech staff and students who showcased their programs, like Will Finnegan and Madison Brown (above right), Engineering Academy seniors who demonstrated their student-engineered robots.
Tech Updates
The Affordable Connectivity Program is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program that helps connect families and households struggling to afford internet service. This new benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers.
Download and Share this flyer with students or school families. Learn more about the benefit, including eligibility and enrollment information, by visiting www.fcc.gov/ACP, or by calling 877-384-2575.

Windows AutoUpdate
Windows updates are a critical aspect of resolving both software and hardware issues, in addition to the mitigation of cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Going forward, to be proactive and improve North Ed's cybersecurity posture, North Ed Windows computers will apply updates automatically when connected to the North Ed network. Many (not all) Windows updates require the device and operating system to power down and restart for the update to take effect. When a restart of the device is required, you will be prompted with a five-day window to do so. This allows users to schedule the updates in their off-hours and/or weekend. If an option is not selected, the restart will still occur and Windows will make its best estimation for a time to restart. Tech Services appreciates your understanding and dedication to improving data security. To learn more about the steps you can take, click the link below:
North Ed TECH HELP
Need help with a technology issue? Try this:
  • Research common problems and solutions through North Ed's Help Desk Shared Google Drive.
  • Call the Help Desk at 231.922.6307. Leave a message if your call goes unanswered.
  • Submit a Help Desk ticket online by clicking the link below.
  • Provide feedback or offer comments via the Help Desk Survey instead of responding with a final note of appreciation through the system ticket (which re-opens the service request).
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Van Drivers up to $22/hr
Attendants up to $21/hr
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Dean provides paid training for drivers and attendants and will pay for new drivers to receive their commercial driver's license.
Limited Time Sign-On Bonus Available
Receive up to a $750 New Hire Sign-On Bonus if hired.

Benefits package available for all positions
Including health insurance, 401k and paid time off. Part-time to full-time hours and flexible schedules by location.
Questions? Please call or text Carrie at (517) 930-3607
Dean Transportation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Trivia Answer: C. Jesse L. Jackson Sr.
Staff Resources
Northwest Education Services
(Formerly TBAISD)
1101 Red Drive, Traverse City, MI 49684
Tel. 231.922.6200 |  NorthwestEd.org