February 2024 | Monthly news for and about the staff of Northwest Education Services

Reason to Celebrate

As we kick off Career & Technical Education (CTE) Month this February, I want to acknowledge how fortunate we are to have the expertise of our Career Tech staff, who have been recognized as CTE leaders regionally and statewide.

On Monday, there was an overwhelming feeling of celebration in Grand Rapids as I joined our Career Tech team at the Michigan Career Education Conference, where they accepted two statewide honors and a Teacher of the Year award!

Instructor Jared Diephouse was chosen as Teacher of the Year by the Michigan Association of Career and Technical Education! Jared, who is actually a former student at Career Tech, now teaches our Power Equipment program and is a valuable resource and partner to other educators at Career Tech and the region.

Also incredible is that Career Tech was selected as the recipient of two Excellence in Practice awards from the Michigan Department of Education: one award is for evidence-based reporting (check out this video by one of our Film & New Media students); and another for the regional Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) program, a partnership between Career Tech, Northwest Michigan Works!, Networks Northwest, and Char-Em and Wexford-Missaukee ISDs.

These statewide awards reinforce what we have known all along: The Career Tech staff is an amazing team dedicated and passionate about supporting students and helping them thrive. Please help me congratulate Jared and all the staff at Career Tech for their amazing accomplishments!

Our vision at North Ed is to partner to ensure every learner will have pathways to a meaningful life. From our Career Tech classrooms to special education centers, to our support services, early childhood staff and itinerants throughout the region, I am so grateful that we have a team of professionals committed to that cause. Thank you for everything that you do in service to our students and communities.

Respectfully,

Welcome to North Ed

Mary Jane Collins

Elementary Literacy Consultant

Previous work: TCAPS

Education: Adrian High School, Grand Valley State University

Interests: Enjoys outdoor adventures, camping, hiking and canoeing, but reading above all else. Also, a mom of three boys.

Qushaun Edwards

Custodian,

Bridgeway/New Horizons

Previous work: Windemuller Inc.

Education: L'Anse Creuse High School

Interests: Time with family and a proud father of two sons, ages 13 and 10 months.

Shari Nicholls

Teacher Assistant,

Bridgeway

Previous work: Dean Transportation

Education: E.A. Johnson High School, Mt. Morris

Interests: Enjoys camping, hiking, reading and spending time with her three granddaughters

Welcome the new arrivals!

Bridget Elizabeth Byrne

Born December 29, 2023

6 lbs., 15 oz., 20" long to

Madisen Byrne, Physical Therapist

Björn Benjamin Possert

Born January 14, 2024

9 lbs., 10 oz., 20" long to

Bailey & Thane Possert, Creekside & Career Tech

SAILORS On Deck!

Nominate Someone TODAY!

SAIL(ORS): Serving, Achieving, Inspiring and Learning Organizational Recognition System

Congratulations to Megan Woolcott,

North Ed Teacher serving students with ASD at Bridgeway, who was honored by the Board of Education on Jan. 9 for her dedication to the value of Equity as recognized by her colleagues through SAILORS on Deck.

Nominate a colleague who has gone above and beyond in their work. That colleague will receive an email copy of your nomination. One person is selected from the pool of nominees each month to be recognized by the North Ed Board of Education. 

Staff Spotlight

Excellence in Practice

Congratulations to our Career Tech staff for being the recipients of two 2024 Excellence in Practice awards from the Michigan Department of Education! Career Tech was recognized for implementing evidence-based reporting throughout all 22 programs at Career Tech, and for supporting the regional Jobs for Michigan's Graduates program with our partners at Charlevoix-Emmet ISD, Wexford-Missaukee ISD, Networks Northwest and Northwest Michigan Works. 

Be sure to get ALL the news!

Click here to view in a web browser

Celebrations

Black History Month

African Americans and the Arts is the theme for Black History Month, as chosen by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). Since 1976, every American president has designated February as Black History Month and endorsed a specific theme, chosen by ASALH, not to “dictate or limit the exploration of the Black experience, but to bring to the public’s attention important developments that merit emphasis.” From the advent of blues and jazz in the late 1800s to the Harlem Renaissance of the early 1900s to the emergence of hip hop in the 1970s, Black Americans have revolutionized the arts in many profound ways. This month, take some time to celebrate the numerous contributions of Black Americans in the field of the arts.

Resources

Click here for a list of educational resources celebrating Black History and African Americans in the Arts. This list is not meant to be comprehensive, but just something to get your journey started. And visit our CREG website!

For Your Awareness Calendar

• Feb. 1: National Freedom Day
• Feb. 11: National Day of Women and Girls in Science
• Feb. 12: National Freedom to Marry Day
• Feb. 20: World Day of Social Justice

Dinner & Discussion: Creating Community Through Conversation

The North Ed Culturally Responsive Education Group (CREG) welcomes you to join Dinner & Discussion: Creating Community Through Conversation beginning at 4:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 15, at the Filling Station, 642 Railroad Place, Traverse City. These events serve as a time for anyone to join important discussions happening in our schools and communities and learn more about culturally responsive education. Each month will have a designated theme around which our discussion will focus. February’s theme is Black History Month. Check out this flyer for more information. While this is not required, please consider reviewing one or more of the following resources in preparation for the Dinner & Discussion:

• 10 African-American Artists You Should Know (YouTube: 11 min 26 sec)
• How a Group of Women in This Small Alabama Town Perfected the Art of Quilting (YouTube: 14 min 25 sec)
• The History of Step (YouTube: 2 min 47 sec)
• Phillis Wheatley: The First Published African-American Poet (YouTube: 5 min 9 sec)
• Amanda Gorman: Using Your Voice Is a Political Choice (YouTube: 7 min 19 sec)
• Black Art: In the Absence of Light (HBO documentary: Available to stream for free with your library card number after creating an account with Kanopy).
• Google Arts & Culture (prepared by the Smithsonian American Art Museum) African American Art: Harlem Renaissance, Civil Rights Era, and Beyond

Here are some questions to consider, that may help guide our Dinner and Discussion conversation:

• How have the arts been used to break OR reinforce false stereotypes about Black Americans’ social position and overall value throughout American history? 
• Throughout American history, how have Black Americans used the arts to help construct their individual or collective sense of identity? Who were the rule breakers and pioneers/visionaries?
• How can art be used to confront racism and help to empower social justice and activism? 

SAIL Updates

North Ed is continuing with the second phase of its strategic planning process, SAIL 2.0 (Serving Achieving Inspiring Learning). As this work proceeds, SAIL committees are gathering input from staff. See below for more information:

Workplace Needs

This committee is working on the goal to “Explore, assess and identify workspace needs.” Please complete the survey linked here to offer input that the committee will use to identify and prioritize needs throughout the organization. 

Climate, Culture and Wellness

This committee is working on the goal to “Build a system to positively support staff and students through continued focus on climate, culture and wellness.” To gather input, Community Conversations are being held across the organization now through early April. Additional opportunities to share thoughts with the committee are:

• 8 a.m., April 10: “Open-to-All” Community Conversation, in the Conference Center at the Arnell Administration Building, 1101 Red Drive, Traverse City.
• 2:30-3:30 p.m., April 17: Open share for all employees with committee members.
• 2:30-3:30 p.m., May 20: Fishbowl Conversation to view committee work and offer input in a structured process.

For more information about the committee and upcoming input sessions, click the button below:

Take the Plunge!

A team has been created for anyone interested in joining North Ed colleagues in the Grand Traverse Bay Polar Plunge on March 9, 2024. Donations raised through the Polar Plunge support the Special Olympics. There is no cost to register. You are welcome to donate online and/or join the North Ed team here. 

This is not a requirement, and you may choose to participate in the Polar Plunge with other teams, as an individual or not at all, if desired. 

Photo: 2023 Polar Plungers from North Ed

Student Loan Repayment

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) has announced the Section 27k Student Loan Repayment Program.  $225 million has been allocated for grants to Michigan’s local education agencies (LEAs), intermediate school districts (ISDs), and public school academies (PSAs) for the purposes of implementing a student loan repayment program for their employees in accordance with legislation. 

If you currently have federal student loans and would like to be considered for the student loan repayment program, please complete this form by Feb. 16, 2024.

Certification Reimbursement

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is continuing the Certificate Application Fee Reimbursement program. The program has been designed to retain and incentivize early renewals of educators renewing their certificates for the first time between Oct. 1, 2023, and Sept. 13, 2024. There is no need to apply for this reimbursement. The important thing to know is that this program is available until funds are exhausted. Please visit MDE’s Certificate Application Fee Reimbursement website for more information.

Put it on the North Ed BULLETIN BOARD!

A NEW online North Ed Bulletin Board is now active on the staff intranet. Much like a community bulletin board, this webpage is for North Ed staff to share news, events and resources that are informative, create awareness or a caring concern for your colleagues. Information might include an explanation with a link to a Meal Train or GoFundMe page, student fundraiser, a classified ad listing of a treasure you'd like to sell, a retirement celebration or other like topics that create a supportive community among our staff members and within our workplace. Click the button to the left to learn more!

North Ed NETWORK NEWS

Learn more about North Ed programs, services, students and colleagues in all the latest newsletters linked below!

Link to past Staff Newsletters - Check it Out

REMC 2C Newsletter - January 2024

Assistive Technology Newsletter - January 2024

Farm to School Newsletter - January 2024

New Horizons Newsletter - January 2024

Find the 2023-24 School Year Calendar HERE

Register for North Ed Text Alerts

North Ed shares important and timely information, such as school closures and urgent news alerts, with our school community via SMS text messaging. To participate in this service click on the School Closings & Alerts button below and follow the steps noted in the section titled "How We Notify Our School Community" under the Phone heading.

Snow Day Expectations

All North Ed buildings will remain open on snow days for those who are required to report by the nature of their work, required by a supervisor or prefer to report to the building they service. Staff guidelines for school closings can be found on the website links below. Any questions should be directed to your supervisor.

For complete details on School Closings & Alerts, including how we notify our community of school closures, visit our website.

A Caring Community

Supporting a Colleague

A GoFundMe page has been created to support our colleague Mike Libby and his family. Mike, a MOCI teacher at Life Skills Center, has been in treatment for a rare form of cancer since June 2021, according to the GoFundMe page. A group of educators is raising money to support his medical expenses. Click the link below for more information.

Photo: Mike Libby performs during North Ed's Opening Day 2023.

Business News

Retirement Savings

North Ed offers an elective retirement savings plan that employees can use to help provide financial security at retirement. In order to ensure you receive information about this benefit, we are pleased to provide you with a newsletter that has been prepared by the compliance administrator for our plan, U.S. OMNI & TSACG Compliance Services (OMNI/TSACG). In addition to providing information about our plan, OMNI/TSACG offers a Financial Wellness website that covers areas such as managing personal finances, college funding options and how to navigate Social Security when the time comes. You will find calculators, videos and informative content on various topics. Additionally, the newsletter linked below offers a quick snapshot of information to help guide you in your planning process.

Mileage Rates Increase

The IRS standard mileage rate has increased to 67 cents per mile, effective for travel dates on or after Jan. 1, 2024.

The mileage voucher has been updated and is on the staff intranet available for downloading. 

2023 W-2 Reminder

W-2's for the 2023 calendar year were issued in January. If you have any questions, please contact Payroll Manager Sabrina Gunning at sgunning@NorthwestEd.org

Retirement Planning

Free 2024 Pension & Retirement Seminars

For all Michigan public school employees

Benefit Plans: Basic/MIP/Pension Plus/ Defined Contribution (DC) plans

Location: North Ed Admin Building Conference Center, 1101 Red Drive, Traverse City 49684

Learn about details of what lies ahead as a public school retiree, including healthcare, pension benefits, retirement savings plans and managing lifetime income. Click on a date below to register. Contact Holly at holly@marsprps.com with questions or for more information.

$500 Referral Bonus Continues

North Ed staff can earn a $500 bonus for successfully referring someone who joins our team for any of the following positions:

• School Social Workers - NEW!
• Speech and Language Pathologist
• Special Education Teacher
• Teacher Assistant

Due to an ongoing need to fill several positions, this opportunity will remain in place until vacancies are filled. Simply email the name of your referral to Personnel Specialist Vicki Akers. If that person is hired, you will get a $500 bonus in your paycheck.

• Click to see all current job postings (type "North Ed" in search)

Technology Updates

REMINDER: Nightly Network Shutdown

North Ed has implemented a nightly network shutdown from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. to add an extra layer of protection against potential cyber threats. What this means for you:

• The network will be inaccessible when off site between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. daily. This includes VPN, network drives (T:, H:, etc.), and PowerSchool access for staff and students.
• Any ongoing tasks or processes should be completed or paused before 11 p.m. to prevent data loss or disruption.
• In case of urgent requirements or exceptions, please reach out to the Technology Services Department in advance for assistance.
• WillSub along with Google web products like Google Drive and Gmail will remain accessible.

Learning with aiEDU & WiredTC

WiredTC is partnering with aiEDU to provide four professional learning opportunities for our local educators around the topic of artificial intelligence (AI). These virtual trainings are from 4-5 p.m. on Feb. 5 & 19, and March 4 & 11. Educators can find more information and a link to register at  www.wiredtc.net.

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).

General Interest

Professional Development

Click below to see what is on the docket for February professional learning opportunities!

North Ed Swag Store

RECENTLY UPDATED!

North Ed swag is available for purchase. Order direct from our approved supplier. It's easy! Browse the North Ed online catalog for more NEW ITEMS COMING SOON!

Website link location:

Intranet/North Ed Brand/Be a Brand Ambassador

Staff Resources