April 2024 | Monthly news for and about the staff of Northwest Education Services | |
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Honoring Outstanding Educators
For over three decades, the region has been honoring exceptional educators through the prestigious Outstanding Educator Awards, with a total of 667 recipients to date.
While the number of awardees has changed from year to year (a cap of 10 has been implemented in recent years), the caliber and talents of nominees have continued to be extraordinary.
With the exception of 1999, when there was no award ceremony (followed in 2000 with an all-time high of 37 recipients), each year has shown us a new class of outstanding individuals who have demonstrated exceptional service and commitment to education and community.
Glancing over the list of past award recipients, many bright and inspirational people have been named Outstanding Educators. To be sure, countless others are deserving of this recognition, which makes this program so competitive and an honor to participate in.
As the deadline to submit nominees for the Outstanding Educator Awards approaches on April 10, I urge you to consider the profound impact your North Ed colleagues or those from local school districts have on our community. If you believe someone embodies the qualities of an Outstanding Educator, please nominate them. Collaborating with others who share your admiration for this individual will not only strengthen the submission but also expedite the review committee's evaluation process. You can find the nomination form and more details about the process online.
Lastly, please join us on June 5 at the City Opera House in Traverse City to celebrate this year's Outstanding Educators. We are proud to host this event in partnership with Traverse Connect and TBA Credit Union and look forward to recognizing the great people making a difference in our schools.
As we all know, being an educator is a challenging role. The impact you have on the lives of our students and the future of our communities is immeasurable. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your unwavering dedication and for shaping a brighter future. Your contributions are truly invaluable.
Respectfully,
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Dr. Nick Ceglarek
Northwest Education Services Superintendent
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Seeking Nominations!
Help us honor the best of the best in education in northwest Michigan! Nominate a teacher, school support staff member or administrator TODAY! The deadline is fast approaching on April 10, 2024!
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Nominate Someone TODAY!
SAIL(ORS): Serving, Achieving, Inspiring and Learning Organizational Recognition System.
Congratulations to Jim Laurent,
North Ed Physical Therapy Assistant, who was honored by the Board of Education on March 5 for his dedication to the value of Students/Learners First 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 Board of Education.
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Louise Ann Jarvi
Born March 27, 2024
6 lbs. 9 oz., 20" long to
Ryan Jarvi, Director of Communications
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Autism Acceptance Month & Deaf History Month | |
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Autism Acceptance Month, previously named Autism Awareness Month, aims to celebrate and promote acceptance for the condition that occurs in one in 54 children as of 2020 in the United States. A complex developmental condition, autism affects a person’s ability to interact, communicate and has many subtypes, which is why it’s known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)!
Did you know?
- While only 1.5% of individuals have red hair and 2% of individuals have green eyes, 2.8% of individuals have autism, with approximately 70 million recognized cases of autism worldwide!
- According to MI School Data, 273 (8.2%) of North Ed’s 3,330 special education students were diagnosed with autism in the 2022-2023 school year.
- Statewide (MI School Data), there were 209,937 special education students reported, with 25,147 (12%) diagnosed with ASD.
This Autism Acceptance Month, find out what you can do to create a more understanding and accepting world for our children with ASD and their loved ones. If you would like to learn more about North Ed’s ASD programs and services, check out our website!
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Deaf History Month
While not a federally recognized holiday, National Deaf History Month is a time to raise awareness about the deaf community and their struggles in our society. This month honors the immense contributions and rich heritage of deaf individuals and the deaf community to our country.
Did you know?
- One in every three people over 65 worldwide (about 165 million people) are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.
- About 38 million Americans (roughly 12% of the US population) have significant hearing loss.
- Roughly 32 million people affected by hearing loss worldwide are children under 15.
- Many notable figures such as Halle Berry, Thomas Edison, Brian Wolson, Barbra Streisand, and Ludwig van Beethoven have all lived with atypical hearing.
- In the 2022-2023 school year, 2,183 (1%) of the state’s 209,937 special education students are considered Deaf or Hard of Hearing, according to MI School Data.
Want more? Visit our CRE website: www.NorthwestEd.org/services/cre/
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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, April 18, 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. April's theme is Autism Acceptance Month.
Check out this flyer for more information. Please consider reviewing the following resources and information for our Dinner & Discussion:
YouTube Videos:
Questions to consider:
- With so much more social media presence and exposure, how do you think this positively and negatively impacts the neurodivergent population and those who are diagnosed with ASD?
- What are Universal Supports? Can you think of Universal Supports that people who are both neurotypical and neurodivergent use in their daily lives? Are there any that are currently in use or active in your daily life?
- What does "masking" mean to you? Do you unconsciously or consciously do this in your everyday life?
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If you read the newsletter in your email inbox, you may be missing the full story! | | |
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Honoring Regional Students
Congratulations to North Ed Career Tech National Technical Honor Society students on their career focus, academic accomplishments and contributions to community. In March we inducted 87 new members to the local chapter and celebrated their current achievements and future success.
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Pi Day - sweetened with Pie!
Career Tech student council challenged program instructors to join them in celebrating Pi Day 2024, and they did with great bravery. Students pooled their resources to raise $1000 for North Ed Foundation scholarships!
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Agriscience Plant Sale
The annual North Ed Career Tech Plant Sale begins with online sales on Friday, April 5. Over 450 hanging baskets and thousands of annuals, seedlings and herbs are available on a first-come first-serve basis. Order pick up is May 6-10. Proceeds benefit students of the North Ed FFA Chapter.
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Staff Appreciation Breakfast
Tuesday, May 7
7-9 a.m.
Save the date and join your colleagues and friends for the annual staff appreciation breakfast hosted at North Ed Career Tech.
Please RSVP below!
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North Ed OPIE Honoree
Each year the Michigan Education Association Coordinating Council celebrates Outstanding Persons in Education (OPIE) Awards. This year, the members of North Ed's Education Association and the Educational Support Personnel Association named speech pathologist Lori McMullen as a 2024 OPIE Award recipient. Congratulations Lori! Your dedication to students is truly inspiring.
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SAIL 2.0: Climate, Culture & Wellness
Community Conversations are continuing this month to ensure all North Ed employees have an opportunity to provide input to the committee working on the Climate, Culture and Wellness goal as part of North Ed’s SAIL 2.0 (Serving, Achieving, Inspiring, Learning) strategic planning process. So far, 26 conversations have taken place, generally within meeting structures that already exist for teams, departments and groups. If you missed a Community Conversation that already happened for your group, below are two more opportunities to share thoughts with the committee in that process.
Additionally, North Ed employees may participate in an open discussion on this SAIL goal on April 17 and join the committee on May 20 for a Fish Bowl Circle process.
For more information, click here. To register to attend an upcoming event, click a link below:
April 10, 2024
8-9 a.m., North Ed Admin Building
8-9 a.m., North Ed Career Tech
April 17, 2024
2:30-3:30 p.m., North Ed Admin Building
- Open Discussion – Open-to-All @ North Ed Administration Conference Center – No Registration Required
May 20, 2024
2:30-3:30 p.m., North Ed Admin Building
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A Salute to North Ed Staff
Join us as we recognize 10 staff members who are retiring in 2023-24 as well as those who have met significant milestone in the service to the region.
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Save the date: May 14, 2024
Please help honor these individuals and reflect on the past year's accomplishments. More details to come.
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Spring Retirements!
Is someone from your North Ed building/team retiring this spring? Are you planning an event to recognize their work? Let us know by submitting details on the North Ed Bulleting Board google form linked below!
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Put it on the Bulletin Board!
Check out the North Ed 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. Click the button below to learn more!
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Latest Bulletin Board Additions
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Support Mike Libby (pictured), a Life Skills Center teacher, with ongoing cancer-related medical expenses by attending a fundraiser April 19, 3:30-5:30 p.m. at Left Foot Charley. A collection of Mike's photography and jewelry will be available to purchase. Or donate to the GoFundMe page for him. All proceeds to support his medical expenses.
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Donate new or slightly used gym equipment to Life Skills Center students.
- Creekside School is starting a Big Brothers/Big Sisters type program for their elementary students and is seeking volunteers.
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ASD Awareness at IPL
North Ed's Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) consultants are hosting a one-hour presentation for community members on autism and universal supports at 4:30 p.m., Thursday, April 11 at the Interlochen Public Library. This is an amazing opportunity for families, caregivers and community members to learn more about the impact of autism, and add strategies and resources to their toolbox! Please see and share the attached flyer for those seeking more information.
What: ASD Awareness Community Presentation for Families and Caregivers
Date: Thursday, April 11
Time: 4:30-5:30
Where: Interlochen Public Library at 9411 10th St, Interlochen, MI 49643
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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.
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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 - March 2024
Farm to School Newsletter - March 2024
New Horizons Newsletter - March 2024
Find the 2023-24 School Year Calendar HERE
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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. Click on the School Closings & Alerts button and follow the steps in the section titled "How We Notify Our School Community" under the Phone heading.
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Snow Day Expectations
For complete details on School Closings & Alerts, including how we notify our community of school closures, click the link below.
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New Payroll Email & Reminders
Effective immediately, all payroll-related documents and correspondence should be sent to Payroll@NorthwestEd.org
A few other Payroll notes/reminders...
For paper timesheets, please remember to:
- Include your first and last name
- Use the correct dates for days being paid
- Record your hours or days
- Total your timesheet
- Submit to your supervisor by Wednesday after payday
Supervisors: UKG Timesheets should be approved by supervisors by noon on Wednesday after payday.
Approved reimbursements are due by Thursday after payday in order to be paid the following Friday.
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Student Loan Repayment
Thank you to the North Ed employees who responded to the survey regarding the Michigan Department of Education’s Section 27k Student Loan Repayment Program, which allocates $225 million to school districts for the purposes of implementing a student loan repayment program for employees. Those who qualify for the program, under legislative eligibility requirements, will receive additional information in the next couple of weeks.
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New Employee Assistance Program Available
Feeling stressed or dealing with anxiety? North Ed’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) has free resources for staff and their family members. Our new EAP provider offers staff and their family members a number of support services, including help with mental health, relationships, substance abuse and more.
To learn more, view the EAP documents on the Human Resources webpage of the staff intranet.
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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 health care, 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.
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$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
- 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.
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North Ed TECH HELP
Need help with a technology issue? Try this:
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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.
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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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Solar Eclipse Resources
Click below to find helpful resources to prepare your students, families and colleagues for safe viewing of the solar eclipse on April 8.
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Professional Development
Click below to see what is on the docket for April professional learning opportunities!
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Dream Team Registration
Player registration is now open through April 19. The 2024 opening day game is scheduled for Saturday, May 11, 9:30 a.m. at the Grand Traverse Civic Center.
For more detail click HERE.
Interested in volunteering?
Email dreamteamNMI@gmail.com
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NEW SWAG!
The North Ed swag store has been updated and is open 24/7 for purchases. Order direct from our approved supplier. It's easy! Browse the North Ed online catalog!
Website link location:
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Cool Tech Camp - June 18-20
Cool Tech Camp at North Ed Career Tech is open to students currently enrolled in 5th, 6th or 7th grade. Each program is taught by our highly qualified and skilled Career Tech instructors.
Registration begins on April 8. Enroll early because classes fill quickly and are available on a first-come first-serve basis!
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Happy Birthday!
See who celebrates in April
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Board of Education Links
COVID-19 Resources
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Northwest Education Services
1101 Red Drive, Traverse City, MI 49684
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