Weekly Update
January 6, 2023
Important Updates
2023 Nonpublic Schools Legislative Day - March 23, 2023
Save-the-Date for the 2023 MANS Nonpublic Schools Legislative Day on March 23 at the new Heritage Hall at the Michigan State Capitol. Look for more information and registration information next week!
IDEA Virtual Training - January 19, 2023
MANS is pleased to partner with ADAC to offer a virtual training on Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) services in Michigan. ADAC is currently doing similar research and training across the country. IDEA provides federally funded special education services to nonpublic school students with learning differences.

Why you need to attend the ADAC IDEA training:

  • provides school leaders with full understanding of IDEA, so that they can maximize proportionate share funding to serve students with learning differences; 
  • educates private school leaders about the data and the importance of it; 
  • reviews ways to leverage the state's auxiliary law with IDEA to more effectively serve students with learning differences

If you were not able to participate in the late November in-person trainings, now is your chance to get the important information for your school. Save-the-Date of January 19 from 9:00 a.m. to noon for this virtual training.

National School Choice Week - January 22-28, 2023
Michigan will celebrate National School Choice Week with a fun, positive, awareness-raising rally at the Michigan State Capitol, hosted by Parent Advocates for Choice in Education (PACE) and Michigan Association of Public School Academies.

Students, parents, educators and supporters will gather in the Michigan State Capitol, Heritage Hall, to celebrate the effectiveness and benefits of K–12 school choice. This flagship event, which will shine a spotlight on the state’s K–12 education options, will include remarks by students and guest speakers. This event is designed to raise positive statewide awareness of the diversity of education options available for families across Michigan. 

This event is hosted by Parent Advocates for Choice in Education (PACE) and Michigan Association of Public School Academies. MANS and the Michigan Catholic Conference are also sponsors. Join us on Thursday, January 26, 2023, from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM at the Michigan State Capitol's new Heritage Hall, located at 100 N. Capitol Avenue, Lansing, MI 48933.

State and Federal Updates
2023 National Catholic Educational Association Awards
NCEA is excited to present the Lead. Learn. Proclaim. Awards and President's Awards at NCEA 2023 in Dallas/Irving, TX on April 10, 2023.

They have extended the submission deadline for both awards to January 13, 2023.

The Lead. Learn. Proclaim. (LLP) Awards highlight the outstanding work of Catholic school educators, administrators, and diocesan leaders in Catholic school communities across the country. To nominate someone for a LLP Award, fill out this form.

The President's Awards are presented in the name of past NCEA presidents to individuals and organizations who model the characteristics that advance the mission of Catholic school education and display the significant virtues of faith, support, leadership and development that impact Catholic school education in the United States. To nominate an individual or organization for a President's Award, fill out this form.

If you have questions about the nomination process or awards, please contact Annie Smith.
Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment Program
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has established the Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment Program (KOHA) in response to Public Act 261 of 2020, which was enacted to ensure that children enrolling into their first year of school have an opportunity to receive a dental screening prior to entering their first year of school. For local school districts to be aware of their responsibilities under the program, here is a memo from MDHHS that includes more information.
Using U.S. Census Data For Classroom Learning
Statistics in Schools brings subjects to life using real-world U.S. Census Bureau data to create materials for use year after year at all grade levels. The national Statistics in Schools program has resources for educators to help kick off the new year showing students how U.S. Census data fits into their world. 
MI Safe Schools Indoor Air Ventilation Program
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) MI Safe School Indoor Air Ventilation Program aims to improve indoor air quality in schools – providing clean air and safe, healthy environments. Schools will have the opportunity to receive a number of air purifiers that may be used in classrooms and other communal areas within the school to reduce the number of harmful microbes and aerosols in these particular atmospheres. If you would like your school community to participate in the program, please provide your information using the following link: School Air Ventilation Interest Form.  
Professional Learning Opportunities
Become a Google Certified Educator this Winter!
Join Google expert John Sowash this winter for the Google Certification Academy. By the end of this experience, you will be ready to pass the Google Educator exam and design creative lessons using Docs, Slides, Jamboard, and more!
 
  • Cost: $199/person (CC and PO registration accepted)
  • Dates: January 17, 19, 24, 26, 31, February 2, and 7
  • Time: 8-9:30 PM EST (join LIVE or watch on-demand)
  • Platform: Google Meet & Google Classroom
  • Continuing Education Credit: 11 hours of continuing education credit included

 
Note: this cohort is already 25% full and is expected to sell out. Individual and bulk registration is available. 
Catapult Learning Private School Leaders Webinar Series
Catapult Learning invites you to join them for their three-day virtual workshop series, Understanding Equitable Services, designed specifically for building level administrators. These three sessions will cover the essentials of understanding equitable services through federal education programs for students attending private schools. Topics to be covered include Title I, IDEA, professional development, English learners, and academic support services.

Workshop #1 - Program Purpose and Allowable Services on February 7, 2023 from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.: The full array of allowable program services will be covered for each federal education program, plus ways to use federal education programs to meet students’ needs, and innovative solutions for bringing these services to your students, teachers, and families.
Workshop #2 - The Consultation Process on February 8, 2023 from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.: Learn about the requirements for consultation, safeguards to protect your students and ensure their needs are met, and techniques for being an effective partner in the consultation process.
Workshop #3 - Funding for Federal Education Program Services on February 9, 2023 from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.: This session will focus on how federal education programs are funded, including factors that determine the amount of funding, how to count your students for funding purposes, and safeguards to ensure your students receive an equitable share of the funding.
 
Boost Your Teaching Skills and Reduce Workload with Student-Centered Learning
Are you looking to enhance your students’ learning experiences while freeing up your time during the school day? Do you need some inspiration and practical strategies to help design these lessons? This workshop isn’t designed to give you more work, it’s designed to give you less.
 
It’s about learning how you can nurture more student agency, use technology more strategically, and ultimately, give yourself more time to do what you do best: connecting with your students. It’s an investment in a less hectic, more student-centered future. 
 
January 31, 2023 | 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. with 5 SCECHs

 
Can’t attend? No worries - here’s a resource to support your student-centered classroom: Supporting Students through Check-ins. 
VAI's K-12 New Teacher Network - Register for the Spring 2023 Cohort
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. 
 
Wondering how the Beyond Basics highest dosage literacy intervention program becomes a seamless part of the school day? Get an inside look through the eyes of one of our partner schools.
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