In this Edition*
- Message from Dr. Nick Ceglarek
- Staff Recognition
- Rebrand Project Updates
- Tech Matters
- Required Action: Two-step Authentication
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HR Updates
- Revised COVID Preparedness Response Plan
- Birthdays, Stork News, Board Meetings and More!
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Dear North Ed Team,
Helplessness. Frustration. Loss. Dedication. Resilience. Hope. These words all come to mind when I think of the COVID-19 pandemic, but one that truly resonates with me is “service.”
Your service to our students and local districts has been nothing short of exemplary this school year. Considering the many challenges, it might have been easy for some to throw up their hands and let the chips fall where they may. But your perseverance, ambition and commitment to our profession has been encouraging and inspiring to witness.
Our districts were supported by YOU, and our students learned new and exciting things from YOU. I am honored to be among such an incredible group of teammates, and it is because of YOU that we have been able to support the schools and communities here in northwest Michigan.
The summer months ahead offer a much-needed break and I urge all of you to take advantage of it with friends and family. I look forward to reuniting with you all again this fall and continuing our work in service to others.
Respectfully,
Nick Ceglarek, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Northwest Education Services (formerly TBAISD)
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DON'T MISS THIS!
View the year-end video message
from Dr. Ceglarek
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SAIL(ORS) on Deck
The SAIL Organizational Recognition System (ORS), developed by a very creative strategic plan team, provides a new way for all staff to recognize the exemplary work of their colleagues any time during the school year. The system generates SAIL(ORS) on Deck where each month, one person selected from the system will be highlighted in the Check It Out newsletter and, with the individual's permission, recognized during the next Board of Education meeting. In May, the system generated 41 submissions supporting the values of Northwest Education Services' mission and vision.
- 23 different staffers recognized others
- 37 different staffers were recognized by peers
- All 9 SAIL values were recognized
Staff recognition will resume in September
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Congratulations to
Tina Schelich
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In June, Speech Pathologist Tina Schelich will be honored for her dedication to Service as she consistently sets an example which inspires and encourages others. |
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Standard School Award of Excellence
Each year, our superintendent selects the recipient of the revered Standard School Award. This longstanding tradition honors an employee who deserves the unique recognition for going well beyond the requirement of his or her job responsibilities. This year these four individuals made a significant impact to the return to school plan for the 2020-21 school year following the challenges brought on by the pandemic. Our buildings and our staff were ready for in-person teaching and learning due to the extensive preparation, training, resources and support this team provided, allowing everyone the fortune and privilege to return to their work sites and provide in-person instruction the majority of the school year. Thank you for your commitment to placing the safety of every individual in our schools first and for lending your talent through service to the school community.
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Have Questions?
Contact the Communications Department
Director of Communications
Communications Specialist
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May - June
- Technology operations transition network/system/domain name changes through early July
- Nielsen Design Group creative design work continues through June
- Communication department initiates production as materials are approved
- Internal documents/forms updates begin in June
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What's Next?
Over the summer the rebranding team will continue pushing forward on multiple fronts in preparation of a full launch for the start of the 2021-22 school year.
This work will include updating forms and documents to reflect our new brand and continuing work within our organizational chart to create clarity with renaming of our center-based programs and some career and technical education programs. Details on these developments and more will continue to be posted to our North Ed Brand webpage on the staff intranet.
Exciting developments for employee badges, lanyards and other wearable swag are also in the mix as the rebranding team continues to engage in discussion with our consultant, Nielsen Design Group, and local vendors to establish brand standards and a smooth process for the North Ed family to use when ordering merchandise.
We’re also working with our consultant to revamp the appearance of our internal newsletters, including the monthly Check It Out. We expect these publications will have a fresh new look that incorporates our North Ed brand and identity before school starts up again this fall.
Building our new identity takes time and it’s a team effort. We appreciate your patience and partnership as we continue working through this significant transition.
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SAVE THE DATE
Help North Ed Shine!
Wednesday, September 1, 2021
Staff Opening Day
More detail to come!
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Talk is cheap,
but communication is key.
Help us improve, TAKE THE SURVEY!
We’re looking to improve our communications structure here at Northwest Education Services (formerly TBAISD) and we need your help to do it. Communication is a critical function of any organization and your input will help us fix what’s broken, and keep what works.
Last month, a survey was sent to your work Gmail inbox. It should take about 10 minutes to complete, and all participants will remain anonymous.
We appreciate your honest feedback as we look to find the best way we can communicate with you! Take the survey today!
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Save at Oryana Co-op!
Oryana is partnering with Northwest Education Services to make local, healthful food more accessible and affordable with discounts. North Ed employees just need to present a staff ID badge to take advantage of the many benefits of this partnership. Learn more here!
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Wellness Committee Shares Summertime Tips
Summer break can be a time to relax and refocus toward the future. Click to learn more:
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May Walking Challenge Winners
The May Walking Challenge was a great way to inspire a healthy habit! Keeping track of your walking and movement minutes or miles gives a sense of accomplishment, accountability and progress. Congratulations to the prize winners for the May Walking Challenge:
1. Laura Echols
2. Greg Brainard
3. Ben Hanes
Classroom Winner: Lauren Nowak and MoCI Classroom, Life Skills Center
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Wellness on Staff Intranet!
Remember, all these resources (and much more) are available on the Staff Intranet!
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Preparedness Plan Transition
We will continue to follow our current COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan through June 30, 2021. For the remainder of this month, our plan continues to require the use of masks for adults and students in the school setting as well as adherence to all of the mitigation strategies in place. Continued use of our safety protocols and entry protocols are expected.
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Year-End Schedule: HR Calendar of Dates
Last day of School
Teacher Assistants: June 11, 2021
Professional Staff: June 14, 2021
Summer Hours run from June 15, 2021-- August 31, 2021
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Important System and Network Notifications |
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Action: Set up Multifactor Authentication
Email Security
If you haven’t already done so, take a few minutes to set up multifactor authentication for your work Gmail account. This feature provides an extra level of security for email and can be set up in just a few minutes. Once you set up the authentication process, you’ll occasionally be asked to verify your identity to Gmail by entering the passcode that was sent to your alternate contact. That’s it!
Setting up multifactor authentication is easy and quick – Please do it TODAY!
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Affordable Broadband Access for Qualified Families
Technology has been an extremely valuable tool this past year for education, as COVID-19 cases have resulted in school closures with many students throughout our state turning to virtual instruction. Unfortunately, at-home learning is exceptionally difficult for families who lack reliable or affordable broadband access. The Emergency Broadband Benefit program, which is backed by $3.2 billion in federal funding, may be able to support those families with financial resources for broadband service or technology devices. The Michigan Public Service Commission recently highlighted the program. Learn more here!
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Hello @NorthwestEd.org, so long TBAISD Portal
On June 21, Northwest Education Services employees will have to use @NorthwestEd.org when they log in to their emails. Our emails and website are set to transition to a new domain, which will also require us to update our email signatures to the final version. That version is being finalized, and more information will be posted to our Staff Intranet.
We will also be discontinuing the TBAISD Portal and shifting use of that technology to the Google App Picker (the nine dots that appear next to your Google Account icon when logged in, also called the “waffle”). You’ll have access to all the same applications that were available in the Portal just in a more convenient place. Learn more about the switch here.
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Lucille "Lucy" Kochanny
Born May 20, 2021
8 lbs. 14 oz., 21-1/2" long to
Kelly and Matt Kochanny, Teacher Consultants
Callahan John O'Connor
Born May 24, 2021
8 lbs. 8 oz.
Jaclyn O'Connor, Speech Pathologist
Calum Rader John Kersey
Born May 26, 2021
7 lbs. 10 oz., 21" long to
Sara Kersey, Teacher, Oak Park
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Hey YOU.... yes, you....Get All the News!
If you read our Check it Out staff newsletter from your Gmail inbox, you might miss some important news! To see it all, click "view entire message" at the bottom of the email or "view in web browser" at the top of the email.
Also, this newsletter might appear in your "promotions" inbox rather than your "primary" inbox. Learn how to fix this in Tech Tips further down in this newsletter.
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Save the Date
November 1, 2021
Now Live!
Pre-registration for RSDD
RSDD 2021 will be available in two formats. You can choose to participate IN-PERSON or VIRTUAL, but not both. More information will be sent to registrants in the coming months according to which format is chosen.
This choice has participants attending the conference at one of two sites in Traverse City (West Senior/Central High) where there will be in-person presentations from national speakers and local teachers. There will also be collaborative offerings held throughout the day for regional educators to work together around a common problem of practice.
This choice has participants attending the conference virtually and gives access to national presenters throughout the day. There will be a lot of sessions to choose from and attendees will be able to access synchronous and asynchronous opportunities for professional learning.
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Assistive Technology resources:
For more information about assistive technology support, please reach out to the Assistive Technology Department:
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Career Tech News
A newsletter for students, families & friends!
Manufacturing Technology Academy News
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Farm to School Newsletter
For more information about Farm to School please reach out to our Northwest Education Services Farm to School Coordinator Elena Mosher emosher@tbaisd.org
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Birthday Spotlight
See who celebrates a JULY birthday!
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North Ed Quick Links
General Resources:
COVID-19 Resources:
Communication Links:
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Northwest Education Services | 1101 Red Drive, Traverse City, Michigan | 231.922.6200
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