December 2021 | Monthly news for and about the staff of Northwest Education Services
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Safety and Security
Dear North Ed Staff,
The events that unfolded at Oxford Community Schools on Nov. 30 are senseless acts of violence that have no place in society, and yet here we are – heartbroken once again with grief for those impacted by tragedy, and mired in frustration and helplessness over seeing another atrocious incident in our schools.
There is no magical remedy, no single solution to this puzzle with real life-or-death consequences. However, when people come together, each lending a layer of expertise to solving a complex issue, great work can be accomplished. I believe the people here at North Ed are part of that collective effort toward positive, meaningful change.
I am incredibly grateful for each of you and the expertise and support you provide every day to our students, our North Ed colleagues and our local schools and communities. From our PREPaRE teammates who stand ready to assist in any tragedy, to our school counselors, teachers, parapros, support staff, administrators and others who are making real differences in the lives of students and in our communities. Thank you for everything that you do.
We all have a role to play in the safety and security of our schools. I encourage you to sign up to receive text message alerts if you have not already done so. North Ed will communicate urgent matters through multiple channels, and text messaging will be useful should an emergency ever occur. More information on how to do that is linked here and below in this newsletter. Also, if you become aware of any situation that is concerning, please immediately alert your supervisor and administrators. Steps will be taken to ensure the safety of our schools at all costs.
The compassion each of you has for student safety and success is exceptional. It is without a doubt that your work has made a positive impact throughout our region and I am proud to have you as colleagues.
Respectfully,
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Dr. Nick Ceglarek
Northwest Education Services Superintendent
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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.
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COVID-19 Update
Following guidance issued by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), the Grand Traverse County Health Department (GTCHD) provided schools with a letter detailing quarantine procedures for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. While schools can have masking policies in place to reduce the likelihood of close contact quarantines, the GTCHD’s current letter addresses the fact that positive individuals and close contacts must be wearing masks at the time of exposure for close contacts to avoid quarantining, among other considerations.
GTCHD’s letter outlines other details, including Test to Stay approaches, which allow unvaccinated individuals to stay in school if they submit to daily testing. The Test to Stay approach is not being implemented by North Ed, though staff should contact their supervisors to discuss testing options as needed. To view a copy of the latest GTCHD letter and other COVID-19 resources, visit North Ed’s website.
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The Latest News
Learn more about North Ed programs, services, students and colleagues in the quick links below!
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Vera Lobb,
Teacher Assistant, Life Skills Center
Previous employer: Don's Drive In
College: Western Michigan University
Interests: Yoga, hiking with her dog, and reading
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Amy Maeder
Teacher Assistant,
Transition Campus
38 Years of Service
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Brent Boerema
Assistant Principal,
Career Tech
19.5 Years of Service
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Kelley Sterk
School Social Worker
20 Years of Service
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Luca Pat Pinto
Born Nov. 12, 2021
7 lbs. 10 oz., 19" long to
Kasey Pinto, School Social Worker
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Honoring All Holidays
This time of year, the world calendar is full of religious and cultural events, like the Yule Winter Solstice on Dec. 21, which is celebrated by Pagans, Wiccans and others. The shortest day of the year is recognized as a time of rebirth and renewal, sort of like New Year’s Day, which is widely celebrated across many faiths, cultures and countries.
Christmas Day is recognized by many Christians as Jesus Christ’s birthday, though Dec. 25 is seen by others as a secular holiday – with Christmas trees, Santa Claus and gifts the focal point.
Hanukkah always takes place in late December, right? Nope. The Jewish religious holiday known by some as the “Festival of Lights” that stretches eight days and nights follows the Gregorian calendar and actually finished on Dec. 6 this year.
Kwanzaa – a nonpolitical and nonreligious annual African American holiday – takes place from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. The weeklong event celebrates each of Kwanzaa’s seven principles: unity, self-determination, collective responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.
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Trivia!
Kwanzaa, the celebration honoring African heritage in African-American culture, observed from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, culminating in a feast and gift-giving, started in what year?
A. 1888
B. 1901
C. 1966
D. 1987
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Employee Benefits Available
We recognize the holidays can be stressful, and we want to remind you of the resources and services available to North Ed staffers through your employee benefits.
Blue Cross-Blue Shield offers its members virtual medical office visits with therapists, psychiatrists and doctors through its website bcbsmonlinevisits.com. You can set up an appointment to talk to a therapist or psychiatrist about difficult challenges you may be facing, like anxiety, grief, depression, eating disorders, insomnia and more.
Starting Jan. 1, 2022, MESSA members can also access virtual doctor service, provided through a partnership with Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Michigan, by visiting messa.org/onlinevisits or via phone by calling 844.606.1608.
Additional resources are available on the Employee Benefits page of the staff intranet.
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$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.
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Be sure to get ALL the news!
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If you read the newsletter in your email inbox, you may be missing the full story! |
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Let's make the region better and stronger! North Ed staff are invited to donate through automatic payroll deduction in 2022. Learn more about United Way of Northwest Michigan and join them in building a stronger community. Send your Pledge Form linked below to Tina Martinek by Dec. 29 and join your North Ed colleagues in contributing to a successful United Way campaign in 2022!
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November SAILOR on Deck!
Career Tech math instructor Karen Shoskey was recently honored by the Board of Education for her dedication to the value of Relationships as recognized by her North Ed colleagues through the SAIL Organizational Recognition System (ORS).
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Join Your Colleagues Dec. 16! |
Join your North Ed colleagues in December for fun, safe seasonal social events organized by the members of the Wellness Committee. All are welcome to gather outdoors at Earthen Ales by the Water Tower at Grand Traverse Commons on Thursday, Dec. 16 from 3:30 - 6:30 p.m. |
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Happy Birthday!
See who celebrates in January:
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Do what you love. Love what you do!
This Suttons Bay graduate and student at Northwest Education Services ACE program shares her passion for theater and the arts in the Dec. 9 edition of the Leelanau Enterprise. Learn more about Lucy Queen's film debut in the musical "Best Summer Ever" which recently premiered at The Bay Theatre.
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Knights of Columbus Supports Bridgeway
The Traverse City St. Francis Knights of Columbus #13958 donated more than $2,300 to North Ed’s Bridgeway program to support community-based instruction activities across 14 classrooms serving 90 students. Pictured, from left, are: Sally Lobb, TA; JanDaLyn V., student; April Williams, TA; Nicholas M., student; Yousef K., student; Kate Payne, teacher; Marc Wills, supervisor; and Jim Hanes, Knights of Columbus.
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SysAid Self Service Portal
Did you know the SysAid Self Service portal has great features that can help us provide more efficient support?
- You can see your tickets and any communication from techs on the tickets.
- You can add notes to your tickets if something has changed -- instead of opening another ticket or sending an email that could get lost.
- Attachments of error codes or screens can be added to your ticket.
- If the problem has resolved itself, you can close your own ticket.
- We have provided FAQ support articles on how to resolve issues on your own if you are adventurous enough to try.
- There is a link to our Feedback Survey at the top of the page. We love to learn how we have or can provide you with better service.
Thank you for all you do to support education in our region. We appreciate the ability to support you and hope you have a wonderful holiday season!
~Tech Services Department
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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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Dean Transportation has immediate openings |
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Sign-On Bonus
Paid Training
Guaranteed Hours
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Bus Drivers up to $26/hr
Van Drivers up to $22/hr
Attendants up to $21/hr
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Apply Today at DeanJobs.com or at 880 Parsons Rd, Traverse City
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Essential to our Children's Future
Safely transport children in your community to and from school for in-person learning.
No prior professional driving experience needed for drivers
Dean provides paid training for drivers and attendants and will pay for new drivers to receive their commercial driver's license.
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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.
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Questions? Please call or text Carrie at (517) 930-3607
Dean Transportation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Board of Education Links
General Resources
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COVID-19 Resources
Communication Links
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Northwest Educational Services
(Formerly TBAISD)
1101 Red Drive, Traverse City, MI 49684
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