In this Edition
- Message from Dr. Nick Ceglarek - VACCINE UPDATE
- Save the Date: January 28 Town Hall Meeting
- New Employee Introductions
- Human Resources Updates
- Health & Wellness Committee Updates
- Technology Matters - Tips to Manage Your Gmail Inbox
- General Interest News and Photos
- Birthdays, Board Meetings and More!
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Superintendent's Message
Vaccine Update
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“The only constant in life is change.”
~ Heraclitus
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Dear Staff,
You, our incredible team members, have demonstrated great flexibility throughout this pandemic. We are proud of how you have adapted to serve our students and families over the past ten months. As we approach the very exciting opportunity of a vaccine to combat COVID-19, we ask for your continued flexibility and patience.
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Through ongoing conversations with the multiple health departments that support our five-county region, each is starting to approach vaccinating tier 1B which includes school employees. Depending on the size, structure, and capacity of the health department, there will be nuanced differences in vaccine distribution. Please know that the Grand Traverse County Health Department in coordination with Munson Medical Center have committed to work together with educational institutions in the region, including TBAISD, to schedule separate clinics for school staff to be vaccinated. If you have the opportunity to be vaccinated in your county of residence or district you service other than Grand Traverse County, we encourage you to do so. Details for a separate TBAISD staff clinic continue to be finalized, and our human resources department will communicate any updates and a district specific registration link as soon as information becomes available.
Local health departments are still finishing up tier 1A and some are beginning tier 1B based on the availability of vaccines released by the federal government. We are hopeful for an equitable distribution available for all individuals included in tier 1B. Health department directors face ongoing challenges not knowing the number of vaccines they will receive on a weekly basis, making it incredibly difficult to schedule appointments. Due to the unique shipping, handling, and administration of the vaccine itself, our health departments and Munson Medical Center are working around the clock and communicating about separate clinics with school officials on a continual basis. Our community partners have asked us not to utilize the GTCHD general registration form on their website.
Because of the reasons outlined above, please be aware that scheduling will be based on projected vaccine distribution, and if the supply received by the health department is less than anticipated, appointments may need to be rescheduled. Again, TBAISD is not requiring employees to be vaccinated. We do ask that you begin thinking about whether this is the right choice for you.
Please join me in recognizing the herculean efforts of our health department officials as they navigate the largest vaccination undertaking within our lifetime. Thank you for your continued support, flexibility, and patience.
Respectfully,
Dr. Nick Ceglarek
TBAISD Superintendent
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Town Hall Meeting
Save the Date: January 28
All TBAISD staff are invited to a TBAISD Town Hall Webinar
Date: Thursday, January 28, 2021
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Virtual Link: more detail to come
Dr. Ceglarek will address questions about the current status of events, and other topics of interest from TBAISD staff members. For questions, please contact Renee Childers at rchilders@tbaisd.org
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Natalie Belleville
GSRP Lead Teacher
Previous work:
Education: Evart High School, Northern Michigan University B.A. in Special Education.
Interests: Long walks, cooking and spending time with family
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Jeff Boczkaja
GSRP Teacher Assistant
Previous work: National Park Service, Sleeping Bear and Yellowstone
Education: North Muskegon High School, Michigan State University
Interests: Disc golf, weight lifting
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Paige Cornillie
Speech Pathologist
Education: Plymouth High School, B.A. from Grand Valley State University, M.A. from Purdue University
Interests: Hiking, skiing, cooking, yoga, and playing with my new yellow lab puppy Oakley
Fun Fact: I am a twin
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Dawn Hinton
Homebound Teacher
Previous work: Kalkaska, Lincoln Consolidated, and Howell Public Schools
Education: Kalkaska graduate, Grand Valley State University B.S. and M.A.
Interests: 4H member and junior leader, knitting and sewing, hiking and kayaking, teaching Sunday School/vacation bible school, and spending time with four children and seven grandchildren.
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Greg Honeman
Custodian
Previous work: Newkirk Electric/ IBEW
Education: Saginaw Arthur Hill High School
Certification: Master electrician
Interests: Woodworking, golf and camping
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Marie Huffman
Technology Support Specialist
Previous work: TCAPS
Education: TC Central, Grand Valley State University
Interests: Gardening, running and baking
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Emily Leuenberger
Teacher Assistant for ACE
Previous work: Willsub
Education: Grand Valley State University
Interests: Photography, biking and paddle boarding
Fun Fact: Two daughters are graduating this year
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Sarah Porter
GSRP Lead Teacher
Previous work: Nanny and daycare provider
Education: Lakeland High School, B.A. from Baker College
Interests: Boating, hiking and relaxing at the family summer cottage
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Rilynn Jade Stuart
Born December 9, 2020
7 lbs. 3 oz., 20" long to
Casey Stuart, Oak Park Teacher Assistant
Colt Michael Tavis
Born December 12, 2020
2 lbs. 14 oz., 15" long to
Breanna Weddle, Traverse Heights Teacher Assistant
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TBAISD Rebranding
We are happy to share exciting developments with you about our organization’s progress toward its strategic goal to clarify the current TBAISD brand identity and clearly represent our goals and values.
In 2019, a TBAISD team formed and began this work. Based on multi-departmental feedback and strategic research, the group concluded that a rebranding process was needed. The well-respected Nielsen Design Group (NDG) of Traverse City was selected and approved by the TBAISD Board of Education to support the project.
Key Messages of Rebranding
The rebranding process identified essential messages that will be embedded in the brand:
- The organization is education-focused.
- The goal is to provide service and support.
- The work is accomplished through strong partnerships, relationships, collaboration.
- There is pride in serving this northwestern lower Michigan region.
Re-Naming TBAISD
We will keep you informed about the careful and gradual transition toward the new name and identity for TBAISD. Presently, we are still using our current TBAISD name and logos while the rebranding team creates a transition plan and supporting materials. When we do transition to full use of the new name, we will proudly be known as:
Northwest Education Services (full, formal name)
North Ed (short, easy-to-say informal name)
About the New Name
The new name is an expression of our values, embracing the vast breadth of the people and places we serve.
- The term “Northwest” is used instead of “Traverse” as a geographic descriptor that is more inclusive of the organization’s five-county region of Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Leelanau and Kalkaska
- The term “Education” represents the essential work of the organization.
- The term “Services” was selected to represent the organization’s purpose to support and be responsive to the needs of students and school districts in the region.
Gradual Transition Plan Coming Soon
Again, we are very excited to share this rebranding update with you and you will be kept informed of the next transition steps in the months to come. A new brand identity system (often referred to as a logo or logo system) is currently in development and will be shared in a gradual way to ensure all TBAISD stakeholders are well-informed and the transition is seamless.
In the end, we will be very excited to fully launch the new name and brand for this fine organization for the 2021-22 school year. At the heart of this extensive project are our wonderful staff members and our values. We look forward to sharing more guidance in the months ahead.
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Get All the TBAISD 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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Strong Beginnings Preschool
TBAISD is one of four ISDs in the state to be awarded funding to participate in a pilot program that will research the efficacy and scalability of publicly funded preschool for three-year-old children.
The pilot program, Strong Beginnings, is a two-year research and development initiative starting mid-January, and will provide funding to support ten new preschool classrooms throughout the state, with additional sites to be added in September 2021. Targeted to reach at-risk families of three-year-old children, the program will engage children in a high quality preschool experience and provide dedicated family liaisons who will work to establish direct connections to community resources aimed at improving family health, stabilizing housing, strengthening parenting skills, and improving parents’ education, employment, and financial stability.
Evidence reveals that children who are provided with a high-quality preschool experience show significant positive developmental differences when compared to children from the same backgrounds who did not attend a high-quality preschool program.
Selected through a competitive bid process, Traverse Bay Area ISD, Berrien Regional Education Service Agency (RESA), Lewis Cass ISD, and Wayne RESA were each allocated funding for the project. TBAISD will support project development in three local classrooms hosted by Benzie County Central Schools, Mancelona Public Schools, and a Munson Healthcare preschool program located at Northwestern Michigan College.
Families are encouraged to contact site coordinators for more information about Strong Beginnings preschool programs.
Kristin Witt, Mancelona Public Schools Early Childhood Program Director, 231-587-9021
Kathie Kogge, Munson Healthcare Early Childhood Coordinator, 231-342-7861
Amber Wilson, Benzie Central Early Childhood Coordinator, 231-207-1000
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10th Grade Virtual Tours
CTC will welcome more than 2,000 10th graders to virtually visit our Career-Tech Center on February 2,3 and 4. Students will be able to attend presentations conducted by each of our 23 program instructors. These visits are designed to provide prospective students time to explore the unique education and career opportunities provided by our center, and meet current students, staff and instructors. Complete details will be available on the CTC website by the end of January.
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Assistive Technology resources:
For more information about assistive technology support, please reach out to the TBAISD Assistive Technology Department:
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Farm to School Newsletters:
For more information about Farm to School please reach out to our TBAISD Farm to School Coordinator Elena Mosher emosher@tbaisd.org
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Wellness Committee Updates
The TBAISD Health and Wellness webpage, located on the TBAISD staff intranet, contains resources and links to a variety of supports. Log into this secure side of the TBAISD website by using your standard network login information. New resources will continually be added, so be sure to check back regularly.
Wellness Activities
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COVID-19 Quarantine Options
TBAISD is now able to support the CDC “options to reduce quarantine guidance” which allows health department officials to recommend quarantine for 10 days instead of 14 days when individuals are identified as close contacts. The GTCHD is utilizing this option when individuals do not exhibit any symptoms after 10 days from initial contact. The CDC 7-day test out option will not be considered at this time.
If your healthcare provider or a different health department has given you direct instructions to quarantine for 14 days, that is what should be followed. Additionally, if you provide services at a local district, please follow their quarantine guidance prior to returning to their district.
FFCRA benefits expired on December 31, 2020. Within the next month, the federal government may extend all or some of these benefits. TBAISD is prepared to make internal decisions regarding potential extensions of portions of these benefits if there are no formal decisions from the government. Please continue to communicate with Human Resources, if you have been identified as a close contact, await test results, or have been diagnosed with COVID-19. All personal illness or family illness time off benefits utilized for these reasons are being documented.
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Annual Certification Reminder and Requirements
MDE has send a reminder to TBAISD to begin the annual review of staff credential expiration dates. Educators with a certificate expiration date of June 30, 2021 are encouraged to log into the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS) and begin updating account information. This includes those with teaching certificates and administrator certificates. Read the full memo.
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Snow Day Procedure for 2020-21
Winter is here! Linked here is guidance on a few adjustments for snow day work expectations for the 2020-21 school year:
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Technology Tips
Organizing your Gmail Inbox
Gmail users have the ability to set up categories to help organize incoming messages. Some common categories include Primary, Promotions, Social, and Forums. If you turned that function on for your Gmail account please be aware that staff newsletters, events and promotions sent from TBAISD Communications through the Constant Contact platform are recognized by Gmail as a promotion. Those important messages will land in the Promotions inbox and not in your Primary inbox. Please follow the information below to learn how to manage incoming emails or contact the TBAISD helpdesk for support.
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Move an email to a new category
- On your Android phone or tablet, open the Gmail app
- Open an email
- Tap Move - If you don't see Move, tap More, Move to
- Tap a new category
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Make emails show in Primary
Any emails you mark with a star will show in your Primary category, along with any category they were in before.
- On your Android phone or tablet, open the Gmail app
- From your inbox or inside the email, click Star
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TBAISD Board of Education Links
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TBAISD Quick Links
General Resources:
COVID-19 Resources:
Communication Links:
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We're Hiring
Please help with outreach and awareness by sharing the current TBAISD job opportunities with others in your social circle. All current job openings are listed on the TBAISD website under Employment. Just Click Here and find "Available Jobs" listed on the right side of the page.
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Face-to-Face & Remote with students |
Above: During a recent trip out in the district Dr. Ceglarek relished an opportunity to read to a group of kindergarteners at Fife Lake Elementary School.
Right: Glen Lake High School senior Maddy Blough demonstrates her knowledge gained through the CTC Teacher Academy and her love and enthusiasm for learning German with elementary world language and culture classes at Glen Lake Elementary.
During remote instruction in December, Maddy collaborated with teachers and other adult mentors to create a one-of-a-kind virtual cooking experience in German and English.
Maddy's slide presentation was shared virtually with many classrooms and included step-by-step video clips of herself mixing, kneading and shaping Bavarian pretzel dough.
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TBAISD| 1101 Red Drive, Traverse City, Michigan | 231.922.6200 | www.tbaisd.org |
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