Volume 4 No. 12
After preparing and anticipating all the possible outcomes as children come back to school, The River City Scholars Charter Academy had a successful start to their school year.

As part of the National Heritage Academies' stipulations for the return to school, the River City Scholars Charter Academy offered both in-person and virtual options for students, based on the comfortability level of the families of the school. These were also in accordance with Michigan's department of education plan and based on the status of coronavirus in their community.

"River City Scholars Charter Academy provided all their students with laptops to aid the transition to school," said Chief Learning Officer of the National Heritage Academies, Nick Sheltrown. The academy's Facebook page, along with other schools under the National Heritage Academies' leadership, provided helpful tips for back-to-school shopping as well as advice on how to handle anxieties about the upcoming school year. An article shared on the academy's Facebook page stressed the importance of establishing rhythms, talking about feelings, and focusing on the good, the school strives to address student and parent frustrations.
 
Additionally, River City Scholars Charter Academy welcomed a new principal, Ms. Veronica Lake. Under Ms. Lake's supervision, the academy has enjoyed a smooth start to the school year, "I am proud of staff, students, and parents every day! Patience and perseverance are the two words that come to mind. I love seeing our teachers teaching each other new strategies for engaging students in-person and online. Our students have been amazing as well. They are being challenged to be creative thinkers and resourceful learners. Parents are also learning the best ways to support their children."


Principal Lake, who has had previous experience as a principal, understands the importance of the role she operates in now, "The most challenging aspect is ensuring that we have the best systems in place to promote student learning and engagement in two different learning models. I'm sure that we are reimagining what education will look like in the next 3-5 years. It's both challenging and exciting." She understands the vision for River City Scholars Academy as helping students and the community realize the greatness they have the potential to become, "With all that is happening in the world and in our communities, I know that education is the great equalizer, and our students and families deserve the best of what we have to offer."

The River City Scholars Academy is a tuition-free private charter school located in Grand Rapids, MI. They offer virtual learning options in adjustment with the pandemic, and offer differentiated curriculums for 6th-8th graders who perform well and are ready to learn at an accelerated pace. The results speak for themselves: students who have been enrolled for three or more years have outperformed their peers on the state test in ELA and Math.
 


Keep up the amazing work, River City Scholars!

Learn more about the River City Scholars Academy by visiting their website:

Congratulations to all our schools' successful starts to the new school year! 

Schools like Ypsilanti's Arbor Preparatory High School offered limited seats for in-person instruction as well as a 100% virtual learning option available to their families. George Washington Carver Academy in Highland Park is offering both hybrid and 100% virtual models as well. Additionally, George Washington Carver Academy hosted a "Meet and Beep" event for families to pick up textbooks and say hello to their teachers as a way to maintain the essential connections beyond the typical classroom.
 
The Ojibwe Charter School in Brimley kept parents updated over Facebook with what supplies each grade should shop for in time for school, which reopened in person (and with virtual options). The school's busses still pick up students, with guidelines such as temperature checks upon pick-up and face-masks. In class, desk dividers help accommodate the safety protocols with natural learning. 

Ojibwe Charter School's fun but helpful dividers reduce the risk of the virus spread.
 
On behalf of Bay Mills Community College Charter School Authorizers, we are encouraged by the grit and creativity in our schools. Keep up the good work!
ANSWERING QUESTIONS DURING THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES
The impact of COVID-19 on schools have left teachers, parents, and students with uncertainty. Additionally, information about how schools are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic is rapidly changing. 

In an effort to counteract confusion, Bay Mills Community College Charter Schools Office has partnered with MAPSA and the Michigan Council of Charter School Authorizers to help provide answers. Here is a link to frequently asked questions and other resources to help keep you up to date on any official action taken. The page is updated daily at 1PM EST.
 
Interested in gaining educational experience? Or are you looking to add to your resume? Consider becoming a charter school board member for a public school academy authorized by Bay Mills Community College Charter Schools Office!
 
At Bay Mills Community College, we support a quality education to urban, minority and/or poor children.
 
Bay Mills will provide all of our academy boards with pertinent training so that they are able to make choices that are in the best interest of the students that attend their academies.
 
Our public school academies are always looking for new members that bring a range of skills, experiences and desire to help the Academy students to excel academically, as well as having the goal of advancing the mission of Bay Mills.
 
Some requirements of the position:
  • Engagement with the goals of the Academy
  • Enthusiasm to be an ambassador for the Academy
  • Willingness to fulfill the obligation of a board member, as well as continue to uphold the standards of being a board member
           
Board Member Qualifications:
  • Citizen of the United States
  • Resident of the State of Michigan
  • Submit materials requested by the College Charter Schools Office such as:
    • Public School Academy Board Member Appointment Questionnaire
      • Must include authorization to process a background check of the nominee
      • Submit annual disclosure of conflicts of interest
Members of the Board of Directors shall include:
  • At least one parent or guardian of a child attending the school
  • One professional educator; preferably a person with school administrative experience
Members of the Board of Directors shall NOT include:
  • Any member appointed or controlled by another profit or non-profit corporation
  • Academy employees or independent contractors performing services for the Academy
  • Any current or former director, officer, or employee of a management company that contracts with the academy
  • College officials or employees 
All Academy Board members shall serve in their individual capacity, and not as a designee of any other person or entity. If it is found that a person is serving as a representative or designee of another person or entity, they shall be deemed ineligible to serve as a Director of the Academy Board. They shall be removed from office in accordance with provisions found in the Resolution or Schedule 2: Bylaws.
 
Note that a Director serves at the pleasure of the College Board, and may be removed with or without cause by the College Board at any time.
           
Working with an Academy is the perfect opportunity to advance your career interests, expand your knowledge on education and help children receive a quality education that will last a lifetime. Apply to become a board member today!

For more information or to receive an application, please contact Megan Ringuette, Bay Mills Community College Charter Schools Office Compliance Coordinator at 906-248-8419 or mringuette@bmcc.edu.
About Bay Mills Community College Charter Schools
Bay Mills Community College began authorizing charter schools in the year 2000 and now authorizes 46 schools serving approximately 22,000 students. Fall 2015: 22,729 and Spring 2016: 22,257
 
Our Mission: To ensure a quality education for urban, minority, and/or poor children by improving and expanding educational opportunities through innovative oversight methods. To provide academy boards with the necessary support and training so that they may make educated decisions that are in the best interest of the students that attend their academies.