In this Edition
- Message from Dr. Nick Ceglarek
- New Employee Introductions
- Regional Staff Development Day - November 2
- HR Reminders - Employee Benefits Open Enrollment Updates
- Strategic Plan Phase 2 Update
- Staff & Community Recognition
- Birthdays, Board Meetings and more!
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Dear TBAISD staff,
With school back in session, students in the buildings, and staff working hard to meet the needs of students, I must say it feels great to witness all the safe in-person engagement that is occurring across the region throughout the first month of school. Don't just take my word for it! Below are some snippets that have been captured to share what others have to say about the return to school. ~Dr. Nick Ceglarek
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Question:
What can you share about how it feels to be back at school?
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Student Voice October 2020 - School Impact of COVID-19
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Staff Voice
Question:
What went better than expected?
- Everything! Opening day with students went much better than expected, and this is a testament to the efforts of both students and parents.
- Kids are engaged! They show up prepared, cooperate with the rules, and consistently show an increase in participation.
- Our staff is amazing! Everyone jumped right in, supported each other, quickly adapting to change and new policies. Students are super compliant and fears have subsided.
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Melissa Austin
GSRP Lead Teacher
Previous employer: Great Start to Quality Early Childhood Consultant
Education: Central Michigan University undergrad, Northern Michigan University graduate student (Current)
Interests: Photography, pets, travel, reading and biking
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Darcy Ceglarek
Teacher Assistant,
New Campus
Previous work: Paraprofessional for Hudsonville High School
Education: Western Michigan University
Interests: Golf, skiing, and spending time with family
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Claire Edwards
Teacher Assistant
Previous work: Stay-at-home mom while her husband served in the US Army
Education: Currently pursuing studies in Early Childhood Education at Baker College
Interests: An avid movie-goer with an avocation in make-up and hair styling.
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Sunshine Gay
GSRP Lead Teacher
Previous employer: Calcasieu Parish School Board, PE Teacher, Louisiana
Education: Austin Peay State University, North Georgia College, McNeese State University
Fun Facts: Raising five children and enjoys shooting pool
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Farida Hamiche
Teacher Assistant, Oak Park
Education:
International Institute of Business Management
Interests: Reading, cooking and physical fitness
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Marysue Lessner
Secretary, Speech Dept.
Previous Employer: TCAPS
Education: East Detroit High School, Davenport University
Interests: Outdoor adventures with family
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Stephanie Litrun
GSRP Teacher Assistant
Previous employer: Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency (NMCAA)
Education:
B.A. from Central Michigan University
Fun Fact: Owner of 2 geese, 3 turkeys and 9 ducks.
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Meakalia Prevish-Liu
Teacher Assistant, Oak Park
Previous work: The Alpena News Reporter
Education: B.A. in Journalism from the University of Hawaii at Manoa
Interests: Reading, writing, hiking and exploring national parks.
Fun Facts: Born and raised in Hawaii and loves horror movies!
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Alexander Ray
Custodian, CTC
Previous Employer: Meijer Bakery
Education: Elk Rapids High School, GO ELKS!
Interests: Baking, video games, and expending energy!
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Patti Rizzio
Secretary, Traverse Heights
Previous Employer: Northern Michigan University
Education: Marquette Area Public Schools
Interests: Hiking, biking and cooking.
Fun Facts: Occasionally participates in food sport competitions. Loves spending time on upper peninsula shores of Big Bay, MI.
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Sarah Schaub
Teacher Assistant, LSC
Previous employer: Northwest Consumers Federal Credit Union
Education: St. Mary's Leelanau graduate, Western Michigan University
Hobbies: Photography, hiking cycling, traveling and spending time with family
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Russ Simon
Custodian, Oak Park
Previous Employer: Schostak Brothers Senior Operations
Interests: Hunting and Fishing
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Fran Visser
Teacher Assistant, Oak Park
Previous employer: Eagle Village, Youth Care Specialist
Education: Traverse City Central graduate, Central Michigan University
Interests: Reading and running
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Owen Leroy Street
Born October 10, 2020
8 lbs. 13 oz., 22" long to
Corianne Street, Teacher Consultant
Evelyn Grace Wrzesinski
Born October 21, 2020
10 lbs. 9 oz., 22.25" long to
Molly Wrzesinski, Speech Pathologist
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Regional Staff Development Day
Virtual Event
Monday, November 2, 2020
Registration is Now Open!
Don't miss keynote speaker
Robert Jackson
Becoming the Educator They Need During a Pandemic
Join your colleagues across the region in a virtual professional development event focused on providing northern Michigan educators with the tools they need to make a big impact on students. Click on the image to the left for a flyer and click on the registration link above to learn more about the sessions offered in 2020.
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Strategic Plan Phase 2
Our TBAISD strategic plan work continues to build momentum as Phase 2 teams form and review goals and objectives in the weeks ahead. SAIL Committee co-chairs for both phase 1 and 2 will be led by Assistant Superintendent Matt Olson as we work to ensure our organization meets our mission to develop learners with purpose, strong schools and engaged communities. Together we will Serve, Achieve, Inspire and Learn as we define the work in these Phase 2 Goals:
- Explore, assess and identify regional programming needs and/or gaps across the continuum.
- Establish meaningful partnerships with local principals.
- Develop a structure/system of effective communication.
- Explore, assess, and identify facility needs.
- Provide high quality, relevant professional development.
- Research, enhance and communicate access to TBAISD Programs
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Service & Award Recognition |
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MI Association of School Social Workers |
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Thank you to school social workers Sheri Conner and Laura Miller who represent TBAISD on the Michigan Association of School Social Workers (MASSW) Board. Sheri currently serves as Regional President and Laura as a member of the legislative committee.
Their work will continue to influence legislative policy that directly impacts the needs of our students.
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Spirit Pantry
The TBAISD Spirit Pantry continues to receive an outpouring of grant support from community partners. This month, Short's Brewing Company provided a generous donation to the food pantry and delivered lunch for New Campus staff in recognition of their outstanding work with students. Learn more about Short's Local's Light Campaign which spotlights people or groups serving their community in ways that make the world a better place.
Help support TBAISD students
Donate shelf-save food items or contact TBAISD School Psychologist Kristen Ryder at 922-6264 / kryder@tbaisd.org for more information.
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Safety First
Thank you for your continued diligence in supporting COVID-19 safety measures, wearing masks, washing hands and practicing social distancing. There is no doubt that our collective efforts are helping to mitigate the spread of the virus within our school community.
Please continue to utilize our building entry protocol daily and be reminded to stay home if you feel sick. Your diligence with these efforts is evident on a daily basis. If you have questions or concerns about the symptoms you are experiencing, please contact your healthcare provider for guidance.
If you are tested for COVID-19 and are awaiting results, you are not to return to work even if symptoms have subsided, until you have received a negative result. If you have been directed by the health department to quarantine or seek testing, they will determine your return to work date.
For information regarding FFCRA benefits, please contact Megan Scheele at mscheele@tbaisd.org
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Open Enrollment Dates
MESSA Open Enrollment will be October 26- November 20. Please watch for more information to be sent out next week.
BCBS Open Enrollment will be November 16- December 11. Please watch for more information to come early November.
If you have any questions regarding your current benefits or regarding open enrollment please contact Megan Scheele at mscheele@tbaisd.org.
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Expanding Learning at CTC |
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Thank you to Goodwill Northern Michigan and Grow Benzie for the generous donation of this awesome Food Truck to the TBAISD Career-Tech Center! This will provide an opportunity for our staff and students to expand teaching and learning opportunities for not only culinary arts, but automotive technology, auto body, graphic arts, and promotional media as well. In the months ahead, students will perform vehicle maintenance, design exterior graphics, customize a business plan, create a menu utilizing cost analysis and profitability factors, and more! We hope to be on the road in the spring of 2021! |
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Be sure to get all the news!
It has been discovered that Gmail "clips" (truncates) an email if the message is too large. If you read our Staff Newsletter from your Gmail inbox, you might miss some important news!
Best Practice:
- Click on the "View in Web Browser" link at the top of this newsletter or "view entire message" if you see [message clipped] at the bottom of this newsletter.
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TBAISD Board of Education Links
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Birthday Spotlight
See who celebrates an NOVEMBER birthday!
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TBAISD Quick Links
BUILDING ACCESS:
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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Gratitude
Dear wonderful members of my TBAISD family,
I want to thank you all for the incredibly awesome send-off! You have been such a gift to me and I truly feel blessed to have shared the time with you.
Marian W. Edelman said it best: "Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it."
You, as educators and friends, are making this community a better place, as you have made my world better and I am a better person because of you.
Love always, Sheri Grimm (Retired, Traverse Heights Center)
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MSU Extension School Community Survey
The 2020-2021 school year presents new challenges for teachers and students, whether they are returning to school in the classroom, online, or a hybrid format. To help Michigan State University Extension better meet the needs of Michigan schools, we want to hear from you! What educational resources and virtual learning tools would be most helpful to you and your students? Please take a few minutes of your time and complete the survey to let us know how we can best support you during these most unusual times.
TAKE SURVEY HERE
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Classified Ads
FOR RENT- Furnished three bedroom, 2 bath home in Traverse City (3 Mile and Parsons Rd. area) One car garage, full basement, washer and dryer. Excellent temporary living opportunity for job transfer, awaiting new construction, etc. Available October 1, 2020 through June 1, 2021. $1200/mo. plus utilities. Contact Tom Lennox at tlennox85@gmail.com
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October is
National Cybersecurity
Awareness Month
#BeCyberSmart
- 45% of Americans have had their personal information compromised by a data breach in the last five years.
- 60% of 2019 reported cyber incidents were due to data breaches
- 26% of 2019 reported cyber incidents were due to phishing & ransomware
- 61% Educational organizations were the biggest target of ransomware attacks in 2019, of reported attacks.
Simple Tips:
Don't make your passwords easy to guess - Use the longest password or passphrase permissible. Use password managers to generate and remember different, complex passwords.
Be up to date - Keep your devices and software updated to the latest version available to protect from vulnerabilities.
www.cisa.gov
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TBAISD| 1101 Red Drive, Traverse City, Michigan | 231.922.6200 | www.tbaisd.org |
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