March 2022 | Monthly news for and about the staff of Northwest Education Services
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Focused on Feedback
Dear North Ed Staff,
Thank you to those who attended the Coffee & Conversation sessions to share your thoughts and ideas. Your feedback will strengthen the focus of our strategic planning efforts, and ultimately better the service we offer our students and region as a result.
Through our SAIL focus groups, the recent wellness survey and Coffee & Conversations, we have discovered some common themes. A few of those are:
- In-person learning should be preserved, and there is strong support for our educational programs.
- Most feel North Ed has a welcoming and supportive environment.
- Most expressed appreciation for our rebranding and understand it will take time for “North Ed” to become commonplace.
- Improvements can be made in communication and advertising programs and offerings (See the revised North Ed Communications Plan below).
There are others, but one I want to recognize as a theme among our staff is a feeling of being overwhelmed. This is no surprise to many working in education, and also when you consider the number of staff absences due to illness North Ed has experienced this year.
To support our employees, we made the decision earlier this school year to provide 10 paid time-off days that would not count against accrued sick time and could be used for COVID-19-related purposes. It’s clear our staff found those days helpful: In the first 100 days of the 2021-22 school year, North Ed recorded 4,340 days of absences due to illness. During that same timeframe for the 2019-20 school year – before COVID-19 arrived – we had 3,335. Couple those numbers with this year’s challenges in finding substitutes, and it’s clear that our staff members were stretched thin to cover for colleagues who were unable to work. Gratefully, it appears we are on the downswing of the recent COVID-19 surge and our case numbers have dropped significantly.
We appreciate everyone’s willingness to help out during these atypical times to ensure our students, regional educators and communities continue to receive outstanding service. Each of you truly live our vision of “Partnering to Serve, Learn and Lead to ensure every learner will have pathways to a meaningful life.”
We look forward to gaining more input from all of you as we prepare for this next phase of our strategic planning and looking ahead to spring break, I hope you find time to catch your breath, relax and reflect on the incredible challenges we continue to overcome together.
Respectfully,
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Dr. Nick Ceglarek
Northwest Education Services Superintendent
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Women's History Month
In the 1860s, female government workers were earning only half of what their male counterparts pulled in. About 100 years later in 1963, President JFK signed into law the Equal Pay Act, protecting against wage discrimination based on sex. At that time, women earned about 59% of what men did for doing the same job. The gender wage gap has improved, but there is still inequality. The U.S. Department of Labor reported in 2021 that the gap was at 82%. For a woman to earn the same amount of money as a man did from January through December 2021, she would have to work all 12 months in that year PLUS January, February and March of 2022 – and that scenario is worse for many women of color.
It is efforts like the fight for equal pay that deserve recognition during Women’s History Month, observed annually during March in the U.S. Join us in celebrating the many contributions women have made to move our world toward a more equitable and just place.
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Trivia!
Who became the first female U.S. Secretary of State when appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1997?
A. Condoleezza Rice
B. Madeleine Albright
C. Janet Reno
D. Elizabeth Dole
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Katrina Grose
Secretary, Early On
Previous work: Benzie Central Schools
Education: TCAPS Central High School
Interests: Camping, hunting, spending time with family and friends
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Erin Kosch
Teacher Assistant, Transition Campus
Previous work: TCAPS and Leland Public Schools
Education: Mason High School and Central Michigan University, B.S. in education and MA in the art of teaching
Interests: Gardening, reading, and traveling
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Drake Wables
Teacher Assistant, Creekside School
Previous work: Dean Transportation bus attendant
Education: TCAPS Central High School
Interests: Partner/solo dancing, listening to educational podcasts, competitive video gaming and yoga
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Emma Grace Cramer
Born February 14, 2022
8 lbs. 13oz, 20-3/4” long to
Jennifer Cramer, SSW
Juniper Belle Anton
Born March 3, 2022
Dawn Anton, Career Tech Health Sciences Instructor
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Learn How to 'Talk the Talk'
North Ed’s strategic planning process identified a goal of developing an effective system of communication. To help with that, survey data was gathered from our staff and community that guided the creation of the North Ed Communications Plan. You’ll find steps you can begin taking right now, and things to watch for in the future as we put that plan into action. Please take a few minutes to read the plan – after all, March is National Reading Month! |
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Update your Voicemail Message
If you haven't already, check your voicemail message and update it with North Ed lingo. The objective is to express unity across the organization in our new name and update all references by removing TBAISD from all communication. Here is a LINK that explains how to change your voicemail message.
Getting it Right
Speaking of lingo, as you talk about Northwest Education Services (North Ed), it is important that we all use the correct choice of words and represent the organization in unified fashion. The integrity of the brand depends on each of us supporting the same standards. If you have questions about rebranding or need a logo for an event, document or presentation, please avoid clipping and pasting our brand from random resources. The BEST PRACTICE is to reach out to the Communications Department at NorthEdNews@NorthwestEd.org for all your rebrand needs!
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North Ed Network News
Learn more about North Ed programs, services, students and colleagues in the quick links below!
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Career Tech National Technical Honor Society |
Congratulations to the 99 North Ed Career Tech students who were inducted in the the National Technical Honor Society on March 9, 2022. Click HERE for a full list of honorees.
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COVID-19 Isolation, Quarantine Policy Changes
North Ed has adjusted its COVID-19 policy to reflect changes in isolation and quarantine guidance from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). A five-day isolation period, followed by five days of masking, is still required for those who test positive for COVID-19, while close contacts no longer need to quarantine but should monitor for symptoms. More information on isolation and quarantine guidelines can be found here.
As a reminder, masking is recommended for students, staff and visitors to North Ed facilities whenever in the presence of others under North Ed’s current COVID-19 policy, which aligns with guidance from local, state and federal public health agencies. Masks are also now recommended for those using school transportation.
Please be respectful of those who continue to choose to wear masks to protect themselves or someone who is immunocompromised.
For more information on North Ed’s COVID-19 policies, visit our website.
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MARSP Pension Seminars
The Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel (MARSP) will hold virtual seminars in April that are designed to help school employees understand the newest laws and how they affect you as you plan for retirement.
Pension Plus/DC Seminar: Tuesday, April 19, 2022
BASIC/MIP/DC Converted Seminar: Wednesday, April 20, 2022
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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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Students in Life Skills Center teacher Mike Libby’s classroom, with substitute teacher Cindy Barker, participated in stop motion animation activities through Arts for All. Five sessions were held where students created individual stop motion animation videos and three group videos. Students learned to use drawings, objects and themselves to create stop motion animation clips. The clips were put together with music and other sound effects to create a video. Barker said all the students enjoyed the program and demonstrated a great deal of creativity, but you can see that for yourself. Just click the link below!
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Nominate an Outstanding Educator TODAY!
North Ed, in collaboration with Traverse Connect and TBA Credit Union, is seeking nominations from the community and school districts across northwest Michigan for outstanding educators and educational support staff.
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February SAILOR on Deck!
North Ed ACE program staff member Kathy Nickols was recently honored by the Board of Education for her dedication to the value of Equity as recognized by her North Ed colleagues through the SAIL Organizational Recognition System (ORS).
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Happy Birthday!
See who celebrates in April
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In honor of School Social Work |
National School Social Work Week is marked every first full week of March to celebrate school social workers and their service to support student academic success and meeting needs related to mental health and behavioral challenges. North Ed employs 29 School Social Workers who serve across our ISD. We love our school social workers! |
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Skills learned include:
- Creating shopping lists
- Grocery shopping
- Sales/marketing
- Counting money
- Communication
- Social skills
- Bakery skills
Bake sale proceeds go back into buying supplies, and funding extra activities for the class such as a visit to the John Ball Zoo, local restaurants, and other community outings. Stop by on Tuesdays or call ahead to order a sweet treat in advance!
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Who doesn't like a sweet treat once in a while? Students in Susan Bulger's classroom are learning to make homemade sweet treats in the LSC school bakery and then selling the baked goods to students and staff each Tuesday as a means to support this ongoing skill-building enterprise. |
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How To: Submit Help Desk Ticket Feedback!
Thank you for providing the Tech Services Department feedback on your Help Desk tickets! In February, we received a higher-than-average amount of feedback, which is reviewed weekly and helps us adjust the services we provide to you.
After we resolve your technology issues and close the Help Desk ticket, we encourage you to offer comments and notes of appreciation by completing the survey found in the text of the closed ticket, at the top of the SysAid home page and this link.
It is not uncommon for us to receive feedback via email. However, that reopens your Help Desk ticket and requires us to manually close it again. This can cause confusion and takes time that could be used to address other issues.
The best way to thank us is to complete the survey, which should take less than 5 minutes. Feedback provided through the survey is shared with our entire Tech Services team, so it is also a great way to fully appreciate and recognize specific team members for their work!
~Tech Services Department
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North Ed 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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Provide feedback or offer comments via the Help Desk Survey instead of responding with a final note of appreciation through the system ticket (which re-opens the service request).
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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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Questions? Please call or text Carrie at (517) 930-3607
Dean Transportation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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North Ed Apparel Store Now Open
At long last, North Ed swag is now available for purchase! Order direct from our approved supplier. It's easy! Browse the North Ed online catalog TODAY!
Website link location:
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Trivia Answer: B. Madeleine Albright
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Board of Education Links
General Resources
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COVID-19 Resources
Communication Links
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Northwest Education Services
1101 Red Drive, Traverse City, MI 49684
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