Homecoming for the Whole School
Who gets to feel like they are part of Homecoming at your school? It sounds like a simple question, but the answer can tell you quite a bit about school culture. Homecoming is more than a theme week, game, dance or pep assembly. For many schools, it is one of the first major culture moments of the year and an early opportunity to remind students that school is not just a place…
Start the Year With Students, Not Just Plans
One of my favorite parts of Summer Leadership Camp is how honest students get once they settle in. It usually doesn’t happen on the first day. The first day is busy. Students are figuring out where to go, who they know, what council they are in, and whether they’re going to like this whole camp thing. But by the middle of the week, once they have laughed a little, taken a few…
For the Students | Start Next Year Strong: How Principals Can Empower Student Leadership Now
May is a strange but powerful moment in the school year. You’re not at the starting line, but you’re not quite at the finish either. Energy can dip, seniors are transitioning out, and student leadership groups may begin to coast. But here’s the opportunity: What happens in these final weeks quietly determines how next school year begins. For principals, this is a window to partner with your student leadership adviser in a…
STUDENT COMPETITIONS: THE SOCIAL PRESCRIPTION
The most effective student leadership competitions don’t just recognize students—they change schools. MASC/MAHS Michigan Student Leadership competitions are designed to be more than events or awards. When schools use them intentionally, they become powerful tools for student growth, culture-building, and meaningful school improvement. Our three core competitions, Michigan Student Voice, Student Showcase Presentations and Student Photovoice, move students from participation to impact, building critical leadership skills while giving schools clear, actionable insight…
Student Voice in Action | From Titles to Tools: Turning Student Leaders into Stakeholders
Here’s the truth: One of the most overlooked resources in your building isn’t a grant, a new program or the latest tech. It’s your students. Specifically, your student leaders. Too often, we hand them a title and some merch, maybe a seat at a table, but not the real tools or responsibility to do meaningful work. The result? Student leadership looks good on paper, but doesn’t move the needle in your school.…
Student Voice in Action | Start Early, Listen Often
Culture. The word we all throw around but rarely pin down. Everyone’s favorite catch-all, because it can mean everything … and sometimes nothing. We know it drives learning, behavior and the overall feel of a building. But it doesn’t come from motivational posters or quick-fix initiatives – it starts with the students who walk your halls every day. Instructional leadership is about more than data and curriculum; it’s about shaping an environment…
2025-26 Student Leadership Events – Registration Now Open!
Spots are limited – reserve your place today! Ready to level up your student leadership experience? Our statewide lineup of Student Leadership Events is now open for registration! These one-of-a-kind workshops and conferences are designed to help students grow critical skills in communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and school impact. Our events are open to EVERY STUDENT! Whether you're a student council officer, leadership student, or just someone who wants to make a difference,…
FAFSA Completion Challenge Grant: Application Now Open
The Michigan Department of Education, working in collaboration with the Michigan Department of Treasury and MCAN, is implementing the FAFSA Completion Challenge Grant to build the capacity of school districts as they support students in completing the FAFSA. The deadline to complete the application form is Oct. 6, 2023. The application must be completed by the district through the GEMS/MARS system. Data indicates that a senior who completes the FAFSA is 84% more likely to enroll in postsecondary…
Building in Belonging
As schools in Michigan plan for the return of their students and teachers this month, a unique opportunity is presented to school leaders and educators. Principals (and teachers) build a positive culture and establish a sense of belonging in their schools for all students so that the learning environment is a safe and welcoming place. If there was a The Principalship for Dummies book, that would be on the first page, Success…
Jostens | Your Most Trusted Partner in Celebrating Moments that Matter
The Jostens Representatives of Michigan would like to extend our warmest wishes for a happy, healthy, and successful new school year. May this year be filled with moments of joy and transformative learning experiences for both educators and students alike. At Jostens, our passion is helping schools create experiences that champion a culture of belonging, achievement, and pride. It’s about so much more than class rings, yearbooks, and cap & gowns. We’re…