April is Career Exploration and Awareness Month: Empowering Students for the Workforce of Tomorrow
As part of April’s statewide Career Exploration and Awareness Month, Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) are spotlighting critical tools, programs, and initiatives that help Michiganders prepare for rewarding careers in today’s evolving workforce. For our members, as principals, this is a valuable opportunity to deepen career readiness efforts and connect students to the many pathways Michigan has to offer—college, credentials, career technical education, and more.…
Navigating Political Conversations with Middle School Students
In today’s fast-paced digital world, political issues are more visible than ever, reaching students through social media, news outlets, and conversations at home. Middle schoolers, naturally curious and eager to form their own opinions, are engaging with these topics earlier than in past generations. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for educators. Rather than shying away from political discussions, schools can use them as a chance to foster critical thinking,…
Unlock Grant Opportunities for Your School with MCAN – Apply by February 25!
The Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) has announced three exciting grant opportunities to help schools, districts, and community partners increase postsecondary access and enrollment for Michigan students. These grants provide valuable funding to launch or expand programs that prepare students for life after high school, supporting the state's goal of achieving 60% of adults with a postsecondary credential by 2030 (Sixty by 30). Don’t Miss Out! The application deadline for all three…
New State Data Highlights Postsecondary Enrollment Gains and Scholarship Access
Michigan’s efforts to expand access to postsecondary education are showing positive momentum, according to new data released by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). Recent reports highlight a 3% increase in undergraduate enrollment, with community colleges seeing the most significant gains. In addition, the launch of a new Postsecondary State-Funded Student Aid Dashboard will provide school leaders with deeper insights into scholarship participation and aid distribution across the…
Supporting the Whole Child: Join Michigan’s POY Jon Wilcox for the NASSP Middle Level Leaders Network
Middle school leaders, mark your calendars! Jon Wilcox, Michigan’s 2024 Principal of the Year, will be co-hosting the NASSP Middle School Leaders Network alongside Kristy Zaleta, Connecticut’s 2024 Principal of the Year. This engaging and impactful series will focus on supporting the whole child in middle schools—a topic central to the success of every student and school. The opportunity for Jon to co-host this national network began during his visit to Washington,…
Record-Breaking Enrollment in Michigan Achievement Scholarship Program: A Win for Students and Schools
Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently announced a historic milestone for Michigan students and families: more than 56,000 Michiganders are benefiting from the Michigan Achievement Scholarship Program this fall, saving more than $131.5 million in tuition costs. This represents a significant step toward making higher education more accessible and affordable, with benefits extending to community colleges, Tribal colleges, private institutions and public universities across the state. The program, launched in 2022, provides recent Michigan…
L2L Legal Webinar: Developing Effective AI Policies in Schools
Join us for an insightful webinar focusing on the integration of artificial intelligence in school settings. This session will explore the critical aspects of crafting and implementing AI policies to ensure ethical use and compliance with legal standards. Learn from legal experts about best practices for addressing data privacy, student safety, and transparency. Discover how to create a framework for AI use that aligns with your school’s values and regulatory requirements. This…
Supporting the Next Generation of School Leaders
MASSP is excited to announce the launch of our 2024-25 New Principal Connect Series—a four-part webinar series designed specifically to support new and early-career principals (years 1-3). The series aims to provide new building administrators with the tools, resources, and community they need to thrive in their roles, increase personal effectiveness, and build professional networks with fellow educators. Recognizing that new principals often face a steep learning curve, MASSP has developed this…
In the Middle With You: Digital PSAT & AI
Session #1 of the 2023-24 webinar series Thank you for attending session 1 of our In The Middle With You webinar for the 2023-24 school year. Special thanks to our guest presenters: Kari Anama and Ted Gardella from the College Board and our very own, Colin Ripmaster from MASSP, for presenting great information on the topics of PSAT-Digital Transition and AI in Middle Schools. During our session, Kari and Ted shared information about the digital transition of PSAT 8. They both shared rich resources…
In The Middle With You: Restorative Practices
Session #7 of the 2023-24 Webinar Series During the final "In The Middle With You" webinar for the 2023-24 school year, the focus was on Restorative Practices, with insights from Travis Thomsen and Sidney Bailey IV. Travis, principal of Portage North Middle School, shared his collaboration with Gryphon Place to create trauma-informed classrooms and manage compassion fatigue, emphasizing self-care and understanding spheres of influence to combat burnout. Sidney from Portage West Middle…