Supporting Student Mental Health Through High‑Quality Instructional Resources
Where students feel seen and teachers feel supported Written by MASSP Partner in Education, Cengage Across Michigan schools, student mental health continues to be one of the most pressing concerns for principals. Mental health challenges among youth are rising, “according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), up to one in six children ages 6 to 17 experience a mental health disorder each year, but only 20% receive care…
Membership Matters | Support When It Matters Most
Every membership concierge session I’ve had reminds me of one simple truth: leadership is more rewarding when you’re connected and supported. Whether you’re stepping into a new role, looking for meaningful support for your school context, or thinking ahead to grow future leaders, MASSP has programs designed to meet you where you are. Below are a few real-world scenarios I’ve heard recently, plus resources and events tied to each. Scenario 1: The…
Don’t Get Penalized: New Survey Disclosure Rules Under the State School Aid Act
To avoid state aid penalties under a new section of Michigan law, school administrators must publicly share student survey questions and results, post them on the website, and notify parents/guardians of a survey, all while ensuring that posted survey results comply with student privacy laws. State School Aid Act Section 164k(d) Effective October 7, 2025, State School Aid Act (“SSAA”) section 164k(d), MCL 388.1764k(d), requires schools to: make student survey questions and…
A Restorative Framework to Address E-cigarette Use Within K-12 Students
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ (MDHHS) Tobacco Section observes and recognizes the challenges that can arise when addressing youth vaping within K-12 schools. To address this significant public health concern, MDHHS utilizes data from various sources, including the Michigan Youth Tobacco Survey (MYTS), to assist schools and communities with sustainable strategies to assist in building restorative care. According to the MYTS, e-cigarettes are the common tobacco nicotine delivery system…
The Culture We Deserve: A January Reset on Trust and Leadership
January has a way of telling the truth about a school’s culture. The excitement and anticipation of a new school year has worn off. Daily routines are established. The stress points such as attendance, behavior, morale and communication have resurfaced. And in these moments, what becomes most visible isn’t the poster of our mission statement or strategic plan but the level of trust that exists within our organization. Every school has a…
Perfect Match for Inclusion: One Mentorship Sparked a Cross-School Celebration of Belonging
From a wide-open, carpeted gymnasium with a huge screen where dozens of students raced, cheered and played together – to a heated pool with every safety feature needed to ensure security for all involved, students from Highland Pines and Schall Elementary Schools engaged with their cross-school partners while their teachers observed and facilitated. This Inclusion Celebration was the vision of Stephanie VanPetten, Highland Pines School Assistant Principal and her staff. There to…
Alison Hildebrand, Academy Administrator & Associate Principal, Shares All About Stevenson MADE
Eleven years ago, Utica Community Schools sent a group of educators to visit the Academies of Nashville, a high school model partnered with Ford Next Generation Learning to provide career-focused academies. When teacher, Mark LaCombe, got off the bus immediately following a tour of one of the Nashville schools, he excitedly asked Associate Principal, Alison Hildebrand, “When are we doing this?!” Now, eight years into their work at the Stevenson Center for…
Inviting the Superintendent into Your School Community and Elevating Student Voice
As secondary principals, we often act as the primary liaison between the "District Office" and the daily life of our students. While our Superintendents are deeply invested in student success, the nature of their role—filled with board meetings, budget cycles, and policy—can sometimes make them feel like a distant figurehead to the average teenager. When students see a Superintendent as a person rather than a title, trust grows. When Superintendents hear directly…
Guidance for Responding to a Subpoena
A subpoena arrives at your school, demanding student records or summoning an employee to testify at a hearing. What are school officials and subpoenaed staff required to do? What should they do? Before acting, school principals should consider the following guidance. Contact Legal Counsel First, before talking with the person who sent the subpoena, principals should notify the school’s central office of the subpoena, and then the school’s administration should contact the…
Registration Open! MDE LGBTQ+ Students Project, Winter/Spring 2026 Offerings
LGBTQ+ students are still at disproportionate risk for persistent bullying, harassment, and victimization. In response to requests from school districts across Michigan, the MDE LGBTQ+ Students Project staff created a suite of online professional development workshops to build the capacity of schools to provide a safe, supportive, and inclusive culture and climate where all students can thrive. We are honored to partner with school districts and parents to make these highly requested…