QUICK TIPS January 2026 | New Year, Great Opportunities
January provides a strategic opportunity for principals to reflect on the first semester, realign priorities, and establish a focused and positive tone for the remainder of the school year. This is the time to review data, reaffirm routines, connect with staff through midyear check-ins, support seniors in finishing strong, and prepare for upcoming assessments. By taking these steps, school leaders create a purposeful and supportive environment that promotes success for both students…
Catalyst 2025: From Awareness to Action — Schools Start AI Plans, Together
MASSP welcomed more than 300 educators, administrators, and students from across Michigan to Catalyst: From Awareness to Action, a one-day immersive design experience focused on building schoolwide AI understanding and action. The energy in the room was undeniable as teams dug into what responsible, student-centered AI integration can, and should, look like in Michigan schools. The day opened with a powerful student panel representing districts across Michigan. Their message was clear: AI…
The Power of Student Voice: Building Ownership in the School Experience
As secondary school administrators, we spend a lot of time making decisions for students; building schedules, creating policies, planning events, developing supports. But in the rush of leadership, we can sometimes forget a crucial element: involving students in the process. At Woodhaven High School, we’ve made a conscious shift in recent years to elevate student voice in meaningful ways. And what we’ve seen is clear — when students are heard, they engage…
Leadership Is Seasonal Too (And Winter Comes With Permission Slips)
Leadership doesn’t look the same all year long. There are seasons that demand urgency, constant decision-making, and the ability to hold a hundred things at once. And then there are seasons that invite us to slow down, reflect, and restore our energy. The holiday break falls squarely into that second category. As administrators across Michigan, you spend most of the year pouring into students, staff, families, and communities. You lead through complexity,…
High School Esports Fall Season Recap: State Championships, Awards Ceremony & More at Michigan State University
EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan High School Esports League wrapped up its fall 2025 season with an in-person event at Michigan State University, bringing together more than 400 students, coaches and spectators for Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Championships and an All-State Awards Ceremony, Dec. 6. The event highlighted the rapid growth of high school esports in Michigan and showcased standout talent from across the state. The MSU STEM building buzzed with activity as…
McKinney-Vento: Protecting Unhoused Students
The economic uncertainty caused by the recent lengthy federal government shutdown may have increased the number of students with housing instability. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (McKinney-Vento) is the federal law that protects students who are experiencing homelessness by removing barriers to school participation. Building staff who understand McKinney-Vento’s definitions and requirements are the “boots on the ground” who make it possible for schools to comply with the law and provide these…
Enough
Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “OK, that’s enough for today”? Enough tricky parent conversations that seem to start before you’ve even made it to your office. Enough student behaviors that feel more layered and complex than ever. Enough new legislation, new requirements, new mandates to interpret, implement and communicate. This time of year has a way of stretching school leaders in every direction. The stretch is real; so too is the…
Getting Ahead of the Curve: How Royal Oak Middle School is Redefining MTSS
What if a school could spot a student’s academic or social-emotional need before it ever had the chance to become a barrier? At Royal Oak Middle School, that question isn’t a hypothetical; it’s the heartbeat of the work happening every single day. Under the leadership of my fellow MASSP Board member, Kristin Meldrum, MTSS isn’t a program or a checklist. It’s a culture. A way of seeing students. A way of supporting…
REGIONAL CONNECT CONFERENCES — REGISTRATION FILLING FAST!
As January approaches, seats are filling quickly for this year’s Regional Connect Conferences. These events jumpstart the student leadership season with meaningful, student-driven programming that strengthens school climate and culture. The momentum continues at the statewide 2026 Student Leadership Conference, Mission: Possible, in February where students from across Michigan gather to elevate their voices and expand their leadership capacity. Why Your Students and Advisors Should Attend? 1. Student Voice Strengthens School ClimateWhen…
Connected in Purpose, United in Practice
Our theme for the year is “Connected in Purpose, United in Practice.” At Jenison High School, this motto is purposeful and driven by initiatives that are student and staff-centered. We know that when adults learn together, our students do better. So professional learning communities have taken root and are thriving at JHS. Every student is connected to an adult through meaningful connections and evaluated by relationship mapping, and student voice is elevated…