News

In Michigan, there is currently no uniform measurement of students’ well-being nor a common way to evaluate student engagement and the impact of related services and interventions for students beyond standardized test scores. Yet the research is crystal clear about the significant role that student engagement and student belonging has on student success. Engaged students are 2.5 times more likely to say they do well in school and 4.5 times more likely…

The Michigan Supreme Court has granted MASA's motion to appeal the decision of the Court of Appeals in Batista v. ORS and will hear the appeal on an expedited schedule. The Court is scheduling oral arguments for April and we are hopeful that the expedited timeline will mean principals and other school administrators get some resolution sooner rather than later. While the Michigan Supreme Court agreed to hear the case, they denied MASA's motion…

The Office of Federal Student Aid released updated FAFSA guidance on which students should indicate they receive free or reduced-price school lunch. While all Michigan public school students are currently eligible for free lunch through state-level funding, students are now advised to check the box for receiving free or reduced-price school lunch ONLY if their annual household income falls below $60,000 to comply with the U.S. Department of Agriculture income eligibility guidelines.The updated FAFSA guidance…

FAFSA CHALLENGE GRANT CARRYOVER 1. If you were awarded the FAFSA Challenge Grant from MDE, it is best to use those funds by June 30th.  They will roll over if you ask for an extension, but MDE has not created that form yet. You can see their memo attached to this email.  For idea, some people are using the funds for the following: FAFSA events, food etc Paying people/counselors extra hours to support…

MASSP was saddened to learn of the passing of retired principal, John Toma. John was well-known as a leader primarily in Oakland County. His first position in public education was that of a teacher in the Clintondale Community Schools. He started in 1961 and taught there for five years, was the assistant middle school principal for three years, and the high school principal for five years. Mr. Toma joined the Troy School…

Beginning with the Class of 2025, students at Howell High School will have the opportunity to earn a Global Scholars Endorsement alongside their diploma. We will be joining only a few other institutions in Michigan that offer such an endorsement. Designed to equip students with skills for an increasingly interconnected world, the Global Scholars Endorsement caters to the evolving demands of global careers. This program will enable students to graduate with a…

Any Law and Order fan has a general understanding of the Fourth Amendment’s protections from unlawful search and seizure, but those protections are more nuanced in the school setting. This article provides a beginning-of-the-semester refresher on student searches and seizures. The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees, in part, the “right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures.” Most commonly, the Fourth…

MASSP election season is just around the corner. Are you ready to take on a bigger role within the Association, be an advocate for your fellow administrators and help advance your career? Every year, one-third of the seats of the MASSP Board of Directors are up for election-it's almost time! This year MASSP is seeking candidates for:  President-Elect** Region 1 Representative Region 3 Representative Region 5 Representative Region 7 Representative Middle Level…

NAMI Michigan is excited to extend our partnership with you. For those who may not be familiar with NAMI, I am pleased to introduce you to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. What started as a small group of families gathered around a kitchen table in 1979 has blossomed into…