The Not-so-Sweet Exhale: Meeting the Vaping Challenge in Schools
It is May, and whether you’re exhaling or holding your breath, depending on what is on your radar, you’re busy! Let’s talk about that exhale because one thing that hasn’t changed for any of us is the epidemic of vaping that’s ongoing in our schools. As spring fever sets in, those risk-taking behaviors are not just ramping up but digging in! We want to remind principals of the resources MASSP has available,…
Reviewing Recent Changes to MI’s Cardiac Emergency Response Law
During day three of the NFL draft that took place in Detroit this past weekend and with Damar Hamlin looking on, Governor Whitmer signed into law some changes to Michigan’s school cardiac emergency response law. Since 2014 Michigan has had a law on the books requiring districts to have a cardiac emergency response plan that includes training, the use and maintenance of AEDs, and a cardiac emergency response team, so this isn't…
Wendy’s Weekly – with Christian Talbot – April 29, 2024
Wendy attended the ASU+GSV Conference in San Diego. During the event Wendy recorded three interviews with attendees and this is the second of the three. In today’s video Wendy talks with Christian Talbot, President and CEO of the Middle State Association. Middle States is a global leader in accreditation and school improvement. They developed RAIL which their website refers to as, “A comprehensive implementation framework for AI in schools and systems. It’s like accreditation for the adoption of AI.…
House Reports Excellent K-12 Budget Rec
The House Appropriations Subcommittee on School Aid and Education voted out their version of the 2024-25 K-12 budget on Thursday and it was, by far, the best of the bunch. The headline is that the recommendation allocated an additional $291 million to reduce district MPSERS obligations, a change that will result in huge, ongoing savings for local districts. Even with that sizable allocation to reducing district costs, the House still managed a…
Senate Reports First Legislative Budget Rec of the Year
The Senate is the first of the two legislative chambers out of the gate with their 2024-25 budget proposal, voting their bill out of subcommittee on Tuesday. Where the Governor's proposal gave across the board 2.5% increases to most of the core line items schools rely on, the Senate proposal spends more on some (e.g. foundation allowance and At Risk) and less on others (e.g. CTE, isolated districts). It also doubles down…
Why Should Principals Care About Population Decline?
You have four classes without subs, a parent angry about an article used in a social studies class, your incoming grade level is visiting campus for lunch and a mini-orientation today, and there was a car/bus accident in the bus loop this morning. When your day looks like this you probably don’t have time to expend much mental energy thinking about how Michigan ranks 49th out of 50 in terms of population…
“Capping” Off the Year with Student Discipline Reminders
School officials may exclude a student from prom or commencement due to misconduct, but they cannot withhold a student’s diploma as a disciplinary measure. Knowing what is within your discretion, and preparing your community for these big events, will make the last month of school easier. The end of a school year brings big events and big expectations for high school students. Often, it also brings student mischief and senior pranks that…
QUICK TIPS MAY | Covering All the Bases for the End of the Year
This month your Board of Directors share tips on a variety of topics found in the May Principal's Checklist – from scheduling and evaluations, to updating the student handbook and end of year celebrations, these tips from the top will help reinforce your good practices and spark ideas for growth. Remember, as you head into the last couple of months, get ready to wrap up the school year strong and start prepping…
Nominate an Outstanding Building Leader!
MASSP & MASC/MAHS are excited to announce we have expanded our Administrators of the Year Awards Program! We are now accepting nominations for the 2025-26 Principal of the Year (POY) and 2025 Assistant Principal of the Year (APOY) and will be awarding a Middle School and High School leader in each category! Michigan's Middle/High School Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year are innovative servant-leaders, who show integrity, implement instructional leadership, are…
Results Are In: MASSP Board of Directors Election 2024!
Meet Your Incoming Board Representatives Polls closed on Friday, April 12, at 3:00 p.m. for MASSP's Board of Directors 2024 Election. This year's group of candidates are all exceptional administrators and we want to thank each and every one for taking the initiative to run for a position. We appreciate the support and engagement of all members who took the time to vote for their representatives. MASSP is proud to announce the…