March 2024 LegalEase | New President, New Title IX
According to the Department of Education (ED), the new Title IX regulations are expected to be released this month, but don’t hold your breath. The proposed regulations were released in July of 2022, and the final regulations were originally expected May 2023. However, after receiving 244,000 comments about the sexual harassment rules and more than 120,000 comments about the gender equity in athletics rules, that expected date has been pushed back several…
QUICK TIPS APRIL | Observations, Registration & Scheduling, Oh, My!
This month your Board of Directors share tips on a variety of topics found in the April Principal's Checklist – from observations and evaluations to registration and scheduling, these tips from the top will help reinforce your good practices and spark ideas for growth. Remember, As you head into testing season this spring, get ready to wrap up the school year strong and start prepping for next school year today. As we…
Petoskey Middle School Leader Named MI 2024 Principal of the Year
Jon Wilcox, Petoskey Middle School Principal, was surprised by the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals, the Michigan Association of Student Councils and Honor Societies and his district during Petoskey Middle School’s Career Day to announce he was selected as the award recipient for Michigan’s 2024 Principal of the Year. “This year we received double the nominations for this award than in the past few years,” said Wendy Zdeb, MASSP Executive Director.…
April Holidays & Recognition Days
Arab American Heritage MonthArab American Heritage Month is a celebration held in April each year to recognize and honor the contributions and achievements of Arab Americans to the United States. This month-long observance aims to raise awareness and promote a deeper understanding of Arab American culture, history and heritage. The celebration of Arab American Heritage Month involves a wide range of activities and events. These can include cultural festivals, art exhibitions, music…
Maximizing efficiency (and a few reminders!) as We Approach the Last Trimester of 2023-24
As principals in Michigan navigate the final trimester of the 2023-24 school year, efficiency and proactive communication become paramount, especially with significant milestones like prom and graduation on the horizon. This period also brings with it the playful tradition of senior pranks, necessitating clear guidelines to ensure celebrations remain respectful and safe. Here are some strategies to maximize efficiency and maintain a positive school environment: Proactive Messaging for Seniors, 8th graders and…
Don’t Push Pause on FAFSA
The FAFSA is important. For some students, it is the only reason they go to and stay in college. Many of our students have incredible odds against them. As a first-generation college-bound student, the FAFSA was my hope bringer, in the form of grants and scholarships. As a student, I remember being told that “kids like me didn’t do well,” in college. That phrase, from a school advisor, was the chip on…
Rethinking Educator Evaluation in Wake of Changes to PERA, MCL 380.1248 & 1249
Since June of 2023, the Michigan Legislature has made major reforms to the state's educator evaluation (section 1249), collective bargaining (PERA), and educator layoff and recall (section 1248) laws. Taken together, these changes represent a sea change in the way districts must approach and operationalize their educator evaluation system. While the surface implications may appear straightforward, school administrators and attorneys are finding upon closer examination nuanced layers that demand attention. To aid…
Black History Month 2024 | Member Voices
With responses provided by 12 education leaders whose administrative experience ranges from less than two years to more than 11, we can find commonality as well as unique experiences among our members who identify as Black, African-American or Biracial. Thank you to those who took the time to provide insight and personal stories. By sharing the survey results, we hope to provide information that is not only interesting and gives voice to…
Significance of High School Field Trips
As part of high school education, field trips serve as an invaluable tool for broadening students' horizons, sparking their interests and providing practical insights into potential career paths. At Fordson High School, we understand the importance of these experiences in shaping our students' futures. With our high school career academy model, we provide an array of field trips tailored to students' career interests, thereby enhancing their educational journey and expanding their perspectives.…
Educator Evaluation Post PERA Repeal and Updated EdEval Statutes
For the first time since Michigan passed our educator evaluation law in 2013, the process local districts use is now subject to collective bargaining. A recent MEA Voice article (Clawson teachers light the way: contract settles all newly restored topics) about contract negotiations in Clawson Community Schools highlights the potential for districts to utilize this process to elevate teacher voice and agency in order to develop collective efficacy, something we know is…