Student Mental Health is a Priority; Add More Seats at the Table
Standing outside of the ballroom, looking in and listening intently, a woman wearing jeans, tennis shoes and a dark jacket was in the hallway at last year's Student Mental Health Summit. She would walk away, then return. This went on for more than 15 minutes – curious about why she didn't just walk in and join her group, I asked her if I could help her find someone. She apologized, explained that…
MASC/MAHS Summer Camp Q&A with Matt Alley
What is MASC/MAHS Summer Leadership Camp? Every year for the past 10 years the SET SEG Foundation has provided $25,000 in scholarships to send over 60 students to the Michigan Association of Student Councils and Honor Societies Summer Leadership Camp. And every year our team visits Camp to see the students in action and talk to them about their experiences. “Life changing.” “An unforgettable experience.” “My favorite time of year.” These are…
2024 FAFSA Changes: What’s new and what does my team and my community need to know?
Every year, countless students and families embark on the journey of higher education, aspiring to achieve their academic and career goals. One significant step in this pursuit is completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which enables students to access financial support for their college education. As we approach the opening of the 2024-25 FAFSA application window in December of 2023, it is essential for school principals and their communities…
Building in Belonging
As schools in Michigan plan for the return of their students and teachers this month, a unique opportunity is presented to school leaders and educators. Principals (and teachers) build a positive culture and establish a sense of belonging in their schools for all students so that the learning environment is a safe and welcoming place. If there was a The Principalship for Dummies book, that would be on the first page, Success…
Jostens | Your Most Trusted Partner in Celebrating Moments that Matter
The Jostens Representatives of Michigan would like to extend our warmest wishes for a happy, healthy, and successful new school year. May this year be filled with moments of joy and transformative learning experiences for both educators and students alike. At Jostens, our passion is helping schools create experiences that champion a culture of belonging, achievement, and pride. It’s about so much more than class rings, yearbooks, and cap & gowns. We’re…
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MASSP Partner: PoP! Fundraising
Well, it’s almost time for our students to return for a brand-new school year! It was an honor for POP! to be a part of EDCON in June and to share our message in a breakout session with many of the attendees. We started the session with a question: What would you do if you had an extra $15,000 for your middle school program? Here are a few responses from that conversation:…
Model the Way: Using AI to Save Time and Improve Instruction
In December of 2022, during my morning drive to Hillside Middle School, I first became aware of AI, or ChatGPT specifically. Prior to that, most of my AI experience was confined to doom-and-gloom movie portrayals like Skynet from the Terminator series or, perhaps slightly more optimistically, the self-aware eponymous robot from the movie Chappie. I did have a conversation with a tech-minded friend some weeks prior regarding a new app that could…
Surviving Stress
Surviving Stress: Hulu Series The Bear Compared to Principalship As a Middle School Principal walking into my 25th summer break, I took advice from a close colleague who encouraged me to shut down for July and refocus on my own self-care. While I spent the month of July with family, golfing, kayaking, building campfires, getting lost in true crime novels, I also binged on the Hulu series, The Bear. It only took a…
Relationships Matter
It is my hope that this article finds you rested, rejuvenated and ready to start the new school year. As you prepare to greet your staff and students, remember the importance of building relationships. No matter what we are asking of others, until they trust that we care about them, really care about them as a person … not teacher, secretary or student … getting business accomplished is difficult. The beginning of…