Women’s Summit 2023 | Inspire, Connect & Empower – Call for Presentations
The Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP) is thrilled to announce the Women’s Summit: Inspire, Connect & Empower is returning in 2023! The two-day summit is designed to bring female school leaders and students together to support their personal and professional journeys. The Women's Summit will be held Sunday & Monday, November 12-13, 2023 at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids. The event will be focused on empowering female leaders. Adults and…
Going Digital: Leader2Leader Series Ramps Up Your Readiness for Fall PSAT and PSAT/NMSQT Practice
This fall is the last and only chance you have as a school to do a school day practice in the digital format before our students take the assessment suite as part of state accountability measures. The testing window, which begins this October, is how you will familiarize your team, your students and work through any challenges before April. Fortunately, in partnership with the College Board and the Michigan SAT Taskforce, MASSP…
Understanding the Change in Grad Rate Calculations
Last week, MDE published a memo (see Memo #070-23: Modifications to Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate Calculations) outlining changes that are coming to the adjusted cohort graduation rate calculation. These changes are required by the US Department of Education beginning with the 2022-23 school year. In short, the changes means that length of enrollment can no longer be factored in when calculating graduation rates. This could result in noticeable year-over-year change in graduation…
Reinvigorating Your Parent-Teacher-Student Organization
The first day of the new school year is quickly approaching. August is upon us. As a building principal, this is the time of year when you’re going over those last details that need attention, the final tweaks to the master schedule, professional development plans, and new teacher orientation, to name a few. One of the things that has been resonating in my mind this year is reinvigorating the Parent-Teacher-Student Organization (PTSO).…
Quick Tips | Upgrade Your New Staff On-Boarding & August Checklist
MASSSP provides monthly principal checklists. In the August Checklist, we include new staff on-boarding as a key task. The hiring process for new staff members is a significant investment of time and effort … now the important part will be developing and retaining the new staff. Developing a plan to welcome, onboard and support new staff members is critical as you maintain a positive climate and culture in your school. Professional development…
Finding Energy and Inspiration
This summer has been a mix of all the right things for me: relaxation, energy and inspiration. I’ve really enjoyed taking on a new hobby – gardening. We’ve always had shrubs and flowers around the property but this summer my significant other built my dream raised garden for fruits and vegetables. I am thankful that so many gardeners post videos on YouTube for those of us who are clueless. I have been…
QUICK TIPS JULY | Getting Started – New Administrators & Preparing for Success with Your Administrative Assistant
Preparing for the start of the school year, whether you've been at it for more than a decade or are starting out fresh, being sure to go into the office each day ready to work in partnership with Your Administrative Assistant is key. The first 90 days of any job is crucial. Make sure to start your career on the right foot. Consider the First 90-Days Checklist a guide to establish and…
DLN Highlight: Response to Intervention (RTI)
RTI (Response to Intervention) is a component of our MTSS (Multi-tiered System of Supports) in Michigan, but is the foundation for all of our work in our MICIP plans and school improvement. Having a data-driven RTI, ensures you are focused on student learning and improving instruction via intervention which will impact all students. The question that lingers is, what about students that are not proficient, or lack individual growth due to COVID?…
Partner Spotlight | Herff Jones
Herff Jones is the leading provider of handcrafted graduation and recognition products to inspire achievement. As a division of Varsity Brands, Herff Jones has a wide range of products that include class rings, championship rings, caps and gowns, yearbooks, diplomas, frames and announcements. Focused on building long-term relationships in the educational community, Herff Jones has been helping elevate student experiences for more than 100 years and over 60 years in the state…
Work in Progress: 8 Tips for Leaders
When I saw that I was scheduled to submit an article for MASSP by July 10, my first thought was that nobody would read it. After all, isn’t that the month we all enjoy the recreation that our own beautiful state has to offer? It is also a great month to catch up with family or travel. I don’t want to miss out on an opportunity to share with colleagues though, so…