November 2025
NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
Native American Heritage Month
November 2 Daylight Savings Time ends
November 3-7 National School Psychology Week
November 1-14 Anti-Bullying Week
November 11 Veterans Day
November 27 Thanksgiving
November 28 Native American Heritage Day
SPOTLIGHT STORY - FAXON ACADEMY
Shout Out!
shared by Dr. Chris Plum
Faxon Academy in Southfield, Michigan, was ranked as 25 out of the 30 best elementary schools in Michigan in an article by Dana Hanson. Faxon is a tuition-free public charter school serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade. The school is located at 26275 Northwestern Highway in Southfield, on the campus of Hope United Methodist Church. For more information see the link below.
https://moneyinc.com/the-30-best-elementary-schools-in-michigan/
Chris Plum is the CEO of GPS (Good People Serving Solutions)
SPOTLIGHT STORY - FAXON ACADEMY (continued)
We were thrilled to host a successful Math Night with over 20 families in attendance. The event aimed to build parents’ confidence in supporting math at home, strengthen parent-teacher relationships, and make math fun and accessible for all. Each mini lesson included a simple introduction to a math concept, hands-on modeling, guided practice, an interactive game for families, and take-home tips. Parents engaged actively and left with practical strategies and resources to support their children’s learning, and the evening fostered a strong sense of connection between families and our school.
Janel Robinson is the MTSS Coordinator/School Improvement Chair at Faxon Academy
For more ideas about hosting a family math night - https://www.familymathnight.com/resources/familymathnight.php
SCHOOL LEADER MEETING
Charter School Leadership Conference #2 - Dashboards and Data
Date: Friday, November 21, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: SVSU Campus - Gilbertson Hall – GS 202
A professional learning session designed to help leaders and educators make meaning of reports, take ownership of their data, and strengthen both academic and organizational decision-making.
Registration Link
DECEMBER REGISTRY OF EDUCATION PERSONNEL (REP) REPORTING
Please take great care in completing your December Registry of Educational Personnel (REP) entries. All individuals—including teachers, staff, contracted individuals, consultants, bus drivers, substitutes, etc.—must be accurately reported.
SVSU has observed that some individuals are either not being included in the REP submission or are being listed under incorrect position codes. School Leaders, please ensure that your management company/HR Director is promptly notified whenever an employee transitions to a new role. Failure to properly report and certify individuals in their correct positions may result in the school being required to reimburse the Michigan Department of Education for the duration the individual served in a non-certified capacity.
To assist with verification, SVSU requests that you submit your Detailed Assignment Code Summary report along with your Substitute list in the December 1, 2025, Epicenter task.
Thank you for your careful attention to this important compliance requirement.
Don't hesitate to contact the office if you have questions.
SPOTLIGHT STORY - OAKLAND INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY
STUDENT SERVICES UPDATE
Student Service Updates
Responding to Independent Education Evaluation Requests
Thrun Law, October 27, 2025
A parent may request an IEE orally or in writing. The school then has seven calendar days to respond to the request. A school’s failure to timely respond to a parent’s IEE request is a procedural violation that may cause unnecessary tension with the parent, as well as compliance findings and related penalties.
Please see the link above for more information.
Special Education Coffee Chat Links for 2025.26 School Year
Current registration is available for November Coffee Chats.
November 25, 2025
Writing IEPs That Deliver: From Present Levels to Progress Monitoring
Data-driven PLAAFPs, measurable goals, service alignment, progress evidence
MDE GUIDANCE
New guidance has been provided by MDE OSE – more information will be coming as we gain further information. Please review the following state website:
SPOTLIGHT STORY - THE NEW STANDARD
Alaskan Fishing Trip - The New Standard Academy
Principal: Correy Black
TEACHER/STAFF INNOVATION GRANT
TEACHER/STAFF INNOVATION GRANT:
- 2025-26 Teacher/Staff Innovation Grant Description (49KB)
- 2025-26 Teacher/Staff Innovation Grant Application (41KB)
- 2025-26 Teacher/Staff Innovation Grant Report Form (115KB)
Up to $1,000 (up to two programs per building)
Due: November 3, 2025 to drg@svsu.edu
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
MI Education Events Network
- Michigan Continuous Improvement Facilitators Network – November 18 & 19
- MDE Fall 2025 Continuous Improvement Conference – November 19
- Michigan School Testing Conference – February 10-12
TRAINING RESOURCES
MiMTSS (Michigan's Multi-tiered System of Supports Technical Assistance Center) is a state and federally funded project that supports Michigan schools and districts in implementing and sustaining Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports (MTSS) to improve student outcomes in both behavior and learning, focusing on data-driven decision-making.
MIMTSS Online Registration System link - Check the link for times, dates and locations
November 5 Supporting LETRS Implementation
November 19 Supporting Comprehension in Secondary Classrooms Series
November 19 Behavior Interventions in the Classroom
CONTACT US.
The Charter Collaborative
Office Location: Gilbertson Hall
Email: charterschools@svsu.edu
Phone: (989) 964-4623