APRIL 2025 NEWSLETTER

April Celebrations

After March Madness, April is the perfect month for celebrations/appreciations and embracing the increased sunshine of Spring. Check out the special themes aligned with the month of April and look for opportunities to celebrate at your academy.

• April 2 Autism Awareness Day
• April 2 National Paraprofessional Appreciation Day
• April 4 National School Librarian Appreciation Day
• April 6-12 National Library Week
• April 7-11 National Assistant Principal Week
• April 21-25 Public School Volunteer Week / National Volunteer Recognition Week
• April 21-25 National Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week
• April 22 Earth Day
• April 22 School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
• April 23 Administrative Professionals Day
• April 24 Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day
• April 24-30 National Student Leadership Week

We look forward to seeing the celebrations on your social media pages as you share the great things that the staff at your academy is doing.

SPOTLIGHT STORY

by Jordan McCloud

Exciting Partnership Announcement!

Muskegon Maritime Academy (MMA) is thrilled to partner with YES Inc. to provide before- and after-school tutoring for our cadets! This partnership is a game changer, ensuring that every student gets the extra support they need to succeed academically.

At MMA, educating our cadets is our top priority. With this program, we’re reinforcing learning beyond the classroom, helping our scholars strengthen their skills, build confidence, and achieve excellence!

• Before- & After-School Tutoring
• Personalized Support
• Empowering Cadets for Success

This aligns with the School/University Partnership's core value of collaboration with external stakeholders for academic achievement.

SCHOOL LEADER RESOURCES

The SVSU School Leader Canvas Page contains the resources from the past 3 leader meetings. The following is one of the habits that Cathy Malotka shared from “14 Daily Habits Every Leader Should Adopt" ...

Reflect On Each Day

Reflections are essential: “What did I do well today?” “What did I do better than yesterday?” “How can I improve things that weren’t done well enough today?” We can’t run as leaders; we need to walk. If you run, you will move too fast to see important things and you will not give your team an opportunity to keep pace with you.

Leader Wellness Tip: WALK

Beyond physical health, walking can alleviate stress, reduce anxiety, and improve cognitive function, especially when performed in natural environments. Socially, walking in groups fosters community, providing motivation and emotional support.

BOARD MEMBER TIDBITS

2024 LEGISLATIVE CHANGES

PA 214 of 2024-HB 5269

By November 1 of each year, public school academies, urban high school academies, schools of excellence, and strict discipline academies are required to post the following information on their websites:

(1) The average salary for new teachers and the average salary for veteran teachers employed by the school or employed by an education management organization to the school, or, if there are fewer than five new teachers or five veteran teachers at the school, the average salary for all teachers employed by the school or employed by an educational management organization and assigned to the school.

(2) The average salary for support staff employed by the school or employed by an education management organization and assigned to the school.

PA 258 of 2024-HB 5451

Requires the board of directors of a public school academy beginning October 1, 2025, and every October 1 thereafter, to distribute an informational notice developed by the Department of Health and Human Services about the safe storage of firearms to the parent or legal guardian of each student enrolled in the academy. This notice may be distributed electronically or by mail.

By October 1, 2025, the MDE must post the English, Spanish, and Arabic versions of the informational notice on its website. Accordingly, the board is required to post a link to the MDE’s webpage on its own website.

There are many more... Download the 2024 Legislative Changes Summary Document (112KB) for the full list.

PSA PHOTO CONTEST DEADLINE EXTENDED

Stakeholders from SVSU charter schools (school leaders, teachers, staff) can win a cash prize for their school for submitting photos of student learning, experiences, and activities that illustrate the theme of the year. Each photo must include a caption (1-3 sentences that links the photo to the theme).

2025 Theme – Growing Together

At the School/University Partnership Office (SUPO) we believe that a quality education welcomes all, fosters creativity, and entitles learners to grow into their most authentic selves. As every difference is an asset, education should always be a celebration of diverse views and people. Seek out photos that illustrate students discovering their talents, abilities, opportunities for enrichment, service, and personal development.

To enter the contest, submit the Photo Contest Terms & Rules form, photos, and Media Release Forms to Dawn Gillespie (drg@svsu.edu).  Deadline extended to April 11, 2025.

For additional information and forms see the SUPO website.

NEWS YOU CAN USE

Legal News in Student Services

Michigan House Bill 5549, enacted as Public Act 272 of 2024, mandates that by October 1, 2026, all public and nonpublic schools in Michigan establish Behavior Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) teams to enhance school safety.

Each BTAM team must include:

• A school administrator responsible for ensuring the team's duties are fulfilled.
• A mental health professional.
• A school resource officer or other law enforcement official.

The teams are tasked with:

• Defining prohibited and concerning behaviors and educating the school community on recognizing warning signs.
• Monitoring, assessing, and investigating concerning behaviors.
• Distinguishing between credible and non-credible threats.
• Developing a central reporting mechanism and educating stakeholders on its use.
• Outlining the relationship between school personnel and law enforcement, determining thresholds for law enforcement intervention.
• Creating written plans to assist students exhibiting concerning behavior, incorporating supportive measures alongside any punitive actions.

What should our school do today?

If your school currently does not have an SRO (School Resource Officer) and/or an operational relationship with the local law enforcement agency, this spring/summer would be a great time to start that process. More detailed information will be coming in early summer to assist our schools with this process.

Best Practice Corner

U.S. Department of Education Workforce Reduction – No Impact on IDEA Requirements

A recent executive order from President Trump will result in a workforce reduction within the U.S. Department of Education. However, this change does not impact programming responsibilities for special education students.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) can only be modified through congressional action, requiring a formal vote. Until official notification of any legislative changes, schools must continue to provide students with disabilities full access to education alongside their same-age peers, as mandated by IDEA.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our office for further clarification.

Special Education Coffee Hour

Join us for our next Special Education Coffee Hour in April from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM (exact date to be announced). This interactive session will focus on "What Would You Do?" discussion, providing an open forum for participants to ask questions and seek guidance on unique situations.

We look forward to your participation and valuable insights! Stay tuned for the confirmed date.

Resources to Support Accessibility in Instruction

Alt+Shift Education can assist you in introducing alternative educational approaches. Each approach is evidence-informed and designed to benefit every learner.

We recognize that each learner is unique, and so is each place of learning. We co-construct our support to meet the needs of your team.

• Accessible Digital Materials
• Assistive Technology
• Augmentative and Alternative Communication
• Mathematics for Students with Disabilities

CHARTER DAY AT THE CAPITOL

Charter Day at the Capitol - May 6, 2025!

MAPSA's annual rally on the Capitol lawn connects charter school advocates with the decision-makers in Lansing, showcasing the vibrancy, passion, and diversity of our movement - and we can't wait to see you this year! Registration is open to all educators, parents, advocates, and students who want to join. 

*If you are registering a group of 10 or more, please complete a large group registration form and email Sarah Paciorek at spaciorek@charterschools.org.

REGISTRATION CLOSES AT MIDNIGHT, FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 2025 - REGISTER TODAY

Charter Schools Week is May 12-16, 2025!

https://www.charterschools.org/charter-schools-week - Learn about all the events and register to participate!

Get Involved: Send a Letter to Your Legislators

Hand-written letters are a great way to connect with your local legislators, and our plan is to gather as many letters from charter students, parents and educators as we can - then deliver them to the offices (or to the inboxes) of as many lawmakers as possible. These letters should be personal, and should help your lawmaker get a sense of why your school is so important to your community. Download the template below to participate! 

CSW24: #ChartersLead Letters Template for Charter School Staff

CSW24: #ChartersLead Letters Template for Parents and Students