December 2024

EMBRACING REFLECTION, GRATITUDE, AND GROWTH IN LEADERSHIP

As we enter the final month of the year, December presents a unique opportunity for school leaders to reflect on the journey so far, celebrate milestones, and plan for the future. This season of joy and togetherness reminds us of the importance of community and gratitude in our schools. It’s also a time to model resilience, encourage balance, and keep our teams focused on both immediate goals and long-term vision.

In the hustle of wrapping up the calendar year, we can use December to pause and assess the progress we've made in nurturing student achievement, supporting staff, and fostering a positive school culture. This reflection isn't just about looking back, it's about identifying lessons learned, setting new goals, and continuing to grow as leaders.

As winter break approaches, remember to prioritize wellness, both for yourself and your staff. Lead by example by acknowledging the value of rest and renewal, knowing that a thriving school community starts with leaders who care for themselves as much as they care for others.

Together, let’s end this year with intention and move forward with hope and purpose.

Happy December!

ACADEMY SPOTLIGHT STORY

I wanted to share a highlight from Merritt Academy that perfectly reflects one of SUPO's core values: Collaboration and innovation with stakeholders.

Recently, high school students from Merritt Academy volunteered at Haven Place Community Center to assist with holiday preparations. This effort shows the incredible collaboration between the school and the community, fostering meaningful connections and a shared commitment to serving others.

The students’ contributions are an inspiring example of how working together can make a real difference. Their spirit of service not only supports Haven Place but also helps build a stronger, more connected community.

Let’s celebrate these students’ hard work and continue encouraging such impactful partnerships throughout our schools.

by Jordan McCloud
Graduate Assistant

SCHOOL LEADERS

School Leader Network Meeting – Save the date!

Together We Grow – Balancing Leadership - Balancing YOU

February 7. 2025

10:00 am – 3:00 pm 

Horizons Conference Center, Saginaw

BOARD MEMBER TIDBITS

Website Transparency

December 1 is the due date that school budget transparency websites must be updated with 2023-24 fiscal information. SUPO as well as MDE will be checking websites for compliance. MDE Budget Transparency Guidance and sample forms can be found here.

Board Training

It is a requirement that all SVSU authorized school board members complete 2 hours of board training each year. The SVSU School/University Partnership Office website contains several online options for board training at Board Member Resource Page. Once you have completed your training, please complete the 2024-2025 Board Training Verification Form.

SPECIAL EDUCATION UPDATE

LEGAL NEWS IN STUDENTS SERVICES

2024-2025 Pupil Accounting Manual Updates

There are some notable changes and clarifications within the PAM this school year. Please take a moment and review.

BEST PRACTICE CORNER

Staffing Concerns and Denial of FAPE

MDE Compensatory Education Guidance

Compensatory education is a form of recovery education when a district has been found to deny FAPE for a student eligible as special education. Certainly, districts can provide compensatory education based on their own knowledge that a student is not receiving a full IEP agreement – such as lack of staff.

*Lack of certified staff is a denial of FAPE and should the state review a district's programming, they would require a district provide compensatory education.

How should a district determine the need for compensatory education?

Compensatory education is rarely a minute-to-minute situation. For instance, if a student has not been provided OT for 8 sessions of 20 minutes - a district may not need to provide the student 160 minutes of OT instruction. There are other factors than sessions and time. Other factors include a student's progress as well as the service format such as a group or individual session.

To determine an appropriate compensatory education schedule for a student that has not been provided their full IEP service and programming by certified staff:

• understand the student’s missed sessions and time
• understand the student’s progress towards goals - students with limited progress towards goals should be considered urgent for additional support

Can compensatory education be offered during the traditional school day?

Additional support during school does not meet the definition of compensatory education - no, this cannot count as compensatory education.

However, a district may consider:

• holding an IEP indicating additional time within the school day supporting growth towards a student's goal when staffing is made available
• provide funds for families to seek outside therapeutic services

Districts may want to provide families with a letter indicating a dollar amount that would be commensurate to the amount of service a student would have been provided by the district. It is best that this is provided prior to or early in the loss of FAPE services; however, this practice can show that the district is attempting to support the goal growth for students when staff is not available through the district.

In all situations, families are not required to participate in the offer of additional support/compensatory education.

EXTRA EXTRA

Our collective Special Education Coffee Hour is happening soon!  Don’t forget to register.

Special Education Coffee Hour

December 12, 2024 - 3:30 – 4:30 PM
Participants will be provided guidance with unique disciplinary concerns.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING

MICHIGAN CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT FACILITATORS NETWORK (MCIFN)

MCIFN hosts six meetings each year and an annual conference held over three days in June. During and between meetings, members engage in collective learning and collaborative problem-solving, provide feedback on state policies and initiatives, and share and create resources to support effective and efficient continuous improvement practices statewide.

2024-25 Schedule and Registration Fees

• Full Series: $620
• In-Person Network Meetings: $80
• Virtual Network Meetings: $60

Upcoming Network Meetings

• January 14 (Virtual)
• February 25 (Virtual)
• April 15-16 (In-person @ Muskegon ISD)

Annual MCIFN Conference - June 11-13 (Traverse City)

REGISTER HERE FOR SERIES!

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MASA QUICKFIRE SESSIONS

Quickfire sessions are intensive, three-hour learning opportunities designed by MASA to provide district leaders with essential updates on critical education-related topics.

Whether you’re a veteran leader in need of a refresher or in your first few years seeking foundational knowledge, these sessions will deliver focused, actionable insights. Session participants will leave equipped with knowledge needed to lead with confidence in today’s evolving educational landscape.

NOTE: Quickfire sessions are specifically designed for district-level leaders (superintendents and central office administrators).

Where: Lansing/Virtual
Cost: $75 per session
Upcoming Sessions:

• January 27 (AM) – Collective Bargaining
• January 27 (PM) – AI Tools and Use
• March 3 (AM) – School Finance
• March 3 (PM) – Hot Topics

REGISTER HERE!

MICHIGAN TALENT POOL

The Michigan Talent Pool is a group of elementary and secondary educators nominated by their supervisors that the Michigan Department of Education draws upon throughout the year when opportunities for engagement and recognition become available.

We welcome recommendations for outstanding classroom teachers and/or principals who exhibit strong potential for professional leadership, and demonstrate the following:

• Exceptional educational talent is evidenced by effective instructional practices and student learning results in the classroom and school.
• Exemplary educational accomplishments beyond the classroom.
• Contributions to education that are largely unheralded, yet are worthy of the spotlight; and
• An engaging and inspiring presence that motivates and impacts students, colleagues and the community.

Recommendations to the Talent Pool should be submitted by the nominee's supervisor and can be made via the online recommendation form.

Please direct any questions to Jennifer Robel at RobelJ@Michigan.gov.

PROTECT SUCCESS IN MI CHARTERS

We need your voice now to protect the success of Michigan’s charter schools and the educational future of thousands of students. The Michigan Senate is pushing a package of bills during this “lame duck” session that will put your charter public schools and students at risk of losing the opportunities they deserve. These bills claim to improve transparency and accountability. Yet, they will do little to advance student outcomes and could hinder the high-quality, innovative models that make our schools successful.

Please take a moment to reach out to your lawmakers and make your voice heard. Let them know how you ensure your schools deliver outstanding education. Let’s work together to protect Michigan’s charter schools and prevent this overreach.

CONTACT YOUR LAWMAKERS NOW!