January 2025
ACADEMY SPOTLIGHT STORY
On behalf of our school community, I want to extend our heartfelt thanks for awarding us the Innovation Grant that has made our Mighty Leaders News Station a reality. Your generosity and commitment to innovation in education have truly enriched our students' learning experience.
Below you’ll find our latest broadcast, which highlights a special feature on author and publisher Kim Ann, who recently donated a collection of signed books to our school. We are also celebrating one of our local heroes and band director, Mr. Dean. This is just one example of the meaningful content our student-run news station can produce, thanks to your support.
If you’d like to view more of our news broadcasts, please visit our Parent Link platform.
The news station is featured under the Leader in Me tab, and you can access it directly through this link: https://sites.google.com/landmarkacademy.net/parentlink/leader-in-me.
It’s worth noting that Parent Link itself was another wonderful addition made possible by the Innovation Grant, helping us connect more effectively with our school community.
We are so appreciative of the opportunities this grant has provided for our students and staff. Thank you again for investing in our school and empowering our students to lead and innovate.
Mr. Adam Hoskins, M.Ed.
Landmark Academy Elementary Principal hoskinsa@landmarkacademy.net
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SPOTLIGHT
Saginaw Preparatory Educators “Level UP” to Enhance Classroom Management for Student Success
Educators at Saginaw Preparatory Academy committed to growing together by registering for the Solving Classroom Discipline Problems instructor-led online course through the Office of Professional Development at Saginaw Valley State University. The $140 course fee was funded by the School/University Partnership Office, in alignment with their mission to promote accessible, quality educational opportunities that empower all. The 6-week online course provided 24 hours of instruction. 83% of educators who received scholarships passed the course. Click the link below to read about some of the learning takeaways and appreciations from some of the participants.
School leaders – If you are interested in providing instructor-led online courses and scholarships for members of your staff to support classroom management or instructional delivery, book an appointment with Chantra Williams (Book time to meet with me) to learn more about professional development opportunities through the School/University Partnership Office.
FEBRUARY SCHOOL LEADER NETWORK MEETING
Together We Grow – Balancing Leadership - Balancing YOU
February 7, 2025
10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Horizons Conference Center, Saginaw
AWARD NOMINATIONS OPEN IN FEBRUARY
Nominations open in February for the SUPO Outstanding Employee of the Year Award.
This year we are focusing on acknowledging the following school staff:
- Paraprofessionals
- Full-time Substitute Teachers
- Interventionists
- Office and Administrative Assistants
One nomination per building (not district) will be accepted.
Watch for the nomination form in the February newsletter.
PUBLIC SCHOOL ACADEMY PHOTO CONTEST 2025
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 April 4, 2025.
For additional information and forms see the SUPO website.
NEWS YOU CAN USE
LEGAL NEWS IN STUDENT SERVICES
Thrun Law: The ABC's of Student Behavior Management: BIPS, FBAs, and PBIS
Managing student behavior is integral to a successful educational experience for all students but becomes a mandate when a student has a disability. The IDEA and Section 504 recognize the connection between behavior and providing a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to students with disabilities. When a student’s behavior impairs their or others ability to learn, school staff likely need to address the causes of and seek solutions for the problematic behavior. (an excerpt)
MTSS in the new Dyslexia Law – Slide presentation with links to a breakdown of the law and a tiered delivery system (MTSS Practice Profile). Special thanks to Christine Bolen at the Saginaw ISD for providing the updates and sharing the presentation.
BEST PRACTICES CORNER
State Testing Updates – Time to Act
December 19, 2024, Spotlight Newsletter
I encourage everyone to begin reviewing the weekly emails from MDE regarding state testing.
It is important to understand the difference between SAA (State Approved Accommodations) and College Board reportable scores for eligible students. We do not expect any significant changes this year to the testing process from previous years for, however the webinar from COLLEGE BOARD is listed below.
College Board Webinar: Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) & Accommodations • Wednesday, January 15, 2025, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. • For SSD Coordinators, School Test Coordinators • Register here (https://bit.ly/4ecfwD0)
The SSD Coordinator webinar, intended for School Test Coordinators and Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Coordinators, provides information to help schools prepare to administer the SAT Suite of Assessments to students with accommodations and supports. Topics include test dates, staff responsibilities, SSD deadlines, how to enter accommodation requests in SSD Online, EL Supports, and viewing accommodations in Test Day Toolkit.
MI ACCESS – Who Should Take Which Test
Please review the document below to support students with complex learning needs appropriate assignment for state testing. Rubric for Assigning Students to Alternate Standards in Instruction and Assessment
SPECIAL EDUCATION COFFEE HOUR
Special Education Coffee Hour - Next meeting will be January 22, 2025, 3:30 – 4:30PM
MI EDUCATIONAL EVENTS NETWORK (MASA)
Michigan Continuous Improvement Facilitators Network (MCIFN)
Next Session – January 14
Virtual
MASA's Quickfire Sessions
Next Sessions – January 27
Lansing/Virtual
2025 Michigan School Testing Conference
February 11-13
Ann Arbor
TEACHER RESOURCES
Posing effective questions during math instruction in K-12 schools fosters critical thinking, deepens conceptual understanding, and promotes active engagement. Thoughtful questions encourage students to explain their reasoning, make connections between concepts, and explore multiple problem-solving strategies. This approach not only builds confidence in their mathematical abilities but also helps teachers identify misconceptions and guide students toward meaningful learning experiences.
Provided by Cathy Malotka (cmmalotk@svsu.edu)
CONTACT US.
School/University Partnership Office
Office Location: Gilbertson Hall
Email: supo@svsu.edu
Phone: (989) 964-4623