May 2024

TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK MAY 6-10

The School/University Partnership Office would like to honor all teachers by expressing our extreme gratitude and appreciation for all the service you provide to students and families across the state of Michigan. You make a difference, and your efforts are not unseen. Click the link below to register to receive your teacher appreciation gift (it will be delivered to your school).

Claim your Teacher Appreciation Gift

Find the Best Teacher Appreciation Discounts and Deals

You know what’s better than a teacher discount at a restaurant?

A tuition discount that will save you thousands of dollars! NO SCAM!

Public School Academy Teacher/Leader Scholarships (PARAMETER CHANGES COMING FALL 2024!)

The School/University Partnership Office is offering tuition scholarships for teachers/administrators of SVSU authorized Public School Academies to obtain continuing education credits or to complete a program through the College of Education at SVSU. 15 Credits per year are available (Fall to Summer). 

50% tuition scholarship for 3-5 years of service; 75% tuition scholarship for 6+ years.

Download the fillable Scholarship Verification Form (104KB) with additional information.

**For 2024 Spring/Summer scholarships, see Teacher/Leader Scholarships on our website.

SPOTLIGHT STORY

Growing MI Career Pathways: Chandler Park Academy

Chandler Park Academy is a K-12 college preparatory charter public school. The JROTC program includes classroom instruction and laboratory instruction in the history, customs, traditions, and purpose of Army JROTC, including the development of basic leadership skills to include leadership principles, values, and attributes. Students develop core skills of appreciation for diversity and active learning strategies that are integrated throughout the course.

⭐ To learn more about CPA's JROTC program and view a video, visit: https://www.charterschools.org/growing-mi-career-pathways-stories/jrotc-at-chandler-park-academy

⭐ Explore the transformative power of Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs at charter schools as a WHOLE. Dive into the real-life experiences of charter school students who participate in CTE programs, showcasing their journeys from classroom learning to real-world success! Learn more: https://www.charterschools.org/growing-mi-career-pathways

SCHOOL LEADERS

FINAL School Leader Meeting for 2023-2024

Friday, May 17, 2024, from 10 am-1 pm at SVSU, Curtiss Hall, Room C130.

Contact Chantra Williams for additional information at cdwilli1@svsu.edu

• Reflections and Roadmaps from SUPO Leadership
• Innovation Grant Presentations
• Lunch (Alumni Lounge)
• Outstanding Employee Awards

BOARD MEMBER TIDBITS

Special Meeting Notices

MCL15.265 speaks to public notices for public meetings, including special meetings. SVSU is requiring that all public postings for special meetings include the reason for the special meeting. With the current climate surrounding charter public schools, we are asking for additional sensitivity to transparency.

Public Board Special Meeting Postings (14KB)

Board Member Application Process

Interim appointments will allow 5-member boards to fill a vacancy in a timely fashion without having to wait for the annual board appointments that occur in June each year. If you have a 5-member board and have a vacancy, you can request an interim appointment through the School/University Partnership Office. Please submit the completed board candidate application to the office (drg@svsu.edu) once the Academy Board has approved the application to go to SVSU for approval. SUPO will request an interim appointment and the Academy Board will be notified when the candidate can begin.

The SVSU Board of Control has changed their timeline for submitting resolutions to go before the Board. Due to this change, new appointment/reappointment applications will be due earlier in the month of April next year. It is imperative that academies adhere to the deadlines as established in the letter that is distributed in early February. Please be aware that this may mean that the Academy Board will need to take action sooner than in previous years.

PSA OUTSTANDING EMPLOYEE AWARD

The Outstanding Employee Awards Banquet will be held on Friday, May 17, 2024, from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm on the campus of Saginaw Valley State University in the Curtiss Alumni Lounge.

All local winners will receive lunch, acknowledgement, and a token of appreciation for their service.

One Outstanding Employee of the Year will be selected from each category (Custodial, Security/Safety, Transportation, Nutrition/Food Service) and will receive an additional honor and gift.

CREATIVE OPPORTUNITIES SHOWCASE

Congratulations to Robert Porter who was awarded First Place in the Creative Opportunities Showcase! 

This was an opportunity for our charter school students to share their stories of talent and skill exploration. The theme for this year was “seek and ye shall find”.  

Please enjoy Robert’s presentation: Robert Porter Digital Portfolio Contest 

Robert will receive an Apple iPad!  

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

GVSU Free Professional Development

Maximizing the Effectiveness of Classroom Management Strategies
May 7 and May 9 from 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm

In this two-session series, participants will learn about evidence-based classroom management at Tiers 1 and 2 and learn how to maximize the effectiveness of classroom management strategies by incorporating behavioral function.

Following this series, attendees will (a) identify classroom management strategies you can incorporate in your classroom at Tiers 1 and 2, (b) define behavioral function, (c) describe the utility of considering function at Tiers 1 and 2, and (d) identify ways to incorporate behavioral function in Tier 1 and 2 classroom management.

SCECHs available: up to 3.0

Register for "Classroom Management Strategies" Session

SPEAK UP

If you value your freedom to lead and educate children in public charter schools, cut the silence and fight for your schools. I don’t expect perfection from educators or legislators. I do expect HONESTY and equity. Read more to see why we have to SPEAK UP.

What they did ...

MAPSA response video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9NXxZ9H1ZY

CHARTER SCHOOLS WEEK MAY 13-17, 2024

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT - Charter Schools Week is May 13-17, 2024!

Use the form below to apply to be part of our social media takeovers!

• Tuesday, May 14th: Letters to Lawmakers (URGENT!)

Use our template below and be sure to submit all letters by Monday, May 6^th.

• Wednesday, May 15th: Charter Day at the Capitol

We can't wait to see you this year!

• Thursday, May 16th: Student Art Contest

Download the Rules/Guidelines HERE

• Friday, May 17th: Charter Schools Trivia

Click for more information about Charter School Week

PSA PROGRAM PEER MENTORS

Special APPRECIATION for the PSA student mentors that supported the 2023-2024 scholarship recipients.

TOP: Douglas Stanley, Roxana Bermudez, Markaila Vanheusden,
BOTTOM: Matthew Parasick, Kimberly Salto, Kayla Cartier, and Joel Zavala