MASSP is dedicated to keeping our members informed as the situation with COVID-19 develops. This week you will receive the COVID-19 updates you have come to expect on Wednesday and Friday only.  We will also have Leader2Leader at 1 p.m. this Thursday.  As you begin to implement your Continuous Learning Plans and engage with teachers, students and parents we will honor your time and reduce the amount of communication we are sending.

If you have resources or information you think should be included in an upcoming update or on the MASSP COVID-19 resource center, please send them to Alicia Pilmore for consideration.

Continuous Learning Plans

There are many new additions to the document from both Middle and High Schools as well as some support documents from plans previously received.  

General feedback from parents: Schools/teachers are sending too many communications.  Families with more than three children really struggle with managing all the emails and expectations.  Work with staff to combine and streamline communications and to use message boards rather than emails.  Set times for instruction are causing issues for families that have students sharing devices.  Consider recording instruction and having flexible deadlines for assignment turn in.

General feedback from teachers: Don’t keep changing the plan (especially if it is adding more requirements).  Trust your teachers to be doing their work – Avoid unnecessary check-ins, spreadsheets and forms that are not required. If your teachers feel supported the kids will feel supported.

Teachers Need Reassurance and Support

For many schools around the state Continuous Learning Plans are in place and virtual classrooms are up and running.  Teachers are working hard to meet the needs of their students and to connect in a variety of ways.  Stress levels are high and the steady, calm reassurance and support of the Principal is just what they need.

Have you registered for MASSP’s Leader2Leader on Thursday, April 23 from 1:00-2:00 p.m. via Zoom? There will be two concurrent webinars offered - one for middle level leaders and one for high school leaders. If not click here to

Register for In the Middle with You

Register for HS Commencement: What, Why, How During COVID-19 Pandemic 

IN THE MIDDLE WITH YOU: What are some of the ways you might artfully transition students in and out of the building? Hear from six leaders who will share ideas connected to transitions, celebrations, and communication.

• Jason Messenger; Portage West Middle School, Portage
• Nina Davis; L'Anse Creuse Middle School - East, Chesterfield
• Mike Hart; OJ De Jonge Middle, Ludington
• Jon Blackburn; Wyoming Junior High School, Wyoming
• Michael Williford; Joe Baca Middle School, California
• Bre Bartels; Harbor Lights Middle School, West Ottowa

HS Commencements: What, Why, How During COVID-19 Pandemic 

MASSP’s Bob Kefgen and Colin Ripmaster will be joined by Jostens staff to kick-off this webinar that examines the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on High School Commencement, continuum of commencement options, as well as tools and resources to support districts in honoring seniors.  Following the general session participants will be pushed into virtual breakout sessions to further discuss ideas, challenges, and next steps in planning commencement.  Breakouts will be led by the following secondary principals: Val Boggan (Kalamazoo Central), Jennifer Bustard (Mona Shores), Steve Carlson (Sandusky), Neil DeLuca (Rochester), Jim French (Portage Northern), Charlie Hollerith (Bloomfield Hills), Tammy Jackson(Path to Leadership), Andy Kowalczik (Bay City Central), Tom Lietz (Utica), Corey McElmeel (Ann Arbor Skyline), Kit Moran (Dexter), Sheila Pilmore (Breckenridge), Cheryl Price, (Concord), Todd Simmons (Pewamo Westphalia), Jennifer Thunberg (Bay City Central), Tracy Wilson (Grand Haven).

Agenda

• General session (30-40 mins)
  • Welcome (Colin Ripmaster)
  • Crystal Ball / Implications of Stay Home order for Graduation (Bob Kefgen)
  • Commencement Continuum (Colin Ripmaster)
  • Jostens Virtual Commencement Center (Jeff Peterson, Chief Marketing Officer)  
• Breakout Sessions  (20-30 mins) 
  • Welcome and Introductions (Name, School, Position, Current Plan) 
  • Informally Share Current Ideas/Thinking/Plans
    • What/when/how...
    • Engaging Student Voice in Planning and Decision Making
    • Honoring Students
    • Communicating with Students and Families
    • Distribution of Caps/Gowns/Diplomas
    • Venues/Approaches/Technology/Ticketing/Social Distancing
    • Accessibility (Technology, ADA, etc.)
    • Challenges / Obstacles / Pushback / Solutions related to commencement and end-of-year activities that you have been thinking about and/or planning.

Visible Learning Effect Sizes When Schools Are Closed: What Matters Most?

Research from John Hattie    

Spoiler alert: Effects of losing school time are very small.  Focus on tailoring learning to what students can NOT do. Home factors do matter- particularly parental involvement, family communication quality and parental expectations.  Supporting emotional recovery and promoting social togetherness is “as important as any achievement gains”.  

Important Information from all the Public & Private Colleges/Universities in Michigan

A joint fact sheet developed by the Michigan Association of State Universities and the Michigan Independent Colleges and Universities provides names of key points of contacts, phone and email information, and web sites with up-to-date admissions details for one-stop shopping about enrollment and admission plans for schools.

Zoom to New Heights

The novelty of online meetings is likely to be wearing off and making connections with staff continues to be essential.  MASSP offers some suggestions for shaking up your online meetings- many of the suggestions are not platform specific.

Stay Home, Stay Mindful Website

The Headspace website provides a special collection of meditation, sleep, and movement exercises designed to help you keep a strong and healthy mind in the midst of this global health crisis. 

News Items and Resources

West Michigan schools salute Class of 2020 with #BeTheLight movement

School Counselors Have A Message For Kids: 'It's OK To Not Be OK'

Coronavirus, Virtual Learning and the 5 Stages of Grief

'I Just Can't Do This.' Some Overwhelmed Parents Are Opting to Abandon Pandemic Homeschooling

Educators meet students' needs amid COVID-19 (Detroit News Editorial)

For Your Staff

Teacher Collaboration During a Global Pandemic - Educational Leadership

Student and Staff Engagement

23 Team-Building Activities for Staying Connected in a Remote Work Environment

Are you considering doing yard signs or putting the stadium lights on for seniors?  These are great ideas, but it’s important to be mindful of the Stay at Home and Stay Safe Order.  Talk to your Superintendent as well as local and State Police to determine plans that will role model the right behavior and be sure to communicate with your community.

From the Twitterverse

Great video - Grand Rapids Teacher Trevor Muir explains Schools are NOT Closed! (YouTube 3min)