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 Monday, Wednesday and Friday. 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. School Aid Down $1.3 billion in 19-20, $1.1 billion in 20-21 The Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference today determined that state School Aid Fund revenues are likely to come in $1.25 billion below previous projections for the current fiscal year (FY 2019-20) and $1.14 billion below previous projections for next fiscal year (FY 2020-21). While it will be up to the Governor and Legislature to negotiate how best to balance the state's budget, without significant new revenue (e.g. additional federal stimulus, flexibility to use existing stimulus dollars to backfill lost revenue, or additional state revenue) schools are facing devastating cuts. $1.25 billion equates to roughly $860 per pupil, though that figure DOES NOT account for any revenue left on the state's balance sheet or other reductions that might soften the blow (e.g. reducing School Aid spending in higher ed and community colleges budgets). Moreover, pupil enrollment estimates show continued decline statewide, which means that many districts are potentially facing both deep cuts and declining enrollment. Governor AnnouncesReturn to School Advisory CouncilToday, Governor Whitmer announced the formation of the Return to Learning Advisory Council, formalizing a process for determining how schools may be able to reopen in the fall. The panel – which will be comprised of students, parents, frontline educators, administrators and public health officials – will be tasked with providing the COVID-19 Task Force on Education within the State Emergency Operations Center with recommendations on how to safely, equitably, and efficiently return to school in the Fall. The State of Michigan will also partner with a national nonprofit organization called Opportunity Labs to bring national expertise to this project. Executive Order 2020-88, which officially created the Council, specifies that the Council "must consist of up to 25 members...appointed by the governor and reflect the diverse geographic and demographic composition of this state. Membership must include school leaders, educators, individuals with expertise in public health, pediatrics, mental health, epidemiology, or emergency management, and community members (including at least one parent and one student). Interested educators are encouraged to apply to participate in the Return to Learning Advisory Council using the link below. Applications are due by Wednesday, May 20. Fall 2020 High School PSAT/SAT Webinar May 10, 10:00 a.m. PSAT/SAT Testing may not be something that principals even want to think about with all the pressing issues at hand...and that is understandable. This being said, the Governor’s Executive Order ensures students in grades 9-12 will be provided a free PSAT/SAT test in the fall and MDE recently provided the testing schedule options. There are many moving parts to consider as you plan for fall testing and you don’t want to wait until August or September to develop a plan. Ted Gardella from the College Board will help to unpack the information provided in MDE’s Spotlight testing article and answer your questions. Following Ted’s presentation, MASSP’s Executive Director Wendy Zdeb along with Steve Carlson (Principal at Sandusky Jr/Sr High School) and Erin Carlson (Teacher at Sandusky Jr/Sr High School) will share their thoughts on setting up a testing calendar and preparing students and staff. This webinar will be recorded for those unable to join at this time. Who Should Attend?
The Fall 2020 School Day Testing for MDE-Provided SAT with Essay, PSAT/NMSQT, and PSAT 8/9 can be found under the What’s New Section of both web pages. MASSP Board & Staff Senior Picture Composite Just because we know you need a lift we’ve created our own HS senior picture composite featuring the members of the MASSP Board of Directors and the MASSP Staff. Click on the image below to enlarge. Enjoy! We are back for Round 2 of our fireside chats on Sunday, May 17 beginning at 8 p.m. Sunday’s topic is “Loved or Feared? How to be a Credible Leader.” Join Dr. Greg Dale, Professor of Psychology and Director of Athletic Leadership Programs at Duke University, Mark C. Thomas, Principal, Northview High School, and colleagues from around the state in examining leadership dispositions and practices during these uncertain times. Leader2Leader Round 8 Recap MASSP’s Leader2Leader webinars this past Thursday featured panels of middle and high school teachers and counselors from schools around the state. The educators shared their thoughts on their school’s remote learning plan and perhaps most importantly their feedback on what they would like administrators to know or consider moving forward. If you missed this week’s opportunity I would strongly encourage you to listen in- many great ideas were shared! Leader2Leader Round 9 MASSP’s Leader2Leader sessions on May 21 will feature student panelists - both middle and high school students from around the state will share their perspective on how remote learning is working, as well as suggestions they have for moving forward. Join us this week to hear directly from the students! MDE MEMO: Student Eligibility for Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) was approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to implement the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer Program (P-EBT). P-EBT is a food assistance program for Michigan students from birth to 26 who were receiving free or reduced-price school meals while at school. MDE MEMO: Impact of COVID-19 School Closure on Educator Evaluation In support of educators and schools, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is providing guidance for implementation of the governor’s Executive Order 2020-65 (E.O. 2020-65), issued April 30, 2020, which supersedes the governor’s Executive Order 2020-35, issued April 2, 2020. Specifically, the department issues this guidance regarding the annual year-end evaluation for academic year 2019-20. MDE MEMO: District Guide to School-Level Expenditure Reporting Under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) The federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) contains a new requirement that all local public school districts (local education agencies and public school academies) publish actual per-pupil expenditures by individual school building. The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) has published a District Guide to School-Level Expenditure Reporting to assist districts in communication planning around these data that will be posted on the MISchooldata website no later than June 30, 2020. This guide is intended to support district-level personnel communicating with principals, educators, community members, and media on the reporting requirement and school-level spending information. To view all MDE Memos, click here News Items and Resources Fraser High School prepares for unique graduation day in June In Michigan, school’s up in the air for summer Coping With COVID-19: 5 Ways Leaders Can Alleviate the Anxiety of Students Saturday classes? Across the U.S., schools mull ways to make up lost time Lessons from around the world: How schools are opening up after COVID-19 lockdowns Bloomfield Hills HS student creates contact-free food donation For Students High school senior: The biggest lesson Covid-19 has taught me For Staff High school senior: The biggest lesson Covid-19 has taught me For Parents Anxiety and Coping With the Coronavirus- Managing Worry, Your Kid’s and Your Own ‘I Have Given Up’: Parenting in Quarantine Student and Staff Engagement In the Twitterverse |