Volume 4 No. 11
As summer winds down, the start of the academic year is fast approaching. Schools across the United States are announcing plans as to how they will work to start safely. In this month's newsletter, we are featuring  the Academy of Warren (AoW) in Macomb County and their plan to open and  provide students with a safe learning environment. The school has developed its "Covid-19 Preparedness and Response Plan," which outlines measures put in place to prevent or greatly reduce the chance of spreading coronavirus while ensuring student needs are met.


Beginning on March 16, 2020, a transition to 100% virtual learning took place at the AoW, where a rigorous curriculum was implemented and delivered. The Academy states in its plan that they, "will continue to deliver that same rigorous curriculum, in each phase outlined in the Covid-19 Preparedness and Response Plan."
 
To develop their plan, The Academy of Warren followed the guidance of the MI Safe Schools: Michigan's 2020- 2021 Return to School Roadmap, the staff of Bay Mills Community College Charter Schools Office, CS Partners and the input provided by a survey of staff and students' families. AoW created a plan best suited to their student body with a tiered approach that applies to each phase of the Michigan Safe Start Plan and includes protective measures like:
  • Requiring personal protective equipment like facial coverings to be worn by staff
  • Screening students and staff with temperature checks
  • Enhanced cleaning measures
  • Mental and social emotional health screenings for students to be implemented by the school social worker and/or school guidance counselor
The Academy's plan goes into detail as to how students and staff will be kept safe and supported both physically and emotionally at every phase of the Michigan Safe Start Plan. By applying this method, AoW is ready and equipped to continue to provide students with a quality education no matter which phase of the Start Plan their region is operating in.
 
If operating in a pandemic wasn't enough of a challenge, the Academy recently broke ground on an exciting $9.6 million dollar expansion project on their existing facilities, which will include 100,000 square feet of interior updates, expansion and reconstruction.  
 
According to an article in the Macomb Daily, the remodeling will include the following:
  • 36 classroom renovations to install smartboards, update furniture and teaching equipment, and install new windows
  • State of the art library to include seminar rooms, tutoring offices, a computer lab, audio-visual studio, family lounge, and business center
  • New science labs
  • Dining hall
  • Teaching kitchen
  • Black box theater
  • Climbing walls
  • Student lounge spaces
  • Faculty co-working rooms 
The expansion project creates a 53% increase in occupied space, which will foster a healthier and safer environment especially when considering the additional Covid-19 safety measures. 

Breaking ground on the Academy of Warren expansion Friday, Aug. 14, are, from left, Richard Murray of Equity Schools; Camille Martin of Sachse Construction; Oronde Kearney of Academy of Warren; and Sara Fields of CS Partners.  (Source:  Macomb Daily)

An artists rendering of the proposed adventure lounge at the Academy of Warren. (Source: Macomb Daily)

Updates will also be made outside the school to include green spaces, a 25,000 square-foot field house dome to house a gym and indoor turf field, two acres for an outdoor field with bleachers and goalposts, and a tennis and basketball court. The plans also include a "Discovery Park" which will feature gardens and a student-designed playground.
 
Construction for the project began on August 17, 2020 with the goal of completion set in September 2021.
 
The Academy of Warren is a school-wide Title I school and serves a large population of underserved students, 76% of whom reside in Detroit. AoW offers free breakfast and lunch programs for all students. Understanding that proper nutrition is critical, AoW continues to provide meals during every phase of their Covid-19 Preparedness and Response Plan.
 
Mission Statement
The vision at the Academy is to prepare and motivate our students for a rapidly changing world by instilling in them critical thinking skills, a global perspective, and respect for core values.
 
Vision Statement
Academy staff, parents, students, and community are dedicated to the intellectual, social, and physical growth of students. Our highly qualified staff recognizes the value of professional growth in order to rigorously challenge students. We are reflective and responsive with our teaching practices to meet the needs of our students. Through diversified experiences, our students will discover potential, become college and career ready, and succeed in a safe and caring environment.
 
The Academy will continue to hold true to its values outlined in its mission and vision
statements. We will continue to prepare students to overcome challenges and adversity with the ever-changing circumstances that they are currently transitioning through. Meeting the needs of all students, in-person or virtually, is something that we will continue to reflect upon; communicating with the students and families to ensure that we are offering all of the support necessary to be successful with both academics and social-emotional skills.
 
Authorized by Bay Mills in 2005, the Academy of Warren is located in Warren, Michigan. The Academy of Warren serves students in grades K-8.

Learn more about the Academy of Warren by visiting their website:

ANSWERING QUESTIONS DURING THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES
The impact of COVID-19 on schools have left teachers, parents, and students with uncertainty. Additionally, information about how schools are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic is rapidly changing. 

In an effort to counteract confusion, Bay Mills Community College Charter Schools Office has partnered with MAPSA and the Michigan Council of Charter School Authorizers to help provide answers. Here is a link to frequently asked questions and other resources to help keep you up to date on any official action taken. The page is updated daily at 1PM EST.
 
Interested in gaining educational experience? Or are you looking to add to your resume? Consider becoming a charter school board member for a public school academy authorized by Bay Mills Community College Charter Schools Office!
 
At Bay Mills Community College, we support a quality education to urban, minority and/or poor children.
 
Bay Mills will provide all of our academy boards with pertinent training so that they are able to make choices that are in the best interest of the students that attend their academies.
 
Our public school academies are always looking for new members that bring a range of skills, experiences and desire to help the Academy students to excel academically, as well as having the goal of advancing the mission of Bay Mills.
 
Some requirements of the position:
  • Engagement with the goals of the Academy
  • Enthusiasm to be an ambassador for the Academy
  • Willingness to fulfill the obligation of a board member, as well as continue to uphold the standards of being a board member
           
Board Member Qualifications:
  • Citizen of the United States
  • Resident of the State of Michigan
  • Submit materials requested by the College Charter Schools Office such as:
    • Public School Academy Board Member Appointment Questionnaire
      • Must include authorization to process a background check of the nominee
      • Submit annual disclosure of conflicts of interest
Members of the Board of Directors shall include:
  • At least one parent or guardian of a child attending the school
  • One professional educator; preferably a person with school administrative experience
Members of the Board of Directors shall NOT include:
  • Any member appointed or controlled by another profit or non-profit corporation
  • Academy employees or independent contractors performing services for the Academy
  • Any current or former director, officer, or employee of a management company that contracts with the academy
  • College officials or employees 
All Academy Board members shall serve in their individual capacity, and not as a designee of any other person or entity. If it is found that a person is serving as a representative or designee of another person or entity, they shall be deemed ineligible to serve as a Director of the Academy Board. They shall be removed from office in accordance with provisions found in the Resolution or Schedule 2: Bylaws.
 
Note that a Director serves at the pleasure of the College Board, and may be removed with or without cause by the College Board at any time.
           
Working with an Academy is the perfect opportunity to advance your career interests, expand your knowledge on education and help children receive a quality education that will last a lifetime. Apply to become a board member today!

For more information or to receive an application, please contact Megan Ringuette, Bay Mills Community College Charter Schools Office Compliance Coordinator at 906-248-8419 or [email protected].
About Bay Mills Community College Charter Schools
Bay Mills Community College began authorizing charter schools in the year 2000 and now authorizes 46 schools serving approximately 22,000 students. Fall 2015: 22,729 and Spring 2016: 22,257
 
Our Mission: To ensure a quality education for urban, minority, and/or poor children by improving and expanding educational opportunities through innovative oversight methods. To provide academy boards with the necessary support and training so that they may make educated decisions that are in the best interest of the students that attend their academies.