Volume 3 No. 2

As author Rick Riordan once wrote, "Out of every tragedy, comes new strength." This statement holds true as Prevail Academy honored the memory of one of their own this month. Earlier this year, Prevail Academy in Mt. Clemens, Michigan lost their beloved teacher, colleague, and friend Angeles White in a car accident. Ms. White was struck by a minivan while assisting with crossing guard duties back in March. 

"Ms. White greeted students, parents, and passersby on Cass Avenue with a smile and wave every morning. Her death is a loss felt by many," stated Prosecutor Eric Smith. 

To honor Mrs. White's memory, Triumph Academy, a National Heritage Academy sister school in Monroe, MI, raised money for Prevail by holding a special donation-based dress down day for their students and staff.  The money collected was used to purchase a granite, personalized, Buddy Bench that now resides on the playground. 

T he Buddy Bench serves the purpose of providing a place for buddies to sit and chat during recess. It also serves as a place that our scholars can sit by themselves, which is an indication to their classmates that they are in need of a buddy. The bench is engraved with Angeles' name and her favorite quote, "Smile at strangers and you just might change a life," which was a quote that she truly lived by.

This months' Bay Mills' featured school is Madison Academy in Burton, Michigan. Madison Academy is a tuition-free public school that opened its doors to the Flint community in the fall of 2004. Since then, it has been admirably serving students ranging from kindergarten to twelfth grade.
 
Madison Academy prides itself on helping every child expand his or her knowledge in safe, nurturing classrooms. They also teach all their students to have high expectations for themselves, always. Madison currently has 223 students enrolled and 12 full time teachers. They also have an impressive graduation rate of 87%.
 
While Madison Academy encourages student success in the classroom, they also encourage it outside of the classroom by offering a wide variety of clubs and sports. One of the most noticeable clubs at Madison is their robotics team. In October, Madison's robotics team competed with 4,000 other teams from across the globe in the World Competition of Robotics. The team ultimately finished 15th in their division and they are already preparing for next year's competition.

Members of the robotics team with their robot "Luigi"

At Madison Academy, they believe that EVERY child is a success story. Madison full-heartedly believes students should be treated as unique individuals. Their beautiful campus provides a setting where students can grow academically and socially. They also have high academic standards and a positive climate and culture for their students. The staff members are supportive and caring and treat students and parents as part of the "Family" at Madison Academy. This is truly a school that recognizes the potential of their students. Keep up the good work Madison Academy! Your commitment to your students and their education is encouraging!

The Madison Academy Board of Directors is currently accepting applications from individuals interested in serving on the Board. Interested parties should send a resume and letter of interest either by mail to 6170 Torrey Rd. Flint, MI 48507 or via email to [email protected]. 

Learn more about Madison Academy by visiting their website: http://www.madison-academy.org/ 
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.