Volume 4. No. 13
Lake Superior Academy is experiencing many of the same challenges other Bay Mills schools have faced in the first few months of the school year. Principal Susie Schlehuber expressed some of her biggest questions and concerns as she planned for the semester ahead: “Are those symptoms of COVID? Are we following the cleaning guidelines appropriately? Will our funding be cut? Should we start with full-time face to face teaching or in a hybrid format?” We are all breaking new ground, but Principal Schlehuber committed that, regardless of the circumstances, she was going to adopt a safe environment, focus on teaching with purpose, and providing quality learning opportunities for the students. “My number one priority has been to keep the children learning.”
Principal Schlehuber believes their method has helped in the growing need to be adjustable, “Montessori is flexible, resilient and kind. All of those characteristics are essential every day during our year of COVID.” With great care taken to each student’s health, the Academy has carried on their school year, providing unique and teachable opportunities.

One such example is the Native Plant Pollinator Garden where students will be able to follow the path of pollination in disciplines like harvesting and identifying seeds. Students have been closely involved with projects around the school grounds. They built obstacle courses outside as a part of their outdoor classroom setting. This fun and hands-on activity provided a fun outlet for the student body, who have access to virtual, hybrid, and in-person options for the school year. 
Another area of encouragement has been in sharing the beauty in the everyday morning drop-off, even amidst the early October snow! In response to the school’s pictures of the morning, parents contributed pictures of a similar view that impacted them as they dropped off their kids. When asked about the most rewarding aspect of the school year thus far, Principal Schlehuber remarked on the unity achieved between school administration and families, “It has been very rewarding to see the genuine concern and understanding demonstrated by parents and staff. It could have been a year filled with stressful conversations and situations, but in spite of all of the unusual and trying circumstances, everyone has been graceful and supportive with their responses.”
Authorized by Bay Mills in 2015, Lake Superior Academy is a K-5 Montessori Method school based in the Upper Peninsula city of Sault Ste Marie, Michigan. 

Learn more about the Lake Superior Academy by visiting their website:
To honor the superheroes in the front of the classroom, MAPSA has developed those special teachers in who have adapted remarkably to the changing edges of education. 

One such teacher is Ms. Allison Klemm, a 4th and 5th grade teacher at Mt. Clemens Montessori Academy, a Bay Mills authorized charter school, whose unwavering commitment to building human connection has set her apart. Having taught at Mt. Clemens for 15 years, Ms. Klemm has pursued organic ways to enact her vision. She realizes, “The challenges I experience are nothing, when I consider what an impact and difference I can make - not just with my students’ education, but also in their lives and their futures.”
Naturally, the challenges of the 2020-2021 school year brought an opportunity to put her teaching philosophy to the test: could human connection still be cultivated through technology? As the year has unfolded, Mt. Clemens and Ms. Klemm have discovered that it is possible, but it takes creativity and ingenuity. 

Ms. Klemm notes, “One of the most important things we did in setting up our virtual instruction platform was to look at things from the student's point of view. Our Principal set up a [virtual classroom] demo, where we could experience the technology as a learner - and what we found was fascinating. What I saw was not engaging for kids; there were few pictures, few colors, lots of blocks of text and instructions, blank white space - a stark difference from the colorful, hands-on, stimulating classroom and school environment we work to curate in the physical space. It was an eye-opening exercise. Now when I'm creating materials, I think harder about making things fun and attractive for students, so that they WANT to do the work. And I've learned that it CAN be done in the virtual space.”
MAPSA has continued to make opportunities to thank the teachers that have impacted this school year. On the MAPSA website, there is a portal to take a photo or video of gratitude and post on social media with the hashtag #ThankMIteachers, and #ChartersLead.
Thank you to all the teachers and school administrators that implement creativity in the classroom!

Visit MAPSA's website: https://www.charterschools.org/
ANSWERING QUESTIONS DURING THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES
The impact of COVID-19 on schools have left many with uncertainty and unanswered questions. In an effort to help ease the minds of teachers, parents and students, Bay Mills Community College Charter Schools Office has partnered with MAPSA and the Michigan Council of Charter School Authorizers to help provide answers. Information about how schools are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic is rapidly changing. In response, 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 mringuette@bmcc.edu.
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.