November 2023 | Monthly news for and about the staff of Northwest Education Services | |
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Freedom to Flourish
As an educational organization, shouldn’t we strive to create environments where our students and employees love to learn and work?
A recent Harvard Business Review article by Laura Morgan Roberts (University of Virginia Darden School of Business) – proposed four “freedoms” that, when implemented appropriately, create conditions needed to allow everyone to flourish and succeed. The four freedoms are:
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Freedom to be our authentic selves. The ability to bring our full, authentic selves to the workplace.
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Freedom to become our best selves. The ability to improve our best selves and our situations.
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Freedom to occasionally fade into the background. The ability to periodically step back from the spotlight and performance pressure.
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Freedom to fail and grow. The opportunity for a second chance after a mistake, and a belief that you won’t be punished or humiliated for speaking up, asking questions, sharing concerns or making mistakes.
While we should recognize there is always room for improvement, reading these four freedoms brings to mind several points. For starters, the professional development that we offer throughout the year and at conferences like Regional Staff Development Day (coming up Nov. 7) allows for growth across a range of focus areas and provides the tools needed to become our best selves. Similar teaching and learning efforts are made each day in our classrooms with students.
Secondly, one of our strategic plan goals is to build a system to positively support staff and students through continued focus on climate, culture and wellness. Part of this work will likely identify new ways to support our entire North Ed community – students and employees alike.
Lastly, I reflect back to our organizational values – in particular Relationships, Listening and Empathy – as they help cultivate safe spaces for building community with each other, valuing different perspectives and seeking to understand – all of which play important roles in supporting the four freedoms noted above.
Creating a culture that is welcoming and accepting doesn’t just make sense from a moral perspective, it makes sense from a business standpoint as well. The article states that when these four freedoms are supported organizationally, companies have seen enhanced productivity and increased feelings of job satisfaction among employees. Similarly, extending these four freedoms to our students may help them feel a stronger connection to their peers, teachers and schools.
Regardless of our backgrounds, personal beliefs and other distinct characteristics, we each deserve to have a sense of belonging and to feel comfortable being our authentic selves at school and work. I am grateful that, through the ongoing efforts of our team, North Ed is well positioned to create better conditions for the success of our students and staff.
Respectfully,
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Dr. Nick Ceglarek
Northwest Education Services Superintendent
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Eric Bork
Technology Support Specialist, Administration Bldg.
Previous work: The Children's House
Education: Northern Michigan University
Interests: Cycling, reading, music and music knowledge
Fun Fact: Loves traveling and has visited five of seven continents.
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Tami Lloyd
Speech Pathologist, Administration Bldg.
Previous work: Mecosta-Osceola and Wexford-Missaukee ISDs
Education: Cadillac HS; Michigan State University
Interests: Enjoys reading, journaling, coloring, being outside, downhill skiing, tennis and being with family
Fun Fact: Proud new owner of a rescue kitten and puppy
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Thane Possert
Custodian, Career Tech
Previous work: Advance Insulation Systems
Education: Suttons Bay High School
Interests: Fishing, hunting, military history, mechanical tinkering
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Kristy Russell
Teacher Assistant, New Horizons
Previous work: ATS Recovery Navigator
Interests: Watching football, spending time with family and walking her three dogs
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Missy Smith
Early Childhood Family Liaison
Previous work: United Way of Northwest Michigan
Education: Grosse Pointe North HS; B.A., University of Michigan; M.A., Michigan State University
Interests: Horses, puzzles, creative endeavors of all kinds; concert-goer, high-five Justin Timberlake
Fun Fact: Swam in all five Great Lakes in one day
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Stefanie Tschirhart-Baldwin
Teacher for ASD, Bridgeway at East MS
Previous work: MI Great Lakes Virtual Academy
Education: Central Lake HS; B.S., Oakland University; M.A. Ed, Hamline University and Ferris State University
Interests: Camping (both tent and camper) and a lover of dogs (owner of a lab and a lab mix)
Fun Fact: Family trips have led them to visiting 30 states in the past four years
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Cadence Wrobel
Teacher Assistant, Life Skills Center
Previous work: The Hair + Beauty Lounge
Education: TC West High School
Interests: Vegetarianism, singing, beauty and self care
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North Ed Creekside School Teacher Assistant Bailey Possert was honored by the Board of Education on Oct. 3 for her dedication to the value of Service as recognized by her colleagues through the SAIL Organizational Recognition System (SAILORS). Congratulations! | |
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Nominate Someone TODAY!
SAIL(ORS): Serving, Achieving, Inspiring and Learning Organizational Recognition System
Our strategic plan 2.0 (SAIL) continues to support and nurture the positive culture of our organization by recognizing the amazing work of North Ed staff. Use the form linked below to nominate a colleague who has gone above and beyond in their work. That colleague will receive an email copy of your nomination. One person is selected from the pool of nominees each month to be recognized by the North Ed Board of Education.
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November is Native American Heritage Month!
This month, take a moment to go outside, walk one of our many trails, breathe in the autumn air, and reflect on what this land used to be like and who could have walked it before us. During this reflection, know that you are potentially following a similar path an Anishinaabe has walked, and what life must have been like for them versus what it is like in present day. View a map of Michigan’s federally recognized tribes here.
After years of advocacy work led by Dr. Arthur C. Parker, a Seneca Indian, along with several other Native American leaders, the state of New York in 1916 became the first to declare the second Saturday in May “American Indian Day.” Part of this effort included an appeal for the formal recognition of Native Americans as U.S. citizens. In the following years, several state legislatures began to follow suit in their recognition of the essential value of Native Americans. It wasn’t until 1924 that Congress enacted the Indian Citizenship Act, finally recognizing Native Americans as citizens, and not until 1957 that Native Americans were granted voting rights in all 50 states. In 1990, President George H. W. Bush approved a Joint Resolution (Public Law 101-343) to designate November as “Native American Heritage Month.”
During Native American Heritage Month, we are called to recognize and honor the numerous contributions of Native Americans, from the land we walk on, to the food we eat, to the marvels of modern medicine. At the same time, we are also called to recognize the plight of the Indigenous population and the numerous unique challenges Native Americans have faced throughout our country’s complex history. This is an inspiring month that provides opportunities for all Americans to develop a more complete understanding of our history by learning more about the peoples on whose land this country was built.
Resources
We have cultivated a plethora of resources to explore during Native American Heritage Month, both inside and outside of the classroom. Please feel free to access this document at any time.
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For Your Awareness Calendar
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Dinner & Discussion: Creating Community Through Conversation
The North Ed DEIB Committee welcomes you to join Dinner & Discussion: Creating Community Through Conversation beginning at 4:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 16, at the Filling Station, 642 Railroad Place, Traverse City. Typically held the third Thursday of the month, these events serve as a time for anyone to join important discussions happening in our schools and communities around diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB). Each month will have a designated theme on which discussion will focus. November’s theme is Native American Heritage Month. Check out this flier for more information.
While this is not required, please consider watching one or more of the following YouTube videos in preparation for the Dinner & Discussion:
The questions below will be used to prompt conversation at our Dinner & Discussion on Nov. 16:
- How accurate are your historic perceptions of American Indians, and how has popular culture perpetuated stereotypes and misinformation?
- How can we build an atmosphere of inclusion for diverse people from different backgrounds, including those with Native American heritage? What are some stereotypes we need to dispel?
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Take Action!
- Attend activities within the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians to learn about the culture.
- Research your local tribe(s) to better understand our circle of relationships with them (personal, local, state, federal, historical).
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Examine your Settler Moves to Innocence
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There are many ways that people currently avoid, distract, or detract from their relationship to settler colonialism, known as settler moves to innocence. A few of these moves pop up all over the workplace and in higher education. For example, settler nativism avoids complicity by claiming native ancestry without any cultural connection (“But I’m 1/16th Cherokee!”).
- Colonial equivocation – using the concepts of colonialism/decolonization/etc. vaguely, making no change in one’s behavior following the “decolonization” of one’s mind.
- Check your language
- Using phrases or words such as “pow wow” “circle the wagon” “low man on the totem pole” “someone acting irrationally is ‘off the reservation’” and calling someone you idolize your “spirit animal.”
- Reframe how you view Indigenous Peoples away from pop culture and inaccurate historical accounts.
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North Ed Student Needs
Northwest Education Services (North Ed) operates a number of food pantries, closets and programs to offer direct support to the students enrolled at our centers. Items collected may include hygiene supplies, clothing, food and other necessities. Click the link below to view current needs at our centers and programs.
We appreciate the generosity of our staff and community in support of our students and their families. If you have any questions, please reach out to the individual contacts listed for each site, or email the North Ed Communications Department at [email protected].
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If you read the newsletter in your email inbox, you may be missing the full story! | |
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North Ed NETWORK NEWS
Learn more about North Ed programs, services, students and colleagues in all the latest newsletters linked below!
Link to past Staff Newsletters - Check it Out
REMC 2C Newsletter - November 2023
Assistive Technology Newsletter - October 2023
Farm to School Newsletter - October 2023
Career Tech Newsletter - Fall 2023
Find the 2023-24 School Year Calendar HERE
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Snow Day Expectations
Please review the following snow day work expectations for the 2023-2024 school year.
- When snow causes TCAPS to declare a school closing, North Ed’s Special Education and Career & Technical instructional programs will also be closed.
- When North Ed is closed due to weather, Services & Evaluations staff (itinerants) who serve other districts that remain open may travel if it is safe to do so. They may report to that district and adjust calendars accordingly, and must communicate with Human Resources (Jennifer Unger) and their supervisor.
- Instructional Services, Human Resources, Clerical, Technology, Business Services, Medicaid Office and Administrators who previously have been required to report to work in person, will be allowed to work remotely when North Ed programs are closed for snow days if they have the materials needed to effectively do their job remotely and they have approval from their supervisor.
All North Ed buildings will remain open on snow days for those who are required to report by the nature of their work, required by a supervisor or prefer to report to the building they service. Any questions should be directed to your supervisor.
For more information on School Closings & Alerts, including how we notify our community of school closures, visit our website.
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Register for North Ed Text Alerts
Northwest Education Services shares important and timely information, such as school closures and urgent news alerts, with our school community via SMS text messaging. All texts from North Ed will come from the number 67587.
This service is provided through Intrado SchoolMessenger Solutions. North Ed does not charge you for this service, though data rates and messaging fees may apply. Check with your wireless carrier for possible charges.
To participate in this service, simply text any one of the following words to the number 67587: subscribe, optin, or yes. Repeat the opt-in process for any wireless phone numbers that you wish to include. You’ll know you were successful if you receive the following reply message:
- You’re registered 4 SchoolMessenger notifications. Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help. Msg&data rates may apply. Msg freq varies.
NOTE: If your cell phone number is not on file with the school, you will not be able to receive text messages. Texting is limited to contact numbers tied to the district staff and student databases and not available to the general public. Contact HR or your school administrator to ensure your number is on file.
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Open Enrollment
Open Enrollment will take place Nov. 1 to Nov. 30, 2023 for both Set Seg and MESSA members. Open Enrollment is the time to review and compare your current benefits and make elections for the upcoming year. Changes can be made during this time without a life-qualifying event and will be effective Jan. 1, 2024.
For additional information, visit the Employee Benefits page on our staff intranet, and see below for more details specific to Set Seg and MESSA members.
Set Seg:
New employees should receive an email from “[email protected]” today (Nov. 1, 2023) with instructions on how to register and make changes to your benefits.
To make changes to your benefits, log into your Set Seg (Employee Navigator) portal.
NOTE: If you do not make changes in the portal, this is considered a “no response” and will serve as confirmation to maintain your currently enrolled benefits.
If you have questions regarding Open Enrollment, please reach out to Human Resources or a Set Seg Representative:
MESSA:
Log into your MyMESSA portal account. If you have trouble logging in, call MESSA Member Services at 800.292.4910 ext.7845. Elections and changes need to be submitted through your MESSA portal.
NOTE: If you do not log into your MyMESSA portal to confirm your current enrollments or make changes, this is considered a “no response” and will serve as confirmation to maintain your currently enrolled benefits.
If you have questions regarding Open Enrollment, please reach out to North Ed’s Benefit Specialist Dyanna Roberts (231.922.6215 | [email protected]).
OTHER INFO:
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Current Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions will automatically roll-over for 2024. If you would like to change your current HSA contribution or begin contributing, contact North Ed’s Benefits Specialist Dyanna Roberts (231.922.6215 | [email protected]).
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Cash-in-lieu forms are no longer required as long as you have waived medical coverage through your MyMESSA or Set Seg portals, or have waived medical coverage in the past.
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BASIC Flexible Spending Account (FSA) enrollment must be renewed every year. These accounts are the Medical Reimbursement (Full and Limited Purpose) and Dependent Care Accounts.
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Employee Assistance Available
With the holiday season approaching and the stressors that come with it, we want to remind you that resources are available to North Ed staff through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The EAP provides staff members with a number of support services, including help with depression, relationship problems, substance abuse, gambling addictions and more. As a North Ed employee, you have access to counselors and consultants to help with many needs related to your health and well-being. For more information on the EAP and other resources, visit the Human Resources page on our staff intranet.
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$500 Referral Bonus Continues
North Ed staff can earn a $500 bonus for successfully referring someone who joins our team for any of the following positions:
- Custodial Staff
- Speech and Language Pathologist
- Special Education Teacher
- Teacher Assistant
- Paraprofessional
Due to an ongoing need to fill several positions, this opportunity will remain in place until vacancies are filled. Simply email the name of your referral to Personnel Specialist Vicki Akers. If that person is hired, you will get a $500 bonus in your paycheck.
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Travel Expense Forms
Ensure you’re using the correct travel expense form by visiting the North Ed staff intranet. Since the organization announced its rebranding in 2021, forms and documents have been updated to reflect our new name and brand standards. Please discard any outdated forms that may have been stored on personal devices or networks. To access the current travel expense form, click the link below.
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North Ed TECH HELP
Need help with a technology issue? Try this:
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Research common problems and solutions through North Ed's Help Desk Shared Google Drive.
- Call the Help Desk at 231.922.6307. Leave a message if your call goes unanswered.
- Submit a Help Desk ticket online by clicking the link below.
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Provide feedback or offer comments via the Help Desk Survey instead of responding with a final note of appreciation through the system ticket (which re-opens the service request).
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RSDD on Nov. 7
Regional Staff Development Day (RSDD) is scheduled for Nov. 7, 2023. Sessions will primarily be held at TC West Senior High School and TC Central High School. To view sessions, please click on this link and follow the instructions on the slide presentation
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Happy Birthday!
See who celebrates in November
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Time Change
Daylight Saving Time ends Nov. 5! Be sure to change your clocks back one hour at 2 a.m. local time, Sunday, Nov. 5. Interested in why Daylight Saving Time exists? Click below:
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Regional Directory of Schools
The Northwest Education Services Directory of Schools is updated for 2023-24 and it is available on our website.
It provides information on public and non-public schools in the region including Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau counties.
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North Ed Classifieds
New 20-in Monster X Hyper Pro BMX bicycle for sale at $175 (Hyper Bike Co.). Contact Dana Cort at [email protected].
Staff members may submit Classified items by the 25th of each month to [email protected] for possible publication in the following month's Check It Out newsletter.
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Happy Halloween! From the students & staff of North Ed
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North Ed Apparel Store Open 24/7
North Ed swag is available for purchase. Order direct from our approved supplier. It's easy! Browse the North Ed online catalog TODAY!
Website link location:
Intranet/North Ed Brand/Be a Brand Ambassador
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Board of Education Links
COVID-19 Resources
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Northwest Education Services
1101 Red Drive, Traverse City, MI 49684
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