Weekly Update
July 17, 2020
COVID-19 Updates
Frequently Asked Questions
MANS is compiling questions and answers on COVID-19 inquiries. The FAQ page will be continually updated as guidance is received. Also, the MANS website includes updated information regarding COVID-19.

2020-21 School Preparedness and Response Plans
On June 30th, Governor Whitmer announced she expects schools across Michigan will be permitted to reopen for in-person learning this fall. Per the governor’s Executive Order MI 2020-142, all public and nonpublic schools in the State of Michigan located in a region operating in Phase 4 or Phase 5 of the MI Safe Start Plan may open their buildings to students, as long as they create and adhere to COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plans. 

The Governor’s Advisory Council created the MI Safe Schools: Michigan's 2020-21 Return to School Roadmap. All schools are encouraged to review the requirements and recommendations that are contained within this Roadmap document.
Update Ruling on the ESSER Funds from the U.S. Department of Education
On July 1st, The US Department of Education issued its Interim Final Rule on the CARES Act funds.

April's nonbinding guidance called for all students in all schools to be equally served by the K-12 education relief funds in the CARES Act. However, the new rule gives Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) calculating equitable services an alternative other than a simple count based on enrollment. If an LEA decides to only spend its CARES Act funds in its Title I schools, it now has two other ways of determining the proportional share:

  • An LEA can use the proportional share from the 2019-2020 school year; or
  • An LEA can use the number of students from low-income families in participating non-public schools compared to the total number of students from low income families in Title I and participating non-public schools in the LEA.

Again, these two new options only apply to an LEA that only uses CARES Act funds in its Title I schools. All other LEAs must determine the proportional share based on enrollment in public and participating non-public schools.

The Interim Final Rule (IFR) is open for public comment until July 31st. MANS will provide additional information on the public comment soon.

The IFR has been challenged by Michigan, California and four other states in a federal district court in California. See below.
Michigan Lawsuit against the US Department of Education
On Tuesday, July 7, 2020, Governor Whitmer, Attorney General Nessel and Superintendent Rice announced Michigan would be joining a lawsuit against the US Department of Education challenging the legality of the Interim Final Rule (IFR) on the expenditure of CARES Act funds (ESSER). The Michigan Association of Non-public Schools issued the following press release in response to this announcement.


For the time being the Michigan Department of Education guidance to school districts remains the same according to this memo.

Stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks.
Contact Congress: COVID-19 Emergency AID
Congress is currently working on another COVID-19 relief package. It is expected that aid to K-12 schools will be included. Please take a moment to inform your Representative and Senators the importance of supporting all students, including those in non-public schools. Please share this with your entire school community.

Teacher Certification Renewal and Progression Without Educator Evaluation in Response to COVID-19
Executive Order 2020-142 Section 6a permits the renewal of an individual’s teaching certificate regardless of whether the individual has received an annual year-end evaluation for the 2019-20 school year.

Guidance to Address Forgone Learning for Students with IEP's as a Result of the COVID-19 Pandemic
The Michigan Department of Education Office of Special Education (MDE OSE) has issued guidance to address forgone learning for students with IEPs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Michigan Department of Education
Extension of National Waivers for Child Nutrition Programs
The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has provided multiple nationwide and state-level waivers for implementation of the child nutrition programs to assist with COVID-19 response. For Summer 2020, the following are important to note. 

Interrupting Prolonged sitting at Home (InPACT@Home)
InPACT@Home is an evidence-informed, home-based physical activity program that enables K-12 students to engage in health-enhancing physical activity. Children and youth will have access to 20-minute cardio workout videos that are developmentally appropriate and approved by pediatric exercise physiologists and physical education specialists.

School Nutrition Programs (SNP) 2021 Application Available
The Child Nutrition Programs (CNP): School Nutrition Programs (SNP) 2021 application is now available on the MEGS+ website. Applications must be completed online by September 1, 2020.

Professional Learning
MANS Connect: Virtual Teaching and Learning Series
October 12-15, 2020
This fall MANS will provide a series of professional learning opportunities designed to provide resources, and space to discuss, the critical issues facing non-public schools this fall. In grade band groups, educators and administrators will explore topics such as effective distance learning strategies, assessment, Social Emotional Learning, strategies for understanding and addressing "COVID slide", and best practice for the health and safety of students and staff.

This week long event will include one afternoon session each day and a full day of sessions on Thursday, October 15, 2020. This virtual series is only $100 and will include up to 12 State Continuing Education Credits (SCECHs).

Stay tuned for additional details and registration links.
MANS and MESC Updates
New SCECH Process 2020-2021 Academic Year
The Michigan Association of Non-public Schools is pleased to be the SCECH sponsor for nonpublic schools. Accommodating the new Michigan Department of Education requirements as of July 1, 2020, MANS has developed an enhanced program beginning with the 2020-2021 school year.

As of July 1, MANS is moving all SCECH documentation to an online platform by using Google forms for each program. Google form links will be shared on the MANS website and emailed to those in charge of your schools’ professional development when requested. When required, supporting documentation may be emailed to Shelley Long at slong@m-a-n-s.org.

Please click here for additional information on the new SCECH process.
NWEA Leveraging Research for School Restart Planning
COVID-19 school closures are impacting student academic achievement—so how can you plan for unprecedented potential accelerated learning loss and greater learning variance among students? Join us to explore our recent research on learning loss—and discover practical strategies for addressing it. In these sessions, we’ll focus on helping you understand, plan for, and mitigate the potential impacts of this extended pause when students return to school.

Discover how to:
  • Connect research to the impacts of interrupted learning on student readiness
  • Identify specific data points from MAP Growth as well as other information that can help you understand student readiness for learning
  • Create plans to adopt classroom practices that support students socially, emotionally, and academically
  • Outline action steps toward building responsive learning in your educational system

The Michigan Equitable Service Collaborative (MESC) is offering two sessions to non-public school teachers:
  • Tuesday, August 11, 2020 - 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (limited spots available!)
  • Tuesday, August 11, 2020 - 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

This opportunity is being offered for free to Michigan non-public school teachers. State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs) will be available.

Catapult Training - August 13 & 18, 2020
The Michigan Equitable Service Collaborative (MESC) is excited to partner with Catapult Learning to offer Michigan non-public schools the opportunity for free workshops as they prepare for the unique 2020-21 school year.

  • Asynchronous Learning for High School Math: August 13 from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
  • Assessment and Feedback in a Virtual Learning Environment: August 13 from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
  • Asynchronous Learning for High School English Language Arts: August 18 from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
  • Introduction to Social-Emotional Learning: August 18 from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

This opportunity is being offered for free to Michigan non-public school teachers. State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs) will be available.

Van Andel Education Institute (VAEI) Discount on Building Wide Training
Have you wanted to bring inquiry-based training to your building? Have you been interested in the Next-Generation Science Standards? Have you already been through the VAEI Inquiry-based Cohort, but would like some additional consulting? If so, the Michigan Equitable Service Collaborative is offering non-public school the opportunity to bring the Van Andel Education Institute (VAEI) to your building!

The Michigan Equitable Service Collaborative will cover 75% of the cost to bring VAEI to your building. The remaining cost plus expenses related to meals, travel and materials will be the responsibility of the school. All on-site training must be complete by September 30, 2020. A brief summary report is required upon completion of the training.

Click here to see a description of VAEI offerings.

Email Angelia Salas with questions and to indicate interest. A limited number of scholarships are available.
Non-public School Partner Update
Christian School Management: Philanthropy Retreat
August 11-14, 2020 - Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids Christian invites Development Directors/Principals/Fund-raising Professionals/Board Volunteers for a Christian Schools Management philanthropy retreat in Grand Rapids.

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