November 2024 | Monthly news for and about the staff of Northwest Education Services | |
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Community that Cares
We are a community that cares. We help others when it is needed, and I firmly believe that we make a positive difference every day in the lives of those around us simply through the work we do.
As educators, the essence of our mission revolves around supporting our students, schools and communities. We teach students and fellow educators, we help district leaders meet their obligations and we connect parents and families to vital resources.
This characteristic of kindness is engrained in our school ideology, and I see it acted out in so many ways at North Ed. Moreover, the concepts of compassion are being instilled in our students as well, so that they can carry forward the work of helping others.
An excellent example is the staff and students at Life Skills Center and Transition Campus who coordinated a fundraiser and donation drive to help victims of Hurricane Helene. The hurricane caused more than 230 deaths and left behind indescribable damage and destruction as it rampaged the states of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee.
As terrible as this natural disaster is, I am inspired by the response of our students and staff here in northwest Michigan to help. Through a bake sale and chili fundraiser, money was raised to purchase much needed items that will be transported to the region impacted by Hurricane Helene. Earlier this morning, a 20-foot trailer bound for North Carolina was loaded with donated baby diapers, wipes and formula, as well as cleaning supplies and other equipment to help the communities in the southeast states. A huge thank you to recent North Ed retiree Kathy Nickols for coordinating this.
Many of you supported this effort in some way or another, and I want to say thank you. Thank you for representing the best of us, and for making a positive difference in the lives of not just the hurricane victims, but our students as well, by helping them learn a valuable lesson of kindness.
As we enter this season of giving, there will be many opportunities to help those around us. If you see a colleague going above and beyond to serve others, please consider honoring that person through our SAILORS employee recognition system. It is a great way to shine a light on the inspiring work that’s happening every day at North Ed.
Thank you for all that you do.
Respectfully,
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Dr. Nick Ceglarek
Northwest Education Services Superintendent
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SAVE THE DATE: Town Halls & Coffee Talks
To support North Ed’s workplace culture and climate, Superintendent Ceglarek will host one more virtual town hall and several “Coffee Talk” sessions open to all North Ed employees. Additional reminders and links to the upcoming virtual meeting will be shared in future communications. See dates and locations below:
Virtual Town Hall (3:30 p.m.)
· Monday, March 3, 2025
Coffee Talks (11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.)
· Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024 | Career Tech, Learning Center
· Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 | Administration Building, Conference Center
· Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024 | New Horizons
· Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 | Bridgeway
· Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 | Creekside
· Thursday, March 13, 2025 | Life Skills Center
· Tuesday, April 8, 2025 | Administration East
· Monday, May 19, 2025 (11:30-12:30) | Early Childhood Fisher Building
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Nominate Someone TODAY!
SAIL(ORS): Serving, Achieving, Inspiring and Learning Organizational Recognition System.
Congratulations to Dawne Mormann, Pupil Accounting Auditor/Attendance Officer, who was honored by the Board of Education on Oct. 8 for her dedication to the value of Excellence as recognized by her colleagues through SAILORS on Deck.
Nominate a colleague TODAY 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 Board of Education.
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Steve Apostal
Teacher Assistant, Life Skills Center
Previous work: Dean Transportation
Education: Siena Heights University, Eastern Michigan University
Interests: Hiking, photography, camping, working with dogs at Cherryland Humane Society
Fun Fact: Retired firefighter for 32 years.
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Rachele Burfield
Secretary, LSC
Previous work: North Ed, Stepping Stones, High Point Community Bank
Education: Mesick High School
Interests: Playing volleyball and hiking.
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Hannah Cort
Teacher Assistant, Life Skills Center
Previous work: Munson Orthopedic Institute
Education: Grand Traverse Academy; University of Michigan - Flint
Interests: Loves hiking, has two cats and one dog, and is currently renovating her home.
Fun Fact: Just got married in August.
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Angela Hartman
Teacher Assistant, Bridgeway
Previous work: Oleson's Food Stores, Northwest Education Services
Education: Clear Lake High School; San Jacinto College
Interests: Photography and fishing.
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Lisa Klein
Assistive Technology Consultant
Previous work: Williamson County Schools, Tennessee; Eaton RESA
Education: Michigan State University
Interests: Running, paddleboarding and getting outdoors as much as possible.
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Christina Heater
Secretary, Career Tech
Previous work: Olympus
Education: TC Central High School
Interests: Has two daughters and enjoys reading, swimming, watching movies and listening to music.
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Leah Ordway
School Social Worker
Previous work: Northern Lakes Community Mental Health
Education: Alba Public School; Grand Valley State University, MSW
Interests: Sports enthusiast, spending time with children, grandchildren and extended family.
Fun Fact: Has a basset hound named Hippie
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Ashley Johnson
Teacher Assistant, Bridgeway
Previous work: KP's Cash Advances
Education: Traverse City West Senior High School
Interests: Spending time with family, hiking and boating.
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Kevin Pribnow
Adult Education Teacher
Previous work: Fifth grade and ESL teacher in Denver, CO; Racine, WI; Scottville, MI
Education: Marquette University; University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh; University of Northern Colorado
Interests: Like to run, travel, kayak and ride his motorcycle
Fun Fact: Has backpacked in over 50 countries, but recently slowed down with the birth of his first child.
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Bobby Reischman
Teacher Assistant, Creekside
Previous work: Farm Bureau Insurance
Education: Licking Heights High School, Pataskala, OH; Capital University
Interests: Video games, hiking and exploring new places.
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Claudia Revilla
Teacher Assistant, Bridgeway
Previous work: Garden Coordinator at Rosa Parks Youth Program
Education: University of Cincinnati
Interests: DIY projects, Language Exchange, stretching, walking, and making ugly pointless art.
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Matt Sherwin
Technology Services Specialist
Previous work: TCAPS
Education: John Glenn High School
Interests: Motorcycles, boating and hanging with his sons.
Fun Fact: Has 25+ years as a Master ASE Certified Mechanic.
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Syrena Webb
Custodian, Life Skills Center
Previous work: Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics
Interests: Enjoys nature, road trips, creating accessories and art pieces. Art and music are her happy places.
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Flexible Work Study Committee Update
Northwest Education Services employees, with supervisor approval, may now attend virtual professional development from an alternative work location. Sessions must be in full-day or half-day increments to be eligible. Employees attending half-day sessions are expected to fulfill their normal duties at their typical in-person work locations for the remainder of the work day.
An alternative work location may be an employee’s home, a different office or another suitable location that can support virtual learning. This location must be in the Northwest Education Services region, unless one’s home is located outside of the region. This new practice is effective immediately and may apply to Regional Staff Development Day sessions next week.
The Flexible Work Study Committee was established as part of North Ed's ongoing strategic planning work. The committee is tasked with evaluating flexible work options and making recommendations to North Ed leadership.
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Local artist Wendy McWhorter spent time throughout the month of October at Creekside School working to ignite the creativity of our students! Through mixed media projects, students expressed themselves and built confidence in their artistic abilities. | |
Auto Repair Students Get to Work | |
Students in Auto Repair at Career Tech put their skills on display for the first-ever "Scouting Day" where local business representatives came to observe them perform tasks. Students also got a chance to interact with the representatives and potentially score a work-based learning opportunity. Auto Repair students will also get to work learning about a 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan, donated courtesy of Serra Traverse City and Volkswagen Group of America. | |
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Here's What We're Celebrating
We’re celebrating Native American Heritage Month in November! Also, don’t miss Dia de los Muertos, or “Day of the Dead,” on Nov. 1-2!
Find November Celebrations and more on the Culturally Responsive Education Group’s (CREG) website. Questions? Email us at CREG@NorthwestEd.org.
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Dinner & Discussion
We’re happy to welcome Summer Baldwin for our November Dinner & Discussion event. Summer oversees TCAPS’s Indigenous Education Program. Join us to learn more about the program and its impact on our region’s Indigenous students and families.
- 4:30-6 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 14 The Filling Station 642 Railroad Place, Traverse City, MI (Some food provided)
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If you read the newsletter in your email inbox, you may be missing the full story! | |
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Open Enrollment Reminders & Changes
For SET SEG Blue Cross Blue Shield members, Open Enrollment begins Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 and runs through Nov. 15, 2024.
For MESSA members, Open Enrollment dates have changed to Nov. 18 through Nov. 29, 2024. Please watch your email for updated MESSA plans and rates.
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Referral Bonus Program
The employee referral program remains ongoing and allows North Ed staff to get $500 for successfully referring someone who joins our team for any of the following positions:
- Social Workers
- Teacher Assistants
- Paraprofessionals
- Interpreters
- Special Education Teachers
Simply email the name of your referral to Personnel Specialist Jaime Walton. If that person is hired, you will get the bonus in your paycheck.
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Annual Educator Effectiveness Data Appeals Window
Opened Sept. 1
Each year, starting on the first business day in September and ending on the first business day in December, districts and PSAs may submit data appeals for inaccurate educator effectiveness ratings for any of the past five years into the Registry of Educational Personnel (REP). This data correction window is only for the purpose of updating inaccurate effectiveness ratings data within REP. It is not a process for contesting the outcome of an evaluation. Any data corrected during the window for teachers in instructional roles will appear in MOECS immediately after being entered by the district. For questions regarding educator evaluation, please contact MDE-EdEvals@Michigan.gov.
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Put it on the Bulletin Board!
This virtual bulletin board is for North Ed staff to share news, events and resources that are informative, create awareness or a caring concern for your colleagues. Click the button below to learn more!
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Bulletin Board Additions:
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Tyler Schell fundraiser: Tyler Schell, a MOCI teacher, recently went through major surgery. He has since faced challenges during his recovery and will face another surgery in 2-3 months, which will lead to more time in the hospital, more medical bills and more uncertainty. A GoFundMe fundraiser has been set up to support Tyler and his family and to help alleviate the financial burden associated with his medical care.
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SET SEG Holiday Card Contest (Entry Deadline Nov. 4): SET SEG's annual holiday card contest is open to students in grades K-12 in SET SEG member districts. The winning entry will be featured on the 2024 holiday card which is mailed to hundreds of recipients throughout Michigan.
- Homes for Rent & More!
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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
Farm to School Newsletter - October 2024
REMC 2C Newsletter - October 2024
Assistive Technology Newsletter - October 2024
Find the 2024-25 School Year Calendar HERE
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Sign up for North Ed Text Alerts
North Ed shares important and timely information, such as school closures and urgent news alerts, with our school community via SMS text messaging. Click on the School Closings & Alerts button and follow the steps in the section titled "How We Notify Our School Community" under the Phone heading.
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H: Drive Goes Away This Month
Technology Services will turn off access to employee H: Drives later this month. Employees are encouraged to delete any unused files and clean up their H: Drives before the Thanksgiving holiday (Nov. 28) when the transition will occur.
At that time, employees will gain access to a new individualized Google folder to which any remaining H: Drive items will be automatically transferred. The Google folder will be located in an employee’s Google Drive, and identified as an employee’s North Ed username (example: Jane Doe, jdoe).
Staff do not need to take any action beyond deleting unused files from their H: Drives. The transfer of any remaining files from H: Drives to the new Google Drive folders will happen automatically.
A similar transition to discontinue use of the T: Drive and migrate files to Google Drive is planned for December. Technology Services will work through that transition with individual departments. Removing unused and outdated files from both H: and T: drives will reduce our need for server storage space, ensure a smooth transition to Google Drive and allow for future efficiencies.
If you have questions or need assistance, contact Helpdesk@NorthwestEd.org, call 231.922.6307 or visit the staff intranet for useful technology resources.
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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
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Find more photos on our Facebook: @NorthEdNews | | |
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Professional Development
Click below to see what is on the docket for professional learning opportunities!
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SAVE THE DATE:
RSDD is Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024
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North Ed SWAG!
The North Ed swag store is open 24/7 for purchases. Order direct from our approved supplier. It's easy! Browse the North Ed online catalog!
Website link location:
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Happy Birthday!
See who celebrates in November
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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
Tel. 231.922.6200 | NorthwestEd.org
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