Speaking of Leading:
“My top priority as Governor is to make sure Michigan’s children have the world opened up to them by learning how to read. A rock-solid education with a firm foundation of reading skills will give our children access to every opportunity in life to succeed. Every month in Michigan should be Reading Month, not just March.”

–Governor Jennifer Granholm

*If you have ideas for Opinion Poll topic, please contact Linda Wacyk, 517.327.9268.

Plan now for National Healthy Schools Day

April 28, 2008

Healthy Schools Network has launched a new website for National Healthy Schools Day to help you plan an event to celebrate healthy school facilities.

The site offers event guidelines and suggestions for planning an event. 

Former KRESA supt named to regional education post

Craig Misner, the former superintendent of the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency, has been named the Michigan Leadership Institute’s regional president for southwest Michigan.

An adjunct professor at Western Michigan University since 1987, Misner also served as superintendent in Hopkins Public Schools and in the Parchment School District before coming to KRESA.

The Michigan Leadership Institute provides services such as organizational planning, governance training and search services for K-12 schools and other public sector organizations.

The institute’s southwest Michigan region includes the following counties: Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo , St. Joseph and Van Buren.

Source: The Battle Creek Enquirer, 3.8.08

Communicating about graduation rates
MASA partners create communications toolkit

As you are probably aware, CEPI will calculate (and report) the 2006-2007 graduation rate using a 4-year cohort model, which is different from previous years. This new way of reporting will create communications challenges for many districts, particularly for those whose graduation rates will appear to have dropped—in some cases dramatically.

MASA has worked with the Michigan School Public Relations Association (MSPRA), the MDE, and CEPI to create a communications toolkit to help you meet these challenges.

School administrators are urged to check this toolkit right away. Although the graduation rate report is not scheduled to be released until August 2008, there are things you can—and should—be doing right now that can ensure the accuracy of that data and prepare your messages to staff, media and the community.

Download a fact sheet, talking points (for internal and external audiences) and data quality tips from CEPI at www.michiganedusource.org/index.htm. Scroll down to “State and National Reports/Initiatives.”

Learning First Alliance launches PublicSchoolInsights.org

The Learning First Alliance has released a new website to capture a common voice about success in American public schools. The site at www.publicschoolinsights.org is an inspiring new release that promotes a fresh, 21st-century vision for public education, with real examples of what is already working in public schools and districts around the country.

Publicschoolinsights.org features:

• Success stories about public schools, districts and communities that have adopted successful strategies for addressing central challenges.
• A blog for exclusive interviews with thought leaders and people on the ground in local schools and communities, like Daniel Pink, Yong Zhao, and LeeAnn Galusha
• A forum for sharing your own story
• A Toolkit to learn how you can promote public education in your state.

Behavior and reading support for all students

MiBLSI expands to Detroit Public Schools

Michigan’s Integrated Behavior and Learning Support Initiative: Addressing school wide behavior and reading support for each and all students.

In 2003, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) awarded a grant to Kalamazoo, Macomb and Ottawa ISDs to direct a school wide program to support the behavior and reading needs of all students within individual schools. This project is called Michigan’s Integrated Behavior and Learning Support Initiative (MiBLSi). Currently, over 250 schools—both elementary and secondary— throughout the state participate in the initiative.

Based on the success of this model, MDE awarded Title I Technical Assistance grant funding to implement MiBLSi in 15 Detroit Public Schools, including seven High Priority Schools. This effort was initiated on January 14-15, 2008 with a two-day kick off training. A schedule of trainings and activities are planned for the remaining of the school year.

MiBLSI aims to improve reading and behavior
The purpose of MiBLSI is to develop support systems and sustained implementation of a data-driven, problem-solving model in schools to help students become better readers with social skills necessary for success. Behavior and reading support are addressed through the MiBLSi project for several reasons:

• Both are necessary for academic success.
• Both involve similar processes to achieve desired outcomes.
• As disruptive student behavior decreases, teaching time increases, allowing all children to learn more.

MiBLSi is congruent with Michigan’s school improvement framework and Reading First, and it is connected with national centers of positive behavior support and reading support.

MiBLSI relies on leadership teams, evidence-based early support
Schools participate through a process that involves:

• Completing an application
• Ensuring that at least 80 percent of staff is committed to the project
• Gathering letters of assurance from building and central administration.

Building leadership teams are identified to guide the implementation process within the schools. The leadership teams consist of representative building staff, building administrator and a coach assigned to the team facilitating the implementation process within the building.

The leadership team attends regional professional develop activities with teams from other schools. Training focuses on a Response-to-Intervention, three-tiered model of supports. This model moves from “wait to fail” to a proactive approach to prevention and intervention. Student supports and intervention level of intensity varies with student need.

Within the model, screening takes place to identify students having potential problems in reading and behavior. Evidence-based practices are implemented to support these students. Data are collected to monitor student progress and based on this information; interventions are modified to promote success.

Do you know a Champion for Children?

Don’t miss this chance to honor an individual in your community who has shown outstanding leadership and dedication to enrich the lives of children, and who has enhanced children's opportunities for success and achievement in school.

Region presidents are now accepting nominations for MASA’s 2008 Regional Champion for Children awards. Nominees can come from any number of roles in the community—business, service organization, faith community, volunteers or others all qualify.

At this year’s MASA Distinguished Administrators’ Luncheon, 13 new MASA members were inducted into the Winners’ Circle. These members were honored by the Membership Services Committee for initiating a unique, successful program or implementing an innovative idea that has had a significant, positive impact on their school districts that can be used by other districts across the state. This year’s inductees include:

Randy Davis, Athens Area Schools, Region 7

Computers for Learning Program to significantly upgrade educational technology

The Computers for Learning Program to significantly upgrade educational technology Program The Athens Area Schools is in the process of converting its entire District to using Open Source on a Linux Platform; supported entirely by the Computers for Learning Program offered through the US Department of Defense and US Congress.

For the past four years, the technology department from Athens has acquired donated computers (CPUs) and other computer hardware such as switches, routers, servers, and more, through the surplus reserves of the U.S. Military. This has been estimated at over 4.7 million dollars of “real value” to this small rural district. The computers need upgrades before re-deployment in the schools, but the technology department (two full time staff and a host of volunteers) have been up to the task. Every classroom has at least Pentium III-level computers, and each of the three computer labs and two instructional labs have Pentium IV computers. The technology department has also converted two computer labs and most of the school administrators' hardware to Linux machines.

The district chose not to continue purchasing wholesale licenses from Microsoft four years earlier and has been operating in Open Source, a free and robust software solution for any user to access. The transition away from Microsoft Office has been difficult as we shed old habits and learn new ones in Open Source. We are still able to operate Windows-based software and applications through the VMWare portal on the Linux machines. It truly is an affordable solution to providing an up-to-date, challenging computer technology network for the organization.

And what the district is now teaching its students is not how to operate within a proprietary environment, but directly how to operate programs in word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations regardless of the software system provided. In that vein, the middle school computer technology class is breaking new ground. Since 2006, our teacher has been instructing students solely through Open Office. The students have all learned how to build their own Web Sites using Open Source; and over 94% of the eighth grade students for the past two years have met or exceeded the proficiency standards for technology established by the federal government.

Contact Randy Davis at 269.729.5427 or davisr@athens.k12.mi.us

Members you should know - Rodney Green

Superintendent of East China School District

Region 5, 2008 Superintendent of the Year

How much do you know about your colleagues at MASA? We recently asked some award-winning superintendents about their work as school leaders. We plan to feature one member profile per issue during 2008.

Rodney Green is in his 19 th year as superintendent and as an MASA member. He served as MASA’s president in 2006-07. He served Green began his career in education by teaching math and coaching in Durand, Michigan in 1979. He then moved to Houston, Texas where he taught math and coached for three years before accepting a position as assistant principal at Greenville, Michigan. He moved to Reese Michigan two years later to become principal, staying for three years before becoming a superintendent in Norway, Michigan and Grant, Michigan. This is his eighth year at East China.

Leader: Why did you choose the education field?

Rodney Green : I like to teach. It seemed like a great field to work with people. It is gratifying to see people grow and learn. I still feel I am a teacher at heart. I teach every day with teachers, administrators, board members, and community. Education is a great field to help people, not only students, but parents as well.

Leader: What relationships have influenced or helped your career?

Rodney Green : I think my dad was a big influence; he was an educator for 34 years. My mom also was a great teacher, mainly of life lessons and she influenced me about reaching my potential and going for my dreams. I had good teachers throughout high school and college. I also looked up to other administrators over the years and I think that was very helpful in making me successful as a superintendent.

Leader: What do you feel are the major challenges facing superintendents today?

Rodney Green : I think the biggest challenge is helping all students succeed. The NCLB accountability measures that have been put into place will be difficult to handle with little or no additional funding.

Leader: What are you doing differently to help every high school student meet the Michigan Merit Expectations?

Rodney Green : We have put intervention strategies into place. Students are being held more accountable to complete work, attend class, and if they struggle we have safety nets that are now available to help.

Leader: What are you doing in your district to close the achievement gap to help all student succeed?

Rodney Green : I think the intervention model is going to be the way to help struggling students.

Leader: What do you do to keep yourself motivated and energized to lead?

Rodney Green : Visiting the classrooms is the best way to get energized. It is great to see the teachers and students in action and I always come away reenergized and motivated to continue this important work of supporting their efforts.

Leader: Any final words on education, leadership or the way MASA has helped you in your career?

Former KRESA supt named to regional education post

Craig Misner, the former superintendent of the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency, has been named the Michigan Leadership Institute’s regional president for southwest Michigan.

An adjunct professor at Western Michigan University since 1987, Misner also served as superintendent in Hopkins Public Schools and in the Parchment School District before coming to KRESA.

The Michigan Leadership Institute provides services such as organizational planning, governance training and search services for K-12 schools and other public sector organizations.

The institute’s southwest Michigan region includes the following counties: Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo , St. Joseph and Van Buren.

Source: The Battle Creek Enquirer, 3.8.08

Exhibitor information now available for Fall Conference 2008

Exhibitors! It's time to sign up for a spot at this year's MASA Fall Conference, September 24 - 26, at the Grand Traverse Resort. Click here for exhibit information. And stayed tuned for conference details at they become available.

MDE news:

Reading First program showing student gains

The Michigan Department of Education presented its report on Reading First to the State Board of Education at its March 12, 2008, meeting. Reading First supports the establishment of research-based reading programs for students in kindergarten through third grade.

Michigan has received over $180 million over the last six years in federal funding for the targeted research-based program that focuses on learning to read and reading to learn. Currently 158 Michigan school districts participate in the Reading First program. The program focuses on school districts where there is a high percentage of poverty and low-reading skills.

According to the report, 51.2 percent of the Reading First schools showed progress in meeting both grade level expectations and decreasing numbers of high risk students in 2006-2007.

Just over 10 percent of the schools showed progress in meeting grade level expectations only and 9.3 percent in decreasing high risk students only.

Source: MIRS Capitol Capsule, 3.12.08

CTE Academic Crosswalks

The Office of Career and Technical Education has published on their website Academic and Career and Technical Education (CTE) Crosswalks. The examples on the website have been provided by the following organizations:

• Clinton RESD
• Ingham ISD/ Capital Area Career Center
• Lenawee ISD
• Macomb ISD
• Marquette Alger ISD
• Mason Lake ISD
• Saginaw Career Complex
• Traverse Bay Area
• Van Buren Technical Center
• Wayne RESA
• Wayne Westland
• Wexford Missaukee ISD
• William D. Ford Career Technical Center

Any decisions regarding credit awarded through CTE are locally determined. For questions regarding the crosswalks contact Patty Cantu, cantup@michigan.gov.

Supplemental Educational Services (SES) Update

The application to become an approved SES provider in Michigan is now available at www.mde-ses.com. All currently approved providers need to use the same portal to update application information and recertify the Code of Ethics and Assurances. Providers who do not recertify the Code of Ethics and Assurances will be removed from the approved list for academic year 2008-09. Please read the information carefully before you recertify as the content has been updated.

Additionally, the Appeals Process information, for becoming an approved provider, and the Complaint Resolution Process related to SES complaints have been revised. Please review the new processes and the effective dates carefully.

MEAP administrative changes

In order to improve security and efficiency, the Michigan Department of Education has instituted three changes to the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP):

1. The MEAP administration for each subject will now be on the same day across the state. The new MEAP Assessment Schedule outlines Fall 2008 through Fall 2012.
2. Deadlines for shipping materials back to the scoring contractor will be strictly enforced and fees will be assessed for late returns. The MEAP Assessment Schedule also includes these deadlines and fees.
3. Beginning with the release of the Fall 2007 MEAP results, the Office of Educational Assessment and Accountability (OEAA) will release only 50% of the operational items from the MEAP.

You should have received a Memo from Dr. Joseph Martineau, Interim Director of OEAA.

Maryland studies raising minimum drop-out age to 18

Requiring Maryland students to remain in school until they turn age 18 could drastically reduce dropout rates but would cost the state $200 million a year and worsen the existing shortage of teachers, classroom space and other resources, according to a new report. A yearlong study by a statewide task force of 50 educators, community leaders and legislators recommended raising the public school compulsory attendance age from 16.

Baltimore lawmakers have been pushing the change for four years, but it didn't get to a vote in the General Assembly because of concerns over what it would cost.

"It's always died because of the cost factor, and I don't get that," said state Sen. Catherine E. Pugh, a Baltimore Democrat sponsoring a bill to raise the attendance age. "When these children start school at 5, we ought to be prepared to pay for them to stay in school until 18."

The report's authors, who spent a year tracking national trends and studying the fiscal and social impact of raising the compulsory attendance age, acknowledged that the effort faces an uphill battle.

According to the report, 27 states and the District of Columbia have pushed up the mandatory age to 17 or 18. Yet few states could prove that raising compulsory attendance age directly contributed to lower dropout rates.

The state task force's 112-page report contains recommendations that go beyond raising the attendance age. It requires changes in state law as well as policy revisions by the State Board of Education.

Among the proposals from the task force:

• Redefining the path to graduation by considering five years of high school for struggling students instead of four.

• Creating a uniform system of truancy courts in all systems to ensure students are staying in school until 18.

• Awarding alternative diplomas for non-English-speaking students that carry the same weight as traditional diplomas.

• Changing state law to allow students to earn General Educational Development diplomas without having to drop out first, as the current law requires.

Thumb district gets EPA clean school bus grant

The United States Environmental Protection Agency's Chicago-based Region 5 has awarded a $59,120 grant to the Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker School District in Pigeon for a project to cut diesel emissions from the district's school buses.

EPA officials said the grant will be used to retrofit 12 school buses with emission-reducing diesel oxidation catalysts and replace the district's heaviest polluting bus with a new, low-emission bus.

In addition, the district will start using B20, a blend of 20 percent diesel fuel from vegetable oils and 80 percent conventional petroleum diesel fuel. The district will also hold a workshop for other Huron County school districts on the benefits of operating with B20 and installing diesel oxidation catalysts on their buses.

Read the full story.

Superintendents of Learning
In her latest Youth Today column, Karen Pittman, executive director of the Forum for Youth Investment, surprised herself.

"Superintendents rock!  I've never started a column like this before, certainly not one about school administrators—the people whom youth workers frequently butt heads with over money, building space, bus schedules and even permission slips. But at a forum hosted by the American Association of School Administrators, I recently spent two days with 25 of the most enthusiastic public leaders I've ever met.”

Read more about Karen's comments on what it takes to shift from superintendents of schools to superintendents of new, student-focused learning systems.

Source: Youth Today, 3.1.08

Expert to area educators: 'Effective teaching not happening'

Mike Schmoker warned the 400 area teachers and administrators gathered at the McCamly Plaza Hotel today of the bombshell he was about to drop.

“This is pretty brutal stuff, so ... are you all sitting down?” Schmoker, a nationally recognized educational consultant, asked. “Effective teaching is not happening in a majority of classrooms.”

Schmoker’s indictment of the current state of education provided a fitting backdrop to the Calhoun Intermediate School District ’s latest conference on student data.

Funded by a $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education, the Data for Student Success program was launched in the fall of 2006 with the goal of gathering and condensing data sets like standardized test scores into reports for educators.

Last spring, the CISD — working with the Barry, Branch, Clinton, Eastern Upper Peninsula, Gratiot-Isabella, Jackson, Macomb and Shiawassee school districts — added a professional development component so area teachers could learn to use the developing online data reports.

Becky Rocho, the Calhoun Intermediate School District ’s assistant superintendent for general services and legislation, said the push to connect data to school strategy was a response to Schmoker’s contention that many teachers were failing their students by eschewing collaboration and avoiding time-consuming analysis activities.

“Mike’s saying that if we’re not doing anything different in the classroom, we’re not going to get different results,” she said.

Read more….

Source: The Battle Creek Enquirer, 3.6.08

Communicating about graduation rates

MASA partners create communications toolkit

As you are probably aware, CEPI will calculate (and report) the 2006-2007 graduation rate using a 4-year cohort model, which is different from previous years. This new way of reporting will create communications challenges for many districts, particularly for those whose graduation rates will appear to have dropped—in some cases dramatically.

MASA has worked with the Michigan School Public Relations Association (MSPRA), the MDE, and CEPI to create a communications toolkit to help you meet these challenges.

School administrators are urged to check this toolkit right away. Although the graduation rate report is not scheduled to be released until August 2008, there are things you can—and should—be doing right now that can ensure the accuracy of that data and prepare your messages to staff, media and the community.

Download a fact sheet, talking points (for internal and external audiences) and data quality tips from CEPI at www.michiganedusource.org/index.htm. Scroll down to “State and National Reports/Initiatives.”

Register for MMC Connections:
Effective Intervention for All Students and the Personal Curriculum 

Sheraton Hotel, Lansing
9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

There’s still time to register for the March 27th drive in session on MMC Connections: Effective Intervention for All Students and the Personal Curriculum.

Register online | Register by fax form

This event is being organized and hosted by the MAISA/MDE Delivery of Services Committee. The costs of this drive in are being covered by MAISA, but we do need folks to register so we can get headcounts for Food and refreshments.

We encourage your organization to participate as this effort is targeted for all CTE, General Education and Special Education curriculum leaders.

Vote now for AASA President-Elect for 2008

All active AASA voting members received a 2008 AASA presidential ballot in late February/early March. The deadline for ballots to be received at AASA headquarters is Saturday, March 22, 2008 . All eligible voters are strongly encouraged to vote for the next AASA president-elect.

Read more information about the candidates.

Check out AASA’s Policy “Hot Topics”

Four recent additions to the Hot Topics section of AASA’s website have a policy focus, providing AASA members with in-depth information and analysis on a variety of topics. Read the bold 2008 AASA Legislative Agenda, check out enrollment trends at the state and national level, find out your governor’s education priorities in 2008 and learn what the 2008 presidential candidates have to say about education. Keep an eye on the Hot Topics box on the AASA homepage, www.aasa.org.

Toolkits serve school leaders

The AASA Center for System Leadership is proud to offer to AASA members the following toolkits:

AASA Systems Thinking for School System Leaders Toolkit – This toolkit is designed to educate school system leaders about the value of systems thinking and to help school leaders implement systems thinking practices in their districts.

Panel to sound alarm on Math Ed - But will the public care?

“More than four in 10 students surveyed say they would be "quite unhappy" if they ended up in a career with a math or science focus.”

The National Mathematics Advisory Panel, set up by President Bush to examine math education, will warn that the U.S. has to change the way math is taught to keep from losing out internationally, according to the Wall Street Journal. The panel's report was due to be released this week, and the Journal warned it would recommend teachers focus on "quick and effortless" understanding of the essentials.

If true, this isn't the first time leaders in business, science and education have warned about lagging math skills among American students. But surveys by the non-profit Public Agenda show that parents and students haven't heard the alarm.

Reality Check surveys find parents' concern about math and science achievement has actually declined since the mid-1990s. Only one quarter of high school students say lack of emphasis on science and math is a problem in their own school. And in a Kansas City area study, Public Agenda found just 25 percent of Kansas/Missouri parents think their children should be studying more math and science; 70 percent think things "are fine as they are now."

While leaders warn that math and science skills will be critical for jobs in the future, Public Agenda found most American students don't see this affecting their lives. More than four in 10 students say they would be "quite unhappy" if they ended up in a career with a math or science focus. Just 41 percent say having great skills with computers and technology is essential and half say that understanding science and having strong math skills are essential.

Abstract arguments for more math and science courses (such as international

competitiveness) didn't have much traction in the research. But the idea that math courses would give students a leg up in college admissions or in the job market was a much more powerful argument.

Read the final report
www.ed.gov/about/bdscomm/list/mathpanel/report/final-report.pdf

Read The Wall Street Journal story: http://biz.yahoo.com/wallstreet/080305/sb120465579132610785_id.html?.v=2

Read Public Agenda studies on this topic:

"Important, but Not for Me": http://www.publicagenda.org/research/research_reports_details.cfm?list=110

Reality Check: Are Students and Parents Ready for More Math and Science: http://www.publicagenda.org/research/research_reports_details.cfm?list=96

Two Michiganians die each day because they lack health insurance

At least two working-age Michiganians die each day because they don't have health insurance, according to a report released today.

The report, "Dying for Coverage in Michigan," released by Families USA, a nonpartisan Washington, D.C., health advocacy group, indicates at least 650 people Michiganians died in 2006, and between 2000 and 2006, at least 4,200 Michiganians ages 25 to 64 died simply because they lacked health insurance.

The uninsured die sooner because they are four times less likely to have regular care than their insured neighbors, the report says. Also, the uninsured are 30 percent less likely to have a regular checkup in the past year and are more likely to be diagnosed with a disease in an advanced stage.

Nationally, it means that in 2006, twice as many people died from lack of health insurance than from homicide.

This report is based on a groundbreaking 2002 report by the Institute of Medicine and a 2006 report by the Urban Institute.

Read more…

Source: Detroit News , 3.13 .08

MiPHY Online Survey Training Scheduled

The Michigan Profile for Healthy Youth (MiPHY) is a new Web-based, anonymous student survey which is offered collaboratively by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) and the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) at no cost to districts. Beginning in 2007-08, the MiPHY has been offered to all Michigan schools biennially to assess risk behaviors, risk factors, and protective factors associated with alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use, and violence in Grades 7, 9, and 11. This free online survey satisfies the federal requirement for Safe and Drug Free Schools needs assessment.

A MiPHY Implementation training is scheduled for Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 1:00p.m. This training will be held at the MELG Building, 1001 Centennial Way, Lansing. Interested districts are encouraged to send a team comprised of a district coordinator, Tech Support Personnel, and individuals responsible for building implementation. There is no charge for this training.

For more information you may contact Sam LoPresto, 517-327-9263 or email at lopresto@gomasa.org, regarding program and registration information. More about MiPHY can be found at www.michigan.gov/miphy.

Free energy design guide for K-12 school buildings

New guide can help districts save money on energy costs

Did you know that energy costs are typically a school district’s biggest cost after personnel? But energy costs can be controlled. The new ASHRAE Advanced Energy Design Guide for K-12 School Buildings will help your district save money--savings that can be devoted to educational resources. Follow the guide and help your school save 30% or more on energy costs. Download it for free at www.ashrae.org/freeaedg or look for your hard copy—16,000 copies have been mailed to every school district in the United States.

The link between asthma and exhaust from idling

AASA and NSBA Resource Sheet

• The exhaust from busses idling pollutes the air around and inside the bus and possibly inside the school building if the exhaust gets into heating and ventilating systems.
• Diesel exhaust contains small particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs to cause lung damage, respiratory problems, and exacerbate asthma and allergies.
• Diesel exhaust contains smog-forming and toxic air pollutants, some of which may be classified as carcinogens by the EPA and other organizations.
• Children are more susceptible to the pollution because they breathe 50 percent more air per pound of body weight than adults and their respiratory systems are still developing.
• Diesel exhaust ranks among the air pollutants that EPA believes pose the greatest public health risks.
• A recent EPA study in WestchesterCounty New York concluded that idling for more then three minutes generates more pollution than stopping and re-starting the engine. The pollution level from busses that idled more than three minutes had 66 percent more fine particles than pollution generated from shutting off buses and then restarting them.
• Approximately one-third of diesel school buses now in service were built before 1990. They can emit six times more pollution than buses built after 2004 and possibly 60 times more than new buses that meet 2007 diesel standards.

Possible steps to take:

1. Have school bus drivers turn off buses as soon as they arrive in the school yard.

2. Limit idling time during early morning warm-up.

3. Provide a space inside the school where drivers can wait.

• Attention all administrators:
  It is time to apply for MI-LIFE Cohort 2
• Silk Road Professional Development Workshops: Cultures and Crossroads
  March 19 & May 3
• School Improvement Conference
  Apr 6 (preconference recap)
  Apr 7-8, Lansing Center
• Building Bridges from Michigan to the World - 2nd Annual Internationalizing Michigan Educaiton Conference
  Apr 18, Kellogg Center, E. Lansing
• Eat Healthy + Play Hard = Healthy Students
  April 22-24, Grand Traverse Resort
• Site-Based Professional Development: "On a Shoe String"
  May 7, Kent ISD
• Sustainable Energy Project Development Workshop for Public Institutions
  May 22, Meadow Brook Hall

Michigan Association of School Administrators
1001 Centennial Way, Ste 300
Lansing, MI 48917
www.michiganedusource.org/gomasa | Contact us