Good Things Happening in Our Schools:

AdvancED Michigan Announces Excellence in Education Award Winner
AdvancED Michigan NCA has named Timothy Wood as the AdvancED Michigan Excellence in Education Award honoree for his unparalleled leadership in promoting and advancing excellence in education.

Timothy Wood, Ph.D. is the Special Assistant to the President for Charter Schools. Dr. Wood has an extensive background in education and most recently found himself a place with the Grand Valley State University Charter School Office.

The Excellence in Education Award was introduced in 2009 to recognize one individual in each of the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI) and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI) states for his achievements in education.

AdvancED Michigan NCA is honored to be able to bestow this award on Timothy Wood, who will be officially recognized at the Fall Conference, November 8th and 9th, 2011.

Please click here to read the full release from AdvancED.

Education Reform package movement continues 
The Parent Empowerment Education Reform package continues to move through the legislature. Last week, the Senate passed Senate Bills 619 (on-line learning), 621 (shared services), and 622-624 & 709-710 (dual enrollment). Those bills have now been referred to the House Education Committee, which is currently taking testimony on SB 618 (the main charter school bill.) The Education Committee is expected to take testimony through this week and possibly next week.

Please continue to let your elected officials know that you would like them to support these bills.

14th Annual Michigan Charter School Conference
The MAPSA Staff and more than 1600 attendees will be at Cobo Hall next week for the 14th Annual Michigan Charter School Conference! For more information visitcharterschools.org/conference. We look forward to seeing many of you there!

The MAPSA office will be closed Monday and Tuesday, November 7 & 8. If you need assistance during that time please call 517.374.9167. Messages will be checked throughout the days.

Jalen Rose Leadership Academy Gala Celebration
If you are looking for something to do on Sunday night in Detroit before the Michigan Charter School Conference kicks off on Monday, The Jalen Rose Leadership Academy invites you to a star-studded gala celebration at the MGM Grand. The evening will feature dining, dancing, a silent auction and celebrities galore - including R&B singer Chante Moore, comedian Bill Bellamy and former Fab Fiver (and charter school founder) Jalen Rose himself. The event starts at 6 p.m., and tickets are available at www.jrladetroit.com.

TRG to sponsor the State Charter School Spelling Bee
TRG Michigan Charter School Spelling Bee 
Friday, February 17, 2012 
Trillium Academy
Taylor, MI
 
The first bee will include grades 3-5
The second bee will include grade 6-8.
 
Each school can enter 2 spellers into the 3-5 grade bee and 2 spellers into the 6-8 grade bee
 
Please e-mail spellers name, grade and school to Tammy Visger (tammy@therominegroup.com) by January 6, 2012.
 
More information coming soon on The Romine Group website.

Speak up and stay involved!
Your state legislator will be in your area and available to you. Don’t miss out on your chance to speak up now and impact education in your community.