Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District’s efforts to utilize data in improving student outcomes have been recognized with a state-level award for the 2023-24 school year.  The Michigan Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Technical Assistance Center annually recognizes ISDs and school districts who implement and sustain Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and who put practices in place to positively benefit learners. “This year, Char-Em ISD was recognized with the MTSS Data Utilization award for the use of the Regional Capacity Assessment, which provides the ISD guidance to ensure processes and procedures are put in place and practiced that help us with communication, collaboration, and consistency both at the ISD and when partnering with schools. This, in turn, helps us to address the needs of our area educators and learners,” said Lauren Ringle, Director of Implementation for Char-Em ISD.  Ringle said such practices are important because they support impactful decision making to support not only the ISD’s own continuous improvement but also services to districts. Examples of these practices are professional learning opportunities, content-specific coaching for classroom teachers and district teams, data-analysis processes and action planning, and promoting alignment of district-wide instructional efforts to support efficiency and learning continuity.   “Supporting such practices help districts best meet the needs of their students,” said Ringle. In order to help coordinate initiatives across the ISD, a Regional Implementation Team formed by the ISD is tasked with promoting MTSS practices that can be utilized and supported in local districts. MTSS practices that are occurring in local districts include examples such as Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), proactive student attendance programs, and academic instruction and interventions to meet the needs of each student, Ringle noted.  “We are very proud of the work of the members of the...

the four-day training will run 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Oct. 13-16, 2023 The Great Start Collaborative of Charlevoix, Emmet, and Northern Antrim Counties is launching the second phase of its doula initiative: postpartum training. The collaborative has worked over the last year to bring doula training to Northern Michigan, decreasing obstacles for those wishing to become professional doulas and filling a growing need for doula services, which are now covered by Michigan Medicaid in addition to private insurance and private payment. The new four-day postpartum training will prepare participants to serve postpartum people and their immediate family in the six months following pregnancy, labor and delivery, said Savanah Cool, collaborative director. Cool said that upon completion, participants will be DONA International trained postpartum doulas and will have received the training and education necessary to become Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) certified doulas. After receiving MDHHS certification, doulas will be able to begin the process of enrolling with Medicaid Health Plans which will allow them to receive reimbursement from Michigan Medicaid for services provided to Medicaid recipients. “With each new family members comes a significant point of transition. Whether stepping into parenthood for the first time, or adjusting to parenting multiple children, the early postpartum period is a vital time for bonding and healing,” said Cool. “Families are strengthened when they are supported in this transition, helping balance the load, and having a safe space to share successes, struggles, or concerns as they lean into their new roles and new identities. Parents deserve support, and postpartum doulas are prepared to provide it.” The four-day training will run 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Oct. 13-16, 2023, and full participation and attendance are required. The cost of attendance is $760. With financial support from Hestia Women’s Giving Circle and the...

Beyond Basics looking to hire local candidates for open tutoring positions A Michigan nonprofit offering intensive literacy tutoring in all grades needing extra reading support will be setting up classrooms in four Char-Em ISD school districts this fall. Alanson, Pellston and Harbor Springs public schools in Emmet County, and East Jordan Public Schools in Charlevoix County, are all partnering with Beyond Basics, a Southfield-based organization that delivers one-to-one tutoring to students who are not reading proficiently, at no cost to school districts. Results from their program show reading improvement in an average of six weeks. “We couldn’t pass up the opportunity to bring in the Beyond Basics team to work with our students,” said Stephen Seelye, superintendent of Pellston Public Schools. “Their mission to work directly with students on reading support during the school day will greatly help our kids who are struggling to become successful readers. Reading success is proven to impact a child’s education across all subjects – it is the core skill for future educational success.” While Beyond Basics has typically brought its tutors into downstate area schools, a recent pilot initiative, the State of Michigan – Blue Ribbon Literacy Pilot, opened opportunities for the organization’s executives to seek partner districts around the state. Through personal and professional connections, the Char-Em ISD area schools were contacted, said Pamela Good, co-founder and CEO of Beyond Basics. “We’ve done intensive literacy work in Wayne and Oakland counties for 20 years – we’ve been around a long time,” said Good. “By teaching children to read with our proven program, Beyond Basics breaks the generational cycle of illiteracy. We are shining a light on kids who have been left behind for decades, really.” In May 2023, Beyond Basics released results of a longitudinal study, during the Mackinac Policy Conference on Mackinac Island. It showed that approximately 85 percent of...