October brings with it all the fall “feels”! Our region is so beautiful this time of the year. Our schools are brimming with activity, whether academic or extracurricular. At all times, our school principals tend to the welfare of their students and staff. October is designated as National Principals’ Month. Take a minute to thank your local principal for their commitment to your school! Thank you, EUP principals!
The EUPConnect Collaborative (EUPCC) is working to bring internet access to every 911 address in the EUP. Currently, the EUPCC is collecting data on internet access and speeds across the Chippewa, Luce and Mackinac Counties. Postcards and paper surveys have been mailed out for residents to take the survey. You can also take the survey at https://www.merit.edu/EUPConnect/. If you have questions, please call (906) 259-8300. Please take five minutes and submit your data!
As educators, we tend to be quietly humble about our work. We need to be loud and proud about the great things that are happening in our schools. Do you have something to share that you would like highlighted in our region? If so, please send me an email (angiem@eupschools.org) about the great things occurring. I’d love to share that with others in our region. Enjoy our beautiful fall and take care of yourself!
GENERAL EDUCATION
READING RECOVERY®, LITERACY LESSONS™, AND LITERACY SUPPORT
Michigan’s Reading Recovery Institute is back in person this year for the first time since 2020. There is a great Administrator learning strand with Paul Thomas and Kathryn Champeau on Thursday November 17th at the Somerset Inn in Troy, MI. Registration is open now or follow the link to read more about the sessions available.
SOCIAL STUDIES
Back to School 2022 Newsletter – Highlights:
- The Social Studies Teacher Leader Corps is excited to announce the 2022-2023 schedule! Our first meeting has been rescheduled to Tuesday October 25, 2022. We will be working with Paula Finfrock and Native American Advisors to explore the Maawndoonganan Social Studies Resource developed by the Confederation of Michigan Tribal Education Departments. K-12 teachers who cover social studies content in the EUP ISD region and Native American advisors are welcome to attend this event!
- The Michigan Department of Education’s Teaching Comprehensive History webinar series continues in October with “Public Resources for Teaching Comprehensive History” on October 19, 4:00-5:00 p.m. Register by October 18, 2022!
CTE
Manufacturing Day
Manufacturing Day has been scheduled for October 26 at LSSU
- The event is for 9th grade students.
- A morning session will begin at 8:30 - 11:20 with lunch in the Quarterdeck from 11:20 am 12:00pm)
- An afternoon session will begin with lunch at 11:00 and the session running 11:00 -2:10
The following companies will be at LSSU with hands on activities for students:
Precision Edge
Carmeuse Lime and Stone
Cloverland Electric
Superior Fabrication
Lake Superior State University
Northern Wings
EUP MiSTEM REGION
EUP MiSTEM Region October Newsletter
REGIONAL DATA SYSTEMS/INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY
REMC 22 Lend-Items Library Access
Teachers, welcome to another year! REMC 22 has a library of classroom materials that can be checked out to support student engagement and learning... books, robots, maker materials, tools, and technology. Contact Marianna Ripple (mripple@eupschools.org) if you have questions or if you want to set up your account.
Need SCECHs? REMC Free Virtual Courses for November
Regional Data Manager Meetings
Data Managers from all regional schools are asked to participate in these meetings in order to create and communicate regional processes related to student enrollment, NWEA, technology, and reporting. Please see Wisdomwhere to register for the meetings: 10/20/2022 - 1/5/2023 - 2/9/2023 - 3/23/2023 - 5/11/2023.
Weekly support sessions will be available on a drop-in basis. These will take place on most Thursdays at 1pm. See the Data Management Team in O365 for updates and meeting links.
NWEA Testing for 2023
Testing plans will help ensure that all students have the opportunity to demonstrate their learning and growth. A plan to complete testing one week before the end of the testing window can help account for student absences.
Fall: August 31 - October 7, 2022.
Winter: January 2 – February 3, 2023
Spring: May 1 – May 26, 2023
Discovery Education Access
Discovery Education offers video and activities content to support learning. Are you using blended teaching or virtual settings with your students? Discovery Education (DE) has engaging content for you and your students! Contact Marianna Ripple (mripple@eupschools.org) for access, questions, and support.
HEALTH
October 2022 Newsletter - Highlights:
- October 2022 Trainings:
- October 18, 2022 (9 a.m. - 3 p.m.): Michigan Model for Health - K-6
- October 19, 2022 (9 a.m. - 3 p.m.): Michigan Model for Health - 7-12
- October 20, 2022 (9 a.m. - 3 p.m.): Regional Health & PE Educator Curriculum Resource Team
- Please note: October trainings will take place at the Cheboygan-Otsego-Presque Isle ESD in Indian River, MI. Virtual attendance options are available.
- Mental Health Mondays – Movie Series featuring mental health topics begins on October 17.
SPECIAL EDUCATION
“W Sitting” - a physical therapy perspective
A topic that often comes up when talking about young children is W sitting. And although W sitting is often seen as a bad habit or a problem in itself, it may be more of a symptom of a deeper problem. When a child sits in this position it provides them with a wide base of support which allows them to play without having to concentrate on balance. W sitting can also limit a child’s ability to weight shift, rotate, and cross midline while sitting. If a child is consistently W sitting it may indicate they do not have the core strength to sit without this wide base of support. Click HERE to read more about how to support students who engage in W sitting.
Supporting Student Attendance
Chronic Absenteeism is missing 10% or more of school days due to absence for any reason-excused, unexcused, or suspension. Students who experience chronic absenteeism have greater academic deficits, experience more behavioral difficulties, and are less likely to graduate from high school. It is important to partner with families early in order to problem-solve chronic absenteeism. The Attendance Works website has parent information handouts that schools can use to support parent understanding regarding the importance of regular school attendance. Visit https://www.attendanceworks.org/resources/handouts-for-families/ to access these resources. The EUPISD is hosting a virtual professional development session for school leaders on December 13, 2022 from 8:30-11:30 am. Registration can be completed via Wisdomwhere at this LINK.
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month
One of the biggest predictors of a special education student’s postschool success is paid work experience during high school. According to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, nationally in 2021 16.9% of youth with disabilities ages 16-19 were in the labor force compared to 35.8% of their non-disabled peers. That gap was even larger in the 20-24 age bracket with 46.7% of youth with disabilities working compared to 72% for non-disabled peers. While there is much that can be done at the school level to increase student readiness for work, recognizing the important role people with disabilities play in a diverse and inclusive American workforce is critical. This year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month (#NDEAM) theme is “Disability: Part of the Equity Equation.” Learn more at www.dol.gov/NDEAM
October 2022 Special Education Newsletter
EARLY CHILDHOOD
Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) has openings in Sault Ste. Marie, DeTour, and Newberry for eligible 4-year olds. GSRP is a state-funded preschool program. It is FREE for families who qualify! To apply for Newberry or DeTour please contact CCSS at 906-495-7305 or for Sault Ste. Marie contact CLMCAA at 906-632-3363. Families can also apply online at https://www.eupschools.org//cms/module/selectsurvey/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=606
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Please write or call with your comments, suggestions, and/or concerns.
Angie McArthur, Superintendent – angiem@eupschools.org
