Good Things Happening in Our Schools:

Frontier International Academy Becomes First Charter School to Win a State Soccer Championship
It’s a success story that reminds you of the movie “Hoosiers.”

Frontier International Academy of Hamtramck won the Division 4 state soccer championship on Saturday, overcoming a host of obstacles to become the first Michigan charter school ever to win a state title in soccer. The team doesn’t have its own field to practice on and this is only the third year that the team has existed. Frontier International Academy came into the state tournament unranked, but still managed to rip through the field to win the state championship. In the finals, Frontier International Academy beat Grand Rapids Covenant Christian, 3-2.

Frontier International Academy is authorized by Bay Mills Community College and managed by Global Educational Excellence.

For the complete story and photos from the championship game, click here.

Please submit any announcements, news or event information for MAPSA's "Good Things Happening in Our Schools" feature to Buddy Moorehouse at bmoorehouse@charterschools.org.

A Spectacular Conference! Watch the Videos, See the Photos!
Thank you to everyone who attended the 15th Annual Michigan Charter School Conference this week in Detroit. We had more than 2,000 people at Cobo Hall for two exciting days of professional development, great exhibitors, inspirational speakers and more.

The conference wrapped up on Tuesday as the finalists for the Michigan Charter School Administrator of the Year and Teacher of the Year were honored, and the winners were announced. Congratulations to all the finalists, and to the winners: Administrator of the Year Julie Kildee of Holly Academy and Teacher of the Year Meggan McMurtrie of Forest Academy in Kalamazoo.

Tuesday’s luncheon also featured an inspirational and spellbinding keynote speech by “Freedom Writers” teacher Erin Gruwell.

Whether you attended the conference or not, we invite you to visit our Facebook page frequently over the next few days, as we post a variety of videos and photos from the two-day event (some of which are up there already). You’ll find our page here.

State School Aid Act Update from the MDE
Section 25 of the State School Aid Act (MCL 388.1625) was amended for fiscal year 2012-13 to allow school districts to count certain pupils that enroll after the Pupil Membership Count Day (October 3, 2012 for FY 2012-13). Following the enactment of that legislation, the Michigan Department of Education worked with the Center for Educational Performance and Information (CEPI) to develop a process for school districts to use in reporting the Section 25 pupil count adjustments. This is to advise that the dissemination of that process is temporarily delayed while the Legislature considers questions and concerns related to Section 25 implementation.

Click here to view the full memo.

Great American Financial Resources Webinar Outlines Benefit, Retirement Options
Great American Financial Resources operates under the belief that educators deserve the best – both inside and outside the classroom. Join them for a 20-minute webinar on Nov. 15 to learn about opportunities to help enhance your employees’ benefit and retirement options. Attendees will also learn how to provide classroom resources through the Teachers Deserve the Best program.

Date: Thursday, Nov. 15
Time: 4 p.m. EST
To Register, click here