Good Things Happening in Our Schools:

Holly Academy Students Experience the Electoral Process
Students at Holly Academy experienced the thrill of Election Day at their own school this year, as they took part in an elaborate electoral project. Fourth-graders at the school were each assigned one of the presidential candidates, and then they had to research their platforms and create biographical posters and other materials.

The project culminated with a full-scale Election Day rally and vote, as the fourth-graders made speeches to the entire student body. As their parents took part in the real election that day, the students cast their ballots in a mock election.

Holly Academy Teacher Emily Brown, who was among the four teachers who began planning in August with dozens of parent volunteers assisting, told the Oakland Press, “We hope this unit will highlight the importance of being active within a community as well as ignite a passion to exercise the right to vote.”

Holly Academy is authorized by Central Michigan University.

For more on this story – including a video of the campaign rally – 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.

Lansing Report: State Looks at School Aid Rewrite
If you’ve been following the news, you know that there’s a lot happening in Lansing right now regarding public education in the state – most notably a rewrite of the state’s school-aid legislation.

The proposed changes will greatly impact charter schools, and MAPSA is closely monitoring and participating in the process in Lansing. For the most part, the proposals are positive for charter schools. You’ll find an excellent analysis of the proposed rewrite, and links to the full package here.

Give Thanks to a Great Teacher!
With Thanksgiving upon us, we’re thankful for everyone who’s helping to deliver a quality education to every student in Michigan. We’re especially thankful for all of the great teachers in our state – and if you agree, there’s a way you can express it.

On their Facebook page, the Students First organization is making it easy to show your appreciation for the great teachers in your life. If you’re on Facebook, simply click here and then share this picture and message on your own timeline.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at MAPSA!

Upcoming Events
Don't miss out on newly added upcoming professional development opportunities and other exciting events! Please click on the event listing for additional information, or to view all of MAPSA's current events please click here.

December 5 - Webinar: How Differentiated Instruction Helps All of Your Students Reach Higher
2:00 p.m.
Use Achieve3000's innovative online literacy solutions to reduce the achievement gap in charter schools.
Click here for more information or click here to register today!

Dec 11 - Dec 14  - Make the Move to Common Core State Standards
Join Cynthia Millinger, an extremely well-informed, entertaining and inspirational speaker - the country's premiere trainer when it comes to preparing educators about the Common Core.
December ELA session is SOLD OUT. Training dates also offered in February and March!

Jan 11 - Jan 12 - The Lens Training Series: People & Process
A two-day workshop including facilitated school tours, peer-to-peer sharing, and expert speakers.

MAPSA members - please let us know if you will be hosting an event that may be of interest to other charter school educators, parents or students by emailing the event, date, time, location and description to bmoorehouse@charterschools.org. We will be happy to feature it on our events calendar!