Education Excellence Awards
Since 1994 the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB) has believed that Michigan’s school districts needed help creating public awareness of the great things happening in classrooms across the state. Central to this goal was the desire to provide a vehicle for telling the good news and for strengthening confidence in public education. In 2000, MASB invited SET SEG School Insurance Specialists to partner in celebrating school excellence. With SET SEG’s sponsorship and generous support, MASB has significantly enhanced the annual Education Excellence Awards program. The program recognizes original, innovative programs in various categories that positively impact student achievement in local and intermediate school districts.
The Michigan After-School Partnership congratulates the winners of the Michigan Association of School Boards Education Excellence Awards for Before and After School Programs
All Pro Dads Breakfast, New Haven Elementary at New Haven Community Schools
Research indicates that children do better in school when their dads are involved. At the elementary level, bringing in dads to participate with their children can be difficult. All Pro Dads is a program that brings dads into the school on a regular basis and gives them a short activity in which to engage with their child. New Haven Elementary added several new twists to All Pro Dads to make it unique and meet the needs of the local community. For example, at every meeting dads stand up and say something they’re proud of about their child. Just knowing that their dads are there and care positively impacts student achievement. Having local dignitaries such as the chief of police or village president attend gives credibility to the program and brings the school and community together to improve student success.
S.L.A.M. Summer Literacy and Math at Southgate Community Schools
The learning gap widens for struggling students over the summer months, which contributes to students falling even further behind grade level. S.L.A.M.—Summer Literacy and Math—provides about 125 elementary students 60 hours of literacy and 30 hours of math instruction for five weeks in the summer. Participation is voluntary and students are recommended by classroom teachers and by parents who request placement. The philosophy of the program is to accelerate learning, which is very different from remediation. Small groups are given intensive reading and math strategies where students learn to self-correct. This builds confidence and helps students develop problem-solving skills. Using art and music to support literacy and math content make this a unique program highly sought after by parents and students—for the results and the fun!
Turtle Shell After School Program, McKinley Center at Bay City Public Schools
This after-school program began with one student in 2001. Today, participation has grown to more than 55 students. Bay City’s Turtle Shell After School Program provides activities for the sole purpose of supporting student achievement. On Mondays, grades six through 12 are supported with academic tutoring services, homework assistance and peer relationships by using reading programs and contests to increase literacy levels. The Wednesday program supports K-12 and offers the same academic support. In addition, it provides a cultural component to address the unique needs of Native American students. Once each month a traditional speaker teaches an Ojibwe language class. Volunteers teach youth the history, traditions, songs and teachings of the powwow drum, woman’s hand drum and traditional songs and dances. Many students in the program are faced with uncertainty, conflict and negative influences, and this unique program provides them with a constant in their lives so they can focus on being successful learners.