APRIL 2026
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SPOTLIGHT STORY
Students at Waterford Montessori Academy soaked up the sunshine and let their creativity bloom with bright sunflowers and happy art! Check out how the preschooler’s explored colors, nature, and created masterpieces of their own. A little reminder that learning is truly beautiful.
Pontiac Academy for Excellence Middle/High students participated in a First Robotics Competition. Great job Robotics Team 9252 – Team Wingspan. Special thanks to Ms. Angelica Tibbitts who serves as the Special education teacher, STEAM teacher, and First Robotics Coach!
Merritt Academy 8th graders enjoy applying physics to the real world with a trip to the bowling alley.
April Celebrations
After March Madness, April is the perfect month for celebrations/appreciations and embracing the increased sunshine of Spring. Check out the special themes aligned with the month of April and look for opportunities to celebrate at your academy.
Major April 2026 Holidays & Observances
April 1: April Fool's Day, Passover (begins at sundown)
April 2: World Autism Awareness Day, International Children's Book Day
April 3: Good Friday
April 5: Easter Sunday
April 19: Patriot’s Day
April 22: Earth Day, Arbor Day
April 28: National Superhero Day
National Youth Violence Prevention Week, from April 27 to May 1 this year, is the time of the year when certain organizations place a great focus on preventing youth violence. Sponsored by the National Association of Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) and Sandy Hook Promise, the week looks at the different instances of youth violence that have taken place over the past few years. It also aims to encourage student involvement so people of all ages are better prepared to tackle cases of youth violence before they occur. The end goal is to ensure no young lives are lost in horrifying acts of violence.
CHARTER LEADER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Scan the QR code to receive additional resources that Rich provided during the March Charter Leadership Conference. Check out one of the apps that Rich discussed below.
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2026-2027 Charter Leader Conference Dates
- Thursday, August 13, 2026
- Friday, November 20, 2026
- Friday, March 5, 2027
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Based on leader feedback the time for the Charter Leadership 26/27 Conferences will be 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. A list was generated or requested future topics.
- Leadership Development
- Coaching teachers
- Coaching leaders
- Building teacher leaders
- Improving staff buy-in
- Celebrating staff
- Student Support Systems
- MTSS best practices
- Chronic absenteeism
- Special education & literacy
- ELL/MLL support
- Instruction & Systems
- Small-group differentiation
- Dyslexia updates
- Disciplinary literacy
- District improvement planning (MICIP)
If you are interested in serving on a planning committee to plan one or more of the Charter Conferences for the 26/27 school year, please email cdwilli1@svsu.edu.
BOARD MEMBER TIDBITS
REMINDER!
All board members serving on SVSU-authorized public school academies are required to complete two hours of board training each school year.
Please record your completed training on the 2025-2026 Board Training Verification Form so that training can be noted by SVSU for the academy Annual Report.
OUTSTANDING EMPLOYEE
Thank you to those that nominated individuals for the Employee of the Year. Nominees have been contacted and the results will be published in the May newsletter.
PSA PHOTO CONTEST DEADLINE
Stakeholders from SVSU charter schools (school leaders, teachers, staff) have the opportunity to win a cash prize for their school for submitting photos of student learning, experiences, and activities that illustrate the theme of the year. Each photo must include a caption (1-3 sentences that links the photo to the theme).
2026 Theme - Uncomplicated JOY
Uncomplicated
- Not complex or difficult
- Free from confusion, trouble, or mixed feelings
- Simple; easy to understand or experience
Joy
- A feeling of great happiness or delight
- A deep sense of positive emotion, often spontaneous
- An uplifting emotional state
To enter the contest, submit the Photo Contest Terms & Rules form, photos, and Media Release Forms to Dawn Gillespie (drg@svsu.edu).
Deadline April 10, 2026
First place - $500, Second place - $250, Third place - $100.
For additional information and forms, see The Charter Collaborative website.
NEWS YOU CAN USE
This session focuses on understanding and implementing specially designed instruction to meet the unique needs of students with IEPs. Participants will learn how to design and deliver explicit, individualized instruction aligned to IEP goals to support skill development and student progress.
Suggested Attendees:
- Building Administrators
- General and Special Education Teachers
SCECHs will be available for your participation in this event.
Presenters: Dr. Sara Holding, Special Education Compliance Advisor for The Charter Collaborative at Saginaw Valley State University and Dr. Jacqueline McDougal, Special Education Consultant for The Center for Charter Schools at Central Michigan University
FEATURED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
AI FOR SCHOOL LEADERS
MASA's AI for School Leaders is a one-day, hands-on learning experience for school and district administrators - focused on practical application, not theory. Gain immediate "quick wins," dedicated time to draft district policies and guardrails, and leave with actionable plans and handbook language ready to use.
Bring your team to collaborate, align and build a cohesive vision for AI in your district.
WHEN: April 22
WHERE: Lansing
COST: $220
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WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP
Join MASA for the annual Women in Leadership Conference – an event for current and aspiring female and female-identifying leaders in Michigan’s school districts.
Attendees will hear from female leaders in education and other career fields, discuss hot topics in education, and network with like-minded women from school districts throughout the state.
WHEN: Apr. 27-28, 2026
WHERE: Traverse City
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BOLD BY CHOICE SUMMIT
The 2026 Bold by Choice Summit brings together leaders, educators, students, policymakers, advocates, and employers to reimagine what young people need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Students’ futures depend on the connection between K–12, higher education, and the workforce. This Summit is where those worlds intersect to create real choices, real pathways and real opportunities.
More than a conference, it’s a working space for leaders committed to building bold paths and brighter futures for every student. Join us April 27-29, 2026, in Grand Rapids, Michigan!
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ADAPTIVE SCHOOLS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT RECOMMENDATION from Cathy Malotka
I’m sharing information from Oakland Schools about an outstanding professional development series for you and your leadership teams. These seminars are not only high quality, but they are also led by a true expert in her field, Carolyn McKanders. Many of us at the Charter Collaborative have participated in several of her workshops and continue to return because of the engaging, high-quality presentations she consistently delivers. Because of her outstanding reputation, these workshops will fill up fast, so if you are interested, please check your availability and sign up soon.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER TO ATTEND
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ANNUAL MICHIGAN CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT FACILITATORS NETWORK (MCIFN) CONFERENCE
June 10-12, 2026 (In-person Only) - Traverse City
June 10, 2026 (half-day): $55
12:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
June 11, 2026 (full-day): $110
8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
June 12, 2026 (half-day): $55
8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
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Contact Candice Casey for additional information via email.
CHARTER DAY AT THE CAPITOL
Charter Day at the Capitol - April 22, 2026!
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
10-11am Registration and Student Performances
11-12am Capitol Steps Program with Community Voices
12-1 pm Lunch and more Student Performances
Charter Schools Week is May 11-15, 2026!
https://www.charterschools.org/charterweek-and-charterday - Learn about all the events and register to participate!
CONTACT US.
The Charter Collaborative
Office Location: Gilbertson Hall
Email: charterschools@svsu.edu
Phone: (989) 964-4623