by Becky Andrus | Aug 11, 2022 | Regional News
Gov. Whitmer Celebrates OK2SAY Program that Helps Keep Schools Safe
Annual report shows Michigan State Police logged over 6,200 tips from OK2SAY in 2021
LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer reviewed the annual report from OK2SAY, a school safety program run by the Michigan State Police (MSP) that empowers Michigan students, teachers, and staff to help protect school safety by confidentially reporting threats, violent behavior, or mental health crises. In 2021, OK2SAY logged over 6,200 tips, a 67% increase compared to 2020.
“Every kid deserves to feel safe at school, and I am proud of the successful OK2SAY program that offers students a confidential way to report threats and talk about their mental health,” said Governor Whitmer. “I am so grateful to the MSP for ensuring this program runs smoothly. I will work with anyone to keep our kids safe at school, and I am proud of the historic, bipartisan efforts we have made in our students and schools to help them thrive both in and out of the classroom. Let’s keep working together to help kids be kids.”
“OK2SAY is a violence prevention tool in place in Michigan for more than eight years and remains steadfast in its mission to help keep students safe,” said Col. Joe Gasper, director of the Michigan State Police. “The program provides a much-needed safety net responding to and preventing numerous individual and community crises.”
The 2021 Annual Report shows that OK2SAY received 6,255 tips spanning 30 categories, with the top three types of tips being:
- Planned School Attack – 1,786
- Threats (e.g., an expression intended to cause pain or injury to a specific individual rather than a school building) – 722
- Other (e.g., anxiety, stress, depression, harassment) – 632
Other findings include 34 tips which involved the confiscation of weapons and 86 tips that resulted in the seizure of drugs or alcohol.
OK2SAY is available 24/7 and tips can be submitted the following ways:
Anyone can report tips on criminal activities or potential harm directed at students, school employees or schools. Tips can be submitted 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Michigan law requires every public and nonpublic school to provide the MSP with at least one school official’s emergency contact information biannually. This information allows OK2SAY to efficiently communicate with school personnel when a tip is received. The form for schools to update their contact information can be found here.
Student Safety Investments
In July, Governor Whitmer signed a bipartisan education budget that will make the highest state per-student investment in Michigan history to improve every kid’s in-class experience, invest $250 million in school infrastructure, fund $10,000 scholarships for 2,500 future teachers every year, and send schools dedicated per-student funding to bolster school safety and expand on-campus mental health resources.
The dedicated $210 million school safety dollars allocates $25 million for schools to hire more on-campus school resource officers. The school safety dollars will also create an intervention system for at-risk students that brings together law enforcement, schools, and mental health professionals, and establish a school safety commission.
In June, Governor Whitmer signed legislation that fully funds risk assessments and critical incidence mapping at every school in the state to help protect students and create safety plans in the event of an emergency. The legislation will deliver necessary resources to Oxford Community Schools and every district across the state to support students, improve public safety and provide effective law enforcement solutions.
The Office of School Safety is committed to delivering quality services to schools that promote safe and secure learning environments to reduce threats, build trust and improve the quality of life for K-12 students in Michigan. Created under the authority of Public Act 435 of 2018, the Office of School Safety, which is housed within the Grants and Community Services Division of the Michigan State Police, works in partnership with the Michigan Department of Education to do the following:
- Assist in the development of model practices for school safety and engage with local law enforcement agencies to assess school buildings for which emergency operations plans are being developed.
- Seek and apply for federal funds relating to school safety and reducing violence and disruptions in schools.
- Provide staff support to the School Safety Commission, which is responsible for making recommendations to the Office of School Safety.
The Office of School Safety has resources available to schools and school districts throughout Michigan, including an emergency operations template, a facility assessment tool, and mental health resources.
by Becky Andrus | Aug 11, 2022 | Regional News
Gov. Whitmer Announces an Estimated 148,000 Michiganders May Qualify to Have Student Loans Forgiven Under Federal Program
Over 6,000 Michiganders have saved $358 million through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program
LANSING, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer is encouraging Michiganders working in public service to review the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program to see if they qualify for federal student loan relief no later than October 31, 2022. Thousands have already utilized the program to pay off their debt, and over 148,000 more Michiganders may be eligible due to the recent PSLF waiver.
“I’m grateful to the countless, dedicated public servants across Michigan that spend their days making our state a better place to live. Whether you are a service member, firefighter, health professional, teacher, social worker, librarian–-the list goes on—thank you for your service,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Tens of thousands of Michiganders may qualify for this loan forgiveness program, which will help ease the burden of student debt and put money back in people’s pockets. I encourage Michiganders to review the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program and see if they are eligible to have their remaining student loan debt forgiven.”
“The State of Michigan employs nearly 50,000 people across the state. We’re working hand-in-hand with employees to help them take full advantage of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program,” said Liza Estlund Olson, director of the Office of the State Employer. “By highlighting recent changes to this federal program, we urge borrowers to take a second look to see if they qualify for student loan relief and encourage more Michiganders to join the public sector workforce.”
“As a son of teenagers just trying to get by, we didn’t have much. My single mother did everything she could, but other than a small Pell Grant, I had no help to afford college. Loans were the only way to get the education that no one in my family had. I’ve devoted my career to the service of others both in the non-profit and public sector, and I was excited when I first learned about the expanded Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program,” said Bryan Van Dorn, a state employee from East Lansing. “When I tried to apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness back in 2010, the program wasn’t the right fit for my situation. So we just kept making loan payments. Chipping away at interest. Hardly making a dent. Last fall the rules changed and each of the payments I had made for the proceeding 10 plus years that were previously ineligible were deemed eligible. So I applied again under this temporary relief. Some paperwork, processing time, and anxious anticipation later, the remaining balance is now zero. Having these loans forgiven all but guarantees that my daughter won’t have to shoulder the same burden.”
“After working as an educator for over 20 years, doing what I absolutely love, I was blessed to have my student loans forgiven years sooner than expected. I am so thankful that I applied for the PSLF program years earlier and followed through each year with the recertification process,” said Erika Carpenter an educator of 23 years in Southfield. “This has helped open additional opportunities for me and I would encourage all educators to take the time to apply. Teachers should not have student loans, especially when we do not get the income we deserve. We teach the world!”
“As educators, we pursue a bachelor’s and master’s degree, masters plus thirty, student teaching without pay and years of continuing education every five years for recertification – all of which has been an investment in my career and the students I enjoy teaching,” said Nikoji Smith, an educator of twenty plus years in Southfield. “I applied for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and was grateful that something actually existed for educators. We are the most underpaid but yet we build the foundation for the doctors, lawyers and judges. I made my monthly payments and figured this would be forgiven by the time I retire. Imagine my surprise when I saw ‘paid in full’. I would encourage all educators to apply for the PSLF. I’ve had many conversations with my colleagues on the ease of the application and yearly recertification process. It feels good knowing that more of my colleagues’ loans are being forgiven as well. For educators, it feels like winning the lottery. This has truly been a blessing!”
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Background
Until October 31, 2022, the U.S. Department of Education is offering public servants working in government and eligible non-profits a second chance to qualify for student loan forgiveness. An estimated 154,000 public service workers in Michigan could be eligible for student loan debt relief under the PSLF waiver. According to the Office of Federal Student Aid’s June report, over 6,000 Michiganders have taken advantage of the PSLF waiver and have had $358 million in loans forgiven.
The recent changes to the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program allow previously ineligible borrowers – those with a non-Direct loan, who are not enrolled in an income driven repayment plan, who have missed a repayment, or made a partial repayment in the past – to receive credit toward loan forgiveness for the years they worked in government or a qualifying non-profit.
To apply for the PSLF waiver, borrowers should:
If borrowers have questions regarding their individual situation, they can visit studentaid.gov/pslf/ or call FedLoan Servicing at 1-855-265-4038.
Congress created Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) to recruit and retain top talent in the public sector workforce. If an individual works for federal, state, local, or tribal government or a qualifying non-profit for 10 years, makes 120 full, on-time loan payments, and submits all required paperwork, the federal government forgives all of their remaining student loan debt.
Though PSLF was established in 2007, it has faced implementation challenges. Prior to the PSLF Waiver, only 2.1% of eligible borrowers had been approved for loan forgiveness. The recent PSLF program overhaul is the U.S. Department of Education’s attempt to deliver on the program’s promise and thank the public service workforce for their dedication and support.
The Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Champions Toolkit is available for employers and professional associations to help them amplify the PSLF waiver opportunity and connect borrowers to resources. The toolkit includes sample email correspondence and social media posts. It is available for download here.
by orionontv | Aug 8, 2022 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Around the OAA.
This is a blog that is devoted to the OAA. We cover 23 schools from Oakland County to Wayne County. From Oxford to Harper Woods. This blog will give insight and projections around the OAA.
Friday, August 5, 2022
By Sammy Taormina
Written Friday August 5th at 8:30 PM
Here are my grades on the 2022 OAA Football uniforms heading into the season. Enjoy.
Red
Clarkston (Uniform Provider-Nike): I really like the Wolves uniforms. The road uniforms are all white with blue numbering to go along with white pants with blue stripes on the sides. The blue Michigan helmet makes this look one of the best around the league. The home uniforms are solid as well with the all blue look even though I’m not a huge fan of the white trim on them. The all white look looks very good, wish they would bring back the name plates. GRADE A.
Lake Orion (Uniform Provider-Nike): The Dragons are going back old school with the football uniforms. The all green and all white with the green V-Neck look is classic Lake Orion. There are no stripes or no LO V-neck collar, just a simple classic look with names on the back. The only down side is the road uniforms say DRAGONS as well and not LAKE ORION. The pants have the classic stripes on the sides with the Dragons logo and the green helmet makes it a perfect uniform. Finally a jersey that Coach Chris Bell got right and it’s me approved. GRADE A.
Adams (Uniform Provider-Adidas): The Highlanders have a yellow helmet with the Adams A on one side and the player number on the other side. There was talk about putting the script Adams which I questioned why they would do that. The home yellow is okay but not great, it is an upgrade over the brown jerseys and white pants look and or the brown and yellow look. The road whites are different with the brown and yellow stripes on the elbows. They look very similar to the North Farmington jerseys. Adams completely changed the design. I’m not a fan of these jerseys, not at all. GRADE D.
West Bloomfield (Uniform Provider-Home/Road-Nike, Third Jersey-Russell Athletic): The Lakers haven’t changed much with their uniforms. The white pants are classic along with the green and white uniforms. The third uniforms are solid as well. The helmet needs work, great design but needs a paint job. Green helmet would be much better and smoother. GRADE A-
Stoney Creek (Uniform Provider- Home/Road-Under Armor, Third Jersey-Zenith): I really like the Cougars uniforms. They have name plates on the back and they can wear any pants whether gold, blue, or white. The helmet needs a redesign a little bit. I’m a fan of the gold helmet but not the design with the SC on one side and the player number on the other side. The Armor Up on the V-Neck looks very good. The traditions are great. I didn’t mention their military uniforms but they look very good as well. The third jersey is the all gold, I really like that jersey as well. Overall great uniform designs. GRADE A.
Oxford (Uniform Provider-Nike): The Wildcats have a classic simple uniform whether it’s the home blue or road white uniforms. They went with a yellow helmet which is different from past tradition when they wore blue helmets. The design needs some work with the O on one side and the player number on the other side. The simple plain uniform looks very nice especially with yellow or blue pants. Oxford should NEVER wear white pants under any circumstance. White pants have been bad luck in the past. GRADE A.
White
Harper Woods (Uniform Provider-Nike): The Pioneers have an interesting uniform combination. They have three helmets and a very good uniform design. I like the black and maroon helmet much better than their white helmets. The uniform top looks great whether if it’s maroon, black, or white jerseys and pants. The black or maroon helmets make the uniform look very strong but the white helmet, not so much. GRADE B.
Harper Woods Twitter. https://twitter.com/HW__Football/status/1553813051580846081
Southfield Arts and Tech (Uniform Provider-Nike): The Warriors finally got out of the Adidas looks and went to Nike. They look so much better in the Nike uniforms but the helmet needs to go back to blue or something, white is not a good look for the helmet. Great uniform and pants but the helmet needs a paint job and quick. GRADE B.
Oak Park (Uniform Provider-Nike): The Knights changed uniforms last season. I really like the home red uniforms with the name OAK PARK on the crest with white pants with the Knights logo. The all white look looks great with the black helmets however the rumor on the street is that the Knights are going to white helmets. Overall I like the uniform design looks good but if they change to white helmets that’s a bit of a concern. GRADE B.
Groves (Uniform Provider-Nike, Third Jersey-Zenith): The Falcons have a great home uniform but a subpar road uniform. The green helmet is great with the old classic Atlanta Falcons bird on both sides of the helmet. The home green, gold, and black look is a great look for the Falcons. The road white uniforms are too plain. It’s not like two years ago with that look, now that was a great look, the current look not so much. The alternate uniforms look good, the yellow jerseys look solid with the Falcons wings on the top of the jerseys. Great design to say the least. GRADE B.
Rochester (Uniform Provider-Under Armor): The Falcons went back to tradition and no gimmicks. Rochester has an all blue uniform with a blue helmet and a road white look with a blue helmet. They have an alternate black look for a game if it’s a big one. I like that they finally figured out the uniform design and not go all Oregon like they did a few years ago which was the definition of fashion disaster. GRADE A.
Bloomfield Hills (Uniform Provider-Nike): The Blackhawks went back to black helmets which made the most sense and brought a black uniform with purple lettering. I like this uniform a lot. The white uniforms look solid as well for Coach Dan Loria with the helmet. I like the uniforms as mentioned. GRADE A.
Blue
North Farmington (Uniform Provider-Home/Road-Nike, Third Jersey-Zenith): The Raiders went with three jerseys last season. The all black uniforms look very good. I also liked their home and road uniforms. They have the right design on the helmet but need to repaint the helmet. I think a gold or brown would make most sense with their jerseys. The uniforms look very good but they need to repaint the helmets. GRADE B.
Seaholm (Uniform Provider-Nike): The Maples went back to Maple helmets and went with an all Maple look at home and all white on the road. I think its ok but it’s not like the uniforms from two years ago. I wished the Maple helmet were with the old uniforms of the past. It’s an ok look but the jerseys are too plain. GRADE B.
Troy (Uniform Provider-Home-Nike, Road-Adidas): The Colts home uniforms look very good with the all black with the names on the back of the uniforms. The road whites are a complete disaster. The Adidas logo shows front and center with the TROY name and numbering in black font with the Colts logo on the elbows. It’s not a good look. If there is a team that really needs to change their road uniforms, this is it. GRADE C.
Troy Athens (Uniform Provider-Nike): The Red Hawks classic uniform design I really like with the gold helmet, red jersey, and gold pants. It’s the traditional look. They will wear red pants at times as well. The all white on the road looks very strong as well. I would like for Coach Tom Cook to at least put a Red Hawk bird on the helmet and not an A. The names on the back of the uniforms are perfect. I love the Nike uniforms they wear. GRADE A.
Farmington (Uniform Provider-Nike): This is not the best design when it comes to uniforms. I don’t like the helmet being white but the Falcon wings make up for it. The all blue look looks very good but the helmet doesn’t click. If there is a team that could go back to a classic look like they did with the Penn State look then Farmington might have a great shot to do so. GRADE B.
Gold
Berkley (Uniform Provider-Nike): This is one of the best uniform combos. I really like the all maroon look with maroon pants and blue helmets. The road uniform looks sharp as well. Both have name plates on the back. The helmet fits really nicely. Great uniform, yes indeed. GRADE A.
Royal Oak (Uniform Provider-???): The Ravens went with new uniforms on media day. The new jerseys have the Ravens name in white with blue numbering. The elbows are much better with the blue, white, blue stripes. The road ones are the same design. They have a black helmet to go with it. I forgot the designer they told me. This is a much better look and they made a video about the new uniforms. GRADE A.
Royal Oak Twitter. https://twitter.com/ROHSFootball/status/1555634102019280897
Ferndale (Uniform Provider-Nike): The Eagles changed uniforms last season going to an all brown look. They still have an all yellow look and an all white look as well. The helmet is dark brown which I really like a lot. This is a great uniform that can make the colors work to their advantage. GRADE A.
Pontiac (Uniform Provider-Home-Russell Athletic, Third Jersey-Zenith, Road-Nike): The Phoenix have a solid color scheme. Pontiac has their traditional home purple uniforms with black pants. They wore a new black uniform with purple wings on them during Media Day, I really like them a ton. The road is white with all white uniforms looks very solid. I like the purple helmet, it matches all three uniforms very well. Pontiac does have three different uniform providers but I’ll live with it. GRADE A.
Avondale (Uniform Provider-Home/Third Jersey-Nike, Road-Adidas): The Yellow Jackets changed their home uniforms last season. I really like their home purple uniforms with the yellow pants. It’s very classic. I am not a fan of their road uniforms. I think the AVONDALE name is too small with the Adidas logo front and center along with the white pants. The all black third jerseys looks sharp. I want them to change the road uniforms, they are in need of an upgrade. GRADE B-
