FCSEM Newsletter
Winter 2018
Family and Consumer Sciences Educators of Michigan
Email: fcsemnewsletter@gmail.com
Website: www.fcsem.org
Phone: 517-589-9500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/936851746335567/
President's Address
Greetings and happy spring to my fellow Family and Consumer Science Educators of Michigan. The year is quickly approaching an end and it has certainly been a long year and winter for all of us. Hopefully the spring will be filled with as much warm weather and sunshine as the winter was filled with cold, snow, ice, and even rain. I know that I am ready for the sunshine, flowers, and warm weather that spring brings.
As the summer approaches I hope that you will have time to rest and recharge your batteries. I would also like you to think about attending the Annual FCSEM Conference in the FALL on November 2-3! This year the conference will once again be at Western Michigan University. More information about the conference can be found on the FCSEM website at www.fcsem.org. Look for details throughout the summer regarding registration, speaker information, and breakout sessions. As I think about the upcoming conference, I want to ask you to encourage all FCS teachers that you know to attend. Some teachers have not attended for a few years and it would be nice to see those familiar faces from the past.
Another item that has been on my mind has been being an advocate for FCS. I want to encourage all of you to promote your program within your district and community. I know that many of you already do this, however if you are not, please try to find ways to let others know that we are still around and working hard to give our students the skills that they will need to be successful in life. So, whether you are putting articles in your school newsletter that goes out to parents, contacting your local board, or putting items in your local paper, please remember that you are the best advocate for your program. I believe all of you are doing a great job so let others know about it too.
Anne Ribby
President 2017-2019
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS!!!
WANTED: Family and Consumer Science Teachers to fill volunteer positions of the State Board. Positions include the following:
Promotions: Duties include researching and securing promotional items for FCSEM and setting up displays and sales area at the annual conference.
Please contact the current FCSEM President, Anne Ribby, at anne.ribby@lesliek12.net if you have any questions regarding or interest in any of the open positions.
Teacher of the Year and Rising Star Awards
Do you know of an outstanding Family and Consumer Science (FCS) educator in Michigan? If so, you are in luck! We have extended the deadline for nominations. Please make your nominations for Teacher of the Year and Rising Star Teacher by Friday, April13, 2018.
In order for great FCS teachers to be considered for each of these awards, they must meet the following requirements:
Rising Star must have been an educator for less than five years
Teacher of the Year must have been an educator for more than five years
In addition, candidates in both categories must meet the following criteria:
Be a current Family and Consumer Science Educator
Be a current member of the Family and Consumer Science Educators of Michigan organization
Nominations can be made on the fcsem.org website under the ‘2018 Conference’ tab (http://www.fcsem.org/teacher-of-the-year-and-rising-star-awards.html). All nominations are due by Friday, April 13, 2018.
Currently, FCSEM membership dues is reduced to $20! If you or someone you know was wondering about signing up for the association, now is the time to join. Stay current with information and have full access to our website.
Go to fcsem.org for more information.
FCSEM Conference 2018
November 2-3, 2018
Western Michigan University
Check in at www.fcsem.org or facebook for ongoing details.
Updated: Gap Analysis/State Standards
Our first rough draft is due at the end of March. Please note this process takes time--personal time---to meet with OCTE representatives, write the new standards, and revise the standards. We are teaching in classrooms by day and writing these by night. If you are interested in helping us in the process, please notify Elaine Blake or Leah Brinker for more information.