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Happy back-to-school season! As we gear up for another school year, I want you to know how grateful I am for all Michigan students, parents, teachers, and school staff. Our schools provide our kids with an excellent education, a safe learning environment, and a space to develop into the incredible individuals they are. That’s why I’m committed to ensuring our schools are safe and have all the resources students and teachers need to thrive. In the bipartisan education budget I signed this summer, we made the highest state per-student funding in Michigan history, dedicated dollars to support mental health and school safety, provided $10,000 scholarships for 2,500 future teachers per year, and invested $250 million in school infrastructure projects. I look forward to our continued work to invest in education and wish everyone a wonderful start to the school year!
Sincerely,
 Gretchen Whitmer
Governor of Michigan
A couple weeks ago, I spoke with more than 50 Michigan superintendents representing every region of our state. During this meeting, I stressed the importance of having our kids learn in-person this fall, and how school districts can best utilize all available resources from the education budget I signed last month.
 As a parent, I know how important in-person learning is to our kids, and I am using every tool at my disposal to ensure our students stay safe in the classroom. The bipartisan education budget I signed earlier this month makes historic investments in school infrastructure, mental health, teacher recruitment, and school safety – all of which supports in-personal learning. I am grateful to the dedicated superintendents across Michigan for their leadership through unprecedented challenges, and I am excited to work with them to make sure students have an incredible school year.
Part of back-to-school season is getting stocked up on supplies. Whether you’re a student, a parent, or a teacher, school supplies and classroom expenses can add up quickly.
Families should be able to get what they need without spending too much money out of pocket. That’s why MI Back to School Plan includes a proposal to temporarily suspend the sales tax on school supplies. This will save Michigan families money right now, expanding on the historic, bipartisan education budget I signed in July that made the highest state per-student funding in Michigan history. I will work with anyone to lower costs, cut taxes, and help our students thrive. I look forward to working with the legislature to enact the MI Back to School Plan.
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Every kid deserves to feel safe at school – full stop. That is why programs like OK2SAY are so important. OK2SAY is 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.
As we begin another school year, I encourage everyone to be aware of this resource so we can proactively address issues that may arise. OK2SAY is available 24/7 and tips can be submitted the following ways:
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.
While I may be biased, I believe Michigan has the best teachers in the country. Earlier this month, 10 Michigan teachers – one from each region of the state – were honored with awards for Regional Teacher of the Year at the State Board of Education Meeting. Additionally, Nanette Hanson, from Escanaba Public Schools, was awarded Michigan Teacher of the Year.
Other awardees included Kathryn Lamberies from Roscommon Area Public Schools, Bill Boerman from Holland Public Schools, Dawn Perez from Swan Valley School District, Karen Sleno from Flushing Community Schools, Ashleigh Lore from Grand Ledge Public Schools, Dustin Sayers from Schoolcraft Community Schools, Stacy Trosin from Pinckney Community Schools, Jennifer Sepetys from West Bloomfield School District, and Carl Brownlee from Detroit Public Schools.
Teachers are such an important asset to our state’s education, economy, and the well-being of our kids. Congratulations to all Regional Teachers of the Year. As a state, we are so grateful for your dedication to students.
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