K-5 Growing Career Awareness

Dear Teachers,

As you welcome your bright, young students back to school, remember that within your classroom walls, dreams begin to take flight. Every story you read, every math problem you solve, and every new idea you explore together isn't just a lesson – it's a window into the amazing things they can become. Inspire them to imagine, discover, and reach for the stars, for in their little hands, the future's biggest adventures await! -AI Generated

Last June, the MAISD Career & College Readiness team sent a Xello & Career Readiness Summary to district superintendents, principals, and counselors. This summary provides a big-picture look at how your district is using Xello and engaging in K-12 career development. It's designed to help you align with the Michigan Career Development Model's required targets and achieve your MiCIP K-12 career development goals.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been meeting with elementary school leaders to celebrate their successes and plan for this school year. I’ve also been providing professional development sessions to help staff implement career awareness activities and meet the required targets.

I look forward to connecting with your building soon to do the same!

Career Zone Resources

• K-5 Career Zone icons and colors have been updated over the summer to align with the new guidance in the Michigan Career Development Model (MCDM).
• I have new (12x18) career zone posters available for your buildings or classrooms:

1. All Career Zones K-1 Poster
2. All Career Zones 2-5 Poster
3. Separate Career Zone Posters K-1 (Set of 7 posters)
4. Separate Career Zone Posters 2-5 (Set of 7 posters)
5. Career Zone Visual

Request Posters Form

Xello Elementary

• Xello has made some updates to be able to better see the completion standards and check the progress of students. I will make sure champion teachers utilizing Xello are familiar with these updates.
• I will be working with elementary building leaders to help identify champion teachers to continue to help districts engage in Xello Elementary. Xello K-2 & 3-5
• If you have engaged in Xello and have students moving to another district or have new students moving in, please let me know so I can help move that student's Xello account.

Career and College Readiness Culture

Local districts are invited to participate in new and transformative coaching with our CCR team!

Using our learning from the experts of Youth Solutions, we plan to help our local districts build not only career and college readiness solutions - but FOUNDATIONS that can stand the test of time.

TWO districts this year will be identified as our FIRST cohort. TOGETHER, the hard work will begin as we plan a comprehensive career development program promoting a culture that prioritizes self-awareness, exploration, and future planning in preparing students for success - Kindergarten through high school.

Districts will be chosen based on their "readiness" rating and placed into cohorts. Additionally, we are hopeful to offer participating districts small mini-grants for their participation Foundations coaching. Grants approved for local districts may help fund student/staff incentives, special projects or career development program materials. Need more information or think you are ready? Link below for details.

What is Youth Solutions Foundations?

YS Foundations Readiness Assessment: Please complete this preliminary survey designed for our schools to determine need and capacity.

Email Megan Byard-Karaba at mbyard@muskegonisd.org for additional questions.

We have several countywide grade level specific activities to help support our districts in this work. Click on the links below to learn more about each activity:

• 2nd: KickStart To Career Connection Project*
• 3rd: Mini Medical School (MMS)
• NEW!!!! 4th: Banzai Lemonade Tycoon Financial Lesson*

• 5th: Money Smart Career Choices Activity*

Registration information will be coming in the October Smore Newsletter.

We also have partnered with several community partners to provide additional activities that will be available throughout the year:

• K-5: Spotlight on Ag Readers

• 3rd-5th: {MI} Code Experience (Registration Open See Information Above)

• 4th-5th: MCC STEM Lab Activities

• K-12 Muskegon County Water Week Events (May)

• K-12 STEAM Along the Lakeshore Event (May)

Registration information will be in upcoming Smore newsletters.

Events and Activities to Support Career Awareness for Teachers:

• Community Foundation for Muskegon County $500 Mini Grants!

Teacher Mini Grant Applications are NOW OPEN! Our Youth Advisory Council (YAC) invites school district employees to apply for mini-grants to help them out in the classroom. Whether it’s a new idea or that little extra you need to make your lesson plans great, you can brighten your classroom with help from the YAC. Grants can be up to $500 for specific projects or programs including: program enhancement that meets curriculum guidelines, expanding an already existing unit, student awards, special events, professional development, artists in residence and parent involvement programs. To Apply & More Information. Applications are due by October 23rd, 2025

• Muskegon Conservation Club Fall Water Festival 2025

Your third-grade students are invited to attend the Muskegon County Water Festival near the Lake

Michigan waterfront at Pioneer County Park. The free event will be held Wednesday October 1st, 2025 and will include morning and afternoon session options.

- Information Letter to Schools

- School Registration

- Transportation Application

Events and Activities to Share with Families:

Hackley Public Library - Lego Education Wednesdays Activity

Muskegon Art Museum - Calendar of Events

Muskegon Museum of Art - Super Saturday STEAM activities

Muskegon Lakeshore Museum - Calendar of Events

Grand Rapids Children's Museum - Exhibits

Grand Rapids Public Museum - Exhibits

Resources to Support Building Career Awareness

Michigan Learning Channel- You will find great career videos for a variety of careers. You can search by subject (career exploration) or by grade.

MeL Resources:

Michigan has adopted six career zones, which are ideally introduced to students and families in the early childhood and elementary school years. For the Natural Resources & Agriscience zone, the eBook K-8 Collection titles, Tractors on the Go, and From Cotton to T-Shirt can support the early years, while Food & Natural Resources, STEAM Jobs in Agriculture & Food Development, and Urban Farming are geared more toward later elementary. For the Engineering, Manufacturing & Industrial Technology zone, Industrial Robots, How Can We Reduce Manufacturing Pollution?, and Creative Machines are additional examples of eBooks that can build career awareness for elementary students.