Location: Lansing Community College West, Lansing

Register online.

Location: At your desk

AM Session  8:00am - Noon
PM Session  1:00pm - 5:00pm

This session will help participants effectively handle the numerous tasks they must perform in a well-run office. Participants will learn:

* Principles of time management
o How to deal with multiple projects and deadlines
o Setting priorities
o How to work with multiple bosses
o Using multiple calendars
o How technology can help you manage your time
* What you can do to create a more productive work environment
o The importance of attitude
o When — and how — to ask for help

Increase your understanding of school law issues that affect your responsibilities on a daily basis. This session begins with a general overview. You will then select a track for either a central office or building level secretary that provides more comprehensive information relevant to your specific position. In these tracks, you will learn:

Participants will learn:

* The importance of being an ambassador for your school district on or off the job
* The importance of keeping the community up-to-date with the school district's goals and challenges
* Techniques and factors that are considered by public relations specialists when marketing a school district to their community
* The various forms of communication (i.e., web site, newsletter, video) that can be used to deliver information to the school community
* Appropriate and practical ways to use the different avenues of communication

For today’s administrative professional, the pressures to take on increased responsibilities are greater than ever, and often require the use of leadership skills. In this session, you will learn:

* About various leadership styles
* Characteristics of your own leadership style
* How to observe and understand individual differences in people
* How to set the tone for a productive workplace
* The importance of being a good role model
* Decision-making skills
* How to look at your work and life goals and find ways to maintain your balance

Participants will be provided an overview of:

* Requirements for payroll/personnel records, automated file maintenance, and related retention procedures
* Privacy issues related to payroll and the rules in accessing personnel records
* Different systems in place that track students including SRSD, MEIS, REP, and special education.
* The importance of each system, and how these systems are used within the school district

This session will provide a foundation for quality customer service. Participants will learn:

* How to understand customers’ expectations
* How to deal with many different customers, from challenging parents to complaining students
* How to improve communication with customers with effective questioning, listening, and responding skills
* How to resolve customer problems and complaints
* How to present yourself and your organization in a professional manner
* The importance of customer service in a schools-of-choice environment

Participants will learn techniques and apply them through role play when identifying and addressing safety/security concerns of both students and staff, including:

* Promoting and maintaining a positive school climate
* How to respond in an emergency
* Collaborating with law enforcement, first-responders, and local agencies
* Non-violent intervention strategies/conflict resolution/ mediation
* Dealing with aggressive students
* Managing stress in a dangerous situation

In this session, participants will learn:

* How schools are financed
o Basic definitions
o Legislative process
* The legal framework for schools
* School Board and administrative functions
* Business office functions
o Business and finance
o Transportation, food services, and facilities
* Basic budget processes
* The political environment

Learn practical techniques for effective job-related communications, including:

* Grammar and business writing techniques you will apply to your own communication samples
o e-mail, memo, and letter applications
o e-mail etiquette
o how to get your point across clearly and concisely
o editing and proofreading tips
* Verbal Communication
o As the front-line interface with customers
o How to deal with the unhappy customer
o Developing desk references that guide you through particular situations

In this session, participants will learn strategies and skills for building healthy relationships with peers, supervisors, parents, and community, including:

* Getting organized
* Tools for handling differences in communication styles
* How to give and receive feedback
* Characteristics of the various generations at work and the implications for the workplace
* How to constructively address controversial issues
* How to be an effective gatekeeper

School Administrative Professional Certification Program Core Curriculum

Please click on the session name below to "jump" to that class description.