Civil Municipal - May 2024

She adds that AI also serves as a valuable research partner, offering alternatives to traditional search engines.“There’s some caution and we have to have the skill to be able to decipher where that data is being aggregated from, but I think that’s another way that our kids need to be very savvy.” Moreover,White highlights the creative applications, and how they can be utilized to create purposeful solutions. She recounts, “You don’t have to learn how to code as much anymore, everybody can be a programmer now. We’re living in a very progressive time. Our kids can’t do those broader areas, they’re not going to be well prepared for the future.” VALUED PARTNERSHIPS White acknowledges the parent community as “the first teachers at home.” We are thankful for the continuous support of our parents and community as they are integral to the success of the educational initiatives at NBAS. “We’ve worked diligently to provide a lot of unique opportunities,” conveys White. “One point of pride that we have in our district is the North Branch Early College where our students can earn up to 61 credits. We also have dual enrollment and partnerships with the University of Michigan-Flint, where students can go if they’re interested in engineering or medical.” White underscores the longstanding collaboration with Michigan State University, specifically Dr. Doug Hartman, whose partnership with the district has facilitated valuable exchanges.“When you talk about digital tools and technology, he has brought in his Educational Psychology and Educational Technology students for the last 15 years. He has invited Turkish scholars to work with us the past few weeks. “ That partnership has been very symbiotic for both of us.`` The L&L Educational Foundation, established by the global automotive distributor L&L Products, has been instrumental in supporting NBAS, enhancing various initiatives aimed at enriching the student experience. White emphasizes their exceptional generosity, stating, “Their business has done LEARN MORE! deantransportation.com THE DE AN D I FFE R ENC E At Dean Transportation, we understand the importance of safe and reliable school transportation. With a dedicated focus on the well-being of students, we take pride in being the trusted choice for Michigan school districts and are proud to partner with North Branch Area Schools. Caring For Passengers With Safety, Compassion And Comfort In Mind At Every Turn 226 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 05