Michigan ASCD sponsors this award program in support of ASCD Worldwide and The Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) Initiative in conjunction with the Michigan School Health Coordinators’ Association (MISHCA), and Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principal Association (MEMSPA). This program seeks to identify schools in Michigan that have created a school culture with programs that exemplify the ten components (blue ring) of the WSCC model (More information on each WSCC component here: https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/wscc/index.htm).
Schools applying for the award are required to submit a completed application, along with supporting evidence to Michigan ASCD, according to program guidelines and timelines. Applications can be completed by downloading the pdf, filling it out and submitting via email to sbishop@michiganascd.org OR by filling out the online application. All applications will be reviewed by a selection committee.
2021-2022 Whole Child Award Timeline
- Applications due by 11:59PM on October 31, 2021
- Notifications will be sent out November 15, 2021
- Award will be presented at the MEMSPA Annual Conference, December 8 – 10, 2021
- Funds will be distributed by February 28, 2022
- Optional Panel Presentation at MiSHCA’s Connecting with Kids Through School Health Conference June 20 – 21, 2022
The Whole Child Award is generously sponsored by the Michigan Assessment Consortium (MAC), Michigan Elementary & Middle School Principal Association (MEMSPA), Learning Forward Michigan, and Michigan School Health Coordinators’ Association (MiSHCA).

2021-2022 Whole Child Award Recipient: Galesburg-Augusta Middle School

In recognition of teachers, administrators, support staff, parents, community members and students taking initiative to build healthier school environments, Michigan Association of Supervision & Curriculum Development (Michigan ASCD) is recognizing 3 Michigan schools for fostering a safe, healthy, challenged, supportive and engaged environment for their collective students.
The Whole Child Award program is a collaboration with Michigan ASCD, the Michigan Assessment Consortium (MAC), Michigan Elementary & Middle School Principals Association (MEMSPA), Learning Forward Michigan and the Michigan School Health Coordinators’ Association. The program aims to recognize schools in Michigan that have created a school culture that exemplifies the ten components of the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child Model: Social & Emotional Climate, Physical Environment, Counseling, Psychological & Social Services, Health Services, Nutrition & Environment Services, Physical Education & Physical Activity, Health Education, Community Involvement, Family Engagement, and Employee Wellness.
This year’s Whole Child Award is proudly being presented to:
Gold Award: Galesburg-Augusta Middle School, Augusta
Silver Award: University High School, Ferndale
Bronze Award: Northwood Elementary, Kalamazoo
Galesburg-Augusta Middle School will be formally acknowledged at the MEMSPA Fall Conference in December. Recipients of The Whole Child Award will receive state-wide recognition, a chance to present at MISHCA’s Connecting with Kids through School Health Conference in June 2022,and a monetary award to go towards their Whole Child efforts.
For more information on the Whole Child Award, please visit www.michiganascd.org/wholechildaward.
2019-2020 Whole Child Award Recipient: Ferndale Elementary School

Michigan Association of Supervision & Curriculum Development (Michigan ASCD) is proud to announce the recipient of the 2019-2020 Whole Child Award: Ferndale Elementary!
Assistant Superintendent of Instruction, Dina Rocheleau, submitted an extraordinary application highlighting the Whole Child Tenet, Supported. Ferndale Elementary’s vast variety of community partnerships, family involvement, heartfelt coherence, and a multi-tiered system of support ensure their students have a safe, inclusive environment where their needs are met through systems processes, and daily practices.
As stated in their application, “Ferndale Schools are a family of continual learners. We support each and every student to develop their purpose, plan, and passion, while encouraging dialogue about the histories, cultures, and goals of our community….Our aim is for all students to learn to culitvate focus, resilience, empathy, connection, and well-being as the basis for academic and personal success.”
Thoughtful and intentional in their work, Ferndale Elementary highlights the Whole Child framework by:
- Meeting bi-monthly with families, community members, administration, and teaching staff to review their progress.
- Implementing best practices of Social Emotional Learning and The Whole Child to onboard families.
- A weekly newsletter that highlights the Social Emotional topis that the school is working on that week, and activities to use at home, mirorring the Whole Child philosophy.
- The creation of a Elementary Mental Health Specialist position, created to promote the emotional development of all students, staff, and families.
- Robust community partnerships with organizations such as Wayne State’s Center for Health and Community Impact, Big Green Gardens, Playworks, and The Great Lakes Equity Center.
Michigan ASCD would like to thank the Michigan Elementary & Middle School Principal Association (MEMSPA), Michigan Assessment Consortium (MAC), and Learning Forward Michigan for their generous support of this program and funding this year’s Whole Child Award.
Ferndale Elementary will be formally acknowledged at the MEMSPA Fall Conference in December. As a recipient of The Whole Child Award, they will receive state-wide recognition, and a $2,500 monetary award to go towards their Whole Child efforts.
2018 – 2019 Whole Child Award Recipient: Laker Elementary School

Michigan ASCD & MEMSPA are proud to announce the very first recipient of The Whole Child Award: Laker Elementary!
Principal Kathy Dickens submitted an extraordinary application highlighting the Whole Child Tenet, Engaged. Laker Elementary’s wide variety of after school clubs, in-school service-based projects, community partnerships, and parent support ensure their students have a well-rounded learning environment.
Laker Elementary lives their mission “...to be dedicated and committed to challenge and encourage all students to reach their highest potential. Through a comprehensive curriculum and a caring educational environment, Laker students will be prepared to excel in a global society.” They hope to combine their goals of engagement, social emotional health, and physical health with this award and add natural and sensory sensitive playground equipment for all students to benefit from. Kathy is committed to her school, community, and each and every student under her care. As stated in her application, “We will turn no opportunity away, regardless of the time and effort involved, if it will benefit even a small number of students”.
Michigan ASCD would like to thank MEMSPA for their generous support of this program and funding this year’s Whole Child Award. We would also like to thank each and every school who took the time to carefully craft their applications. It is incredibly encouraging to see all the amazing work that is being accomplished across Michigan in support of The Whole Child.