Area School teacher and student take the Polar Plunge; More than $1,000 raised for Special Olympics

Clare-Gladwin Area School teacher Melissa Kleiman and student Addy braved the frigid temperatures as they leaped into the Central Michigan University Rose Ponds on Feb. 16 for the 2013 Polar Plunge. An event made possible by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, the Polar Plunge raises funds and awareness for the Special Olympics of Michigan. Kleiman and Addy raised more than $1,000 for the cause.

“The experience was fantastic and I am definitely doing it again next year,” said Kleiman. “Even though it was absolutely freezing, everyone's spirits were high and everyone participating was so proud to be raising money and awareness for such a good cause.

Polar Plunge participants also dress in costume for the jump. Kleiman sported a Miss America outfit and Addy wore a cheerleader uniform. 

Culinary Arts students welcome local dietitian to share expertise with class

Registered Dietitian Kati Mora shared her expertise and passion for healthy living with the Culinary Arts students at the Clare-Gladwin Career Center last month. Mora spoke about her profession, nutrition, and the variety of job opportunities available to those pursuing the dietetics field.

“Many students were surprised to learn about all of the things a dietitian can do,” said Culinary Arts Instructor Heidi Rocha. “Kati showed them how she has been able to break out independently to achieve a number of goals in her industry,” she said, referring to Mora’s role as a writer for Fitness Magazine, creator of the nationally recognized website www.aroundtheplate.org  and owner of The Plate Boutique in Mount Pleasant.

Culinary Arts is one of nine Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs offered to local high school juniors and seniors at the Clare-Gladwin Career Center, a program of the Clare-Gladwin RESD. Students spend half of their regular school day in CTE and the other half at their local high school. For more information, please visit www.cgresd.net.

More than 38,000 students to receive food benefits this summer

Applications mailed home week of Feb. 11;  

completed forms due March 1

For the second consecutive year, the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer for Children (SEBTC) demonstration project will provide a select number of local qualifying students with a food package valued at $60 per month for June, July, and August 2013. The project is designed to help low-income families supplement their food budgets when school breakfast and school lunch meals are not readily available during the summer months.   

Applications for the program will be mailed home during the week of Feb. 11 to students who received SEBTC benefits last year, as well as to students who qualify for free and reduced price school meals or who are direct-certified for free school meals through food stamp eligibility.

Last year, 10,600 students attending schools in the Bay-Arenac Intermediate School District, Clare-Gladwin Regional Education Service District, Grand Rapids Public Schools, Midland County Educational Service Agency, and Tuscola Intermediate School District received food assistance through the program. Those same students will be automatically selected to participate in the 2013 program as long as they still qualify and they return their completed application to their school office by March 1.

An additional 28,000 low-income students from the same areas, along with Detroit Area Schools and Kentwood Area Schools, who return their consent forms by the March 1 deadline, will be randomly selected to receive either the $60 per month food package or a $30 per month food package.

“Ultimately, students who are well-nourished are able to start the school year healthy and ready for success in the classroom,” said Clare-Gladwin RESD Superintendent Sheryl Presler. “I encourage families who qualify to return these applications to hopefully take part in this wonderful opportunity.”

Made possible by a grant awarded to the state of Michigan by the USDA, the $60 and the $30 monthly food package per student per month will be delivered to families by an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card system existing through the State of Michigan WIC program.

Benefit recipients will be notified in May.

The SEBTC demonstration project is sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture and administered by the Michigan Department of Education and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Division of the Michigan Department of Community Health.  

The demonstration projects will be studied and evaluated by USDA providing critical information about the impact of these projects in the fight against hunger among our students during the summer months. 

To ensure healthy and nutritious selections are being made, the EBT cards will only pay for approved food items.

For more information on SEBTC, please call the Clare-Gladwin Regional Education Service District at (989) 386-8076, or visit www.sebtc-mi.com.