Orser named Hi-Tec Employee of the Month

Clare-Gladwin RESD Custodian Mike Orser has been named Employee of the Month by Hi-Tec Building Services, the RESD’s janitorial and cleaning services provider.

Selected from more than 600 personnel, the Employee of the Month is chosen based on attitude, attention to detail, overall quality of work, knowledge of the job, customer service skills, and attendance.  “Mike was chosen due to his outstanding performance in all of these areas,” said Gary Fouts, Hi-Tec custodial site supervisor for the Central/Northern Michigan region . “He is a true asset to Hi-Tec!”

In addition to the award, Orser was given a gift card to Jay’s Sporting Goods in Clare.    

Digital Media participates in worldwide computer science initiative

Throughout the week of December 8, the Clare-Gladwin Career Center’s Digital Media class joined millions of students around the world to participate in the Hour of Code – an international event designed to demystify computer science and show that anyone can learn the basics. The initiative introduced students of all ages to computer science through numerous hour-long online tutorials catered to all levels of ability and made available in more than 30 languages.

The Digital Media class completed three tutorials covering topics that included drawing with code, website creation and design, and databases. “We did this to not only be part of the larger initiative, but to also stress the importance of Computer Science in today's society,” said Digital Media Instructor Jim Langley. “It is a vocation that is often shunned because of its difficulty, but hopefully through the Hour of Code projects, lessons and videos, students were able to debunk the ‘scarier’ aspects of Computer Science and see what can truly be created when you spend some time learning these topics.” 

Last year’s Hour of Code event resulted in 15 million student participants worldwide.

Digital Media is one of nine career and technical education (CTE) offerings available to local high school students through the Clare-Gladwin Career Center, a program of Clare-Gladwin RESD. 

CTE students learn about post-secondary opportunities at Kendall College

Nearly 50 students from the Graphic Arts and Digital Media programs at the Clare-Gladwin Career Center took a field trip last month to Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids. Following a tour of the campus, a presentation was given about the college, the degrees offered, financial aid opportunities, and what it takes for students to find success.

“This was a good field trip,” said Digital Media student Skyler Berry. “I learned about post-secondary degrees that I didn’t know were out there. I also liked how the college gives its students huge opportunities to showcase their skills and talents all over the school.”

Digital Media and Graphic Arts are two of nine career and technical education (CTE) offerings of the Clare-Gladwin Career Center, a program of Clare-Gladwin RESD. High School juniors and seniors from Clare and Gladwin counties spend half of their school day in their CTE program and the other half at their local high school.

Graphic Arts Students Leadership Group develops skills while giving back to the community

The Graphic Arts program of the Clare-Gladwin Career Center has established a Student Leadership Group, a select group of students who spend time outside of normal class hours to help the community through volunteering their graphic design skills and their time. Inspired by a concept of the Michigan Industrial and Technology Education Society (MITES), the Student Leadership Group consists of six members who meet once weekly online and once monthly in person.

Through the group’s initiative, Coleman student Ethan Davis recently created a new logo for the Clare County Animal Shelter. “For our new logo, I wanted something that was distinctly Clare County and something that conveyed that the shelter was a place of safety for animals,” said Susan Campbell, volunteer coordinator for the Clare County Animal Shelter. “I was just amazed at what the student came up with. It brought tears to my eyes!”

In addition to developing the organization’s logo, the Student Leadership Group also volunteered at a donation event for the Shelter held at Jay’s Sporting Goods in Clare this month. The same day, they assisted the Shelter in decorating their float for the Farwell Holiday Lights Parade, as well as passed out items during the parade.

While the group’s monthly meetings typically take place at a location where they can have fun together, such as Spinning Wheels roller skating arena in Mount Pleasant, the students have elected to use their next meeting’s budget to buy a Christmas present for a family in need.

Digital Media and Graphic Arts are two of nine career and technical education (CTE) offerings of the Clare-Gladwin Career Center, a program of Clare-Gladwin RESD. High School juniors and seniors from Clare and Gladwin counties spend half of their school day in their CTE program and the other half at their local high school.

Graphic Arts Student Leadership Group Board:

Ethan Davis (President)

Alyssa Haag (Vice-President)

Shyla Cassidy (Treasurer)

Graphic Arts Student Leadership Group Members:

Kirsten Head

Alexis Sines

Brad Walsh

McGuire Chevrolet; a 'Family Friendly Business'

McGuire Chevrolet in Clare is the most recent recipient of the Clare-Gladwin Great Start Collaborative’s (GSC) Family Friendly Five Star Award. The award is presented six times per year to local businesses that support and encourage children and families through their business practices.

McGuire Chevrolet has partnered with the Community Nutrition Network to host numerous free food distribution events during 2014 for local families. The business has also sponsored multiple food trucks. “I’ve known what it is like to be in need, so this partnership is important to me,” said Tom Kleinhardt, president of McGuire Chevrolet. “I also believe strongly in giving back and paying it forward.”

McGuire Chevrolet is located at 712 W. 5th Street in Clare.  

To nominate a local business for the Family Friendly Five Star Award, please contact Great Start Parent and Community Liaison Brandi Warner at 989-386-8644 or bwarner@cgresd.net.

The Clare-Gladwin Great Start Collaborative, operated by Clare-Gladwin RESD, works to build a coordinated system of community resources and supports to assist all families in Clare and Gladwin counties in providing a great start for their children, prenatal through age eight. To learn more, visit www.cgresd.net/cggreatstart. 

Children in Clare and Gladwin counties celebrate National Food Day

During the last week of October, children in the Clare-Gladwin RESD S.P.A.R.K.S. program at local elementary schools, area Great Start Readiness Program and Head Start preschool classrooms, as well as some local childcare centers celebrated National Food Day; an annual initiative that aims to promote safe, healthful diets, and supports sustainable organic farming.

Made possible by Clare-Gladwin RESD, the Clare-Gladwin Great Start Collaborative, and the Clare-Gladwin Health Improvement Planning Committee (a subgroup of Together We Can), this year’s Food Day focused on food education. Activities and lessons encouraged children to know where their food comes from, how to cook meals, and how doing so will give them a big advantage when it comes to being healthy. 

Children at a number of childcare centers in Clare and Gladwin counties enjoyed apples from the Fruitful Orchard in Gladwin, while the preschool programs throughout the two-county region included a National Food Day lesson into their snack times.

The Farwell Elementary students in the S.P.A.R.K.S. afterschool program made healthy, fun snacks with a Halloween theme, including mummy pizzas, ghost bananas, skeleton mushrooms, and candy corn fruit parfaits. “The students all participated in creating their own snacks and enjoyed trying some new food they had never before had,” said S.P.A.R.K.S. Director Keri Retzloff. “When trying mandarin oranges for the first time, I heard one student surprisingly say, ‘These oranges are great!’”

All participants also took home a National Food Day activity book. 

Local students submit 765 applications during College Application Week

During the week of November 3, the five high schools in Clare and Gladwin counties, along with Coleman High School, joined high schools around the state for Michigan’s annual College Application Week; a campaign committed to increasing the percentage of first-generation and low-income students to pursue a postsecondary education. The Clare-Gladwin Career Center, Mid Michigan Community College, and Educational Talent Search joined efforts to assist the region’s graduating seniors in completing and submitting at least one application to any of Michigan’s community colleges, independent college, and universities in which they were interested in attending. 

As a result, 377 seniors applied to at least one college during College Application Week. A total of 765 applications were submitted to both community colleges and universities across the country. Students also researched and applied to technical and trade schools such as Sullivan University, ITT Technical Institute, AIS Heavy Equipment Training Center.  

“After the success we had last year, we were geared up to host another College Application Week. We saw an increase of more than 150 students who participated this year and an additional 231 applications were sent out,” said Clare-Gladwin Career Center Counselor Margie Dill. “The goal of the program is to give students the tools and guidance they need to successfully apply to college. We hope this process gave the kids additional confidence and drive to continue to submit applications - in turn providing them with more options for their future.”

College Application Week participation per district:

• Beaverton High School - 93 students sent out 130 applications

• Clare High School - 116 students sent out 131 applications

• Coleman High School - 59 students sent out 66 applications

• Farwell High School - 80 students sent out 121 applications

• Gladwin High School -100 students sent out 192 applications

• Harrison High School - 118 students sent out 139 applications

Clare-Gladwin RESD offers CMU poverty simulation to local eduators

As part of a recent professional development opportunity offered by Clare-Gladwin RESD, educators from local school districts participated in a poverty simulation provided by Central Michigan University (CMU).

With the help of trained staff and volunteers from CMU conducting and facilitating the workshop, the 2.5 hour experience took place at Coleman Community Schools and was designed to sensitize participants to the realities low-income people face on a daily and monthly basis. 

In the simulation, participants assumed the roles of different “families” facing poverty with varying circumstances. “Participants experienced four 15-minute weeks with five-minute weekends as they worked through their month of poverty and tried to accomplish their objectives - feeding their family, paying their bills on time, maintaining housing, and maintaining safety,” said Clare-Gladwin RESD Assistant Superintendent for General Education Deb Snyder. “The simulation was conducted in the gymnasium with ‘families’ seated in groups in the center of the room. Around the perimeter of the room were tables representing community resources and services for the families.”

Snyder thanked CMU and its staff for their work in providing the simulation to the region’s educators for the second time this year.

Criminal Justice program tours State Police Training Academy

Nearly 30 local high school juniors and seniors in the Criminal Justice class at the Clare-Gladwin Career Center recently toured the Michigan State Police (MSP) Training Academy in Lansing. Tour stops included the academy's fitness center, firing range, driving track, K-9 kennels, and the water "tank" in which rescue trainings are conducted. Sgt. Marc Shore also spent time with the students answering questions as well as discussing the MSP hiring process and what to expect as a trooper.

"I think some of the students’ eyes were opened as to what would be required of them if they wanted to pursue a job with the MSP,” said Criminal Justice Instructor DJ Newman. “I feel that it is very important to show them as many different types of careers in the field as I can. Some of the kids are strongly considering becoming a Michigan State Police Trooper. The experience gained today will hopefully push them in or out of that."

Criminal Justice is one of nine career and technical education (CTE) offerings of the Clare-Gladwin Career Center, a program of Clare-Gladwin RESD. High School juniors and seniors from Clare and Gladwin counties spend half of their school day in their CTE program and the other half at their local high school.

For more information about the Clare-Gladwin Career Center, visit www.cgresd.net. 

Local high schools to participate in College Application Week

The five local high schools in Clare and Gladwin counties, along with Coleman High School,  will be are joining more than 200 high schools around the state in presenting Michigan’s fourth annual College Application Week. The Clare-Gladwin Career Center, Mid Michigan Community College, and Educational Talent Search have joined efforts to assist the region’s graduating seniors in completing and submitting at least one application to any of Michigan’s community colleges, independent colleges, and universities in which they are interested. 

“The goal of the program is to give students the tools and guidance they need to successfully apply to college,” said Clare-Gladwin Career Center Counselor Margie Dill. “It is our hope this process will give kids additional confidence and drive to continue to submit applications - in turn providing them with more options for their future.”

Leading up to and during College Application Week, area high school seniors will be participating in various activities designed to help expand their knowledge of the technical schools, colleges and universities in Michigan. The goal is to have students well-informed about their opportunities so they will be prepared when their school hosts Application Day.

Representatives from Mid Michigan Community College, Saginaw State University, Central Michigan University, the Clare-Gladwin Career Center, and Educational Talent Search will be at the participating schools to assist students in the application process.  There will be opportunities for application fee waivers during this time to ensure all students can apply to the schools of their choice.

Farwell High School is scheduled to host its Application Day on Monday, November 3.  Gladwin and Harrison high schools will host on November 4, followed by Coleman High School on November 5, Beaverton High School on November 6, and Clare High School on November 7.

Established in 2005, College Application Week is a national campaign sponsored by the Michigan College Access Network committed to the common goal of increasing the percentage of first-generation and low-income students to pursue a postsecondary education.  Last year, 534 applications were submitted by students from Clare and Gladwin counties as a result of Michigan College Application Week.

For additional information, please contact Margie Dill at 989-229-8710. 

Clare-Gladwin RESD offers online learning option through 'MROC'

Clare-Gladwin RESD and its consortium districts recently unveiled the Middle Michigan Regional Online Collaborative (MROC), offering local students in grades 9-12 with an online learning option.  The program gives high school students in Beaverton, Bullock Creek, Clare, Coleman, Farwell, Gladwin, and Harrison school districts the opportunity to take up to two high school courses online each semester.

Unlike a traditional online education experience, MROC provides multiple systems of support to help ensure students success. MROC courses are each taught by a teacher from a local participating school district who is highly qualified in his or her respective subject area. Students are also assigned a mentor teacher from their home high school who will monitor their progress during the course and assist them in developing the unique skills needed for online learning.

“The program is intended for students who want to try online learning, have openings in their schedules, or want to take classes that aren't available at the right time of the day at their school,” said Joe Trommater, data/special projects coordinator at Clare-Gladwin RESD. “The idea is to offer an online alternative for students with greater support and more local control than what is currently out there.”

MROC is offered at no cost to students. To see the list of course options, visit www.cgresd.net. For more information, contact Joe Trommater at 989-386-8602.

Not a new tax; Clare, Farwell, and Harrison school districts each seek renewal of non-homestead millage in November

On the November 4 ballot, voters residing in the districts of Clare Public Schools, Farwell Area Schools, and Harrison Community Schools will see a non-homestead millage renewal request for their respective school district. These are not new taxes, but renewals of existing millages that have been in place since 1994 as a result of Michigan voters passing Proposal A. The funds generated help support the operational needs of the districts each year.

 A non-homestead millage does not impact the property taxes on a family’s primary residence; it only applies to non-homestead properties, such as industrial, commercial, and some agricultural property and second homes.

The non-homestead millage was established in school districts across the state following Michigan voters passing Proposal A in 1994. In order for schools to receive the full per-student funding amount from the state, the district must first levy 18 mills on local non-homestead property.  The state then pays the district the foundation allowance minus the 18-mill levy. The state assumes school districts collect 18 mills on non-homestead properties, meaning those funds would not be replaced should the millage not be renewed.

In Harrison, the millage generates approximately $3.6 million per year, or about 27 percent of the district’s total budget. According to Harrison Community Schools Superintendent Tom House, “Failure to pass the renewal of the 18-mill levy on non-homestead property would result in devastating cuts to school programs in Harrison and the other districts.”

Farwell Area Schools relies on the non-homestead millage to provide approximately 31 percent of the district’s budget, or close to $3.8 million annually. “Without the funds generated from this millage each year, our district could not continue to operate,” said Farwell Area Schools Superintendent Carl Seiter.

For Clare Public Schools, if the non-homestead millage is not renewed, the district would lose approximately $1.6 million each year, which equates to around 12 percent of their yearly budget. “The Clare community is very supportive and they understand just how important this basic funding source is to our district and their kids,” said Clare Public Schools Superintendent Doniel Pummell. “Pioneers get things done and lead the way!”  

While the non-homestead millages are expiring in all three Clare County school districts this year, residents’ votes will solely impact the school district in which they live.

For a list of frequently asked questions about the Non-Homestead Millage renewal, please visit your local school district’s website:

Clare Public Schools

Farwell Area Schools

Harrison Community Schools

Clare-Gladwin Middle College welcomes ten new students for 14-15 school year

The Clare-Gladwin Middle College, a program of the Clare-Gladwin Career Center, welcomed ten new students this school year. The Clare-Gladwin Middle College offers a select number of students from local high schools the opportunity to earn college credits from Mid Michigan Community College while still in high school. The juniors and seniors spend half of their school day at their high school and the other half attending classes at Mid.

With limited spots available in the Middle College each year, Middle College Mentor Candace Opalewski said the selection process is a competitive one and all of the applicants are interviewed before a decision is made. Factors taken into consideration during the selection include the types of challenges the students have faced in their lives, if they have the drive to achieve more despite their circumstances, if they’ll utilize the support services the Middle College offers, what their future plans entail, and more. 

Opalewski provides the students with tutoring, as well as extra support and guidance to help them succeed during their first experience with college courses.

The Clare-Gladwin Career Center is a program of Clare-Gladwin RESD.

Clare-Gladwin Career Center student completes Michigan State Police Training Academy

Brad Gallagher of the career and technical education (CTE) Criminal Justice program at the Clare-Gladwin Career Center, a program of Clare-Gladwin RESD, attended the American Legion Michigan State Police Training Academy this summer in Lansing. The week-long offering teaches students in grades 10-12 about careers in law enforcement.

After 5 a.m. physical training sessions, the Gladwin High School senior’s days were filled with classroom sessions where he learned about the proper handling of firearms, self-defense techniques, water safety, the crime lab, and forensics.  His regimented schedule continued with a second physical training session in the afternoon, followed by additional classroom sessions until 10 p.m.

According to Gallagher, students attending the academy learned directly from experts in specialized forces of the police academy, including the SWAT team and the K-9 Unit.

“The academy really made me realize I want a career in law enforcement,” said Gallagher. “I’m especially interested in becoming a corrections officer or a state trooper.”

Gallagher also credited his experience in the CTE Criminal Justice program at the Clare-Gladwin Career Center for preparing him for the academy. “Because of CTE, I was already familiar with some of the laws and other topics we learned about at the academy, which was really helpful.”

Following graduation this spring, Gallagher plans to pursue a degree in criminal justice at Ferris State University.

Criminal Justice 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 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.

Local families invited to 2nd annual 'Day of Play'

Children and their families are encouraged to run, dance, skate, create, and explore at the second annual Worldwide Day of Play on Sept. 26 from 4 - 7 p.m. on the shared campus of the Isabella Community Sportsplex and the Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum.  

Organized by the Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum with help from representatives from the Clare-Gladwin and Gratiot-Isabella Great Start Collaboratives, EightCap, the ICE Arena, Morey Courts, MidMichigan Health, My104.3 WCZY, Staples, and MSU Extension, the Worldwide Day of Play will feature free activities for parents and kids to enjoy together, including ice skating with free rentals, and hands-on fun at the museum. Morey Courts will use a portion of their facilities to host family recreation opportunities. A multitude of community partners and local public service agencies will also be in attendance to share in the night’s activities.

Emulating Nickelodeon’s annual Worldwide Day of Play which shuts down television programming for a day to encourage kids to get off the couch and get active, the September evening of action will emphasize the many benefits that play provides in the lives of children.

“Play changes kids’ lives,” said Jennifer Fields, co-founder of the Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum. “It inspires parents and educators and can transform communities. So come out and play!”

Renovations underway at Magnus Center

Renovations are underway at the Clare-Gladwin RESD’s John C. Magnus Center to address the need for better facilities to house the career and technical education (CTE) programs chosen by nearly 350 local high school juniors and seniors annually. Phase one of the project is scheduled for completion in May 2015..

Formerly home to Magnus Tractor Sales, the majority of the property’s nearly 25-acres was donated to the RESD in the spring of 2013 by the family of the late John C. Magnus and contains multiple outbuildings, a barn, and a house. The RESD began working with architectural and engineering firms last fall to determine a master plan for the space to be carried out in stages as funding is secured.

During the 2013-2014 school year, two outbuildings were removed and students in the CTE Construction Trades program prepped the property for the upcoming renovations, as well as remodeled the house to make it handicapped accessible for Clare-Gladwin Area School students to use in the future to practice life skills.

Earlier this summer, Clare-Gladwin RESD accepted the lowest bid from Bolle Contracting in Clare, and the demolition of old foundations and the back portion of the main building is currently in progress. Several beams and a portion of the barn floor will be replaced this fall, along with the construction of a new driveway to better fit school busses and emergency vehicles. To accommodate future development, a new septic field will be put in and further excavation will take place. Technology wiring will be installed and the new learning lab and classroom for the Health Occupations program will occupy the renovated front portion of the property’s main building. The $100,000 grant awarded to the RESD last year by the Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation of Midland will help fund this phase of the expansion.

According to Clare-Gladwin RESD Superintendent Sheryl Presler, all of the project’s contractors have agreed to let the CTE Construction Trades students work side-by-side with them on various tasks, such as building new stud walls. “This is a real-world learning opportunity for our students,” said Presler. “We are grateful these companies recognize the value of vocational education and are willing to help shape the future workforce of their industry.” Approximately $15,000 will be saved by having the students’ assistance.

Clare-Gladwin Area School students 'Craft for a Cure'

The Clare-Gladwin Area School has partnered with the international non-profit charity Crafting for a Cure to help package craft-kits and create greeting cards for local children to use when at a hospital, offering them a fun and artistic distraction to help pass the time. The kits and cards will be made through product donations and will be available this fall in emergency rooms, clinic treatment rooms, and operating waiting rooms serving families from Clare and Gladwin counties.    

In early August, the organization’s founder and president, Pamela Bielak, traveled from Canada to the Area School to launch the partnership. Bielak brought the supplies needed to assemble approximately 1,000 craft kits valued at five dollars each. The kits will include a variety of materials such as glue sticks, crayons, magnetic picture frames, yarn, and pipe cleaners. Students in each classroom will be able to assist in packing the kits, constructing the greeting cards, or both.

“This collaboration is a wonderful project for the entire school to work on together,” said Linda Bennett, the Area School teacher who initiated the partnership. “Plus, it gives our students the chance to give back to our local communities.”  

Originating in Canada, Crafting for a Cure looks for opportunities to ensure children have a positive experience when a hospital visit is necessary. According to Bielak, while Crafting for a Cure has partnered with and benefited nearly 100 hospitals and schools around the world, the Clare-Gladwin Area School is the first school in the United States to help the charity pursue its mission. “It is our goal to make all children smile,” said Bielak. “We are excited to work with our first school in the United States and I think the Area School is the perfect fit.”

To learn how to donate, call the Area School at 989-386-3682.

For more information on Crafting for a Care, visit www.craftingforacure.ca.

Crafting for a Cure Founder Pamela Bielak recently delivered craft supplies for the Area School students to create craft kits and greeting cards for local hospital patients. From the left, Bielak, Area School Principal Mike Simon, Area School Teacher Linda Bennett, and Crafting for a Cure volunteers Daniel and Karen.  

Deadline for school of choice application slated for 2014-2015 school year

Under the Schools of Choice legislation (Section 105 and Section 105(c) of the School Aid Act), kindergarten through twelfth grade students residing within Clare Gladwin Regional Education Service District (RESD) and contiguous intermediate school districts may apply to attend participating public school districts in the two-county region, including Beaverton Rural Schools, Clare Public Schools, Farwell Area Schools, Gladwin Community Schools, and Harrison Community Schools. 

Transportation for these students is the responsibility of the parents or guardians.

The participating schools are listed below. For those grades or programs allowing an unlimited number of students from other school districts, request/application must be made to the preferred school district by no later than the end of the first week of school. For those grades or programs with a limited number of openings, the 15-day application period is from August 12 to August 30, 2014. 

The schools accepting students from other school districts during the first semester/trimester of the 2014-2015 school year include:

Beaverton Rural Schools, Gladwin Community Schools, and Farwell Area Schools

• All grades and programs (unlimited openings)  

Harrison Community Schools

Larson Elementary

• Kindergarten – 2^nd grades: No openings

Hillside Elementary

• 3^rd grade: 12 openings
• 4^th – 5^th grades: No openings

Middle School

• 6^th – 8^th grades: 20 openings each

High School

• 9^th grade: 5 openings
• 10^th grade: 3 openings
• 11^th – 12^th grades: No openings
• Alternative Education: Unlimited openings

Clare Public Schools

Primary

• Kindergarten – 2^nd grades: 10 openings each
• 3^rd grade: 5 openings
• 4^th grade: 5 openings

Middle

• 5^th – 7^th grades: No openings
• 8^th grade: 10 openings

High School

• 9^th – 12^th grades: Limited openings

RESD Culinary Arts instructor attends Summer Institute

The Clare-Gladwin Career Center’s Culinary Arts instructor Heidi Rocha attended the National Restaurant Association’s week-long Summer Institute last month at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Orlando, Florida. Rocha’s tuition to the program and her travel expenses were funded by a $1,750 scholarship she was awarded earlier this year by the association.

During her trip, Rocha completed Level 3 of the Summer Institutes. Level 3 featured culinary topics in salads, garnishing, baking, and desserts, as well as management topics including marketing and cost control. The class also discussed global cuisines and sustainability.

This is the third time Rocha has received a scholarship to attend the National Restaurant Association’s Summer Institutes. She completed level 1 in Chicago in 2009, and level 2 in California in 2012.

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 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.

CGRESD co-sponsors summer academy for hundreds of school leaders

At the end of June, Clare-Gladwin RESD’s general education department once again co-sponsored the 2014 C.O.M.M.I.T. Summer Leadership Academy in Traverse City. Approximately 225 school leaders from around the state attended this year’s event titled, “Inspiring Leaders to Create Positive School Culture: Tools for Change.”

Featured speakers included Dr. Anthony Muhammad and Dr. Randy Sprick.  

Dr. Muhammad facilitated professional learning and discussion on how to intentionally reshape the internal practices of schools and how to foster and maintain a healthy school culture. Dr. Randy Sprick then led participants through the foundational principles of Schoolwide Positive Behavior Support systems and shared proactive strategies for defining, teaching, and supporting appropriate student behaviors to create positive school environments.

“The quality and message of each presenter was amazing,” said one Summer Leadership Academy participant. “Both presentations gave useful examples of how other districts have applied the concepts that were talked about.”

Another school leader said this year’s academy was, “outstanding,” and described the speakers as the best they’ve heard in many years.

The Summer Leadership Academy is an annual event Clare-Gladwin RESD plans in collaboration with a consortium of five central Michigan intermediate school districts. 

Seven students graduate from Clare-Gladwin Area School

Seven local students graduated from the Clare-Gladwin Area School earlier this month during the annual End of the Year Celebration program. It was standing room only as students Nicole Blaga, Alyssa Dumont, Wayne Hochstetler, Jessica Husted, Vincient Lago, Dustin Newman, and Andrew Ogg ceremoniously entered the school’s gymnasium in their caps and gowns to the tune of, “Pomp and Circumstance.”

Following the processional, each Area School class entertained the audience with performances that reflected the event’s “Dance to the Music” theme.

The program concluded with Clare-Gladwin RESD Superintendent Sheryl Presler, Area School Principal Mike Simon, and Assistant Superintendent for Special Education Jan Weckstein presenting the 2014 graduates with Certificates of Completion. Gladwin High School Assistant Principal Linda Stodolak also assisted in handing out the awards to the students from Gladwin.

“The Area School had a wonderful graduation,” said Presler. “The program was as spectacular as ever, and the graduates were beaming! It was a fitting conclusion to another successful school year for CGRESD.”                   

Four of this year’s graduates have secured jobs with the Arnold Center and Mid-Michigan Industries.

For more information on the Clare-Gladwin Area School and the Clare-Gladwin RESD, please visit www.cgresd.net.  

Clare County students collect more than $1,000 in change for Clare County Youth Council

Children from Hillside Elementary and Clare Primary schools recently collected more than $1,000 in change for the Clare County Youth Council (CCYC); the county’s local child abuse and neglect prevention council.

The classes that collected the most change included Mrs. Azelton-Lee’s class at Clare Primary and Mrs. Jensen’s class at Hillside Elementary. Both classes were awarded with a pizza party. The CCYC also gave every student in each school a popsicle in appreciation for their participation. The change was then rolled by students in the Clare-Gladwin Transition Class, a program of Clare-Gladwin RESD.

The CCYC would like to thank all of the students and schools involved for their efforts in preventing child abuse and neglect in Clare County. 

Criminal Justice students compete against peers at Delta College Skill Day

The Criminal Justice students of the Clare-Gladwin Career Center, a program of Clare-Gladwin RESD, recently placed fifth overall in the 9^th annual Delta College Criminal Justice Skill Day.

During the event, students competed against their peers from around the state in a physical agility contest in which they had to complete a ½ mile shuttle run, a vertical jump, and as many as push-ups and sit-ups as possible in one minute.

The Clare-Gladwin high school juniors and seniors also revealed their understanding of the criminal justice field by taking part in multiple knowledge-based games.  

Criminal Justice is one of nine career and technical education (CTE) programs offered to high school juniors and seniors at the Clare-Gladwin Career Center. The students spend half of their day at their CTE program and the other half at their local high school. 

Graphic Arts students place at 2014 MITES state competition

Students from the Clare-Gladwin Career Center’s Graphic Arts program recently submitted projects showcasing their skills developed in the classroom to the 2014 Michigan Industrial and Technology Education Society (MITES) State Convention and Student Competition held at Saginaw Valley State University’s Ryder Center last month. In order to qualify for the state competition, projects needed to place fourth or better at the previously held MITES Regional Student Competition. Of the 24 projects entered into the regional competition by Clare-Gladwin students, 12 advanced to the state event.

With a mission to encourage and recognize fine craftsmanship in the field of industrial technology and career technical education, the annual MITES student competition allows kids of all grade levels to compete against hundreds of  their peers in a variety of divisions, including graphic arts, mechanical drawing, machine shop, plastics, and more.

The local high school juniors and seniors from the Clare-Gladwin Career Center who participated in the 2014 MITES State Student Competition with at least one project included Toni Boyd, Laurissa Brushaber, Shyla Cassidy, Kaitlyn Corell, Allyssa Haag, Chasity Haight, Malinda Hershberger, Mercedez Hisey, Katie Loesel, Calie Nixon, Cassie Reid, Jacob Schlaack, and Tristan Shimmons.

Nine of the 12 student projects featured at the state competition placed in their categories. Loesel placed sixth, Shimmons was awarded seventh, Boyd and Haag earned eighth place standings, and Brushaber, Corell, Hershberger, and Schlaack each finished in ninth. Additionally, a group project submitted by Loesel, Nixon, and Hisey finished fourth.

“MITES gave me an opportunity to compete against graphic design students from all over the state,” said Harrison High School student Allyssa Haag.

Andrea Boettner, Clare-Gladwin Career Center Graphic Arts instructor, said she was very pleased with the students’ placements at the competition. “To have so many students participate and place at regionals and states is a great accomplishment, especially with this year being just the second time we’ve taken part in the MITES competition."

The MITES convention not only provides students with the chance to better their abilities through competition, but it also affords high school graphic arts students and instructors funding opportunities to better their programs and their futures. Boettner was awarded a $500 grant to invest in screen printing equipment for the high school students in her Clare-Gladwin Career Center program. Student Jacob Schlaack also earned a scholarship valued at $500 as a result of his short essay that illustrated his plan to become a graphic arts instructor. Schlaak intends to receive his associate’s degree at Mid Michigan Community College in graphic design and then transfer to Central Michigan University where he will graduate with a teaching degree in fine arts.

Criminal Justice students tour Gladwin Jail and State Police Training Academy

Local high school juniors and seniors from the Clare-Gladwin Career Center’s Criminal Justice class, a program of Clare-Gladwin RESD, explored the variety of careers available to them in the law enforcement field through visits to the Gladwin County Jail and the Michigan State Police Training Academy in Lansing.

At the jail, students viewed the construction of the jail, interviewed the corrections officers, and witnessed how the inmates lived day-to-day while incarcerated.

The Michigan State Police Training Academy offered the juniors and seniors an overview of what recruits experience when becoming a trooper, as well as a tour of the firing range, pool, gym, and drive track.  “The students also received a K-9 demonstration,” said Clare-Gladwin Career Center Criminal Justice Instructor DJ Newman. “They watched the dog find cocaine in a training car and learned that the MSP’s cadaver dogs can sniff out corpses that are as deep as 55 feet underwater. It was very neat!”

Criminal Justice 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 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.

Clare County Community Baby Shower slated for March 29; Register today!

The Clare County Youth Council (CCYC) and partnering agencies will present the Clare County Community Baby Shower on March 29 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Brown Corners Church in Clare. Doors open at 10:30 a.m.

The event is free to pregnant women and to those parenting a child under the age of 12 months residing in Clare County. Each registrant may bring one additional guest.

Lunch, door prizes, and educational information will be provided.

To register for the Baby Shower or for more information, contact Brandi Warner at 989-386-8644.  

Local educators participate in poverty simulation

As part of the recent Clare-Gladwin RESD Regional Professional Development Day, approximately 90
teachers, support staff, administrators, and paraprofessionals from Clare and Gladwin County school districts participated in a poverty simulation, provided by Dr. Deborah Bailey and Dr. Norma Bailey of Central Michigan University (CMU).

With the help of more than 30 trained staff and volunteers from CMU conducting and facilitating the workshop, the 2.5 hour experience took place at Harrison Community Schools and was designed to sensitize participants to the realities low-income people face on a daily and monthly basis. In the simulation, participants assumed the roles of different “families” facing poverty with varying circumstances.

“Participants experienced four 15-minute weeks with five-minute weekends as they worked through their month of poverty and tried to accomplish their objectives - feeding their family, paying their bills on time, maintaining housing, and maintaining safety,” said Clare-Gladwin RESD Assistant Superintendent for General Education Deb Snyder. “The simulation was conducted in the gymnasium with ‘families’ seated in groups in the center of the room. Around the perimeter of the room were tables representing community resources and services for the families.”

According to a local teacher, “The poverty simulation was very eye opening for me. In my scenario, I was given the role of a single father who got fired, lost his home, and whose son became ill because of lack of food, and was ultimately taken in by social services. The one-hour experience left me stressed and wanting to cry. It was crazy considering I knew it was all pretend. I can’t imagine what families in these situations go through. I am completely humbled by this experience.”

Snyder thanked Drs. Bailey and their staff for their work in providing the simulation, as well as Harrison Community Schools and Chartwells for providing the venue and food service.

Clare-Gladwin RESD will offer a repeat poverty simulation to local educators in October 2014.

Clare County and Gladwin County Family Literacy Nights scheduled for March

The Clare-Gladwin Great Start Collaborative, Quality Preschool Partnership, and other early childhood partners of Clare and Gladwin counties are pleased to present, “Family Literacy Night,” slated for March 10 at Gladwin High School and March 18 at Harrison High School. Both events will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Open to all children age birth to six and their families, those who attend either Family Literacy Night will enjoy an interactive concert by Paula Doak, the Merry Music Maker. Opportunities to take part in literacy stations and activities, pre-enroll for area preschools, and learn about early childhood services in Clare County will also be available.

Present at the Gladwin County event will be kindergarten registration for Gladwin Elementary School, while kindergarten registration for Larson Elementary School will be at the Clare County event.

Literacy stations, kindergarten registration, and preschool pre-enrollment will take place from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. The concert will begin at 6:30 p.m. Following the concert, every family will receive free books to take home.

To RSVP or for more information, please call 989-386-8641.

“Family Literacy Night,” is funded in part by United Way of Clare and Gladwin Counties, and by Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs through its regranting agency, Art Reach of Mid Michigan.

Clare-Gladwin Graphic Arts students work with Mt. Pleasant Area Technical Center to create notebooks

The Graphic Arts students from the Clare-Gladwin Career Center and the Mt. Pleasant Area Technical Center (MPATC) recently shared supplies and worked together to create notebooks as part of their bindery units. 

Each class then donated the books produced to a local group of their choice.  

The Clare-Gladwin Career Center gifted 20 books to Ms. Kemmer’s second grade class at Larson Elementary to be used for the Young Authors program this month. Forty books were given by the MPATC students to Central Michigan Community Mental Health.

“While book binding posed some challenges, like running out of glue, the classes had a great time,” said Clare-Gladwin Career Center Instructor Andrea Boettner.

According to MPATC Instructor Karen Lee, “Collaborating with a neighboring career center was a get experience and opportunity for my students.” 

Area School principal and teacher take the Polar Plunge

Clare-Gladwin Area School teacher Mike Simon and Teacher Melissa Kleiman braved the frigid temperatures as they leaped into the Central Michigan University Rose Ponds on Feb. 15 for the 2014 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. Simon and Kleiman raised $480 for the cause.

“The best part of the plunge is seeing how everyone, including the plungers, medical personnel, spectators and volunteers, came together with a positive attitude to support all that Special Olympics stands for,” said Kleiman. “The atmosphere surrounding the plunge was a happy, proud, and uplifting one that seemed to make everyone involved feel accomplished and warm despite the cold temperatures!”

Harrison Women’s Club celebrates Valentine’s Day at the Clare-Gladwin Area School

The Harrison Women’s Club held their annual Valentine’s Day party for the students at the Clare-Gladwin Area School on Feb. 14. They brought candy, punch, and homemade cupcakes to share with the students and staff.

“The Harrison Women’s Club celebrates Valentine’s Day at the Area School every year and provide enough treats and supplies for each classroom to have a party,” said Area School Principal Mike Simon. “They are a great group of people!”

Surrey Township Library hosts Infant-Toddler opportunities; Monthly Infant-Toddler events offered in Clare and Gladwin counties

Surrey Township Public Library in Farwell recently hosted Infant-Toddler Story Time, presented by Great Parents Great Start of Clare and Gladwin counties.

Librarian Gina Hamilton read, "Memoirs of a Goldfish," to the toddlers and their families as they enjoyed goldfish crackers as a snack.

Great Parents Great Start offers monthly community playgroups to local families with infants and toddlers in Farwell, Gladwin, and Harrison. The free events offer parents and children age 0-4 the opportunity to socialize with one another through activities, stories, snack time, and more! For more information or to RSVP, please contact Brandi at 386-8644.

FARWELL:

Infant-Toddler Story Time

Second Thursday of each month

11 a.m. - Noon

Surrey Township Public Library

GLADWIN:

Infant-Toddler Socialization

First and Third Monday of each month

9:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Mid Michigan Community Action Agency - Gladwin

HARRISON:

Infant-Toddler Playgroup

Third Thursday of each month

10 a.m.

Hillside Elementary School

CTE students earn ServSafe Food Safety Certification

Fifteen students from the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Culinary Arts class have earned the ServSafe Food Safety Certification from the National Restaurant Association.

In order to obtain the certification, students must pass an exam administered by the National Restaurant Association, testing their knowledge on topics covering foodborne illness, contamination prevention, and proper food serving techniques.  

In the state of Michigan, every food service operation is required by law to have at least one person on staff with the ServSafe Food Safety Certification.

CTE Culinary Arts Instructor Heidi Rocha is an approved ServSafe Food Safety instructor through the National Restaurant Association. Students in her class can take the test free of charge by participating in fundraising activities. Typically, individuals pursuing ServSafe Food Safety Certification on their own will pay up to $1,000 for both the training and the exam.

Culinary Arts is one of nine Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs offered 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. 

Graphic Arts purchases cameras with MITES grant funds

The Clare-Gladwin Career Center’s Graphic Arts class recently purchased six Nikon Coolpix L28 cameras with grant funds instructor Andrea Boettner received last spring from the Michigan Industrial and Technology Education Society (MITES).

The high school juniors and seniors have been using the cameras to document their projects and field trips, and later in the semester, the students will learn about lighting, close-up photography, and more during the class’s photography unit.

“First and foremost, we need to thank MITES for the grant that allowed us to get the cameras,” said Boettner. “The students are already enjoying using them on a regular basis and I’m looking forward to seeing their knowledge and creativity grow during our upcoming photography unit.”

Graphic Arts is one of nine career and technical education (CTE) programs offered by the Clare-Gladwin Career Center, a program of Clare-Gladwin RESD. Students spend half of their school day in their CTE program and the other half at their local high school.