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.