Clare-Gladwin Area School PTO to hold Hero 5K

Clare County hosts annual Leadership Institute program; now accepting applications

The annual Clare County Leadership Institute is accepting applications for the 2015-2016 program year.

Presented by Clare-Gladwin RESD, Mid Michigan Development Corporation, and community representatives, the Clare County Leadership Institute is designed to develop potential new community leaders. Participants will be provided with an in-depth look at the history of the county, become familiar with the variety of current businesses and organizations in the area, and sharpen their skills that are critical to successful leadership such as effective public speaking, collaborating with others, running a meeting efficiently, maintaining a work-life balance, and more.   

For a one-time fee of $100 and a commitment of one Friday each month from September 2015 to May 2016, the Institute is open to anyone who lives or works in Clare County and is interested in making a difference in the community. Businesses, non-profit organizations, and government entities are encouraged to sponsor someone within their organization to attend the program. Individuals are also welcome to apply.

**To obtain an application, click here 

or call Clare-Gladwin RESD at 989-386-3851. 

Applications must be submitted by Aug. 21, 2015.**  

Deadline for school of choice application slated for 2015-2016 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 3 to August 31, 2015. 

The schools accepting students from other school districts during the first semester/trimester of the 2015-2016 school year include:

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

• All grades and programs: Unlimited openings

Clare Public Schools

Primary

• Kindergarten: Unlimited Openings
• 1^st – 2^nd Grade: No openings
• 3^rd – 4^th grade: Limited openings

Middle

• 5^th – 8^th grades: Limited openings

High School

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

Hundreds of educational leaders gather in Traverse City for annual Summer Leadership Academy

It was a full house at the Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City last month during
the 2015 Summer Leadership Academy.

The Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City was packed with nearly 265 administrators and teacher

leaders from around the state for the 2015 Summer Leadership Academy in June, presented by the Consortium of Mid-Michigan Instructional Teams (C.O.M.M.I.T).The three-day conference is an annual event made possible by the collaboration of the five intermediate school districts that form C.O.M.M.I.T. including Clare-Gladwin RESD, Clinton County RESA, Gratiot-Isabella RESD, Ionia County ISD, and Montcalm Area ISD.

For more than 10 years, the Summer Leadership Academy has offered educators from small, rural communities the opportunity to learn from nationally- and internationally-renowned speakers. This year’s featured presenter was Dr. Eric Jensen, a leading authority on the science and applications of brain research in education. The former middle school teacher and author of 26 brain-based books facilitated his interactive session around the theme “Teaching and Engaging Students with Poverty in Mind.”

Dr. Jensen set the stage with statistics depicting the ever-increasing poverty rates, the subsequent stress factors on families, and the impact these stressors have on physical brain function. “There is an element that the education community is powerless to control – poverty,” he said. “In the past two years, the rate of poverty has grown at an alarming rate and now even traditional middle-class schools are feeling the pressure that comes with the stress of poverty.”

Dr. Jensen went on to explain that despite poverty’s presence, there are practices that schools can put in place that can reverse its detrimental impact such as developing strong relationships and family connections, actively pointing out how students’ daily actions connect to their long-term goals, and building academic optimism so kids hear and believe every day they can and will succeed.

Following each full-day session, school teams spent up to four additional hours reflecting on the presentations and discussing how to incorporate the strategies and ideas explored into their school’s improvement plan.  

“Too often, in the midst of the daily operations of schools and classrooms, local superintendents, principals, and teacher leaders don’t have time for an extended collaborative inquiry into these topics to the depth that is facilitated by the Academy’s presenters and ISD committee members,” said Deb Snyder, Clare-Gladwin RESD Assistant Superintendent for General Education. “Local district leaders value this time and professional learning to plan for their continued work in the district for the following school year.”

According to Snyder, each year’s theme builds on the focus areas of the previous Academy.

“The conference planning committee members always consider districts’ needs when selecting topics and speakers for the Academy,” she said, referencing past Academy presenters such as Charlotte Danielson, Jim Knight, Anthony Muhammad, and Randy Sprick. “The Academy has gained a reputation of high quality in all aspects of the conference.” 

CGRESD Career Tech Summer Camp a Success

Two students show off the
 backpacks given to each CTE summer camp participant.
The backpacks featured the Clare-Gladwin Career Center logo
and identified the Clare County Community Foundation
as the camp sponsor. 

More than 30 soon-to-be seventh, eighth, and ninth grade students from Clare and Gladwin counties attended the inaugural Career Tech Summer Camps presented by the Clare-Gladwin Career Center, a program of Clare-Gladwin RESD.

On the mornings of June 16-18, students participated in one of four hands-on camp programs designed to introduce them to careers associated with career and technical education (CTE), including Caring for Children, Criminal Justice, Culinary Arts, and Digital Media.

Students learn infant and toddler CPR in the
Caring for Children Camp.

Each camp offered a variety of labs that grabbed the students’ attention, including blood spatter and footprint casting labs in Criminal Justice, CPR training in Caring for Children, video game creation in Digital Media, and meal preparation in Culinary Arts.

When asked for feedback about the camps, one student said, “I loved it! I wish it went on longer in the day so we could learn more.” Many students echoed the desire for extended camp sessions and also expressed how much they enjoyed meeting their peers from neighboring schools.

A camp participant learns about blood splatter
during a lab in the Criminal Justice Camp. 

“It was a great week,” said Clare-Gladwin Career Center Director Doug Pummell. “Students had the opportunity to explore a career field they were interested in while meeting students from other schools who had similar interests. We look forward to offering the camp again next summer.”

The Career Tech Summer Camps were funded by a grant from the Clare County Community Foundation, with a portion of the funds awarded upon recommendation from the Clare County Youth Action Council (Clare YAC). The Clare County Community Foundation strengthens the community by providing leadership, fostering collaboration on local needs and issues, and encouraging a legacy of giving through grants, scholarships, and events. Clare YAC is a project of Clare County Community Foundation, and is made possible through the Council of Michigan Foundations and supported by a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

CTE Welding students complete SENSE Program: now eligible for entry-level welding employment

Eleven local high school students from the Clare-Gladwin Career Center’s Welding program completed the first level of the Schools Excelling through National Skills Education (SENSE) Program at the conclusion of the 2014-2015 school year. An award-winning program offered by the American Welding Society, the SENSE Program provides administrative standards and curriculum guidelines for the qualification of entry-level, advanced, and expert welders in high schools and colleges.

According to Clare-Gladwin Career Center Counselor Margie Dill, “When the students complete this first level of the SENSE Program, they receive a certificate that verifies they have met the qualifications for an entry-level position in welding.”

Welding is a career and technical education (CTE) program offered to high school juniors and seniors in Clare and Gladwin counties by the Clare-Gladwin Career Center of Clare-Gladwin RESD. Students spend half of their day at their CTE program and the other half at their home high school.

Congratulations to the following students who completed Level 1 of the SENSE Program:

Reese Avery

Zach Brown

Jordan Cottrell

Kyle Dice

Brandyn Simon

Jarod Given

Steven Scherrer

Chris Weidman

Josh Weisheim

Clay Werth

Cody Wessel

Ricky Woods

CTE students recognized for 2014-2015 school year achievements

The Clare-Gladwin Career Center honored a number of high school juniors and seniors last month for the efforts, skills, and commitment they displayed while completing a career and technical education (CTE) programs during the 2014-2015 school year. Representing Beaverton, Clare, Coleman, Farwell, Gladwin, and Harrison school districts, the students and their families filled the auditorium at Mid Michigan Community College in Harrison to celebrate their achievements.

The Clare-Gladwin Career Center of Clare-Gladwin RESD, offers career and technical education (CTE) programs to local high school juniors and seniors. Students spend half of their school day at their CTE program and the other half at their home high school.

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2014-2015 CTE Awards:

CRIMINAL JUSTICE:

1st Year Academic Excellence

David Lingaur

Olivia Walworth

Noah Hodgson

Mariah Penix

Kyla Shannon

Milena Toupin

2nd Year Academic Excellence

Madison Crowl

Jay Poet
Bradley Gallagher

WELDING:

Best Learner - Math

Clayton Burch

Ricky Woods

Most Improved

Ricky Woods

Jarod Given

Best Welder

Brandyn Simon

Josh Weisheim

CONSTRUCTION:

Overall Outstanding Student Award

Devon Poet

Chris Schultz

Outstanding 2nd Year Student

Mike McGuire

Kyler Zinser

Caleb Bard

Outstanding 1st Year Student

Erik Hasenfratz

Jordan Green

Cameron Sherrick

Mason Nash

Charlie Allen

GRAPHIC ARTS:

Design Award of Excellence

Ethan Davis

Shyla Cassidy

DIGITAL MEDIA:

Academic Excellence

Ryan Metzger

Artist's Guild

John Libbey

Senior Programmer

Chris Hofmann

Soft Skills

Jace LeFevere

HEALTH OCCUPATIONS:

CNA Training Scholarship

Jessica Scherrer

Jordyn Minski

Jordan Spitler

April Gibson

Brittany McWherter

Rylie Alward

CULINARY ARTS:

Most Improved Award

Melissa Richards

Ryan Taylor

Citizenship Award

Katelyn Duesbout

Brandon Bentley

2^nd year Leadership Award

Heather Baker

Nicole Martin

Golden Spoon Award (Outstanding achievement in all areas)

Nicole Martin

AUTOMOTIVE TECH:

Above And Beyond Award – Student who gave 110%

          Chris Delong

          Nick Sharf

EDUCATION IN TRAINING:

Affirming to Others

Joel Middleton

Ciara Chambers

Kailin Moon

Most Improved

Hannah Bauman

Ashley Huckins

Leadership at Placement Site                   

Kaylee Bellingar

Sam Brown

Krystle Figgins

Monica Macklem

Recruiting Award            

Sabrina Wildermuth 

Desiree Sayles

Most Versatile

Jennifer Giles

Caitlynne Quick

Most Likely to have a Long Career in Teaching

Chelsea Gordan

Madison Sinks

Kayla Armstrong

FIRST SEMESTER PERFECT ATTENDANCE:

Dylan Atwell

Alyssa Bennett

Morgan Bradburn

Jason Brewer

Clayton Burch

Charles Cassidy II

Raymond Chenoweth III

Breanna Cosgrove

Tanner Davis

Clay Dennis

Zachary Dwyer

Ashley Eichhorn

Cody Forster

Blayne Fowler

John Frehling

Jordan Green

Ashley Helmer

Noah Hodgson

Christopher Hofmann

Taylor Krueger

Brody Lewis

Hannah Lipovsky

Gregory Massaro

Jordyn Minski

Madison Mott

Sean O'hare

Jasmine O'toole

Adam Palmer

Alan Poole

Raylene Ramirez

Alyson Robinson

Austin Sandel

Adam Scherrer

Jessica Scherrer

Gage Schutz

Trenton Searight

Kyla Shannon

Samuel Shaydik

Cameron Sherrick

Aaryn Shook

Austin Storms

Zac Swosinski

Max Taylor

Randy Taylor

Melina Toupin

Olivia Walworth

Bailey Davy

Silvia Davis

Erykah Curns

Marissa Mathews

Katelyn Duesbout

ALL-YEAR PERFECT ATTENDANCE:

Dylan Atwell

Alyssa Bennett

Nicole Bisby

Morgan Bradburn

Charles Cassidy II

Raymond Chenoweth III

Breanna Cosgrove

Tanner Davis

Clay Dennis

Ashley Eichhorn

Ashley Helmer

Madison Mott

Adam Palmer

Raylene Ramirez

Jessica Scherrer

Kyla Shannon

Samuel Shaydik

Cameron Sherrick

Zac Swosinski

Melina Toupin

Alan Poole

Taylor Krueger

Erykah Curns

Hannah Lipovsky

Marissa Mathews

Katelyn Duesbout

Congratulations to the 2015 Clare-Gladwin Area School Graduates!

Three local students graduated from the Clare-Gladwin Area School earlier this month during the annual End of the Year Celebration program. The tune of “Pomp and Circumstance” and a full audience welcomed students Michael Frisch, Sean Haske, and Eden Mooketsi as they entered the school’s gymnasium donned in their caps and gowns.

Following the processional, each Area School class entertained the crowd with performances that reflected the event’s “Movies” theme.

The program concluded with the presentation of Certificates of Completion to the 2015 graduates.

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

CGRESD Career Tech Summer Camps supported by Clare County Community Foundation

The Clare County Community Foundation has awarded Clare-Gladwin RESD with $4,716 in grant funding to support the inaugural Career Tech Summer Camps that will be offered this month to students entering grades 7-9.

On the mornings of June 16-18, students will be participating in one of four hands-on camp programs designed to introduce them to careers associated with career and technical education (CTE), including Caring for Children, Criminal Justice, Culinary Arts, and Digital Media.

“These programs will expose students to careers they may not be aware of or know a lot about,” said Sheryl Presler, Clare-Gladwin RESD Superintendent. “The students can then further explore those careers by participating in a CTE program once they are in high school.”

The grant monies will fund the majority of the costs of the Career Tech Summer Camps.

“We are extremely grateful to the Clare County Community Foundation for their investment in this valuable opportunity for local youth,” said Presler. “Ultimately, it is our hope that the Summer Camps will bring awareness of career and college opportunities to students through a fun and engaging curriculum over the three-day span.”

The Clare County Community Foundation strengthens the community by providing leadership, fostering collaboration on local needs and issues, and encouraging a legacy of giving through grants, scholarships, and events.  A portion of the Career Tech Summer Camp funds were awarded upon a recommendation from the Clare County Youth Action Council (Clare YAC). Clare YAC is a project of Clare County Community Foundation, and is made possible through the Council of Michigan Foundations and supported by a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

Clare-Gladwin Area School awarded grant to create a garden at the John C. Magnus Center

 Throughout the 2014-2015 school year, the 
Construction Trades students from the 
Clare-Gladwin Career Center 
have renovated Verna's House to make
 it handicapped accessible for the
 Clare-Gladwin Area School students 
to use next school year. 

The Lowe’s Charitable and Education Foundation (LCEF) has awarded the Clare-Gladwin Area School the Lowe’s Toolbox for Education grant in the amount of $4,120 to create a garden at Verna’s House – the home located on the property of the John C. Magnus Center, owned by Clare-Gladwin RESD. The grant was secured by Vicki Longnecker, an Area School paraeducator and job coach.

Beginning in the fall of 2015, the school will be using Verna’s House for students to practice daily living skills such as cooking, cleaning, meal planning, and budgeting. The garden project will not only enhance the development of those skills, but it will also integrate elements of the Common Core Curriculum. Students will be using math and science to plot the layout of the garden and calculate the number of plants and seedlings needed. Students will also be researching various vegetables and the effects the weather pattern has on certain crops.

According to Longnecker, an additional benefit of the garden will be the opportunity to give back to the community. “The students will be donating some of the food from the garden to the local food pantries and will be inviting members of the local communities to help with the gardens,” she said. “Planting a garden, producing a crop, and sharing the rewards of their work with others will give these children a great sense of accomplishment. What better way is there to teach a sense of community while supporting independence than to grow your own food to share?”

The Clare-Gladwin Area School is a program of Clare-Gladwin RESD.

CTE student selected as Technical Education Award recipient

Sines (left) accepts the Technical Education Award from
Carol Santini of Mid Michigan Community College.

Clare-Gladwin Career Center student Alexis Sines has been awarded the Technical Education Award from Mid Michigan Community College valued at $500. Sines participated in both the Education in Training and Graphic Arts career and technical education (CTE) programs during her junior and senior years at Clare High School. She was also an active member in The Officials, the Graphic Arts program’s student leadership group whose mission is to offer their time and talents to the local communities, such as providing free design and printing work for local non-profit organizations.

Sines plans to attend Mid Michigan Community College to earn an associate’s degree, and then go on to obtain a bachelor’s degree in education. Ultimately, she would like to teach art in a public school setting.

The Clare-Gladwin Career Center, a program of Clare-Gladwin RESD, provides career and technical education offerings to local high school juniors and seniors. Students spend half of their school day in their CTE program and the other half at their local high school.   

CTE student selected as Breaking Traditions Award winner

Heather Baker, a Culinary Arts student at the Clare-Gladwin Career Center, is one of 22 high school

students from across the state to receive the 2015 Michigan Department of Education (MDE) Breaking Traditions Award for surpassing obstacles and stereotypes to achieve success in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.

According to State Superintendent Mike Flanagan, "The Breaking Traditions Awards recognize high school and college students who have demonstrated success in CTE programs that are nontraditional to their gender. At a time when there is a call from various stakeholders for building a more-responsive, market-driven schools-to-jobs pipeline, it is important to recognize the efforts of these students and the programs that helped them."

Baker, also a senior at Gladwin High School, was nominated for the recognition by Culinary Arts Instructor Heidi Rocha. “Heather consistently goes above and beyond in everything that she does. Her ability to enter the workforce is outstanding.”

Baker accepted the award at a ceremony at the Library of Michigan in Lansing this month.

"These outstanding students are preparing themselves to enter a career that will benefit them individually and benefit Michigan by increasing diversity in our state's workforce." Flanagan said. "By their determination and dedication to pursuing careers in an area nontraditional for their gender, they are role models for peers who may be considering such a career path."

Baker plans to attend Northwood University to earn a degree in business while continuing her apprenticeship with Chef Fred Garcia of the Lost Arrow Resort. Once she obtains a business degree, Baker would like to further her skills at a culinary arts college, such as the Culinary Institute of America, and eventually own a restaurant.

Culinary Arts is a career and technical education (CTE) program 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.

Local students celebrated at Turn-Around Achievement Awards

The 2015 Turn-Around Achievement Award Recipients
Photo Credit: Bob Frei

Twenty students from ten local high schools were recognized at the 10th annual Clare-Gladwin Area School Board Association’s Turn-Around Achievement Awards on May 7. Held at Mid Michigan Community College, community leaders in education celebrated the accomplishments of local high school students who have made a positive and significant change in their lives during their high school careers despite extreme personal or academic struggles.

The Keynote Speaker at the awards ceremony was Lindsay Golden, an admissions specialist at Mid Michigan Community College. Originally from Clare, Golden revealed the series of poor decisions she made during her teen years that ultimately led to her dropping out of high school and making choices that threatened her well-being. “At that point, I was the worst possible version of myself,” she said. “It was then I decided I couldn’t live like that anymore.” Golden’s revelation resulted in her returning to school and working around the clock so she could graduate with her class. Today, Golden holds an associate’s degree from Mid Michigan Community College and is working toward her bachelor’s. “What you have accomplished is a big deal,” Golden said, addressing the students. “You should be so proud of yourselves.”

As the awards were presented, tears of joy were shared by both the students and the teachers as they reflected on their journeys to success. “As an educator, you hope to make an impact on students’ lives,” said Lori Taylor, Clare High School teacher. “But I didn’t expect for the students to make such an impact on mine.”

Many award recipients thanked their educators, families, and friends for their encouragement along the way.

In addition to a certificate, recipients of the Turn-Around Achievement Awards were given one of three scholarships, each of which entitles them to six credit hours of in-district tuition at MMCC. The Scholarships included the Doug Dodge Academic Opportunity Award for the Beaverton, Clare, Farwell, Gladwin, and Harrison schools students; the Al Roeseler Academic Opportunity Award for the students from Coleman High School; and the Tom Gilstad Academic Opportunity Award for those attending Bullock Creek High School or Meridian High School. 

The 2015 Turn-Around Achievement Award recipients include:

Beaverton Jr/Sr High School

April Gibson

Weston Muma

Bullock Creek High School

Trae Duby

Larissa Miller

Clare High School

Christopher Delong

Marissa MacDonald

Clare Pioneer High School

Emanueal Butts

Coleman Jr/Sr High School

Zachary Harris

Shyanne Loggie

Farwell High School

Kailyn Brugger

Travis Smith

Farwell Timberland High School

Joe Elsie

Gladwin High School

Donna Canfield

Blake Roggow

Harrison High School

Devon Barron

Joshua Veite

Harrison Alternative High School

Christopher Hoefling

Bradley Walsh

Meridian High School

Kayla Callahan

Devin Wood