Clare-Gladwin Area School staff members take the Polar Plunge; More than $1,200 raised for Special Olympics

On February 21, five members of the Clare-Gladwin Area School staff participated in the 2015 Polar Plunge, leaping into icy waters in the parking lot of O’Kelly’s Sports Bar and Grille in Mount Pleasant to raise funds for the Special Olympics of Michigan. An event presented by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, a total of $1,230 was raised by Area School Principal Mike Simon, Teachers Melissa Kleiman and Tom O’Brien, Paraeducator April Marsh, and Administrative Assistant Jennifer Warren.

By tradition, Polar Plunge participants arrive in costume for the jump. Together known as Team Spice Rack, the staff members each dressed as a shaker of food seasoning including dill weed, cayenne pepper, cinnamon sugar, ground ginger, and poultry seasoning.

 Despite the frigid temperatures, “The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day to go for a dip! We want to thank all of our supporters,” said Warren.

Student Alisa also represented the Clare-Gladwin Area School at the Plunge.

Farwell Middle School SPARKS holds Family Math Night

The Farwell Middle School S.P.A.R.K.S. program recently hosted Family Math Night for students and their families to learn interactive, hands-on math techniques and tips to help reinforce math concepts at home.

An estimation station was set up for students to guess the number of items in jars, along with activities that incorporated playing cards to practice fractions, dice to work on basic math facts, and measuring utensils to make trail-mix. All activities were student led.

Each family took home a goodie bag with dice, playing cards, and measuring utensils to recreate the activities at home and continue to strengthen the students’ math concepts.

S.P.A.R.K.S. (Students Participating in Academics and Recreation for Knowledge and Success) offers students in Beaverton, Farwell, and Harrison schools after-school homework help, tutoring, and enrichment activities that enhance the school day curriculum and focus on the development of character and leadership. S.P.A.R.K.S. also provides local high school students with free credit recovery through the Learning Center at Beaverton High School. S.P.A.R.K.S. is a program of Clare-Gladwin RESD.

UNITE's Arrive Alive Tour 2015 visits Clare-Gladwin Career Center

SPONSORED BY:  Clare-Gladwin Career Center (Criminal Justice), Mid Michigan Community College, MidMichigan Health, Clare County Sheriff's Department, Clare County Prosecutor's Office, and Clare City Police Department

Clare-Gladwin Career Center is offering a drunk and distracted driving education program. The Arrive Alive Tour® from UNITE will visit:

Hosted at Mid Michigan Community College

1375 S. Clare Ave

Harrison, MI 48625

Inside MTEC Building

Wednesday, February 11^th, 2015

8:30 AM – 2:30 PM

UNITE’s Arrive Alive Tour® program uses a high-tech simulator, impact video, and a number of other resources to educate the public about the dangers of drunk driving and texting while driving. The simulator allows students to experience the potential consequences of drunk and distracted driving in a controlled environment.

One of the most commonly recognized driving distractions is cell phone use. About 89 percent of all Americans have a cell phone, according to CTIA – The Wireless Association. Drivers under 20 years old have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Their lack of driving experience can contribute to critical misjudgments if they become distracted. Not surprisingly, they text more than any other age group, and the number of young drivers who text is only increasing.

UNITE brings health and wellness programs to high school and college campuses across the nation. Its programs are designed to heighten awareness to the dangers and consequences of drunk and distracted driving. These events have a powerful impact on students to reinforce the subjects that schools and parents teach them daily. If you have any questions or for more information, please call Patrick DeGrasse at 888-436-3394.