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-Gladwin RESD granted $100,000 from Gerstacker Foundation

Clare-Gladwin RESD was recently granted $100,000 from the Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation of Midland to help fund the renovation of existing buildings at the John C. Magnus Center.  When construction is complete, some of the career and technical education (CTE) programs offered to local high school juniors and seniors by the RESD’s Career Center will move to the Magnus Center.   

Located at 3200 S. Clare Ave., the John C. Magnus Center was established in October 2013. 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 John’s wife, Verna Magnus Green, and their children, Lt. Col. Mike Magnus, Darla Schmittner, and Michelle Maeder. The land contains multiple outbuildings, a barn, and a house.

With plans to eventually use the property to improve and expand learning opportunities for local youth through all of the organization’s student programs, the RESD is currently working with architectural and engineering firms to determine a master plan to be completed in phases as funding is secured. 

“As Michigan is beginning to experience a resurgence in the trades, CGRESD is committed to providing an appropriate learning space for CTE students,” said Clare-Gladwin RESD Superintendent Sheryl Presler. “The space doesn’t have to be fancy, but it does have to be safe and functional for practical experiences using the latest technology, engineering and mathematics.”

After floor plans are confirmed and approved by the state, the hope is the Construction Trades students will learn and work alongside the hired contractors for the project. 

 “A fully functional skilled trades training center has the potential to positively impact not only students, but families and communities for generations,” said Presler. “On behalf of CGRESD, its Board of Education, and all the high school students who will benefit from the Magnus Center, I would like to thank the Gerstacker Foundation for recognizing the importance of the Magnus Center project with such a generous grant.”

To learn more about Clare-Gladwin RESD, visit www.cgresd.net. 

Clare-Gladwin Career Center automotive students learn about future education opportunities at Mid Michigan Community College

Beaverton and Gladwin High School students of the Clare-Gladwin Career Center’s Automotive Technology program recently spent an afternoon exploring higher education opportunities in the automotive field at Mid Michigan Community College (MMCC). 

Following a discussion with MMCC Auto Instructor Dave Demski, the high school juniors and seniors took part in the college’s engine repair course, receiving further hands-on experience as they worked alongside current Mid Michigan Community College students.

“I was impressed with the equipment at Mid,” said Clare-Gladwin Career Center student Clay Bowen.

Chris Pellerito, MMCC admissions representative, also provided guidance on the current application and financial aid processes. 

Automotive Technology 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-Gladwin Criminal Justice students tour the Gladwin County Sheriff’s Department

The Clare-Gladwin Career Center’s Criminal Justice students stopped by the Gladwin County Sheriff’s Department and County Dispatch on April 26. The career and technical education (CTE) students met with the correctional staff to ask questions about the security of the jail, as well as learn what their careers entail.

“Visiting the Gladwin County Jail allowed students to see what type of jail structure we have compared to others that were used throughout the history of correctional institutions,” said Clare-Gladwin CTE Criminal Justice instructor DJ Newman. “They were also able to speak with correctional officers to gain a better understanding of what takes place inside the jail and what other job duties they have.”

Newman said the afternoon class also observed the 911 Dispatch Center. “This is another integral part of the criminal justice system,” he said. “The students saw the technology used to track calls and page rescue staff, and learned how emergency services can respond quickly in all different types of crises.”

Criminal Justice is one of nine CTE programs offered by the Clare-Gladwin Career Center to local high school juniors and seniors. 

April is Autism Awareness Month; More than 100 people attend Sensory Friendly Family Movie Day

April is Autism Awareness Month and more than 100 people from four area counties attended the first annual Sensory Friendly Family Movie Day on April 2 at Celebration Cinema in Mount Pleasant; organized by the early childhood partners of the Clare-Gladwin and Gratiot-Isabella Great Start Collaboratives.  

With the sound turned down and the lights turned up, Sensory Friendly Family Movie Day offered local families affected by autism the chance to spend a day at the theater while being free to walk around and talk as they wished. Sponsored in part by Early On, Clare County Youth Council, Clare-Gladwin RESD, MidMichigan Health, and the Michigan State Police, everyone in attendance received free admission, free popcorn, and a free beverage as they watched the movie, “Despicable Me.”

“Sensory Friendly Family Movie Day was a big success,” said Clare-Gladwin Great Start Collaborative Director Heather DuBois. “It was heartwarming to see so many families enjoying a morning at the movies together. Plus, the support from the organizations that made this event possible was a wonderful testament to our local communities’ commitment to Autism Awareness.”

Officers from the Michigan State Police, Mount Pleasant Police Department, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police Department, and the Central Michigan University Police Department greeted families with a sticker and a smile as they arrived at the theater. “I believe that building relationships with families and children affected by autism is very important,” said Community Service Trooper Michael White of the Michigan State Police. “Participating in the Sensory Friendly Family Movie Day gave the children the chance to have a positive experience with the police in a fun, non-threatening environment.”

Students and their families wore blue to the event in honor of Autism Awareness Month, World Autism Day (April 2), and the global effort to help increase awareness about autism known as, “Light it Up Blue.”

Following the show, the Blu-Ray/DVD of, “Despicable Me,” was raffled off to an audience member.

Gratiot-Isabella Great Start Parent Liaison Jennifer Peska (left) and Clare-Gladwin Great Start Parent Liaison Rachel Haltiner (right) greeted families attending the Sensory Friendly Family Movie Day in the lobby of the Mt. Pleasant Celebration Cinema on April 2.

From the left, Mount Pleasant Police Department Officer Tim Standen, Central Michigan University Police Department Officer Laura Rico, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police Department Officer Jim Post, Mount Pleasant Police Department Officer Mike Williams, and Michigan State Police Community Service Trooper Michael White handed out stickers as families arrived at Sensory Friendly Family Movie Day. 

Community Service Trooper Michael White of the Michigan State Police welcomed a local family to Sensory Friendly Family Movie Day.

Clare-Gladwin RESD honors school board members with donation to Imagination Library

January is School Board Recognition Month and the Clare-Gladwin RESD is joining local and intermediate school districts across the state in thanking their school board members for their commitment to public education. 

RESD Superintendent Sheryl Presler expressed her gratitude by making a donation to Imagination Library this month in honor of each board member. Imagination Library is a national program organized locally by the Clare-Gladwin RESD that currently provides 870 children from Clare and Gladwin counties with a free book every month until their fifth birthday. 

“We are fortunate to have community members who volunteer a great deal of their time to make our programs and services the best they can be for the students in our community,” said Presler. 

Thank you to the men and women who serve on the Clare-Gladwin RESD Board of Education: 

Lynn Grim

Don Hannah

Sarah Kile

Sue Murawski

Barbara Richards