Local Knights of Columbus councils donate funds to Clare-Gladwin RESD special education programs

The Knights of Columbus councils in Clare, Gladwin, and Harrison recently made donations totaling more than $2,900 to the Clare-Gladwin RESD’s special education programs, including the Clare-Gladwin Area School and the Early Childhood Special Education classes. According to Clare-Gladwin RESD Assistant Superintendent for Special Education Jan Weckstein, “We are so very appreciative for the generosity of the Knights of Columbus. These funds will be used to benefit student activities and opportunities that the children may not otherwise be able to participate in."

50 years and growing; RESD establishes John C. Magnus Center and celebrates Golden Anniversary

More than 110 people gathered on Saturday, Oct. 5, to celebrate the John C. Magnus Center Dedication and the Clare-Gladwin RESD Golden Jubilee. The event recognized the RESD’s 50 years of service to Clare and Gladwin counties, and named the nearly 25 acres of land recently acquired by Clare-Gladwin RESD in memory of John C. Magnus, the property’s former owner.

Previously home to Magnus Tractor sales, the majority of the acreage was donated to the RESD earlier this year by John’s wife, Verna Magnus Green, and their children, Lt. Col. Mike Magnus, Darla Schmittner, and Michelle Maeder. The property will be used to improve and expand learning opportunities for local youth through Clare-Gladwin RESD’s student programs, including career and technical education as well as special education.   

The land contains multiple outbuildings, a barn, and a house - many of which will be used to further the students’ skills.

Students in the Clare-Gladwin Career Center’s Construction Trades program have already been busy this fall cleaning up the grounds and preparing to make the home handicapped accessible for future use by Clare-Gladwin Area School students.  “The improvements that have already taken place have been exciting – and it is only the beginning,” said Verna. 

Succeeding an invocation performed by Rev. Karen Blatt, the dedication ceremony included an historical overview of Magnus Tractor Sales and Clare-Gladwin RESD.  Superintendent Sheryl Presler also shared the journey that merged the two entities. “John’s family felt he would approve of the facilities being used to teach the trades to young people,” she said. “Some kids learn best with their hands. The trades offer a purpose for learning math and English, a chance to work with others on projects, and an opportunity to learn there are rewards from a hard day’s work. There’s honor and dignity being employed in the trades and I don’t think John would want anyone to ever forget that.”  

Remarks by members of the Magnus family reinforced the significance of the property’s past and the benefits it will bring to the community in the future.

“My married life with John revolved around this business. The buildings and grounds hold so many memories,” said Verna. “John would be pleased to know that it will be used for those in need for many years to come.”

Following the program, attendants gathered around the property’s barn to witness the ribbon-cutting that revealed the sign that now identifies the location as the John C. Magnus Center. 

“I want to especially thank Verna, Mike, Darla, and Michelle for their generosity,” said Presler. “Also, thank you to the former and current CGRESD staff, students, administrators, and board members for your energy and dedication to the last 50 years and as we grow in the future.” 

To see more photos from the event, click here. 

To watch the sign reveal video, click here. 

Clare-Gladwin Area School teachers present at state conference; connect student crafts with the Common Core

Clare-Gladwin Area School teachers Rachel DuMond, Melissa Kleiman, and Leah VanOrman presented, “The Four C’s: Classroom Crafts and the Common Core,” at the 73^rd Annual Statewide Special Education Conference last month at the Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids. Hosted by the Michigan Council for Exceptional Children and the Professional Association for Special Educators, the teachers spoke about the variety of crafts the students make during the school year and how each project fulfills aspects of the Common Core State Standards in English language arts (ELA) and mathematics.

According to Kleiman, projects such as the inspirational word boards, luminary mason jars, and greeting cards address the English language arts standards, including reading, writing, speaking and listening, and language. “These activities require our students to write sentences with correct punctuation, spelling, and capitalization; add drawings to clarify ideas; and ask questions when there may be a concept they don’t understand,” she said.

DuMond said the greeting cards, coasters, and notepads are just a few of the many projects that address the mathematics standards of number sense and calculation, measurement and data, geometry, ratios, algebraic thinking, and so on. “The process of making these crafts involves measuring objects, solving addition and subtraction word problems, counting, creating number or shape patterns, and understanding the concept of a ratio,” she said.

The majority of the projects help students build the skills they need in both mathematics and ELA.

“Not only do the crafts incorporate the common core, they also help facilitate self-esteem, pride, and an overall positive school environment,” said Kleiman. “Plus, the kids love them!”

The three teachers have since received positive feedback about their work from their peers around the state. “The conference was a learning experience for all three of us,” said VanOrman. “It has sparked an interest to continue to seek out presentation opportunities to discuss and share the operations here within the Area School.”

All of the student-made crafts are available for purchase at the Area School and at local stores, including the Colonville Country Store in Clare, Simply Charmed in Gladwin, and Red Bird Feeds and Pet Supplies in Mount Pleasant. Proceeds go toward the cost of field trips, classroom supplies, craft supplies, and more.