Culinary Arts students test knowledge at ProStart competition; Two students place fourth

Four local students representing the Clare-Gladwin Career Center’s  Culinary Arts class joined 55 teams of their peers from 19 career and technical education centers across Michigan on March 17 and March 18 for the annual Michigan ProStart Competition in Lansing. Hosted by the Michigan Restaurant Association Education Support Foundation (MRA ESF), 

Jenna Dungerow of Gladwin and Jessica Swosinski of Harrison, along with Jaime Phillips and Ashtyn Schultz of Beaverton, competed in multiple events that tested their knowledge of the ProStart curriculum; a two-year program for high school students that unites the classroom and industry to develop the best and brightest talent into tomorrow’s restaurant and foodservice leaders.

The first event was a “Jeopardy!” style knowledge bowl, sponsored by Lake Michigan College. The question and answer event tested all four of the Clare-Gladwin students’ knowledge of critically important issues of food safety and sanitation.

Beaverton’s Phillips and Schultz took part in the Nutrition and Marketing component of the ProStart competition, which is designed to encourage the creation of healthy menu items for restaurants. Students had to create a menu that meets the National Restaurant Associations’ healthy dining criteria. In addition, they also proposed alterations to an “unhealthy” meal to make it fit those same healthy standards.

“The ProStart competition is important for a few different reasons,” said Heidi Rocha, Clare-Gladwin Career Center culinary arts instructor. “It builds off of our class curriculum and brings the students to a much higher level of understanding and achievement. These are also real-world concepts that they will use in their own lives and/or apply in hospitality-related professions.”

Phillips and Schultz placed fourth in the Nutrition and Marketing component and each received a $500 scholarship to Sullivan University.

“I am very proud of my students for their hard work and dedication,” Rocha said.

Culinary Arts is one of nine career and technical education programs offered to local high school juniors and seniors at the Clare-Gladwin Career Center, a program of the Clare-Gladwin RESD. 

March is Reading Month: Area School students 'Read Around the Planet'

March is Reading Month and students in Melissa Kleiman’s class at the Clare-Gladwin Area School celebrated reading with Read Around the Planet, a project that uses videoconference technology to connect local students with classrooms from a variety of states throughout the country, as well as Costa Rica, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

The students recited “Green Eggs and Ham,” by Dr. Seuss for their partner class in Poughkeepsie, New York. Following the activity, the classes asked and answered each other’s questions about the respective school, community, and state.

“There are many benefits to this activity,” said Kleiman. “All of my students of varying ability levels can participate and feel like they are a part of an amazing experience, which is great for self-esteem. This activity also facilitates appropriate social interactions, such as takings turns, question and answer, and following directions.”

In addition to the Area School, students from Clare, Farwell, Beaverton, and the Clare-Gladwin RESD’s S.P.A.R.K.S. program participated in Read Around the Planet this year.

According to Clare-Gladwin RESD REMC 5 Director and Instructional Technologist Kay Hauck, Read Around the Planet celebrates reading while allowing students and teachers to collaborate with their peers via distance. “This gives them the opportunity to experience cultural similarities and differences as they travel beyond our state’s boundaries without leaving their school.”

Read Around the Planet began in 2001 and is part of the National Education Association’s Read Across America, as well as World Book Day. REMC 5 provided the technological support needed for this activity.

Criminal Justice students learn from Ambrozaitis and Hovey

Clare County Prosecutor Michelle Ambrozaitis joined Defense Attorney Tara Hovey last week to discuss the court system and answer questions with students in the Clare-Gladwin Career Center’s Criminal Justice program.

“I have several students that are looking at going into the court avenue of the criminal justice system,” said Criminal Justice Instructor DJ Newman. “I wanted to enlighten them on the hard work it takes to make it, the different types of avenues that they can take, and just get them experience so it will hopefully help them make a decision as far as what they want to do with their life.”

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

Gladwin County students place first in the S.P.A.R.K.S. Healthy Soup competition

Two teams of students, one from Gladwin Junior High School and the other from Beaverton High School, each placed first during the S.P.A.R.K.S. after-school program’s Healthy Soup Competition this month. 

With a $30 limit, groups of students from Beaverton, Farwell, Gladwin and Harrison schools were challenged to create a soup with only fresh or frozen meat and vegetables; low-salt stock; and no added salt. 

 

Judges Keri Hamilton, DeVonna Haskell, and Joe Trommater of the Clare-Gladwin RESD; Sarah Kile of Central Michigan District Health Department; and Lacie Curns of Chartwells tasted, deliberated, and selected which healthy soup tasted the best. Gladwin Junior High made chicken taco soup and Beaverton High School made broccoli cheese soup.

“This activity taught kids how to cook healthy on a budget,” said S.P.A.R.K.S. Director Joe Trommater.

The Clare-Gladwin RESD’s S.P.A.R.K.S. program (Students Participating in Academics and Recreation for Knowledge and Success) is an after-school and summer-school program for students in Beaverton, Farwell, Gladwin, and Harrison school districts.

Annual Career Day teaches students about traditional and non-traditional professions

Eighth grade students from Clare and Gladwin counties met local professionals and learned about a variety of occupations during Career Day 2013 on March 6. Sponsored by the Clare-Gladwin Career Center, Clare-Gladwin RESD, Educational Talent Search Grant, and Mid Michigan Community College (MMCC), the annual event took place at the Harrison campus of MMCC.

Local police officers, veterinarians, and electronic engineers, as well as representatives from the Mid Michigan Health, Clare County Farm Bureau, and Chemical Bank were a few of the many professionals in attendance to speak with the students about what their job entails.  

“Career Day gives kids the chance to hear from people who work in both traditional and non-traditional career fields they may be interested in,” said Clare-Gladwin Career Center Director Doug Pummell. “I hope this event gives students a better understanding of the types of education and training they will need to pursue these career paths, as well as let them know about the programs we offer, like CTE (Career and Technical Education), that will help them accomplish their goals.”

The students also learned about career pathways during a game modeled after Trivial Pursuit called Career Pursuit, and took a virtual tour of Mid Michigan Community College.

Thank you to the following businesses for participating in Career Day 2013:

Zumba Fitness with Melanie

Three Rivers Corporation

Chemical Bank

MMCC Theatre

MMCC Student Advancement

Electronic Engineer/Technician  (retired)  Dow Chemical

MMCC Plastics/Manufacturing

Vantage Plastics

Lyle’s Flowers

Clare Co. Farm Bureau

Wishing Star Farm

Clare Animal Hospital

Kelly’s Kruising Kritter Kare

DNR-Law Enforcement

State Police

Clare County Sheriff Department

Jaynie Smith Hoerauf, P.C.

Mid Michigan Medical Center-Gladwin

Mid Michigan Health

Community Mental Health for Central Michigan

Mobile Medical Response

Clare Gladwin Career Center

St. Louis Corrections Faculties

Area School students donate items to animal shelter

Clare-Gladwin Area School students collected more than 200 items for local animal shelters in honor of their 100^th day of school last month. On March 6, students Michael, Jacki, and Gabby delivered some of those donations to the Clare County Animal Shelter.  

Local leaders in education meet with legislators

Approximately 25 local board of education members and superintendents gathered at the Harrison High School Media Center on March 4 to talk with Michigan legislators during this month’s Legislative Breakfast, sponsored by the Clare-Gladwin Area School Board Association.

State Senator Darwin Booher, State Senator John Moolenaar, and State Representative Joel Johnson spent the morning answering questions and discussing current and upcoming legislation related to public education.

“As superintendents and school board members, we are passionate advocates for our students and for public education,” said Clare-Gladwin RESD Superintendent Sheryl Presler. “The Legislative Breakfast gives us a chance to engage with our local legislators one-on-one, ask them questions, and give them insight as to how their decisions will directly impact the students in our communities.”  

Breakfast was provided by Chartwell’s Food Service.

Area School teacher and student take the Polar Plunge; More than $1,000 raised for Special Olympics

Clare-Gladwin Area School teacher Melissa Kleiman and student Addy braved the frigid temperatures as they leaped into the Central Michigan University Rose Ponds on Feb. 16 for the 2013 Polar Plunge. An event made possible by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, the Polar Plunge raises funds and awareness for the Special Olympics of Michigan. Kleiman and Addy raised more than $1,000 for the cause.

“The experience was fantastic and I am definitely doing it again next year,” said Kleiman. “Even though it was absolutely freezing, everyone's spirits were high and everyone participating was so proud to be raising money and awareness for such a good cause.

Polar Plunge participants also dress in costume for the jump. Kleiman sported a Miss America outfit and Addy wore a cheerleader uniform. 

Culinary Arts students welcome local dietitian to share expertise with class

Registered Dietitian Kati Mora shared her expertise and passion for healthy living with the Culinary Arts students at the Clare-Gladwin Career Center last month. Mora spoke about her profession, nutrition, and the variety of job opportunities available to those pursuing the dietetics field.

“Many students were surprised to learn about all of the things a dietitian can do,” said Culinary Arts Instructor Heidi Rocha. “Kati showed them how she has been able to break out independently to achieve a number of goals in her industry,” she said, referring to Mora’s role as a writer for Fitness Magazine, creator of the nationally recognized website www.aroundtheplate.org  and owner of The Plate Boutique in Mount Pleasant.

Culinary Arts 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 the 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.

More than 38,000 students to receive food benefits this summer

Applications mailed home week of Feb. 11;  

completed forms due March 1

For the second consecutive year, the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer for Children (SEBTC) demonstration project will provide a select number of local qualifying students with a food package valued at $60 per month for June, July, and August 2013. The project is designed to help low-income families supplement their food budgets when school breakfast and school lunch meals are not readily available during the summer months.   

Applications for the program will be mailed home during the week of Feb. 11 to students who received SEBTC benefits last year, as well as to students who qualify for free and reduced price school meals or who are direct-certified for free school meals through food stamp eligibility.

Last year, 10,600 students attending schools in the Bay-Arenac Intermediate School District, Clare-Gladwin Regional Education Service District, Grand Rapids Public Schools, Midland County Educational Service Agency, and Tuscola Intermediate School District received food assistance through the program. Those same students will be automatically selected to participate in the 2013 program as long as they still qualify and they return their completed application to their school office by March 1.

An additional 28,000 low-income students from the same areas, along with Detroit Area Schools and Kentwood Area Schools, who return their consent forms by the March 1 deadline, will be randomly selected to receive either the $60 per month food package or a $30 per month food package.

“Ultimately, students who are well-nourished are able to start the school year healthy and ready for success in the classroom,” said Clare-Gladwin RESD Superintendent Sheryl Presler. “I encourage families who qualify to return these applications to hopefully take part in this wonderful opportunity.”

Made possible by a grant awarded to the state of Michigan by the USDA, the $60 and the $30 monthly food package per student per month will be delivered to families by an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card system existing through the State of Michigan WIC program.

Benefit recipients will be notified in May.

The SEBTC demonstration project is sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture and administered by the Michigan Department of Education and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Division of the Michigan Department of Community Health.  

The demonstration projects will be studied and evaluated by USDA providing critical information about the impact of these projects in the fight against hunger among our students during the summer months. 

To ensure healthy and nutritious selections are being made, the EBT cards will only pay for approved food items.

For more information on SEBTC, please call the Clare-Gladwin Regional Education Service District at (989) 386-8076, or visit www.sebtc-mi.com.