CTE students tour Mid Michigan Children's Museum

The Clare Gladwin Career Center’s Education in Training students recently toured the Mid Michigan Children's Museum in Saginaw. The future educators explored the museum's exhibits and discussed what children learn as they play. They were also informed of the future volunteer opportunities for them at the museum. Additionally, the students participated in activities with patrons of the museum. 

Education in Training is a career and technical education (CTE) class offered to high school juniors and seniors through the Clare-Gladwin Career Center, a program of Clare-Gladwin RESD. The students spend half of their day at their CTE program and the other half at their local high school.

Clare-Gladwin Area School receives Michigan Community Action Award

The Clare-Gladwin Area School, a program of Clare-Gladwin RESD, received a Michigan Community Action Award on April 30 at the Capitol in Lansing in recognition of the school’s acts of service to the region as a result of a twenty-year partnership with Mid Michigan Community Action Agency.  For the last two decades, groups of student volunteers from the Area School have helped Mid Michigan Community Action Agency pack boxes for food programs, assisting the agency in keeping up with the local food security needs. With the students’ dedication, the agency packs 400-800 boxes daily.

Also known as the RESD Packing Crew, the Area School and its students are one five Michigan Community Action Award recipients selected statewide for 2015. Five staff members and six students from the Area School traveled to Lansing last month to accept the award in the Rotunda of the Capitol.

“It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to be recognized for all the hard work that the students and staff have done for more than 20 years,” said Area School Principal Mike Simon. “I would also like to thank Sharla Mitchell of Mid Michigan Community Action Agency for her work with our students and for nominating us for the award.”

Criminal Justice students place third at Delta College Skill Day

The career and technical education (CTE) Criminal Justice students of the Clare-Gladwin Career Center, a program of Clare-Gladwin RESD, recently placed third overall at the 10^th annual Delta College Criminal Justice Skill Day.

During the event, students competed against their peers from around the state in a physical agility contest in which they had to complete a half-mile shuttle run, a vertical jump, and as many as push-ups and sit-ups as possible in one minute. Student Elaina Wolfe placed third among the female participants and Tommy Nunnally placed third among the male participants.

The high school juniors and seniors also revealed their understanding of the criminal justice field by taking part in knowledge-based game called, “Survey Says.” The Clare-Gladwin team consisting of Ian Hasenfratz, Hope Macklem, and Elaina Wolfe placed third.

Congratulations to the Clare-Gladwin CTE Criminal Justice students:

Nick Benore

Aloria Benson

Madison Crowl

Juliet Dean

 Brad Gallagher

Cristina Gardner

Megan Garver

Jeremy Goheen

 Ian Hasenfratz

Danelle Kource

David Lingaur

Hope Macklem

 Mikayla McKimmy

Frank Michalski

Neil Moldenhauer

Thomas Nunnally

Mariah Penix

Alexis Petrik

Kyla Shannon

Aaryn Shook

Randy Taylor

Milena Toupin

Dustin Trevillian

Olivia Walworth

Elaina Wolf

Criminal Justice is one of nine career and technical education (CTE) programs 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.

April is Autism Awareness Month; Local families attend Sensory Friendly Family Movie Day

April is Autism Awareness Month and close to 70 people from four area counties recently attended the third annual Sensory Friendly Family Movie Day 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 and other sensory sensitivities the chance to spend a day at the theater while being free to walk around and talk as they wished. Everyone in attendance received free admission, free popcorn, and a free beverage as they watched the movie, “Big Hero 6.”

“The Sensory Friendly Family Movie Day was a big success,” said Julie White, Autism Spectrum Disorder Consultant at Clare-Gladwin RESD. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for families to relax, be themselves, and just have fun together.”

Officers from the Michigan State Police, Mount Pleasant Police Department, and the Isabella County Sheriff’s Department greeted families with a sticker and a smile as they arrived at the theater. Additionally, players on the Beaverton Rural Schools Varsity Football Team also volunteered to get refreshments ready for movie attendants and showed families to their seats. 

Area professionals help local students develop career skills during Mock Interview Day

State Representative Joel Johnson conducts interviews during
Mock Interview Day. 

More than 200 high school students from Clare, Gladwin, and Isabella counties recently practiced job interviews and had their resumes critiqued during this year’s Mock Interview Day; an annual event presented by a committee representing Central Michigan University, Clare-Gladwin RESD, Gladwin County Economic Development Corporation, Manitowoc Foodservice, Middle Michigan Development Corporation, Michigan Works! 7B Consortium, and MSU Extension.

Clare County Sheriff John Wilson interviews a student
during Mock Interview Day.

High school juniors and seniors from Beal City, Beaverton, Clare, Farwell, Gladwin, Harrison, and Shepherd gathered at Central Michigan University’s Bovee Center to strengthen those essential career competencies with guidance from approximately 65 area professionals who volunteered their time to conduct the interviews and critiques. Informational workshops were also offered by Bandit Industries, Inc. and MSU Extension covering topics including job etiquette, interview skills, budgeting, and proper interview attire.

Brent Mishler of Mid Michigan Community College
participates in Mock Interview Day. 

“After today, I feel like I could go into an interview with confidence,” said a student participant. Another student commented, “I really enjoyed this experience. It will help me in the future and I think a lot of kids should experience it too.”

Mock Interview Day 2015 was made possible by generous contributions from the following organizations:

Heather Harris of Bandit Industries, Inc. offered
educational sessions for students.

• Manitowoc Foodservice  
• Mitsuba
• Future Mold
• Highland Plastics, Inc. 
• Michigan Works! Region 7B Consortium 
• Mid Michigan Human Resource Association
• MidMichigan Health
• Burkhart-Presidio Insurance
• Clare-Gladwin RESD
• StageRight Corporation

Culinary Arts students test knowledge at ProStart competition

 Eight local students representing the Clare-Gladwin Career Center’s Culinary Arts class joined 53 teams of their peers from 20 career and technical education centers across Michigan on March 22 and March 23 for the annual Michigan ProStart Competition in Lansing. Hosted by the Michigan Restaurant Association Education Support Foundation (MRA ESF), the students 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 high school juniors and seniors from Clare and Gladwin counties were divided into two teams – one competing in the Management portion of the competition and the other in Nutrition. On the Management team was Beaverton senior Nicole Martin, along with Gladwin seniors Heather Baker, Brandon Bentley, and Cassie Melean.  The Nutrition team included Clare junior Mehna Orr, Harrison senior Noah Cesal, and Harrison juniors Dylan Atwell and Marissa Mathews.

The Management team first competed in the ServSafe “Jeopardy!” style knowledge bowl sponsored by the Van Eerden Foodservice Company. This question-and-answer event tested the participants’ knowledge of critically important issues of food safety and sanitation. Baker, Bentley, Martin, and Melean then took part in the management/entrepreneurship portion of the competition, sponsored by Gordon Food Service. Students demonstrated their knowledge of the industry by developing a restaurant proposal, delivering a verbal presentation, and applying critical thinking skills to challenges that restaurant managers face in day-to-day operations.

During the Nutrition component of the ProStart competition, Atwell, Cesal, Mathews, and Orr created a menu and prepared a three-course meal that met the National Restaurant Association’s Kids’ Live Well and USDA menu criteria.

Ultimately, the Management team placed sixth and the Nutrition team placed second in their respective categories.

“We are so proud of our students,” said Culinary Arts Instructor Heidi Rocha. “They not only worked very hard and performed well, but in many ways demonstrated strong character, maturity, and compassion towards others. We witnessed them connecting with other ProStart students, shaking hands, and even encouraging other teams who didn't perform as well. It was definitely a meaningful experience for everyone.”

Rocha thanked Chef Fred Garcia of Tipsy Bear Bistro in West Branch and Clare County Senior Services Dietician Carol Majewski for mentoring the student teams as they prepared for the competition.

Rocha also expressed appreciation for those who sponsored the teams’ participation in the ProStart Competition:

Athey Precision

Bill & Teresa Jackson

Create It - Beaverton

Cynthia Burns Consulting LLC

Kehoe Realty - Gladwin

Lambert's Meat Market - Gladwin

MacLean's Mercantile - Harrison

Mr. Rooter

National Pipeline Services

Ponderosa Steakhouse - Clare

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.

UNITE's Arrive Alive Tour reveals distracted driving dangers to students and community

The Clare-Gladwin Career Center’s Criminal Justice students recently joined UNITE – a national company that works to prevent unsafe driving behaviors – in educating their classmates, Mid Michigan Community College (MMCC) students, and community members about the potential consequences of drunk and distracted driving through the Arrive Alive Tour.  

The program used a number of resources to heighten awareness of the dangers of drunk driving and texting while driving, including a high-tech simulator that allowed participants to sit in the “driver’s seat” and experience the outcomes of distracted and impaired driving in a controlled environment. A Passenger-Eye-View monitor gave those standing near the simulator the chance to see what the driver was experiencing. Each participant also received a mock ticket that explained the ramifications of their simulator experience. “Most students thought that they would be able to whip right through the simulator course,” said DJ Newman, Criminal Justice instructor. “However, most of them failed within seconds.” According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drivers younger than 20 years old have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes.

Additionally, the Criminal Justice students spent time in classrooms of their peers to further enforce the dangers of these illegal driving behaviors by sharing statistics and facts, and conducting mock sobriety tests. During the tests, the other students wore goggles that replicated how their vision would be impacted if impaired.

Approximately 300 people participated in the day’s activities.

The Arrive Alive Tour event was made possible by the Clare-Gladwin Career Center, MMCC, MidMichigan Health, the Clare County Sheriff's Department, the Clare County Prosecutor's Office, and the Clare City Police Department.

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.