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. 

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. 

Graphic Arts students learn about printing at McKay Press

Students in the Graphic Arts class at the Clare-Gladwin Career Center were exposed to the world of print during their tour of McKay Press in Midland last week. The students saw the multitude of machines used by McKay press, including a web press, letter press, folders, binders, cutter, stitcher, wide format printers, and more.

“Many students have no idea what happens to a designed piece when the project is being produced,” said Graphic Arts Instructor Andrea Boettner. "If a graphic designer has a better understanding of the output of a business card, for example, then he or she can design the job to those specifications. My students needed to see the production side and explore all of the career choices it has to offer."

Graphic Arts student Lacey Marteniz said she had fun and, “it was really interesting to see how they make all the different kinds of prints.”

Graphic Arts is one of nine career and technical education (CTE) programs offered to high school juniors and seniors at the Clare-Gladwin Career Center, a program of the Clare-Gladwin RESD. The students spend half of their day at their CTE program and the other half at their local high school. 

Area School students celebrate writing progress with CMU speech-language pathology department

Clare-Gladwin Area School students in Melissa Kleiman’s class recognized each other’s writing accomplishments from the school year during the annual Writer’s Workshop Author Celebration on April 18 at the Area School gym. The celebration was the culmination of a year’s worth of weekly workshops with Dr. Janet Sturm and graduate students from Central Michigan University’s speech-language pathology department.

Throughout the year, Dr. Sturm and her students offered mini-lessons to the Area School children, such as how to select a topic to write about, or how to critique the writing of their peers. The students would then break into groups to brainstorm writing ideas and begin to compose their piece. At the end of each workshop, every student was able to share their writing from the “author’s chair” and receive feedback from their classmates.

During the celebration, the students read aloud their best piece of writing from the year to their peers. Their classmates then had the opportunity to ask questions and make comments.

“The Writer’s Workshop is a great way for all of the students to have an outlet to express their thoughts and ideas. The students exhibit various levels of writing, and this program facilitates writing development on all of their levels,” said Kleiman. “This celebration was a great avenue to showcase each student's talents and accomplishments with regards to writing.”

According to Kleiman, the partnership began four years ago. Each semester, four new clinicians are assigned to work with the students, giving the kids the chance to gain writing guidance from up to eight different people each school year.

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.

Health Occupations students tour Mid Michigan Medical Center Midland

The Health Occupations class from the Clare-Gladwin Career Center was given an informational tour at Mid Michigan Medical Center Midland this month. The students visited a variety of units within the hospital, including intensive care, the emergency room, labor and delivery, physical therapy and rehabilitation, the morgue, and a detailed presentation in the Gamma Knife area.

“I hope the students have a better idea of what options are available to them in the health field, specifically in relation to a hospital,” said Health Occupations Instructor Carrie Balcirak. “The experience allowed them to see first-hand actual work environments and gave them the chance to ask questions.”

Balcirak said the students were also given information regarding job shadowing opportunities at the hospital. “It is my understanding that the list of the professionals that students can observe is tremendous, ranging from a surgeon, an emergency room doctor or nurse, an x-ray tech, and so on. This is a very good opportunity for health occupations students to take advantage of.”

Health Occupations 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. 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.

Graphic Arts students create books for local first grade class

Students in the Graphic Arts program at the Clare-Gladwin Career Center recently created 25 books for students in Mrs. Todd’s first grade class at the Renaissance Public School Academy in Mount Pleasant.

“Every semester, the Graphic Arts class completes a service learning project,” said Graphic Arts instructor Andrea Boettner. “The students learn the skills related to the curriculum and find a way to help the community out. We made the books as an introduction to the binary unit and found a class with the need for them.” According to Boettner, the first grade students are currently using the books as science journals.

Graphic Arts student Julie Lester said, “It was nice to make a project that gave us real life experience and helped our community.”

Graphic Arts 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.

Monte's Family Restaurant receives 'Family Friendly' award

Monte’s Family Restaurant is the most recent recipient of the Great Start Collaborative Family Friendly Five Star Award. The award recognizes businesses within Clare and Gladwin counties that support and encourage children and families through their business practices.

The Clare-Gladwin Great Start Collaborative presents the award to a local business six times per year.

Monte’s Family Restaurant is located at 3897 N. Clare Ave. in Harrison.

To nominate a local business for the Family Friendly Five Star Award, please contact Great Start Collaborative Director Heather DuBois at 989-386-8613 or hdubois@cgresd.net. 

Pictured from the left, Great Start Parent Liaison Rachel Haltiner, Monte’s Family Restaurant Owners Lorena and Marco Criszullo, and award nominator Roxie Greenman. 

RESD receives 18-acre donation and purchases adjacent 4 acres; Land to be used to increase student opportunities

The family of the late John C. Magnus has donated 18 acres of land to the Clare-Gladwin Regional Education Service District (RESD) to expand and improve the learning opportunities available to local kids through the RESD’s student programs. In addition to the donation, the RESD has purchased an adjacent four acres, which was sold by the Magnus family in 2000.  

Located at 3200 S. Clare Ave., John’s father, Edward Magnus, purchased the land in 1923 where he housed a saw mill and began selling Model T Fords. In the 1940s, John and his brother, Edward Jr., joined the family business, which eventually became Magnus Tractor Sales.

Known for selling and repairing Ford tractors, Magnus Tractor Sales also offered snowmobiles, campers, lawnmowers, and all-terrain vehicles through the course of its existence. At one time, John even raised potatoes on the property for Central Michigan University’s food service.

“I enjoyed going down there to work,” said John’s wife, Verna Magnus Green. “Our customers weren’t just customers, they were like close friends.”

By 1975, following the retirement of Edward Magnus Jr. and third business partner Lee Foster, John became sole owner of the company. Verna said John, whom she called an honest businessman and a hard worker, continued to run the business until his passing.

Verna and her family considers

it a “privilege” and a “blessing” to be able to contribute the property for the benefit of Clare and Gladwin Counties’ kids. “I know John would be so pleased,” she said. “We are all so excited for its future!”

Both the 18-acre donation and the prospect of purchasing the adjacent four acres came about in early 2013. “The RESD is always searching for effective yet affordable ways to develop our programs to improve the educational experiences for students,” said Clare-Gladwin RESD Superintendent Sheryl Presler. “When these opportunities came to us, we could not pass them up. The price of the additional property was right and we were able to negotiate a 15-year installment purchase plan with the bank,” she said. “Ultimately, the purchase combined with the Magnus family’s tremendous generosity creates the perfect foundation for us to pursue many of our long-term goals.”

The land contains multiple outbuildings, a barn, and a house; many of which will be used to further the skills of the students in many of the RESD’s programs. For example, the construction trades students from the Clare-Gladwin Career Center, a program of the RESD, will begin by repairing the house and making it handicap accessible for students from the Clare-Gladwin Area School. The Area School students will use the space to work on life skills, such as cooking, cleaning, money management, lawn care, and more.

Although they are still in the early planning stages of the project, Presler said the property has enormous potential. “The magnitude of the possibilities and opportunities this incredibly unselfish donation creates for kids is overwhelming,” she said. 

“When speaking with the Magnus family, you can feel their love for John and for the family business. To be given a treasured piece of their family history is something we truly appreciate and will honor as we move forward.”

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.