Orser named Hi-Tec Employee of the Month

Clare-Gladwin RESD Custodian Mike Orser has been named Employee of the Month by Hi-Tec Building Services, the RESD’s janitorial and cleaning services provider.

Selected from more than 600 personnel, the Employee of the Month is chosen based on attitude, attention to detail, overall quality of work, knowledge of the job, customer service skills, and attendance.  “Mike was chosen due to his outstanding performance in all of these areas,” said Gary Fouts, Hi-Tec custodial site supervisor for the Central/Northern Michigan region . “He is a true asset to Hi-Tec!”

In addition to the award, Orser was given a gift card to Jay’s Sporting Goods in Clare.    

Digital Media participates in worldwide computer science initiative

Throughout the week of December 8, the Clare-Gladwin Career Center’s Digital Media class joined millions of students around the world to participate in the Hour of Code – an international event designed to demystify computer science and show that anyone can learn the basics. The initiative introduced students of all ages to computer science through numerous hour-long online tutorials catered to all levels of ability and made available in more than 30 languages.

The Digital Media class completed three tutorials covering topics that included drawing with code, website creation and design, and databases. “We did this to not only be part of the larger initiative, but to also stress the importance of Computer Science in today's society,” said Digital Media Instructor Jim Langley. “It is a vocation that is often shunned because of its difficulty, but hopefully through the Hour of Code projects, lessons and videos, students were able to debunk the ‘scarier’ aspects of Computer Science and see what can truly be created when you spend some time learning these topics.” 

Last year’s Hour of Code event resulted in 15 million student participants worldwide.

Digital Media is one of nine career and technical education (CTE) offerings available to local high school students through the Clare-Gladwin Career Center, a program of Clare-Gladwin RESD. 

CTE students learn about post-secondary opportunities at Kendall College

Nearly 50 students from the Graphic Arts and Digital Media programs at the Clare-Gladwin Career Center took a field trip last month to Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids. Following a tour of the campus, a presentation was given about the college, the degrees offered, financial aid opportunities, and what it takes for students to find success.

“This was a good field trip,” said Digital Media student Skyler Berry. “I learned about post-secondary degrees that I didn’t know were out there. I also liked how the college gives its students huge opportunities to showcase their skills and talents all over the school.”

Digital Media and Graphic Arts are two of nine career and technical education (CTE) offerings of the Clare-Gladwin Career Center, a program of Clare-Gladwin RESD. High School juniors and seniors from Clare and Gladwin counties spend half of their school day in their CTE program and the other half at their local high school.

Graphic Arts Students Leadership Group develops skills while giving back to the community

The Graphic Arts program of the Clare-Gladwin Career Center has established a Student Leadership Group, a select group of students who spend time outside of normal class hours to help the community through volunteering their graphic design skills and their time. Inspired by a concept of the Michigan Industrial and Technology Education Society (MITES), the Student Leadership Group consists of six members who meet once weekly online and once monthly in person.

Through the group’s initiative, Coleman student Ethan Davis recently created a new logo for the Clare County Animal Shelter. “For our new logo, I wanted something that was distinctly Clare County and something that conveyed that the shelter was a place of safety for animals,” said Susan Campbell, volunteer coordinator for the Clare County Animal Shelter. “I was just amazed at what the student came up with. It brought tears to my eyes!”

In addition to developing the organization’s logo, the Student Leadership Group also volunteered at a donation event for the Shelter held at Jay’s Sporting Goods in Clare this month. The same day, they assisted the Shelter in decorating their float for the Farwell Holiday Lights Parade, as well as passed out items during the parade.

While the group’s monthly meetings typically take place at a location where they can have fun together, such as Spinning Wheels roller skating arena in Mount Pleasant, the students have elected to use their next meeting’s budget to buy a Christmas present for a family in need.

Digital Media and Graphic Arts are two of nine career and technical education (CTE) offerings of the Clare-Gladwin Career Center, a program of Clare-Gladwin RESD. High School juniors and seniors from Clare and Gladwin counties spend half of their school day in their CTE program and the other half at their local high school.

Graphic Arts Student Leadership Group Board:

Ethan Davis (President)

Alyssa Haag (Vice-President)

Shyla Cassidy (Treasurer)

Graphic Arts Student Leadership Group Members:

Kirsten Head

Alexis Sines

Brad Walsh

McGuire Chevrolet; a 'Family Friendly Business'

McGuire Chevrolet in Clare is the most recent recipient of the Clare-Gladwin Great Start Collaborative’s (GSC) Family Friendly Five Star Award. The award is presented six times per year to local businesses that support and encourage children and families through their business practices.

McGuire Chevrolet has partnered with the Community Nutrition Network to host numerous free food distribution events during 2014 for local families. The business has also sponsored multiple food trucks. “I’ve known what it is like to be in need, so this partnership is important to me,” said Tom Kleinhardt, president of McGuire Chevrolet. “I also believe strongly in giving back and paying it forward.”

McGuire Chevrolet is located at 712 W. 5th Street in Clare.  

To nominate a local business for the Family Friendly Five Star Award, please contact Great Start Parent and Community Liaison Brandi Warner at 989-386-8644 or bwarner@cgresd.net.

The Clare-Gladwin Great Start Collaborative, operated by Clare-Gladwin RESD, works to build a coordinated system of community resources and supports to assist all families in Clare and Gladwin counties in providing a great start for their children, prenatal through age eight. To learn more, visit www.cgresd.net/cggreatstart. 

Children in Clare and Gladwin counties celebrate National Food Day

During the last week of October, children in the Clare-Gladwin RESD S.P.A.R.K.S. program at local elementary schools, area Great Start Readiness Program and Head Start preschool classrooms, as well as some local childcare centers celebrated National Food Day; an annual initiative that aims to promote safe, healthful diets, and supports sustainable organic farming.

Made possible by Clare-Gladwin RESD, the Clare-Gladwin Great Start Collaborative, and the Clare-Gladwin Health Improvement Planning Committee (a subgroup of Together We Can), this year’s Food Day focused on food education. Activities and lessons encouraged children to know where their food comes from, how to cook meals, and how doing so will give them a big advantage when it comes to being healthy. 

Children at a number of childcare centers in Clare and Gladwin counties enjoyed apples from the Fruitful Orchard in Gladwin, while the preschool programs throughout the two-county region included a National Food Day lesson into their snack times.

The Farwell Elementary students in the S.P.A.R.K.S. afterschool program made healthy, fun snacks with a Halloween theme, including mummy pizzas, ghost bananas, skeleton mushrooms, and candy corn fruit parfaits. “The students all participated in creating their own snacks and enjoyed trying some new food they had never before had,” said S.P.A.R.K.S. Director Keri Retzloff. “When trying mandarin oranges for the first time, I heard one student surprisingly say, ‘These oranges are great!’”

All participants also took home a National Food Day activity book. 

Local students submit 765 applications during College Application Week

During the week of November 3, the five high schools in Clare and Gladwin counties, along with Coleman High School, joined high schools around the state for Michigan’s annual College Application Week; a campaign committed to increasing the percentage of first-generation and low-income students to pursue a postsecondary education. The Clare-Gladwin Career Center, Mid Michigan Community College, and Educational Talent Search joined efforts to assist the region’s graduating seniors in completing and submitting at least one application to any of Michigan’s community colleges, independent college, and universities in which they were interested in attending. 

As a result, 377 seniors applied to at least one college during College Application Week. A total of 765 applications were submitted to both community colleges and universities across the country. Students also researched and applied to technical and trade schools such as Sullivan University, ITT Technical Institute, AIS Heavy Equipment Training Center.  

“After the success we had last year, we were geared up to host another College Application Week. We saw an increase of more than 150 students who participated this year and an additional 231 applications were sent out,” said Clare-Gladwin Career Center Counselor Margie Dill. “The goal of the program is to give students the tools and guidance they need to successfully apply to college. We hope this process gave the kids additional confidence and drive to continue to submit applications - in turn providing them with more options for their future.”

College Application Week participation per district:

• Beaverton High School - 93 students sent out 130 applications

• Clare High School - 116 students sent out 131 applications

• Coleman High School - 59 students sent out 66 applications

• Farwell High School - 80 students sent out 121 applications

• Gladwin High School -100 students sent out 192 applications

• Harrison High School - 118 students sent out 139 applications

Clare-Gladwin RESD offers CMU poverty simulation to local eduators

As part of a recent professional development opportunity offered by Clare-Gladwin RESD, educators from local school districts participated in a poverty simulation provided by Central Michigan University (CMU).

With the help of trained staff and volunteers from CMU conducting and facilitating the workshop, the 2.5 hour experience took place at Coleman Community Schools and was designed to sensitize participants to the realities low-income people face on a daily and monthly basis. 

In the simulation, participants assumed the roles of different “families” facing poverty with varying circumstances. “Participants experienced four 15-minute weeks with five-minute weekends as they worked through their month of poverty and tried to accomplish their objectives - feeding their family, paying their bills on time, maintaining housing, and maintaining safety,” said Clare-Gladwin RESD Assistant Superintendent for General Education Deb Snyder. “The simulation was conducted in the gymnasium with ‘families’ seated in groups in the center of the room. Around the perimeter of the room were tables representing community resources and services for the families.”

Snyder thanked CMU and its staff for their work in providing the simulation to the region’s educators for the second time this year.

Criminal Justice program tours State Police Training Academy

Nearly 30 local high school juniors and seniors in the Criminal Justice class at the Clare-Gladwin Career Center recently toured the Michigan State Police (MSP) Training Academy in Lansing. Tour stops included the academy's fitness center, firing range, driving track, K-9 kennels, and the water "tank" in which rescue trainings are conducted. Sgt. Marc Shore also spent time with the students answering questions as well as discussing the MSP hiring process and what to expect as a trooper.

"I think some of the students’ eyes were opened as to what would be required of them if they wanted to pursue a job with the MSP,” said Criminal Justice Instructor DJ Newman. “I feel that it is very important to show them as many different types of careers in the field as I can. Some of the kids are strongly considering becoming a Michigan State Police Trooper. The experience gained today will hopefully push them in or out of that."

Criminal Justice is one of nine career and technical education (CTE) offerings of the Clare-Gladwin Career Center, a program of Clare-Gladwin RESD. High School juniors and seniors from Clare and Gladwin counties spend half of their school day in their CTE program and the other half at their local high school.

For more information about the Clare-Gladwin Career Center, visit www.cgresd.net. 

Local high schools to participate in College Application Week

The five local high schools in Clare and Gladwin counties, along with Coleman High School,  will be are joining more than 200 high schools around the state in presenting Michigan’s fourth annual College Application Week. The Clare-Gladwin Career Center, Mid Michigan Community College, and Educational Talent Search have joined efforts to assist the region’s graduating seniors in completing and submitting at least one application to any of Michigan’s community colleges, independent colleges, and universities in which they are interested. 

“The goal of the program is to give students the tools and guidance they need to successfully apply to college,” said Clare-Gladwin Career Center Counselor Margie Dill. “It is our hope this process will give kids additional confidence and drive to continue to submit applications - in turn providing them with more options for their future.”

Leading up to and during College Application Week, area high school seniors will be participating in various activities designed to help expand their knowledge of the technical schools, colleges and universities in Michigan. The goal is to have students well-informed about their opportunities so they will be prepared when their school hosts Application Day.

Representatives from Mid Michigan Community College, Saginaw State University, Central Michigan University, the Clare-Gladwin Career Center, and Educational Talent Search will be at the participating schools to assist students in the application process.  There will be opportunities for application fee waivers during this time to ensure all students can apply to the schools of their choice.

Farwell High School is scheduled to host its Application Day on Monday, November 3.  Gladwin and Harrison high schools will host on November 4, followed by Coleman High School on November 5, Beaverton High School on November 6, and Clare High School on November 7.

Established in 2005, College Application Week is a national campaign sponsored by the Michigan College Access Network committed to the common goal of increasing the percentage of first-generation and low-income students to pursue a postsecondary education.  Last year, 534 applications were submitted by students from Clare and Gladwin counties as a result of Michigan College Application Week.

For additional information, please contact Margie Dill at 989-229-8710.