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. 

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.