Clare-Gladwin Area School, ECSE and Early On Continuity of Learning Plan

COMMUNITY HELP DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

• The CGRESD Technology department's own Kevin Smalley coaches the Robotics team at Harrison High School, which is producing N95 masks via 3D printing. He's interviewed here by a local TV news station.
• Michigan 2-1-1 is a free service that connects Michigan residents with help and answers from thousands of health and human services agencies and resources right in their communities—quickly, easily, and confidentially. They use statistical data (not personally identifiable information) from calls and web visits to help shed a light on the nature of social needs in Michigan for government officials and decision-makers across the state. Visit the 2-1-1 website or dial 2-1-1 on your phone.
• The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) requires certain employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. These provisions will apply from April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020. Here's an FAQ about FFCRA and here's an information sheet with more details.

• Connected Nation staff has been working to compile resources and solutions for those who need it the most. This is their list so far, and they will continue to add to and update this regularly in response to the needs of families, communities, and leaders across the country. Here is a link to those services, which includes where to find free hot spots, pledges from providers, and resources for finding low-cost internet (or phone) service and devices

• MSU Extension is providing a suite of online resources and programming, including a listing of all MSU Extension virtual events — from family yoga sessions to lunch-and-learns for animal enthusiasts; a collection of free educational resources for parents and caregivers to keep children engaged in learning throughout the school break; online learning opportunities for adults who may want to continue their own lifelong learning; a series of resources to help individuals stay healthy and active during social distancing; and a variety of educational articles related to topics such as dealing with family stress, talking to children about novel coronavirus and managing finances
• The Pere Marquette District Library and the Harrison District Library are closed through April 5.
• Charter to Offer Free Access to Spectrum Broadband and Wi-Fi For 60-Days For New K-12 and College Student Households

Clare-Gladwin Regional Education Service District is working in cooperation with state and local partners to support the Executive Order issued by Governor Whitmer Wednesday that expands child care access for working families feeling the stress of the COVID-19 State of Emergency.

CGRESD’s priority is to connect local essential workers to child care providers who have the capacity to provide care for their children. Those members of the essential workforce should visit www.helpmegrow-mi.org/essential. From there, their information will be routed to agencies in the community who will help them find care.

CGRESD is also working with local school districts to put in place contingency plans to open emergency child care centers in some existing licensed school facilities. At this time, these facilities will only be activated if the pressure on the existing local child care capacity is exceeded. The first priority is to support existing providers who have the capacity to provide care for the essential workforce.

Questions can be directed to CGRESD Early Childhood Director Kendra Curtiss-Tomaski at 989.386.8656 or kcurtiss@cgresd.net.

• Read the press release from the governor's office
• Read the full executive order
• Read the Michigan Dept. of Education's statement

BABY PANTRY RECEIVES BOOK DONATIONS

The children served by the Gladwin County Baby Pantry were the recipients of a recent donation of 200 books from a local teachers union.

Members of the Clare-Gladwin Education Federation (AFT Local 04945) secured a grant to pay for the books through the First Book Company, and the books, valued at several hundred dollars, were delivered recently to the pantry. In addition to this donation, each member of the local union was allotted $150 to purchase books for classroom/therapy settings.

The Gladwin County Baby Pantry, located at 116 Pearson Street in Beaverton, has been in operation for 15 years and opened its doors at its new location late last year with a mission to prevent child abuse and neglect through a means of early support, intervention and education to at-risk parents and babies. The baby pantry is meant to be a supplemental source for baby/toddler needs and is funded by the Gladwin Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Council through a grant from the Children’s Trust Fund, as well as local donations and fundraising efforts.

AFT Local 04945 is comprised of nearly 60 professional employees who work for the Clare-Gladwin Regional Education Service District. The union has plans to acquire additional books for other agencies and organizations in the community. 

Pictured are AFT Local 04945 President Matthew Smith, Gladwin County Baby Pantry Director Joann Hoag and AFT Michigan Field Representative Gary Wellnitz.

LOCAL SCHOOLS RECOGNIZE BOARD MEMBERS IN JANUARY

For the women and men who serve on boards of education, it’s a tough assignment that bears a solemn responsibility. January is School Board Recognition Month, and local school districts are making sure board members know they’re appreciated.

The CGRESD and school officials in Harrison, Farwell, Beaverton, Clare and Gladwin are joining nearly 600 local and intermediate school districts across the state in praising the enduring volunteer efforts of their board members this month.

The Michigan Association of School Boards reports there are more than 4,000 such community leaders serving across the state. Counted among those are 40 local residents serving the CGRESD and five local districts. Members of the CGRESD board include President Barbara Richards; Vice President Sue Murawski; Secretary Lou Adams; Treasurer Sarah Kile; and Trustee Jason Pahl.

Board members in Harrison are Angie Cullen, Dan Pechacek, Therese Haley, Chad Hathcock, Kendra Durga, Roger Peterson and George Gallo. Farwell’s members include Joe Maxey, Kellee Robinson, Angelina Smith, Jade Campbell, Shari Buccilli, John Gross and Bill Geyer.

In Beaverton, board members are Adam Zdrojewski, Daren Burns, Garry Clark, Tammy Grove, Robert Frei, ShaVonne Brubaker and Mark Hayes. Clare’s board features Ben Browning, Steve Stark, Sue Murawski, Loren Cole, John Miller, Barb Tyler and Jason MacDonald. And Gladwin’s board is comprised of Carol Darlington, Linda Winarski, Greg Alward, Brad Withrow, Karrie Hulme, Kerri Kirkton and Chris Pellerito.

The CGRESD Special Education Topics Series

This series is to provide information on a range of topics including:

• Edplan and MDE updates, Graduation Options - Jan. 22 - Register by Jan. 15
• MET/REED Process and Documentation - Feb. 26 - Register by Feb. 19
• Discipline (Attorney will present) - April 22 - Register by April 15
• Medicaid - May 6- Register by April 29

Who should attend? Paraprofessionals, Personal Care Service providers, teachers and administrators; all levels are welcome (birth through age 26).

All trainings will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. at the CGRESD Administration Building. Dinner will be provided.

Please register for for the series or email kknapp@cgresd.net. For more information, please contact Katie Knapp-Wyman.

GREAT NEWS FOR CTE KIDS: A coalition of local organizations led by Clare-Gladwin RESD has secured a $1.25 million grant to upgrade our Automotive & Diesel labs in Clare and Gladwin.