George James

Beeler Answers Questions Regarding Curriculum Transparency Bill

State Representative Andrew Beeler has responded to questions about House Bill 5722 that he has co-sponsored.

The bill calls for the entire lesson plan for the entire year for every classroom to be made public prior to the start of the year and levies a 5% reduction in school aid for non-compliance. The bill is in committee and has not yet been voted on.

Beeler said, “I think it is necessary to have transparency in curriculum as parents have a right to know what is and what isn’t being taught to their children. 

It is necessary for parents to know what their children are being taught. The majority of parents in this state and across the country think its necessary as well. Schools should have no reason to want to conceal this information from parents. Additionally, better transparency is good for our teachers and schools. When parents aren’t able to see what their child’s curriculum consists of, they assume the worse or seek another, more transparent school. 

As lesson plans are prepared by teachers in advance of a school year so too are department curriculums. The additional burden placed on schools to provide this information seems pale in comparison to the added benefit that transparency provides. Teacher shortage or not, it is always the right time to do what is best for our students.” 

House Fiscal analysis reported that, if passed, the legislation would impose an indeterminate, but potentially significant, cost to school districts and the Michigan Department of Education, which would be required to monitor the reporting.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Detroit Zoo Penguin Exhibit Now Open to the Public

While it might feel like penguins could easily live among us as temperatures dipped into the single digits earlier this week, the Zoo is still the only place where you will actually see a real penguin. The Polk Penguin Conservation Center at the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak is now open to the public.

The penguin exhibit had been closed since September of 2019 and its reopening has been eagerly anticipated by fans of the unusual birds.

There are 75 King, Rockhopper, Macaroni, Gentoo, and Chinstrap penguins at the exhibit, and yes, the penguins have names. Bonnie Van Dam, Curator of Birds at the Zoo, commented on the new chinstrap penguins, saying, “The chinstraps settled right in and became avid swimmers. Once the lights come on for the day, TJ, Haiku, Kringle and Turtle immediately dive into the pool.”

The penguins have been staying active while the building has been closed to the public. Five chicks have joined the flock and a king penguin chick hatched for the first time in 20 years.

The 326,000-gallon tank features acrylic tunnels where visitors can observe the penguins diving underwater.

The penguin exhibit is part of general admission, but reservations need to be made to secure a penguin viewing time.

https://detroitzoo.org/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Help Available for Utility Bills, Weatherization

Need help with paying utilities and weatherizing your home? There are two programs that can help.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is making $5 million available for home repairs for homes that aren’t quite ready for winterization. The grants are for homes that need work prior to winterizing.

The pre-weatherization grant money helps with things like mold and moisture damage, knob and tube wiring and other electrical issues, grading and roof issues, ventilation, asbestos, and radon. To apply for assistance, homeowners can contact Blue Water Community Action.

Another resource for homeowners needing help is the Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund. The Fund can help with late payments on utilities like gas, water, electric, and internet, as well as mortgage payments.

To apply for the assistance, homeowners need to prove financial hardship related to the pandemic, meet eligibility requirements, and live in the home. The assistance could pay up to $25,000 per household.

Interested homeowners can find details and a link to the application portal at Michigan.gov/MIHAF or receive assistance with their application submission by calling 844-756-4423.   

https://www.bwcaa.org/weatherization

 Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Michigan Gray Wolves Remain on List of Endangered Species

Michigan’s gray wolves were taken off of the endangered species list, but are now back on the list, thanks to a ruling from the U.S. District Court. That means that hunting the wolves is prohibited.

Michigan was part of an amicus brief that fought the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s delisting of the wolf. The brief argued that delisting was contrary to the Endangered Species Act and would be detrimental to gray wolf populations.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel commented on the ruling, saying, “Michigan is proud to be home to approximately 700 gray wolves.  These magnificent animals serve important roles in our Great Lakes ecosystems, and they show us that dedication to family is not unique to humans.”

Nessel said that she “refused to stand idly by when the federal government tried to use the Great Lakes wolf recovery success story to remove needed Endangered Species Act protections for gray wolves in other states.”

The vacating of the previous ruling keeps protections in place for Michigan wolves. Killing a gray wolf can only be done for immediate threats and needs to be reported to the DNR.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Middle and High School Students Asked to Complete Youth Advisory Survey

The Youth Advisory Council of the Community Foundation of St. Clair County is asking area middle school and high school students to complete a survey asking for their take on issues affecting teens.

Avery Allen, President of the Youth Advisory Council, said, “Our youth survey is designed to gather and use information straight from the youth in our community to create our priorities. We use our priorities as a measurement tool to effectively assess grant applications.”

Allen said, “The survey itself is a series of questions regarding the most important issues in our community right now, both positive and negative, according to the youth. The students on our committee came up with the questions using past surveys and current events. We wanted to cover as many serious issues as we could in our survey.”

Jackie Hanton, Vice President of the Community Foundation of St. Clair County, said that the Youth Advisory Council has given out more than $1 million in grants since its inception in 1994. The Council reviews its priorities every three years.

A link to the survey can be found below.

https://www.stclairfoundation.org/yac-youth-survey/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland