George James

Blueprint for Comprehensive Student Recovery Lays Out Plan to Get students Caught Up

The Michigan Blueprint for Comprehensive Student Recovery has been released by the Student Recovery Advisory Council which was formed in response to the challenges students have faced during the pandemic.

The plan focuses on wellness, academics, school culture and climate, family and community engagement, and postsecondary education. According to Kevin Polston, Chair of the Recovery Advisory Council, “The Blueprint lays out a clear multi-year plan for the holistic, whole child recovery for Michigan’s students. Every recommendation is supported by leading research and designed to support Michigan students by those that know them best, leaders in education, health care, and child services from right here in Michigan.”  

The plan suggests things like employing school nurses, catching kids up on wellness visits and vaccinations, increasing physical activity, and ensuring recess is available during the school day. The plan also addresses teacher and staff burnout and overwork.

Some students have been fully disengaged from school while some have fallen behind or have not been given access to full instruction. The plan addresses how to reach out to those students as well as work on equity and inclusion for all students.

A link to the full plan can be found at:

https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dtmb/MI_Blueprint_for_Comprehensive_Student_Recovery_725617_7.pdf

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Michigan Chamber of Commerce Demands MIOSHA Clarity

Masks. To wear or not to wear; that is the question. Just a month ago we were reporting on a mandate for two-year-olds to wear masks while at daycare, and now one can shop for groceries with no mask if fully vaccinated, although it is unlikely anyone is checking actual vaccination status.

The inconsistency has the Michigan Chamber of Commerce saying, “Enough is enough.” In a statement issued this week, the influential pro-business lobby called on the Governor to stop what they called a “fiasco” with Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) regulations.

While the federal agency, OSHA, has aligned their recommendations with the current CDC guidelines, the state regulators are a little more vague in their response and in their timeline for implementing updates.

Rich Studley, President and CEO of the Michigan Chamber, said, “The constant controlling and micromanaging of Michigander’s daily lives needs to stop. For over a year, Michiganders have been subjected to an endless stream of arbitrary, confusing and constantly changing state orders from Lansing.”

He went on to say, “It’s time for the Governor to start treating employees and employers like adults and allow Michigan to reopen safely.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

St. Clair County Parks and Recreation Wants to Survey Residents

Getting out and enjoying nature and taking part in recreation on land and water are year-round activities in St. Clair County. The County Parks and Recreation Commission wants to know what kind of recreation is important to you and where you would like to see improvements.

The Parks and Recreation Commission is updating its five-year recreation master plan. A short survey has been designed and is available for all county residents to complete online and make their voices heard.

The survey asks about the use of the parks over the past year, as well as asking for ratings of the stewardship of the public parks through maintenance and condition. It also asks for suggestions in improving each individual park.

It also asks if residents are interested in extending the Wadhams to Avoca Trail into the City of Yale and whether additional parklands should be developed. The survey asks residents to prioritize efforts of the commission and what the best investments of tax dollars might be.

A link to the survey can be found at:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/sccparc2021

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

PHS Advocator, Innovator, and Educator of the Year Announced

Port Huron, MI — Port Huron Schools announced this year’s recipients of the Advocator, Innovator, and Educator of the Year Awards. The annual awards were delivered to the winners while they were working last week.

The Advocator of the Year is Laura Nesbitt, a counselor at Fort Gratiot Middle School. In the live video presentation, Superintendent Jamie Cain said that Nesbitt is “a shining light, doing everything that’s right” during these stressful times for students.

Innovator of the Year is Mark Repp, the District Technology Trainer and Technology Integration Specialist. Cain thanked Repp for making things easier for teachers this year.

Educator of the Year is Sarah Miller, an Early Childhood Special Education Teacher at the Early Childhood Center. Cain thanked Miller for going above and beyond for her students in this difficult year.

The winners were selected from over 200 nominations from the community from both this school year and last school year. Winners received prizes donated by DoubleTree by Hilton Port Huron and Fort Gratiot Meijer.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Major Investment in Computer Science Education Statewide

AP Computer Science is a high school class that can open the door to a rewarding career. A pilot program is spending $15 million to make Advanced Placement Computer Science a real option for kids across the state. 

The collaboration between MiStem Network, Code.org, Grand Valley State University, and College Board is focusing on expanding access to the class for everyone. 

Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II said, “We are thankful for Code.org for choosing Michigan as one of the first states in the nation to launch this expansive, inclusive computer science opportunity. We encourage educators and students to explore the rewarding opportunities this new AP Computer Science offering brings.”  

The program is reaching out specifically to underrepresented groups and trying to get those students to pursue careers in computer science or engineering. The grants will pay for offering the AP Computer Science classes at no cost to the district. 

Trevor Packer, head of the AP Program at the College Board said, “We applaud Michigan’s commitment to providing a more diverse set of students with computer science courses, which are fundamental for 21st century careers.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Nessel and Colleagues Say No to Instagram for Kids

A coalition of attorneys general, including Michigan’s, is reaching out to Facebook and is urging the company not to launch Instagram for Kids. Instagram is one of the company’s social media products.

In a letter to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and others in the National Association of Attorneys General expressed concern based on Facebook’s track record with monitoring social media and the research that shows that social media is harmful to children’s physical, emotional, and mental health.

Nessel said, “With research rating Instagram as the worst social media platform for youth mental health, it’s hard to imagine that this launch is about anything other than expanding the already lucrative Instagram franchise. Introducing children to this social media environment poses serious threats to their security and wellbeing and I urge Facebook to reconsider its plans for this new platform.” 

The letter states that the risks to mental health far outweigh any benefits of an Instagram platform tailored to kids under the age of 13. Kids under 13 are prohibited from using Instagram, currently.

A link to the full letter:

https://www.michigan.gov/documents/ag/NAAG_Letter_to_Facebook_-_Final_724678_7.pdf

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland