“With Unity Comes Infinite Hope” Theme of PHS-NAACP Partnership
Port Huron, MI — Port Huron Schools are partnering with the Port Huron NAACP to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with service and positivity. For the past six years, both the district and the NAACP have engaged students in learning about the life and legacy of Dr. King and the civil rights movement, according to a statement from the school district.
This year’s theme is “With Unity, Comes Infinite Hope”. The theme comes from Dr. King’s quote, “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” Students across the district will listen to age-appropriate readings and recordings with the message of unity and hope.
This year’s district wide project will be the making of cards for shut in seniors. The Council on Aging is partnering with the school district on the project.
Port Huron Schools Superintendent Jamie Cain remarked, “This year, more than ever, encouraging and helping others find or rediscover hope is a valuable necessity. It’s inspiring to see our students challenge themselves in the memory of Dr. King to provide hope to some of the most vulnerable citizens in our community, shut in seniors.”
A link to full archive of Port Huron Schools’ MLK Day projects:
http://phschoolsmlkday.weebly.com/
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
Michigan Joins Coalition Questions FDA’s Opioid Response
The opioid crisis is raging throughout the nation and while steps are being taken to address it, many are losing patience. Michigan is part of a coalition of 48 states that have taken action to hold the federal Food and Drug Administration accountable for their efforts in combating opioid addiction.
The coalition is looking for a progress report from the FDA clarifying how they are using their authority given under the SUPPORT Act to prevent and treat the crisis. The SUPPORT Act has provisions that include safer packaging and disposal features for opioids, new regulations on non-addictive alternatives to opioids, and prescribing guidelines.
Michigan’s Attorney General Dana Nessel said, “The opioid epidemic has been devastating for states in terms of lives lost and the strain it has imposed on both our health care system and economy. Patients suffering from chronic pain or addiction are particularly vulnerable, and if we are going to protect these patients and combat this epidemic, we must start by holding the FDA accountable for their role in this crisis.”
A link to the letter:
FDA Letter – NAAG.pdf (ca.gov)
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
Michigan Department of Education Trying Drum Up Interest in Teaching
The Michigan Department of Education is offering grants as a part of their effort to head off a statewide teacher shortage and diversify the educator workforce. The program is called the “Future Michigan Proud Educator Initiative”.
The program offers a competitive grant for school districts to assist them in developing opportunities for students interested in becoming teachers. Currently, the “Proud Educator” program recognizes and honors current Michigan teachers. The new effort is aimed at planting the seeds of interest in career teaching through targeted curriculum.
The grant program is aimed at students in all grades, but has expanded opportunities for middle school and high school students. The Michigan Department of Education will offer flexible models for implementation, content standards and curriculum, and professional development for winning districts.
State Superintendent Michael Rice said, “We need to encourage our young people to consider developing and using their talents as proud Michigan educators.”
The salary range for a public-school teacher in Michigan is around $30,000 – $67,000 depending on degree earned, district, and seniority.
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
Public Meeting for Upcoming M-29 Construction Planned
The Michigan Department of Transportation is inviting the public to attend a virtual public meeting to discuss proposed improvements to M-29 in St. Clair County. The meeting is planned for January 21st at 5:00 p.m. via Microsoft Teams.
MDOT is in the design phase of reworking M-29 from Church Road to Palms Road, with resurfacing to improve the pavement condition, roadway drainage improvements, widening to accommodate a center left-turn lane through the project limits, and maintenance to the Swan Creek bridge.
MDOT is also proposing a “road diet” for a four mile stretch of the road that runs through the community of Fair Haven. The “road diet” would convert around 1500 feet of a four-lane section to one lane in each direction with a dedicated center turn lane. MDOT says that the proposition offers better safety by calming traffic.
The work is expected to be completed in 2025 and also includes safety improvements with signal upgrades, sidewalk ramp improvements compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and continuous sidewalks through Fairhaven.
Click here to join the Microsoft Teams virtual public meeting
How to attend a live event in Microsoft Teams
To join by phone without using Internet, call 248-509-0316.
Conference ID: 623 646 983#
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
SC4 Scholarships Available for 2021-22
Port Huron, MI — St. Clair County Community College has opened up the application period for a multitude of scholarships for the 2021-22 academic year. The links to the scholarships can all be found in one place on the college’s website.
Scholarship eligibility varies, but there are scholarships specifically for first year students or second year students, those in the nursing program, those in engineering, criminal justice and many others. Some require proof of financial hardship; others do not. Some are targeted toward graduates of specific high schools, including Blue Water Middle College. There is even a scholarship offered by the Port Huron Garden Club for students intending to major in horticulture or a similar field.
The cost per credit hour at SC4, including the technology fee, is around $168 for residents of the “college district”, which includes school districts completely within the county, and $289 for those outside of the district, plus additional fees that vary by course, according to the latest data on the college’s website.
A link to the SC4 scholarship page: https://sc4.edu/scholarships-available-for-sc4-students/.
The deadline for application is March 14th, 2021.
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland