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Local News

Safety Training Planned for Port Huron Schools

The staff at Port Huron Schools will be participating in Active Assailant Response Training on January 14th. Students will have a half-day of school that day with early dismissal and bus pick up around lunchtime.

Superintendent Theo Kerhoulas sent an email to district families on Tuesday to let them know about both the schedule change and the staff training.

Kerhoulas wrote, “We are very proud of our current district safety plans but also know we can always do better. Our teams feel we can strengthen what we do in the case of an emergency with additional training.”

Kerhoulas explained that the Port Huron schools team met with local law enforcement to discuss school safety and the Active Assailant Response Training will be done in partnership with the Port Huron Police Department and the St. Clair County Sheriff Department.

Kerhoulas said in the letter to families and staff, “Our efforts will strengthen our protocols and communication systems for our students, staff, law enforcement officers and emergency responders.”

Parents should expect more details about the January 14th early dismissal when the students are back in school next week.

Reporting with WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Selfridge, PFAS Cleanup Get Funding with Defense Bill

The National Defense Authorization Act was signed into law by President Biden.

Part of the $777 billion bill included another year of funding for the A-10 Warthog fighter which includes the 107th Fighter Squadron assigned to Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County. Twenty-eight million dollars are earmarked for upgrades at Selfridge.

U.S. Army Major General Paul D. Rogers, the adjutant general and director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, said, “The projects and initiatives included in this year’s NDAA are huge wins for our state. These investments will empower the next chapter of Michigan’s long and meaningful history as a center of innovation for our country’s national defense.”

The signing of the Act was praised by both Congresswoman Lisa McLain and Senator Gary Peters. Peters said, “The national defense bill is critical to maintaining our competitiveness on the global stage – particularly as other nations, like the Chinese government, look to expand their influence.”

The bill includes a 2.7% pay raise for military personnel as well as funding for remediation of PFAS environmental contamination on former Air Force bases such as K.I. Sawyer and Wurtsmith in Michigan.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Michigan Youth Challenge Academy Graduates Class #45

The Michigan Youth Challenge Academy (MYCA) graduated 107 cadets from around the state at its December 18th ceremony.

Class #45 included cadets from 41 Michigan counties including St. Clair, Macomb, and Lapeer.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul D. Rogers, adjutant general and director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, said, “This program is all about giving young men and women a second chance by instilling moral, physical and mental toughness. The accomplishments of these cadets over the past 22 weeks proves they have the fortitude to take their lives in a new direction.”

Cadets at MYCA received over 800 classroom hours credited towards their high school diplomas and 160 hours of vocational experience. The program is voluntary, and provides extra support to youth 16-18 years old who are at risk of not graduating from high school.

Youth interested in joining the next class at MYCA can attend a virtual orientation to see if the program is the right fit for them.

Visit michigan.gov/myca for more information.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Omicron Variant Identified in St. Clair County

On December 27th, the St. Clair County Health Department (SCCHD) was notified of three residents with confirmed cases of the Omicron variant. One of the residents tested positive for COVID-19 on December 12th while the other two tested positive on December 13th.

The residents identified have been contacted by the SCCHD and a case investigation is ongoing. Of the three infected, one was unvaccinated and another had a primary vaccination series yet was not eligible for the booster. The third had received a primary vaccination series and booster, although was not yet considered fully boosted as the positive test occurred within 14 days of dose administration.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Omicron variant will likely spread more easily, but its overall impact compared to the Delta variant, remains unknown. The CDC expects that anyone with the Omicron infection can spread the virus to others, even if they are vaccinated or don’t have symptoms. Current vaccines are expected to protect against severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths due to infection with the Omicron variant. Breakthrough infections in people who are fully vaccinated, however, are likely to occur.

“We knew it was a matter of time before the variant was detected in our community. The good news is that we have the tools to help slow the spread by following proven mitigation strategies,” noted Dr. Annette Mercatante, Medical Health Officer of the St. Clair County Health Department.

These include:

  • Vaccination for anyone age 5 and older and a booster shot when eligible
  • Wear a mask in public indoor settings
  • Physically distance from others
  • Stay home whenever symptoms appear
  • Get tested for COVID-19, especially before gatherings
  • Self-isolate properly if you develop symptoms or test positive for COVID-19
  • Wash your hands frequently

Email COVID-19 questions to covid19@stclaircounty.org or call the informational hotline (810) 966-4163. Visit the website www.scchealth.co and follow us on social media @scchdmi.

Submitted by the St. Clair County Health Department

Whitmer Approves Bill Allowing School Personnel to Substitute Teach

In an effort to keep classrooms staffed for the remainder of the 2021-22 school year, Governor Whitmer signed a bill that would allow school personnel with high school diplomas or GEDs to serve as substitute teachers.

House Bill 4294 addresses the shortage of substitute teachers available and makes way for any school employee such as secretaries and paraprofessionals to supervise classrooms as substitute teachers.

According the St. Clair County RESA’s website, regular requirements for substitute teachers include a background check, valid identification, a current or expired Michigan teaching certificate, and official proof of 90 semester hours or 135 quarter hours of credit from a regionally accredited college or university.

The newly signed bill will allow any school district or intermediate school district employee who holds a high school diploma or high school equivalency certificate (E.g. a GED) to serve as a substitute teacher.

If that person’s salary is higher than the rate paid for substitute teaching, they must be compensated at the higher rate. If it is lower, their pay must be increased to the rate paid to substitute teach. According to the bill, employees cannot be terminated if they decline the opportunity to substitute teach.

Whitmer said, “Allowing schools to employ school staff that students know as substitute teachers will help keep school doors open and students learning in the classroom the rest of the school year. I am committed to working with the legislature to develop high-quality solutions to address these staff shortages long-term so that we can ensure that every child is able to access a quality education.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

 

United Way of Sarnia-Lambton Campaign Wrapping Up

The United Way of Sarnia-Lambton only has a couple of days to reach their fall campaign goal, and it’s not too late to contribute.

The organization needs just over $100,000 to reach the goal of $1,750,000 which supports over 40 programs at 20 different community service agencies in Lambton County.

Vicky Ducharme, Campaign Chair said, “Uniting under the common goal to improve our lives is what really drives our campaign. If you haven’t donated yet, there’s still time. Your gift makes a big impact on our community.”

Although many of the campaign contributions come through workplace payroll deductions at supporting businesses, individuals can also donate on the United Way of Sarnia Lambton’s website here:

www.theunitedway.on.ca.

The priority areas for this campaign are From Poverty to Possibility, All That Kids Can BE, and Healthy People, Strong Communities.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand