education

St. Clair County Technical Education Center Excels At Regional SkillsUSA Competitions

St. Clair County Technical Education Center (TEC) celebrates its students’ exceptional performance at the recent Regional SkillsUSA competitions.

Across diverse program areas like Automotive, Collision Repair, Construction, Culinary Arts, and Welding, TEC students showcased their prowess, clinching numerous medals and accolades. Principal Lesley Murphy lauded their hard work and thanked educators, advisors, and families for their support. 

The top three winners will advance to the state contest, joined by those who medaled at the local SkillsUSA event. A total of 68 students are set to participate in the state contest scheduled for April 12-14 in Grand Rapids. TEC extends congratulations to all competitors and wishes success to those progressing to the statewide competition.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Scholastic And Little Free Library Launch “Power Up With Reading” Initiative Across The U.S.

Scholastic and Little Free Library have teamed up for the “Power Up with Reading” initiative, aiming to provide Dog Man-themed Little Free Library book-sharing boxes to sites nationwide.

With a generous donation of 50,000 books from Dog Man author and illustrator Dav Pilkey, communities across all 50 states will benefit from this initiative, fostering a love for reading among children and families. 

Planned installations in major cities like New York, Detroit, and San Francisco are just the beginning, with more locations to follow. Each library box will include copies of “Dog Man: The Scarlet Shredder” and diverse children’s titles from Scholastic’s “The Power of Story” collection. 

Organizations in our community catering to children are encouraged to apply for a Dog Man Little Free Library and Scholastic book donation via an online application form.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

St. Clair County Community College To Host Free Total Solar Eclipse Celebration On April 8th

St. Clair County Community College (SC4) is gearing up for a spectacular event as they prepare to host a celebration in honor of the April 8th total solar eclipse. The college invites the public to join in the festivities from 2 to 4 p.m. at the campus opposite the College Center on River Street.

Attendees can anticipate a variety of engaging activities, including informational sessions, interactions with SC4 professors, and the opportunity to peer through solar telescopes for a firsthand view of the eclipse. 

Instructor of Physics/Astronomy, Patrick Wilcox, emphasized the significance of experiencing such a phenomenon locally, remarking on the lasting impact it leaves on observers. The eclipse, wherein 98.1 percent of the sun will be obscured as seen from Port Huron, will reach its peak visibility around 3:15 p.m.

SC4 is committed to ensuring safe viewing practices, providing resources to protect attendees’ vision from the potentially harmful effects of direct sun exposure.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

St. Clair County Library System Introduces Free Notary Public Service This Week

In a bid to enhance accessibility and convenience for residents, St. Clair County Library System is set to roll out free notary public services, effective Monday, March 11th. This initiative aims to assist individuals in legalizing documents, ensuring their authenticity and validity. 

By offering this crucial service across all library branches, the county seeks to alleviate the burden of locating and paying for notary services elsewhere. However, appointments are necessary to use this service, emphasizing the importance of prior arrangements. Interested individuals are encouraged to contact their preferred library branch in advance to secure their appointment slot. 

With this provision, the library system continues to fulfill its mission of providing essential resources and support to the community, catering to diverse needs effectively.

For more information, visit: stclaircountylibrary.org

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Michigan Lawmaker Raises Concerns Over Delayed Action On School Safety Legislation

State Representative Greg Alexander has voiced frustration over ongoing delays and partisan politics hindering progress on crucial school safety measures in Michigan. Alexander, of Carsonville, is urging the House Education Committee to prioritize a hearing on legislation aimed at enhancing school safety and bolstering mental health support for students, in response to recommendations from a bipartisan school safety task force formed after the tragic shooting at Oxford High School.

Despite ample time for consideration, the Democrat-led committee has diverted attention away from these vital bills, sparking criticism from Alexander and other advocates. The proposed legislation, including House Bills 4088-4100, aims to fortify school safety protocols, improve mental health resources, and enhance emergency response procedures. 

With the safety of students at stake, Alexander emphasizes the urgency for bipartisan cooperation and swift action from the Legislature.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

How Daylight Savings Time Became A Fixture In America

Daylight Savings Time (DST) continues to be a subject of debate and adjustment. Established in the U.S. during World War I to conserve energy, DST has seen numerous changes since its inception. Initially enacted on March 1st, 1918, its purpose was to save on energy costs during wartime. Despite its repeal post-war, DST resurfaced during World War II, dubbed “war time.”

The lack of uniformity post-World War II led to widespread confusion until the Uniform Time Act of 1966 standardized DST across the nation, along with official time zones. 

Fast forward to 2007 when the current schedule was implemented, starting on the second Sunday in March and ending on the first Sunday in November. People often use the expression, “spring forward, fall back,” to remember which way to set their clocks. So, don’t forget to spring your clocks forward this weekend to stay on time.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell