education

Tri-Share Child Care: A Groundbreaking Program Revolutionizing Access To Quality Child Care In St. Clair County

Discover Tri-Share Child Care, the innovative program transforming the landscape of child care in St. Clair County. This groundbreaking initiative aims to enhance access to affordable and high-quality child care by cost-sharing among the employee, the employer, and the state of Michigan.

For employers in St. Clair County, participating in Tri-Share means offering a new employee benefit that covers 33.33% of child care costs for eligible employees with dependent children aged 0-12. This initiative helps attract and retain valuable employees, contributing to economic impact and growth in the region.

Eligibility is based on family size and household income, ensuring that employees with incomes between 200% and 325% of the Federal Poverty Level can benefit from this program throughout its duration. This program can help ease the burden of child care expenses for those who qualify.

For more information, call: Bruce Seymore at (810) 982-9511.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Record Number of SC4 Athletes Earn NJCAA Academic Awards

St. Clair County Community College (SC4) is celebrating a historic achievement as a record-breaking twenty-seven of their Skippers athletes have been named recipients of National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) academic awards for the 2022-23 year. 

This is the highest number of academic honorees the Skippers have seen since the early 2000s. To qualify, these student-athletes completed a minimum of 24 credits and maintained an impressive 3.60 GPA or higher.

SC4’s dedication to academic excellence extends to their teams as well. Eight Skippers teams secured NJCAA Academic Team status for the 2022-23 year, boasting a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above.

For the complete list of individual award recipients, visit NJCAA All-Academic Awards, and for team rankings, check out NJCAA Academic Teams of the Year.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II Launches “Reconnect on Campus” Week to Boost Michigan Reconnect Scholarship

Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II has kick-started “Reconnect on Campus” week, an initiative aimed at highlighting the tuition-free Michigan Reconnect scholarship and fostering engagement at 27 community and tribal colleges across Michigan. 

Emphasizing the significance of higher education and skilled credentials, Lt. Governor Gilchrist stated, “Higher education and skilled credentials are the key to securing a better future for working families and ensuring the economic vibrancy of our state for decades to come.” 

To promote tuition-free opportunities, the participating colleges will host a series of events throughout the week. This concerted effort, organized by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and supported by various educational organizations, business leaders, and former and current Reconnectors, aims to connect working-age adults with the necessary resources to successfully embark on their community college journey.

For more information, visit: michigan.gov/reconnect.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Registration Opens for Michigan State University Extension’s Conservation Stewards Program in St. Clair County

Michigan State University Extension’s Conservation Stewards Program (CSP) in St. Clair County is now accepting registrations. 

This 10-week program, in partnership with the St. Clair County Parks and Recreation Commission and other organizations, offers participants the opportunity to learn about local conservation heritage, Michigan’s natural communities, and engage in community science projects.

The CSP is a hybrid program that combines virtual self-paced lessons with in-person evening sessions held on Wednesdays from September 13th to November 15th. Two Saturday field trips within St. Clair County will also be organized on September 23rd and October 7th. Participants will complete applied capstone projects related to restoring and conserving Michigan’s ecosystems under the guidance of a local mentor.

Registration closes on August 30th, or when the class is full. Partial scholarship opportunities are available. 

For more information, visit: canr.msu.edu/csp.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Governor Gretchen Whitmer Establishes MiLEAP: Michigan’s Path to Lifelong Education and Advancement

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed an executive order creating a new department called the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential, or MiLEAP.

This department’s primary objective is to improve educational outcomes for individuals from preschool through postsecondary education, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to “make it in Michigan.”

MiLEAP will achieve this goal by establishing clear metrics, fostering collaboration with leaders from various sectors at the local, regional, and state levels, and developing a shared action plan. The department will work closely with the Michigan Department of Education and the State Board of Education, complementing their long-term planning efforts.

MiLEAP aims to provide pathways to tuition-free higher education and forge strong partnerships between the education system and employers to facilitate good-paying, high-skill, and in-demand job opportunities.

MiLEAP will also collaborate with the Growing Michigan Together Council, focusing on strengthening preschool to postsecondary learning while simultaneously growing the state’s economy and population. 

For more information about MiLEAP, click here. 

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Professional Actress And Port Huron Native, Teams Up With Port Huron Recreation Department To Teach Future Thespians

Professional actress McKale Jude Bingham returns to Port Huron for the fourth consecutive year, for the Port Huron Recreation Department’s summer Theatre Bootcamp for children. 

The program spans five days, and equips over 100 young actors, in grades 1 – 12, with fundamental theater skills culminating in a grand musical production. Students embrace their creativity and teamwork within the condensed time frame, benefiting from a transformative experience that prepares them for future theatrical endeavors. 

Bingham, a native of Port Huron and successful actress, delights in sharing her passion for acting with budding artists and considers teaching the program the highlight of her summer.

Audiences can catch “The Most Epic Birthday Party Ever” on July 14th, 21st, and 28th, and the high school cabaret on August 4th, all at 6 p.m. in the McMorran Place Theatre, with free admission for the public.

Registration remains open until July 24th. To register, visit: porthuronrec.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell