On to the Breslin Friday!

The St. Johns Redwing Girls Basketball Team defeated Port Huron Northern 48-35 in Tuesday night’s MHSAA Class A Q-Final at Fenton High School.

Coach Mark Lasceski’s Redwings now advance to the MHSAA Class A Semi-Finals on Friday, March 18 at 1 p.m. at Michigan State University’s Breslin Student Events Center. Pre-Sale tickets will be on sale started at 1 p.m. on Wednesday in the High School Activities Office.

All tickets for the semi-finals are $8. Passes of any kind are not accepted during MHSAA Tournaments.

The Class A State Championship Game will be played on Saturday, March 19 starting at noon.

The basketball team bus will depart SJHS on Friday at 10:45 a.m.

A high school student spectator bus is available for up to 45 students. Cost is $12 which includes a game ticket.

The bus will depart SJHS at 11:30 a.m. and will return after the game around 4 p.m. Students must ride to and from MSU on the bus. Students must have a release form submitted with parental signatures returned to the Activities Office by 8 a.m. on Friday.

SJ Black T-Shirts are on sale in the HS Activities Office for $6 each.

There will be a student section reserved in the bleachers for SJHS students only. This is the only section that will be allowed to stand continuously during the game.

Those not able to attend the semi-final game can watch it streamed live at www.mhsaa.tv. Day passes are $9.95.

Photos courtesy of Jack Heckaman Photography and MIPrepZone photo gallery by Kevin Lozon via Facebook.

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Easter Egg Hunt date set

St. Johns Easter Egg Hunt is Saturday, March 26th at 1:00 p.m.

The alarm will sound to start the hunt.There will be free pictures with the Easter Bunny along with face painting.

Age groups are

3-4
5-6
7-8
9-10
Special eggs will be given out by the bunny helps for those under 3.

The egg hunt is located at the St. Johns City Park.

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Habitat to host Gala

Habitat for Humanity’s DreamBuilders Gala is a signature event that will help build two houses in Clinton County this year. The Gala is held at Eagle Eye Banquet Center in Bath and will have a casually elegant denim and western theme – strolling supper, silent auction, “Dancing with the Stars” event – local musicians – and lots of fun.

The theme this year is a Taste of Country, so you know the food will be good (none of that bland, dry chicken dinners, here), the music will keep your toes tapping and the silent auction will feature items that you will definitely want! Plus, you’ll want to come out and see our “local celebrities” cut a rug with professional dancers from Spartan Dance Center in our “Dancing with the Stars” part of the evening.

Tickets are $55 each or 2 for $100 – $25.00 of each ticket is a tax deductible donation.

If you need more information, call the Habitat office at 989-227-1771 or go to our website: habitatclinton.org

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MMDHD awarded national accreditation

The Mid-Michigan District Health Department (MMDHD) is pleased to announce that it has been awarded national accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB).

The national accreditation program, supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, sets standards against which the nation’s 3,000 health departments can continuously improve the quality of their services and performance.

Achieving national accreditation was not an easy task. To do so, MMDHD had to undergo a rigorous, multi-faceted, peer-reviewed assessment process to ensure it met or exceeded PHABs quality standards and measures. From start to finish, the entire process took four years and a lot of hard work.

“We are pleased and excited to be recognized for achieving national standards that foster effectiveness and promote continuous quality improvement,” said Marcus Cheatham, MMDHD Health Officer. “The accreditation process helps to ensure that the programs and services we provide are as responsive as possible to the needs of our community. It also allows us to demonstrate increased accountability and credibility to the public, funders, elected officials and partner organizations with which we work.”

Clinton County Branch Office Staff: Back row: Sara Thelen, Peggy Fox, Courtney Beagle, Duane Schneider, Hazel Hall, Kim Monahan and Tracy Hartman. Middle row, left to right: Janea Near, Gayle Hood, Laureen Simon, Sarah Doak, Charity Little and Becky Stoddard. Front row: Nicole Montgomery, Shelly McPherson, Mary Wallen and Lisa Smith.

Public health departments play a critical role in protecting and improving the health of people and communities. They provide a broad range of services aimed at promoting healthy behaviors; preventing diseases and injuries; ensuring access to safe food, water, clean air, and life-saving immunizations; and preparing for and responding to public health emergencies.

Michigan health departments are required to be accredited by the State to ensure that they provide these services in compliance with State law. But State accreditation doesn’t measure the extent to which health departments
function like a strong, integrated system, which national accreditation does. While applying for national accreditation was not required, to MMDHD’s Board of Health, it seemed like the right thing to do. “Local health departments must transform themselves into more efficient and effective organizations in order to serve the public in these times of fiscal turmoil. Going through the PHAB process forced us to make many of those needed changes,” Cheatham said.

Only 96 out of 2,800 local health departments –less than four percent—are nationally accredited, which means MMDHD is in elite company! Residents served by a nationally accredited health department can be assured that it has gone above and beyond to demonstrate the capacity to protect and promote the health of that community.

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SJHS senior is featured artist – Leah Robbe

Congratulations to SJHS Senior Leah Robbe for being a featured artist by the Arts Council of Greater Lansing. What a beautiful piece of artwork!

Thank you to the dedicated art teachers who have helped to support and develop your talents.

Students create agricultural graphics

In honor of National Ag Week the 5th grade students from Gateway North Elementary in St. Johns created amazing farm animal graphite drawings.

These special drawings will be displayed by Michigan Farm Bureau, Clinton County Farm Bureau and other agricultural partner businesses.

A thank you goes out to Kelly Parsons for implementing agriculture in your classroom and for guiding your talented students as they produce amazing projects.

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Card Shower for Terry Scranton – March 21

Friends and family are holding a Birthday Card Shower to former St. Johns resident Terry Scranton on March 21. Terry graduated from Rodney B. Wilson High School in 1961, and he has been in poor health of late.

Terry and Linda still have many friends and family members in the St. Johns area, and you can brighten their day by letting them know that you are thinking of them.

Send Birthday greetings to:

Terry Scranton
259 S. Lake ST
Rogers City MI 49779

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Celebrate 60 years – Rowlan and LaRene Smith

On April 8, 2016, Rowlan and LaRene (VanEpps) Smith will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary.

They met while attending Rodney B. Wilson High School in the mid 1950s. Rowlan and LaRene were joined in matrimony on April 8,1956 at the First Methodist Church in St. Johns.

Their first daughter, Sherolyn Smith, was born a year later; and their second daughter, Kimberly Smith, came along two and one half years after that.

They have one granddaughter, Maesa Smith, whom they have spoiled from day one. The family enjoys movies, traveling, and playing dice and card games. A lot of vacations have been spent, as a family, exploring every state in the U.S.A.

Help their girls recognize and celebrate the day by wishing them many more years of love and happiness.

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Health Department conducting phone survey

If you receive a call from someone “on behalf of your local health department,” asking you to take a survey, don’t worry; it’s not a scam.

Randomly selected residents in Clinton, Gratiot and Montcalm counties will be asked to participate in a phone survey from Public Sector Consultants, on behalf of the Mid-Michigan District Health Department (MMDHD). The calls began this month and will end in July, 2016.

The purpose of this short, 15 minute Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS) is to gather information on human behavior and lifestyle patterns, such as access to healthcare and health insurance, smoking, and exercise. Completing the survey will give MMDHD valuable information on the health and well-being of our residents, help determine strategies to improve health, and assist in securing funding to implement programs.

It’s important to note that the calls will be coming from an out-of-state call center, manned by Survey Sampling International (SSI) employees, and may be identified on a caller ID as “SSI.” The calls will be placed to landlines and cell phones on weekdays and weekends, no later than 9:00 p.m.

The BRFSS was established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a way to collect important health-related information. For many states and communities, the BRFSS is the only available source of timely, accurate data.

Residents with questions regarding the phone survey may contact MMDHD at 989-831-3627.

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Students can win a gas card – ends March 21

Any St. Johns High School 9th-12th Grade Student who completes the Ford Driving Skills For Life online Driving Academy and prints the completion certificate can be in a drawing to win a $25 gas card.

To complete the Driving Skills for Life Academy go to: https://www.drivingskillsforlife.com/academy, print off the completion certificate and turn in the certificate during lunch on March 21 during the Strive 4 Safer Drive Simulation Event. The contest ends March 21.

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Health department offering shingles vaccine

If you’ve had chickenpox, the shingles virus is quietly lying in wait inside your body, and can make an appearance at any time. While not life-threatening, shingles can be very painful and can lead to some pretty serious complications. Fortunately, you can help keep shingles at bay by getting vaccinated.

Shingles is a sneaky illness. After a bout of chickenpox, the virus goes dormant in the spinal cord and can re-emerge later in life as shingles. Anyone who has had chicken pox is at-risk for getting shingles, but it is most common in those over 50, and the risk increases with age.

Ask anyone who has had shingles and they’ll tell you it’s not a pleasant experience. The first clue that something is wrong is feeling pain, itching, or tingling on one side of the face or body. This is followed by a blister-type rash that scabs over and clears up within two to six weeks. Other symptoms can include fever, headache, chills, fatigue and upset stomach.

The most common complication of shingles is lingering pain, even after the rash is gone. This pain may be severe and debilitating, and lasts a few weeks, or as long as a several months. As people get older, they are more likely to experience lingering pain and it is more likely to be severe. Shingles may also lead to serious complications including loss of vision, neurological problems and skin infections.

Shingles cannot be passed from one person to another, but can spread from a person with active shingles to someone who has never had chickenpox. In such cases, the person exposed to the virus might develop chickenpox, but not shingles.

Chickenpox can be dangerous for those with weak immune systems, newborns or pregnant women, so those with shingles should avoid physical contact with these groups.

If you think you may have shingles, contact your doctor right away. If you are over the age of 60 or have had a previous episode of shingles, you should consider getting vaccinated.

Mid-Michigan District health department (MMDHD) is offering the vaccine to individuals over 60 years old in Clinton, Gratiot and Montcalm Counties who do not have insurance, or whose plan does not cover the Zoster vaccine.

People with Medicare Part D should check with their doctor or pharmacy to see if the vaccine is covered. Those with Medicare Part A and/or B can receive the vaccine at the health department, as well as those over 50 with certain insurances. If you are unsure of your coverage, contact your insurance carrier.

If you would like more information or would like to make an appointment, please call the MMDHD branch office nearest you:

Montcalm County: 989-831-5237, option 5 and then option 2
Gratiot County: 989-875-3681, option 5 and then option 2
Clinton County: 989-224-2195, option 5 and then option 2

An administration fee up to $20 may apply and is based on income.

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Utility crews working around town

Consumers Energy began replacing some natural gas mains in town and will continue throughout the summer.

Phase 1 includes Railroad Street between Clinton and Lansing, Lansing Street between Railroad and Higham, Higham Street between Clinton and Prospect and Walker Street between Spring and Prospect.

Consumers Energy has notified residents who will be affected by this construction and will be available to answer requests.

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Leonard to host April office hours

State Rep. Tom Leonard today encouraged people to join his staff for office hours scheduled during April. Staff members will meet with people at two locations.

Rep. Leonard, R-DeWitt, said he will be unable to attend April office hours because of a scheduling conflict, but staff members will be available for the informal session, which will take place on Friday, April 8, at the following locations:

· In St. Johns at the Big Boy, 1408 S. U.S. 27, from 8 to 9:30 a.m.; and

· In Ithaca at the Hearthstone Oven Bakery and Café, 126 S. Pine River St., from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

No appointment is necessary. Those unable to attend may contact Rep. Leonard by calling 517-373-1778 or toll free at 877-859-8086, via email at TomLeonard@house.mi.gov or through his website at www.RepLeonard.com.

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Mark Your Calendar

First Congregational to host Seder – Thursday, March 24

Please join the people of the First Congregational Church in theirSeder family dinner on Maundy Thursday, March 24 at 6 p.m. as we retell the events and meaning through food, talk, and prayer.

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Welcome veterans home – Saturday, April 2

It’s that time again; please invite your favorite veteran.

Come spend an afternoon honoring our veterans. Please join St. Johns American Legion Post 153 in welcoming veterans home on Saturday, April 2 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

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Konan Art Exchange Exhibit – month of March

Step into Briggs Public Library in St. Johns during the month of March and you will be surrounded by art

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Watercolor Technique Classes at Gallery – begin Thursday March 31

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Feast and Raffle – March 19

The 2nd annual St Joseph Feast and Raffle Dinner is March 19. For more information check out their Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/St.josephfeastandraffle99/

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Annual Spring Wetlands Conservation Banquet – April 15, 2016

The Clinton County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited (DU) will host it’s 35th Annual Wetlands Conservation
banquet on Friday April 15, 2016. The event will once again be held at Smith Hall on the 4-H Fairgrounds in St Johns.

Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children fundraiser

by Maralyn Fink
Maralyn@sjindy.com

I decided to check out the CASA fundraiser held at The Big Boy Restaurant Wednesday from 5-8 pm.

I was greeted by the Advocates inside the entrance. I spoke with the Director, Kelly, to find out about this program.

CASA was started here in 2013 with volunteers that went through 30 hours training and a personal background check. The volunteers are called Advocates. There are at this time 9 of them with a Board of Directors of eight. They meet every month and are an independent non-profit. Money raised go to all components of the group.

They are always looking for more Advocates to work with the kids.

Advocates visit the children every 7-10 days at their placement homes. If you would be interested in helping, please contact clintoncountycasa@gmail.com.

What is CASA?

Court Appointed Special Advocates are specially-trained volunteer citizens who stand beside children in the foster system involved in court proceedings due to abuse or neglect. Volunteers develop a trusting relationship with their assigned child and advocate for their best interests. As volunteer advocates become familiar with the case, they get to know the child, their foster parents, teachers, case workers and attorneys and judges. Advocates ensure no aspect of the child’s experience is overlooked or disregarded.

Often a CASA volunteer is the only consistent adult with whom the child has contact. They may also make recommendations about where the child should be placed and what services would help the child or family.
On Saturday April 30 at the City Park, they will their 3rd annual Superhero 5K Run, Walk, or Fly for all ages and abilities. Superhero’s costumes are encouraged.

The Casa Team would like to thank St Johns Big Boy for all their help as well as the community for their support.

Thank you, CASA Superheros, for interviewing with me and St Johns Big Boy for the pictures of you and your staff. The costumes were great.

Bobbie Jo Cressman, Lexis Jones, Dana Western(super woman), Brendon Kiel, Alore’ Niemi, Cassidy Milton(black cape) Ashley Vanzer and Cole Burkett

See the whole album https://picasaweb.google.com/110845930262453987007/160309?authuser=0&feat=directlink

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Konan Art Exchange Exhibit – month of March

Step into Briggs Public Library in St. Johns during the month of March and you will be surrounded by art on the walls, bulletin boards, the ends of bookshelves and hanging on banners. This is the artwork of the 21st annual Student Art Exchange between St. Johns and its friendship city, Konan, in Shiga Prefecture, Japan.

The St. Johns art is produced by students in the five public elementary schools and St. Joseph Catholic School under the direction of Ms. Ann DenHerder and Ms. Kelly Parsons; the art from Konan was done by both elementary and junior high students.

The Japanese pictures include many things familiar to us, such as fireworks, watermelons and lakes; but they also show cultural aspects, such as what their houses and temples look like.

Adding to the exhibit are many items from Japan exhibited in a glass case, as well as a beautiful Japanese kimono hung up for all to enjoy. A reception is held each year for the student artists and their families, during which a group of fourth-grade students sing traditional folk songs in Japanese, as taught by Ms. Shirley Ries, a St. Johns vocal music teacher.

At the end of March, the art from St. Johns will be sent to Konan for a similar display in their public library.

This international art experience is coordinated by the St. Johns – Konan Friendship Society under the auspices of Clinton County Arts Council, with support from St. Johns Public Schools, the City of St. Johns and the students of the National Art Honor Society in Ovid-Elsie High School, who put up and will take down the art. Clinton County Arts Council is grateful to have received competitive grant funding from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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Jazz Trio Next Up at Wilson Center

The Wilson Collective, which up to now has sponsored mostly Indy-Rock concerts, is switching gears in sponsoring an evening of jazz in the beautiful/historic Wilson Center Auditorium. The upcoming jazz concert will take place on Friday, March 18, starting at 7:00 p.m.

The concert will feature “Organic Vibes”, a mid-Michigan based jazz trio whose musical history goes back to the early 2000’s. This special trio celebrates the classic “soul jazz” sound from the 1960’s and 70″s, performing music composed by jazz greats like Grant Green, Big John Patton and Larry Young, alongside their own more recent compositions.

The trio is comprised of Jim Cooper, vibraphone, Jim Alfredson, Hammond Organ with St. Johns High School graduate, Jeff Shoup on drums. “Jeff’s been doing some wonderful jazz gigs around the state for a while now,” says concert coordinator Bill Tennant. “It will be great having him back in St. Johns, his hometown, for this special concert. The unique combination of instruments featured in this trio will make this concert a must for jazz/music lovers.”

Jeff Shoup graduated from SJHS in 1992 playing percussion instruments in band, orchestra and jazz band. He started playing drums with various pop, jazz and blues bands since the late 90’s throughout the state including gigs in Detroit, Kalamazoo as well as Grand Rapids. He then entered MSU as a jazz-studies major, receiving a BM degree in 2012 and a MM degree in 2014. Jeff has performed with a number of jazz greats including Rodney Whitaker, Randy Napoleon, Betty Joplin, Ramona Collins, Bill Heidi, Diego Rivera, Smokin’ Joe Kubek and others.

Jim Cooper is a veteran composer, educator, and Musser performing artist with more than 40 years of experience. Cooper has appeared throughout the Midwest as both soloist and sideman, and has released two CD’s as a leader. Jim Alfredson has led the Michigan-based jazz trio organissimo since 2000, releasing a number of critically acclaimed CD’s, while touring the country and the world.

There will be a $7 admission charge at the door. The Wilson Center Auditorium is located at 101 W. Cass St. in downtown St. Johns, just south of the Court House. For more information about The Wilson Collective and/or upcoming concerts and events, please visit the Wilson Center Auditorium web site at www.wilsoncenterauditorium.org and/or the Wilson Center Auditorium Facebook page.

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Watercolor Technique Classes at Gallery – begin Thursday March 31

Working with watercolors requires a measure of skill blended with a heap of patience. Those gifts may be acquired in the coming weeks when classes and workshops in water color techniques will be offered at Clinton County Arts Council Gallery.

Director Ashley Jackson announced this week that water color artist Sarah Tule will be conducting two special events, one at March end then in April, designed especially for beginning water color painters..

The first will be a two-hour class Thursday March 31 designed to introduce water color paints. The session will meet from 6-8 p.m. and is limited to 10 students. A registration fee of $35.00 includes all necessary supplies. CCAC members receive a $5.00 registration discount.

The second event will be the first of a series of one hour water color workshops during April. This session will run from 6-7 p.m. Thursday April 7 with emphasis on the drawing of trees. Registration for this workshop is $15.00. As previously explained, required materials are included and CCAC members are entitled to a $5.00 discount. Subsequent workshops will take place every two weeks and details will be announced in advance.

Registration for either activity can be made in person at the Gallery, by phone (989 224-2429) or by email
ccarts@voyager.net.

CCAC receives periodic grants from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts. For additional information on this event or other Arts Council activities, calls may be made to the Gallery at 989.224.2429

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Young Entrepreneurs Across America

by Maralyn Fink
Maralyn@sjindy.com

I met with Megan Collins so that she could tell me about the Young Entrepreneurs Program. The program started about 30 years ago and has grown since that time. Recruitment is handled by the organization Student Painters.

The company looks for college students, 18 years and older, and trains them to run a business. Megan is the Branch Manager of St Johns and Dewitt. Her goal is to hire local students to work in her branch and is looking for students in this district. She stated that she advertises and also goes door to door.

The business is Exterior house painting but they also do deck staining and power washing. This production starts in May. The participants are trained by Sherwin Williams, with 5-6 painters in a group. Training starts in April.

Contact Megan at 248-252-3701 for a scheduled free estimate. The work is done on weekdays if weather permits and weekends if needed.

Megan spoke with Mayor Beaman, and he is going to give the students painters a proclamation.

Megan will be at St Johns High School this Friday, March 11, in the cafeteria with information for the students.

Thanks, Megan, for the interview, and we had a great time at Big Boy.

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Builders Club and Good Wins support Walk for Warmth

It was a lively gathering of St. Johns Kiwanis members along with students from Kiwanis sponsored middle school Builders Club and high school Good Wins Key Club that stepped off in support of the annual Walk for Warmth fund raiser.

Kiwanis members abetting the cause included Sharon Bassette, Gary Carpenter, Karen Crosby, Jay Eccleton, Katie Eccleton, Graham Filler, Jan Havlik, (groups coordinator) Steve Heath, Jeanette Huard, Larry Jerue, Jenell Leonard, Laura Mullaney, Sally Rice, Mark Smith and Terry Strickler. Photo by Laura Mullaney.

First Congregational to host Seder – Thursday, March 24

Join us for a Christian interpretation of the traditional Jewish festival celebrated for more than 3,000 years. The evening will include all the elements of the Seder; singing, story telling, praying, and eating.

Please join the people of the First Congregational Church in their Seder family dinner on Maundy Thursday, March 24 at 6 p.m.

Children are most welcome. A full dinner will be served along with the elements of the ceremonial meal.

Call ahead or email to help us estimate a head count at church office, 224-2636,
first.congregational.church.sj@gmail.com.

Downtown St. Johns at First Congregational Church, 100 Maple Street.

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Briggs Library survey update

We would like to provide an updated link to the survey we posted last week.

If you haven’t had a chance to fill it out, please take a few minutes to do so now.

We are seeking input from the entire St. Johns community, those who use the Library, as well as those who do not, so please feel free to share the link.

https://app.e2ma.net/app2/survey/1767188/213068099/d72eecc6b1/

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LAFCU offers scholarships to high school seniors

LAFCU is accepting applications for its 2016 “Write to Educate Essay Contest” that awards two $2,500 college scholarships to high school seniors and allows them to each select a local charity to receive a $500 donation from LAFCU.

The application deadline is Friday, April 22. Applications are available online at www.LAFCUMyWay.com.
One scholarship is for a student who will attend Baker College of Owosso; the other is for a student who will attend Lansing Community College.

“We are again looking forward to helping make the financial entry into college easier for two students and to make a meaningful contribution to their charities of choice; two things that support our mission of ‘people helping people,'” said Kelli A. Ellsworth Etchison, LAFCU senior vice president of marketing.

Winners will be chosen based on responses to a one-page essay about an improvement the applicant could implement at their high school before they graduate that would also benefit the community.

Each winner will select one of the following charities to receive a $500 donation from LAFCU:
· Allen Street Farmers Market
· Greater Lansing Food Bank
· The Salvation Army Owosso for its food and nutrition programs
· YMCA of Metropolitan Lansing’s Healthy Living Mobile Kitchen

“We’re asking the applicants to engage in thinking how one person can make a difference and about the role of charities in our community,” Ellsworth Etchison said. “This type of leadership development is what makes the LAFCU ‘Write to Educate Essay Contest’ unique.”

Eligible applicants attend high school in the LAFCU service territory, which includes the counties of Barry, Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Gratiot, Ingham, Ionia, Jackson, Livingston, Montcalm and Shiawassee. They do not need to be members of LAFCU to apply.

Entries may be uploaded via www.LAFCUMyWay.com or mailed to LAFCU, P.O. Box 26188, Lansing, Michigan, 48909-6188. For more information, visit www.LAFCUMyWay.com.

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Mark Your Calendar

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Welcome veterans home – Saturday, April 2

It’s that time again; please invite your favorite veteran.

Come spend an afternoon honoring our veterans. Please join St. Johns American Legion Post 153 in welcoming veterans home on Saturday, April 2 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

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Cooking Matters/Parenting Matters

Tuesdays, March 15 – April 26, 2016 (no class on April 5) from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Smith Hall on the Clinton County Fairgrounds. Space is limited so call 989-224-5241 to register. There is no cost to participate.

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The Friends of the Fred Meijer CIS Trail to hold Annual Membership Meeting – March 17

Get your green on this St. Patrick’s Day to support your local greenway. The Friends of the Fred Meijer Clinton-Ionia-Shiawassee Trail will hold their annual membership meeting in the auditorium of the Memorial Healthcare Hospital at 826 W. King Street in Owosso on Thursday evening, March 17, 2016 at 7 pm.

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Kindergarten Registration – March 15 – 17

St. Johns Public Schools offers all day, everyday kindergarten. Children who will be 5 years old on or by September 1, 2016 are eligible to attend school in the fall.

Please visit the web page www.sjredwings.org to get school updates and information.

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Feast and Raffle – March 19

The 2nd annual St Joseph Feast and Raffle Dinner is March 19. For more information check out their Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/St.josephfeastandraffle99/

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Annual Spring Wetlands Conservation Banquet – April 15, 2016

The Clinton County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited (DU) will host it’s 35th Annual Wetlands Conservation
banquet on Friday April 15, 2016. The event will once again be held at Smith Hall on the 4-H Fairgrounds in St Johns.

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Spring Arbor University Dean’s List for the Fall 2015 Semester

Saint Johns: Amy Babinski, Junior, Special Education, Daughter of Edward and Tammy Babinski

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Baker College initiative gives high school students “Running Start”

A new Baker College initiative is increasing emphasis on giving Michigan high school students a running start on their college education. The students earn college credit, at no cost to them, and graduate high school ready for college, careers and community.

The new initiative, Running Start, bundles the state-sanctioned programs that allow high school students to earn college credit – early/middle college, direct credit, dual enrollment and articulation – under one umbrella.

“This change is in response to the considerable increase in the number of secondary school administrators interested in college-credit programs for their students,” said Bart Daig, Ph.D., Baker College System president and CEO. “Our goal with Running Start is to make it easy for administrators to sign up and implement the programs they select.
“As a private, not-for-profit organization, Baker College can be highly flexible. We can quickly adapt and tailor a program to meet the need of an individual school district.”

Baker College has eight early/middle school colleges operational through its campuses in Auburn Hills, Cadillac, Flint, Jackson and Owosso. That number will likely double during the next few months.

Enrollment in Baker College’s direct credit program is also increasing. An example is the program through Baker College of Cadillac. In 2011, approximately 200 students were participating; today nearly 1,100 in the same area are earning college credit in high school.

The students save hundreds of dollars in tuition and other college costs in Running Start programs because the courses are subsidized by the sponsoring school districts. Credits earned through the programs may also shorten the time required to complete the students’ college education beyond high school.

Another benefit is increasing college readiness, according to Peni Aldrich, Ph.D., director of Running Start.
“High school students introduced to the challenges of college have the support of high school and college resources,” she said. “They will be better prepared to succeed in college after high school.”

The Running Start programs are:

· Early/middle college is a five-year high school program in which students can earn a high school diploma and substantial college credit – up to 60 credit hours, even an associate degree.
· Direct credit offers Baker College courses at a high school, technical center or site other than a Baker College campus. These courses may count for high school or college credit, or both.
· Dual enrollment allows students to take high school courses at their school and college courses at a Baker College campus.
· Articulation provides college credit for students who demonstrate skills and competencies learned in designated high school courses in which they received a grade B or better at participating schools and enter Baker College within two years of course completion.

“Secondary school administrators are interested in these programs because they understand that earning a postsecondary credential, whether it’s a certificate or doctorate or anything in between, is required in today’s knowledge-based economy,” Aldrich said. “Our Running Start programs provide higher education that’s definitely affordable for more students. When the students gain confidence that they can succeed in college, they will more likely pursue higher education following high school.”

Aldrich said that a big part of the success of these programs lies in choosing students capable of meeting the challenges.

“Selecting students who can handle college curricula is key,” she said. “It is rigorous; these are college courses.”
For more information about Baker College programs that offer high school students a running start on their college education, visit www.baker.edu/runningstart. Students should contact their high school counselor.

School district administrators interested in partnering with Baker College should contact the Running Start coordinator for the Baker College campus nearest their district:

· Flint, Jackson and Owosso – Jodi Cuneaz, Running Start coordinator, 810.766.4008 or jodi.cuneaz@baker.edu.