The words "Find Passion" with a welding spark in the background

Words Explore Career Paths with a student's arm pointing at a computer screen

From the Director, Kevin Summey

Happy New Year! As we enter 2025, we are thrilled to share the exciting progress and opportunities within our Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. This month’s newsletter highlights key initiatives that reflect our commitment to preparing students for success in education, careers, and life.

We take pride in collaborating with educators, students, and community partners to foster innovation and drive achievement in CTE. Thank you for joining us on this journey as we work together to build a stronger, more skilled workforce for the future.

Below, you will find updates on CTE programming and initiatives across Saginaw County.

Here’s to a year filled with growth, learning, and success!

Youth Solutions Foundations Service

As Michigan schools navigate the recently revised Michigan Career Development Model many are seeking innovative ways to enhance their career development programs and ensure compliance with state requirements. To help schools achieve these goals, Youth Solutions Foundation is offering an invaluable service designed to strengthen career development efforts while engaging students in meaningful, future-focused activities.

What’s the Opportunity?
Youth Solutions Foundation provides tailored services that align with the Michigan Career Development Model, supporting schools in implementing comprehensive career development strategies. From hosting interactive workshops to connecting students with work-based learning opportunities, the foundation empowers schools to inspire and prepare students for successful futures.

Why Partner with Youth Solutions Foundation?

Alignment with Michigan Career Development Model: Youth Solutions Foundation offers guidance and resources to help schools meet the Michigan Career Development Model requirements seamlessly.
Customized Support: Services are designed to fit the unique needs of your school, whether it’s bolstering career exploration, enhancing work-based learning, or improving student engagement.
Student-Centered Approach: The foundation’s initiatives prioritize student development, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to thrive in a competitive workforce.
Exclusive Pilot Opportunity: Only one spot remains to pilot this service, offering your school the chance to gain early access to a program that can set the standard for career development statewide.

How to Get Started?
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to be at the forefront of career development innovation in Michigan. By piloting Youth Solutions Foundation’s service, your school can set the stage for long-term success, ensuring your students are equipped to meet the demands of the future workforce.

Contact Kevin Summey-ksummey@sisd.cc to learn more about the Youth Solutions Foundation service and secure your spot in this pilot program. Together, we can take your school’s career development efforts to the next level!

CTE Student Spotlight!

Student spotlight Annabelle Pardo 12th Grade Swan Valley H.S. “Annabelle has been a part of our CTE computer business/ program at Swan Valley for several years taking Technology Applications IA, IB, IIA, and IIB classes along with being Microsoft Office certified in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Database. She is also an active member of our BPA (Business Professionals of America) chapter at Swan Valley High School competing at the Regional and State level for the past couple of years. Annabelle excels at her student administrative assistant job at OWD Lawyer offices. She has excellent time management skills, can multi task several jobs at once, and is always helpful and never afraid to go above and beyond at her daily job.” Kristin Palmer Swan Valley H.S. Business & Technology Teacher

Work-Based Learning and Employer Connections

Meet Kiera Larrison from Frankenmuth High School! Miss Larrison has demonstrated unwavering dedication, reliability, and an exceptional work ethic. Academically, she excels in her rigorous coursework, setting a high standard for both herself and her peers. In DECA, she has shown outstanding leadership as a board member, offering innovative ideas that have helped to grow and improve our chapter. This year, she has continued to impress through her enrollment in Work-Based Learning. Her placement supervisors have consistently praised her professionalism and dependability.”

Riley Klein, Frankenmuth H.S. Business & CTE Teacher

“I chose to participate in a CTE program because I was unsure of which career I aspired to pursue in adulthood, and I wanted to have hands-on experience in a field of my highest interest: dentistry. Since beginning my internship at Frankenmuth Family Dental, I have engaged in diverse areas of learning, responsibilities, and networking. I am excited to continue my education and training in my CTE program!” - Keira Larrison

Student standing behind a dental chair — Keira Larrison, Frankenmuth High School

Skilled Trades Night at SCC!

Don't miss out on Skilled Trades Night at SCC! 15 local union representatives and employers will be on-site talking with students and their families about the opportunities in the trades. Feature trades and employers include: Laborers Local 1098, IBEW (Electrical) Unions 557 and 876, Bricklayers Local 2, Carpenters Local 706, Local 85 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and HVAC Techs, Local 25 Ironworkers, Habitat for Humanity, Dow, Hemlock Semiconductor, General Motors SMCO UAW Local 668, Greater Michigan Construction Academy, Niles Industrial, and Delta College.

There is no cost to attend, and the event is open to the general public. All ages are welcome! While you are there, enjoy SCC's Open House Night and purchase some delicious food from the Wonder Burger Truck!

Thompson Middle School 8th Graders Ignite Their Future with Skilled Trades!

Thompson Middle School recently hosted an exciting Mini Skilled Trades Fair for their 8th-grade students, providing a hands-on introduction to careers in welding, plumbing, engineering, construction, machining, and more. A huge thank-you to the incredible employers who attended and shared their inspiring stories: Greater Michigan Construction Academy, Hemlock Semiconductor, Local 85 Plumbers, Steamfitters & HVAC Techs, Fullerton Tool, Food Process Solutions, the Army National Guard, and the Marines.

A special thank-you goes to Ann Marie Batkoski, Dennis Barlow, and the dedicated Thompson Middle School staff for organizing this fantastic event. Your hard work and commitment are helping inspire the next generation of skilled professionals!

Hemlock Semiconductor staff speaking to a student about the opportunities at HSC in front of a blue table with HSC swag and a banner

students hammering nails into wood boards as representatives from Greater Michigan Construction Academy look on

Food Process Solutions Reps talking to students

Two female representatives from Fullerton toool talking with a student and showing them how precise and sharp their tooling is using a magnifying glass

College & Career Blue and Gold banner with the words "Helping Students navigate their path during and after high school through College & Career Readiness

School Counselors & Career Readiness Teams

Our 2024-2025 school year workshops and training sessions!

Wednesday, Feb. 19th, 2025 @ Northwood University -Topics: College Knowledge

Wednesday, Mar. 12th, 2025 @ Bay-Arenac ISD-Topics: Social Emotional Learning & More

Wednesday, Apr. 9th, 2025 @ Saginaw ISD - MI Career Development Model & More

Wednesday, May 14th, 2025 - Talent Tour - Dow Chemical & More

The Career Readiness PD series is designed to equip career readiness professionals with tools, resources, and strategies to better support students in preparing for their future careers. Sessions include topics such as integrating career exploration into the school day, building connections with local businesses, guiding students to postsecondary options, and more. The registration information for the upcoming sessions is included below. Register now to secure your spot. For more information, contact Amanda Koch at AKoch@sisd.cc. Together, let’s empower students to achieve their career aspirations!

Counselor and Career Readiness Team PD: Northwood University and Greater MI Construction Academy February 19, 2025 8:00am- 2:30pm - 5 College SCECHs Questions contact Amanda Koch at akoch@sisd.cc or Stacey Meininger at Meiningers@baisd.net

College & Career Development In Our School Districts

Allison Jordan, College and Career Advisor at Merrill High School organized a second FAFSA Night to support Merrill students and their families in completing their FAFSA applications. This event provided attendees with hands-on assistance in navigating the application process, ensuring they could maximize their opportunities for financial aid. To make the evening even more enjoyable, participants were treated to a delicious lasagna dinner, creating a welcoming and stress-free environment!

Orange flyer with a pink piggy bank on it to promote FAFSA Night at Merrill High School on January 15, 2025 at 6:00pm in the media center. Dinner will be provided.

dennis barlow and three Merrill staff members standing in front of a Merrill Vandals sign

Dennis Barlow, Career Navigator Consultant (pictured on the left), recently conducted a training session with Merrill Schools' middle and high school staff to introduce them to Xello, the Saginaw ISD's comprehensive career and college exploration program. Xello is a user-friendly online platform that empowers students to discover their interests, explore career paths, and develop the skills and knowledge needed for future success.

Thanks to the Saginaw ISD’s commitment to fostering career readiness, Xello has been made available to all school districts within Saginaw County. This initiative ensures equitable access to a high-quality resource for career planning and post-secondary exploration. During the training, Dennis highlighted Xello’s interactive tools, including personality and interest assessments, career profiles, college planning features, and skill-building activities designed to guide students in making informed decisions about their futures.

Dennis Barlow, Career Navigator Consultant, spent time with Mrs. Martin’s 4th-grade class at Herig Elementary School (SPSD) leading an engaging session on the theme of RESPECT as part of a Social Emotional Learning (SEL) initiative. Social Emotional Learning plays a crucial role in helping students develop skills like self-awareness, empathy, communication, and building positive relationships—essential for both academic success and personal growth.

During the session, Dennis highlighted the importance of showing respect to others, themselves, and their community, emphasizing how these foundational skills can shape future interactions in school, at home, and eventually in the workplace. Through interactive activities and discussions, students explored real-life examples of respect and practiced ways to demonstrate it in their daily lives.

Programs like this align with the broader goals of the Saginaw ISD to foster well-rounded development in students. By integrating SEL into classrooms, schools create a supportive environment where students can thrive emotionally, socially, and academically, ensuring they are prepared for future challenges in an interconnected world.

Mr. Barlow talking and presenting on Social .Emotional, Learning to 4th graders who are seated at their desks

Saginaw County Youth Ambassadors

Cohort 3 Class of 2025

SagiNOW - Shaping Our Tomorrow, Starting Today

Carrollton students Destiny Humes and Kacie May completed one of their school projects last month. They were able to share a message about the Youth Ambassadors Program at a Varsity Basketball game and throw out YAP “SagiNOW” shirts to the crowd.

Student throwing tshirts to an audience of students and adults in a gym. One female student is looking into her camera — Carrollton Ambassador - Kacie May

Students and adults sitting on gymnasium bleachers with one student raising their hand to get a tshirt thrown to her — Carrollton Ambassador - Destiny Humes

Riley Letterman and Myla Lasley presented information about the structure of the Youth Ambassador Program and how it has impacted them at a recent Birch Run School Board Meeting. These students are living their mantra of, “Shaping our Tomorrow, Starting Today”.

Cohort 4 Class of 2026

Saginaw County: For A Day or a Lifetime

Youth Ambassador Program Cohort Four - Saginaw County: For A Day Or A Lifetime

Cohort 4 - Cohort Four held an inspiring meeting in January that focused on celebrating and promoting Saginaw County, from an ambassador perspective. Students brainstormed creative ideas to showcase Saginaw County’s culture, history, and attractions to foster a sense of pride amongst the communities within our county, all while highlighting their ambassador cohort theme, Saginaw County: For a Day or a Lifetime. Special thanks to Jon Lefevre and Mark Lysons, ISD staff, who lent their expertise to help support students. Cohort Four also heard words of leadership and development from Dr. Collier, ISD Superintendent, and Coty Kuschinsky, ISD Chief of Staff. Their insight into what makes Saginaw County a great place to live, work, and play; and their own pathways to leadership provided students an inspiration to continue their leadership pathways. Cohort Four ambassadors wrapped up their day hearing about the opportunity to join FORCE, Saginaw Community Foundation’s Youth Advisory Council. Special thanks to Cecelia Hopkins for spending time with our students and providing opportunities for student leadership growth.

Looking ahead, the next session will be on February 25th and the group will be learning firsthand of the leadership within Saginaw County’s public safety sector.

Group of youth ambassadors sitting around tables listening to a guest speaker — Cohort 4 Youth Ambassadors

Student youth ambassadors sitting at tables working on their laptops — Cohort 4 Youth Ambassadors

Cohort 5 - Class of 2027

Hemlock Basketball Team standing with their hands on their heart for the national anthem

Youth Ambassadors not only represent their schools in the classroom and the community, but also on the fields and courts! This month we are recognizing Hemlock High School's Grady Galbraith #3 (in the middle) as he participates on the boys basketball team this winter season! Let's go Huskies!

Youth Ambassadors - Alumni - Where Are They Now?

A current Michigan State University student and proud alumnus of the Youth Ambassador Program (Cohort #2), Nia Thomas, recently made history by securing a prestigious internship with Senator Sarah Anthony at the State Capitol in Lansing. This incredible achievement highlights the student's dedication to leadership and public service, showcasing the lasting impact of the Youth Ambassador Program in shaping future changemakers.

Bridgeport Student standing in front of a Bridgeport Bearcats table during signing day with red and yellow balloons — Nia Thomas, Bridgeport Graduate/MSU

Saginaw Career Complex Open House!

MI Special Populations Conference

The 2025 Michigan Occupational Special Populations Conference (MOSPA) is being held this year at Boyne Mountain Resort. Registration opens soon. The purpose of MOSPA is to provide information on the requirements of the Perkins legislation and assist in the implementation at local levels to ensure that the needs of special population students are well served at the secondary and postsecondary levels. The goal of the conference is to enhance the professional development of those working with special populations. For more information visit the MOSPA website at MospaOnline.org

2025 MOSPA Conference Save the Date Flyer - April 30-May 2, 2025 - We Will See You There!

CTE/Early Middle College Programs

SCC EMC Students are in week 3 at Delta College and week 2 of the Winter semester at Saginaw Valley State University. Students in their first year are taking ENG 111, Composition 1, our 2nd-year students are taking PSY 211W, Introduction to Psychology. These classes are basic requirements for any 2-year or 4-year degree. Students receive wrap-around support as needed such as free university tutoring, Writing Center Support, bi-weekly check-ins from an SISD Career Navigator, and support from their SCC Instructor. If you have any questions about the SCC EMC Programs, please contact Sharmee Gloss at sgloss@sisd.cc.

Saginaw ISD CTE Career and Technical Education Newsletter - January 30,2025