Saginaw County CTE

Saginaw ISD CTE Career and Technical Education Newsletter - September 26, 2024

Want to know what's happening in the CTE department at the Saginaw ISD? Look for our newsletter to come to you the last week of every month!

From the Director, Kevin Summey

The new school year is off to a fantastic start, and we’re excited to share that nearly 1,000 students are actively participating in the diverse programs at the Saginaw Career Complex! Our students are immersing themselves in hands-on experiences designed to equip them with the skills needed for future career success.

This newsletter is our way of keeping the community connected to the many exciting developments within CTE across Saginaw County. Stay tuned for updates on key initiatives, including the Youth Ambassadors Program, support for Special Populations, Career and Professional Development opportunities, and the latest from our CTE Early/Middle College programs. We’ll also highlight the continued growth of Work-Based Learning (WBL) initiatives.

We look forward to sharing all the great work happening and engaging with our community as we support student success!

Saginaw ISD CTE Team Teal Circle Logo with White Letter

Work-Based Learning and Employer Connections

Our school districts have already been busy planning work-based learning opportunities for their students through the scheduling of field trips, guest speakers, job shadowing, and paid and unpaid internships. If you are interested in connecting to employers for any type of work-based learning opportunity, please contact Ann Marie Batkoski at abatkoski@sisd.cc. She will be happy to help!

Saginaw ISD Team Logo on top of two hands shaking and the words employer conection underneath

College & Career Development

Marcelina Fulgencio, an admissions representative from Saginaw Valley State University, visited the Saginaw Career Complex on Wednesday, September 18th, to engage with all 12th-grade students. She provided an in-depth presentation on SVSU’s admissions process, offering valuable insights and guidance for those considering post-secondary education at the university. Go Cards!

students sitting on chairs with a guest speaker from SVSU at the front of the class

School Counselors & Career Readiness Teams

School Counselors and Career Readiness Teams play a crucial role in shaping students’ futures, and our CTE team is excited to support and build knowledge for our local teams.  This school year, we are excited to offer a series of professional development workshops designed to enhance expertise in career exploration, college readiness, and workplace skills.  Participants will engage in hands-on activities, share best practices, and learn about resources that can be directly applied in their schools.  These sessions will also provide networking opportunities, fostering collaboration among Counselors and Career Readiness teams across the county. 

Mark your calendars!  We encourage all districts to participate and take advantage of these valuable opportunities.  Our first session will be at Delta College on September 25th, 2024.  The agenda for this session is as follows:

Save the Date!  Future professional development offerings will be on: 

  • September 25, 2024

  • October 16, 2024

  • November 20, 2024

  • December 4, 2024

  • January 29, 2025

  • February 19, 2025

  • March 12, 2025

  • April 9, 2025 (Tentative)

  • May 14, 2025 (Tentative)

For questions or more information, contact Amanda Koch at (989)492-4663 or AKoch@sisd.c

counselors in a room with kevin summey at the head of the room doing a presentation

College & Career Development In Our School Districts

Erica Birkmeier, College & Career Advisor at Chesaning High School, hosted a senior Meeting on September 15th for students and their parents, offering important guidance as graduation approaches. The event covered senior requirements, the college application process, and tips on securing scholarships, as well as detailed instructions for completing the FAFSA. For those interested in alternative career paths, skilled trades representatives shared information about apprenticeships and certifications in fields like construction and manufacturing. This meeting equipped students and families with the knowledge needed to navigate their final year and plan for life after graduation, whether through college, the workforce, or skilled trades.

Heritage High School hosted a College, Career, and Trades Fair on Monday, September 23rd, where students explored post-graduation opportunities by mingling with college admissions representatives, military recruiters, and skilled trades business agents. The event provided valuable insights into various paths, from higher education and military service to apprenticeships in high-demand fields like construction and automotive technology. Students left informed and inspired, equipped with knowledge to make decisions about their futures. Thank you to Sue Hill and her amazing partners who participated and helped make the event a success!

senior parent meeting flier Sunday, Sept. 15th CHS Student Center 5pm to learn about senior requirements, test scores, college applications, skilled trade requirements, financial aid and scholarships
college representatives at tables with college names: Adrian College, Eastern Michigan University

Saginaw County Youth Ambassadors

Cohort 3 Class of 2025

SagiNOW - Shaping Our Tomorrow, Starting Today

Cohort 3 is in the swing of the school year, getting the word out about SagiNOW. Check out our St. Charles and Merrill students at their Hometown Days and homecoming parade. 

three student ambassadors wearing purple tshirts at a parade passing out candy in Merrill
two student ambassadors at a table with purple tshirts handing out brochures and swag

Cohort 4 Class of 2026

Saginaw County: For A Day or a Lifetime

YAP Cohort Four kicked off their Junior Year in style, thanks to STARS Transportation shuttling our kiddos across the county!  Cohort Four’s theme is Saginaw County: For a Day or a Lifetime, and the students were excited to begin their ambassador initiative by seeing firsthand what makes Saginaw County a premier destination for visitors and an ideal place to call home.  

The Youth Ambassador Program Junior year empowers students to develop essential leadership skills while exploring the unique attractions, cultural offerings, and community resources that make our County a vibrant place to live and visit.   Cohort Four will create a promotional campaign that will highlight their travels and the diverse experiences they take part in this school year. 

The student's first trek around the county included stops at Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge, Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, Bavarian Inn Lodge, and the Great Lakes Bay Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau

Many thanks go to all of those who helped coordinate and share the unique qualities that make our area a fantastic place to enjoy for a day or a lifetime.  Special Thanks to Andrea Martinson (Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge), Autumn Bronner (Bronner’s), Randy Hegenauer (Bavarian Inn Lodge), Kayla Pionk (Great Lakes Bay Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau), and Ann Marie Batkoski (Saginaw ISD) for their effort to make the first day of YAP Cohort Four a success! 

Youth ambassadors sitting and standing in front of Willy's Throne inside the Bavarian Inn Lodge arcade with Randy Hegenaur

Cohort 5 Class of 2027

student ambassadors in front of a sign of the school district logos at the ISD

Cohort #5 will begin its three-year Youth Ambassador Program journey with its first Leadership Skills session this coming Tuesday.  The following students will participate and be selected to represent their school district and the Saginaw ISD.

Birch Run: Ava Shomaker & Jeahna Schmidt

Bridgeport: Londyn Williams & Madison Breams

Carrollton: Torriyae Thompson & Savannah Stamey

Chesaning: Gavin Moore & Audrey Gilman

Frankenmuth: Lucy Conzelmann & Maia Bierlein

Freeland: Georgia Henning & Brady Vandaele

Hemlock: Grady Galbraith & Lindsey Tausch

Heritage: Gabriel Collier & Noah Wheatcraft

Merrill: Joseph O'Dell & Judson Hedrich

Saginaw United: Dominique Cook & Jayda Washington

Saginaw Arts & Sciences Academy: Brennan Dunn

St. Charles: Riley Skiles & Kylie Fiting

Swan Valley: Lilyana Johnson & Matilda Weyand

Special Populations

Understanding Special Populations in Career and Technical Education

In Career and Technical Education (CTE), Special Populations refer to groups of students who may face unique challenges in accessing or succeeding in career pathways.  These include individuals with disabilities, economically disadvantaged students, English language learners, students from underrepresented genders in their career pathway, students from underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds, and more.  Recognizing and addressing the diverse needs of Special Populations is essential to fostering an inclusive learning environment that promotes equitable access to high-quality CTE programs.  By tailoring support services and resources, CTE can help these students develop the skills necessary for successful careers. To enhance the effectiveness of CTE programs for Special Populations, targeted efforts aim to empower students by building confidence, improving technical skills, and increasing awareness of career opportunities.  Collaboration between educators, employers, and community organizations is also crucial in creating pathways that lead to meaningful employment.  By prioritizing the needs of Special Populations, CTE programs can ensure that all students are equipped to thrive in today’s competitive job market. 

For questions or more information, contact Amanda Koch, CTE Special Populations Consultant at: (989)492-4663 or AKoch@sisd.cc


Saginaw Career Complex

"Experience Your Future: SCC Presentations" Tour Kickoff Information

The CTE team has officially sent out a Google Form sign-up sheet to all local school district counseling team(s) to begin scheduling the on-site presentations to all Saginaw County 10th grade students.  This presentation is designed to help students discover potential career paths and opportunities available to them in CTE at the Saginaw Career Complex.  Students will gain insight into different career pathways, learn about the various programs available, and ask questions directly to our Saginaw County CTE staff members.  Students will identify their top programs of interest to prepare for the January 2025 10th Grade Days at SCC.  

Look for our CTE team to be visiting your sophomores between October 21st and December 19th!  We are excited to be meeting the Saginaw County class of 2027! 

students standing in front of a stage with a screen behind them that says "Experience Your Future SCC" and students in front of them listening to a presentation

Early Middle College

Students who are interested in being in the Teacher Academy, Physical Therapy Academy, or Nursing Academy through the Saginaw Career Complex are making the decisions this week (9/23/24).  Students will be in contact with counselors for a signature of approval to enter the program.  If interested, students must be coded 3500 by October 2, 2024.  Sharmee Gloss will be in contact with local high schools with the names of students who are interested by Monday, September 30th. We know this is a quick turnaround, but we will get this done together in the best interest of our students earning free college credits.  You may contact Sharmee Gloss at sgloss@sisd.cc with questions.