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December 2014 / January 2015
A newsletter for Clare-Gladwin families with children age birth to 12 years.
‘Learning With Your Preschoolers’ Event a Success
More than 140 people attended the Great Start Collaborative’s October parent
education events titled, “Learning with Your Preschoolers.”
Families with children enrolled in the local Great Start Readiness Program and Head Start
preschool classes enjoyed a free pizza dinner followed by fun, hands-on activity stations that illustrated
how and what children are learning each day in preschool in the areas of literacy, math, science, social
studies, art, and technology.
McGuire Chevrolet; A ‘Family Friendly’ Business
Tom Kleinhardt, President of McGuire Chevrolet
McGuire Chevrolet in Clare is the most recent recipient of the ClareGladwin Great Start Collaborative’s (GSC) Family Friendly Five Star
Award. The award is presented six times per year to local businesses
that support and encourage children and families through their
business practices.
McGuire Chevrolet has partnered with the Community Nutrition
Network to host numerous free food distribution events during 2014
for local families. The business has also sponsored multiple food
trucks. “I’ve known what it is like to be in need, so this partnership is
important to me,” said Tom Kleinhardt, president of McGuire Chevrolet.
“I also believe strongly in giving back and paying it forward.”
McGuire Chevrolet is located at 712 W. 5th Street in Clare.
To nominate a local business for the Family Friendly Five Star Award,
please contact Great Start Parent and Community Liaison Brandi
Warner at 989-386-8644 or [email protected].
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For the Family
In the Spotlight
Thank You Baby Pantry Volunteers!
The Clare County and Gladwin County Baby Pantries assist local families in need with children ages 0-5 by providing
diapers, infant food, and gently used baby supplies, such as clothing and furniture.
With no paid employees, the Baby Pantries rely on their dedicated volunteers to keep these non-profit organizations
running smoothly. Baby Pantry Contact Information: Clare County 989-539-7956 | Gladwin County 989-515-3310
Thank you to the local Baby Pantry volunteers!
CLARE COUNTY:
JoAnne Baxter
Linda Bearss
Cathy Blake
Rev. Connie Bongard
Jean Burrows
Barb Christensen
Sandy DeWitt
Jim Evans
Sue Foltz
Donna Heckman
Kathy Kerr
Marj Lippe
Pat Miller
Peggy Smith
Elaine Thompson
Darlyn Turner
GLADWIN COUNTY:
Sue Akers
Coleen Allen
Jan Bauman
Donna Bechtol
Cheryl Billand
Kary Blisko
Angelica Dombrowski
Marlene Doran
Mary Griffore
Joann Hoag
Amanda Koss
Jean Lemon
Katina Price
Candace Schnepp
Jill Tideswell
Childbirth Education Classes
Michigan WIC Program Guidelines
MidMichigan Health offers Childbirth Education classes at
MidMichigan Medical Center - Midland and MidMichigan
Medical Center - Gratiot for local families. Please call
MidMichigan Health Line at (989) 837-9090 or
(800) 999-3199 to register.
If you qualify for Medicaid, you automatically qualify for WIC.
Michigan WIC Program Guidelines, Effective May 2014, Gross
Income* (before taxes) cannot exceed the following amounts:
Classes include:
• Preparation for Childbirth
• Breastfeeding: Healthy Beginnings
• CPR Infant/Child
• Baby Care Boot Camp
• Older Brother/Older Sister
• Newborn Parenting Support Group
WIC Breastfeeding
Peer Counselor Program
The Central Michigan District Health Department offers
Peer Counselors to assist moms with questions and concerns about breastfeeding. The Peer Counselor is a mom
herself who has nursed her own children and has helped
many moms with breastfeeding their baby. Please call so
you can succeed with breastfeeding!
Gladwin Office: 103 N. Bowery | Phone: 426-9431
Harrison Office: 225 W. Main St. | Phone: 539-6731
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Family Size*
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Hourly#
$10.38
$13.99
$17.60
$21.21
$24.82
$28.43
$32.04
Weekly
$416
$560
$705
$849
$993
$1,138
$1,282
Monthly
$1,800
$2,426
$3,051
$3,677
$4,303
$4,929
$5,555
Annually
$21,590
$29,101
$36,612
$44,123
$51,634
$59,145
$66,656
*A pregnant woman is counted as one (1) + the number of infants
expected (1 or more) when determining income eligibility for the family.
#Noted rate for outreach purposes based on 40-hour work week.
For more WIC information or to enroll in the WIC program,
contact the Central Michigan District Health Department:
Clare Branch Office 989-539-6731
Gladwin Branch Office 989-426-9431
Moments that Matter
Slowing Down the Holidays
Savor every moment and create memories and family traditions
with these simple ways to slow down the holidays:
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Sing holiday songs.
Watch your favorite holiday movie.
Get in the holiday spirit by reading, “The Polar Express,” or,
“The Night Before Christmas.”
Take a pajama ride in the car to look at Christmas lights.
Decorate the tree.
Bake and decorate cookies.
Decorate a gingerbread house.
Play your favorite family game by the Christmas tree in your
pajamas.
Camp out for a night in the living room under the Christmas
tree
Drink hot cocoa.
Make a Snowman Pancake Breakfast (use blueberries and
whipped cream to decorate).
Story Corner:
Community Story Times
Pere Marquette District Library
Every Friday at 10:30 a.m.
989-386-7576 • www.pmdl.org
Gladwin County District Library
Every Wednesday at 10 a.m.
989-426-8221 • www.gladwinlibrary.org
Beaverton Branch Library
Every Friday at 10 a.m.
989-435-3981 • www.gladwinlibrary.org
Harrison District Library
Every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.
989-539-6711 • www.harrisondistrictlibrary.org
There are always lots of fun happenings at the library!
*Please remember, if local school districts are closed due to weather, the
local story hour may be closed also. Please contact your local library if
you have questions.*
The Teacher Feature
Marcia St. Denis
Great Start Readiness Program
Larson Elementary - Harrison
Selecting Toys For Your Child
Are you thinking of buying your child the
most popular, TV advertised toy for Christmas?
Here are a few things to consider when
choosing toys for young children.
First, consider your child’s age and
development. Choosing toys that suit their
developmental age will promote self-esteem
and can often provide meaningful learning
experiences. Choose games and toys that
will actively involve the child. Children love
to use their imagination, so pick toys that
allow them to explore, manipulate, invent, or
problem-solve. In this way, children learn for
themselves.
To foster creativity, find toys that are “open
ended.” Some examples are blocks, Legos,
paint and art supplies, and play dough. Open
ended toys appeal to children and adults of all
ages, and can provide a different experience
each time they are played with.
Finally, some toys to avoid include
battery-powered toys or toys that represent
aggression and violence. Children learn very
little from these types of toys and research
shows that aggressive behaviors increase
when children play with violent action figures
or weapon toys.
If you are searching for ideas for this
year’s gift-giving, ask your child’s teacher
to recommend something. Often, there are
simple, inexpensive toys to buy that offer
hours of family entertainment and learning
experiences.
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Event Board
Family Matters is a publication of Clare-Gladwin RESD
4041 E. Mannsiding Rd., Clare, MI 48617 | www.cgresd.net | 989-386-3851
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