Since Spring of 2017, Char-Em ISD Early Childhood staff have partnered with the Petoskey Robotics team, the Paladins, to create customized, motorized vehicles for young children with mobility challenges. This year's build took place on Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, at Petoskey High School and involved creating a new car for a growing boy!

Martin “Mart” Korte is a 4-year-old boy from Pellston who attends the Patricia A. Taylor School for Exceptional Learners in Petoskey. He first received custom wheels last year through GoBabyGo! As he continues to grow, the ISD and Robotics team have committed to helping him sustain his mobility.

Mart's physical challenges are due to a genetic condition known as CDKL5, resulting in visual and neurological impairments.

"This is our fourth vehicle built with the Petoskey Paladins, and the work sessions are running very smoothly,” said Nicole Lindwall, Char-Em ISD Early On Coordinator. 

Read the full article about the Dec. 2018 GoBabyGo! build

The Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District will receive $45,987 in grant funds from the Michigan State Police for facility security upgrades. The security upgrades will be made at the Patricia A. Taylor School for Exceptional Learners and Crooked Tree High School specifically, and will include buzzer systems, safety glass film and door barricades. The grant is part of $25 million awarded by the MSP to districts around the state. Learn more about the security upgrade plans

Precious cargo aboard! Char-Em ISD is looking for substitute bus drivers and riders/aides for our multiple bus routes to and from Char-Em programs. Flexible hours and days mean you choose when you can provide coverage of routes. Char-Em pays for all required driver training (written testing and on-road testing), so experience is not necessary. Experience working with special needs children is not required, but is helpful, as is a compassionate personality. Because of the wide geographical area covered by Char-Em, we pay you from when you leave the house to get to your assigned transportation route each day that you work. Routes may be in Charlevoix, Emmet and northern Antrim counties. Those interested may also start as (paid) aides rather than driver, to see if the job is a good fit.

With just five points separating each team at the end of the final match, the Petoskey A team squeaked by a very competitive East Jordan A team to win the Char-Em Quiz Bowl Championship hosted by North Central Michigan College on Nov. 30, 2018.  The next Quiz Bowl tournament will be held at North Central Michigan College on Feb. 1, 2019. The public is welcome to attend.  Complete details about the Nov. 30 Quiz Bowl event

Sheridan Elementary first-grader Stella Malpass has found multiple ways to thrive at school despite a joint condition that limits her ability to extend and flex her limbs fully. By all accounts, she is bright, curious and steals the hearts of everyone she encounters. She is likewise able to keep up with academic demands without hesitation or limitation.  

One part of her day, however, has remained a frustration for Stella, 6, and that is her inability to use the restroom without an aide. Managing her clothing independently without the full use of her arms is limiting.

Jodi Carroll, Stella’s Occupational Therapist with Char-Em ISD, began to research how Stella could become more independent when using the restroom. She was unable to find a device that was simple, portable, and effective in assisting Stella in managing her clothing.

Enter: Petoskey High School students in Lauren Liebler’s Career and Technical Education Drafting and Design class, which utilizes CAD (Computer Aided Design) and 3-D printing technology.

Read Stella's story