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.

A complete guide for Char-Em ISD's public, private and charter academies, and regional and statewide educational resources, is created by Char-Em each year. The 2018-19 Educational Directory is now available. In it, you will find contacts for all local school districts, North Central Michigan College, Char-Em ISD staff and programs, as well as pupil counts (estimates) and other important information.
Access the Educational Directory

St. Michael Academy served notice that it may be the school to beat this year as both its teams dominated the first 2018 Char-Em Quiz Bowl Tournament, held at North Central Michigan College on Oct.19.  In the “A” Division, St. Michael finished with a 6-1 record, and its “B” team dominated in a separate B Division by remaining undefeated. East Jordan’s A team tied for first with a 6-1 record, but finished second to St. Michael Academy due to having lost to them in an earlier round. Other schools that did well include Petoskey, Boyne City, Central Lake, Ellsworth, Concord Academy Boyne, and Concord Academy Petoskey. The next Char-Em ISD Quiz Bowl Tournament will be held at North Central Michigan College on Nov. 9, starting at 9 a.m. The public is welcome to attend and cheer on their favorite school.

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

Professional Learning opportunities offered by Char-Em ISD for 2018-19 include a diverse array of subjects and presenters. This year’s PL booklet is now available on the Professional Learning Page. Please note: There will not be a printed PL booklet; all courses and registration information will be published online only.

The theme for Professional Learning this year is “Hope. Rise. Thrive!” That theme will be carried through the learning sessions and it will be a main focus during Area Wide Professional Learning Day on Nov. 1, 2018, at Castle Farms in Charlevoix. To register for classes, visit www.charemisd.org/pl and choose Online Registration.  Also, please check back online regularly through the year as more classes may be added. You can also stay up-to-date by following Char-Em Professional Learning on Facebook.