Great Start Collaborative becomes ‘HOPE Certified’ with focus on Positive Childhood Experiences A groundbreaking shift in how children and families thrive is underway in Northwest Michigan. The Great Start Collaborative and Family Coalition of Charlevoix, Emmet,...
New accessible playground communication boards support inclusive play for all students CENTRAL LAKE - All young students have one thing in common: They love to have fun on playgrounds. For some students who are nonverbal, expressing their interests and feelings...
MiFamily Engagement Center Region 2 announces second round of grant awards to support family engagement and literacy Region 2 includes Char-Em ISD, Manistee ISD, Northwest Education Services, and Wexford-Missaukee ISD Celebrating National Family Engagement Month,...
On Oct. 3, 2025, the state legislature passed a budget for Michigan that eliminates all funding for Great Start Collaboratives around the state. Char-Em ISD is committed to continuing our work. Please see a message below from Savanah Cool, Great Start Collaborative...
Sign up for email updates about the MiFamily Engagement Center MiFamily Engagement Center Region 2 announces grant awards to support family engagement and literacy Region 2 includes Char-Em ISD, Manistee ISD, Northwest Education Services, and Wexford-Missaukee ISD...
In October 2024, the Great Start Collaborative & Family Coalition of Charlevoix, Emmet and Northern Antrim Counties provided $20,000 in funding to the Charlevoix Kiwanis Club Youth Foundation to support the launch of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library for...
Each fall, the Great Start Collaborative & Family Coalition of Charlevoix, Emmet and Northern Antrim Counties takes time to review its previous year’s accomplishments and map out what initiatives lie ahead to support families with young children in Northern...
The Great Start Collaborative of Charlevoix, Emmet and Northern Antrim Counties recently received preschool funding that will support families and children in Northern Michigan. The Charlevoix County Community Foundation and the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area...
Go Baby Go! Press Release
The Class of 2036! Kindergarten round-ups, open houses scheduled in local school districts for students enrolling in the 2023-24 school year It’s the time of year when local elementary schools roll out the welcome mat for incoming kindergartners and their families,...
Voters throughout Char-Em ISD on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, approved a 1.0-mill request from Char-Em Intermediate School District to continue funding Career and Technical Education (CTE) throughout Charlevoix, Emmet, and northern Antrim counties. This millage has funded...
Many teenagers surely would get on board with being able to design and build ready-to-ride skateboards, longboards, snowboards and paddle boards during the school day. With the help of a new $50,000 grant, students in Char-Em ISD Career and Technical Education (CTE)...
A new group of about a dozen 19- to 26-year olds has become part of the daily rhythm at North Central Michigan College as they dine at the Iron Horse Cafe, work in the kitchen, help clean computer labs, and traverse the campus. In fact, most people would likely assume...
See the Early Childhood / Great Start Collaborative State of the Community report on this page, after the ISD overview 30 years of Career and Technical Education in Char-Em ISD! There continue to be many uncertainties in the world of education, but one constant...
Char-Em ISD Career and Technical Education millage request on the May 5, 2026, ballot 23 programs operating in 50+ classrooms, dozens of K-12 initiatives funded by millage Learn about all Char-Em ISD Career Tech programming and initiatives on the CTE website On May 5,...