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It is the mission of Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District to provide leadership and services to local school districts.
It is the vision of Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District to be an indispensable partner with every district we serve.
Current News
Great Start Collaborative becomes ‘HOPE Certified’ with focus on Positive Childhood Experiences
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, and Northern Antrim Counties (GSC) is celebrating becoming the first organization in Michigan - and just the 7th nationally - to become certified as "HOPE-Informed" by the Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences national initiative. “Serving children and families is at the heart of the Great Start Collaborative and Family Coalition,” said GSC Director Savanah Cool. “This milestone means the GSC is enhancing support to bring more Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) to the community's youngest members and their caregivers.” Cool explained that the HOPE certification moves beyond addressing trauma; it focuses on building resilience, joy, and strong family relationships. The framework ensures every child has the foundational experiences - like supportive relationships, safe environments, and opportunities to play and learn - they need to flourish. The certification is based on research that indicates a focus on Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) can build healthy development, fortify resilience, and transform the impact of early-life challenges. “This certification isn't just a piece of paper; it’s a promise to our community,” said Cool. “It reshapes how we serve families - moving us past simply fixing problems to actively building strengths, resilience, and genuine joy in every child's life.” The GSC’s certification as a “HOPE-Informed Organization” recognizes its commitment to reshaping care and service delivery to better accomplish its mission of improving the lives of children and families. By embracing the HOPE framework, the GSC will “consistently identify, honor, and promote child and family strengths, translating directly into better outcomes for the region,” said Cool. The certification is...
New accessible playground communication boards support inclusive play for all students
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 while on the playground can present challenges to their caregivers and teachers. A recent project will help all students be able to get the most enjoyment out of their playground time. Several entities came together to create and install two new Augmentative and Assisted Communication (AAC) playground signs in Central Lake, at the elementary school and also in the village’s Thurston Park. “It is so important that we provide every opportunity for each student to be able to communicate their needs, desires, and interests,” said Kelli Knight, a speech and language pathologist who was part of the playground sign planning team. The project was modeled after other AAC signs that were installed in recent years, including at Pellston Elementary School, supported by Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District personnel. The Central Lake signs are the result of a partnership between the Great Start Collaborative and Family Coalition of Charlevoix, Emmet and Northern Antrim Counties (GSC), Char-Em ISD, and Central Lake Early Opportunities (CLEO), along with the village of Central Lake and Central Lake Public Schools. In late summer 2025, Jean Faivor, a Family Liaison with the GSC, met with Central Lake parents to determine support options for children and families. Faivor said they unanimously supported the suggestion to install AAC boards to foster inclusive spaces for all. Funding for the signs was provided by CLEO to the GSC through a grant from the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation. “Our goal is to foster communication, connection, and curiosity to create an inclusive and literacy-rich community, starting with our youngest citizens,” said Faivor. “We can achieve this by bringing awareness to...
Char-Em Board of Education meets the EJ Shoe Club!
Char-Em Board of Education meets the EJ Shoe Club! The Char-Em ISD Board of Education held its regular November meeting at East Jordan Middle High School on Nov. 17, 2025, where members enjoyed a presentation by the Shoe Club, a club for 7th and 8th graders that is skyrocketing in recognition for its efforts to instill motivation, self-worth, empathy, and teamwork. The Shoe Club is making its way onto the national radar with media attention and requests from other districts to start their own Shoe Clubs. “Our mission is to empower young students to recognize their value, unlock their potential, and foster a generation of compassionate, courageous, and confident leaders,” Matt Hamilton, EJ teacher and Shoe Club founder, told the board members. In order to become a member of the club, students must read the book “Value Up” and write a short paper about what they learned. The club is open to any student at East Jordan Middle School, and presents an opportunity for those who might not be otherwise involved in sports or extracurriculars to be part of a club to call their own. In his classroom, the Shoe Club has established a Shoe Museum with dozens of shoes from celebrities and famous achievers, ranging from Dolly Parton to Miley Cyrus, to Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. The inventor of the cellphone, Martin Cooper, donated a pair of shoes, as did Ann Bancroft, the first woman to walk across Antarctica. Even Jane Goodall, notorious for her thrift and simple living, provided a pair of her well-worn shoes to the club. The connection to shoes is simple, but profound: Put yourself in someone else’s shoes, and learn their story - which Shoe Club members do about each person who donates. Plans are now in the works for “Shoe Club Nation,” in response to an outpouring of interest for replicating the club’s model in other districts. “Sports Illustrated Kids” is featuring the club in an upcoming issue, and local media like 9&10 News continue to cover its impact. This...
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Our Mission
It is the mission of Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District to provide leadership and services to local school districts.
It is the vision of Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District to be an indispensable partner with every district we serve.
Char-Em ISD is proud to have achieved accreditation by AdvancED for a second 5-year period effective July 2016. The AdvancED Accreditation Commission determined that Char-Em ISD engages in a continuous systemic process of improvement, and has effective and efficient quality assurance controls throughout the system. This achievement recognizes the quality of services provided by the ISD through the leadership team and governing authority, the dedication and service of the professional staff, and the support of community stakeholders.