Monthly Archives: March 2013
Register for Community Education Indoor Soccer Now!
The purpose of the Community Education Indoor Soccer program is to provide students with an opportunity to learn and develop Soccer skills; understand good sportsmanship and teamwork; and have fun! Deadline to register is April 18th.
What is STEM and why is it important?
- By 2020, there will be a shortfall of 500,000 engineers in the US. (SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor and American Society for Engineering Education)
- In Michigan, only 1 engineer is available to fill 5 job openings. (SOURCE: Workforce Intelligence Network)
Excerpted from the March 12, 2013 issue of Bridge, The Great Michigan Talent Search, by Rick Haglund, Bridge Magazine correspondent
“Steve Lowe Jr. (president of LSM Systems Engineering in Waterford, MI) is scrambling to find more than a dozen skilled machinists, experienced engineers and laborers after his company recently won a multimillion-dollar contract to build giant camshafts for diesel locomotive engines.
He said he’s sought out state work force agencies, local community colleges and employment agencies in seeking the workers he needs to start camshaft production this summer. “To date, I have found no one,” said Lowe.
Melissa Hull, engineering and production coordinator at American Tooling Center located in Grass Lake, east of Jackson, tells a similar story.
Business is booming, but the company is having difficulty attracting enough machinists, tool-and-die journeymen, and computer numerical control machine programmers to keep up.
“We’re swamped, said Melissa Hull, the company’s engineering and production coordinator. “We’re running 10-hour shifts a day, six days a week.”
“The tables have been flipped,” Lowe said. “Two years ago we were just trying to keep the lights on. Now we’re trying to figure how we’re going to find the people we need to do all the work we have.””
What is CA doing to prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s jobs?
CAHS offers a Design and Build course that provides students with an introduction to Computer Numerical Control (CNC). During the CNC process, a computer converts the design produced by Computer Aided Design software (CAD), into numbers. The numbers can be considered to be the coordinates of a graph and they control the movement of the cutter. In this way the computer controls the cutting and shaping of the material.
This process is used in modern industry to manufacture an item. On a CNC machine it is possible to make hundreds or even thousands of the same items in a day. First a design is drawn using design software, and then it is processed by the computer and manufactured using the CNC machine.
Why is CNC important for CA students? The answer is JOBS. There are jobs for people who are prepared and it doesn’t require a four year degree. An advanced degree opens additional career opportunities but isn’t required to obtain an entry level CNC job. On March25, 2013 searching the Michigan Talent Bank website (www.mitalent.org ) using the term CNC, produced 280 results for jobs within 50 miles of Flint.
In his State of the Union address in January 2011, President Obama said “maintaining our leadership in research and technology is crucial to America’s success. But if we want to win the future – if we want innovation to produce jobs in America and not overseas – then we also have to win the race to educate our kids.” Carman-Ainsworth is committed to winning the race to educate our students.
Information about the Upcoming Proposal Vote
| HOME VALUE | TAXABLE VALUE | CURRENT COST per year (Renewal) | NEW COST per year (Renewal and Increase) |
| $30,000 | $15,000 | $7.50 | $15.00 |
| $40,000 | $20,000 | $10.00 | $20.00 |
| $50,000 | $25,000 | $12.50 | $25.00 |
| $60,000 | $30,000 | $15.00 | $30.00 |
| $70,000 | $35,000 | $17.50 | $35.00 |
| $80,000 | $40,000 | $20.00 | $40.00 |
Click the link below to estimate the cost of the millage proposal for your home. TaxCalc® estimates the after tax impact of a millage by considering Michigan’s homestead tax credit and the federal income tax itemized deduction of property tax. Some Taxpayers may receive part of the property tax increase back in the form of an increased tax credit. When entering the Taxable Value using the calculator, make sure to use Taxable Value from your most recent Tax Statement, not the market value. Generally, the taxable value is approximately 50% of the market value.
http://www.mytaxcalc.com/carmanainsworth/Introduction_Sheet.aspx
What can Sinking Fund money be used for?
Sinking Funds dollars are highly restrictive. Generally, Sinking Fund expenditures are for building/facility renovations, additions, or infrastructure. As an example, over the last 10 years, Sinking Fund dollars have generally been used for: building renovations; wiring for WIFI and other technology infrastructure security systems (cameras and video intercom entry systems); resurfacing/repairing over 35,000 square feet of parking lots; repair/replacing over 60,000 square feet of roofs; various athletic facility improvements; asbestos abatement; and internal/external signage.
Sinking Fund dollars cannot be used for: salaries or benefits; buses or other vehicles; technology such as computers, iPads, etc.; equipment such as routine maintenance items; or furnishings such as tables, desks, chairs, etc.
In the absence of a Sinking Fund, the infrastructure repairs and enhancements would have to come from the District General Fund, reducing available dollars for academic programs.
Why are you asking for an increase?
The .5 mill Sinking Fund that was passed 10 years ago provided enough revenue to maintain our existing facilities that were just recently renovated with the passage of the $49.75 million bond in June 2002. However, since that time, declining property values have resulted in a 25% reduction in the revenue generated from the same .5 mill passed 10 years ago. In 2006-07 the Sinking Fund generated nearly $530,000, while in 2012-13 this same tax is estimated to generate $350,000. While the facility needs have not decreased, the dollars available to ensure our facilities are well maintained have steadily decreased. The passage of the renewal and additional Sinking Fund would equate to a full 1.0 mill Sinking Fund; below the Genesee County average of 1.4 mills.
What additional plans are in place if the increase passes?
Should the additional .5 mill Sinking Fund proposal pass, the district has plans to convert the existing Middle School Pool (closed down in 2010) into a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) facility. This 7,758 square foot facility would provide for state of the art STEM learning as well as a dedicated space and learning lab for our FIRST Robotics program. In addition, the district plans to wire all of our elementary buildings for WIFI accessibility, eventually add a STEM facility at CAHS and other school improvements as allowable by law to provide seamless continuation of these 21st Century skills.
Rankin YouthQuest Update!
Club activities resumed this week at Rankin. However, because this rotation will only last through March, we decided to let the students switch clubs each week and encourage them to try something new. Science Club ran several experiments with gasses while the Popped Art Club earned how to grout tile by making drink coasters.
Wednesday’s Rankin Olympics also saw the start of our new fitness program. Every grade will rotate through several stations; exercise, sports, and team building. The next few weeks we will be teaching the students the proper way to stretch and exercise as well as basic skills necessary for several sports.
The fourth graders tried to untie themselves from a Human Knot. We wrapped up the week with a field trip to the Flint Public Library for Reading Month. The younger children enjoyed story time with one of the librarians, while the older grades were given a guided tour. Every child filled out an application for a library card which will be sent to their homes this week!
The CA Robotics Team Qualifies for the Michigan FRC State Championships!
The team played in the elimination matches, and went all the way to finals! They were District Finalists and ended up winning second place. They also took home the 2nd highest award of the tournament, the District Engineering Inspiration Award. This award is given to a team for their outstanding efforts in advancing respect/appreciation for engineering and engineers, both within their school and their community.
The team has also earned enough points to at Eastern Michigan University on April 11 – 13, 2013! They are currently ranked 6th int he state out of 211 teams, with the chance of rankings changing as other districts complete competitions. They will go up against the TOP 64 teams in the state to qualify for one of the 27 spots to go to the FRC Championship at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, MO where they will be competing against 400 teams from around the world.
Good luck and keep up the great work Carman-Ainsworth FRC Team 314!
Register Your Child for Swim Lessons!
Bendle/Carman-Ainsworth Community Education offers a Red Cross certified Aquatics (Swim) program for children starting at 6 months old. The program is designed to help children become acquainted with the water up to learning fundamental swim strokes. Additional classes will be offered through the Summer to build the swim strokes and prepare them for more advanced swim moves.
Motivational Speaker, Mark Elswick Visits CAHS
On Friday, March 15, local author and motivational speaker, Mark Elswick visited CAHS to promote his inspirational tour, Dream, Hope, Believe. Elswick is a twenty-year Traumatic Brain Injury survivor that has taught himself to read, write, and walk again. He has since published a book about fatherhood and his tramatic brain injury, Padman, but it is from a humorous point of view.
He is working on his second book of non-fiction about TBI and other Survivor Stories. Students were inspired by his talk about achieving success through hard work. “You cannot just dream, hope, and believe,” he stated. “Positivity takes effort.” He entertained the students, but also informed them how important hard work and reading is to their overall success.
Next Friday the students will hear from Dan Waltz, author and illustrator.All authors visiting are local and a part of the organization, Support Michigan Authors, that Ms. Jessyca Mathews, Ms. Susan Sage, and Ms. Carrie Mattern belong to.
