Wednesday, August 28, 2024
The Mining Journal 5A
Region
Enrollment
The new
Baraga
Township
Hall on M-38
is pictured.
(Houghton
Daily Mining
Gazette
looking sharp for
local schools
photo)
By NOAH JOHNSON
Escanaba Daily Press
ESCANABA — Youths
are heading back to school
this week for a new aca-
demic year. Parents, teach-
ers, principals, school staff
and others are welcoming
students back for a new year
filled with new curriculum,
equipment, meals and even
new educators. With a new
year comes new students,
and according to local prin-
cipals, enrollment is look-
ing very good.
Principal Krista Johnson
of Webster Kindergarten
Center said enrollment is
about the same as previous
years. Of that enrollment,
roughly 6.5 percent are out-
of-district students.
and dragons club simply
because the students were
interested in it.
He also touted current
programs such as the auto
shop and wood shop. It
was started five years ago,
but it continues to grow as
the school has put more
resources into the pro-
grams.
“It gives kids another out-
let to be able to work with
their hands and be able to
learn skills that they can use
for the rest of their lives,”
Jacques said.
He said he still gets jitters
on the first day of school
and he is so excited to be
back.
“It’s like it’s the first day
of school for me.”
“We are unique as a kin-
dergarten-only building, no
other district in the area of-
fers that so I think that’s ap-
pealing to a lot of families,”
Johnson said.
Students and parents will
be pleased to see a new
sensory wall at Webster,
created by Tracy Jensen, a
special education teacher at
Webster.
“The wall provides sen-
sory input to children’s fin-
gers and hands with items
such as sand art, a bubble
machine, a heat-sensitive
mat, fidget spinners, and
materials with different tex-
tures,” Johnson said.
She said that it allows
kids to explore their sens-
es as well as improve their
visual, auditory and tactile
processing.
“By providing a sense of
calm and comfort, our sen-
sory wall assists children
in learning to self-regulate
their behaviors and ulti-
mately improve focus,” she
said.
Teachers can take the stu-
dents to the wall when they
need a break or to release
energy.
“The wall allows students
to expend energy and return
to class to focus on school-
work,” she said.
Johnson also highlighted
the free breakfast and lunch
at Webster.
Principal Katee Inghram
at Cameron Elementary
School said enrollment is
roughly the same as in years
past.
Of those enrolled, roughly
23 percent are out-of-dis-
trict students.
She said this year, the
school will be using
TRAILS as part of its cur-
riculum.
According to the TRAILS
website, the program as-
sists teachers in empower-
ing their students to build
healthy relationships, make
caring and responsible de-
cisions and manage strong
emotions.
She said that the school
faces the challenge of space
in the building as it is lim-
ited.
“We use our gym and caf-
eteria in the same space,”
Inghram said. She said her
team has to quickly trans-
form the room based on its
purpose for the next class or
group of kids.
Baraga Township: Pelkie tanker
repair cost lower than expected
By BEN GARBACZ
Houghton Daily
Mining Gazette
functional again, Haagsma
suggested that the township
start looking for a newer
an assessing district that is and Amy Tukkanen to the
not in substantial compli- Zoning Board of Appeals.
ance, according to Public
Act 660.
After that motion, Su- of two proposals for the up-
pervisor Amy Isaacson date of the Master Plan.
Afterward, the meeting
continued with the report
BARAGA
Township held its resched-
—
Baraga tanker.
“That’s something we
uled monthly August board should start considering
meeting Wednesday. The since our newest truck is
meeting began with a report a 2009 model,” Haagsma
from Dick Haagsma of the said. “It’s not a quick pro-
Pelkie Fire Department, cess in the least.”
resigned from the Zoning
The two proposals came
Board of Appeals. Isaacson from North of 45 from
is not running for reelection Patrick Coleman and the
for her current position af- other from Northwoods
ter 20 years of service, and Zoning and Planning from
she believes it is in the best Jason McCarthy of Mar-
interest of the township quette.
who had just repaired its
The board then carried
3,000-gallon tanker which the motion to opt out of
was out of commission the Baraga County Desig-
since before the Baraga nated Assessor, effective
board to appoint new mem-
“My suggestion is to re-
County Fair.
Oct. 1. The county had re-
bers. She will assist in the quest that the Planning
training and transition of Commission have a special
The department knew quested all townships sign
something was amiss when off on this agreement, and
they smelled sulfur in the without the assessor at the
fire hall, and after investi- county level, the State Tax
gation, it was discovered Commission will appoint
that one of the tanker’s an individual to serve with
batteries was burning and
the new board members.
meeting to review those
The resignation was fol- proposals for us to update
lowed by a motion to ap- the Master Plan,” Isaacson
point LeAnn LeClaire, Ari- said.
“It’s tricky,” she said.
el Gougeon, Garrick Lamb
The board agreed.
She also said they are
working on getting replace-
ment equipment for the
playground, as two of the
large slides are damaged.
The playground is operable,
but some equipment is dam-
aged and not usable.
the pump switch was mal-
functioning. The repair was
anticipated to cost $3,000,
but the problem was related
to a far cheaper part to re-
place. Though the tanker is
PUBLIC NOTICE
Date:
Permit No.:
August 28, 2024
MIG570000
Permit Category: NPDES General Permit – Secondary Treatment
Wastewater
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICES ECONOMIC STABILITY ADMINISTRATION
“This year, we are look-
ing forward to expanding
our hot breakfast offerings
to several times a week.
Our Food Director, Nancy
LaFave, and school cook,
Taylor Cordy are planning
menus that appeal to our
children,” she said.
Students will have the
option to enjoy egg bites,
pancakes, omelets, fruit and
much more.
The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE),
Water Resources Division (WRD), proposes to reissue a general permit
for discharges of secondary treatment wastewater. The applicability
of this permit shall be limited to wastewater discharges that are of this
type and that meet the criteria established in this permit. This permit is
expected to apply to multiple discharges of this type throughout the state
of Michigan. Discharges that may cause or contribute to a violation of
water quality standards are not authorized by this permit.
Administrative Rules for Rule Sets: “State Disability
Assistance (SDA)” and “Family Independence Program (FIP)”
MOAHR Rule Division No. 2024-26 and 2024-27 HS
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
(Department) will hold two public hearings to receive public
comments on amending the rule sets, State Disability
Assistance and Family Independence Program.
In order to constitute a valid authorization to discharge at a specific
facility, this permit must be complemented by a Certificate of Coverage
(COC) issued by EGLE.
“Students will begin each
day with full bellies giving
them energy to better attend
to schoolwork,” Johnson
said.
Tuesday, October 1, 2024-9:00 A.M.
State Disability Assistance
The draft permit includes the following modifications to the
previously issued permit: Permit language has been revised to
incorporate updated references and terminology. The following new
conditions have been added to the draft permit: Additional Final Effluent
Limitations for Total Residual Chlorine, Additional Requirements for
Ultraviolet Disinfection, Additional Final Effluent Limitations for Percent
Removal, Additional Monitoring, and Continuous Monitoring. Final
effluent loading rate limitations and monitoring requirements have been
added for Total Phosphorus (as P). The general permit has also been
revised to allow the Department to require monitoring more frequent
than three times (3x) weekly for selected parameters.
She added that the custo-
dial and maintenance staff
have worked tirelessly to
get the facility ready for
students and teachers.
“We are excited to wel-
come back our previous
students as well as brand
new families to Webster,”
she said.
In Gladstone, High School
Principal Andy Jacques said
that the enrollment numbers
are higher than in previous
years.
“Our enrollment is up
more than we’ve had in
probably the last five or six
years,” Jacques said.
Tuesday, October 1, 2024-1:00 P.M.
Family Independence Program
Both hearings take place at the DHHS Grand Tower Building
235 S. Grand Avenue, Room 1A
Lansing, Michigan 48933
Both rule sets are being amended to align with the federal
government recommendation for each state to change its
current replacement process of theft of SDA or FIP benefits
from a manual process pending verification of fraud with
timely EBT replacements will quickly alleviate the concerns of
a family fear of not timely paying obligations due to the theft.
Copies of the Public Notice, Fact Sheet, Basis for Decision Memo,
Michigan.gov/ncore/ (select ‘Public Notice Search,’ enter the permit
number into the search field, and then click ‘Search’), or at a WRD
District Office, locations and contact information for which is available at
Programs/WRD/About-Us/District-Offices.pdf.
By authority conferred on the Department of Health and Human
Services by section 6 of the social welfare act, 1939 PA 280, MCL
400.6. The rule set takes effect immediately after filing with the
secretary of state. These rules are published on the Michigan
the Michigan Register in the September 30, 2024 edition. Copies
of the draft rules may also be obtained by mail or electronic
transmission at the following address:
Of
that
enrollment,
Jacques said roughly 20
percent are out-of-district
students.
“Enrollment-wise,
it’s
looking really good,” he
said.
The staff is also very sim-
ilar to last year, as no one
retired or moved on from
the school.
“Having a solid staff that
takes care of our kids and
knows how to create rela-
tionships — it just makes
our years go really smooth,”
he said.
Jacques said that the
school will continue to
work on current programs,
but is open to creating pro-
grams based on what the
kids are interested in.
“If our kids are interested
in something, I want them
to be able to get involved.
So being involved in our
schools will give them more
ownership in their school,”
he said.
In the past, Gladstone
High School started a fish-
ing club and a dungeons
Persons wishing to submit comments on the draft permit should
ncore/, select ‘Public Notice Search,’ search for this public notice by
entering the permit number into the search field, click ‘Search,’ click
‘View,’ click ‘Add Comment,’ enter information into the fields, and then
click ‘Submit.’ Comments or objections to the draft permit received by
September 27, 2024, will be considered in the final decision to issue
the permit, as will comments made at a public hearing should one be
requested and held by the Department on the draft permit.
Department of Health and Human Services
Attn: Mary E. Brennan
Grand Tower Building
235 S. Grand Avenue- 2nd Floor
Legal Affairs Administration
Lansing, MI 48933
Any person may request the Department to hold a public hearing on the
draft permit. The request should include specific reasons for the request,
indicating which portions of the draft permit constitute the need for a
hearing. If submitted comments indicate significant public interest in the
draft permit or if useful information may be produced, the Department
may, at its discretion, hold a public hearing on the draft permit. If a public
hearing is scheduled, public notice of the hearing will be provided at
least 30 days in advance. Inquiries should be directed to Christopher
Prenkert, Permits Section, WRD, EGLE, P.O. Box 30458, Lansing,
Michigan 48909-7958; telephone: 517-881-3479; or email: PrenkertC1@
Michigan.gov.
Telephone: 517-242-9634
Comments on the rules may be made in person at the hearing
or by mail or electronic mail until Friday, October 4, 2024.
The public hearings will be conducted in compliance with
the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act, in accessible
buildings with handicap parking available. Anyone needing
assistance to take part in the hearings due to disability may call
517-335-4276 to make arrangements.
