Did you know: Students who are chronically absent in preschool were five times more likely to be chronically absent in 2nd grade?
Thank you, Dr. Berg, for sharing your insights on improving student attendance in Saginaw County Schools through the School Leader’s Guide to Tackling Attendance Challenges workshop. #SaginawISD #OurStory
SOAR teacher Mr. Palmer had two more Driver's Training students earn their learner's permits. Markail and passed the written test at the Secretary of State. Congratulations to both of them! #SOAR #SaginawISD #OurStory
SOAR's fitness class had a great workout yesterday made by Mr. Dave! Over the course of the semester, the students improved on their stamina and enjoyed their time exercising at the YMCA! #SOAR #SaginawISD #OurStory
Saginaw Career Complex preschool students continued their current studies on bread by making their own loaf of bread! We are so thankful to have an all-in-one bread maker donated to the classroom! We can't wait to try our first creation! #SaginawISD #OurStory
Our Great Start to Quality dynamic duo, Kris Walko (Quality Improvement Coach) and Rosanna Keller (Quality Improvement Specialist), who support early child care programs and families in Saginaw, Bay, and Arenac counties, were recently given much-deserved kudos from a program they have been supporting.
Nichole Keister, Early Childhood Education Director with Bangor Public Schools, shared the following sentiments:
“I am writing to sincerely thank you both from the bottom of my heart for your continued support throughout the Great Start to Quality process. This week, I received a call from Kris sharing the exciting news that our child care center has achieved the level of Demonstrating Quality! I was absolutely thrilled.
When I first took over the program, we were at a ‘Three Star’ level (remember those days?). While that level was certainly acceptable, I set a goal to improve our program’s quality and move up at least one level. What I didn’t anticipate was how far we would ultimately go.
Throughout the journey, you both encouraged me to keep pushing forward, even when the tasks felt overwhelming and, at times, impossible. You supported me every step of the way—troubleshooting technical issues, coaching me through renewals, recommending meaningful trainings, helping prepare for our first-ever on-site assessment, and even taking the time to come out and meet with our staff in person. Your guidance, patience, and genuine investment in our success made all the difference.
Receiving the call this week was incredibly rewarding. This accomplishment truly would not have been possible without the two of you. I am so grateful for your expertise, encouragement, and ongoing support. Your work and specialization in quality improvement coaching truly shine, and the impact you make on programs like ours is invaluable.”
Thank you both for all you do!
#SaginawISD #OurStory
Joani Liesen, Family Child Care Network Specialist, was recently recognized by one of our statewide partners, Robin Zeiter with MiLEAP.
Robin stated, “I just want to take a moment to tell you what a complete gem Joani is. She is an excellent thought partner and contributor to all things! Just recently, she was on the Go NAPSACC consultant call with Patti, Aviva (our state liaison), and me, and she had already explored the new Social Emotional module and made connections to the GSQ Indicators. Her sharing was so helpful to the group and reminded me again of how committed and competent she is. She is also serving on one of the handbook committees, and her name surfaced when Rebecca was sharing how well the handbook work is going and cited Joani as a source of great insight and feedback. I also know that she has been engaged in the Refresher 26 face-to-face work with Patti and, again, offers great perspective and feedback for improvement.”
Thank you, Joani, for your support at the local, regional, and statewide level. We are thrilled you are on our team!
#SaginawISD #OurStory
We are thrilled to celebrate the successful completion of our Head Start Full Enrollment Initiative! Because of the dedication, collaboration, and relentless commitment of our early childhood team, we have reached full enrollment—ensuring more children and families across our county have access to high-quality early learning and comprehensive supports.
This achievement reflects:
✨ Strong cross-department collaboration
✨ Deep community partnerships
✨ An unwavering focus on equity and access for our youngest learners
#SaginawISD #OurStory
Little explorers in Ms. Heather and Ms. Amanda’s preschool class made binoculars and went on an animal scavenger hunt, sharpening their observation skills while having a whole lot of fun. #SaginawISD #OurStory #Claytor
Thank you to our HeadStart Policy council members! They go above and beyond to make sure our programs remain high quality for our youngest learners! #SaginawISD #OurStory
Big News for Michigan Schools & Public Agencies!
Starting January 1, 2026, REMC SAVE has new competitively bid contracts to help you save time AND stretch your budget — all without local bidding needed!
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• Interactive displays, charging solutions, accessories, printers & more
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Learn more & maximize your budget with REMC SAVE!
SOAR teacher Mr. Palmer is proud of his Driver's Training students this semester. Will, Brady, and Essence passed the written test at the Secretary of State and earned their learning permits. Congratulations to all of them! #SOAR #SaginawISD #OurStory
Tune in to Education Matters at 9:00 a.m. today on WNEM to learn about the supports school districts can provide for students experiencing homelessness. Saginaw ISD Director of Instructional Services Christine Bolen and McKinney-Vento Liaison Katlin Gehringer will share how districts work to remove barriers and ensure educational stability for every student. #OurStory #SaginawISD
Michigan’s constantly changing weather provides the perfect opportunity for Ms. Megan’s preschoolers to discover why liquids freeze or melt. #SaginawISD #OurStory
The Early On team hosted a playgroup yesterday at the Mid-Michigan Children's Museum. Families had an amazing time exploring the museum and interacting with all of the activities! #OurStory #SaginawISD #Earlyon #OurStory
Saginaw Career Complex preschoolers are excited to be back and even more excited for our latest study! 🍞 Students are learning all about bread—exploring the basics of bread making and tasting different varieties like naan, sourdough, and rye. #SaginawCareerComplex #SaginawISD #OurStory
