Grant helps Clintonville students become certified
By Erik Buchinger
The Clintonville Public School District received a $10,000 grant from the Department of Public Instruction.
The Career and Technical Education incentive grant is for 2018 Clintonville graduates who earned industry-recognized certifications.
Clintonville High School Principal Kelly Zeinert said teacher Heather Long runs the early childhood class and helps students become certified in Early Childhood Education.
In addition, kids who participated in youth apprenticeships were used toward the CTE grant.
“When there is money on the table, I will definitely write for it,” Zeinert said during the July 22 school board meeting. “We were able to get $10,000, and we’re going to use that to put back into the CTE program for the most part.”
Zeinert said some of the money will be put toward replacing stoves in teacher Veronica Campbell’s classroom.
Additionally, Long discussed purchasing a geriatric simulator for students to use in her classes.
“It’s $2,500 but you wear this suit and these glasses where your vision is not quite right,” Zeinert said. “You have extra weight, and it’s just a very interesting concept.”
Zeinert said students who have used the simulator better understand when people complain about back pain and discomfort while walking long distances.
“It’s a great opportunity for our kids to benefit,” Zeinert said. “The school benefits because the kids take the course, and it’s a win-win for everyone.”
Zeinert said she plans to write for the same grant again this fall and said some students will qualify to potentially earn the district additional grant money.