GLBEC GAZETTE
The Monthly Newsletter of The Great Lakes Bay Early College
November 2024 Newsletter
Mr. Woods' Corner
As we enter the final stretch of the first semester, Cohort 14 students have been busy! Over the past several weeks, they’ve participated in enriching Wednesday seminars with speakers from Delta College Admissions, MichiganWorks, Saginaw ISD Human Resources, Delta College faculty, Junior Achievement, and more. We are grateful to these professionals for sharing their time and insights with our students.
With Thanksgiving around the corner, November will move quickly, and we’re just six weeks away from the end of the semester. We encourage all GLBEC students to stay focused, keep up the hard work, and finish strong! Let’s make this fall semester a success!
Yours In Education,
Mr. Rodney Woods, Program Director
Message From Student Leadership Council
In October, the SLC had a fantastic time at Johnson’s Pumpkin Farm, enjoying the giant corn maze, adorable animals, and delicious fall treats. This month, we’re excited to give back by volunteering with the Salvation Army Angel Tree program on November 8th from 1:30pm-3:30pm.
Looking ahead, we’ll be hosting a relaxing study group in December to help students prepare for finals before winter break. Plus, stay tuned for the results of our penny war—we’ll soon find out who’s getting pied!
Co-Presidents Molly Wahl & Savannah Bellinger
November 15th Job Shadow Day
On November 15th, Cohort 14 students will be dismissed from GLBEC at 11:15am for a 3-4 hour job shadow experience in a career field of their choice. A detailed email was sent to students and families on November 4th.
Students should secure their own job shadow site by reaching out to family, friends, or researching local businesses and organizations. For any questions or additional support, please contact Mrs. Gloss at sgloss@sisd.cc. This is a valuable opportunity to explore potential career paths—We encourage you to make the most of it!
English Literature and Writing with Ms. Kojak
As we wrapped up the month of October, our class made significant strides in developing our rhetorical analysis skills, with a particular focus on the SAT essay. This vital component of the SAT requires students to not only read and comprehend complex texts but also to construct well-reasoned arguments in response.
Throughout the month, students engaged in various activities designed to enhance their understanding of persuasive writing. We began by dissecting the elements of effective arguments, learning how to identify key components such as claims, evidence, and reasoning. This foundation has been essential as students prepare to articulate their thoughts clearly and persuasively.
In addition to crafting arguments, we placed a strong emphasis on recognizing logical fallacies. By analyzing examples of flawed reasoning, students gained the ability to critically evaluate the arguments presented in both written and spoken formats. This skill is invaluable not only for the SAT but also for informed decision-making in everyday life.
Ms. Kojak, English Literature and Writing Teacher
Saginaw Valley State University Campus Tour Cohort 14
Cohort 14 students will be touring Saginaw Valley State University on Wednesday, December 4th, from 10am to 1pm. Students will be dismissed from class at 9:15am to allow time to arrive and find the meeting location.
Important: Students and families are responsible for their own transportation. We do not promote carpooling unless approved by parents.
We’re excited to offer this opportunity as students begin exploring college options and planning their next steps. This experience will be invaluable as they consider their future paths!
Science with Mr. Conklin
Unit II has wrapped up, marking a significant milestone for our class this semester. Many students encountered a level of academic rigor that stretched their understanding, while others built upon foundational concepts from prior Chemistry courses with newfound clarity. Throughout our five-week deep dive, we focused on developing a range of essential lab skills. This included improving technical reading and writing, observing progress in group preparation and execution, and assessing how well students applied these skills in real lab settings.
On Friday, October 25th, we held an intensive lab assessment. Students were tasked with synthesizing a new compound, requiring them to break down other compounds to their ionic components and reassemble them into something entirely new. The exercise, our most challenging lab to date, was a success overall—a testament to the students' growing proficiency in a lab setting.
Now, as we move into Unit III, we’re carrying forward the momentum built from applying deductive reasoning. This unit invites students to follow in the footsteps of groundbreaking scientists by recreating some of the most famous experiments from the last 500 years. Through these hands-on re-enactments, students will aim to replicate original data and analyses, gaining insight into how these discoveries reshaped our understanding of matter.
The culmination of Unit III will take us into the quantum mechanical model of the atom, which continues to revolutionize our view of the universe. Though brief, this unit’s exploration into scientific history and atomic theory will challenge students’ current perceptions and deepen their appreciation of the universe’s complexity.
Mr. Conklin, Science Teacher
No School Thanksgiving Break
Math with Mr. Christensen
As we dive deeper into the world of numbers and shapes, I want to remind everyone that this time of year is crucial for our students. They are gearing up to demonstrate their readiness for college-level classes, and I appreciate your support in this journey! Remember, credentialing isn’t just about grades; it’s about developing habits that lead to success.
Students in Algebra, Geometry, and Pathways to Calculus have been busy expanding their understanding of math. They learned that changing how we represent information can help us grasp different aspects of it. For instance, our Geometry students explored how similar shapes maintain their proportions, which is not just a classroom concept but has real-world applications in business, science, art, and even baking.
If you have any questions about math or the decision-making process, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Your support at home can make a big difference!
Mr. Christensen, Math Teacher
Bring a Friend To School Day
On Friday, December 6th, Cohort 14 students are invited to bring a friend to school! This is a great way to share the exciting opportunities at GLBEC. The school day will run from 8:30am to 2:05pm, and lunch will be provided for all students and their guests.
Guests will need to have their home school sign the attached permission slip to ensure they are not marked absent. The signed form should be turned in to Mrs. Gloss either on the day of the event or beforehand.
We’re excited to welcome new faces and show them what GLBEC is all about!
Career Navigation with Mrs. Gloss
College Night #2 will be hosted on the campus of Delta College on November 7th, at 6pm in N007. We welcome the Michigan Department of Treasury to speak to us about the in's and out's of financial aid. The presenter will cover loans, scholarships, grants and FAFSA tips and resources. Please respond to the email that was sent on October 16th to register. We will have a free pasta dinner and gift card giveaway. You don't want to miss out!
College Applications should be submitted at this time if you are a +1 student. If you haven't applied yet please see me so that we can get you going right away. The next step is to create your FSA ID to be able complete the FAFSA during Winter Break. Both you and a parent will need a FSA ID.
Scholarship applications will open soon and can be completed during Thanksgiving and/or Winter Break. If you would like me to review your essay please give me at least a week's notice. Otherwise good luck with applying for all the free $$ you can.
Mrs. Gloss, Career Navigator
Fall Informational Sessions
We’re excited to announce three upcoming Fall Informational Sessions for Winter Open Enrollment! We believe the best advertisement is YOU, and we’d love for you to share the attached flyer with family, friends, and on your social media platforms.
Thank you for helping us spread the word and grow our GLBEC community.
Important Dates To Remember
November 5th: Informational Session at 6pm. Location: Delta College room S057.
November 11th: Informational Session at 6pm. Location: Delta College room S057.
November 7th: College Night #2 at 6pm. Location: Delta College room N007.
November 8th: Salvation Army Angel Tree Program
November 15th: Job Shadow Day.
November 27th-29th: No School Thanksgiving Break
December 4th: Cohort 14 SVSU Tour
GLBEC Contact Information
Rodney Woods, Program Director. 989-686-9146. Email: rwoods1@sisd.cc
Sharmee Gloss, Career Navigator. 989-686-9165. Email: sgloss@sisd.cc