We’re seeking nominations for the 2026 Outstanding Educator Awards! Learn more about how to nominate the teacher, support staffer or administrator who’s making a difference in your school! https://rebrand.ly/2026oea

Congratulations to our North Ed Career Tech Graphic Arts students for their outstanding achievements in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards!

Alex Dunn (Greenspire High School) earned a Gold Key for Drawing, Emily Haas (TC Central High School) received a Silver Key for Drawing, and Noah Bailey (TC West Senior High School) was recognized with both a Gold Key for Photography and an Honorable Mention.

Founded in 1923 and administered by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, the Scholastic Awards are the nation’s longest-running and most prestigious program celebrating creative teens in grades 7–12. Students can earn regional and national honors, scholarships, and opportunities for exhibition and publication across 29 categories, from photography and painting to poetry and journalism.

Regionally sponsored by the Gwen Frostic School of Art, this program has helped launch the early careers of iconic creatives such as Andy Warhol, Sylvia Plath, Truman Capote, and Amanda Gorman.

We’re incredibly proud of Alex, Emily, and Noah for representing North Ed and showcasing the power of young creative voices. Thank you instructor Rebecca Kinnee for facilitating these amazing opportunities for our Career Tech students!

Learn more about Graphic Arts https://www.northwested.org/o/ct/page/graphic-arts

Due to scheduled construction and maintenance at our Career Tech building, we are unable to host our annual Cool Tech Camp for 5th–7th graders this June.

Because our labs and classrooms will be active construction zones during the week of camp, we cannot ensure the safe, hands-on environment that students deserve.

These upgrades are an investment in the future of our programs, ensuring that when students are ready to attend Career Tech programming and services, they’ll have the best and safest learning environment possible.

Thank you for your understanding and for being part of the North Ed community.

Congratulations to Katie George, Mailee McQuown, and Philip O’Hare for advancing to the next round of the Page 2 Stage (P2S) youth playwriting contest. As finalists, they’ll work one-on-one with theater mentors to develop their original one-act plays, and see their work come to life on stage at the historic City Opera House on April 12.

Learn more about Writers Studio: https://www.northwested.org/o/ct/page/writers-studio

Learn more about Page 2 Stage: https://www.cityoperahouse.org/ypf

Precision Machining students dive into hands-on learning in the machine tool industry, building valuable technical skills through practical shop math, blueprint reading, measurement and inspection, CAD/CAM/CNC technology, and the safe use of machinery and tools. With manufacturing on the rise, this program prepares students for in-demand careers in a growing field.

Learn more about our Precision Machining program. https://www.northwested.org/o/ct/page/precision-machining

Writers Studio is a two-year program that covers a wide range of genres, including poetry, creative nonfiction, playwriting, journalism, professional letters, rhetoric, audio storytelling, and fiction. With close connections to media outlets and organizations such as the National Writers Series, students receive direct instruction from world-renowned authors and journalists while gaining access to real-world professional opportunities.
Now offered as an AP Language and Composition course, Writers Studio helps students sharpen their craft, strengthen critical thinking and prepare for college and beyond.
Learn more about North Ed Career Tech’s Writers Studio program. https://www.northwested.org/o/ct/page/writers-studio

Help North Ed raise funds for Special Olympics of Michigan. Take the plunge with us on Saturday, March 21 at Short’s Brewing Co.’s Elk Rapids Pull Barn. To join our Plunge Team or donate, visit https://www.classy.org/team/788634

In our Web and App Development program, students design and create websites from scratch using HTML5, JavaScript, jQuery and CSS, while also developing simple 2D animations and games with Python. With hands-on projects and real-world skills, this program is perfect for future web developers, designers and game creators.

Learn more about North Ed Career Tech’s Web and App Development program. https://www.northwested.org/o/ct/page/web-app-development

In our Robotics and Automation program, students explore modern manufacturing, mechatronics and the technology that powers today’s industries by integrating mechanical, electrical and software systems. Through hands-on learning with CAD, CNC machining, rapid prototyping, fluid power and electrical circuits, they gain real-world skills for in-demand careers.

From systems integration to fabrication techniques — and even competing in the National Robotics Challenge — students put their knowledge to the test while earning up to 6 college credits.

Learn more about North Ed Career Tech’s Robotics and Automation program. https://www.northwested.org/o/ct/page/robotics-automation

A team of two students from our Film & New Media program are winners of the All-American High School Film Festival Pitch Contest. Riley Bockhol and Stuart Nottke created a short video, “Finding You Again”, pitching their idea for a short film they would like to create for the All-American High School Film Fest. Riley and Stuart's pitch was chosen based on its creativity, storytelling and ambition.

As winners, they will receive a professional camera kit, which they will use to create their film that will air at the film festival held in New York City this October. Congratulations to instructor Zac Wendland and his students on receiving this outstanding opportunity!

Watch Riley and Stuart’s winning submission: youtube.com/watch?si=Zr69BZHj7pVLG6R4&v=SVH6RuJxn1c&feature=youtu.be

Learn more about our Film & New Media program: https://www.northwested.org/o/ct/page/film-new-media

On this day in 1960, a bomb exploded at the home of Carlotta Walls, the youngest member of the Little Rock Nine—the first Black students to integrate Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. Carlotta’s home was bombed just four weeks before her high school graduation.

After bravely integrating in 1957, the Little Rock Nine endured violence and institutional injustice throughout their academic journeys. Their courage helped pave the way for equal educational opportunities for generations to come.

Honor Carlotta and the legacy of the Little Rock Nine by reading Carlotta’s Special Dress: How a Walk to School Changed Civil Rights History, written by Carlotta Walls LaNier herself.

Built into every Career Tech program are general education credits and practical learning in technical reading, writing and math, along with career preparation skills like developing resumes, portfolios and presentations, preparing for job interviews and using the latest technologies.
These real-world tools support students’ futures and everyday life — all while earning valuable general education credits!
To learn more, visit https://www.northwested.org/o/ct

North Ed is committed to student success at Career Tech and beyond!

Each year, we award tens of thousands of dollars in Academic Scholarships and Tools of the Trade Awards to support students’ next steps. Through partnerships with leading colleges and universities, Career Tech students also have access to exclusive post-secondary scholarships and credit opportunities.

Don't miss out! For more information on scholarships and how to apply, visit https://www.northwested.org/o/ct/page/scholarships

As a testament to his outstanding work and commitment to excellence in education, North Ed Career Tech Aviation Maintenance instructor Scott O'Dell was recently honored as the Michigan Association of Career and Technical Education (MI ACTE) New Teacher of the Year at the MI Career Education Conference in Grand Rapids. Congratulations to Scott for this incredible accolade! Learn more. https://www.northwested.org/article/2681411

Today kicks off Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month! CTE provides students with academic and technical skills, training and certifications in high-demand jobs that can open doors to unlimited opportunities.

Take the plunge with North Ed to raise money for Special Olympics Michigan! Last year, our team raised over $4,000, and with your help, we can raise even more. To join our Plunge Team or donate, visit https://www.classy.org/team/788634

All Northwest Education Services programs will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, due to inclement weather and hazardous road conditions. No in-person or virtual instruction will take place. This closure includes all North Ed Special Education and Career Tech programs.
For more information, including staff guidelines for snow days, please see our School Closings & Alerts webpage:
https://www.northwested.org/page/school-closings-alerts

~North Ed Administration

This year, Santa’s elves were hard at work adapting a series of toys for kids with limited mobility. Our North Ed Assistive Technology department teamed up with Career Tech Electrical Occupations program instructors and students to adapt select toys purchased by community members. The Career Tech students converted the toys to incorporate electrical switches which allow a child to interact with the toy by pushing a large button or controlling a joystick. 25 North Ed families will receive a specially wrapped gift featuring a toy with custom adaptations for their child to make magical holiday memories.

As part of this special project, North Ed Career Tech students created switch adapted bead spinners for students from our New Horizons program. When loaded with clay beads, the spinners land the beads on a wire inserted into the tub of the spinner. The beads were then transferred to elastic string and wrapped around wire Christmas tree frames to make ornaments.