The CRAVE Academy

07/15/2026

2nd Field Trip of the Summer!!

We took a trip to Humane Society of Genesee County to learn about animal care careers & to take a BTS tour of how of the Humane Society works!

Our students really enjoyed meeting all the adoptable pets from Dogs, cats, and even a ferret.

Thanks Ms. Heidi for taking the time to teach us about all the careers that makes the Humane Society function and ensures that all our furry friends are safely taken care of!

During today’s Discovery Lab convo, the students rated this career path an average of 3.4 out of 5 stars!! ✨✨✨

Tomorrow we will be back in the community visiting the Flint Institute of Arts to learn about careers in art and creative expression.

07/14/2026

FIRST FIELD TRIP OF THE SUMMER!!

We learned made a visit to For-Mar Nature Preserve & Arboretum to learn about Wilderness Survival 101 & different careers within the Parks, Recreational, and Agriculture industries.

During our Discovery Lab conversation, the students rated this career path an average of 3.6 stars out of 5! That’s not bad for the first career.

Tomorrow we will be back in class going over interviewing skills & etiquette.

Wednesday we will be back in the community visiting Genesee County Habitat for Humanity learning about animal care careers!

SHOUT TO MR. SHAWN HELPING THE WINNING TEAM BUILD WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN THE BEST SHELTER!

07/02/2026

07/02/2026

On June 25, Officer Zia responded to a call for service involving a non-verbal autistic young man who had wandered away from his group home in Chicago.

After locating the individual, Officer Zia quickly recognized that he was experiencing confusion and distress. Using one of the Niles Police Department's autism sensory kits, Officer Zia provided sensory tools designed to help reduce anxiety and support communication during the encounter.

The young man was safely transported to a local hospital and was later reunited with his group home.

Last month, the Niles Police Department purchased autism sensory kits through the The Autism Hero Project to better equip officers for interactions with autistic community members and others with sensory or communication needs. Every Niles police squad is now equipped with one of these kits, which contains simple, evidence-informed tools designed to help reduce stress, improve communication, and promote positive outcomes during emergency responses.

06/29/2026

✨ Day 1 of Career Quest is HERE! ✨

Today we officially kick off an incredible summer of exploring careers, building confidence, learning new skills, and discovering what’s possible. We can’t wait to watch these students grow over the next 8 weeks!

Here’s to new friendships, new experiences, and taking the first step toward big dreams. 💜💚🧡

06/28/2026

Our Pre-Employment Skills Program is now open for applications for the session starting this fall! We understand this program can be a large commitment, in order to provide the most information to interested participants and loved ones, we are hosting free information sessions.

August 4th Virtual
August 12th In-person
6:00pm-7:00pm

- Learn about eligibility and enrollment: Find out who qualifies for the program and get step-by-step guidance on how to apply.
- Explore learning and development goals: Identify career interests and learn how the program can support personal and professional growth.
- Discover the benefits of the program: Learn how this training can help build job-ready skills, confidence, and employment opportunities.
- Review the program schedule and highlights: Get an overview of key topics, training components, and important dates.
- Meet the OUCARES team: Connect with OUCARES staff, ask questions, and learn how we support participants throughout the program.

RSVP online: https://forms.gle/EUuA1KasDP4SCQX99

06/28/2026

The FIFA World Cup 2026™ includes 104 matches across 16 host cities over 39 days. For some fans, live sporting events can feel overwhelming or inaccessible due to the intensity of large crowds, sudden cheers, and constant movement.

This year, every stadium across all World Cup matches includes dedicated sensory spaces or rooms for fans with sensory needs. According to FIFA, fans will be able to access a sensory room once they have entered the stadium footprint on matchday. These spaces are designed for people who experience sensory overload, including individuals with autism, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), dementia, anxiety, and other conditions, and will provide calming, supportive environments amid the buzz of the match day crowd.

Read more: FIFA.Fans/4y6J92W.

What do you think?
For those of you who went to a World Cup match, did you see or try the sensory room in the stadium?

06/28/2026

🍎🥞 Starting Tomorrow! Meet Up to Eat Up! 🥪🍌

Flint Community Schools and Chartwells are proud to offer FREE breakfast and lunch for children all summer long through our Meet Up to Eat Up program!

📅 June 22 – August 13, 2026
📍 Available Monday–Thursday at:
• Holmes STEM Middle School Academy
• Brownell STEM Academy
• Potter Elementary
• Southwestern Classical Academy

🍳 Breakfast: 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
🥪 Lunch: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Come enjoy a healthy meal, connect with friends, and make the most of your summer. No registration required!

06/28/2026

Our June ASL for Parents session will be on Tuesday the 30th! Don't miss it! Zoom link and topics at bit.ly/aslforparents