A huge shout-out to our Copper Country Intermediate School District (CCISD) SLACK members for their phenomenal efforts during Giving Tuesday this week!
On December 2nd, 2025, our students were volunteering at the Copper Country Mall, and thanks to their hard work and the generosity of our community, they raised more than $1,300 for 31 Backpacks.
To learn more about the SLACK program, which empowers our students to be leaders and engaged citizens, visit our page: https://www.copperisd.org/page/slack
On December 2nd, 2025, our students were volunteering at the Copper Country Mall, and thanks to their hard work and the generosity of our community, they raised more than $1,300 for 31 Backpacks.
To learn more about the SLACK program, which empowers our students to be leaders and engaged citizens, visit our page: https://www.copperisd.org/page/slack
Block 1 students enrolled in the Copper Country ISD - CTE Health Careers program at the Career Tech Center in Hancock participated in a student-led "cultural foods" sampling and presentations to close out Thanksgiving week. The purpose was for students to explore how culture influences food and drink, health beliefs, and healthcare practices. Students celebrated a diversity of foods and cultures with their classmates and instructor, Amanda Hermanson, BSN, RN, and teaching assistant Elizabeth Zelinski, RN. Class concluded for the short week heading into the Thanksgiving holiday break with a roundtable sharing of what everyone was thankful for.
Block 2 students enrolled in the Copper Country ISD - CTE Health Careers program at the Career Tech Center in Hancock participated in a student-led "cultural foods" sampling and presentations to close out Thanksgiving week. The purpose was for students to explore how culture influences food and drink, health beliefs, and healthcare practices. Students celebrated a diversity of foods and cultures with their classmates and instructor, Amanda Hermanson, BSN, RN, and teaching assistant Elizabeth Zelinski, RN. Class concluded for the short week heading into the Thanksgiving holiday break with a roundtable sharing of what everyone was thankful for.
We are excited to share that 11 CCISD staff members recently traveled to Escanaba to participate in the official U.P. launch of LEAD-K Michigan!
What is LEAD-K? It stands for Language Equality and Acquisition for Deaf Kids. It's a crucial initiative focused on one goal: ensuring children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) are kindergarten-ready by ending language deprivation.
Our team learned about new resources for tracking language and literacy (for both ASL and English) for children ages 0-5. We are thrilled to bring these new strategies back to the Copper Country to enhance our support for local families and our youngest learners!
What is LEAD-K? It stands for Language Equality and Acquisition for Deaf Kids. It's a crucial initiative focused on one goal: ensuring children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) are kindergarten-ready by ending language deprivation.
Our team learned about new resources for tracking language and literacy (for both ASL and English) for children ages 0-5. We are thrilled to bring these new strategies back to the Copper Country to enhance our support for local families and our youngest learners!
Students from all of the various local high schools enrolled in the Copper Country ISD - CTE Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) program at the Career Tech Center in Hancock visited and took part in a Costume Parade on Halloween Day for the residents of Canal View - Houghton County to enjoy. The event was organized by their instructor, Heather Johnson, BSN, RN. Which costume is your favorite?
Students from all of the various local high schools enrolled in the Copper Country ISD - CTE Health Careers program at the Career Tech Center in Hancock practiced their surgical skills for Halloween with a "Pumpkinectomy" activity led by their instructor, Amanda Hermanson, BSN, RN. A significant component of skills being practiced today included students learning to properly don and doff sterile gloves and other PPE measures.
🗣Want to make a difference in our local schools? We're hiring!
We are looking for dedicated individuals to join our team as substitutes. This is a great opportunity for flexible, meaningful work supporting students right here in the Copper Country.
We have immediate openings for: Substitute teachers, substitute paraprofessionals and other substitute support positions
Join us at our upcoming hiring event to learn more!
📅 When: Wednesday, November 5
🕚 Time: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
📍 Where: Copper Country ISD (809 Hecla Street, Hancock)
Can't make it? No problem! You can learn more or apply any time at www.ess.com.
We are looking for dedicated individuals to join our team as substitutes. This is a great opportunity for flexible, meaningful work supporting students right here in the Copper Country.
We have immediate openings for: Substitute teachers, substitute paraprofessionals and other substitute support positions
Join us at our upcoming hiring event to learn more!
📅 When: Wednesday, November 5
🕚 Time: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
📍 Where: Copper Country ISD (809 Hecla Street, Hancock)
Can't make it? No problem! You can learn more or apply any time at www.ess.com.
The Copper Country Intermediate School District invites all parents of students receiving special education support to our upcoming Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) Meeting.
Please join us on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. to connect and share your voice. The meeting will be held in Conference Room B at the CCISD office, located at 809 Hecla St in Hancock.
You have the option to attend either in person or virtually. For those who join us on-site, pizza will be provided!
We ask that you please RSVP with your choice of attendance by Tuesday, October 21st, by contacting Kristina Penfold at (906) 482-4250 ext. 190 or kpenfold@copperisd.org. (If you choose to attend virtually, a link will be emailed to you after your RSVP is received. )
We look forward to seeing you there!
Please join us on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. to connect and share your voice. The meeting will be held in Conference Room B at the CCISD office, located at 809 Hecla St in Hancock.
You have the option to attend either in person or virtually. For those who join us on-site, pizza will be provided!
We ask that you please RSVP with your choice of attendance by Tuesday, October 21st, by contacting Kristina Penfold at (906) 482-4250 ext. 190 or kpenfold@copperisd.org. (If you choose to attend virtually, a link will be emailed to you after your RSVP is received. )
We look forward to seeing you there!
Know a 6th-8th grader who wants to be a great babysitter? We've got the perfect opportunity!
Copper Shores is hosting a Safe Sitter Essentials with CPR training on November 1st and 2nd, led by Safe Sitter Instructor and CCISD Career and Technical Education Nurse Aide Instructor, Heather Johnson, BSN, RN. The course will be held at the Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College's Wabanung Campus.
This two-day course is FREE for all 6th-8th grade students in the Copper Country and includes lunch!
Students will learn important skills like first aid, CPR, how to handle emergencies, and how to care for infants and children. It's a great way to build confidence and gain valuable life skills. Space is limited, so be sure to register by October 29th!
Register here: https://www.coppershores.org/news/baraga-county-babysitters-training-november-1-and-2-2025?fbclid=IwY2xjawNZ3X5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHuA6hlBrCyOWMkFttuSFfrUrjopAntc8CtDiNzzJT50YWDMfuYcpn1STdd5H_aem_3zXL0O5eUNVwv_arkqOOFg
Copper Shores is hosting a Safe Sitter Essentials with CPR training on November 1st and 2nd, led by Safe Sitter Instructor and CCISD Career and Technical Education Nurse Aide Instructor, Heather Johnson, BSN, RN. The course will be held at the Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College's Wabanung Campus.
This two-day course is FREE for all 6th-8th grade students in the Copper Country and includes lunch!
Students will learn important skills like first aid, CPR, how to handle emergencies, and how to care for infants and children. It's a great way to build confidence and gain valuable life skills. Space is limited, so be sure to register by October 29th!
Register here: https://www.coppershores.org/news/baraga-county-babysitters-training-november-1-and-2-2025?fbclid=IwY2xjawNZ3X5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHuA6hlBrCyOWMkFttuSFfrUrjopAntc8CtDiNzzJT50YWDMfuYcpn1STdd5H_aem_3zXL0O5eUNVwv_arkqOOFg
The Copper Country ISD has officially announced a $45 million bond proposal that will appear on the August 5, 2025 ballot. This transformative initiative aims to modernize our educational facilities across Houghton, Keweenaw, and Baraga Counties!
What's included:
- Expansion of the Hecla Street Campus in Hancock
- New Early Childhood Education Center in Downtown Hancock
- Development of a new facility in Baraga County
Learn more here: www.copperisd.org/bond
The newest episode of The Copper Cast is live! We talk about the book The Anxious Generation by Jonathon Haidt. Listen to the episode here: https://youtu.be/RSmHbfww1Xo?feature=shared.
Education doesn’t stop at reading, writing, and math.
It also means looking out for each other’s well-being and building skills that make us strong members of our communities.
Together with our schools, we are dedicated to making sure every child feels heard and understood. We offer counseling, encourage open conversations about mental health, and connect families with local resources.
When kids know they can reach out for help without judgment, they’re more confident, ready to learn, and lead the future.
Strong schools start with strong educators, and ISDs play a crucial role in supporting educator professional development. Teaching is constantly evolving, with new research, technology, and strategies shaping the way students learn. ISDs help teachers stay up to date by offering training, coaching, and resources to improve their skills in the classroom. At the CCISD, we provide workshops and mentoring in areas like literacy, STEM education, student mental health, and teaching strategies. We help new teachers navigate their first years in the classroom through mentorship programs that set them up for long-term success. When educators have access to high-quality training, students benefit from more engaging and effective learning experiences.
🔧 Congrats to Cara Keranen and Samantha Narhi from CCISD's Automotive Technology program who are headed to the SkillsUSA state competition in Grand Rapids next month! These talented students recently gained real-world experience performing Pre-Delivery Inspections at Keweenaw Chevrolet GMC with Technician Jeremiah Black.
With GM sponsoring this year's competition, they're getting valuable industry experience that will serve them well in their future careers. We love seeing young women pursuing careers in automotive technology! Thanks to Keweenaw Chevy and all our local industry partners for supporting these future automotive pros!
We're so excited to be celebrating Heikinpäivä this weekend in Hancock. Today, the team from TV6 & FOX UP visited the Finnish American Heritage Center for Upper Michigan Today.
During one of the segments, they talked with Corey Soumis, CCISD Career and Technical Education Director, and Fred Jaehnig, Hancock Central High School - Official Site Industrial Arts Teacher, about the projects that local students have been working as part of the event.
The projects included refurbishment of the world's largest kicksled and huge wooden chairs. There were wonderfully done and we're so appreciative of their tremendous work.
The newest episode of The Copper Cast is out! Today we dive into the power of place-based learning with Beth Squires, a passionate science teacher at Chassell Township Schools . Beth shares her journey from working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to teaching seventh through twelfth-grade science, and how her experiences have shaped her approach to education. Check it out here: https://youtu.be/TB5wzPRY6pw?feature=shared.
Today is World Kindness Day! Celebrate the power of kindness and the impact it can have on our schools, our community, and the world. A smile. A kind word. Lending a helping hand. Every act of kindness matters and makes a difference. We believe in supporting a culture of compassion and understanding. Do something kind today and every day to make our community a better place.
Today, we honor our veterans and recognize the incredible sacrifices they have made for our country. Thank you to all who have served and those currently serving to protect our freedom. Your courage, dedication, and selflessness are inspiring.
Our CTE Health Careers and CNA programs are shaping the future of healthcare with hands-on learning and incredible community partnerships. From classroom instruction to real-world work placements, we're ensuring students are ready for successful careers in healthcare! 🏥✨
Our students, staff, and partners are collaborating to make a difference in our community and for the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Read the full story here: https://www.copperisd.org/article/1863248
We are proud to share that we have received statewide recognition from Michigan's MiMTSS Technical Assistance Center for our efforts during the 2023-2024 school year. The CCISD has earned the MTSS Data Utilization Award and the Gold Level MTSS Implementation and Impact Award. This recognition truly reflects the hard work and dedication of our educators, staff, and community partners who have been committed to improving outcomes for all students. We are incredibly proud of the teamwork that made this possible!