Nov Elementary Schools Newsletter
November 2023
November 9
Cedar View Math and Reading Night, 5-6:30 p.m.
Early Childhood Center Conferences 4-6 p.m.
November 10
Half Day for Students
November 22-24
Thanksgiving Break
November 30
Cedar Trails Family Engagement Night 5:30-6:30 p.m.
December 5
Beach Family Engagement Night 6- 7:15 p.m.
Audition to be part of the Cast of Annie at Cedar Springs High School!
Join the excitement at Cedar Springs High School as we prepare for our Spring production of Annie! We're looking for CSPS students aged 8-18 to join this unforgettable musical journey.
Audition Details:
Dates:
Saturday, December 9, from 12 to 4 p.m.
Monday, December 11, from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, December 13, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. (Callbacks)
Location: Cedar Springs High School Choir room
Prepare: Visit the blog on the website for all the information you need, along with how to sign up to audition!
Characters: Annie (10-18), Orphans (8-18), Leads (Grades 9-12), Ensemble & Additional Characters (Ages 12-18)
Performance Dates: March 15, 16, 17, 23, 24 & 25
Get ready to shine on stage and be part of something amazing!
Wake Up! to School Breakfast
Cedar Springs Public Schools is excited to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students for the 2023-2024 school year thanks to the Michigan Healthy School Meals Program!
Did you know studies have proven that kids who eat breakfast achieve higher academic scores, are more alert in class, visit the school nurse less often, and are better behaved in school? If morning meals are difficult for your family, let the School Breakfast Program help you out!
No advance registration is necessary! All students are welcome every day!
School Breakfast Information
Elementary Schools, Serving Breakfast at 8:50 a.m.
Red Hawk Intermediate, Serving Breakfast at 7:15 a.m
Middle School, Serving Breakfast at 7:05 a.m.
High School, Serving Breakfast at 7:15 a.m
Cedar Trails: PBIS
Students at Cedar Trails have been working hard on our school-wide expectations-being KIND, SAFE, RESPONSIBLE and BRAVE!
As you may have heard, individual students and classes earn Hawk Squawks when they are “caught” being safe, responsible, kind and brave. Each classroom sets a goal (ex: 100 Hawk Squawks) and chooses a celebration for when they reach their goal. Already this year, our students have been busy reaching their goals and enjoying their classroom celebrations! Some of the celebrations this year have been classroom pajama day, movie and popcorn, stuffed animal to school day and bubble gum day.
Continue to ask your child about their Hawk Squawk classroom goals and encourage them at home to be KIND, SAFE, RESPONSIBLE and BRAVE!
Cedar Trails: Music Memo
Cedar Trails music students are becoming experts at keeping the beat! You can help reinforce this at home by asking your child to show you different ways to keep the beat while you listen to music!
This past month students were able to use the xylophones for the first time this year! Xylophones are a perfect instrument for talking about high and low because they show how bigger keys make low sounds and smaller keys make high sounds. Students have been working on holding the mallets correctly, playing beautiful music instead of noise, and following the conductor cues. We have also had a lot of fun with non-pitched instruments in the last couple weeks. We use them to keep the beat, to add sounds to stories, and to express the music.
In November we will continue working on matching pitch with our singing voices, keeping the beat in our bodies and with instruments, and exploring high and low sounds. We will also introduce short and long sounds as we focus on the difference between beat and rhythm.
With Thanksgiving being this month, I like to focus on what we are thankful for and create chants and sing songs about being thankful.
It has been so joyful to see your students express themselves through music!
Sing-cerely,
Kym Davis
Cedar Trails sending a 'Thank You' to Momma’s Boy
We want to express our gratitude to Momma's Boy for their incredibly generous donation! Thanks to their kindness, every first grader at Cedar Trails Elementary now has a brand-new National Geographic Kids book! To Momma's Boy and all our community members, your dedication to our children's education is inspiring. Thank you for making a difference and helping us create a brighter future for the next generation!
Cedar Trails: Family Engagement Night
Mark your calendar for Thursday, November 30, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.! We will kick the evening off in the cafeteria with delicious donuts.
Here's the best part: you can create and take home a cool literacy activity and a math activity to support your child's learning at home. Plus, we've got two baskets filled with awesome educational goodies that we'll be raffling off for your family's enjoyment.
Stay tuned for RSVP details – coming your way soon! Can't wait to see you there!
Cedar Trails: Reading Tips for Students at Home
Create a Reading Haven: Provide a variety of reading materials like storybooks, newspapers, poetry, and magazines all around your home.
Lead by Example: Model the joy of reading by setting aside dedicated time for it. Children often imitate the behaviors they see in their parents or caregivers.
Encourage Regular Reading: Ensure books are accessible throughout the house, fostering the idea that everyone in the family is a reader. Even dedicating just 10 minutes a day to reading can make a significant positive impact. Studies show it enhances mood and concentration.
Embrace Read-Aloud Sessions: Reading aloud to your child is invaluable. It not only promotes fluency but also adds emotion and expression to the story, making the reading experience even more engaging and enjoyable.
Beach: PBIS Information
A big thanks to the awesome PTO for making October's PBIS celebration a POPtastic success! Our Beach students not only got to dive into a movie tied to our curriculum, but they also savored the delicious popcorn.
Guess what's next? Brace yourselves for an EPIC November PBIS celebration! We're rolling out card and board games for all our respectful, responsible, and safety-savvy students!
Beach: Family Engagement Evening, December 5
We are thrilled to invite you to our Annual Family Engagement evening, made possible through Title 1 funding! Save the date: December 5, 2023, from 6 to 7:15 p.m. Join us for an exciting exploration of math and literacy skills!
During this event, there will be engaging math and literacy activities, and don't forget to participate in our raffle for math and literacy baskets! As you enjoy the evening, indulge in delicious cookies and refreshing milk. It's a fantastic opportunity for family fun and learning.
An email will be sent to parents with RSVP information next week!
Beach: Music Class Update
Get ready for an exciting November filled with rhythmic adventures! We will dive into the world of drum circles where each student will have their own drum and a special part to play. It's teamwork at its musical best—everyone playing their role, keeping the beat, and creating one harmonious sound!
But the musical journey doesn't stop there! students will continue to grow their repertoire with new songs and activities, as well as discover new and exciting musical concepts such as dynamics, adding a whole new layer of excitement to our musical exploration!
Beach: Art Class Update
Meanwhile, 3rd graders are delving into the study of the human body. As we work through the different systems involved in our makeup as humans we are creating one cumulative project that reflects our understanding of our bodies, how they work and how this knowledge can amplify our ability to create great art.
Cedar View Fall Family Engagement Night
Get ready for a night of reading, math, and loads of excitement! Cedar View is exciting to see our students at the Fall Reading and Math Night, this Thursday, November 9, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Brace yourselves for a cozy evening filled with hot cocoa, donuts, and a whirlwind of thrilling reading and math-themed activities!
Be sure to RSVP at the link below!
Annual Hawks Hall of Fame Event
Mark your calendars because next Friday marks the kickoff of our first of three Hawks Hall of Fame Assembly! Each teacher has nominated a remarkable student from their class who consistently embodies outstanding HAWKS behavior (Honest, Accepting, Work Hard, Kind, Safe).
But that's not all – the families of our Hall of Famers will begin the day with a delicious pancake breakfast before joining us for a school assembly to celebrate these exceptional students together.
We are excited to honor these shining examples of what it means to be a Red Hawk!
Cedar View: Knights Coming
Get ready for an amazing day on November 21! Our 4th graders are thrilled to welcome back Her Majesty's Royal Guard, a group of medieval knight re-enactors. They will be showcasing medieval armor, weapons, and the fascinating life of a knight. This special event ties in perfectly with our CKLA unit, where students are diving deep into the medieval period.
Stay tuned for this fantastic learning experience, where history comes to life right here at Cedar Springs Elementary!
*Photo from 'Her Majesty's Royal Guard Facebook page
Preschool Activities to Try at Home
Hey there, Preschool Pals and Families!
We've got something super exciting to share with you! Attached, you'll find some fantastic info all about the magic of early literacy and math exposure. Dive in and discover the wonders of learning through talking, reading, writing, and counting together!
Explore the Talk, Read, Write, and Count With Me family newsletter for some awesome activities to try at home. Let's make learning an adventure and watch those little minds shine bright!
Preschool: Celebrating Caroline Galle as she Retires
After 25 years in Cedar Springs Caroline Galle is retiring. Caroline brought the program Parents as Teachers to the district and Kent County. Her work with families and children ages 0 to 5 years old has been instrumental in the growth and development of our littlest learners.
Caroline has a passion for helping children and families reach developmental milestones that prepare them for school and becoming lifelong learners. Caroline has helped support hundreds of children within the Cedar Springs school district through home visits, family engagement activities and monthly play groups.
Thank you Caroline for your love and dedication for early childhood education.
Contact Us
Email: cspstogether@csredhawks.org
Website: https://elementary.csredhawks.org/
Location: 204 East Muskegon Street, Cedar Springs, MI, USA
Phone: 616-696-1204
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/csredhawks
Instagram: @csps_redhawks