Red Hawk Monthly
October 2024
Greetings!
It is a great time to be a RED HAWK! As we roll into October, our students and staff are engaged in the classroom and their extracurricular activities. With Homecoming week behind us and the Red Flannel Festival next weekend, we have much to look forward to as we transition into the second half of the fall season.
Our youngest learners are making great strides in building foundational reading skills, while elementary and middle school students are diving into new math and language arts concepts. Cedar Springs Middle School students are excelling as they kick off the 2024-25 school year! Our high school students celebrated the end of the first third of the fall semester with a week full of Homecoming activities. No matter their grade level, Cedar Springs Students are thriving academically, socially, emotionally, musically, and athletically as the school year progresses.
Construction at Beach Elementary continues to make incredible progress. The new two-story academic wing is steadily taking shape, rising above the original building. Cranes are now on campus to set the structural steel for the second floor and the roof. Thanks to the hard work of the contractors on-site and the favorable weather so far this fall, we are in an excellent position to get a cover on the building ahead of winter.
As we look forward to the rest of the 2024-25 school year, we are filled with optimism and excitement. While we anticipate both opportunities and challenges, our confidence in our students, staff, and families remains strong. Every day, they show flexibility and resilience, always striving to improve. Our past experiences have made us stronger, and we are excited for the future we are building together.
Cedar Springs Public Schools gets stronger each day due to the willingness of our students, parents, community members, and staff to work together to tackle some considerable challenges. Strong communities build strong schools, and strong schools contribute to stronger communities. We can’t do this without working together.
We can! We will! We are TOGETHER! Go RED HAWKS!
With respect and appreciation,
Scott B. Smith
Superintendent of Cedar Springs Public Schools
Wednesday, Oct. 2
Count Day!
Saturday, Oct. 5
Red Flannel Festival Marching Band Invitational
Oct. 14-18
Elementary Fall Conferences
Cedar Trails - Oct. 14 and 16, 4-7 p.m.
Beach - Oct. 15 and 17, 4-7 p.m.
Cedar View - Oct.16 and 17, 4-7 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 16
Blood Drive at the High School (Open to the Public)
Thursday, Oct. 17
Fall Choir Concert (Grades 6-12)
Friday, Oct .18
Senior Band Night at the Football Game
Wednesday, Oct. 23
High School Student Success Conferences
Senior Parent Night
Thursday, Oct. 24
High School Student Success Conferences
National Honor Society Induction
Oct. 31-Nov. 1
Fall Break (No School)
We’re excited to be part of the community’s Red Flannel Festival next Saturday, October 5, 2024!
The 64th Red Flannel Festival Marching Band Invitational kicks off at 9:15 a.m. at Red Hawk Stadium. All are welcome! Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students, $30 for families, and free for CSPS staff with a badge. The Marching Red Hawks will perform at noon, followed by their appearance in the Grand Parade at 3 p.m. You can find more information about the event here.
Several of our schools participated in the window decorating contest and were excited to show their Red Flannel pride by decorating their classroom doors!
Cedar Springs Middle School will be the location for the annual pancake breakfast, parade staging, and craft show. We’re proud to be part of this beloved community tradition!
Elementary Schools (K-5th Grade)
Our elementary schools will hold conferences from October 14 to 17. Watch for details from your child’s school or teacher on how to attend.
Monday, October 14:
- Cedar Trails: 4-7 p.m.
Tuesday, October 15:
- Beach: 4-7 p.m.
Wednesday, October 16:
- Cedar Trails: 4-7 p.m.
- Cedar View: 4-7 p.m.
Thursday, October 17:
- Beach: 4-7 p.m.
- Cedar View: 4-7p.m.
Middle School (6-8th Grades)
Our middle school teachers are excited to connect with parents and discuss student progress this year! Conferences will be held in person or via Google Meet. Please check our middle school newsletter for details and be sure to sign up using the link below!
Monday, October 14:
- In person: 4-7 p.m. (by appointment)
- Google Meet: 3-4 p.m. (by appointment)
- In person: 4-6 p.m. (by appointment)
Parents, use the sign-up link here to schedule your conference. Please register before 6 p.m. on Thursday, October 10, to secure your spot.
High School (9-12th Grades)
Mark your calendars! More details, including sign-up information, will be provided in the high school weekly newsletter. We encourage students and parents to attend the conferences together! Don’t miss this opportunity to connect and support your student’s success!
High School Student Success Conferences
- Oct. 14: 5-7:30 p.m.
- Oct. 15: 3-5:30 p.m.
Keeping families informed about our safety measures—both physical and mental health—is essential to providing a safe, secure environment where your child can learn and thrive.
Please keep your contact information up to date throughout the year to ensure you receive any emergency notifications.
For more details about safety at Cedar Springs Public Schools, visit our Campus Safety and Security webpage.
We encourage all parents and guardians to complete the Educational Benefits form to help our district secure vital state and federal funding. This funding supports our instructional staff, counselors, social workers, and school nurses, and funds teaching supplies, professional development, technology, and parent and community activities.
Only one form is needed per family. If you’ve received a reminder to fill out this form, please take a moment to do so—it makes a big difference!
Autumn has returned and so have school days packed with nonstop social interaction, adjustment to new routines, and information overload. Gone are the days of late-night sleepovers with friends and rolling out of bed just prior to lunch. The transition back to a consistent sleep routine to ensure kids have the energy to power through their school days can be a nightmare for many families.
Read the full article from Pine Rest for tips on maintaining healthy sleep routines all year long.
North Kent Connect (10075 Northland Drive NE, Rockford, MI 49341)
If you are a resident of northern Kent County, North Kent Connect may be a resource for you to receive food, housing assistance, job services, and much more. It also has a thrift store and farm stand at its location open to the community!
Mobile Food Pantry (Cedar Springs Fire Department)
Taking place on the third Monday of the month, the mobile food pantry brings free food and groceries to you. You can pick up prepacked grocery boxes full of healthy foods or shop farmers-market style and choose what you want. The pantry usually has meat, fruits and veggies, dairy, bread, and ingredients for easy meals - all free!
