Red Hawk Monthly
December 2024
Dear Cedar Springs Parents and Staff,
As we close out 2024, we find ourselves filled with appreciation for our Cedar Springs Public Schools community. Both challenges and accomplishments have marked the last twelve months. As a district, our achievements reflect our students' enthusiasm, our staff's unwavering dedication and your invaluable support.
It is important to us to acknowledge the significant effort that took place behind the scenes to safely reopen our classrooms to students and staff during the recent intrusion in our water supply. Again, we must thank the City of Cedar Springs, the Kent County Health Department, Ice Mountain® Spring Water, our Food Service and Operations teams, and our teachers, support staff and administrators for their support in our successful reopening on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024.
Throughout the boil-water advisory, the City's communication was excellent. The Health Department ensured we had the appropriate sanitizing processes to serve food and wash hands safely. Ice Mountain® Spring Water generously donated and delivered 9,000 bottles of water. Our Food Service and Operations teams went above and beyond to ensure that our classrooms were ready for students and that we could serve meals safely. Lastly, our teachers, support staff and administrators rallied to make Friday, Nov. 22, a fantastic day at school for our students. These efforts provided an opportunity for our students to be in class learning instead of missing another day of school.
Michigan has yet to live up to its reputation as a winter wonderland. However, we are all well aware of how quickly the weather can change for us living in West Michigan. Please know that deciding to close or delay the start of school due to weather conditions is taken very seriously.
Our primary consideration when making the decision is for our students' and staff's safety and well-being. We are also mindful of the timing of the decision and want to make the call as early as possible for two reasons:
We have students who leave the house as early as 5:30 a.m. to make connections with buses that take them to the Kent County Technical Center.
We want to give our families as much time as possible to make childcare arrangements.
The challenge we face on some mornings is that conditions may change dramatically from 4 a.m. when we start checking roads to 5:30 a.m. when we hope to decide whether to delay or cancel school for the day.
Three principles drive our decision-making process regarding school closings or delays:
We put the safety and well-being of our students and staff above all else
We want to have schools open if at all possible
We want to make the decision as early as possible
If at any time you feel it is unsafe to send your child or children to school, you may call in an excused absence.
Our commitment to academic excellence and personal growth will continue as we transition into 2025. The achievements and smiles we see in our classrooms, playgrounds and community are testaments to our collective effort to put students first. Whether it's through academics, arts, sports or community service, our Red Hawks are soaring!
As we approach the holiday season, let's celebrate the warmth, kindness and spirit of giving that define our community. Let's carry these values into the new year, supporting each other and striving for excellence. Thank you for being a vital part of our journey. Your involvement makes a world of difference in the lives of our students. Here's to a fantastic end to 2024 and an even brighter 2025!
With heartfelt gratitude and Red Hawk pride,
Scott B. Smith
Superintendent of Schools
Middle School Holiday Band Concert
7 p.m. in the High School Auditorium
Dec. 11 and 12
Home for the Holiday HS Band and Choir Concert
7 p.m. in the High School Auditorium
Friday, Dec. 13
Half Day for Students
Elementary Dismissal at 12:05 p.m.
Middle School Dismissal at 10:45 a.m.
High School Dismissal at 10:55 a.m.
Friday, Dec. 13
Cedar View and Beach Winter Choir Concert
6:30 p.m. in the High School Auditorium
Middle School Holiday Choir Concert
7 p.m. in the High School Auditorium
Dec. 20-Jan. 3
Winter Break - No School for Students
District Office will be closed Dec 24, 25 and 31, 2024 and Jan 1, 2025
This holiday season, Cedar Springs Public Schools invites you to join us in continuing a cherished tradition: Winter Wishes for Red Hawks. Since 1995, this program has brought joy and support to our students, honoring the legacy of Sandy Samsel, who devoted her life to making the holidays brighter for Red Hawks.
How You Can Help:
Your generosity ensures that every student feels the warmth and magic of the season. Here’s how you can make a difference:
- Select an item from our wish list – find specific items that students need and will enjoy!
Make a donation – even a few dollars can make a big impact.
Choose from our giving tree – pick a tag and fulfill a student’s holiday wish.
Sponsor a student or family – provide direct support to make the holidays magical for our Cedar Springs families.
Every Gift Counts!
Thanks to the generosity of Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial, every dollar you donate will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $2,500.
💵 $1 = $2
💯 $100 = $200
Together, we can reach our $5,000 goal and bring holiday joy to families in need within our community.
Join us in December for a series of joyful holiday performances by our talented band and choir students!
- Tuesday, Dec. 10: Middle School Holiday Band Concert, 7 p.m., HS Auditorium
- Wednesday, Dec. 11, and Thursday, Dec. 12: Home for the Holidays HS Band and Choir Concert, 7 p.m., HS Auditorium
- Friday, Dec. 13: Cedar View and Beach Winter Choir Concert, 6:30 p.m., HS Auditorium
- Tuesday, Dec. 17: Middle School Holiday Choir Concert, 7 p.m., HS Auditorium
All performances are free, and we encourage community members to join us in celebrating the sounds of the season. Let’s come together to support our incredible student musicians and enjoy the holiday spirit!
We invite all parents to participate in the School Climate Survey, now available digitally. Your feedback is vital as we shape FLIGHT Plan 2.0, our strategic road map for district priorities over the next three years.
Why Your Voice Matters:
Your insights help ensure we focus on the right things at the right times. All responses will remain anonymous and will only be reported as part of a group.
Parents should have received an email this morning with a link to the online Parent School Climate Survey. The survey takes just 5-10 minutes to complete and will remain open until December 18. If you have any questions or did not receive the survey email, please contact us at cspstogether@csredhawks.org.
Thank you for helping us grow and improve as we continue to focus on our students and their success. Your voice makes a difference!
Deciding whether to keep your child home from school can be challenging. To help prevent the spread of communicable diseases in our schools, here are some guidelines to consider:
Fever: Keep your child home if they have a temperature of 100.4°F or higher. In order to return to school your student should be fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.
Vomiting: Your child should stay home if they have vomited two or more times in the last 24 hours.
Diarrhea: Keep your child at home if they have experienced three or more episodes of diarrhea in the last 24 hours.
These simple guidelines ensure that your child recovers fully and helps prevent the spread of illness to other students and staff.
Looking for a meaningful way to honor your child's teacher? Consider making a donation to the Cedar Springs Education Foundation (CSEF)!
When you donate, the CSEF will send a certificate to the teacher stating that a gift was made in their name (the donation amount will not be included).
This thoughtful gift supports all students at Cedar Springs Public Schools by funding programs and innovations not covered by the regular school budget. It's a wonderful way to make an impact on education while showing your appreciation for a special teacher.
To make a donation:
Fill out the form below.
Mail or drop it off at the address provided.
For more information, visit our Facebook page or CSEF website. Thank you for helping to make a difference for our students!
The holiday season is often seen as a time of joy and wonder, but for many families, it can also bring added stress due to busy schedules, gatherings and changes in routines. Kids are especially sensitive to these disruptions and may show signs of stress, such as emotional withdrawal, headaches, nervous habits or tantrums.
Here are some tips to help reduce stress for your family during the holidays:
- Maintain Routines: Regular schedules, especially bedtime routines, help children feel safe and reduce anxiety.
- Set Priorities: It’s okay to say “no” to overscheduling and focus on traditions most meaningful to your family.
- Schedule Downtime: Make time for relaxation to allow kids and parents to recharge.
- Encourage Healthy Eating: Balance holiday treats with nutritious meals and snacks, and stay hydrated.
- Stay Active: Outdoor play, like sledding or building snow forts, can relieve stress and help kids sleep better.
- Have Fun Together: Enjoy shared activities like movies, decorating or playing in the snow to create joyful memories.
Read the full article from Pine Rest by clicking below.
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!
