Red Hawk Monthly

We are excited to share that FOUR student-created videos from Cedar Springs Public Schools have been named finalists by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters! These talented Red Hawks have demonstrated exceptional creativity, dedication, and hard work.

Check out their incredible projects:

• Documentary: DRIVEN - The Playoffs (Konor Shotko, Jordan Vu, and Levi Grifhorst)
• OK2Say PSA: Ian Vanderlugt
• PSA - Mental Health Minute: Spencer Snow and Vaughn Huerta
• PSA MASSP/MDHHS: Levi Grifhorst

Congratulations to these outstanding students for this amazing achievement! Let’s cheer them on as they proudly represent Cedar Springs!

Join us in celebrating our Cedar View Chorus as they perform the national anthem at the Grand Rapids Griffins game on Friday, March 14!

Date: March 14, 2025, at 7 p.m.

Location: Van Andel Arena

Purchase Tickets (Tickets benefit the Cedar View Chorus)

Support our talented students and enjoy a great night of hockey! Don’t miss this special performance!

We are proud to be a GOLD MiMTSS-Recognized District for our dedication to implementing a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) to meet the needs of all learners. This recognition highlights the hard work and commitment of our educators in ensuring that every student receives the support they need to succeed.

Michigan educators work tirelessly on behalf of learners, and the MiMTSS Recognition process shines a positive light on schools, districts, and ISDs that demonstrate strong outcomes or progress in using a multi-tiered framework. The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) prioritizes MTSS implementation, and this recognition is based on data from the MiMTSS Data System.

We are honored to receive this recognition and remain committed to supporting every learner at Cedar Springs!

Cedar Springs Middle School has a new leader making a big impact—River, the school’s first-ever therapy dog. More than just a friendly face, River is the inspiration behind The River Way, a new initiative encouraging students to treat others with kindness and respect.

Students who take the pledge commit to showing the same compassion that River brings to the school every day. In return, they receive incentives like stickers, Cedar Springs merchandise, and even time with River. The goal is to create a culture of kindness led by students, for students.

The River Way is already gaining momentum, with dozens of students taking the pledge. To learn more about this movement and its future in the district, read the full story at School News Network.

Mark your calendars for upcoming spring conferences in our district:

• Tuition Preschool: March 12
• Cedar Trails Elementary: March 10 and 12
• Beach Elementary: March 11 and 13
• Cedar View Elementary: March 10 and 13
• High School Success Conferences: March 19 and 20

More specific information will be communicated in building newsletters and emails. We look forward to connecting with families to support student success!

Note: Middle School Conferences were held February 10 and 12

Did you know booking district spaces is quick and easy with the Cedar Springs Public Schools FMX system? Every staff member has access to FMX to submit detailed requests—and as a parent, you can sign up as a community user too!

Need help using FMX? Check out the tutorial below! This step-by-step video explains how to:

• Request space reservations
• View room setups, capacities, and features
• Submit maintenance requests

Using FMX ensures your space is reserved and properly set up. Our operations team relies on this system to manage requests and allocate resources like caretakers and technology.

For urgent reservations (less than 24 hours in advance) or any questions, contact the operations team directly. By using FMX, you help keep CSPS spaces organized and ready for everyone!

We’re excited to announce that enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year is now open! If you have a child who will be joining our district next year, we encourage you to complete their enrollment online today.

For families with incoming kindergarten students, be sure to join us for our Young 5 and Kindergarten Parent Information Night on Thursday, March 27, from 6 to 7 p.m. at Cedar Trails. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about our programs and ask any questions you may have. We look forward to another great school year and continuing to work together!

As parents, we all face challenging conversations—whether it’s with a frustrated teacher, a tough conversation with another parent, or even a disagreement with our own child.

Here are some strategies to navigate challenging situations effectively:

• Keep Your Cool – Pause before responding to a frustrating email, comment, or conversation. A calm response is always more effective.
• Take the Higher Ground – Not every disagreement needs a reaction. Stay professional and focus on what truly matters.
• Be Proactive, Not Reactive – Gather facts before jumping to conclusions. Many conflicts stem from miscommunication or stress.
• Pick Your Battles – If an issue is minor, consider letting it go. Save your energy for situations that truly impact your child.
• Separate the Person From the Issue – Focus on solutions, not personal conflicts, when working with teachers or administrators.
• Put the Spotlight on Them – Ask constructive questions like, “What solution do you see?” to diffuse tension and refocus the conversation.
• Use Humor When Appropriate – A little lightheartedness (when appropriate) can ease tension and keep discussions positive.
• Lead the Conversation – Redirect negative discussions toward solutions. Instead of complaining, ask, “How can we fix this?”
• Confront Bullies Safely – Document aggressive behavior, involve the right people, and stand firm while ensuring safety.
• Set Consequences – Clearly communicate expectations and next steps to work toward positive outcomes for your child.

By using these strategies, we can foster a respectful and positive environment for our children and community.

We believe in starting the day off right and that includes a nutritious breakfast for all students.

Did you know children who eat breakfast are more likely to…

• Reach higher levels of achievement in reading and math

• Score higher on standardized tests

• Have better concentration and memory

• Be more alert and maintain a healthy weight

When the school week gets busy, it’s easy for students to rush out the door in the morning without having a nutritious meal. That’s why school breakfast is such a great option!

With constant news of crime, disasters, and global crises, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by negativity. Our brains are naturally wired to focus on threats, making it difficult to see the good happening around us. Research shows that consuming too much negative news can increase anxiety and pessimism, and can even impact mental health.

But there’s hope! By limiting visual news, being intentional about what we consume, and seeking positive stories, we can create a healthier balance.

Read the full article to learn how to manage negativity bias and become a smarter news consumer.

If you need support for any life concern, call today to utilize the FREE counseling sessions provided by the Red Hawks Care School Assistance Program. Call 800-442-0809 and press 1 to schedule an appointment.