Red Hawk Monthly
November 2024
Greetings!
November marks several key milestones in a school year. It is typically the time when the rate of learning is accelerating at a rapid pace. By now, our students and staff have found a healthy groove and are using it to fuel academic growth across the district. It is also a time when we continue to lift students who need extra support. We are working hard to provide as many targeted interventions as possible where needed.
This is also the transitional window between the fall and winter seasons. Changes in the weather, turning the clocks back, and less daylight can impact how students and staff feel. Curling up with a good book is a perfect way to spend time when the weather is not ideal for being outside.
On the construction front, November will be a significant month at Beach Elementary School and the High School. Crews at Beach are pumping concrete nonstop during the day to get the base floors in place. Next, they will install the metal decking and pour concrete for the second floor of the academic wing. Lastly, crews hope to beat the arrival of winter by installing the roof system before the end of December. We will also be breaking ground on a new weight room and multi-purpose space on the east end of the building. Progress made now will help us finish these projects by the opening day of the 2025-2026 school year.
November marks the beginning of the holiday season. With Thanksgiving close by, seasonal displays are starting to pop up and holiday music will soon be in the air. For Cedar Springs Public Schools, this is the perfect time to express gratitude for the many things for which we are thankful.
We are grateful for members of our staff and community who are veterans or active-duty members of the United States military. A spirit of putting others before self is at the core of each person who serves our country. This inspirational building block is the foundation upon which our education system is built. As educators, we must also embrace an “others before self” approach when working with our students and families.
We appreciate the ongoing improvements being made around our campus. The visible progress serves as a daily reminder of the support we are receiving from our community. Strong communities build strong schools, and strong schools build stronger communities. We have completed significant projects across our campus. Students, staff and guests in our buildings are reaping the benefits of our community’s investment in Cedar Springs Public Schools daily.
Lastly, we are thankful for the enduring spirits of our students, families and staff. Students are making measurable progress in the classroom and in their extracurricular activities. We have tremendous work to do between now and June 5, 2025, but we are excited about what we are seeing so far.
We can. We will. We are. TOGETHER!
With respect and gratitude,
Scott B. Smith, Superintendent
Monday, Nov. 4 - Thursday, Nov.14
Student Leadership Conference Food Drive at the Middle School
Nov. 7, 8 and 9
Fall Play: One Stoplight Town
Auditorium at 7 p.m. Purchase Tickets
Friday, Nov. 15
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.
Nov. 15-17
High School Choir Retreat at Camp Henry
Muffins with Math at Beach Elementary, 8-8:45 a.m.
Nov. 27-29
Thanksgiving Break (No School for Students)
District Offices Closed Nov. 28-29
We’re excited to present One Stoplight Town by Tracy Wells as our fall play! This heartwarming and humorous story takes place in a tiny town you might drive through without noticing, but if you pause, you’ll discover a world of connection. From a young couple falling in love, to a grocery store owner grappling with change, to a family dealing with the push and pull of home, each character brings their unique charm and story to life. Packed with laughter, emotion and the reminder that change comes for all of us, this play is a must-see!
Performances will be held on November 7, 8 and 9 at 7:00 PM. Tickets are $10. Don’t miss out on this touching and memorable performance!
We are excited to kick off our annual Winter Wishes for Red Hawks fundraiser! This heartwarming event brings our community together to support local families. Last year, we made the season brighter for over 90 families, and with your help, we can make this year even more magical!
There are so many ways to get involved—visit our winter wishes for Red Hawks website to see how you can donate funds, purchase items or select gifts from our community giving trees. Drop-off locations for new items are at the Early Childhood Office or Cedar Trails Elementary during regular hours.
Let’s come together and make this a season to remember!
In December, we’ll be asking students in grades 4-12, parents and staff to share their thoughts through our School Climate Survey. Your feedback will play a key role in shaping FLIGHT Plan 2.0, our roadmap for addressing district priorities over the next three years.
Your voice is crucial to ensuring we focus on the right things at the right times. Rest assured, all responses will be completely anonymous and reported collectively.
Parents, please watch for an email tomorrow, November 5, with instructions on how to opt out your student if desired. The survey for parents will open on Monday, December 2, and will remain available until Wednesday, December 18.
For any questions, please email cspstogether@csredhawks.org.
If your family is staying in any of the following situations due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason, we may be able to help:
- Someone else’s house or apartment
- A hotel or motel
- A shelter
- A car, park, campground or other inadequate space
Under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, your children have the right to extra services and support at school, such as:
- Staying in their current school with free transportation, even if you move
- Immediate enrollment without required documents
- Free school meals
- Early childhood services for younger children
- College readiness support for high school students
- Community referrals for additional help
To see if your child is eligible, please contact our homeless liaison:
Tina Tiethoff (tina.tiethoff@csredhawks.org)
(616) 696-0580
Mornings can be busy, and making sure kids eat a healthy breakfast isn’t always easy. That’s why the School Breakfast Program is a great option for families! A FREE breakfast is available to all students at school, helping kids start their day off right.
Research shows that students who eat breakfast perform better academically, are more alert in class, visit the school nurse less often and exhibit better behavior. If your mornings are hectic, let the School Breakfast Program help!
Breakfast Serving Times:
- Elementary Schools: 8:45 a.m. in the cafeteria
- Middle School: 7:15 a.m. in the cafeteria
- High School: 7:20 a.m. in the cafeteria
Video games can provide fun and learning for kids, but it’s important to find the right balance. While games can help with learning and social interaction, especially for children with ADHD, excessive screen time can lead to challenges like addiction and behavioral issues.
Here are some tips for parents:
- Limit game time: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than 1 hour per school day and 2 hours on non-school days.
- Set clear expectations: Establish rules about when and how long your child can play, and ensure chores or homework come first.
- Monitor content: Make sure the games are age-appropriate by playing or reviewing them yourself.
- Use positive reinforcement: Reward good behavior, like turning off the game without a fuss, with extra game time or special activities.
Read the full article from Pine Rest by clicking the link 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!
