The Cedar Springs Post got to go on its very first senior class trip last week! The 2013 Creative Technologies senior class took the Post with them when they went to Frankenmuth, Michigan, on May 16 and 17. Thanks for taking us with you!

If you are traveling, take along a Post and snap a photo of you with it, then email it to us with some info and your contact info to news@cedarspringspost.com.

Students at Cedar Springs High School experienced a glimpse into their future on Friday, April 12 with the Life Unplugged Program that was sponsored by the Cedar Springs Kent ISD WIA Career Club that meets at the High School on a weekly basis. The WIA Career Club students had experienced Life Unplugged last year at Kent ISD with students from thirteen other Kent ISD WIA groups from area high schools and wanted to share it with their classmates at Cedar Springs High School. It has been a service project for them where they have gained leadership skills, learned how to contact volunteers, and organize a large event.

Life Unplugged is an educational, financial literacy program that gives students a chance to participate in hands on exercises to determine their most important values, identify their ideal careers, living within a monthly budget and work through critical career choices. Volunteers manned each station simulating a month in the life of the students who were each transformed into a “25 year old” for the program. All choices and decisions had to accommodate their family, career, and lifestyle as they “spent” their monthly paycheck.  Student comments included “I didn’t know it cost so much” and I guess I had better pick a career that will support what I want to do.”

Congratulations to all members of the Cedar Springs High School Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble on earning 1’s at State Band Festival on April 25.

It takes teamwork on many levels to allow our students the success they enjoy. On behalf of the band program, we would like to say thank you!

Sincerely,

Adam Borst and Adam Hendry

Tired of hanging on to old electronics or printers? Have a collection of old gaming systems you need to get rid of? Maybe a broken microwave or your old land-line phone?

Well, you can recycle those items and many more–for free!

Bring these items and other electronics and batteries to the Comprenew trailer for a Cedar Springs High School Travel Group Fundraiser.

The Comprenew recycle trailer will be in the High School West parking lot on May 28 – 30.

Have questions, please contact Kim Olsen @ 616-696-1200 or kim.olsen@csredhawks.org.

Cedar Springs Public Schools announces the sponsorship of the Summer Food Service Program for Children.  Free meals will be made available to children 18 years of age and under or persons up to age 26 who are enrolled in an educational program for the mentally or physically disabled that is recognized by a State or local public educational agency.  The meals will be provided without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service.  Meals will be provided at the site listed below:

Red Hawk Elementary School

204 E. Muskegon St

Cedar Springs, MI 49319

Monday through Friday – June 12^th to August 21^st, 2013

Breakfast served 8:00 to 9:00

Lunch served 11:00 to 12:30

Cedar Springs Public Schools Campus will be closed July 1 – July 5th 2013

***************************************************************************************

In accordance with Federal Law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call toll free (866) 632-9992 (Voice).  Individuals who are hearing impaired or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339; or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish).   USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

May 10 Early Release Day

May 13 Board of Education Regular Meeting    @Hilltop Community Building 6:45pm

May 14 Cedar View Chorus Performance @ HS Auditorium 6:30pm

May 16 Spring Choral Coffee House Performance @ HS Auditorium Doors open at 6:00pm Performances begin at 7:00pm

May 23 New Beginnings Graduation Ceremony @ Red Hawk Elementary 7:00pm

May 24 No School for Students

May 27 Memorial Day Break

May 30 Cedar Springs High School Graduation Ceremony  @ Red Hawk Stadium (weather permitting) 7:00pm

June 6 Last Day for Students

May 17: Seniors Last Full Day

May 19:  Baccalaureate 6:00pm @ CSHS Auditorium

May 22: Cap and Gowns will be distributed at 2:30pm meeting in Auditorium

May 29: Highest Honors Brunch (invitation only)

May 29: Seniors Honors convocation/Athletic Awards @ 7:00pm

May 30: Senior Breakfast/Graduation Practice 8:00am – 10:30pm

May 30: Graduation 7:00pm @ Red Hawk Stadium (weather permitting)

May 31 – June 7: Graduates pick up your diplomas (see Mrs. Morrow – none will be mailed)

CTA held its annual Family Night on Monday, April 22. Middle school students held a bake sale with games and activities mixed with delicious desserts. Grades K-5 had a variety of projects and activities on display. The Kindergarten space ship was a big attraction. 1st grade displayed their seed growing science project. 2nd graders focused on their reading activities while the 3rd graders were proud of all the things they could make out of recycled or discarded items. Ms. Burton’s 4th graders gave their annual tour of world foods and cultures (passport required) and Mr. Kenemer’s 5th graders presented their annual wax museum.

CTA held its 5th Town Hall Meeting on Monday, April 22 as a part of Family Night activities. It was the most attended Town Hall Meeting since School Leader Dan George initiated the practice in April, 2011.

The meeting began with Mr. George celebrating the good news of CTA’s academic achievements for the year. Other highlights of the evening included:

Dean of Students, David Oldebekking reviewed important end of year dates and activities.

Elementary teachers Lauren Huston and Hannah Barrett reported on K-3 technology initiatives for 2013-14.

Assistant Principal, Carrie Paddock discussed curriculum initiatives for 2013-14.

Mr. George reported plans to have more specials and electives available for 2013-14 and introduced representatives from the YMCA who discussed the after school care initiative for next school year.

Mr. Oldebekking outlined enrollment and marketing plans for next year and distributed handbooks for parents of sophomores and juniors to help them prepare for college.

The evening ended with a question and answer period. CTA thanks all of the families who turned out for the meeting. Your participation is greatly valued!

CTA inducted 14 new members into the CTA chapter of the National Honor Society on Wednesday, April 24. 12 existing members will be graduating in May. Social Studies teacher, Mr. Benjamin Watson is the faculty advisor for NHS. The entire membership list includes: Seniors – Austin Armstrong, Naomi Colburn, Esther Hubbard, Travis Johnson, Skyler Ingersoll, Sage Patchett, Grace VanEnk, Andre Winters, Jeremiah Wortz, Timothy Holmberg, Caitlin Marek, Ashley Marek; Juniors – Dani George, Maria Huizinga, Katie Tow, Michaela Smith, Alicia Beck, Justin Mead, Erin Munger; Sophomores – Emma Bishop, Matthew Wheaton, Hunter George, Dylan Yarrington, Grace Price, Hannah Hubbard, Jonathan Hoops, Rachelle Temple, Derek Winters, Kaitlyn Larsen, Olivia Wortz, Kaylynn Botruff, Brianna Bricker.

As you may have read last month in the Post, CTA’s elementary had a reading contest during the month of March. The first goal was to read 600 books by the end of the month. However, we blew that goal away by March 20th; on that day, we had read over 800 books. Nice Job, CTA Elementary! As a group we decided to push that goal up to 1,000 books by March 27th.  That meant that students had to read over 200 books in a single week. WOW! That was quite a feat, but no one was surprised! The students of CTA Elementary are known for rising to meet the challenges set before them. By the morning of March 27th, the leaves had been counted and we had a total of 1,193! CTA Elementary read 1,193 books during the March is Reading Month initiative. We accomplished not just one goal but two! WOW! We are so proud of all of our K-5 students!

To top off Reading Month, CTA had a visit from our State Representative, Mr. Rob Verheulen, who read to each class in K-5. Thank you, Mr. Verheulen!