Free Income Tax Preparation

KSSN has partnered with United Way and the Kent County Tax Coalition to provided free income tax preparation for the 2012 tax season.  Tax preparers will be available on Mondays from 4:00 – 7:00 beginning Feb. 6th through March 26th by appointment only.  To schedule an appointment you must call United Way’s 2-1-1 helpline or (616) 459-2255.  Please do not call the school to make your appointment.

Extended hours for applying for DHS Benefits.

Beginning February 6th you will be able to apply for DHS benefits on-line.  This service will be available on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 5:00pm – 8:00pm at Red Hawk elementary.  Assistance will be available.  This service will be available through May.  For more information contact Caroline Geist at 696-7330 ext. 6298

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITES

Schools of Hope – Become a volunteer reading tutor today! Volunteer with Schools of Hope in-school reading program. You can make a huge difference in the life of child; all you have to do is give 30 minutes of one-on-one tutoring every week to improve reading skills of first through third graders. One two-hour training session is required, all materials are provided. Cedar Springs training dates are February 7 from 6-8 or February 15 from 1-3. For more information please contact Caroline Geist at cgeist@hwmuw.org or call at 696-7330 ext. 6298.

En-gedi – an after school youth center designed for students in 6th- 12th grades.  It is housed in Red Hawk Elementary.  Volunteers are needed on a weekly basis during the hours of 2:30 – 5:00.  For more information call Craig Owens at 667-7773.

Cedar Springs Parent/Community P.A.S.E. Meeting

(Parent Advisors for Special Education)

What:      Parents of students with disabilities learning together about special education processes and services

When:     January 31, 2012
7:00p.m.-8:30 p.m.

Where:      Conference Room C
(upstairs at Hilltop)

Light refreshments provided

CEDAR SPRINGS PUBLIC SCHOOL CELEBRATES OUR SCHOOL BOARD LEADERS

January is School Board Recognition Month, and Cedar Springs Public Schools is joining 552 local and 57 intermediate school districts across the state to thank these community volunteers for their untiring dedication to public education.
Serving on a school board has been described as the toughest volunteer job in America.  Yet Michigan’s public school board members dedicate countless personal hours to attending meetings, school functions, and hours of preparation for the decisions they make. On top of that, many pursue their own professional development to stay on top of the ever-changing education landscape. School Board members are dedicated individuals who are committed to the continuing success of our schools and students.  We applaud them for their vision and voice to prepare today’s students to be tomorrow’s leaders.
Showing appreciation for the important work of school boards should be a year-round process, but too often we neglect to recognize the dedication and hard work of these men and women who represent us. This January, the staff and students of our district are asking all members of the community to take a moment and thank a school board member.

The men and women serving Cedar Springs Public Schools are:

Since its inception in 1986, the Cedar Springs Public Schools Foundation has raised over $2 million in contributions from individuals, organizations, and businesses to support quality education in Cedar Springs Public Schools.
The Cedar Springs Education Foundation is a nonprofit organization that is independent from the Cedar Springs Public Schools. The Foundation works in partnership with the school district to support educational programs that are above and beyond what the district could otherwise provide such as access to new technology as well as strengthening existing programs.
The Cedar Springs Education Foundation is looking for members to positively impact every student and enhance educational opportunities and instruction.  Anyone interested in learning more about the Cedar Springs Education Foundation and would like to get involved please contact Bill Tucker at 616-340-2839.
Thank you from Cedar Springs Education Foundation Board of Trustees:

Bill Tucker, President    Matt Shoffner, Trustee
Deb McIntyre, Secretary             Tom Noreen, Trustee
Elizabeth Marckini, Treasurer     Ben Kacprzyk, Trustee
Beth Blades, Trustee     Ron McDermed, Superintendent

Your support of the Foundation makes a difference in the lives of Cedar Springs Public Schools students.

Kent School Social Network has been very busy over the last few months.  In addition to providing counseling services to over 75 clients, we have been busy working on many other programs.  A wonderful service we will be offering to our community is FREE tax preparation.  VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) is a Community Partnership between United Way and the Kent County Tax Credit Coalition.  Tax preparers will be available on Mondays from 4:00 – 8:00 beginning Feb. 6th through March 26th by appointment only.  To schedule an appointment you must call United Way’s 2-1-1 helpline or (616) 459-2255.
Another United Way Program that will be offered for our students is Schools of Hope.  This program is for students grades 1-3 to practice and improve their reading skills.  There are two parts to this program.  The After-School Program is an intensive after school program for students that are a year or more behind in their reading.  Twenty-five students will be chosen to participate in this program by their teachers.
The In-School Tutoring Program is a volunteer based program.  Volunteers read with students for 30 minutes each week.  Volunteer training is provided.  If you are interested in volunteering for this program, please contact Caroline Geist at 696-1204 ext. 6298.
Community School Team
A Community School Team is a group of community members, businesses, parents, and school partners who meet on a regular basis throughout the school year.  The team works closely with the Community School Coordinator(s) to set priorities, plan activities, bring in new resources, and evaluate the community school.
The team helps connect the school with the community, act as a sounding board, sponsor and support school events and advocate for the school.
•    The team focuses on:
•    After school activities
•    Parent/Family involvement
•    Community involvement
Interested in learning more?
Our next meeting is Jan. 17, 2012
1:30 pm -3:00 pm in the library at Red Hawk Elementary.  Come join the team!!!
For more information about these programs or how to access any of KSSN’s services please contact: Jennifer Willette at 696-1204 ext. 6295 or Paul Cole at 696-7326.

Click here to download the Cedar Springs Public Schools 2011-2012 Winter Sports Schedules

Kind Hearts, Kind Hands at Trails On Thursday, October 21st, the Cedar Trails PTO held a “Fall Fun Night” where students came to school, dressed in their costumes, and took part in some trick or treating. As part of that night, members of the Cedar Trails staff put together some activities surrounding “Habits of Mind”(HOM). For one of the activities, all students AND their parents cut-out a “kind hand” representing HOM – Understanding and Empathy – to go on a wall in the motor room. Families also received a passport with further information about the habits and had those punched as they walked around the building. To culminate the evening, staff, students, and parents, helped to eat over 500 pieces of pizza in the cafeteria while watching a video about the “Red Hawk Kids Club” and “Habits of Mind.”

Morgan Nauta, a fifth grader at Cedar View Elementary, wanted to do something very special on her eleventh birthday. Morgan was turning eleven on 11/11/11. She used two Habits of Mind to develop her plan. She deeply understands how to treat others with respect and how to be creative, imaginative and innovative.
She decided to help the Veterans of the area by asking for donations for the gift shop opening soon at the Veterans’ Home in Grand Rapids. Morgan’s idea allowed her to gather eleven large rubber tubs (rather large ones) of goodies to donate to the cause.
Morgan had a special connection to the Veterans’ Home because both of her great grandfathers lived there at one point in their lives. Morgan, along with family members, delivered the tubs to the Veterans’ Home on November 21. The administration gave Morgan a beautiful plaque made to honor her efforts.
“I felt very happy to share all of the gifts with the Veterans’ Home. It was my best birthday ever. I think it better to give than receive,” said Morgan.
“It is really good to know Cedar View has such wonderful students who truly care about others,” remarked Mr. Mike Duffy, the school principal.

On Tuesday, November 22, nine students at Beach Elementary had the opportunity to have lunch with the Algoma Township Fire Department. All second and third grade students were asked to make a fire escape plan at home and then turn it in to their teacher. A drawing was held, for students who turned in their fire escape plan, to select students who would participate in the luncheon. A huge thank you to the firefighters for a great lunch!

The overarching theme this year at Cedar Trails is “Difference Makers.”  Students are receiving direct instruction about how they can make a positive difference at school. There are also assemblies during the year that allow classes to gather together and learn more about the “Habits of Mind.” The three habits supported at Trails this year are: managing impulsivity, understanding and empathy, and persistence. The students are learning the terminology and have hand motions to go with each of those habits.  Students who are being great role models with the habits are also selected as “Red Hawk Kids Club Winners” and are recognized bi-weekly on Friday.