April 9, 2017

Alixan Spaulding, of Cedar Springs, and Nathan Minnema, of Grand Rapids, would like to announce the birth of their daughter, Willow Rayne Minnema. Born on April 9, 2017 at Spectrum United Hospital in Greenville, she weighed 6 lbs. 12 oz. and was 20.5 inches long. Willow was welcomed into the world by her big brother Mac and sister Alanna Miller; her grandparents, Joe & Connie Warren of Comstock Park, Jerry & Michelle Edmonds of Dalhart Texas, and Gordon Chapman of Ionia.

It’s that time of year again, when kids can’t wait to mail their letters to Santa! To help parents out, the Cedar Springs Post has set up a special North Pole drop box. Every year dozens of kids use our special box for express delivery to the North Pole, and we make sure Santa reads each and every one! So, if you’d like to send a letter to Santa, and maybe get it printed in the newspaper, just drop off your letter in the bright red box labeled “Santa Mail” (by Monday, December 21st to ensure it reaches Santa in time) outside our office at 36 E. Maple Street, or mail your letter to: Letters to Santa, c/o the Cedar Springs Post, PO Box 370, Cedar Springs, MI 49319.

DEAr sANtA

I WOULD LiKE

A MErMAiD

GAME A SCOOtEr

A EASY BAKE OVEN

A LEAP PAD

A SPELLinG GAME

A PErFECtiOn GAME

I WiLL BE GOOD

LOVE

Alexis

Dear Santa,

All I want for Christmas is:

Cars,

Trucks,

Trains,

Mega Blocks,

Board books by Eric Carle,

Board books by SAndra Boynton,

A Toy box,

bath toys,

and a new fedora.

Love,

Zeke Miles, age 23 months

p.s. my mom wants Season 3 of Supernatural.

From: Alanna

to: Santa Claws

North Pole

My Christmas List

• Hellow Kitty lip balm Set

• Shopkins Ultimate manicure Set

• Make it Your Own lip balm Set

• Radio

• full linzyStriling album

• FriendShip 2 Part necklius

• Dive Detective Kit

• Scrach art Pets

• Pet Jet lPS

• MIP StarPowe DYiry

• SpaKle & Glow crystals

• Deluxe Detectiv briefcase

• CryPlex

• Christmas Nailart

Alanna Miller

age 7,

Cedar Springs

On the first day of school, Alanna Miller was excited to be in kindergarten at Cedar Trails Elementary.

By Judy Reed

School started back up in Cedar Springs this week, and according to Cedar Springs Assistant Superintendent David Cairy, they are off to a great start.

“Talking to parents, staff and students, everyone is excited to be back and looking forward to a great year,” he said.

He noted that with 3,400 kids, there are bound to be a few glitches the first day or two, but that the community and staff work together to make it work.

Some changes this year that parents may notice include new principals at three of the buildings:

Alternative education – Stacy Jeanette, Director of Student Services, took on being principal for New Beginnings. Former principal Dave Schlump retired.

Beach – Ken See, formerly an assistant principal at the high school, is now principal at Beach Elementary. Former principal Jane Hendricksen retired.

Red Hawk Elementary – April Stevens, formerly at the high school, is now principal at Red Hawk Elementary. Anne Kostus has moved to the high school, as director of academic services.

“Anne will help us increase our focus on student achievement at the high school level,” explained Cairy.

Another change parents will notice is that the high school revamped their parking lot over the summer. The loop that is the drop off and pick up has eliminated parking spots, and buses are now picking up and dropping off kids in the bus area only to the west of the school. The parking lot on the other side of the dropoff has also been expanded, and a new access drive installed to relieve traffic congestion. Cairy said that it is working really well.

He said that next summer they will renovate the Cedar Trails parking lot as well. “We’ve grown dramatically in the early childhood center,” noted Cairy. “We have our biggest class ever in kindergarten—350. We have 280 in first grade, and about 260 in second,” he explained. “We are glad that a lot of families are choosing us for education, but this parking lot was not built for that amount of traffic.”

They will be working on plans for the lot throughout the school year.