It may have looked a little different this year, but last Saturday’s Green Family & Friends pumpkin giveaway was just what the doctor ordered for families in Cedar Springs this fall.
The event, a drive-thru trunk or treat and pumpkin giveaway put on by the Cordell Green family and supported by partners from City Impact, Rise Up Church, and more, estimates at least 1,000 people attended.
The event was held from 2-6 p.m. in the Cedar Trails drop off/pick up area. About 300 cars entered from Northland Drive and on to Holton Drive (by Green Acres) and took turns driving through the drop off area. The area was set up with regular masked volunteers, and costumed volunteers who decorated their car trunks and served kiddoes in each car with all kinds of candy treats as they made their way around the circle. Kids saw all kinds of costumed characters, including sharks, spiderman, a dinosaur, and a gorilla who sometimes stole their candy!
Cordell Green estimated 300 cars drove through, and they gave out 850-900 trick or treat bags. They also gave out over 1,000 hot dogs, chips waters, cotton candy, and cookies. At the very end, each child also got a pumpkin.
“I’d like to thank all the volunteers and co-hosts,” said Green. “Without them, it wouldn’t happen.”
Kelley Bergsma, with City Impact, was also excited on how well the event turned out. “The event was fabulous!” she said. “So many families commented that it was an amazing idea for the times we are in. There was joy! (There was) a sense of community and love, so many smiles and fun creative trunk or treat stations, so much yummy food and pumpkins! What a day of fun and it was bumper to bumper almost the whole time. Families said it was well worth the wait. Once again, Cordell Green’s event blessed this red flannel town! It was fun to partner with so many people.”
Posted in Featured, NewsComments Off on Pumpkin giveaway hits the mark
For the past few weeks, numerous Kindergarten classes at Cedar Trails did a “Games for Tots” drive and collected over 100 games, which were dropped off here at the Cedar Springs Post this week. The following classes participated: Mrs. Bellamy, Ms. Birdsong, Mrs. Burns, Mrs. Dault, Mrs. Debri, Mrs. Matthew, Mrs. Schipper, and Mrs. Wolfe. Way to go Cedar Trails Kindergartners!
It’s not too late to drop off your toys! You can still drop them off here at the Post on Friday, December 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. We are located at 36 E. Maple Street. Our boxes will be picked up sometime during the day on Monday, December 18. Please bag your toys if possible.
From L to R: Carol Franz (Cedar View); Tricia Shenefield (Beach); Beth Whaley (Cedar Trails); and Miranda Latimer (Red Hawk). Courtesy photo.
Kids returned to school on Tuesday, September 5, and those in kindergarten through fifth grade were welcomed by new principals at each of the four elementary schools.
“Each of the principals come to us with great education and experience and will fit well with our dynamic team of students, families, staff and administration,” said Dr. Laura Vanduyn, Superintendent.
The school supplied the following information on each principal:
Our new Cedar Trails principal is Ms. Beth Whaley. Ms. Whaley comes to us as an experienced principal, most recently at an early childhood and Kindergarten center. Prior to that she served as Early Childhood Director and Specialist at the ISD and district level. She was a GSRP leader and Parents as Teachers assistant and teacher. Ms. Whaley comes to us with awards from both Michigan State and University of Michigan (Summa cum Laude at both as well as Magna cum Laude at MSU in her undergraduate work). Beth holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Michigan School Administrator Certificate.
Our new Beach principal is Ms. Tricia Shenefield. Ms. Shenefield comes to us as an experienced principal for many years in Grand Rapids Public Schools. Prior to that Ms. Shenefield was an assistant principal and a teacher. Ms. Shenefield shared in two interviews that she loves data. She has co-authored curriculum, served as a math teacher leader and implemented PLCs. Tricia and her staff are an accomplished team that had the highest ELA M-STEP proficiency among 13 K-5 schools in GRPS. Ms. Shenefield holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Michigan School Administrator Certificate.
Our new Cedar View principal is Ms. Carol Franz. Ms. Franz comes to us with several years experience as a 5th-8th grade school principal. Prior to that Ms. Franz was a Program Coordinator for 21st Century Programs, MTSS District Coach, Discipline Coordinator and teacher. Ms. Franz has been instrumental in implementing several initiatives such as PBIS, MiBLISI, and Response to Intervention. Ms. Franz has presented at the state level and has received many awards, such as the Make a Difference Award (student nominated) for several consecutive years. Ms. Franz holds a Bachelor’s degree (MSU highest honors), a Master’s degree in teaching, an Education Specialist degree in school administration, and Michigan School Administrator Certificate.
Our new Red Hawk principal is Ms. Miranda Latimer. Miranda is not new to CSPS as she is well known for being an outstanding teacher of our wonderful CSPS 4th and 5th graders for 15 years. However, she is new to Red Hawk and wilI certainly know many 6th graders as she had some of them in class! Ms. Latimer was the “Leader in Training” last year at Beach Elementary School. She was instrumental in working alongside a mentor, Dr. Barb Johnson, (a National Blue Ribbon School principal and a Michigan Top 10 Schools principal) with staff and students to implement the Reading Now Network (RNN). The RNN is a highly sought, research-based Michigan initiative that is effective in improving reading and literacy at the elementary level. Ms. Latimer proved her skills and talents as a leader in training and will now be a building principal. She will apply her many years of experience with the upper elementary level students to our focused and unique 6th-grade site. Ms. Latimer holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, a Master’s degree in Administration and Leadership, and Michigan School Administrator Certificate.
“Please join me in a warm Cedar Springs welcome to our principals,” said VanDuyn. “I know you’ll enjoy meeting them and working with them this year. I welcome you, in advance, to this school year; it’s going to be another great year!”
Summer Camp starts on June 12, 2017 and runs through August 31, 2017. We are closed the week of the 4th of July. There is a $20 registration fee for one child and a $35 registration fee for a family. If you register for the Summer Camp, your registration fee covers the next school year. Cost for Summer Camp is $27 a day or $125 for 5 days a week. Families can sign up for as many or as few days as needed. A sibling discount is available.
Registration packets are available at Cedar Trails or online at csredhawks.org and Campus Kids is under the Parents tab. Or you can call Campus Kids at (616)696-1716 or e-mail questions to campus.kids@csredhawks.org.
Summer Camp starts on June 12, 2017 and runs through August 31, 2017. We are closed the week of the 4th of July. There is a $20 registration fee for one child and a $35 registration fee for a family. If you register for the Summer Camp, your registration fee covers the next school year. Cost for Summer Camp is $27 a day or $125 for 5 days a week. Families can sign up for as many or as few days as needed. A sibling discount is available.
Registration packets are available at Cedar Trails or online at csredhawks.org and Campus Kids is under the Parents tab. Or you can call Campus Kids at (616)696-1716 or e-mail questions to campus.kids@csredhawks.org. Please register for Summer Camp by May 10, 2017.
Summer Camp starts on June 12, 2017 and runs through August 31, 2017. We are closed the week of the 4th of July. There is a $20 registration fee for one child and a $35 registration fee for a family. If you register for the Summer Camp, your registration fee covers the next school year. Cost for Summer Camp is $27 a day or $125 for 5 days a week. Families can sign up for as many or as few days as needed. A sibling discount is available.
Registration packets are available at Cedar Trails or online at csredhawks.org and Campus Kids is under the Parents tab. Or you can call Campus Kids at (616)696-1716 or e-mail questions to campus.kids@csredhawks.org. Please register for Summer Camp by May 10, 2017.
Beach Literacy Night was held on March 10 at the Middle School.
March is Reading Month and the PTO provided a special assembly called Reading Rocks. The kids had so much fun singing and dancing and being challenged to read more and more.
What a wonderful group of parent volunteers. The PTO from Cedar Trails has purchased an additional chromebook cart containing 36 mobile chromebooks, mice and headphones. Our students love them. Thank you for caring so much about their education. Cedar Trails PTO is the best!!!
Board of Education member, Shannon Vanderhyde, was a guest reader at Red Hawk during March is Reading Month.
Assistant Superintendent, Jo Spry, was a guest reader during March is Reading Month.
Board of Education member, Michelle Bayink, reads to students at Red Hawk during March is Reading Month.
Campus Kids has really grown in size over the past 2 years! Since the start of the school year, we have served 212 students! Our Pre-schoolers through 1st grade students attend our Cedar Trails location, while our 2nd through 5th graders attend at Beach location. This number includes students who come in the mornings, afternoons, and all day care when school is closed. The staff has done a great job of getting to know each child and of offering programming that they enjoy. In the mornings, the children can work on a craft, go to the gym, watch a movie, or play a game with a friend. The afternoon session offers time to play outside or in the gym, homework time, computer time, or crafts. Parents really like it when their child finishes his/her homework or reading while at Campus Kids.
Our all day programming occurs on days when school is closed; i.e., Mid-Winter Break, Spring Break, Christmas Break, etc. On these days, the children spend a lot of time outside enjoying the Michigan climate (weather permitting!) by sledding, building snowmen or forts, playing on the outdoor equipment, cooking snacks, playing gym games, competing in games for prizes, crafting, and reading or playing on the computers. There is a small time frame in the morning and in the afternoon for electronic use. The staff really keeps the children busy and engaged with their peers throughout the day. We are currently gearing up for our Summer Camp session. Campus Kids Summer Camp will be held at Cedar Trails. The children are divided by age group – 3 to 7 year olds and 8 to 12 year olds. This way we can plan age appropriate activities and outings. Summer Camp starts on June 12, 2017 and runs through August 31, 2017. We are closed the week of the 4th of July. There is a $20 registration fee for one child and a $35 registration fee for a family. If you register for the Summer Camp, your registration fee covers the next school year. Cost for Summer Camp is $27 a day or $125 for 5 days a week. Families can sign up for as many or as few days as needed. A sibling discount is available. Tuition payments are due a month in advance and payment is expected for the number of days registered for. No refunds are issued for missed days. Field trip costs are extra. Drop-In rates are available but your child needs to be registered and please call in advance to check availability. Programming for Summer Camp includes many field trips to various fun and educational spots around the area. Last summer we offered 34 field trips and plan to offer even more this year!! Some examples of field trips last summer included: bowling, roller skating, Paris Park Fish Hatchery, berry picking, Rockfit Ninja gym, zoo, swimming, Whitecaps Baseball game, parks, movies, Howard Christensen Nature Center, NorthStar gymnastics, splashpad, Boulder Creek Wild Animal Park, etc. Other fun activities included contests, crafts, gardening, community service, Zumba, reading and relaxing, free time, outdoor play, etc. We also employ some teachers for the summer, so tutoring assistance is available for those desiring it. Registration packets are available at Cedar Trails or online at csredhawks.org and Campus Kids is under the Parents tab. Or you can call Campus Kids at (616)696-1716 or e-mail questions to campus.kids@csredhawks.org. Please register for Summer Camp by May 10, 2017.
To Mr. Ringler’s Machining Woods class for making 4 mini picnic tables for a new play area at Cedar Trails! Also thank you to the CS Education Foundation for funding the $5000 grant to cover the cost of completion of the project which will include a sand play area, sidewalks for hopscotch and basketball, and a shed to store new outside toys!
The Post has been collecting Toys for Tots over the last few weeks, and it has been a rousing success! It got even better this week when two teachers from Cedar Trails—Rhonda Bellamy and Audrey Debri—stopped by to drop off 75-plus toys and games that the Cedar Trails kindergarten classes collected! About six classes participated. The teachers said they aimed for games, something that older kids would like, because those types of toys are always sorely needed. It’s so awesome that they had younger kids actually donating to help older kids have something to play with, too!
The Post thanks the Cedar Trails teachers, students, and parents, and all of the members of the community that donated, from the bottom of our hearts! Your gifts of love will help make Christmas a happier time for many families this year!
Posted in NewsComments Off on Toys for Tots a big success
POST SCRIPTS NOTICE: The Cedar Springs Post welcomes letters of up to 350 words. The subject should be relevant to local readers, and the editor reserves the right to reject letters or edit for clarity, length, good taste, accuracy, and liability concerns. All submissions MUST be accompanied by full name, mailing address and daytime phone number. We use this information to verify the letter’s authenticity. We do not print anonymous letters, or acknowledge letters we do not use. Writers are limited to one letter per month. Email to news@cedarspringspost.com, or send to PostScripts, Cedar Springs Post, PO Box 370, Cedar Springs, MI 49319.
I am truly saddened and disheartened by the actions of some of our community members. The way that some behave and tear others down is just wrong. I remember when my kiddos were at Cedar Trails they use to sing a song about welcoming people to Cedar Springs and how people with all different backgrounds were welcome here. I wish our community would follow in the footsteps of that song.
How horrible it is that someone comes to our town looking to put down roots, but before they’re even able to get a toe in the water there are people trying to push them out. Constantly being criticized for doing the job they were hired to do. The way our superintendent has been treated makes me sick. How would you feel if you put your all into something you believed in, working tirelessly and accomplished amazing things, bringing our district many, many positive changes and programs that it had been in desperate need of, but yet, you constantly had to be on guard and defend yourself because some people want you gone? The same people who were upset you got the job in the first place. Now they’re not only attacking you, they’re attacking your husband; a man who spends countless hours volunteering for the school and Red Flannel. I’ve heard it said that people don’t know how it is possible that he’s now the Red Flannel President. I can only imagine it’s because of the countless volunteer hours he’s put in for the festival and he’s earned his place.
It really makes me sad that we live in a place that does not give people a chance and does not accept everyone as equals. I can’t even begin to list all the positive things that have happened in our district in the past two years, things that directly affect our kids. I pray people take a step back and think of how they’re treating others and the message it’s sending to all of our kids. It is high time we let the past be the past and move forward together in the positive direction the district is now heading.
Meetings at Cedar Springs City Hall on June 8, at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Have you ever noticed problems on the White Pine Trail you wish someone would report? Would you like to help trail users who have questions? The Kent County Sheriff Department Community Services Unit is looking for people to be part of their Volunteer Trail Patrol program.
Volunteers patrol trails in Kent County, reporting problems that need to be addressed and assisting trail users.
The Kent County Sheriff Department will hold two meetings at Cedar Springs City Hall, on Wednesday, June 8, at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., for those interested.
Volunteers wear a vest issued from the Sheriff Department that identifies them as a trail volunteer. They work a minimum of two hours each week, but can set their own schedule. They can walk, ride a bike, or use in-line skates on the trail.
Volunteers must be 18 or older, be friendly, and have transportation to and from the trail.
For more information, call Sandi Jones at 616-632-6221.
Posted in NewsComments Off on Trail patrol volunteers needed
