Photo by K. Alvesteffer/R. Lalone

CSHS Valedictorian, Tara Tepin

CTA graduates. Courtesy photo.

Congratulations Class of 2017

Hundreds of students stepped out into a brand new world over the last couple of weeks as they graduated high school and now celebrate what lies ahead. Here in our area, students graduated from Cedar Springs High School, New Beginnings High School, Creative Technologies Academy, Algoma Christian School, and Tri County High School.

To see photos of all the top honors students in our area and class photos, click link to download our keepsake 2017 graduation feature.

Also, Cedar Springs Public Schools has several people retiring this year: Dave Swanson, Larry Reyburn, Cindy Barnard, Mark Schumann, Jerry Gavin, Mike Duffy, Steve Banagis, and Louise Amash. A big thank you to each one of you for your years of service to Cedar Springs kids!

Jen Cook, Tricia Boggiano and Mike Duffy were interviewed on the Shelley Irwin GVSU radio show on December 15. They shared the story of Responsive Classroom journey Cedar Springs has been on for the past two years.

Mike Duffy, Cedar Trails Co-Principal

As educators we are responsible for teaching students all of the core content with rigor and relevance each and every day.  Along with this awesome task helping our student to become responsible citizens is a definite must. The Cedar Springs district believes that the Habits of Mind is the foundation upon which learning is built. It is taught through a combination of classroom lessons, teacher and student discussion, student self-reflection and regular presentations by both students and staff.

Each day during the morning announcements the principal shares their thoughts on the Habits of Mind. Many times individuals and whole classrooms are recognized for using good Habits of Mind. Students will also be sharing their own use on the announcements starting in October.

The three Habits that Cedar Trails works on are Empathy, Persistence and Impulsivity. Each of these Habits has a short little chant that describes the correct behavior associated with each Habit.

If you ever have a chance to talk to a Cedar Trails student, please ask them about 1. Kind hands, kind hearts and listening ears or 2. I can do it if I stick to it or 3. Stop, think, I make good choices.

Many classrooms performed 75 good works (kind hands and kind hearts) to honor Red Flannel Days’ 75 anniversary.