We want to make families aware of an important update. Due to a federal funding lapse, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has been directed to temporarily pause the issuance of November SNAP (Food Assistance) benefits.

We understand this delay may create challenges for families who depend on these benefits for groceries and essentials. Please know our Red Hawk community cares deeply and is here to help. Below are local food and community assistance resources available to support families during this time.

Michigan 2-1-1
Dial 2-1-1 (available 24/7)
Connects individuals with local food pantries, meal programs, housing assistance, and other community services.

Feeding America West Michigan
Provides an up-to-date list of food pantries, mobile food distributions, and meal programs.

Hand2Hand
Provides meals and snacks for children on the weekend and extended school breaks, fill out the application here for K-8 Grades.

For high school support, contact Student Services Executive Assistant, Tina Tiethoff.

Lean On Me Outreach | 616-866-3999
Offers one-time food assistance to individuals and families in need.

North Kent Connect|616-866-3478
Visit North Kent Connect’s calendar online to view all food pantry events.

Safety is always our top priority at Cedar Springs Public Schools. Next week, from October 20–24, all CSPS buses will conduct school bus evacuation drills at a safe location on school property, weather permitting.

These annual drills are an important part of keeping our students safe. They help both drivers and students practice how to respond quickly and calmly in the unlikely event of a bus emergency.

Families should plan for minor delays during afternoon drop-offs throughout the week. If your student has a time-sensitive activity or appointment on one of these days, please consider arranging alternate transportation.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we complete these safety drills.

If you have any questions, please contact the Transportation Office at (616) 696-1450.

Thank you for partnering with us to keep every Red Hawk safe!

We are excited to share some wonderful news for our Red Hawk families! With the release of the newly approved state budget, Cedar Springs Public Schools will provide free breakfast and lunch to every student for the entire 2025–2026 school year.

This opportunity ensures that all learners can count on a nutritious start to their day and a healthy meal at lunchtime—fueling them for learning and success both inside and outside the classroom.

What Families Need to Know

• Free meals for all students – both breakfast and lunch are fully covered.
• À la carte items – snacks, drinks, and other extras will still be available for purchase. Students must have a positive account balance to charge these items.

We encourage families to take advantage of this program to support their child’s well-being and learning throughout the school year.

If you have any questions about food services, please contact our Food Service Director, Holly Haywood, at (616) 696-0372.

Together, we are proud to support every Red Hawk and keep them fueled for success!

Cedar Springs Public Schools is proud to celebrate Cedar Springs High School senior, Cameryn Hess, for earning a National Merit Scholar Letter of Commendation.

This prestigious honor is awarded to students who score in the top 3–5% nationwide on the PSAT/NMSQT. It highlights Cameryn’s outstanding academic promise and places her among the top scholars in the country.

Cameryn’s recognition is a reflection of her hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence in her learning journey. Her achievement not only celebrates her individual success but also serves as an inspiration to her classmates, teachers, and the entire Red Hawk community.

Cedar Springs Public Schools is proud to announce that Cedar Springs High School senior, Thomas Hilbert, has been named a Semifinalist in the 71st annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

This recognition is an extraordinary accomplishment. More than 1.3 million students entered the program nationwide, and only about 16,000 Semifinalists were selected. This honor represents less than 1% of U.S. high school seniors.

The National Merit Scholarship Program, established in 1955, was created to honor the nation’s top scholars and encourage the pursuit of academic excellence. Semifinalists are recognized for their exceptional academic achievement and their potential for success in rigorous college studies.

To advance to Finalist status, Thomas and other Semifinalists must complete a detailed scholarship application that includes academic records, leadership experience, school and community involvement, honors and awards, and an essay. They must also earn SAT or ACT scores that confirm their earlier performance on the qualifying test.

Finalists will then compete for three types of National Merit Scholarships:

• National Merit $2,500 Scholarships (2,500 awards nationwide)
• Corporate-Sponsored Merit Scholarships (approximately 830 awards from 150 companies and organizations)
• College-Sponsored Merit Scholarships (about 3,600 awards from 150 colleges and universities)

Winners of the 2026 National Merit Scholarships will be announced in four nationwide news releases beginning in April and concluding in July.

Thomas has shown an incredible level of dedication and academic excellence, and we are so proud to see his hard work recognized on a national level. This achievement reflects both his commitment and the support of our outstanding teachers and staff here at Cedar Springs.

Cedar Springs Public Schools congratulates Thomas on this impressive achievement and looks forward to following his journey as he advances in the competition.