Superintendent's Update

November 2023

Greetings!

November marks several key milestones in a school year. It is typically the time when the rate of learning is accelerating at a rapid pace. By now, our students and staff have found a healthy groove and are using it to fuel academic growth across the district. It is also a time when we continue to lift up students who need extra support. We are working hard to provide as many targeted interventions as possible where needed.

This is also the transitional window between the fall and winter seasons. Changes in the weather, turning the clocks back, and a reduction in the amount of daylight can impact both students and staff. Curling up with a good book is a perfect way to spend time when the weather is not ideal for being outside.

Lastly, November marks the beginning of the holiday season. With Thanksgiving a week away, seasonal displays are starting to pop up and holiday music will soon be in the air. For Cedar Springs Public Schools, this is the perfect time to express gratitude for the many things for which we are thankful.

We are grateful for members of our staff and community who are veterans or active-duty members of the United States military. A spirit of putting others before self is at the core of each person who serves our country. This inspirational building block is the foundation upon which our education system is built. As educators, we must also embrace an “others before self” approach when working with our students and families.

We appreciate the ongoing improvements being made around our campus. The visible progress serves as a daily reminder of the support we are receiving from our community. Strong communities build strong schools and strong schools build stronger communities. We have completed significant projects across our campus. Students, staff, and guests in our buildings are reaping the benefits of our community’s investment in Cedar Springs Public Schools daily.

Lastly, we are thankful for the enduring spirits of our students, families, and staff. Students are making measurable progress in the classroom and in their extracurricular activities. We have a tremendous amount of work to do between now and June 6, 2024, but we are excited about what we are seeing so far.

We can! We will! We are TOGETHER as RED HAWKS!

With respect and gratitude,

Scott B. Smith, Superintendent