⛵ Wrapping Up the 2024–25 School Year
This Friday marks the final workday for our Building Principals—thank you for your leadership throughout the year!
I often liken leading a school or district to captaining a ship: turning course takes time, planning, and collaboration. This year, our administrative team brought forward innovative ideas that have already begun to shift our trajectory in meaningful ways. Like a ship adjusting its heading, we now see a new horizon ahead. We’re not there yet—but it’s coming into view, and we’re moving toward it every day.
🏗️ Summer Facility Updates
We’ve got a packed summer ahead focused on improving our learning environments:
Classroom Moves
2nd Grade is moving to the Intermediate Building.
7th Grade is moving to the High School.
This will create space at the Elementary School for our new PreK program launching this fall.
Our custodians are working hard to deep-clean buildings and help move teacher materials.
Goal: All moves completed by the third week of July.
Gym Floor Renovation
Ahead of schedule—painting is underway!
🚫 Gym is OFF LIMITS for at least the next two weeks.
Track Replacement
Bidding soon; aiming for fall completion to avoid cost increases.
⚽ Fall soccer will be relocated due to construction.
Thunder Bay Expansion
Funded by a TB construction grant.
Expansion pushes into the parking lot area to create space for an additional Nurse Practitioner by 2025–26.
Tennis & Pickleball Courts
Renovation plans approved; bidding soon.
New tennis and pickleball courts to be completed this summer.
PreK Enrollment Now Open!
We’re excited to launch two PreK sections in Fall 2025 at the Elementary Building.
✅ 32 total seats – 25 already filled!
📝 Apply Now through COPESD:
🔗 PreK Application Portal
📘 K–6 Summer Jumpstart Academy
Dates: August 4–7 and August 11–14
This targeted intervention program supports students needing extra help in Math and ELA, based on assessment data.
📌 Priority students enrolled first; others may be invited as space allows.
📞 Contact for questions:
Grades 2–6: Ben Schley – schleyb@chebschools.com
Grades K–1: Deanna Duffton – dufftond@chebschools.com
📣 Teachers interested in working summer school should contact their building principal directly.
🎒 Kindergarten Camp
Dates: August 18–22
This beloved tradition eases incoming kindergartners into school with fun, learning, and confidence-building.
📞 Reserve a spot: Deanna Duffton at dufftond@chebschools.com
📅 June Calendar Highlights
June 25
MSU Extension Camp Meeting – 8:30 AM
Meeting with NCMC President – 9 AM
Chartwells Interviews - 1 PM
June 26
SL Zoom Meeting - 10 AM
June 27
Final Day of Credit Recovery
Last Workday for Building Principals
Cabinet Meeting at Mulligans – 1 PM
Lunch (on your own) – 12:30
Social – 3:00
➡️ Wishing you a restful, well-deserved July!
💬 Quote of the Week
“Effort is the route available to the Underdog. I may not be able to outspend you, but I can surely outwork you.”
— Malcolm Gladwell
Malcolm Gladwell is a bestselling author known for exploring the hidden forces behind success, behavior, and human interaction. He’s one of my favorite thinkers, and I highly recommend any of his books for your summer reading list:
📚 Recommended Reads:
The Tipping Point – How small things can create big change.
Blink – The science behind first impressions.
Outliers – What really leads to success (including the 10,000-Hour Rule).
David and Goliath – Rethinking what it means to be the underdog.
Talking to Strangers – Why we often misjudge those we don’t know.
🔹 If you read just one, David and Goliath is my top pick—it might just change how you see the world.
💙 Final Thoughts
Thank you for your continued support of Cheboygan Area Schools. As summer begins, I hope you find time to rest, reflect, and reconnect with what matters most. Stay safe, stay inspired, and stay involved.
Warm regards,
Spencer S. Byrd
Superintendent
Cheboygan Area Schools