Dear Cheboygan Area Schools Community,
Good Sunday Evening,
I'd like to begin with a sincere thank you to our incredible custodial and maintenance teams. Their hard work is evident every day as they prepare our buildings for the 2025–26 school year. From deep cleaning and painting to moving furniture, they are making key transitions possible. As part of our building reorganization:
2nd Grade will move to the Intermediate School
7th Grade will move to the High School
PreK will be introduced at the Elementary School
We are especially excited to launch our new PreK program, with two sections serving up to 32 students this fall. Based on demand, we hope to expand to four sections by the 2026–27 school year. This is an important step forward in supporting early childhood education in our community.
MSU Extension Morning Camp Begins TOMORROW! (Grades 6–8)
Dates: July 14–17
Time: 8:00 AM–12:00 PM
Location: High School Home Economics Room
Capacity: 25 Students
The front doors of the high school will open at 7:45 AM. Free breakfast will be served in the cafeteria from 7:45 to 8:30 AM. The class will be held in the Home Economics classroom from 8:30 AM to noon. Students will participate in a hands-on camp focused on nutrition education and essential life skills, including:
MyPlate nutrition and label reading
Portion control and food safety
Identifying healthy foods and hidden sugars
Making healthy snack choices
The camp will also feature mindfulness and emotional development activities such as calming jar creation, nature scavenger hunts, self-portraits, and caring for younger children.
Summer Facility Updates
Several key projects are underway this summer:
Classroom Relocations: 2nd to Intermediate, 7th to High School, PreK to Elementary – to be completed by August 1
Gym Floor Repainting: Completed—and it looks beautiful!
Track Replacement Project: Bids being considered this week
Thunder Bay Expansion: Grant-funded addition will extend into the parking lot and provide space for an additional nurse practitioner in 2025–26
New Tennis and Pickleball Courts: Bids currently under review
Dots in HS Courtyard: Painted dark brown last week—will be used as an outdoor learning lab this school year
PreK Enrollment Now Open
We are accepting applications for our new PreK program.
Total Seats: 32
Seats Filled: 28
Only 4 Spots Remain!
To apply, please visit the COPESD PreK Portal:
https://miearlychildhood.org/index.php?county=16&p=3
K–6 Summer Jumpstart Academy
Dates: August 4–7 and August 11–14
This program offers targeted academic support in math and English, tailored to student assessment data.
Contact for Enrollment:
Grades K–1: Deanna Duffton – dufftond@chebschools.com
Grades 2–6: Ben Schley – schleyb@chebschools.com
Kindergarten Camp
Dates: August 18–22
Kindergarten Camp helps incoming students transition smoothly into school, with a focus on confidence, connection, and comfort.
To register, please contact:
Deanna Duffton – dufftond@chebschools.com
District AI Team Launch (2025–26)
We’re excited to introduce our new District AI Team, with representatives from each building. In partnership with COPESD and nearby districts, the team will explore meaningful applications of AI in education.
Meeting Schedule:
August 14: Kickoff Meeting (In-Person)
November 13: Final Review Session (In-Person)
Virtual collaboration will occur between sessions, with findings shared during our winter professional development day.
Important Dates – July 2025
July 14–17: MSU Extension Camp – 8:00 AM to Noon – HS Home Economics Room – Grades 6–8
July 15: Board Policy Review Meeting – 10:00 AM
July 16: STEM Career Exploration Media Day (Onaway) – 1:00 PM
July 17: Athletic Committee Meeting – 6:30 PM
Hall of Fame Inductees
New Touch Screen System Discussion
Athletic Code of Conduct Review
July 22:
Curriculum Committee – 8:30 AM
Finance Committee – 10:00 AM
July 23: East Elementary Design Review (Zoom – 95% Completion)
July 24: Safety Committee Tour – Intermediate School
July 28:
Cabinet Meeting – 1:00 PM
Board of Education Meeting – 6:30 PM
Important Dates – August 2025
August 4:
Summer Jumpstart Academy Begins
Cabinet Meeting – 1:00 PM (Lunch at 12:30)
Building Updates and Attendance Goals
August 5: Custodial Appreciation Cookout – 12:00 PM (HS Courtyard)
August 6–7: COPESD Superintendent Retreat
August 7: Community Service – Kids Day at the Fair – 10:00 AM
August 11:
Principal Meeting – 10:00 AM
Jumpstart Academy – Week 2
All Fall Athletics Begin
August 14:
AI CAS Team Training – 9:00 AM
Athletic Committee Meeting – 6:30 PM
August 16: Football Black & Orange Scrimmage – 10:15 AM
August 19:
Curriculum Committee Meeting – 8:30 AM
Finance Committee Meeting – 10:00 AM
August 24: Cabinet Meeting – 1:00 PM
August 25:
BOE Meeting – 6:30 PM
New Teacher Orientation (Facilitated by Deanna)
August 26: District Welcome Back – Intermediate Cafeteria
Breakfast – 7:30 AM
Program – 8:15 AM
Return to Buildings – 11:30 AM
August 27: Teacher Professional Development Day
August 28–29: Teachers Off – Enjoy the LONG weekend!
Quote of the Month
“The battles that count aren’t the ones for gold medals. The struggles within yourself—the invisible battles inside all of us—that’s where it’s at.”
— Jesse Owens
Jesse Owens is remembered for his extraordinary performance at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, where he earned four gold medals in:
100 meters
200 meters
Long jump
4x100 meter relay
Competing in Nazi Germany, Owens shattered Hitler’s myth of Aryan supremacy. His achievements stand as a timeless testament to excellence, dignity, and courage.
Wishing you continued rest, productivity, and summer fun.
Spencer S. Byrd
Superintendent, Cheboygan Area Schools