Cheboygan Area Schools – Sunday Soup Newsletter
From the Desk of Spencer S. Byrd, Superintendent
Week of October 27, 2025 – Week 9
John Hattie – Monday, November 3
Next Monday, November 3, we will hold our annual COPESD Regional Professional Development Day at the Gaylord E-Free Church, just as we have in previous years.
We are thrilled to welcome Dr. John Hattie as our keynote speaker — an internationally recognized education researcher and author of Visible Learning. His groundbreaking research has transformed how educators worldwide understand student achievement and teacher impact.
Dr. Hattie is best known for:
Visible Learning (2008), a study analyzing more than 800 meta-analyses involving millions of students.
Promoting evidence-based education by identifying the strategies with the highest impact on learning.
Introducing key concepts such as:
Effect size as a measure of educational impact
The importance of teacher clarity, feedback, and student–teacher relationships
Encouraging educators to “see learning through the eyes of their students — and help students see themselves as their own teachers.”
To make the most of this exceptional learning opportunity, I encourage all staff to review some of Hattie’s work or research summaries in advance. We are truly fortunate to host one of the most influential voices in education.
Transportation Option – Bus Sign-Up: As in years past, we will provide a bus for anyone who prefers not to drive. It’s a great way to relax and connect with colleagues along the way. If you’d like to ride the bus, please contact Tammy Kage as soon as possible so we can confirm our numbers. With this year’s speaker, interest may be higher than usual, so early sign-up is appreciated!
October Is Principal Appreciation Month
If you haven’t had a chance to thank your building principals yet, please do so this week!
Our principals and assistant principals put in long hours to ensure their buildings run smoothly, providing the best learning environment for students and the best teaching conditions for staff. Please take a moment this week to say “thank you” for their leadership and dedication.
CAS Principal Team:
Marty Mix – High School Principal
Ben Wilson – Assistant High School Principal
Ben Schley – CIS Principal
Ashley Knaffle – CIS Assistant Principal
Deanna Duffton – Elementary Principal
Kris Jewell – Inverness Academy Principal
We are proud to have such a strong administrative team.
Career & Technical Education (CTE) Millage – November 4
A regional CTE millage will appear on the ballot on November 4. If approved, it will generate more than $4 million annually to support CTE programs across all ten districts in our region. This is a significant investment in both our students’ futures and the strength of our local workforce.
We’ve also received new CTE yard signs! If you’d like one for your home or business, please contact your building principal or the District Office.
Thank You, Judge Vizina
A special thank-you to Judge Vizina for partnering with me during our presentation at the MASB Conference this past Friday. Together, we shared the incredible opportunities available to students through our COMPASS program at Inverness Academy — a one-of-a-kind initiative in Michigan.
It was inspiring to see the audience’s engagement and interest, with many districts expressing a desire to replicate our model. The positive feedback and thoughtful questions reaffirmed that we are leading important work here in Cheboygan County.
Facility Project Updates
Track Replacement Project
Reconstruction is underway.
Estimated completion: October 31
Spring 2026: Practice use only (no scheduled meets).
Spring soccer games will proceed as planned.
Tennis & Pickleball Court Renovation
Asphalt work is complete.
Fence installation is in progress.
Spring 2026: Windscreens and landscaping to follow.
East Elementary Renovations
Strong turnout for the October 9 bid opening.
Seven bid packages will be reviewed and possibly approved by the Board of Education.
Construction is scheduled to begin in Spring 2026, with an estimated two-year timeline.
CIS Parent Pick-Up Staging Tent
The covered walkway project has been tabled until Spring 2026.
Design review is underway, pending BOE approval.
In the meantime, a temporary tent will be installed between the CIS building and the parent pick-up area.
Wrapping Up October
Oct. 27 – Cabinet Meeting @ 1:00 PM
Oct. 27 – Board of Education Meeting @ 6:30 PM
Oct. 28 – CTE Advisory Committee @ Drift Inn @ 5:30 PM
Oct. 28 – Rocket Interactive Board Zoom Meeting @ 1:50 PM
Oct. 29 – M&K @ ELE from 8:00 to 10:15
Oct. 29 – M&K @ HS from 10:30 to 2:30 (Math and ELA)
Oct. 30 – M&K @ CIS All Day
Oct. 30 – MTA Meeting Presentation @ 7:00 PM
Oct. 31 – End of 1st Marking Period (44 days completed)
Oct. 31 – Halloween
Quote of the Week
“It’s not about how much teaching happens in classrooms, but how much learning happens as a result of that teaching.”
—John Hattie
As always, thank you for your continued partnership and dedication to the success of Cheboygan Area Schools.
Spencer S. Byrd, Ed.S., CSBO, CAA
Superintendent
Cheboygan Area Schools