Cheboygan Area Schools – Sunday Soup Newsletter
Week of December 8, 2025 – 10 more School Days until Winter Break!
Cheboygan High School Gym to Be Named After Longtime Coach Scott Hancock
We are excited to announce that the gym floor at Cheboygan Area High School will be officially named in honor of Coach Scott Hancock on Tuesday, December 9, 2025. This special dedication recognizes Coach Hancock’s 50 years of outstanding service to our students and athletic programs.
Coach Hancock’s dedication has left a lasting impact on generations of student-athletes, and this naming is a way for the community and school district to publicly honor his decades of leadership, mentorship, and commitment. We encourage staff, students, alumni, and community members to join us in celebrating this milestone and showing appreciation for a true Cheboygan legend.
Go Chiefs!
10 more School Days until Winter Break… Ho, Ho, Ho
· 8 – NMSLA Meeting @ 1:00 PM
· 9 – Finance Committee Meeting @ 10:00 AM
· 9 – Negotiation Team Meeting @ 11:30 AM
· 9 – GSRP Budget Meeting @ 1:00 PM (with Deanna)
· 9 – Policy Committee Meeting @ 2:00 PM (Cancelled)
· 9 – Curriculum Committee Meeting @ 3:45 PM
· 9 – HS Gym Floor Dedication – Scott Hancock – After JV Game
· 10 – HS Student Hearing @ 9:00 AM (BR)
· 10 – Meeting with BOE Member @ 9:30 AM (BR)
· 10 – CIS Staff Meeting in the Library @ 3:15 PM
· 15 – Cabinet Meeting @ 1:00 PM
· 15 – BOE Meeting @ 6:30 PM
· 19 – Region 2 Meeting in Alpena @ 9:30 AM
· 22 – Winter Break Begins (Two Weeks)
o Return to school: Monday, January 5
CHIEF Challenge Coin – First Two Recipients
Reminder: The CHIEF Values are:
· C – Collaboration: Working together across teams, departments, and stakeholders
· H – Honesty: Maintaining transparency and integrity in all decisions
· I – Inspiration: Motivating staff and students to reach their full potential
· E – Excellence: Striving for the highest standards of leadership and education
· F – Fairness: Ensuring equitable treatment and decision-making for all
First Recipient: Rob Duffiney
At the District Bus Driver meeting this past week, Rob was awarded the first Cheboygan CHIEF Challenge Coin as a token of appreciation. Rob represents our bus drivers on the negotiation team, builds strong relationships with his student riders, and even allowed me to complete a ride-along earlier this year. It is clear that Rob is a leader at the Bus Barn, and his efforts do not go unnoticed.
Second Recipient: Judge Vizina
Judge Vizina is the driving force behind our unique Compass Program. He meets with Compass students every Friday afternoon for check-in, check-out service. This support is critical for students who need additional guidance and direction to be successful. I also want to thank Daryl for partnering with the school district at the last MASA Conference as together, we had the opportunity to showcase this impactful program with other school districts across Michigan that are interested in adding similar program to their school district. In appreciation for our continued partnership, I was able to meet with him last week to present him with the Chief Challenge Coin.
In addition, Marlene Alexander and Julie Lohela were also awarded the Chief Challenge Coin at the recent Admin Christmas Party. Marlene has been a valuable member of the District Office Team and a leader of the district office for years. Julie, as School Board President, has successfully led the School Board for the past year, and we look forward to her continued leadership. Both play pivotal roles is our school district's success.
My Very Favorite Christmas Quote of All Time...
“It’s Christmas Eve! It’s the one night of the year when we all act a little nicer, we smile a little easier, we cheer a little louder. For a couple of hours out of the whole year, we are the people that we always hoped we would be.” — Bill Murray, from the movie Scrooged
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