Cheboygan Area Schools – Sunday Soup Newsletter - Week of May 4, 2026
Wednesday - May 6th – ½ PD Afternoon
This Wednesday will mark our last ½ PD day of the school year. As usual, students will have a half day of school, and all teachers should report to CIS to begin the afternoon together in the CIS cafeteria. After approximately one hour, we will break into smaller groups and spend the remainder of the afternoon in breakout sessions.
The focus will once again be on curriculum and what we want our students to learn, which is also the first of the four essential PLC (Professional Learning Community) questions developed through the work of Richard DuFour and other PLC leaders:
1. What do we want students to know and be able to do?
o Identify the essential learning standards and outcomes.
2. How will we know if they have learned it?
o Use common assessments, formative assessments, and other evidence of learning.
3. What will we do if they do not learn it?
o Provide interventions, reteaching, support systems, and additional time.
4. What will we do if they already know it?
o Provide enrichment, extension activities, and opportunities for deeper learning.
These four questions are considered the foundation of the PLC process because they keep teams focused on student learning, intervention, and continuous improvement rather than simply teaching and delivering content.
Steve Klinge Approved by BOE
Steve Klinge was unanimously approved by the BOE at last Monday night’s meeting. Steve will serve as the new HS Assistant Principal/Athletic Director for the 2026–2027 school year.
Steve joins us from the Kingsley School District. He has a passion for student-athlete success and a strong commitment to building athletic programs. The interview committee was especially impressed with his background in physical education and his experience developing strength and conditioning programs for both boys and girls.
While Steve’s official start date will be August 1, don’t be surprised if you see him in our hallways or on our athletic fields this spring and summer as he begins preparing to hit the ground running next fall.
Calendar Change Approved by BOE
At the BOE meeting last Monday evening, the Board approved changing the last day of school from June 5th to June 12th to address the five days lost due to the blizzard.
The Board remains hopeful that the legislative proposals currently under consideration in Lansing will gain support and be approved by the Governor later this spring. If that occurs, the calendar may need to be adjusted again in May.
We are still waiting to hear from the state regarding the three school days missed due to flooding and the declared state of emergency. We remain hopeful that the Governor will waive those days as well.
We will continue to keep you informed regarding both the potential waiver of blizzard-related days and our request for forgiveness of the flood-related days.
If community members would like to support this effort, please consider contacting Representative Cavitt and Senator Damoose. They are aware of our concerns regarding both the blizzard and flooding, and continue to serve as our collective voice in Lansing as this legislation is debated.
Important Dates Next Week…
· May 4 – COP ESD Superintendent Meeting @ 10:00 a.m.
· May 4 – Leave for Lansing in the afternoon
· May 5 – 61V CTE Grant Workshop (Lansing) @ 8:00 a.m.
· May 5 – Cinco de Mayo
· May 6 – Leadership Zoom Meeting @ 10:00 a.m.
· May 6 – Half Day for Students / PD Afternoon for Staff
· May 6 – SL Weekly Zoom Meeting @ 11:00 a.m.
· May 6 – Negotiations Meeting @ 3:30 p.m. (BR)
· May 6 – Safety Team Meeting @ 5:00 p.m.
· May 6 – Athletic Committee Meeting @ 6:00 p.m.
· May 7 – Leave for Lansing in the afternoon
· May 8 – MASA Safety Summit (Lansing) @ 8:00 a.m.
· May 9 – Prom
Finishing Up May…
· May 12 – Finance Committee Meeting @ 10:00 a.m. (SL update)
· May 12 – Negotiations Team Meeting @ 11:30 a.m.
· May 12 – COP ESD CTE Steering Committee @ 1:00 p.m.
· May 12 – Policy Committee Meeting @ 2:30 p.m. (if needed)
· May 12 – Curriculum Committee Meeting @ 3:45 p.m.
· May 13 – SL Weekly Zoom Meeting @ 11:00 a.m.
· May 14 – Senior Lock-In (HS)
· May 18 – Cabinet Meeting @ 1:00 p.m.
· May 18 – BOE Meeting @ 6:30 p.m.
· May 19 – Graduation Practice @ 1:00 p.m.
· May 19 – Baccalaureate and Scholarship Night
· May 20 – SL Weekly Zoom Meeting @ 11:00 a.m.
· May 20 – Academic Awards Assembly
· May 20 – Senior Breakfast @ 7:15 a.m.
· May 21 – Inverness Academy Graduation
· May 22 – Graduation Ceremony @ 7:00 p.m.
· May 25 – Memorial Day – No School
· May 27 – SL Weekly Zoom Meeting @ 11:00 a.m.
· June 12 – Adjusted Last Day of School
Quote of the Week
“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.” – Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs is best known as the co-founder of Apple and one of the most influential innovators in modern technology. He helped revolutionize personal computing, music, smartphones, and digital communication, transforming Apple into one of the most successful companies in the world.
Jobs became known for his visionary leadership and ability to inspire innovation. His 2005 commencement speech at Stanford University remains one of the most quoted graduation speeches ever delivered. His message encouraged graduates to pursue meaningful work, embrace failure, and avoid living according to other people’s expectations.
Steve Jobs passed away on October 5, 2011, at the age of 56 after a long battle with cancer.
Spencer S. Byrd, EdS, CSBO, CAA, CO
Superintendent
Cheboygan Area Schools