Cheboygan Area Schools – Sunday Soup Newsletter - Week of May 11, 2026
Congratulations Seniors!
I hope you all had a wonderful Prom experience this past Saturday. Those senior memories are so special and precious. Please take advantage of all of them as we near the finish line of your high school careers.
Seniors, you have a very busy schedule this week and next week. Here are some, but maybe not all, of the many expectations placed on you over the next two weeks. If you have any questions or concerns, please check with the HS main office directly.
5/14 - Senior Lock-In
5/15 - No School for Seniors
5/18 - Pick up Honor Cords, if eligible
5/19 - Graduation Practice @ 1:00 PM - HS gym - Normal Attire
5/19 - Baccalaureate @ 4:30 PM - Optional - HS gym - Wear cap and gown
5/19 - Scholarship Night @ 6:00 PM - HS gym - Normal Attire
5/20 - Senior Breakfast @ 7:15 AM
5/20 - Academic Awards Assembly @ 8:15 AM
5/21 - Exams Only for Seniors, if needed
5/22 - Senior Class Picture @ 8:30 AM
5/22 - Graduation Practice @ 9:00 AM
5/22 - Parade at 5:30 PM, line up @ Family Fare @ 5:00 PM
5/22 - Commencement Ceremony in HS Gym @ 7:00 PM
Head Boys Basketball Position Closed…What’s Next?
The posting for the head boys’ basketball coaching position closed this past Friday. We have selected five applicants, both internal and external, to interview. We are currently putting an interview committee together to interview candidates this week.
The new athletic director, Steve Klinge, has agreed to help lead the interview process along with the high school principal, Marty Mix. Hopefully, by the end of this week, one of the applicants will rise to the top of the interview process, and the committee will be prepared to recommend that candidate to the school board.
If we accomplish this goal this week, we should be ready to take the recommendation to the BOE at the next meeting. If and when the new coach is approved by the BOE, making the employment official, we will begin planning and disseminating summer basketball opportunities for returning and future high school basketball players.
Typically, summer basketball opportunities are plentiful, and we want to make sure we offer as many of these opportunities to our student-athletes as possible this summer so they can continue their path of individual and team growth. Stay tuned…
Calendar Change Approved by BOE
At our last BOE meeting in April, 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.
Finishing Up May @ the District Office…
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 13 – Negotiation Meeting with Union @ 3:30 p.m. in BR
May 18 – Cabinet Meeting @ 1:00 p.m.
May 18 – BOE Meeting @ 6:30 p.m.
May 20 – SL Weekly Zoom Meeting @ 11:00 a.m.
May 21 – Inverness Academy Graduation @ 7:00 p.m.
May 22 – High School Graduation Ceremony @ 7:00 p.m.
May 25 – Memorial Day – No School
May 26 – MOCI Graduation @ 1:00 p.m.
May 27 – SL Weekly Zoom Meeting @ 11:00 a.m.
June 12 – Adjusted Last Day of School
Quote of the Week
“If you want to change the world, start by making your bed.” – Admiral William H. McRaven.
Admiral McRaven gave the famous “Make Your Bed” speech at the University of Texas in 2014 commencement ceremony. The message refers to starting your day with a simple task that can lead to completing increasingly larger and more meaningful tasks throughout the day. If you want to change the world, start by making your bed. A simple philosophy with a powerful message.
Eventually, the speech inspired McRaven’s bestselling book, Make Your Bed, which expanded on the life lessons he introduced in the commencement address. Watch Admiral McRaven’s “Make Your Bed” Commencement Speech
For school leaders and educators, one of the most relevant takeaways may be this: culture is often shaped less by dramatic moments and more by daily habits, expectations, and consistency. Small routines, repeated over time, can create confidence, accountability, and resilience within an entire organization.
His lessons that day were simple:
Start each day with purpose — (start by making your bed)
Persevere through adversity
Do not fear challenges
Teamwork matters
One person can positively impact others
Hope is contagious
Lead On, graduating Chiefs!
Spencer S. Byrd, EdS, CSBO, CAA, CO
Superintendent
Cheboygan Area Schools