2.5.26
Hello Falcon Families!
Our Winter Newsletter has officially landed! It’s been a whirlwind of a first semester—from history-making concerts and high-stakes trivia to career exploration and Holiday Hoops! Also included is a
Winter Weather & Instructional Update from our recent school closures.
As you flip through these highlights, take a moment to celebrate everything our students and staff have accomplished since that first bell in the fall. We’ve set the bar high, and we’re ready to hit the ground running to make the second half of the year just as strong.
Go Falcons!
We are thrilled to announce that Constantine Public Schools has been selected as a host site for the St. Joseph County Career Technical Education (CTE) HVAC Program!
Transformation is already underway at Constantine Middle School. The former woodshop is currently being renovated into a modern, hands-on training facility. This space will soon house state-of-the-art equipment where students can master the skills needed for high-demand careers in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.
The program is slated to be up and running for the 2026-2027 school year. We are incredibly grateful for the strong partnership with our fellow St. Joseph County schools and CTE that made this opportunity possible.
Last fall, Fire Prevention Week at Eastside Elementary was extra special thanks to the Constantine Fire Department. Our local heroes went above and beyond to ensure our students were prepared, informed, and excited about fire safety.
Our younger classes enjoyed a "curbside" visit when the firefighters brought their truck right to the school! Students learned essential safety tips, discovered what a day in the life of a firefighter looks like, and got an up-close look at all the gear on the fire engine.
Meanwhile, our 2nd-grade students took their learning on the road with a trip to the fire station. They toured the facility and received hands-on lessons in emergency preparedness and home safety.
A huge thank you to the Constantine Fire Department for your time, patience, and for making this week so meaningful for our students and staff. We are proud to have you as partners in our community!
This past fall, the CTE Mobile Career Lab rolled into Constantine Middle School, transforming our parking lot into a high-tech hub of career exploration. Students—and even a few of our staff members—stepped out of the classroom and into immersive, hands-on sessions designed to spark interest in future professional pathways.
The mobile lab was staffed with many of our Constantine High School students who are currently in CTE programs across the county. Our high school students helped to provide a "choose your own adventure" of modern industry, including:
Robotics & Programming
3D Scanning and Printing
CNC Machining & Engraving
Welding Simulators
Thank you to CTE for bringing this incredible resource to our campus. It was a fantastic day of exploring new skills and seeing firsthand where a career in technology and trades can lead!
Just before heading into the holiday break, the Constantine Middle School gym was electric for our annual Staff vs. Students basketball game during the winter assembly.
The competition was fierce, the energy was high, and the math was... miraculous! In true CMS fashion, the game ended in a "perfect" stalemate: the scoreboard read 67 to 67, with 6 and 7 fouls respectively, and—in a feat of time-bending talent—exactly 67:67 remaining on the clock.
It was a fantastic way to celebrate the end of the semester and create lasting memories for our students and staff alike. We are pretty sure staff may have won by a small margin, but Falcon Pride certainly took the trophy!
The CHS Quiz Bowl team recently hosted its first-ever Trivia Night, bringing the community together for three rounds of high-stakes, brain-teasing competition. It was a fantastic evening of wit and school spirit that culminated in a hard-fought battle for the top three spots.
A huge congratulations to our first-place winners—a team of our very own CMS Staff members!
This event was made possible through incredible community support. A sincere thank you to our prize sponsors, Town Fryer, Pipers, and Useless Creatures, for their generous gift card donations. We also extend our deepest gratitude to Petra Jams, Brad, and Kara for donating their time and professional services to ensure the night ran smoothly.
Thank you to all our participants for supporting our Quiz Bowl team—maybe another one in the future? =)
Girls’ wrestling is officially the fastest-growing high school sport in the United States! This sport is experiencing an explosion in popularity, with over 74,000 participants as of the 2024-25 season. Participation has surged by 55% in just two years, with 45+ states now sanctioning official state championships. For the first time ever, starting in the 2025-26 season, the MHSAA introduced district and regional team championships for girls.
That national momentum has caught on in a big way here at Constantine Public Schools. Our female athletes are now competing in their own dedicated meets, showcasing their strength and skill on the mat. A historic milestone was reached just last month when we hosted our first-ever girls’ wrestling meet right here in our home gym!
We are incredibly proud of our girls for their dedication to this sport and for representing the Falcons with such grit and determination.
Dear Constantine Families,
We know a 5:00 AM notification can reshape your entire day. While recent winters have spared us from the harshest elements, this year has reminded us what Michigan is capable of, and our community has met the challenges with true Falcon resilience. We value our partnership with families, as we navigate these conditions together, and we want to pull back the curtain on how we make those tough calls and what they mean for our school calendar.
Safety First: The 5:00 AM Decision
Every closure begins with a coordinated effort to ensure student and staff safety. Starting as early as 4:00 AM, we are on the roads, assessing conditions across our large district (which spans into Cass County). We coordinate closely with the St. Joseph County Emergency Services, the Road Commission, and neighboring superintendents. Our goal is always to make a final call by 5:00 AM to give families as much notice as possible.
Where We Stand: The Snow Day Count
Michigan law (MCL 388.1701) requires 180 days and 1,098 hours of instruction. The state automatically "forgives" the first six days of closures beyond our control. The state allows for local districts to apply for a waiver for up to three (3) additional days. Waivers are not guaranteed, but are typically granted for circumstances beyond our control.
Current Status: Constantine has had 8 days of cancellation this year (including weather events and the recent water main break).
The Plan: After the winter season concludes, we intend to apply for a 2-day waiver (or up to 3 days if applicable) from the Michigan Department of Education (MDE). This would allow us to "forgive" our extra days without extending the school year.
Outcome: If the waiver is granted our final day of school will remain as scheduled. If not, we will be required to make up the lost instruction time. Which may involve adding days to the end of the school year. If there are changes to the end of the school we will notify you as soon as possible.
Why Not "Remote Learning" on Snow Days?
Many have asked why we don’t simply switch to virtual learning to avoid make-up days. There are two primary reasons:
State Policy: Per current MDE guidelines, unplanned remote learning days do not count toward our state-mandated instructional hours.
Equity & Access: Not all students have access to reliable, high-speed internet or technology at home. Shifting to remote learning at a moment’s notice would unfairly disadvantage students without those resources, creating gaps in learning across our community.
Moving Forward Together
We will continue to monitor the forecast and notify you of any changes via our website, social media, and automated communication system. We hope for a calmer second half of the year, but we are prepared for whatever the Michigan elements throw our way.
Thank you for your patience and for being our partners in keeping our students safe and learning.
Pat Breen
Superintendent
Constantine Public Schools
Welcome Our Newest Board Member: Mike Hoss
Constantine Public Schools is pleased to officially introduce our newest Board of Education member, Mike Hoss. Mike was appointed to the Board this past December stepping in to fill the vacancy left by an outgoing board member.
While Mike he had is first official meeting this January with the Board he may already be a familiar face throughout our community. A resident of Constantine for the past eight years, Mike has dedicated himself to local service since he arrived. His commitment to our village is evident through his active involvement with the Constantine Rotary and the American Legion, where he has worked tirelessly to support local initiatives and community growth.
Beyond his local volunteerism, Mike brings a distinguished background of leadership and discipline to the Board. He is a 30-year veteran of the United States Army, a career defined by service, strategic thinking, and dedication to a greater cause.
Please join us in giving Mike Hoss a warm Falcon welcome! We look forward to the perspective and experience he will bring to our district as we work together for our students.
Leslie Zech
ELA Teacher
Constantine High School
Jessica Rexford
Para Professional
Constantine High School
Emilie Axe
Para Professional
Eastside Elementary
Glen Gonder
Bus Driver/Garage Help
Transportation
Laurie Longcore
Custodian
District Sub
Devin Hires
Custodian
Eastside Elementary
Victoria (Vicki) Shirk
Custodian
Constantine High School
Doug Bates - Floral Lead on UPS Store's Award Winning & World Record Setting Float, "Sharing Skills for Success."
Eric Petoskey - Bears vs Lions Pregame Flyover & Recognition
We are thrilled to announce the official launch of The Falcon Fund, a new nonprofit initiative created by Constantine alumni to empower our current students. This fund is designed to ensure that every Falcon has the chance to explore their full potential, regardless of financial barriers.
The Falcon Fund provides financial support for K-12 students to participate in life-changing extracurriculars and career exploration activities, including but not limited to:
Career and Technical Education (CTE)
DECA and Science Olympiad
Youth in Government
Other specialized camps and competitions
Founded with the mission to "pay it forward," this alumni-led project helps students discover their passions and build their futures. We invite you to explore the new website to learn more about eligibility or to make a donation to support our students’ dreams.
