CHS Parent Bulletin

Dear Cardinal Families,

Thank you for helping us get the 2026–27 school year off to such a positive start. Your support has made a real difference in building a strong foundation for student success.

As we move forward, we ask for your partnership in helping students establish a routine of academic achievement at home. A consistent time and quiet place for studying, along with your regular inquiries about what your child is learning and how they are progressing in their classes, can make a significant impact. All students can log into our student management system, Skyward, to check their grades in each class. Create a habit of logging into Skyward with your student as you have these conversations. Together, we can encourage our students to take ownership of their education and develop habits that will serve them well beyond high school.

We also encourage you to stay connected by checking the CHS website and following us on Facebook. These resources provide important updates, upcoming events, and celebrations of student success.

Thank you for your continued support and for working with us to ensure every student at Coldwater High School has a successful year.

Sincerely,
Steve Hope
Principal,

Coldwater High School

We are Cards!

Student behavior continues to improve at Coldwater High School, reflecting the collective efforts of our students, teachers, support staff, and administrators to create a safe, supportive, and academically focused learning environment. As demonstrated in the accompanying graph, the number of behavioral referrals written by teachers has continued to decline over the past few school years. Additionally, the number of fights at CHS has decreased significantly, reinforcing the progress we are making in promoting positive student behavior and maintaining a safe school environment.

One of the key contributors to this progress has been the implementation of our Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) system. PBIS has helped establish a consistent, school-wide approach to teaching, reinforcing, and recognizing appropriate student behavior. Rather than relying solely on corrective responses when behavioral concerns arise, our approach emphasizes explicitly teaching students what is expected of them and recognizing their efforts to meet those expectations.

Students receive clear, consistent behavioral expectations across a variety of school settings, including classrooms, hallways, the cafeteria, and restrooms. These expectations help students understand that their behavior plays an important role in creating an environment where everyone can learn, feel respected, and experience a sense of belonging. Teachers and staff reinforce these expectations through regular reminders, positive interactions, and recognition of students who demonstrate appropriate and supportive behaviors.

Our CARDS initiative provides a common framework for these expectations. Students are encouraged to demonstrate the following core values:

• C — Considerate: Showing kindness, empathy, and consideration for others.

• A — Advocate: Advocating for themselves and others in a respectful and constructive manner.

• R — Respect: Demonstrating respect for themselves, others, school property, and the learning environment.

• D — Dependable: Taking responsibility for their choices, actions, and commitments.

• S — Safe: Making decisions that promote the physical and emotional safety of themselves and others.

Students can earn CARDS points by demonstrating these positive behaviors throughout the school day. These points may then be redeemed at the PBIS store, providing students with tangible recognition for their positive choices and contributions to the school community. This system helps reinforce the connection between individual responsibility, positive behavior, and the broader expectations of being a Coldwater Cardinal.

In addition to our PBIS implementation, the consistent presence and active supervision of CHS teachers in hallways and restrooms have played an important role in supporting student safety and accountability. Our teachers have done an excellent job of being visible in common areas, monitoring student activity, addressing concerns proactively, and building positive relationships with students. This approach allows staff to identify potential issues early, reinforce expectations in real time, and help students make positive decisions before concerns escalate.

The decline in behavioral referrals and fights represents meaningful progress, but our work does not end with improved numbers. Our goal is to sustain a school culture in which students understand behavioral expectations, feel supported by adults, and take personal responsibility for contributing to a positive learning environment. By combining explicit instruction, positive reinforcement, active supervision, and consistent expectations, we are creating the conditions necessary for students to focus on their academic growth and long-term success.

Ultimately, our PBIS efforts support a larger school-wide priority: maintaining a safe, respectful, and academically focused environment where every student has the opportunity to learn and thrive. The continued improvement in student behavior is encouraging, and we will remain committed to strengthening these practices, supporting our staff, and helping our students become stronger every step of the way.

This is a reminder that Wednesday, October 7, is the official Count Day for the Michigan Department of Education (MDE). Student attendance on this day is extremely important, as it directly impacts school funding and resources that support your child’s education.

Please make every effort to ensure your student is present and on time for school on Count Day. If your child must be absent due to illness or an unavoidable circumstance, please contact the office as soon as possible.

Thank you for your partnership in supporting Coldwater High School and our students’ success.

School Picture Day is Wednesday, September 30. All pictures may be purchased online. Picture packets have been distributed to Focus classes and should have made it home. Additional forms are available in the Main Office. We will have a picture retake day on October 30.

If you need to pick up your child early for an appointment, please call the Attendance Office ahead of time so we can have your student ready. When you arrive, come to the front doors off Fremont St., and ring the bell. The office will communicate with you on the intercom and let you in the vestibule to sign your child out.

If your student is arriving late, also, please call the Attendance Office at 517-279-5930.