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Covering the back-to-school basics

Backpacks, haircuts and lots of family fun brought out the community to prepare for back-to-school in Cedar Springs.

By Erin Albanese

August 24, 2023

From left, mom Kailey Caudill with her daughters, preschooler Kynsleigh and fourth-grader Kataleaya Damaso pick up new backpacks

Cedar Springs — Back-to-school festivities brought out students and their families to catch up with friends and teachers and go home with backpacks and school supplies in time for the first day.

Hosting the activities, games, food and fun at the Cedar Springs Elementary School Bus Loop was the school district, along with City Impact and the Cedar Springs Area Chamber of Commerce.

Photos by Dianne Carroll Burdick

Students and their families line up early for the Cedar Springs Back to School Bash — Students and their families line up early for the Cedar Springs Back-to-School Bash

Free backpacks are offered to students

From left, fourth-grader Jackson McDonald spins the wheel and PTO member Destiny Gorby finds the backpack that he won

From left, second-grader Jackson Humleet hugs superhero Logan Dusendang, a Rockford High School sophomore

From left, preschooler Charlie Metzger gets a free haircut from Kasey Wojciakowski

Grandma Dana Cook, center, watches her grandsons, left, kindergartner Liam and right, second-grader Jay — Grandma Dana Cook watches her grandsons, left, kindergartner Liam and right, second-grader Jay

From left, fifth-grader Jordan Bearinger, and his sister, kindergartner, Sophie, build a tower — From left, fifth-grader Jordan Bearinger, and his sister, kindergartner Sophie, build a tower

From left, Kent County Sheriff Deputy Celesta VanderVeen and horse. Gatsby, meet kindergartener Nya Nash and her dad, Carvin Nash — From left, Kent County Sheriff Deputy Celesta VanderVeen and horse, Gatsby, meet kindergartner Nya Nash and her dad, Carvin Nash

From left, Trevor Bates, his daughter 15-month-old Gideon, stepson kindergartner Gavin Fewles, and mom Felicia Dunkle get their hotdogs — From left, Trevor Bates, his daughter, 15-month-old Gideon, stepson, kindergartner Gavin Fewles, and mom, Felicia Dunkle, get their hotdogs

From left, Cedar Trails Elementary School Principal Scott Carpenter and assistant principal Cortney O’Brien work the grill — From left, Cedar Trails Elementary School Principal Scott Carpenter and Assistant Principal Cortney O’Brien work the grill

Second-grader Julia Donajkowsk gets her face painted by sixth-grader Karen Bray while Cedar Springs Public Schools Superintendent Scott Smith looks on

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Erin Albanese is managing editor and reporter, covering Kentwood, Lowell and Wyoming. She was one of the original SNN staff writers, helping launch the site in 2013, and enjoys fulfilling the mission of sharing the stories of public education. She has worked as a journalist in the Grand Rapids area since 2000. A graduate of Central Michigan University, she has written for The Grand Rapids Press, Advance Newspapers, On-the-Town Magazine and Group Tour Media. Read Erin's full bio

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