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Garden City board honors dozens of students and staff; Cambridge presentation highlights behavior gains
Summary
The board presented "Shining Star" and "Above and Beyond" awards to students and staff across Garden City schools and heard a Cambridge program update reporting reduced office referrals, improved family communication and — as of March 9 — no physical altercations recorded this school year.
Garden City Public Schools’ board on March 9 recognized student and staff award winners from multiple schools and heard a presentation from the Cambridge program reporting improvements in behavior metrics and family communication.
In a lengthy awards segment, staff and teachers introduced "Shining Star" students and "Above and Beyond" staff members across Burgger Baylor, Burgger Transition Center, Lathers, Memorial, Douglas, Farmington, Garden City Middle and Garden City High School. Winners named in the meeting included Landon Perry, Kathy Snider, Nick Pasque, Elliot Llewellyn, Naan/Naison Stevenson, Sarah Hoffmier, Emmaine Adams, Jubilee (noted for NWA gains of 12 points in math and 18 in reading), Kar Hassim, Nicole Masters, Avery Strauss, Jenny/ Jennifer King, Avon Smith, Kellen Kennedy, Ashley Milligan, Steve Reine, Nick Leon and Darius Calhoun. Each nomination included brief remarks from the nominator describing academic or service contributions.
Mr. Kay, presenting on behalf of Cambridge, said staff have reduced office referrals by focusing on classroom‑based interventions before escalating incidents to the office, track daily counts of days without incidents, and use personal phone calls rather than robocalls to improve two‑way family communication. He told the board that, as of March 9, the program had recorded no physical altercations so far this school year and noted high attendance on count days (90% or higher). Mr. Kay also showed a video submission to a Michigan Alternative Education Organization contest and described prior wins that funded student clubs.
Superintendent Mr. Fischer congratulated award recipients and noted Cambridge’s role as an alternative pathway for students from many Wayne County districts to earn diplomas or graduate on time.
No audience comments were received related to the agenda. The meeting moved on to routine consent and action items after the presentations.
The board adjourned after approving the evening’s items. The next regular meeting is scheduled for March 23, 2026.
