April is Social Host Awareness Month
Traverse City Area Public Schools recognizes April as Social Host Awareness Month. Social host awareness is about educating parents and the community about the dangers of hosting activities that allow for underage drinking. With upcoming events, like prom, it is important to remember that there are liabilities and dangers with parents allowing young people to use alcohol in their homes. Learn more: www.michigan.gov/doyourpart.
TCAPS Board Coffee Conversation—April 20
![Board Coffee Conversations Logo](http://web3.tcaps.net/Images/newsletters/images/Coffee-Conversation-graphic.jpg)
The TCAPS Board of Education will host its monthly Coffee Conversation on Thursday, April 20, 2017, at Horizon Books in downtown Traverse City from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The topic will be: STEM Learning. Attendees will also have the opportunity to discuss other topics of interest with a TCAPS board member.
West Senior High School Presents “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “James and the Giant Peach”—April 21st-22nd
![Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-James and the Giant Peach Graphic](http://web3.tcaps.net/Images/newsletters/images/WonkaPeach-Program.jpg)
The Traverse City West Senior High School Theatre Department presents “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “James and the Giant Peach,” April 21-22, 2017, at 7:00 p.m. (5376 N. Long Lake Rd.). Two popular children’s books by author Roald Dahl have been adapted for the stage and will be performed as part of one magical night of theatre. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students. Tickets are available at the door or may be purchased in advance at mynorthtickets.com.
Students for Environmental Advocacy Host Benefit Concert and Silent Auction—April 21st
On Friday, April 21, 2017, the Students for Environmental Advocacy (SEA) will host a benefit concert and silent auction at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Grand Traverse (6726 Center Rd.). Admission is donation of your choice. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with live entertainment and refreshments from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Performers include Aili Simpson and Amelia Burke, Jon Timm, Glen Chown, and The Minor 6. Proceeds benefit travel expenses for SEA to attend the Citizen's Climate Lobby Conference in June.
Host an International Exchange Student—Information Session April 25th
The TCAPS International Exchange Program will be holding an information session for families interested in learning more about hosting an international exchange student on Tuesday, April 25, 2017, at 7:00 p.m. at the Boardman Administration Building (412 Webster St., 2nd Floor Curriculum Rooms). Host families may now choose to host for one quarter, a semester or a full school year. Qualified host families will receive a $600 per month stipend per (hosted) student.
The information session will discuss frequently asked questions, the application process, host family stipends, and introduce the TCAPS Host Family Coordinators. Light refreshments will be provided.
Traverse City West Senior High School to Host Trashion Fashion Show—April 29th
![Trashion Fashion Graphic](http://web3.tcaps.net/Images/newsletters/images/trashion-final-2017.jpg)
On Saturday, April 29, 2017, Traverse City West Senior High School will host the 10th Annual Trashion Fashion Show at 8:00 p.m. (5376 N. Long Lake Rd.). Students from all over northern Michigan will gather to showcase their one-of-a-kind creations in a runway style event. The public is invited to attend and tickets are $5 at the door with proceeds going to benefit the Women’s Resource Center –Doula Teen Parent Program and Scrap TC. The Trashion Fashion Show is sponsored by Scrap TC, and Global art.Fashion.HAIR, Green Island, and American Waste.
High School Spanish Students Host Cinco de Mayo Fundraiser—May 5th
![Cinco de Mayo Celebration poster](http://web3.tcaps.net/Images/newsletters/images/Cinco-de-Mayo-dinner2017.jpg)
On Friday, May 5, 2017, TCAPS high school Spanish students will host a Cinco de Mayo community dinner from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Traverse City Masonic Temple (13360 S. West Bay Shore Dr.). The event will feature a traditional Mexican meal, music, crafts, silent auction, games, prizes and more. The funds raised will be used to support 40 TCAPS Spanish students who are participating in two separate trips, one global service volunteer trip to Guanajuato, Mexico, and the other language learning trip to Spain. The trip to Mexico will include students attending an immersion language school while performing community service work at an orphanage and dog refuge. Students participating in the Spain trip will spend four weeks in an immersion program with host families while attending high school classes in addition to hosting students from Spain in September 2017. Tickets are $10 per person. Kids 10 and under are free. Tickets can be purchased from a student traveler or at the door.
TC West Titan Softball to Host Bubble Soccer Fundraiser—May 5th
![Bubble Soccer Graphic](http://web3.tcaps.net/Images/newsletters/images/BubbleSoccer.jpg)
On Friday, May 5, 2017, Traverse City West Senior High School’s Softball Team will host a bubble soccer tournament at Thirlby Field from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The fundraiser is a 3-on-3 bubble soccer tournament. Each team may have four players registered. The cost is $100 per team and it includes four tournament shirts. Event sponsors include Schulz Orthodontics, TC Orthopedics and Planet Fitness. Teams can register at: www.tcbubblesoccer.com/fundraisers.
West Senior High School’s Community Outreach Council to Host Carnival Fundraiser for Inland Seas—May 13th
On Saturday, May 13, 2017, Traverse City West Senior High School’s (WSH) student-led Community Outreach Council will host a carnival fundraiser to support the Inland Seas Education Association. The carnival will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Discovery Pier and the Greilickville Park. It will feature games, food trucks, and live music. Entry by donation. The WSH Community Outreach Council is made up of students who were selected for their leadership skills to organize and sponsor an event that benefits the Traverse City area community. Students surveyed, researched, presented ideas before selecting an area/organization that they felt most needed support. The funds raised from the event will be used to purchase bikes for tours that Inland Seas will give to student groups visiting the region to learn about the importance of the Great Lakes. For more information, contact baysidebash2017@gmail.com.
Central High School Presents Rendezvous—May 26th-27th
![Rendezvous at the Jazz Club Graphic](http://web3.tcaps.net/Images/newsletters/images/rendezvous_2017.jpg)
On Friday, May 26, 2017, and Saturday, May 27, 2017, Traverse City Central High School Choirs presents “Rendezvous” at 7:00 p.m. (1150 Milliken Dr.). The event is an exciting, high-energy performance of popular music showcasing the incredibly talented students of the Traverse City Central High School Music Department. Featured groups include the TC Central High School Jazz Band and Strings, Choral-Aires, Vocal Majority, Men of Note, and solo performances. Tickets are $17 for adults and $12 for students 18 and under and can be purchased at www.mynorthtickets.com.
TCAPS Students’ Art Selected for Top 100 at the Michigan Youth Arts Festival
Traverse City High School student, Justice Gazell, and TCAPS Montessori at Glenn Loomis students, Madison Wakeman and Lindsey Greenfelder, had their artwork selected for the 2017 Michigan Youth Arts Festival Art Show. Gazell had two of her pieces selected for the festival and Greenfelder’s artwork placed in the top 15 in the state.
The 2017 Michigan Arts Education Association (MAEA) Statewide High School Art Show will be held May 18-20, 2017, at Western Michigan University, Richmond Gallery, Kalamazoo, Mich. The Top 100 Exhibit can be viewed from May 8-20, 2017.
The 2017 MAEA Statewide Middle and Elementary Art Show will be held June 10-17, 2017, at Western Michigan University, South Kohrman Hall, Kalamazoo, Mich.
More information: www.miarted.org.
West Senior High School Launches Fresh Point Company to Learn Business Skills and Raise Funds for Fresh Water
Fresh Point Company is a new school business created at Traverse City West Senior High School and sponsored by Junior Achievement. The company sells long-sleeved shirts for $20 with the Fresh Point logo on the front and a northern Michigan illustration on the back. Matching stickers are also bundled with the shirts. Stickers can be purchased separately for $5 each. The company’s mission is to share the love of fresh water in Traverse City with others around the world. For each shirt sold, $1 will be donated to The Pump, a non-profit organization that strives to provide people with access to clean, sustainable water. Learn more: https://squareup.com/store/freshpoint.
TCAPS Schools Named 2017 GREEN School Awardees
Traverse City Area Public Schools had seven schools named 2017 Grand Traverse Regional Michigan GREEN School Awardees.
Eastern Elementary School
(7th Year) – EVERGREEN
TCAPS Montessori at Glenn Loomis
(6th Year) – EVERGREEN
Westwoods Elementary School
(4th Year) – GREEN
Willow Hill Elementary School
(6th Year) – EVERGREEN
West Middle School
(8th Year) – EVERGREEN
Central High School
(2nd Year) – EMERALD
West Senior High School
(7th Year) – EVERGREEN
West Senior High School’s AP Photography Students Earn Awards
![False Face](http://web3.tcaps.net/Images/newsletters/images/false-face-resize.jpg)
Traverse City West Senior High School AP Photography students Abigail Jean, Jeff Zhao, and Liam Kaiser earned Certificates of Excellence in the Oliver Art Center Student Art Exhibition in Frankfort, Mich. Their photos and the artwork of all WSH AP Studio Art students will be on display during WSH student-led conferences on April 26th and 27th. Student photographs will also be available for purchase with proceeds benefiting the school’s photography program. ![Arcadia Tides](http://web3.tcaps.net/Images/newsletters/images/arcadia-tides_-resize.jpg) ![Dutch Still Life](http://web3.tcaps.net/Images/newsletters/images/dutch-still-life-resize.jpg)
![China](http://web3.tcaps.net/Images/newsletters/images/china-resize.jpg)
STEP Program Receives Grants from TC Optimist Club and Cherryland Electric Cooperative
TCAPS’ Students in Transition Empowerment Program (STEP) received a $500 grant from the Traverse City Optimist Club’s Youth Foundation and $2,000 from Cherryland Electric Cooperative's Cares Fund. STEP provides free supportive, education-related services to students, ages 3-20, who lack fixed, regular and adequate housing. STEP ensures the educational rights of families and youth by working with eligible students who have lost permanent housing due to foreclosure, eviction, or reasons related to economic hardship to locate and coordinate available services based on each student’s individual needs. The goal of the program is to ensure school stability, remove barriers to full participation in their education, and support academic achievement while children are in residential transition.
2017 Summer Adventure Day Camp Enrollment Now Open
![Summer Adventure Camp](http://web3.tcaps.net/Images/newsletters/images/2017-Summer-Adventure-Camp-1.jpg)
TCAPS offers Summer Adventure Day Camps for children ages 3 – 12 and enrollment is now open. Camps are licensed by the state of Michigan and staff members are certified in CPR/First Aid and have met training standards. Camps are open to all area-wide residents and summer visitors and include weekly field trips, games sports, arts and crafts and so much more. Registration information may be dropped off or sent to the school at which you are enrolling your child(ren), or the TCAPS Tompkins Boardman Administration Center, Attn: Summer Adventure (412 Webster St.).
Dates: June 15 – August 24, 2017
Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Full and Half-day Options Available
Locations: 4 Convenient Locations
- Cherry Knoll Elementary School
(1800 Three Mile Rd. N.)
- Long Lake Elementary School
(7600 N. Long Lake Rd.)
- Traverse Heights Elementary School
(933 Rose St.)
- Willow Hill Elementary School
(1250 Hill St.)
- Possible 5th Location: Old Mission Peninsula School (2699 Island View Rd.)—Interested families should call the Early Childhood Office at 231-933-1759 to indicate their interest in attending this location by May 19th. A minimum number of enrollees will be required to run this camp location.
More information is available at: www.tcaps.net/summeradventure
East Middle School Students Take Top Spots in Munson Stroke Awareness PSA Contest
Students at Traverse City East Middle School have taken 1st and 2nd place in Munson Medical Center’s annual Video Contest for Stroke Awareness. The contest allows students to help educate the general public about how to recognize stroke symptoms and the importance of calling 9-1-1. Winners are chosen by a juried panel and recognized during National Stroke Month in May. East Middle School’s video production program will be awarded $1000 and $500 dollar prizes for taking the two top spots in the contest. Representatives from Munson Medical Center will be at East Middle School on Monday, May 1, 2017, at 12:30 p.m. to present the awards.
1st Place: Hunter Hawes and Max Kellogg - View Video
2nd Place: Vanessa Johnson, Lauren Kiss, and Rachel Tolfree - View Video
TCAPS Elementary Teacher Librarian Named 2017-2018 Lilead Fellow
![Stephie Luyt](http://web3.tcaps.net/Images/newsletters/images/Stephanie-Luyt.jpg)
Stephie Luyt, Elementary Teacher Librarian for Traverse City Area Public Schools, was selected as one of 22 new Lilead Fellows from a competitive, nationwide pool of applicants. The Lilead Fellows Program is a unique, nationally recognized professional development opportunity designed to empower, enable, and equip school district library supervisors to think differently and creatively about library programs and education and to be effective and inspirational leaders in their districts. Funding and support for the program come from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. More information about the Lilead Project: http://lileadproject.org.
Eastern Elementary School Transitions to Bertha Vos
![Eastern's office staff and principal at their new BV location](http://web3.tcaps.net/Images/newsletters/images/EA-Office-Team-at-BV2017.jpg) Principal Biz Ruskowski and administrative assistants Jill Jenkins and Missy Waskiewicz
Eastern Elementary School moved to its temporary location at Bertha Vos (3723 Shore Dr.) on April 3rd and will continue there through the remainder of this school year and through the 2017-18 school year during the reconstruction. The new school is expected to be completed in August 2018.
![Eastern reconstruction sign in front of construction site](http://web3.tcaps.net/Images/newsletters/images/EA-Reconstruct-Sign.jpg)
TCAPS Bus Technicians Recognized for Earning 6th Consecutive 100% Passing Bus Safety Inspection
![TCAPS transportation-bus technicians group photo recognizing them for receiving 6th consecutive 100% passing bus safety inspection rating.](http://web3.tcaps.net/Images/newsletters/images/Bus-Technician-Recognition2017.jpg) TCAPS bus technicians receive recognition for earning their 6th consecutive 100% passing bus safety inspection rating.
Each year the Michigan State Police inspects and rates school buses across the state. For the 6th consecutive year, TCAPS has received a 100% passing rating on its school bus safety inspection. The annual inspection ensures that the TCAPS bus fleet is ready to safely transport students to and from school and events.
Local Harvest of the Month: Frozen Fruits
![Harvest of the Month](http://web3.tcaps.net/Images/newsletters/images/bowl-of-berries530.jpg)
Local produce can be hard to find in April. Luckily, we have frozen options. Many local grocery stores carry Goodwill Industries’ “Farm to Freezer” foods, providing the opportunity to eat locally grown fruits and vegetables year-round. View a list of participating retailers.
TCAPS Calendar Reminders
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