January 2016

TCAPS Families, Staff and Friends,

As the first semester comes to a close at our middle schools and high schools, and our preschool and elementary school students continue to learn and grow by leaps and bounds, there is an important discussion happening within the district that our parents, staff and the entire community should be aware of and understand.

Next Monday, January 25, 2016, the district will make a recommendation to the TCAPS Board of Education about three elementary school buildings with K-5 enrollment of less than 200 students. TCAPS has been exploring redirecting the overhead expenses of maintaining these buildings as a potential option to help preserve TCAPS’ comprehensive and award-winning academic and extracurricular student programming, while keeping class sizes in check, providing adequate compensation for staff, and remaining financially responsible with the community’s investment in its schools.

The groundwork to put together a recommendation and to gather community input began more than five months ago. The process included holding parent and community meetings at the three elementary schools to share information and answer questions, and involved the creation of three focus groups to identify possible options for TCAPS and the Board of Education to consider.

The TCAPS recommendation to the Board of Education will be the next step in the process. After the recommendation is presented, there will be opportunities for the Board to discuss the recommendation at committee and full board meetings during the month of February. The Board of Education is then expected to take action on the recommendation at their meeting on March 7, 2016.

TCAPS is dedicated to providing the best education possible to all of our students. In order to achieve that goal, we must be willing to have some difficult conversations and make some tough decisions. I am confident that if we work together, we can ensure that our community’s children have access to facilities that support their learning, programs and offerings that are second to none and personal connections that make all of our schools inviting places to gather and grow.

I encourage you to stay informed and engaged in your child’s education. You can learn more about the effort to examine buildings with less than 200 K-5 students here: www.tcaps.net/strategic-financial-planning.

Sincerely,

Paul A. Soma
Superintendent Traverse City Area Public Schools
@SuptSoma

Central High School Debate Team Wins 2015-2016 Varsity State Championship

Central High School's 2015-2016 Michigan Interscholastic Forensics Association Varsity State Champions.

The Traverse City Central High School Debate Team took home the top prize at the 2015-2016 Michigan Interscholastic Forensics Association Varsity State Championships.

The Varsity competition included teams from all over the state of Michigan. Two people from each team participate and have to both affirm and negate the resolution during the round of competition. The resolution this year was "Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially curtail its domestic surveillance." Congratulations, CHS!

Willow Hill Elementary Wins National Display Contest

Willow Hill Elementary School's window display contest etnry.

They have been “waiting” and their wait is over. Willow Hill Elementary School entered the HarpersCollins Publishers national Kevin Henkes Display Contest and won first place!

With the help of their school librarian, Martha Topol, and some loyal library volunteers, the school created their window display version of the book, Waiting, by Kevin Henkes. Entries were judged based on presentation, visual appeal, and originality.

“It took seven people a total of 40 hours of donated volunteer time to design and create the finished display. I have such a great group of talented and creative parents here at Willow Hill,” said Martha Topol, Willow Hill Elementary School librarian.

As grand prize winners, Willow Hill will receive an appearance by Kevin Henkes and a custom window display created by Mr. Henkes himself.

“Good books, like Kevin Henkes' books, can take us all to such a quiet place inside. Finding those special books among so many choices is like seeking treasure – a treasure that grows and changes as we grow and change,” said Topol.

Two TCAPS Choir Directors to Conduct Honors Choirs Featured at Michigan Music Conference

Congratulations to TCAPS choir directors Wendee Wolf-Schlarf and Emerick Dee who will conduct two of the 2016 Honors Choirs featured at the Michigan Music Conference this upcoming weekend.

Both teachers were elected by ballot from members of the Michigan School Vocal Music Association to lead choirs made up of students selected though a statewide audition process. The Honors Choir Concerts begin and end the three day professional development conference for music educators held annually at the DeVos Center in Grand Rapids.

Mrs. Wolf-Schlarf is director of the 2016 High School SSAA Honors Choir, and Mr. Dee is the director of the 2016 TTB Middle School Honors Choir. To be recognized by one’s peers to conduct an MSVMA Honors Choir is one of the highest honors awarded a choral music educator.

Congratulations to both these amazing educators!

West Senior High School Named MHSAA “Battle of the Fans” Finalist

TC West Creatures of Cheer

Traverse City West Senior High School was recognized by the Michigan High School Athletics Association (MHSAA) as a finalist for its “Battle of the Fans” competition. MHSAA representatives will be visiting West Senior High School on Thursday, February 4, 2016, for the TC Central @ TC West Varsity Boys’ Basketball game.

• TC West Creatures of Cheer Article & Video
• More about the MHSAA Battle of the Fans Contest

Central High School Presents Footloose

Traverse City Central High School will present Footloose the Musical beginning Thursday, January 28, 2016, and running through Sunday, February 7, 2016. Thursday-Saturday evening performances start at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday matinee performances begin at 3:00 p.m. at the newly renovated Central High School auditorium (1150 Milliken Dr.). General admission is $17, $12 for students, and $12 for seniors over 60. Tickets are available at: www.mynorthtickets.com.

Central High School Choral-Aires participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the school's newly renovated auditorium.

Traverse City Central High School Hall of Fame Seeks Nominations for 2016 Induction Class

Nominations are being accepted for the Traverse City Central High School Hall of Fame’s 2016 induction class. The nominator is required to provide a completed nomination form, photo of the candidate, and three letters of support for the candidate. Nominations must be received at the TC Central principal’s office by 3:00 p.m. on Friday, January 29, 2016.

January Local Harvest of the Month: Parsnips

Parsnips are a root vegetable that grow well in Michigan. They look like a white carrot, but are actually sweeter than a carrot if they are harvested after a frost. The cold temperature is necessary to turn the starch in the parsnip to sugar. Parsnips are high in fiber, vitamin C, and potassium.

Baked Parsnip Fries with Rosemary Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 pounds parsnips (or carrots), peeled, cut into about 3 x 1/2” strips
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
• 1 large garlic clove, minced
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon (or more) ground cumin

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 450°F. Mix parsnips, chopped rosemary, garlic and oil on baking sheet.
2. Season with salt and pepper and toss to coat.
3. Spread out evenly onto baking sheet.

TCAPS Calendar Reminders

• January 21 - Half day for students, full day for staff
  (p.m. records day), end of second quarter/first semester
  
• January 22 - No school for students, full day for staff (records day) 
• January 28 - Board of Education Coffee Conversation
  Topic: Low Enrollment Buildings
• February 10 - Student Count Day 
• 2015-2016 District School Year Calendar

Courtade Elementary School Launches Student Newspaper

With a donation from their PTO, Courtade Elementary School has started The Courtade Pride, a student-run, school newspaper. The first edition was published in December. The goal is to publish a new issue each trimester.

“I decided to start the newspaper to get my students excited about writing. This gives the kids a real world learning experience and a true purpose for their writing,” said Cheryl Ridenour, 3rd grade teacher at Courtade Elementary School.

All 24 students in Ms. Ridenour’s 3rd grade class participated in the creation of The Courtade Pride. Each student had an important role, whether it was writing articles, writing interview questions, taking photographs, or designing the layout for the newspaper. The students also invited a few “guest writers” to submit articles for consideration, so there are stories penned by Courtade 4th and 5th graders as well.

“My students are the most enthusiastic writers I have ever seen. They want to write, they are driven to produce quality work, and they have learned so much about the importance of editing their pieces,” said Ridenour.

Cooking Matters Class Shows Healthy Food Doesn't Have to Break the Bank

In partnership with MSU Extension and funded through the PE-Nut grant, Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) will be offering a “Cooking Matters at the Store” class, which is a guided tour of a grocery store that teaches participants how to get the most nutrition for their food dollar.

Cooking Matters is a national program and part of the No Kid Hungry Campaign, which is designed to educate and empower low-income families to stretch their food budgets so their kids get healthy meals at home. Cooking Matters teaches participants how to shop strategically, using nutritional information, to make healthier food choices and cook delicious, affordable meals.

“There is a misconception that nutritious food is either expensive or doesn’t taste good. People also stick with what they know, and if they were never taught to read ingredients or how to prepare different vegetables they do what is easier for them. This is why education is key, not only for our children, but for the families in our community,” said Juli Tiesworth, Nutrition Educator at TCAPS.

One trip will be offered at each of three TCAPS elementary schools, Blair Elementary School, Interlochen Community School and Traverse Heights Elementary School. Each tour will have up to ten participants and attendees will spend an hour and a half learning healthy habits at a local grocery store.

Partners in Education Recognized at Chamber Gala

Great Community, Great Schools - Better Together.

Better Together. That was the theme of the TCAPS display at this year’s Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Gala. Many TCAPS Partners in Education were recognized on the Wall of Partners display and a photo slideshow highlighted many of the community connections between schools and partners who make a difference in the lives of children. We truly believe that schools and community are better together!

TCAPS Partner In Education Program: An opportunity to support schools, teachers, programs, teams and clubs!

The TCAPS Partner In Education (PIE) program works to connect community members, businesses and organizations to our schools through sponsorships, financial contributions, in-kind donations or givebacks. Your sponsorship or donation can benefit the school, teacher, program, team or club of your choice. Sponsor space is available at all TCAPS schools, Thirlby Field stadium, electronically via our e-newsletter and new this year, the TCAPS Food Truck! Contact Karyn Hertel at 231-933-5654 / hertelka@tcaps.net or visit www.tcaps.net/PIE to learn more.

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