March 2016

TCAPS Families, Staff and Friends,

With spring nearly upon us, it is a good time to talk about transitions, resiliency and the future.

Earlier this month, after much thought, public input and deliberation, our Board of Education made the difficult decision to close two elementary schools at the end of this school year. The decision was necessary to help address a $1.2 million projected operating budget shortfall next year. It was also necessary to ensure that we will be able to rise up to meet the challenges of declining enrollment, declining revenue and aging facilities, while continuing to provide the best education possible for every student we serve.

Now that the decision has been made, our transitioning families are at the forefront of our minds. The work to create a smooth transition for our students and families has begun and we remain dedicated to assuring that the necessary resources and support are available to make it successful. Principals have been communicating with affected families and have set up open houses, meet and greets, and activities over the coming months to ensure that our students, families and staff are welcomed into their new schools.

While transitions can be scary at times, they can also be exciting. Whether it is the first day of preschool, kindergarten, middle school, high school, or beyond, learning how to be resilient and handle change is an important skill set that will serve our students well now and in the future. We are going to embrace the excitement and will support our transitioning students during this time of change and beyond.

I wish you and your family a joyful and restful spring break.

Sincerely,

Paul A. Soma
Superintendent Traverse City Area Public Schools

TCAPS Receives 11th Consecutive Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting

The Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) has awarded Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) its Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 11th consecutive year. TCAPS received the certificate based on its excellence in accounting practices and reporting procedures. Less than 2% of school districts in Michigan typically receive this award each year. The awards are given based on school districts’ Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports, which demonstrate the credibility of a school system’s operations, the integrity and technical competence of its business staff, and transparency and accountability in financial reporting. View the 2015 TCAPS Comprehensive Annual Financial Report here.

Seeking Nominations for Outstanding Educators

The Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District (TBAISD), in collaboration with the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce and TBA Credit Union, is seeking nominations for outstanding educators and educational support staff. Nominees should have a minimum of five years of experience in education and each nomination must include a letter of support from the nominee’s supervisor as well as supporting documents from parents and students. Nominations are due by April 15, 2016. Nomination form here.

Traverse Heights Elementary School Receives an “A” Grade

Congratulations to the students and staff at Traverse Heights Elementary School for receiving an “A” grade on the Mackinac Center for Public Policy’s 2015 Elementary and Middle School Context and Performance (CAP) Report Card. The recognition was given to the top 224, or top 10 percent of schools, ranked based on a “CAP Score.” The score adjusts the most recent three years of MEAP Grade 3 through 8 assessment scores based on expected performance according to a school’s student population that qualifies for free lunch. This is the second recognition in two years for Traverse Heights Elementary School, who was recognized by Bridge Magazine last year for outstanding MEAP growth over the previous three years.

March Local Harvest of the Month: Dried Beans

Dried beans are part of the “Legume” family, a class of plants that produce seeds, or “fruits” including dried beans, jicama, field peas, lentils, and peanuts. Legumes grow underground, while the surface plant blooms with flowers. Dried beans provide protein, fiber, minerals (calcium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc) and folate. Learn more about the local harvest of the month.

TCAPS Calendar Reminders

• March 23 - Half day for students, full day for staff
  
• March 24 - No school for students, full day for staff
• March 24 - Board of Education Coffee Conversation
  
• March 25-April 1 - Spring Break
• 2015-2016 District School Year Calendar

Reading Month Round-Up

“You can find magic wherever you look. Sit back and relax, all you need is a book.” – Dr. Seuss

March is Reading Month, and schools throughout the district have been participating in events and programs that encourage students to read. From guest readers to activities and contests, our schools have been making reading fun and exciting!

Long Lake Elementary School students celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday.

Eastern Elementary School families spend some quality time reading together.

Long Lake Elementary School third graders learn about service dogs during their language arts class.

Central Grade School students wore their pajamas and read with flashlights on "Flashlight Friday."

Cherry Knoll Elementary School students host a non-fiction fair.

TCAPS International School at Bertha Vos students share their favorite books with one another.

Upper elementary students read to the younger students at TCAPS Montessori at Glenn Loomis.

“You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child.” – Dr. Seuss

Willow Hill Holds In-House Battle of the Books

The winning team on their way to Incredible Mo's.

Willow Hill Elementary School held their first in-house Battle of the Books. Fifty-four students in grades 4 and 5 formed 11 teams. Students read six books to prepare for the battle. The winning team won a limo ride to Incredible Mo’s with special guest singer/songwriter Joshua Davis!

Joshua Davis with Battle of the Books Team Coach Chris Collins.

Two TCAPS Vex Robotics Teams Advance to World Championships

West Senior High School Titan robotics team earns a spot at the VEX World Championship.

Two TCAPS robotics teams hit nothing but net earlier this month when they qualified for the VEX World Competition in Louisville, Kentucky. One of TCAPS’ VEX IQ elementary school teams, the RoboRunners VEX IQ, and a high school team from West Senior High School, made up of Titan Robotics members Ty Ebling and Granite Winowiecki, both earned a place at the VEX World Championships. Both teams are now raising money to support their trips to Louisville in mid-April. If you are interested in donating to the RoboRunners VEX IQ team or theTitan Robotics team, go to: www.tcaps.net/donate.

Westwoods Elementary School is Going Green

Meet “Jingle,” Westwoods Elementary School’s adopted moose who was named in honor of the holiday season and their new feathered friend “Blue,” an adopted snowy owl.

Westwoods Elementary School is going for “Emerald” status under the Michigan Green Schools program. The school is one of a number of TCAPS schools to make the list. Westwoods has already achieved “Green” status through active recycling program efforts, maintaining energy efficient processes in the building, and teaching the protection of the air, land, water, and animals. Now, they are working to take the next step. To help achieve this goal, the Cannon Family adopted two animals through the National Wildlife Federation for Westwoods Elementary School students. One of the school’s kindergarten classes received the gift of an “adopted” moose and a preschool classroom received a snowy owl. The gift generated rich discussion in the classroom about the protection of wildlife and gave the school the opportunity to receive an additional point towards their accreditation. For more information about the Michigan Green Schools program, visit: www.michigangreenschools.us.

More information about symbolic adoptions through the National Wildlife Federation is available at: www.shopnwf.org/Adoption-Center/index.cat.

Traverse City Transportation Association Drive for Socks—March 14th-18th

Sock donations are being collected on all TCAPS school buses and in school offices.

Last week, a Traverse City Transportation Association (TCTA) bus driver saw a student with no socks and wet shoes. “The other morning on the bus one of my kids told me they had cold toes," said Martha Alvarez. "Upon investigating, they had no socks on." Ms. Alvarez later found that many students on her bus did not have socks. This dedicated driver quickly created the TCTA Sock Drive for students in need from March 14-18, 2016. Families are invited to donate socks to their child’s bus driver, who will accept sock donations on their routes. Donations can also be made at each school’s front office. New socks of all sizes will be accepted. Donated socks will then be distributed through TCAPS’ social work staff to students who need them. For more information, contact Karyn Hertel at hertelka@tcaps.net.

TC West Band Leader Featured in “Powerful Women” Series

West Senior HIgh School's Rachel Linsmeier is featured in the UpNorthLive and Grand Traverse Woman series on powerful women.

When 7&4 News anchor, Kristen Lowe, asked for ideas about “powerful women” in TCAPS to profile in her series for UpNorthLive and Grand Traverse Woman, there was no shortage of nominees. There are so many women who have a profound impact on our students, our schools and in our community that ideas came flooding in from each of our schools and departments. It wasn’t easy to choose just one, but Ms. Lowe decided to highlight “The Leader of the Band,” Traverse City West Senior High School’s Rachel Linsmeier. It seems appropriate as we celebrate Women’s History Month this March that one of our very own, who continues to make history, is being recognized. There are only a handful of female conductors in the field, particularly the further you advance, so we are very fortunate and proud to have Ms. Linsmeier on the TCAPS team. She is a great role model for our students and a true professional.

Students at West Middle School Shave Teacher’s Head

West Middle School students get the opportunity to shave teacher Blake Vance's head after meeting a challenge to raise money for the St. Baldrick's Foundation.

Blake Vance, a teacher at West Middle School, challenged the school to raise at least $500 for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. When they reached that goal, Vance dyed his hair and beard green and let the students shave his head into a mohawk. He then had the rest of his head shaved at the St. Baldrick’s head-shaving event the following day. “Having done the polar plunge in my lizard suit last month and raising over $300 for Special Olympics I had forgotten how good it felt to do something foolish for a good cause. So I have decided to participate in the St. Baldrick’s Foundation annual head-shaving event,” said Vance. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation raises funds to research cures for childhood cancers. Their head-shaving event began as a challenge between businessmen in one location in 2000, and has expanded to over 1,300 events in all 50 states and several countries in 2013. “I am a cancer survivor, and I was lucky enough to have my cancer removed before it spread. I didn’t have to experience losing my hair from chemotherapy. So I am happy to give up my hair for a while so someone in the future may be able to forgo losing their hair,” said Vance. In total, Vance exceeded his goal by raising $1,265. “The last time I shaved my head was in 1999. I am hopeful that my hair will grow back to its former brown color instead of grandpa gray. But I am not holding my breath!” said Vance.

Battle of the Books

Student readers are set to battle this weekend.

The final battle in this year's Grand Traverse Battle of the Books is occurring March 20th at the Lars Hockstad Auditorium at Central Grade School beginning at 2:30 p.m. Children's fantasy author, Tui Sutherland, will take the stage at 4:00 p.m. Tickets are $5 students, $10 educators, and $15 general. One ticket is good for both events. The finalists are: Star Dream Readers - Central Grade School and Book Ninjas - Central Grade School & TCAPS Montessori at Glenn Loomis. Great job to all of the teams that participated! For more information, go to: http://battleofthebooksgt.com.

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 and electronically via our e-newsletter. Contact Karyn Hertel at 231.933.5654 | hertelka@tcaps.net or visit www.tcaps.net/PIE to learn more.

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