October 2015

TCAPS Families, Staff and Friends,

The reason we go to work each day is to provide the best education possible for every one of our nearly 10,000 students. We do that because we know that education improves the quality of life for everyone. While students are our focus, and talk of budgets can be boring (unless you happen to be a CPA!), it is important that our finances are in order so that we can continue to provide high quality educational opportunities now and into the future.

Today, I am happy to share news with you that a preliminary report from our auditors tells us that our budget is balanced for the first time since 2007, our budget forecast for next year looks strong, and, while we still have work to do to ensure that we have a healthy fund balance, we are in a better position financially than many districts in the state. In fact, 43 school systems had their bond ratings downgraded by Moody’s this year, and many of those districts receive substantially higher per pupil funding than TCAPS.

Getting here wasn’t easy. It meant serious cuts, uncomfortable adjustments and sometimes going without. Going forward, we are going to continue to look for opportunities to be more efficient, which will mean making hard decisions. Our goal is that our educational priorities drive our budget, so that we can direct as many resources as possible into our classrooms, where they are needed most.

If you want to learn more about school funding and how it all works, I invite you to attend the next Board Coffee Conversation on October 29, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Horizon Books (243 E. Front St.). You can also follow me now on Twitter @SuptSoma for updates about the great things happening in our schools.

Sincerely,

Paul A. Soma
Superintendent Traverse City Area Public Schools

School funding is complex. Test your knowledge about TCAPS funding in the questions below. Answers can be found at the bottom of the newsletter.

1. TCAPS receives a per student (pupil) foundation allowance from the state of:

a. $10,045

b. $7,391

c. $9,864

d. $13,745

2. True or False: TCAPS receives the same foundation allowance as Farmington Public Schools, which serves the same number of students as TCAPS.

3. TCAPS’ capital millage rate is:

a. 5.2 mills

b. 9.4 mills

c. 1.5 mills

d. 3.1 mills

4. True or False: TCAPS’ high schools outperform many higher funded districts in the state.

TCAPS Pilots New School Bus Warning Lights

New warning lights help drivers understand when it is safe to pass a bus.

It’s National Bus Safety Week and TCAPS is part of a pilot program to help make the bus ride to school even safer. TCAPS has four buses, out of 40 being piloted across the state, that use new warning lights to help drivers understand when it is safe to pass a bus and when they should stop.

WMS Teams Up with the Attorney General’s Office to Help Students Stay Cyber Safe

TC West Middle School participated in an award-winning program that teaches students the importance of being safe, making smart decisions, and protecting themselves and others online. The program was put on by the Attorney General’s Office as part of the Michigan Cyber Safety Initiative.

Celebrating National Farm-to-School Month

Harvesting tomatoes at Traverse Heights Elementary School.

October is National Farm-to-School Month and TCAPS' Food & Nutrition Services has been hard at work providing students with tasty and healthy foods straight from local farms!

Agriculture is an important part of the northern Michigan landscape and economy. By working with local food growers and producers, TCAPS is serving up delicious meals that feed young minds. From salad greens from 9 Bean Rows Farm to honey, tomatoes, squash and blueberries from Cherry Capital Foods to the famous Empire asparagus from the Norconk Farm, TCAPS is supporting local agriculture and our community in the lunchroom.

Learn More About TCAPS Farm-to-School Program:

www.tcaps.net/departments/food-nutrition-services/farm-to-school

October Local Harvest of the Month: Apples

It’s apple season in northwest Michigan! TCAPS cafeterias will be serving fresh Michigan apples all month long.

Great apples recipes from
the Michigan Apple Committee

Learn more about the TCAPS
Local Harvest of the Month

TCAPS Calendar Reminders

• October 29 - Board Coffee Conversation, Horizon Books, 6:00 p.m. - Topic: School Funding: How Does That Work Again Exactly?
• November 1 - Daylight Savings Time
• November 5 - Half Day of School for Students
• November 6 - No School for Students
• November 26-27 - No School, Thanksgiving Recess
• 2015-2016 District School Year Calendar

Old Mission Peninsula School Students and Families Help Stock the Traverse City High School Pantry

Students help prepare donations to be delivered to the TCHS pantry.

National Walk to School Day

Central Grade School students kick off National Walk to School Day at Oryana.

Eastern Elementary School students participate in National Walk to School Day.

Willow Hill Elementary School students make the walk to school.

Custodians: the Unsung Heroes of TCAPS

Interlochen Community School Custodian Ben Amon greets students as they begin their day.

Custodians are the behind-the-scenes heroes at Traverse City Area Public Schools.

“Each day is full of its own surprises and challenges. It can be anything from a student-pulled fire alarm, an overflowing toilet, or an unexpected delivery at lunch time. And occasionally they’re all at once!” said Sheryl Chandler, custodian at Traverse Heights Elementary School.

October 2nd was National Custodial Worker Day, a day to remind us to thank the people who do so much for our schools, often with little acknowledgement.

“These people always go well beyond the call of duty. Not only taking on extra work, but always thinking about how to better the learning environment by keeping buildings clean and safe,” said Adam Bevier, TCAPS Director of Facilities.

Custodians are at the schools before the sun rises and some have shifts that continue well after the sun sets. They do the work that has to be done to make sure that TCAPS’ students have a clean environment that is conducive to learning.

“There may be unpleasant tasks to perform at times, but they are completely outweighed by what I get to experience when a student shares their joy over a recent sports accomplishment or their pride in the art project that’s displayed on the wall. The excitement, smiles, and wonder in their eyes when holiday decorations go up—that is purely priceless!” said Chandler.

“I always try to be ready and willing to assist the staff however they may need from painting, to cleaning, changing light bulbs, or even once having to catch a rooster!” said Ben Amon, custodian at Interlochen Community School. “Not every task I handle is glamorous, but the amazing staff and students I am surrounded by keep me looking forward to each new and unpredictable day.”

A bus arrives at Interlochen Community School.

TCAPS Schools to Receive Two AED’s from 2nd Annual Traverse City Youth Triathlon Proceeds

Traverse City Area Public Schools is pleased to announce that the proceeds received from the 2nd Annual UpNorth Media Traverse City Youth Triathlon have been used to purchase and install Automated External Defibrillators (AED).

A presentation to thank UpNorth Media will take place at Courtade Elementary School on Friday , October 30, 2015, at 10:00 a.m.

“AED’s are expensive and if we could help TCAPS move one step closer to having one in every school, that is a really good thing,” said Brian Hagerty Owner of UpNorth Media. “Since the unit has been donated to Courtade they have already had one incident where they potentially could have had to use it. The hope is to grow more interest in the youth triathlon that promotes health and wellness in kids and raises funds to support a very serious need. With the overwhelming positive feedback we got from last year’s event, I am confident we will be able to do that much more in 2016.”

The triathlon was held June 6, 2015. Approximately 100 youth participants competed against their peers in a three-part race at the Civic Center. The youth triathlon helps provide an introduction to triathlons, giving young athletes a safe and positive environment to build their fitness.

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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