September 2015

TCAPS Families, Staff and Friends,

September is National Preparedness Month. It is a month when families and communities create plans and communicate about how to stay safe in the event of an emergency. It is with this spirit in mind that we are using the month of September as an opportunity to share the many efforts we have underway at TCAPS to keep our students safe.

Student safety is and always will be TCAPS’ top priority. Providing a safe and secure school environment is the foundation students and teachers need to be able to focus on learning. Whether it is training on how to recognize the signs of childhood sexual abuse, bringing in school safety dogs, running emergency practice drills, or installing filtering software on student computers, we do everything possible to create safe places for our students to learn.

If you want to learn more about what we are doing to keep our community’s children safe, I invite you to attend the September 28th Board of Education Study Session or join in the discussion at the school board’s Coffee Conversation on September, 24th. We all have a role to play in protecting the next generation and it is a responsibility we take seriously.

Sincerely,

Paul A. Soma
Superintendent Traverse City Area Public Schools

TCAPS Quiz Bowl (fill in the blank)

1. TCAPS high schools are ranked among the top ___ of schools in the state (U.S. News & World Report, The Washington Post).

a. 5%
b. 10%
c. 20%
d. 30%

2. Approximately ___ football fans, veterans and community members packed Thirlby Field for this year’s TC Patriot Game.

a. 3,000
b. 10,000
c. 6,000
d. 5,000

3. The TCAPS boundary area is approximately ___ square miles.

a. 10
b. 100
c. 1,000
d. 300

Look at the bottom of the newsletter to check your answers.

4th Annual TC Patriot Game Raises $4,500 for Dogs in Honor

A black lab named Salute participates in the 4th annual TC Patriot Game.

This year’s TC Patriot Game not only provided an exciting night of football (overtime!), it also honored our local veterans, active service members and emergency first responders and raised money for a great cause. More than $4,500 in proceeds will be donated to Dogs in Honor, an organization that places companion dogs with veterans to help manage post-traumatic stress disorder.

TC Central High School Named Marzano Demonstration School

Traverse City Central High School has been selected as one of two schools in Michigan to be a demonstration school by the Learning Sciences Marzano Center. Being named a Marzano Demonstration Model school means Central High School will receive intensive supports for teachers and students to close the achievement gap between the top and bottom 30% of students—a priority for the district.

TC West Senior High School Teacher Creatures

Teacher Creatures at the West vs. Central boys' tennis match on September 15th.

A group of teachers from West Senior High School were inspired to follow in the footsteps of the Bleacher Creatures. As a student group, the Bleacher Creatures have been a positive presence at West, attending a variety of sporting events and extracurricular activities to promote school spirit. Teacher Creatures have made it a priority to show their support of West students participating in a variety of extracurricular events. Tim Wooer and the West football team have thrown their support behind both “Creature” groups by donating spirit wear to students and staff. Be on the lookout for both of the “Creature” groups at future West events!

TC West Senior High School to Host West Fall Fest

On Tuesday, September 29, 2015, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Traverse City West Senior High School is hosting the West Fall Festival. The festival will include a car show, student musical performances and local food trucks. The event is free and the public is welcome.

Manufacturing Day

On Friday, October 2, 2015, approximately 600 students from grades 8 through 12 are expected to attend the 2015 Manufacturing Day. Established in 2012, Manufacturing Day is an annual national event designed to showcase the career opportunities modern manufacturing technology offers and the industry’s value to the U.S. economy. The Traverse City event is one of more than 1,000 planned around the nation each year. Learn more about Manufacturing Day: www.mfgday.com.

Resources

Social Media

As the use of social media by middle and high school students continues to grow, it has become increasingly important to talk to your child about its use. Here are a few resources to help get you started:

Talking to Kids and Tweens About Social Media

Social Media Use and Adolescents: A Guide for Parents

TCAPS 24/7

Looking for additional learning resources or new ways to enhance your child’s education? Check out TCAPS 24/7 for frequently updated reading, writing and math lessons that will help build upon and expand the skills your child is learning in class.

Visit TCAPS 24/7: http://tcaps247.weebly.com

TCAPS Calendar Reminders

• September 24 - Board Coffee Conversation, Horizon Books, 6:00 p.m. - Topic: Keeping Our Children Safe
• October 7 - Student Count Day
• 2015-2016 District School Year Calendar

September Local Harvest of the Month

Cauliflower is in season in northern Michigan! A member if the Brassica oleracea family, which also includes broccoli and brussels sprouts, cauliflower provides vitamin C, folate, fiber, and phytochemicals. It can be enjoyed raw, roasted, grilled, boiled, smashed (like potatoes), or stir fried. Learn more.

Students in Central High School’s Personal Finance Class Learn the Value of Giving

Central High School students volunteer for the annual Day of Caring.

Students from Traverse City Central High School's personal finance class volunteered as part of the United Way of Northwest Michigan's Annual Day of Caring. For their project, they spruced up the grounds outside of Eastern Elementary School yesterday and today are working at Central High School. It was a great way to show their younger neighbors, their classmates and the community that they care!

Central High School students volunteer for the annual Day of Caring.

600 TCAPS Educators Receive ‘Darkness to Light’ Training

The experts’ estimates are staggering. More than 1 in 10 children will be the victim of sexual abuse before their 18th birthday. In over 90% of cases, it will be by someone they know and trust.

“When you hear numbers like that, you immediately think ‘what more can we do to help prevent it,’” said Lance Morgan, principal of Traverse City High School and Traverse Bay Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) board member. “We all have a responsibility to learn the signs and help prevent child sexual abuse, but for TCAPS, we are in a unique position to try to help.”

That’s why Morgan made bringing training to the district a key focus. Morgan’s dedication, along with the experience of the trained professionals at the CAC and a grant from the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation made that vision possible.

In the beginning of September, 600 TCAPS teachers received training based on the “Darkness to Light: Stewards of Children” program, which the CAC team tailored especially for educators. It is a nationally recognized training program designed to help youth serving organizations—like law enforcement agencies, recreation facilities, faith centers and educational institutions—create safer environments for children.

Fall College Planning Workshops

Partner In Education Michigan College Planning is beginning their annual workshops for all TCAPS families! This one-hour FREE workshop is specifically designed to help families realize it’s NEVER too early or too late to start! (view workshop flyer as PDF)

Michigan College Planning (MCP) is a TCAPS Partner In Education. Their partnership directly supports TCAPS' Learning, Enrichment and Athletic Program (LEAP). MCP is a for profit business. This post is intended to share information about an upcoming session that may be of interest to TCAPS parents/guardians and students. Offering the opportunity for such information sessions does not constitute or imply an endorsement by TCAPS of any views, products, processes, or services, or of any producer, provider, or vendor. TCAPS does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness or completeness of information provided by a guest speaker or vendor during such an information session. TCAPS, its officers and employees do not make any warranties, express or implied, or assume any legal liability, for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information provided during such an information session.

Senior Center Network Partnership and Community Members (50+) Events & Resources

GT County Senior Center Network offers many great trips throughout the year

We are excited to share a new partnership with The Grand Traverse County Senior Center Network. As part of this partnership, we have created a “Community Members (50+) Events & Resources” section on the TCAPS Community Resource page. It will share all of the great opportunities our local Senior Center is providing through the Grand Traverse Commission on Aging.

GT County Senior Center Network offers many great trips throughout the year

Save the Date: The Grand Traverse County Senior Center Network will present its 2016 Travel Schedule, Sunday, October 4th, at 2:00 p.m. at Traverse City West Senior High School. This will be the first time area residents will have the opportunity to learn about the destinations the Senior Center has chosen for their group travel adventures in 2016. The tours are open to all adult residents of Grand Traverse County, designed with the 50+ population in mind. Destinations include Nova Scotia, New York City, a Detroit Tigers Ballgame and many more. Reservations are encouraged and can be made by calling 922-4911 or emailed to ehovie@grandtraverse.org.

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.