August 2016

TCAPS Families, Staff and Friends,

Last year, our schools and programs had so many notable achievements and memorable moments. We were again named among the country’s “Best High Schools” by U.S. News & World Report and “Most Challenging High Schools” by The Washington Post, placing TCAPS in the top 5% of high schools in the state. Our students’ NWEA results, TCAPS’ primary, research-based assessment to measure student progress, outpaced those in the nation, demonstrating that our students rank high in both proficiency and academic growth. The music program was selected to headline the 2017 Michigan Music Conference in January, where more than 500 TCAPS students are expected to perform. Our elementary through high school robotics programs continued to make headlines. Our Peer to Peer and ASD mentoring programs served as models of inclusion. Our student athletes received accolade after accolade, including a state championship win for the West Senior High School Girls’ Golf Team. There were so many more accomplishments last year, I can’t even begin to list them all.

As August begins to come to a close and we put the finishing touches on our preparation for the upcoming school year, we expect to continue our proud TCAPS tradition of academic excellence and achievement in the wide variety of extracurricular and co-curricular opportunities that we offer. Our programs, and the talented students, teachers, volunteers and families that make them up, are what make our school district a leader in both the region and the state. You can already begin to see signs of activity as our fall sports teams have begun to practice, the marching band has taken the field, rehearsals have begun for the fall musical, classroom assignments and class schedules are finalized, and preschoolers and kindergarteners are enrolled and ready to begin their educational journeys. It is going to be another great year!

Please enjoy the remainder of the break and know that we are ready and excited to welcome your children and all of our families back on Tuesday, September 6th.

Sincerely,

Paul A. Soma
Superintendent Traverse City Area Public Schools

The learning and achievements didn’t stop over the summer months. Students and staff across the district participated in summer enrichment opportunities, athletic camps, and integrated learning and fun into their days. Here is a sampling of the many summer adventures had by our students and staff.

Summer Adventure Day Camp

More than 700 students spent the summer learning, making new friends and having fun while participating in the TCAPS Summer Adventure Day Camp program at one of its five locations.

West Senior High School Student Earns MIPA Award for Newspaper Design

Katie Rundio poses with the certificate she earned.

West Senior High School student, Katie Rundio, received “Best Alternative Story Form” recognition at the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association Summer Journalism Workshop held at Michigan State University July 31st-August 4th.

TCAPS Spanish Students Give Back Over the Summer

TCAPS Spanish students visited Mexico over the summer and spent time volunteering at an orphanage. They also donated bikes, sports supplies, craft supplies, and more to help the children who live there.

TCAPS students pose with children from an orphanage in Mexico.

Students in TCAPS Spanish classes also learned about our local migrant population that supports the area’s agricultural community, and wanted to give back by hosting a district-wide school supply collection. So many school supplies were donated that students decided to give the donations to the Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District (TBAISD), where they could be distributed to area students and support local migrant school programs.

West Senior High School custodian, Rick Lorenzen, helps West Middle School Spanish student, Owen Hansen, deliver thousands of donated items to TBAISD.

TCAPS Calendar Reminders

• Sept. 6 - First day of school for students
  
• Oct. 5 - Student Count Day
• 2016-2017 District School Year Calendar

Open House and Registration Information

All open house and registration information can be found at: www.tcaps.net/enroll.

Updated District & School Websites—Coming Soon

TCAPS is preparing to launch updated district and school websites in early September. The updated sites will include standard menu bars at the top of each page, making navigating each school site more consistent. They will also offer features intended to better serve our families and staff including an alert system that will will pop up on all website home pages with important information, like school closures due to inclement weather. The alert system is RSS enabled, so parents and staff will be able to subscribe to the feed to receive direct alerts.

Transportation Information and Hotline

Families should expect to receive bus schedule and route information in the mail soon. The TCAPS Transportation Department will also be providing a temporary hotline before the start of school to help parents identify their child’s bus stop and to make any necessary updates or corrections before the first day of school. The BEFORE SCHOOL TEMPORARY HOTLINE CALL CENTER number is (231) 933-1956. It will be open daily from August 29, 2016, through September 2, 2016, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The TCAPS Transportation Regular Hotline number is (231) 933-1955. This hotline will be available after the school year begins and will provide various updates, including school closures or delayed buses. For more information, visit: www.tcaps.net/transportation.

TC Patriot Game—September 9th

The 5th annual Traverse City Patriot Game, the annual crosstown football game between Traverse City Central High School and Traverse City West Senior High School will take place on September 9, 2016, at Thirlby Field. Student Senate leaders from TC Central and TC West chose Veteran-to-Veteran as the recipient of the proceeds raised through the sale of commemorative game day t-shirts. T-shirts are available for purchase for $10 at Bill Marsh Automotive Group locations, and will be available at each school. This year, fans of TC West will wear blue and TC Central will wear red. The Veteran-to-Veteran program is part of The Little Collaborative and helps Veterans work their way through the difficulty of leaving active duty and returning to civilian life through the mentorship of other Veterans. More information about the event is available at: www.TCPatriotGame.com.

Used Instrument Sale—September 10th

Do you have an instrument to buy or sell? On Saturday, September 10, 2016, the Traverse City Music Boosters will host the annual “Used Instrument Sale” at Traverse City West Middle School (3950 Silver Lake Rd.) from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Little Theater. Cash or check only. 15% of each sale will be used to support the TC Music Boosters’ scholarship program and classroom mini-grants. Instruments for sale may be dropped off between 9:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. (appraisers will be available). Unsold instruments can be picked up between 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. For additional information, call the TCAPS District Music Office at (231) 933-7570.

Opportunity to Apply for Free or Discounted Meal Benefits

TCAPS is pleased to announce the opportunity for families to apply for free or discounted meal benefits. Families who apply and qualify can access the many healthy meal options that TCAPS offers every school day for free or reduced rates. The free and reduced meal program helps ensure that all children have access to nutritious foods that growing minds need to fuel their learning.

In addition, many of the funding and grant opportunities that the district relies on to support programs in schools are based on the number of students who qualify for the free and reduced meal program. Even if students do not use the meal program, ensuring that the district is able to accurately report the number of qualifying students is important for many other TCAPS programs. Families who have not qualified in the past, may now qualify. Situations that effect family incomes or size may change over time and may impact your qualifying status. Parents or guardians are welcome to apply at any time or adjust a previously submitted application when family circumstances change.

To apply, visit: www.lunchapp.com, or pick up a paper application at any TCAPS school. Only one application is needed per household. For additional information or help filling out the form, contact TCAPS Food and Nutrition Services at (231) 933-1910.

10 Cents a Meal Grant Program Helps TCAPS Serve Michigan-Grown Produce

During the 2015-16 school year, TCAPS used fruits, vegetables and legumes purchased from 35 local farms and four local vendors through the 10 Cents a Meal grant program. To help showcase the district’s connection with local farms and foods, TCAPS features a local Harvest of the Month on its elementary school menus and conducts monthly taste tests of a local fruit or vegetable, in partnership with FoodCorps. The results of the taste test are analyzed and used to guide the development of new recipes featuring the products students like into the lunchroom. Over the last three years, TCAPS has received $44,177.26 in 10 Cents a Meal funding for its participation in the grant program.

Top 7 items purchased:

1. Apples
2. Asparagus
3. Blueberries
4. Carrots
5. Pears
6. Strawberries
7. Dry beans

TCAPS Board Coffee Conversation—August 25th

The TCAPS Board of Education will host its monthly Coffee Conversation on Thursday, August 25th, at Horizon Books in downtown Traverse City from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The discussion topic will be “Extracurricular Options.” Attendees will also have the opportunity to discuss any other topic of interest with a TCAPS board member at the meeting.

TCAPS Hosts Wired TC Summer Technology Conference

Teachers learn new techniques for the classroom during the TCAPS Wired TC Makerspace Workshop.

Incorporating technology into learning can empower students and make learning fun. On Monday, August 15th, teachers and administrators from school districts across the state of Michigan attended the Wired TC Conference, hosted by TCAPS’ technology department. Conference participants learned how to incorporate technology into their classrooms and schools. Over the course of eight hours, participants engaged in workshops focused on incorporating 3-D printing in the classroom, learning to code with robots, the ins and outs of Google Classroom, and so much more.

Local Students Represent Cherryland Co-op at 2016 Youth Leadership Events

The future of electric cooperatives lies with the youth, and members couldn’t be in better hands. High school students from across Michigan represented their electric cooperatives at the 2016 Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) at SpringHill Camps in Evart, Mich. The three-day summit was an opportunity for students to learn more about leadership, civic engagement and the cooperative difference in a fun-filled environment. Cherryland sent four local high school students to YLS to represent their co-op: Ian Berry and Matthew Palmer of Traverse City Central High School and Madison Hertel and Elliott Sitkins of Traverse City West Senior High School. Of the YLS attendees, Madison Hertel and Ian Berry were selected to represent Cherryland on the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. this June. They were joined by 1,500 students from all over America in a weeklong trip touring the nation’s Capitol and meeting government officials.

“It was such a great experience! I made so many new friends and enjoyed learning about the electric co-ops,” Hertel said. “Knowing more about energy makes me a better community member because I can share the information with my peers.”

Learn more at miyls.com about YLS and the Youth Tour in Washington, D.C.

Source: Michigan Country Lines – Cherryland Electric Cooperative July/August 2016 edition

(Pictured left to right) Rob Marsh, Cherryland Electric Cooperative Communications Specialist, Madison Hertel, Elliot Sitkins, Matthew Palmer, and Ian Berry.

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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