Traverse City Area Public Schools August 2017 Newsletter

“We exist to educate and believe that education improves the quality of life for everyone.”

TCAPS Families, Staff and Friends,

Welcome to the start of another amazing school year! The start of school is one of the most exciting times of the year for everyone. While the perspective changes as children grow from the early elementary years into the middle and high school years, there is something magical for all students. The thrill of entering a new grade, finding out who your child’s teachers are, and catching up with friends makes the beginning of a new school year a special part of growing up. It’s also a time where we as adults feel the excitement of watching our children grow.

Making it even better is the fact that they are attending one of the finest school systems in the state. TCAPS is recognized as a comprehensive, high quality school system, in spite of the challenges of being low funded. We take great pride in delivering the most extensive curricular and extracurricular offerings around. Whether it’s engaging in STEM activities that offer fun, hands-on ways for students to build their science and math skills, learning about the manufacturing careers that exist in our local community, or hosting a fundraiser for a local nonprofit organization, our students have the opportunity to participate in so many meaningful experiences that will help prepare them for what’s next.

We are grateful for and embrace the trust you have placed in us to care for and educate your children. We exist to educate and believe that education improves the quality of life for everyone. We are committed to providing education in a safe and secure learning environment that demonstrates care and concern for every student. We know you have choices when it comes to education. We are grateful you have chosen TCAPS, and we promise to work diligently to make your decision the right one for your family.

Like our students, I look forward to catching up with many of you who I haven’t seen since last spring. We share a love for watching our students perform and celebrating their success. Make sure to say hello if I see you at the game, the concert, the play, the art exhibit, the honors assembly, and everywhere in between. These are great places to catch up with one another and share in celebrating our students’ achievements.

Until then, enjoy the last few days of summer and get ready for another great school year!

Sincerely,

Paul A. Soma
Superintendent, Traverse City Area Public Schools

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Superintendent

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Partner in Education

“offering the opportunity for one lucky attendee to win $10,000...”

Coast Guard Cup—August 31st

The Coast Guard City football game honoring the coasties in our community is back! This year’s game is on August 31, 2017, and will feature Traverse City West Senior High School vs. Grand Haven High School. It is a fun way to recognize our area U.S. Coast Guard members and their families. Along with a color guard presentation of the flag and a helicopter fly-over, 1310 The SCORE and Northwest Oil Express are offering the opportunity for one lucky attendee to win $10,000 if they can split the uprights! Registrations will be taken game day and more details can be found at 1310TheScore.com.

Free and Reduced Meal Online Sign-up Now Open

Click here to apply for free or reduced meals

Traverse City Area Public Schools is now accepting applications for free and/or reduced meals for the 2017-2018 school year. Families are required to complete a new application each year. Only one application is needed per household. Families that may qualify for the free and/or reduced meal program are encouraged to apply, whether or not their child plans to participate. The information is vital for the school district. It is used as part of the application process for a number of grants and other opportunities that TCAPS participates in. Apply online at: https://lunchapp.com.

TCAPS Graduate Named 2017 Michigan State University Marching Band Drum Major

Nicole Sanford, a 2014 graduate of Traverse City West Senior High School, has been named the Drum Major for the 2017 Michigan State University Spartan Marching Band. Sanford was previously the Drum Major for the Traverse City West Senior High School Marching Band.

“I will be forever grateful to my teachers who helped me get where I am today. Rachel Linsmeier, Pat Brumbaugh, and Flournoy Humphreys provided incredible input and support,” said Sanford. “They went out of their way to help me with my college path. I owe a lot to them and am so grateful for the incredible arts programming TCAPS had to offer.”

On top of graduating from Traverse City Area Public Schools with a year of college credits she earned while in high school, Sanford is the recipient of multiple annual scholarships including a scholarship from the College of Music, honors brass quintet, private donors, and for being Drum Major. Click here for more information about Sanford.

East Middle School Teacher Selected for State Teacher Leadership Advisory Council

Jane Porath, a teacher at East Middle School, is one of twenty-four teachers who have been selected by the Michigan Department of Education from a pool of more than 300 applicants to serve on a new panel to help guide the state’s plan to implement the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The teachers, representing K-12 public schools from across the state, will form the Teacher Leadership Advisory Council and will use their collective talents and experience to help the state work to become a Top 10 education state in 10 years. Under the law, every state is to develop a plan to improve educational outcomes for students. We look forward to their input and are proud to have one of our own representing northern Michigan on the council.

Summer Programs Keep Minds and Bodies Active All Summer Long

Students engaging in STEM learning through LEAP summer programs.

From left to right: Traverse Heights Principal Ryan Schrock, Lisa Seeley, CindyKay Anderson-Schwartz and Superintendent Paul Soma getting ready to deliver books to students living in the Traverse Heights neighborhood.

Courtade Elementary School opened the library for some summer reading fun.

Kids visiting the TCAPS and high school robotics booths at Friday Night Live had the opportunity to play with robots.

TCAPS staff and Sunrise Rotary members help stuff backpacks for the Backpacks for Kids program.

Wired TC Brings Together Educators Looking to Use Tech in the Classroom

Educators spent time this August learning about new ways to incorporate technology into the classroom. Wired TC: Create. Innovate. Empower. was a one day training event held on August 14th that was designed around innovation and technology in education. The event was hosted by TCAPS, along with a host of incredible sponsors, and was open to all area educators. It presented inspiring sessions, including: Innovating & Connecting in Next Generation Schools, So You Think You Know the Design Cycle, Taking STEM Outside Through Place-Based Education, Personalized Learning and Blending, and Using Khan Academy Effectively in the Classroom. It offered a unique opportunity for area educators to beef up their technology skills and learn ways to effectively apply them in the classroom.

TCAPS School Open House Dates and Times

School	Date/Time	Grade
Open Houses
Blair	Aug. 31, 5:00 PM-6:30 PM	All Grades
Central Grade	Aug. 30, 5:30 PM-6:30 PM	Preschool & Kindergarten Only
	Aug. 31, 5:30 PM-6:30 PM	Grades 1-5
Cherry Knoll	Aug. 31, 4:00 PM-4:30 PM	New Students
	Aug. 31, 4:30 PM-5:30 PM	Returning Students
Courtade	Aug. 30, 3:30 PM-4:30 PM	GSRP, Preschool & Kindergarten
	Aug. 30, 5:30 PM-6:30 PM	Grades K-5
	Aug. 31, 1:00 PM-1:30 PM	Resource Room Students
Eastern	Aug. 31, 4:30 PM-5:30 PM	All Grades
	Aug. 31, 1:00 PM	Class lists posted
	Aug. 31, 5:00 PM-6:00 PM	Ice Cream Social
Long Lake	Aug. 31, 4:30 PM-5:30 PM	Preschool
	Aug. 31, 5:00 PM-6:00 PM	Grades K-5
Monstessori	Aug. 31, 9:00 AM-11:00 AM	Toddler
	Aug. 31, 12:00 PM-12:30 PM	Primary (Preschool)
	Aug. 31, 1:00 PM-1:30 PM	Primary (Kindergarten)
	Aug. 31, 2:00 PM-2:30 PM	New & Moving Up Students
	Aug. 31, 2:30 PM-3:00 PM	Lower & Upper El (Grades 1-6)
Old Mission	Aug. 31, 2:00 PM-3:00 PM	All Grades
Silver Lake	Aug. 31, 5:00 PM-6:00 PM	All Grades
Traverse Heights	Aug. 31, 4:00 PM-4:30 PM	New Students
	Aug. 31, 4:30 PM-5:30 PM	Returning Students
Westwoods	Aug. 30, 4:00 PM-7:00 PM	All Grades
Willow Hill	Aug. 30, 5:00 PM-6:00 PM	Preschool & Kindergarten
	Aug. 31, 5:00 PM-6:00 PM	Grades 1-5
East Middle School	Aug. 29, 6:00 PM-7:30 PM	All Grades
West Middle School	Aug. 30, 6:00 PM-7:00 PM	Grade 6
	Sept. 7, 6:00 PM-7:00 PM	Grade 7-8
Registration Dates
School	Date/Time	Grade
East Middle	Aug. 23, 11:00 AM-6:00 PM	Grade 8
	Aug. 24, 11:00 AM-6:00 PM	Grade 7
	Aug. 25, 11:00 AM-6:00 PM	Grade 6
West Middle	Aug. 24, 11:00 AM-6:00 PM	Grade 6
	Aug. 25, 11:00 AM-6:00 PM	Grade 7
Central High	Aug. 23, 11:00 AM-6:00 PM	Grade 9-12
	Aug. 24, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM	Grade 9-12
TC High	Aug. 23,10:00 AM-3:00 PM	Grade 9-12
West Senior High	Aug. 23, 9:00 AM-6:00 PM	Grade 9-12

Superintendent

News & Events

Partner in Education

“Sharing the cumulative impact of TCAPS students' good citizenship and their volunteer / community service contributions.”

Join us for the 6th Annual TC Patriot Game—September 8th

The annual game between the Titans and Trojans, set for Friday, September 8, 2017, at 6:30 p.m., is more than just an exciting football game. It’s an event to honor those who answered the call to serve our country. Many men and women, who at one time had their feet on Thirlby Field, now have their feet on foreign soil while serving in the United States military. This game honors their service, along with police and firefighters who put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe.

Each year, students from Traverse City Central High School and Traverse City West Senior High School help plan the event and choose an organization to be the beneficiary of the proceeds from the commemorative game day t-shirts. This year, proceeds will benefit 22-2-None, an organization whose mission is to reduce the estimated 22 Veteran deaths by suicide every day in this country. Commemorative 6th Annual TC Patriot Game t-shirts are available now at area car dealerships and both schools.

Active duty military, Veterans, and first responders are invited to attend the Bagger Dave’s Tailgate Party starting at 5:30 p.m. at the 13th Street entrance of Thirlby Field. We offer our sincerest gratitude to our community of willing sponsors who always say “yes” to supporting those who are or have given so much. After the tailgate, the pre-game ceremony will begin. It is sure to be a great night for a great cause. We hope you’ll join us.

Superintendent

News & Events

hOurs to Give

“a healthy reward to students continuing their reading skills over the summer months...”

McLain Cycle and Fitness Supports Courtade and Westwoods Summer Reading Nights

On Wednesday, August 16, 2017, Westwoods Elementary School hosted its third "Bounce, Bike, and Books!" summer reading night. Westwoods families had the opportunity to gather for reading-based fun including library book check-out, literacy maker spaces, book walk, technology exploration, and a PTO hosted cookout. It was family reading fun for everyone! The following morning, Thursday, August 17, 2017, Courtade Elementary School held their weekly library hours for the Cougars. The morning focused on the author Mo Willems and his book collection, “Elephant and Piggy”. It was a wonderful activity to help students avoid the summer slide and allowed them to exchange their weekly reads for fresh material. Partner In Education McLain Cycle and Fitness, donated bikes that were awarded to students who participated in both events. Their generous donation provided a healthy reward to students continuing their reading skills over the summer months. Thank you!

adidas Gives Back

New Partner In Education, adidas, is offering all TCAPS families a 20% discount and free shipping on their online purchases at adidas.com/us. Simply enter the code TCAPS17HSP at checkout to apply the discount. In addition to the discount, TCAPS will receive 5% back to support the investment of Athletic Trainers and training supplies for students. The offer is valid through December 31, 2017. The promo code must be entered at the time of purchase for TCAPS to receive the donation credit.

For a combined total of nearly 50 years, Licensed Athletic Trainers Amy Ream and John McDougall have been ensuring that TCAPS’ student-athletes safely participate in sports.

Amy Ream, now in her 27th year with Central High School, is a Licensed Athletic Trainer in the state of Michigan, as well as a Board Certified Athletic Trainer for the National Athletic Trainers’ Association. “What I like most about the athletic training profession is that I get to interact with the student-athletes and help them return to participation following injury,” said Ream.

Athletic trainings from left to right: Amy Ream, John McDougall

John McDougall has been the Head Licensed Athletic Trainer for Traverse City West Senior High School since it's opening in 1997. “I’m involved in communication with administrators, coaches, parents and physicians in regards to athletic injuries,” said McDougall. “Munson Sports Medicine continues to maintain the highest level of care of athletic concussions, with computer (ImPACT) and sideline (Scat 3) pretesting and post injury testing, as well as utilizing other concussion testing tools and physicians in the process of returning our student athletes back to competition as safely as possible.”

Both trainers are employed by Munson - Sports Medicine, which partners with TCAPS to provide trainers to aid in the prevention, recognition, treatment, rehabilitation and referral of athletic injuries.

Offer cannot be combined with other offers. Offer is not valid on prior purchases. Exclusions apply, including but not limited to: Yeezy, NMD, Parley, Ultra Boost, PureBOOST X, limited edition originals, adidas by Stella McCartney and gift cards. Valid on domestic U.S. orders only. adidas reserves the right to change terms and conditions, substitute offer of equal or greater value and end offer at any time without notice. Void where prohibited or restricted by law.

TCAPS Pride Pack Store

TCAPS is excited to announce a new partnership with Threads to offer a TCAPS Pride Pack Store. The store is set up for you to purchase logo gear that includes your school logo or district logo. District staff may also add their department. Threads will keep items in stock, so order turnaround times are quick and the best part is that with every purchase, Threads will donate 20% of the sale back to TCAPS’ Learning, Enrichment, and Athletic Program (LEAP). Orders can either be shipped directly to you or be available for pick-up at Britten Local (2322 Cass Road). So grab some school spirit gear for yourself and the family and feel good knowing you’re supporting LEAP scholarships for students that might not otherwise be able to participate.