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TCAPS District Newsletter

2025-2026 Enrollment

Families seeking to enroll an incoming Kindergarten or Junior Kindergarten student for the fall of 2025 are invited to attend an information session. Assistance will also be available at each session for pre-registration.

February 10 at 5:30: Courtade, Long Lake, Willow Hill
February 11 at 5:30: Cherry Knoll, Eastern
February 12 at 4:15: Traverse Heights
February 12 at 5:30: Blair, Central Grade, Silver Lake, Westwoods, Montessori (note: Montessori includes CASA, Primary, and Pre-K)

These dates, and all other district registration details, are available online. This site will be updated as additional dates are determined.

Talented & Gifted Program Registration for Cognitive Ability Testing (CogAT)

Registration deadline is Monday, January 20, 2025
Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) will administer the Cognitive Ability Test (CogAT) in February for all current 3rd-grade students interested in the Talented and Gifted (TAG) program next school year. Students identified through the process are invited to attend the TAG magnet school located at Central Grade School. Read more.

TCAPS Compass Award Winners

Compass Award

The TCAPS Compass Award is an employee recognition program that recognizes the contributions individual staff members are making toward the implementation of the District's Strategic Plan in their daily work.

Congratulations to the December TCAPS Compass Award recipients for all you do to educate, inspire, and support learners to maximize individual excellence and success.

Dominic Hubbell, Custodian
West Middle School
19 years at TCAPS

Michelle Kitts, Cooks Assistant
Traverse Heights Elementary School
1 year at TCAPS

Ralph Altwies, Transportation Dispatcher
41 years at TCAPS

Kali Meyers, Assistant Principal
West Senior High School
8 years with TCAPS

Justin Moore, School Safety Liaison
West Senior High School
1 year at TCAPS

Cindy Farah, Purchasing Manager
Administration
10 years with TCAPS

Phoebe Hammond Schroeder, Bus Driver Aide
Transportation
3 years at TCAPS

Kristin Sulecki, School Social Worker
Westwoods Elementary
24 years at TCAPS

TCAPS Education Excellence Awards Presented

TCAPS Education Excellence Fund supports a variety of K-12 programs within TCAPS to help students and teachers develop and implement innovative ideas that are student focused, curriculum based, and promote academic excellence. Grant awards support K-12 classroom activities throughout TCAPS that are not overwise funded by the District's operating budget. Congratulations to the 2024 recipients:

Central Grade: Decodable Books
Cherry Knoll: Updating and replacing books
Courtade: Afterschool enrichment programming
East Middle School: Science modeling and classroom supplies
District English Language Learners Program: Ukrainian Literacy
West Middle School: PE classroom supplies

Glenn Loomis Administration Building Winter Break Hours

The Glenn Loomis Administration Building will be closed for regular hours Monday, December 23, 2024 through Friday, January 3, 2025. All visitors must make appointments prior to entry and be admitted by the staff member they are meeting. Please ensure you have the phone number or email address of the individual you are scheduled to meet with so you can reach them directly when you arrive.

Free Gun Safety Locks

TCAPS received 250 gun safety locks to distribute to parents from The Michigan State Police Grants and Community Services Division. Any TCAPS parent is welcome to stop by the main offices between 8:00 - 3:00 of West Senior High School or Central High School or between 9:00 - 4:00 at the Office of the Superintendent at Glenn Loomis Administration Building to receive a free lock.

Gun lock installation instructions in both English and Spanish are included and are also available on the Project ChildSafe website.

Inclement Weather Alerts & School Closures

TCAPS Alert

TCAPS families will receive notifications about school closures due to inclement weather through news media, email, and, if opted in, a district text message. Announcements will also be available on the TCAPS website, social media, and the bus hotline. The decision is usually made by 5:00 a.m., if possible, and no later than 6:00 a.m. If you do not already receive texts, you can opt-in at any time by texting the word YES to 79041, using the phone number that is already on file with the school. Read more at www.tcaps.net/alerts.

Great Start Readiness Program
This Just In
Meteorologist Visit

The JK and Kindergarten classes at Westwoods Elementary had a special visit from Heather Bricca, a meteorologist from 7 & 4 News. Heather taught the students about her job and how she forecasts the weather. She explained the different types of clouds and the conditions necessary for snowfall. The class was featured on the 7 & 4 morning news.

Light Parade

Rudolph the Red Nose School Bus had a great time participating in the Downtown TC Light Parade. Thank you to all the staff, students, and families who helped make the evening memorable!

Josh Cassada, retired Navy Test Pilot, Instructor, and NASA Astronaut, visited Central High School. Josh, who spent six months aboard the International Space Station, shared his incredible experiences with the physics class.

NASA Astronaut Visit

Wildlife Crossing

7th grade students at West Middle School worked in groups to plan, design, refine, and create model Wildlife Crossings for Michigan. These creative structures protect wildlife and help preserve ecosystem balance.

Bryan Kay

Congratulations to Mr. Bryan Kay, Principal at Traverse Heights, for being honored at the Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association (MEMSPA) Leadership Awards Banquet.

English Learners Potluck

The TCAPS Curriculum & Instruction department organized a potluck for English Learners and their families. This event provided information on resources such as SSN and LEAP activities. Students were provided free books, a bookmark coloring activity, and local apples to take home.

TCAPS thank you

Student Support Network (SSN)

The Student Support Network (SSN) is a program administered by Traverse City Area Public Schools that provides free supportive, educational-related services and non-academic support to help overcome obstacles that may create barriers to learning. If your student needs help, please contact SSN Coordinator at 231.933.1789 or complete the Student Support Network Request Form. If you would like more information about SSN, or to donate, please visit TCAPS Student Support Network.

SSN Thank You

The TCAPS Student Support Network wishes to express heartfelt appreciation to all community agencies, school groups, and individuals who have contributed to providing basic needs, holiday assistance, and gifts to TCAPS students and their families this year. With your help, over 850 students were provided with clothing, winter gear, healthy snacks, food, and holiday gifts. As the 2024 year draws to a close, we reflect on the incredible difference the steadfast support of our community has made for our students. The Student Support Network wishes our community a joyful holiday season filled with peace and gratitude.

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