Partner In Education

What is the Intense Student Support Network (ISSN)?

• The ISSN provides tools for staff to effectively nurture and support students whose non-academic needs may create obstacles to high achievement.

Why is ISSN necessary?

• Nearly 40% of area families qualify for free and reduced meals.
• Students whose basic needs have not been met may not be ready to learn when they enter the classroom.

How does the ISSN help?

• Offers immediate resolution to a barrier to learning
• Improves student achievement
• Relieves stress on staff

How does the ISSN work?

• A school social worker, teacher or administrator identifies a student's need and completes a form to describe the need and urgency level.
• The district Partner In Education Coordinator monitors and works to fulfill requests via a human service agency, community business, independent donor or directly from funds raised specifically to support the ISSN.

What would my donation support?

• In the 2019-2020 school year, $21,073 was donated to the ISSN to support students in need.
• Needs fulfilled included: school supplies, winter wear, shoes, clothing, bunk beds, band fees, food service assistance, grocery store gift cards, BATA passes, school photos, water bottles, snacks, toiletries, noise-canceling headphones, and more.

How do I make a monetary donation?

• Visit www.tcaps.net/donate or click on the red donate button on the home page of any TCAPS school's website.
• Complete the form. In the program description section, designate "ISSN" or any other program of your choosing.
• To make an online donation by credit card, you will be taken to PayPal once you hit submit on your donation form. Follow the PayPal instructions.
• To donate by check, make payable to TCAPS, write "ISSN donation" in the memo line on your check, and mail to: TCAPS, Attn: Karyn Hertel, 412 Webster St., Traverse City 49686.

Download the ISSN information flier to share with your friends.

Ongoing Needs - District Wide

• Books - Before making any book donations please contact Stephie Luyt at luytst@tcaps.net to be sure that we do not already have it in our libraries. 
• Tissues
• Disinfectant wipes
• Dry erase markers
• Water bottles
• Crayons
• Markers
• Colored pencils
• Erasers
• Scissors
• Pencils - MANY requests at secondary schools
• Pens
• Notebooks - single subject

Snacks - District Wide (Please be sure to avoid anything with peanuts.)

• goldfish crackers
• pretzels
• applesauce
• fruit cups (not in syrup)
• graham crackers
• whole grain crackers
• dried fruits
• sunflower seeds
• sugar free pudding
• 100 calorie snack bags
• water bottles
• low sugar/sugar free juice boxes/pouches

Blair Elementary School

• Water bottles
• Paper cups
• Junior-sized masks (fabric and disposable)
• Girls leggings (S,M,L)
• Boys athletic pants
• Yoga mats
• Large kids waterproof snow gloves
• Addition and subtraction flash cards
• Multiplication flash cards
• Thick pencils for beginners (kindergarten and first grade)
• Band-Aids

Central Grade School

• Underwear (XS, S and M sizes - nothing bigger than size 8)

Donate Directly to the Intense Student Support Network

• One other way individuals can make a donation this holiday season is by giving directly to the ISSN via the district's donate webpage at www.tcaps.net/donate. All of those funds are used strictly for student support and are available for schools and school social workers to use as a resource when helping to remove non-academic barriers to student learning.

Thank you so much for thinking of others, especially at this time. We truly appreciate it! Questions? Contact Karyn Hertel at 231.933.1790 or hertelka@tcaps.net.