Meet TCAPS Compass Winner: Anette Ponder, Custodian, Traverse Heights Elementary 🏆
Her nomination highlights her positive outlook and dedication to our building.
Annette is an awesome person and coworker who is an invaluable part of our team! Annette is a key reason our building is consistently clean and detailed for the start of every school day. Annette's meticulous work truly shines in the morning, setting a positive and welcoming tone for students and staff alike. Her attention to fine details reminds us all of her deep care and commitment to maintaining a wonderful school environment.
Beyond her essential role in facilities, Annette is a model of reliability and compassion. She is incredibly dependable, a quality demonstrated by her numerous years of perfect attendance. Annette brightens the workplace with her inherently kind and caring personality. We are incredibly grateful for Annette's outstanding work ethic and her ability to uplift those around her. ✨💐
This recognition is well-deserved! The Compass Award celebrates employees who contribute to the District's Strategic Plan through their daily work. Review the full Strategic Plan here: www.tcaps.net/strategicplan.
TCAPS Board of Education Office Hours - Thursday, November 20, 2025 📅✏️
Traverse City Area Public Schools Board of Education will host its next monthly “office hours” virtually, on Thursday, November 20, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. TCAPS Board office hours provide community members with the opportunity to talk to a school board trustee. This month, Trustee Hardy is scheduled to attend.
Learn more at www.tcaps.net/board.
#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
This week, high fives go out to:
1. Our TCAPS community who honored many of our local heroes on Veterans’ Day! Students throughout the district paid tribute by reflecting on key values such as teamwork, gratitude, and courage, lessons that resonate in and out of the classroom. We are deeply grateful for the sacrifices of our veterans and service members, and the meaningful connections they bring to our schools. Thank you for your service. ❤️🤍💙
2. Hagerty employees who brightened the day for 2nd Grade students at Central Grade and Traverse Heights Elementary. During their visit, they read the inspiring book "If I Built A Car" and gifted a copy to every single student. We are so grateful for this amazing community partnership that encourages reading and imagination! 🎁📚
3. Enrichment Days at Traverse City High School, where students were given two amazing enrichment opportunities. Some were hands-on at Reining Liberty Ranch and learned about their community involvement. Another group visited Oryana, where they practiced skills by shopping, preparing, and enjoying different meals. Thank you, Reining Liberty and Oryana, for providing our students with such engaging experiences! 👏💪
4. Westwoods Elementary's Preschool teacher, April Kehrer, and Junior Kindergarten teacher Alexandra Trillet who were awarded the Grand Traverse Area Retired School Personnel and TBA Credit Union Mini Grant! This funding will assist them in purchasing essential classroom supplies for our young learners! Congratulations to both teachers! 🎉📚
5. East Middle School’s 7th grade honors science students who are learning to be environmental stewards! After diving deep into ecosystem relationships and population data, they are applying their knowledge by designing sustainable ecosystems. This project focuses on modern farming methods to successfully balance the needs of the environment and the community. Fantastic work! 💡🌎
#GreatCommunityGreatSchools #High5Friday
Meet TCAPS Compass Winner: Kali Meyers, Assistant Principal, West Senior High School🏆
Her nomination highlights her dedication to creating a successful environment for all.
Kali's consistent approach from the first day of school to the last plays a vital role in ensuring students and parents know what is expected of them. She builds trust through being fair and reliable, and she is always willing to step up, whether it's through student support or reaching out to help with academic needs.
Beyond her administrative duties, Kali is a proactive presence in our hallways. Her consistent visibility and positive engagement help foster a sense of community. This dedication to connecting with students, paired with her unwavering fairness, makes her not only an effective administrator but also a trusted adult in the students' lives. Kali is an invaluable member of the WSH team! ⭐👏
This recognition is well-deserved! The Compass Award celebrates employees who contribute to the District's Strategic Plan through their daily work. Review the full Strategic Plan here: www.tcaps.net/strategicplan.
REMINDER: TCAPS Board of Education Meeting is tonight!
Join us in person at the Glenn Loomis Administration Building (1009 S. Oak Street, Traverse City) for the next Board of Education meeting.
⏰ Time: 6:00 p.m. 📍 Location: Glenn Loomis Administration Building
Find out more about the agenda: www.tcaps.net/board
#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
Traverse City Area Public Schools is honored to offer veterans the opportunity to receive their high school diploma and be part of the 2026 graduation ceremonies!
Under Michigan's Public Act 181 of 2001 and Public Act 55 of 2014, the TCAPS Board of Education is authorized to award diplomas to veterans of WWII, the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam Era in recognition of their service and sacrifice.
Eligibility Details:
- WWII Veterans: Must have left high school between December 16, 1940, and December 31, 1946.
- Korean War Veterans: Must have left high school between June 27, 1950, and January 31, 1955.
- Vietnam Era Veterans: Must have been drafted or enlisted between February 28, 1961, and May 7, 1975, and must have attended a TCAPS high school.
This opportunity is for veterans who did not subsequently receive a high school degree. Family members are welcome to apply on behalf of a living or deceased veteran.
For more information, please call 231.933.1722.
This week, high fives go out to:
1. Courtade Elementary's amazing neighbor, Mr. Rasho! His fun post-Halloween tradition involves bringing crates of gourds so students can pick one for their Thanksgiving table. Plus, he is generous with his time and property, letting students use his hiking trails and helping with their gardens. Thank you, Mr. Rasho, for helping build a strong community connection! 🎃🌟
2. Westwoods Elementary’s Super Hero Aides, Mary Lane, Lucy DeKorne, Rita VanOver, and Caitlyn Lind. They created and wore these amazing costumes to bring important awareness to autism. Thank you for your creativity and commitment! 💫👏
3. Long Lake Elementary's November focus on “Sportsmanship”. These two thoughtful preschool students practiced excellent sportsmanship by shaking hands, completely unprompted, after a game of musical chairs. This is what sportsmanship looks like! Great job, little ones! 💪⭐
4. Traverse Heights Elementary's first graders in Mrs. Thomas' class who crushed their word chaining exercise using the "silent e" concept! Mastering this rule is key to reading, and they are officially phonics pros! Awesome job, first graders! 📚🙌
5. The Sean Dobbins Ensemble who brought a dynamic performance to TCC as part of the Building Bridges with Music Series. Through the art of jazz and dialogue, they explored the complex cultural and social challenges students face today. Our students were engaged and enjoyed a powerful musical presentation. Thank you for the insightful experience! 🎷🎺
#GreatCommunityGreatSchools #High5Friday
TCAPS Superintendent Monthly Office Hours – November 11, 2025
📅⏰ TCAPS Superintendent, Dr. John VanWagoner, provides a monthly opportunity for community members to attend “office hours”. The next office hours will be held Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. via Google Meet. For more information and to access the virtual meeting, visit https://www.tcaps.net/page/superintendent.
#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
Tickets are now on sale for the CHS Musical! ✨
The Traverse City Central High School Music Department invites the community to see "Urinetown: The Musical" this month. General admission is $20, and premium VIP seating is available for $25. All performances, which run throughout November, can be attended by purchasing tickets online. Find the full schedule and buy yours today at tcaps.booktix.com!
The TCAPS Board of Education is scheduled to hold a meeting on Monday, November 10, at 6:00 p.m. 📅
The meeting location is the Glenn Loomis Administration Building, located at 1009 S. Oak Street, Traverse City.
You can find more information about the meeting and the Board of Education on the TCAPS website: www.tcaps.net/board.
#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
Meet TCAPS Compass Winner: Mary Mast, Instructional Assistant, Cherry Knoll🏆
Her nomination highlights her intense dedication to our special education students.
Mary is a phenomenal paraeducator who brings dedication, integrity, and a willingness to innovate in her role. She is constantly brainstorming and trying new ideas to help students succeed. Her kind, caring, and patient nature, combined with her calm demeanor, allows her to provide a nurturing environment where even the most difficult children can thrive. She leaves a lasting positive impact on these children and is loved by both students and staff.🙌💐
Beyond the classroom, Mary is a strong advocate for students needing special education resources. She actively seeks educational opportunities to improve her skills and works within the community to educate others about disabilities and correct misconceptions about the special education field.
This recognition is well-deserved! The Compass Award celebrates employees who contribute to the District's Strategic Plan through their daily work. Review the full Strategic Plan here: www.tcaps.net/strategicplan.
Reminder: Today, Tuesday, November 4, is Regional Staff Development Day. There will be no school for students today.
Our TCAPS transportation team brought the fun to the bus stop last Friday! They drove their routes in awesome costumes, bringing big smiles and joy for a memorable start to the day. 🤩🚌
This week, high fives go out to:
1. The Titan Community! 👏 Their Pink Out Game raised a phenomenal $5,957.23 for the Munson Healthcare Foundations Cancer Patient Needs Fund. This money stays local to help patients and their families cover essential costs like groceries, transportation, and utilities while they focus on healing.
2. To the incredible Katie Kubesh, TCAPS Student Support Network Coordinator! 🤩 Katie has been named one of the 2025 Influential Women of Northern MI! What a fantastic and well-deserved honor recognizing her dedication to supporting our students. Congratulations, Katie! 🎉Read the full publication here: https://record-eagle-cnhi.newsmemory.com/?special=Influential%20Women
3. To a local women’s group for their generous grocery donation to the CHS Pantry! 🙌 In light of the recent SNAP pause, this support means so much to our students and families. Through TCAPS’ Student Support Network, high school students have immediate access to food pantries and essential resources right at school. Together, we’re making sure no student goes hungry.
4. North Bay Produce who hosted another successful taste test at Traverse Heights Elementary, where students got to try some delicious jumbo blueberries! 🫐 It's awesome to see kids excited about healthy eating.
5. Mr. Hayes's science class at West Middle School and the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Natural Resource Department for launching an inspiring partnership. Through this partnership, students are raising a juvenile sturgeon right in the classroom. 🐟 This hands-on experience teaches them about crucial conservation efforts and the cultural importance of these fish. Students then release the sturgeon back into local waterways.🌊
#GreatCommunityGreatSchools #High5Friday
Traverse City Area Public Schools is honored to offer veterans the opportunity to receive their high school diploma and be part of the 2026 graduation ceremonies!
Under Michigan's Public Act 181 of 2001 and Public Act 55 of 2014, the TCAPS Board of Education is authorized to award diplomas to veterans of WWII, the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam Era in recognition of their service and sacrifice.
Eligibility Details:
- WWII Veterans: Must have left high school between December 16, 1940, and December 31, 1946.
- Korean War Veterans: Must have left high school between June 27, 1950, and January 31, 1955.
- Vietnam Era Veterans: Must have been drafted or enlisted between February 28, 1961, and May 7, 1975, and must have attended a TCAPS high school.
This opportunity is for veterans who did not subsequently receive a high school degree. Family members are welcome to apply on behalf of a living or deceased veteran.
For more information, please call 231.933.1722.
