As the year comes to a close, we invite you to support TCAPS students!
Your gift helps us provide essentials and remove barriers so all students can access SSN and LEAP opportunities. Together, we are changing futures one gift at a time.
Give here: www.tcaps.net/give
#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
Reminder: The TCAPS Board of Education is holding a Special Board Meeting this morning, Monday, December 29, at 9:00 a.m.
Join us in person at the Glenn Loomis Administration Building (1009 S. Oak Street, Traverse City).
Find out more and view the agenda at www.tcaps.net/board.
#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
The TCAPS Board of Education will hold a Special Board Meeting on Monday, December 29, 2025, beginning at 9:00 a.m.
Join us in person at the Glenn Loomis Administration Building (1009 S. Oak Street, Traverse City).
For the full agenda and additional details, please visit our website at www.tcaps.net/board.
#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
🔔 Reminder: No School Dec 22 - Jan 2.
Enjoy the winter break! All TCAPS school offices and the TCAPS Administration Building at Glenn Loomis will be closed during this time.
Buildings and classes will resume on Monday, January 5, 2026.
View the academic calendar here: https://5il.co/3jfx6
#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
🔔 Reminder: No School Dec 22 - Jan 2.
Enjoy the winter break! All TCAPS school offices and the TCAPS Administration Building at Glenn Loomis will be closed during this time.
Buildings and classes will resume on Monday, January 5, 2026.
View the academic calendar here: https://5il.co/3jfx6
This week, high fives go out to:
1. Long Lake Elementary 5th grader Maddie who is a shining example of leadership and heart! Every year, Maddie and her family create hot cocoa kits to benefit the Child Life Program at Munson Hospital. This year, her advocacy and hard work took the project to new heights, raising over $1,000 for children and families facing hospital stays. Maddie serves as an inspiration to us all! ❤️🌟
2. Our Middle School band students who absolutely shined as they wrapped up their concert series, putting their dedication, growth, and poise on full display. A huge thank you to our amazing instructors for guiding and inspiring these students every day. It was truly a wonderful week of musical excellence! 🎶👏.
3. Miner's North Jewelers for their incredible generosity, helping raise $1,500 in community donations for the West Middle School’s Giving Tree. This gift will provide Titan hoodies and "Caring Closet" items to ensure students stay warm and supported this holiday season. We are so grateful for their partnership! ❄️❤️
4. Central Grade Elementary students who definitely know how to celebrate Spirit Week! Holiday fun has been in full force with Ugly Sweater/Holiday Shirt and Crazy Hair Days. It's so much fun to see the creativity and school spirit in the hallways! 🎉⛄
5. Central High School’s Student Senate who organized a pancake breakfast for their peers. It was the perfect way to spread some holiday cheer and share a treat before heading to class. Huge thanks to Student Senate for fueling the Trojan spirit! 🥞👏
#GreatCommunityGreatSchools #High5Friday
SCHOOL IS CLOSED: All TCAPS schools are closed today, Friday, December 19, 2025 due to inclement weather. Students in Michigan Virtual, Acellus, or Dual Enrollment classes should follow the direction of the instructors for those programs.
For more information on snow days, including how they are communicated and how decisions are made, go to www.tcaps.net.
🔔 Reminder: Meeting is Tonight
TCAPS will hold an information and discussion meeting regarding the planning and building design for the Carlisle Field Afterschool Clubhouse and Multi-Purpose Fieldhouse.
📅 Date: December 18
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM
📍 Location: East Middle School Library (1776 N Three Mile Rd, Traverse City, MI 49696)
Giving to the TCAPS Student Support Network (SSN) and the Learning, Enrichment, and Athletics Program (LEAP) ensures access and opportunities for all. Your gift goes directly to TCAPS students.
Give today: www.tcaps.net/give
#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
Meet TCAPS Compass Winner: Marianne Haven, Bus Aide, TCAPS Transportation Department 🏆
Her nomination highlights her caring, reliability, and professionalism towards both students and staff.
Marianne is an exceptional Bus Assistant and a vital member of the TCAPS Transportation team! Her willingness to assist any driver ensures we maintain our top priority: the safety of our students. Her experience is highly relied upon to educate students on TCAPS bus behavior expectations.
In addition to her role with transportation, Marianne also supports students at Central Grade Elementary during lunch and recess. Thank you for your unwavering dedication and for being such an important part of the TCAPS 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
TCAPS Board of Education Office Hours - Thursday, December 18, 2025 📅✏️
The Traverse City Area Public Schools Board of Education will host its next monthly “office hours” in-person at the Traverse Area District Library (TADL) in the McGuire Room, 610 Woodmere Avenue, on Thursday, December 18, 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, Board President Newman-Bale is scheduled to attend.
Learn more at www.tcaps.net/board.
#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
Our TCAPS music students are performing their Sounds of the Season concerts all month long! Don't miss out—check the schedule now. 🎶
🔗 https://sholink.to/SoundsoftheSeason
#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
Giving to the TCAPS Student Support Network (SSN) and the Learning, Enrichment, and Athletics Program (LEAP) ensures access and opportunities for all. Your gift goes directly to TCAPS students.
Give today: www.tcaps.net/give
#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
This week, high fives go out to:
1. West Middle School's FIRST Robotics teams who crushed their competition. Teams Apollo and Artemis both placed in the top ten. Congratulations to Team Apollo for winning the overall competition and earning the Innovate Award, securing their trip to the FIRST Robotics State Championships! Well done! 🙌🤖
2. Courtade Elementary’s Ms. Partman and Mr. Boyce, who kicked off the third annual Creative Explorers Program. This free, after-school program has 33 Cougars who will explore the worlds of coding, robotics, and problem-solving in an engaging, hands-on way. Future innovators in the making! 💻✨
3. West Senior High School students who visited TCAPS Montessori and Westwoods Elementary to teach the younger students German. This is an outstanding example of cross-school mentorship and leadership in action! Great job, students! 🙌💪
4. TCAPS Elementary students who know how to embrace a winter wonderland! Students enjoyed the fresh fallen snow, and those smiles say it all! What a great way to enjoy the season with winter fun and fitness!🧣☃️
5. East Middle School's 7th graders who are exploring timeless themes in a Charles Dickens classic! Students are analyzing Scrooge's journey from greed to generosity and Tiny Tim's powerful lessons in kindness. These are character lessons that truly resonate. We love their insight and appreciation for the classics! 📚💡
#GreatCommunityGreatSchools #High5Friday
We’re so grateful for this ongoing partnership and the difference it makes for our students and families.
#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
TCAPS will hold an information and discussion meeting regarding the planning and building design for the Carlisle Field Afterschool Clubhouse and Multi-Purpose Fieldhouse.
📅 Date: December 18
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM
📍 Location: East Middle School Library (1776 N Three Mile Rd, Traverse City, MI 49696)
Talented and Gifted Program Virtual Info Meeting
If you missed the virtual meeting on Dec 10, the recording is now available. Learn about the screening process and the program's focus on growth mindset and challenging projects.
▶️ Watch the Recording Here: https://sholink.to/TAGInformationalMeeting25
Reminder: Mandatory registration for optional testing (CogAT) must be completed by January 21, 2026.
Learn more at www.tcaps.net/TAG.
🔔 Reminder: TCAPS has an early release day today, December 11.
Find start and dismissal times here: https://5il.co/3jfxa
View the academic calendar here: https://5il.co/3jfx6
For questions, contact your school directly.
🌟 Beyond Sounding Out: CKLA Knowledge Units Build Confident Readers! 📚
While learning to sound out words is essential, did you know that CKLA Knowledge Units teach your child about the world (like history and science) and grow their vocabulary by introducing important, academic words? This strong foundation of knowledge and words is how they move beyond simply sounding out letters to actually understanding the meaning of what they read, making them skilled and confident readers.
CKLA Connected—check out the learning adventures happening right now!
Kindergarten: Underdogs and Heroes: Stories
First Grade: Common Threads: Different Lands, Similar Stories
Second Grade: Legends and Heroes: Greek Myths
Third Grade: Rhythm and Rhyme: Poetry
Fourth Grade: Meaning and Metaphor: Poetry
Fifth Grade: Visions in Verse: Poetry
