It's High 5 Friday! 🙌🖐

This week, high fives go out to:

1. Mrs. Walston at Central Grade Elementary who recently attended a Detroit Lions game and stopped by the Fan Club Tent. When the Lions staff asked if she had any "little ones" who might like a Detroit Lions T-shirt, she answered 28! Students were absolutely thrilled to open the box and discover shirts, sunglasses, fidget spinners, and so much more. Huge thank you to the Detroit Lions for giving these 3rd graders a surprise they'll never forget. What a touchdown of a day for Mrs. Walston’s 3rd Grade class! 🦁💙🏈

2. A big congratulations and thank you to Central High’s athletic trainer, Amy Ream, as she begins her 37th year taking care of our Trojans! For nearly four decades, Amy has dedicated herself to keeping our student-athletes healthy, safe, and ready to compete, supporting everyone with an extraordinarily big heart. She is a huge asset to our students, staff, and entire school community. Thank you, Amy, for 37 years of care, commitment, and Trojan Pride! 🏆❤️

3. A big thank you to Chef Adam from Cook It Forward, a local nonprofit organization, for the beautiful plating at Courtade Elementary’s first taste test of the year! Chef Adam took fresh radishes harvested straight from Courtade's school garden, pickled them, and created a wonderful plate for students to try. Way to expand those palates, Courtade!👨‍🍳✨

4. Traverse City High School students who spent time giving back at Reigning Liberty Ranch! Reigning Liberty has been a dedicated, long-time supporter of TCHS, and our students always look forward to returning the favor. It was a wonderful day of teamwork, hands-on work, and strengthening community connections. Thank you to Reigning Liberty for your continued partnership and for providing our students with such meaningful opportunities! 🐴✨

5. Kindergarten and 2nd grade buddies from Mrs. LaBarre's and Ms. Freeman's classes at Eastern Elementary who teamed up for a special community service project! Together, the buddy partners decorated bags for Project Feed the Kids, which will be used to pack donated food for local families in need across our community. It was a wonderful opportunity for our students to collaborate, build friendships, and learn the power of giving back! 🤝✨

#GreatCommunityGreatSchools #High5Friday

1 day ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
Group of people in matching blue shirts, wearing sunglasses, some sitting, others standing in a room with a white ceiling.
Three images on a yellow background celebrating National Athletic Trainer Month. One image shows two people in sports attire, another shows a handshake, and the third shows a team.
A man in light clothing stands at a table with food. A green plant is in a vase.
Woman standing in dirt, petting a horse with a white mane and tail, wearing a brown jacket.
Two individuals are cleaning a floor in a barn. One person is using a broom.
Two children sit on a rug, one holds a paper bag. Nearby, they have open boxes of art supplies. Behind them, children sit at tables in a room.
Two girls in a classroom with brown paper bags. One holds a drawing, the other shows a plastic bag with the word "erick."
TCAPS celebrates National Custodians Day! Thank you to our custodial staff for all that you do for our schools and students. ❤️
2 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
Poster with a red apple logo, text "TCAPS Celebrates National Custodians Day" and "Education is a work of HEART" on a blue background.
TCAPS recognizes Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October. 🩷
3 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
A poster with pink ribbon and text on white background. The text reads "Hope" and "Bring Your Brave" with "TCAPS" logo.
SRP Action Spotlight: HOLD 🚪

Directive: "In your room or area. Clear the halls."

A Hold action is used when hallways need to stay clear, such as during a medical event or maintenance cleanup. Classroom instruction continues as usual behind locked doors, while hallways remain clear until the Hold is lifted.

Learn more about safety protocols at TCAPS and iloveuguys.org.

#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
4 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
Circular icon with a white door split by a purple diagonal line, indicating a prohibition or restriction.
Save the Date! 📅

Preparing for life after high school? You don't have to navigate it alone!

Join us on Thursday, November 12, at 6:00 PM at the Central High School Cafeteria for "Navigating Life After High School for Students with Disabilities."

This FREE, area-wide event is open to ALL families, students, and educators in Traverse City and surrounding communities. Connect directly with top regional and state support systems, explore trade/college pathways, and discover employment and independent living resources.

📍 Central High School Cafeteria (1150 Milliken Dr, Traverse City)
⏰ 6:00 PM

Free admission & light refreshments provided.
5 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
An event flyer titled "Possibility" features a curved arrow and two figures in white. It advertises a free event on November 12.
TCAPS Families,

A quick reminder: Your Education Benefits Form matters! 💡 It helps provide valuable resources for every student. Please complete it by October 1.

🔗 Submit online now: qr.tcaps.net/EducationBenefitsForm

Thank you for helping us provide the best support for all TCAPS students! 💙

#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
5 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
Black background with an array of colorful vegetables and fruits. Text reads "EVERY FORM MAKES A DIFFERENCE."
The TCAPS Board of Education will hold a Board Study Session today at 5:00 p.m. Join us in person at the TCAPS Administration Building (2075 Cass Rd, Traverse City, MI 49684).

Find out more at www.tcaps.net/board.

#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
6 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
A sign reading "TCAPS Administration" is set on a grassy area. Behind it is a brick building with a bench.
Huge thanks to the amazing visitors, staff, and residents at Chelsea Park West Apartments for hosting a School Snack Drive! 🍎📦

Your generous (and delicious!) donations will keep our students energized and ready to learn. We are so lucky to have such wonderful neighbors and community partners in our corner! 💙✨

#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
8 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
A display of various packaged food items, including snacks and boxes, on a table with a sign reading "TCAPS".

It's High 5 Friday! 🙌🖐

This week, high fives go out to:

1. Congratulations to our Central High School and West Senior High School National Merit Scholars! Trojans Sylvia Coulter, Francesca Harbold, Claire Poppleton, Ulysses Walls, and Titan Marella Mast were named Semifinalists in the 72nd National Merit Scholarship Program! We also honor Commended Scholars: Trojans Oscar Falcon, Charlie Hammersley, Harrison Jeffries, Avery Johnston, Nathan Stawski, Marian White, and Titan Nolan Bildeaux. Their academic excellence represents the very best of TCAPS! 📚✨

2. Westwoods Elementary’s first Wakeup fundraiser was a smash success! Second graders raised over $400 for their field trip fund. A huge thank you to local sponsor Mundos Coffee Shop for providing pastries and coffee to fuel the morning. We love seeing our community come together to support Westwoods! ☕️🥐

3. Celebrating Central High's Eric Schugars on his recent recognition as the Detroit Lions High School Football Coach of the Week! Eric and his father, Jack Schugars (2003 winner), are only the second father-son duo in Michigan history to earn this honor. Thank you, Coach Schugars, for your continued leadership on and off the field! 🏈🦁

4. Traverse City High School kicked off Maverick Enrichment Days with charter fishing! Students explored the fishing profession, studied marine environments, perfected their skills, and brought fresh fillets home. Thank you to True Blue Charters, LLC for an unforgettable experience! 🌊🐟

5. The West Senior High School student exchange program is officially underway! Visiting students have jumped right into exploring Traverse City, connecting with our community, and building lifelong friendships. We’re thrilled for everything this exchange journey has in store for our Titans and host families! 🌍✈️

#GreatCommunityGreatSchools #High5Friday


9 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
Four individuals stand in front of a yellow wall with "TRAVERSE CITY CENTRAL" in bold letters.
Woman with a backpack standing in a room with white walls and two green chairs.
Five people stand in front of a yellow wall reading "Traverse City Central". They wear various clothes and shoes, standing in a line.
Man in red shirt and blue backpack holding certificate stands in an office with framed photos.
Group of people outdoors; two women smiling and holding food. A child is in the arms of one woman. Background includes others standing, talking, and carrying items.
A man in a black hat and shirt stands on a field, pointing. A white fence is in the background.
Three people on a boat, one holding a fishing rod, another with a hat, and one sitting.
Group of individuals, some in hats, posing on a wooden dock over water, with boats in the background.
Group of people on a balcony with banners, one reading "Willkommen" and another "In T.C." Bright lighting.
A group of people standing in a station with various suitcases and bags in front of them.
This week, TCAPS is launching a 6-week safety awareness campaign! 🏫 Protecting our students and staff begins with clear communication. That’s why we use the Standard Response Protocol (SRP), the official response framework recognized by the State of Michigan Office of School Safety.

Watch this quick video to see how the SRP works: https://youtu.be/jH-EY3yGZDs

The SRP uses shared, clear language built around 5 core actions: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter. Follow along over the next 5 weeks as we highlight each action!

Learn more at iloveuguys.org.

#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
10 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
Logo with letters SNP in white, surrounded by red and green circles on a black background. Below, text reads "STANDARD RESPONSE PROTOCOL".
The TCAPS Board of Education will hold a Board Study Session on Monday, September 28 at 5:00 p.m. Join us in person at the TCAPS Administration Building (2075 Cass Rd, Traverse City, MI 49684).

Find out more at www.tcaps.net/board.

#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
10 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
A sign reading "TCAPS Administration" is set on a grassy area. Behind it is a brick building with a bench.
Five Traverse City Area Public Schools high school seniors have been named Semifinalists in the 72nd annual National Merit Scholarship Program, placing them in the top 1% of seniors nationwide: Sylvia Coulter, Francesca Harbold, Claire Poppleton, and Ulysses Walls from Central High School, and Marella Mast from West Senior High School. These students are moving on to compete for nearly $24 million in scholarships this spring! 🎓

We are also proud to recognize our National Merit Commended Scholars, whose performance placed them in the top 3% nationally: Oscar Falcon, Charlie Hammersley, Harrison Jeffries, Avery Johnston, Nathan Stawski, and Marian White from Central High School, alongside Nolan Bildeaux from West Senior High School. 🎉
13 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
Five people stand in front of a yellow sign that says "TRAVERSE CITY CENTRAL" with a logo.
Woman in a white shirt and backpack stands in an office with a U.S. flag.
Five people stand in front of a yellow wall that says "Traverse City Central". The floor is white tiles.
Person in red shirt holds a certificate, standing in a room with green chairs, flags, and framed photos on the wall.
TCAPS Families,

Don't wait! Please complete your Education Benefits Form by October 1. ⏰

Your submission is key for TCAPS to secure the state and federal funding that benefits all our students and programs.

💻 Complete it online now: qr.tcaps.net/EducationBenefitsForm

📝 Prefer paper? Printable forms are also available at your school’s main office.

#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
13 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
A flyer with blue and white text. Various fruits and vegetables on a blue background. Apply by Thursday, October 1.
TCAPS Celebrates the International Day of Peace!
13 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
A poster with a drawn globe in blue, green, and brown on a black chalkboard background. "International TCAPS Celebrates the Day of Peace" is written in white.
We're eager to meet you and discuss our open positions. Join us for our Career Open House at the TCAPS Administration Building, 2075 Cass Road, Traverse City, MI 49684, on Wednesday, September 23, from 8:00-10:00 a.m.

TCAPS is hiring for various positions, many requiring no prior experience, and on-the-job training is provided. No appointment necessary.

Learn more at www.tcaps.net/jobs

#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
14 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
Road leading to a sign saying "Career Open House" over a background of green grass and trees.

It's High 5 Friday! 🙌🖐

This week, high fives go out to:

1. CHS TIE 9 students made the most of the sunshine by taking their learning and creativity outdoors. With a little chalk and a lot of imagination, they spent time connecting and adding vibrant art to our walkways. It’s amazing to see our Trojan community growing closer and brightening up our campus together! 🎒🌞

2. Constitution Day was in full swing at Long Lake Elementary! Mr. Schopieray's 4th graders stepped into the shoes of our Founding Fathers by drafting their very own Classroom Constitution, signing their names at the bottom as a personal pledge to their learning community. In the Preschool classroom, our youngest learners explored America's story and discovered the important symbols of our freedom! 📜✨

3. Traverse Heights Elementary students combined math and movement in Mrs. Ferguson's classroom! Learning was in full motion as they took their math concepts off the page and got active, proving that staying energized is one of the best ways to keep minds sharp. 👏

4. Cherry Knoll Elementary students take lunchtime fun to a whole new level every time stuffed breadsticks are on the menu with their ultimate "cheese pull" challenge! It’s all about great food, big smiles, and seeing who can stretch that cheese the furthest. Who says you shouldn't play with your food? 😄✨

5. WMS Students in Mrs. LaMott’s math class put their communication and problem-solving to the ultimate test with a hands-on collaboration challenge! While it looked like pure fun, students were defining team roles and building key collaboration skills they’ll use all year long as they tackle complex mathematical tasks together. Way to think outside the box! 🙌

#GreatCommunityGreatSchools #High5Friday

16 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
Several people skate, stand, and sit along a sidewalk with a grassy area and a building in the background.
Several individuals are on a track, with a woman in a pink shirt walking across the track while others sit or crouch on the sidewalk.
Three students in a classroom are looking at a whiteboard with writing. One student holds a marker.
A young boy holding a paper flag with stars and stripes in a classroom with other children.
A classroom with a woman teaching a group of children in front of a projection screen showing numbers.
Children sit at a cafeteria table. One child raises a hand holding a string with an attached apple.
Children at a cafeteria table, with one child pulling a long piece of cheese. Trays of food and a flag in the background.
Students in a classroom setting, seated around tables, engaged in a group activity with red cups.
A classroom with students sitting at desks. Red cups are lined up on one desk. Some students have papers on their desks.
TCAPS Celebrates Constitution Day!
17 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
US flag, Constitution text, and scrolls with "We the People" in front of "TCAPS Celebrates Constitution Day"
Welcoming Trustee Matthew Schmidt! 🎉

At Monday night’s regular Board of Education meeting, Board President Erica Moon Mohr administered a ceremonial oath of office to Trustee Matthew Schmidt.

Trustee Schmidt was appointed to the Board as an interim trustee at the August 24, 2026 Board Study Session and took his official oath after that meeting. Monday evening served as an opportunity to recognize his role with the community present.

Please join us in welcoming Trustee Schmidt as he serves our students, staff, and school community. 📚✨

#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
18 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
A conference room with a screen displaying "TCAPS Board of Education Regular Board Meeting". A group of people sit at a long table.
🌟 Celebrating great community partnerships! 🌟

At last night’s Board of Education meeting, the TCAPS Board of Education recognized SEEDS Ecology and Education Centers for their after-school partnership.

We are so grateful for their hard work, dedication, and impactful programming for our youth! Thank you, SEEDS Ecology and Education Centers, for continuing to inspire and support our students. 💚🌱

#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
19 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
Four people stand together in a room, three women and a man. One woman holds a framed certificate.
TCAPS Celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month!
19 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
Blue background with bold text and colorful illustrations. Text reads "TCAPS Celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month".