TCAPS Families,

Your Education Benefits Form directly impacts the resources available to our schools, benefiting every single TCAPS student! 🏫

Submitting this form helps us secure funding for:

🔹 Reduced fees for programs and extracurriculars
🔹 Expanded learning opportunities like field trips
🔹 Important staffing and resources that support every student

Please take a few moments to complete yours by October 1. 🗓️

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

#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
about 11 hours ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
A black background displays a bright advertisement for TCAPS food and nutrition services. Sliced citrus fruits and celery adorn the ad.
A huge thank you to Hagerty employees for organizing a School Supply Drive! 📚✏️

Our students, teachers, and classrooms are kicking off the school year well-equipped to learn, grow, and succeed! We’re so grateful for your partnership! 💙

#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
1 day ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
A wooden table filled with various school supplies, including notebooks, pencils, markers, and crayons, against a backdrop of wooden cabinets.

Reminder: The TCAPS Board of Education will hold a Regular Board Meeting on Monday, September 14 at TCAPS Montessori School (4053 Franke Rd, Traverse City).

The closed session will begin at 5:00 p.m., with regular meeting business beginning at 6:00 p.m.

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

#GreatCommunityGreatSchools

2 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
A building with an American flag. The entrance is on the right. Trees and grass surround the building.

It's High 5 Friday! 🙌🖐

Welcome back! 🎒✨

We are so excited to see all of our students return for a brand-new school year. From our youngest learners stepping into kindergarten for the very first time to our high school seniors embarking on their final chapter, this year is going to be filled with incredible memories, milestones, and learning!

This week, high fives go out to:

  1. Our elementary buildings for an amazing first week of school! Excitement was at an all-time high as students met new faces, reconnected with friends, and mastered daily routines. From jumping right into new activities to building classroom communities, the energy across all of our schools was unbeatable. It is going to be such a fun and exciting year growing and learning together! 🌟📚

  2. TCAPS Montessori Adolescent Community for a fantastic first day packed with team-building, learning routines, and mastering daily procedures. A major highlight was watching everyone tackle the blanket flip challenge—teams did an incredible job executing creative strategies to solve the problem together! It was a brilliant start to what promises to be a collaborative and engaging school year! 🙌✨

  3. Courtade Elementary fifth-grade students, who put their green thumbs and creativity to work by crafting beautiful floral arrangements straight from our school garden. To make it even sweeter, they delivered their hand-picked creations to classrooms around the building to brighten everyone's day. What a wonderful way to cultivate both creativity and kindness in our school community! 💐🌟

  4. East and West Middle School students, who loved reuniting with old friends while teachers spent time getting to know their new classes through fun, engaging community-building activities. The halls were filled with smiles, great conversations, and plenty of excitement. Here's to a joyful, connected year ahead! 📚🌟

  5. Central High School Principal Ben Berger and Traverse Heights Elementary Principal Bryan Kay, who were recently recognized by Traverse City Business News as 40Under40 leaders making a powerful impact across our entire community through their dedication and leadership. We are so proud to have these visionary educators guiding our schools and inspiring our students every day! 👏🎉

#GreatCommunityGreatSchools #High5Friday



3 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
A young girl holds a paper with a drawing and text that says "My First Day of Kindergarten" in a classroom.
Boy with blond hair wearing sunglasses with "First Day" text, smiling. He is in a school hallway.
Kids and a teacher in a classroom. The teacher stands in front of them while the kids stand in a circle with yellow circles on the floor.
Two children smiling. One has a tray of small toys. Behind them, there is a cabinet and a sink.
A group of children on a blue mat inside a room, some bending over, others standing behind.
A group of young people pose in a room; one lies on the floor. Green walls, a wooden floor, and a door.
Four kids, three girls and one boy, stand in a garden with flowers in their hands.
A group of students seated on the floor in a library, some wearing casual clothing, with bookshelves in the background.
A group of students sitting at tables in a cafeteria. A few bags and lunch boxes are on the tables.
Two men hold up magazines in front of a screen. A projector screen displays the number 40.

3 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
Patriot Day poster with American flag, New York City skyline, Statue of Liberty, and text "We Will Never Forget" on white background.

Reminder: TCAPS has an early release day today, Friday, September 11. 🔔

Find start and dismissal times here: https://5il.co/3jfxa

View the academic calendar here: https://5il.co/3jfx6

For questions, please contact the school's main office.

3 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
Early release promotional graphic

Before students filled the halls, our staff gathered last week for a day of professional learning. It was great to see everyone connecting, swapping ideas, and taking time to prepare for a successful school year ahead. 💡✨

#GreatCommunityGreatSchools

4 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
Two women smiling; one holds a blue cup, the other holds a phone. They stand near a white board.
Two women, one with glasses, seated at a table with laptops, clapping hands in a classroom.
Staff members smiling for pictures at professional learning event.
Two people stand in a room, smiling. A man wears a white shirt and glasses on a lanyard. A woman holds a purple cup.
Three women, including one smiling, sit in chairs in a room with blurred background. Two wear white, one wears green.
Three adults sit around a table, one smiling. A woman stands behind them holding papers. Glass walls reflect the room.
Staff members smiling for pictures at professional learning event.
Staff members smiling for pictures at professional learning event.
Three women in blue shirts stand near a table with papers and cups. One woman wears a floral blouse.
A room with people sitting in chairs. One woman smiles, and a man with a beard holds a pen.

Reminder: TCAPS has an early release day on Friday, September 11. 🔔

Find start and dismissal times here: https://5il.co/3jfxa

View the academic calendar here: https://5il.co/3jfx6

For questions, please contact the school's main office.

5 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
Early release promotional graphic
TCAPS Families,

Did you know your Education Benefits Form helps fund important programs for all TCAPS students? 🍎

Completing this quick form unlocks valuable state and federal resources for our entire district. Your participation truly makes a difference!

🔗 Complete the form online by October 1: qr.tcaps.net/EducationBenefitsForm

#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
5 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
Poster with a girl holding an apple. Text: "Every form makes a difference. Apply by Thursday, October 1."
We are incredibly grateful to Jimmy John's in Traverse City for donating 575 lunches for our staff professional learning day last week! 🥪💙

Thank you for fueling our team as we prepared for a fantastic school year!

#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
6 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
Staff members smiling for pictures.
Three people stand next to a black Jeep in a parking lot. Trees and parked cars are in the background.
Staff members smiling for pictures.

First day of school runs are underway! 🚌

Thank you to our dedicated transportation department! Their early mornings ensure our students arrive ready to learn, and we are so grateful for all they do to help launch a great school year. 💙

#GreatCommunityGreatSchools

6 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
A school bus parked in a lot at night.
Three adults pose for a photo in a room with shelves, a flag, and an exit sign.
A man and woman standing close, smiling, in a room with white walls and tiled flooring.
Two women in an office setting; one seated with a blue t-shirt, the other standing behind her.
Two women smiling and posing for a photo; one wears a yellow shirt with a school bus design.
Two men, one in a blue shirt and one in a gray hoodie, standing together and smiling.

TCAPS Superintendent Monthly Office Hours – Tuesday, September 8 📅⏰

Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) Superintendent, Dr. John VanWagoner, provides a monthly opportunity for community members to attend “office hours.” The next office hours will be held Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. via Google Meet.

For more information and to access the virtual meeting, visit www.tcaps.net/page/superintendent.

#GreatCommunityGreatSchools

8 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
Superintendent Dr. John VanWagoner

TCAPS Board Community Connections 🤝

We invite you to join us for an informal conversation regarding district-wide updates and TCAPS policy. These sessions offer a dedicated space for families and community members to engage in open dialogue and strengthen our partnership.

Featured Trustee: Trustee Hardy
Date/Time: September 1, 2026 at 4:00–5:00 PM
Location: TCAPS Montessori, 4053 Franke Road, Traverse City

We look forward to connecting with you and working together for our students.

#GreatCommunityGreatSchools

14 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
A man wearing a suit and tie with glasses on a brown background. He is looking at the camera.

Mark your calendars, TCAPS families! 🗓️

The first day of school is Tuesday, September 8, 2026. Full schedules and back to school details are available at www.tcaps.net. We can't wait to welcome everyone back! 🎒

#GreatCommunityGreatSchools

20 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
Advertisement for TCAPS school update. Blue backpack with a bell icon and the text "SCHOOL STARTS! Tuesday, September 8, 2026."
Welcome to TCAPS! 💙

This morning we spent time welcoming our new staff members to the district. We are excited to have these talented individuals join our TCAPS community and look forward to the positive impact they will bring to our schools! 🍎

Preparing for a new school year takes incredible behind-the-scenes work, and we want to share a special thank you to our Human Resources department. They worked hard all year processing applications, coordinating interviews, and organizing onboarding. We are so grateful for everything they do. ✨

#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
21 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
Staff members smiling for pictures at new teacher orientation.
Staff members smiling for pictures at new teacher orientation.
Staff members smiling for pictures at new teacher orientation.
Staff members smiling for pictures at new teacher orientation.
Staff members smiling for pictures at new teacher orientation.
Three men seated at a table, each using a laptop, in an office room with white walls.
Staff members smiling for pictures at new teacher orientation.
Staff members smiling for pictures at new teacher orientation.
Staff members smiling for pictures at new teacher orientation.
Two women standing, one in a denim jacket, another in a black shirt, in a room with a brick wall and a plant.

Reminder: The TCAPS Board of Education will hold a Board Study Session today at 5:00 p.m. Join us in person at TCAPS Montessori School (4053 Franke Rd, Traverse City).

Due to current road construction on Franke Rd, we are encouraging attendees to park at the WMS athletic fields and use the walkway to access the school.

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

#GreatCommunityGreatSchools

21 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
A building with an American flag. The entrance is on the right. Trees and grass surround the building.
TCAPS Board Community Connections 🤝

We invite you to join us for an informal conversation regarding district-wide updates and TCAPS policy. These sessions offer a dedicated space for families and community members to engage in open dialogue and strengthen our partnership.

Featured Trustee: Trustee Pack
Date/Time: August 26, 2026 at 4:00–5:00 PM
Location: East Middle School, 1776 N. Three Mile Road, Traverse City 49696

We look forward to connecting with you and working together for our students.

#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
22 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
A smiling woman with white hair wearing glasses and a patterned jacket with polar bears stands against a dark background.
Preparing for a Great School Year 🏫

As we prepare for the upcoming school year, our administrative assistants met today for a day of professional learning and connection.

These dedicated staff members operate our main offices every day, serving as a vital support system for our teachers, students, and school families. We are so grateful for everything they do behind the scenes as we look forward to a fantastic year ahead! ✨

#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
25 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
Group of adults, dressed casually, sit and stand under a blue canopy, smiling for a photo.
The August edition of TCAPS District News is officially live! 📲

Stay connected with the latest stories, student highlights, and important updates from across our schools. 📚

Mobile Version: https://qr.tcaps.net/AugDistrictNews26

Desktop & Print Version: https://aptg.co/NH2QmD

#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
25 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
A child in a hoodie stands with arms raised in a classroom. Behind him, another child raises their arm.
Join us tonight for an evening of community and support for TCAPS students! ☀️🎒

Short’s Pull Barn is hosting a TCAPS Foundation Stewardship Event on Thursday, August 20, from 4–7 p.m. to raise funds supporting TCAPS Student Support Network (SSN) and Learning, Enrichment & Athletic Program (LEAP). Your participation helps provide opportunities and resources that make a difference for TCAPS students throughout the school year.

Learn more about TCAPS Foundation at: www.tcaps.net/give

#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
25 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
Invitation for an event on August 20, 2026, 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Short's Brewing Co. Pull Barn.