Meet TCAPS Compass Winner: Dianne Fowler, Bus Assistant, Transportation🏆

Her nomination highlights her dedication and positive influence on our students.

As a dedicated Bus Assistant in our Transportation Department, Dianne plays a vital role in the daily lives of our students. She is an invaluable asset to the team and excels at her job, allowing her to step onto any bus route and make an immediate positive impact.

Above all, Dianne always puts the kids first. She doesn't just assist them; she genuinely inspires them to do better and be better every single day. Thank you for your incredible heart, your dedication to student safety, and for being such an inspiring, positive force on our school buses. We are so grateful to have you on 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.

What a fantastic start to the Sunshine Bus season last week! We loved welcoming so many students with smiles and enthusiasm. ☀️🚌

A huge thank you to the Father Fred Foundation for providing food and hygiene bags, and to Step Up Northern Michigan for sharing fresh produce, live pepper plants, and lavender! 🌱

Students also received their Sunshine Bus Passports and an enrichment bag from the TCAPS Student Support Network for last week's theme, Summer Reading: Let the Games Begin! 📚

We're looking forward to a summer of food, fun, learning, and community. See you at the next stop! ✨

Full schedule & weekly themes: www.tcaps.net/sunshine

The Sunshine Bus is on the move!

Join us today and every Thursday this summer at Meadow Lane Mobile Home Park from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., Blair Elementary School from 1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m., and the Interlochen Plaza Parking Lot from 2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Free food and basic needs will be delivered around the district all summer (no service week of July 3-11) from June 17 to September 3. This program is for all kids ages 3-20.

Visit www.tcaps.net/sunshine to learn more.

#GreatCommunityGreatSchools

Meet TCAPS Compass Winner: Gabriella Cioffi, Custodian, CHS🏆

Her nomination highlights her dedication and commitment to our school community.

Gabriella's nomination highlights her dedication and commitment to our school community. Each day, she and the entire custodial team at CHS bring wonderful energy and dedication, ensuring that everything runs smoothly and playing a vital role in our school environment.

Gabriella is always ready to assist with a smile and a willingness to help. A heartfelt thanks to Gabriella and the entire CHS custodial team for their dedication, positive energy, and immense pride in keeping our school a beautiful place to learn and work. We are incredibly grateful to have you all as part of the Trojan Family! 💐✨

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 that today, Wednesday, June 10, is a half day and the last day of the school year! ☀️

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

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

For questions, please contact your school directly.

Meet TCAPS Compass Winner: Linda Caswell, Kitchen Leader, Central Grade Elementary🏆

Her nomination highlights her passion and commitment to her position.

As a truly phenomenal Kitchen Leader, Linda's dedication to our students transforms the school lunch experience every single day. She has an incredible passion for her job, bringing serious attention to quality, presentation, and high expectations. In fact, the quality of service found in her elementary kitchen mirrors what you would expect to find in a nice restaurant.

Thank you, Linda, for treating our students like VIP guests, taking such immense pride in your work, and bringing restaurant-quality standards to our school community. You are an essential part of what makes our district thrive! 🙌💫

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 – Monday, June 8 📅🏫

The TCAPS Board of Education is holding a meeting today, Monday, June 8, 2026. The closed session will begin at 4:30 p.m., with regular meeting business beginning at 6:00 p.m.

This meeting will be held in the Auditorium at Traverse City West Senior High School (5376 N Long Lake Rd, Traverse City, MI 49685).

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

#GreatCommunityGreatSchools

It's High 5 Friday! 🙌🖐

This week, high fives go out to:

1. Our newly graduated seniors from Central High School, West Senior High, and Traverse City High School. A massive congratulations to our incredible TCAPS Class of 2026! You have worked so hard to reach this incredible milestone, and we could not be prouder of the dedication, resilience, and talent you have shown throughout your time in our district. As you head out into the world, remember that you always have a community here rooting for you. Go out and shine bright, graduates! 🎓🌟

2. East Middle School and West Middle School 6th-grade science teachers, Mrs. Garrett and Miss Harma, who teamed up to host a student and family Beach Clean-Up event at Clinch Park! The turnout was fantastic, with 55 dedicated TCAPS volunteers joining forces. Together, they collected over 2,000 pieces of garbage and hauled in 43.2 pounds of plastic waste! Thank you to all the students, families, and teachers who stepped up to keep our beaches clean and beautiful! 👏🏖️

3. Mrs. Jesse-McPherson at Westwoods Elementary, who is helping her students grow a deeper love for nature and environmental stewardship! She has created a wonderful, engaging lesson plan focused on planting milkweed to support our local butterfly populations directly. After purchasing the seeds, her students were thrilled to officially get their hands in the dirt and begin planting! Through this hands-on project, students aren't just learning about ecosystems—they are actively building a brighter, more sustainable future for local wildlife. 🦋💞

4. Montessori’s Adolescent Community, who bring their micro-economy to life every Friday by making and serving fresh popcorn for the entire building! Through this hands-on business, these students aren't just making a delicious snack; they are learning real-world skills in customer service and teamwork. Thank you to these amazing entrepreneurs for keeping the school smelling great and kicking off the weekend on such a high note! 🍿🙌

5. Our incredible TCAPS Elementary Schools that soaked up the gorgeous sunshine during their annual Field Days! Our students, staff, and volunteers made the absolute most of the perfect weather, teaming up for a fantastic day of outdoor games, relay races, and high-energy fun. It was the absolute perfect way to celebrate a year of hard work and officially kick off the countdown to the end of the school year. A huge thank you to everyone who stepped up to volunteer, cheer, and make these days so uniquely memorable! 🏃🌞

#GreatCommunityGreatSchools #High5Friday

TCAPS Superintendent Monthly Office Hours – Tuesday, June 9 📅⏰

Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) Superintendent, Dr. John VanWagoner, invites community members to attend his upcoming monthly office hours. The next session will be held in person on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Community members are welcome to stop by the second floor (Mezzanine level) of Horizon Books, located at 243 E. Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49684.

For more information, visit www.tcaps.net/page/superintendent.

#GreatCommunityGreatSchools

TCAPS Board of Education Meeting – Monday, June 8 📅🏫

The TCAPS Board of Education is holding its next meeting on Monday, June 8, 2026. The closed session will begin at 4:30 p.m., with regular meeting business beginning at 6:00 p.m.

This meeting will be held in the Auditorium at Traverse City West Senior High School (5376 N Long Lake Rd, Traverse City, MI 49685).

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

#GreatCommunityGreatSchools

Meet TCAPS Compass Winner: Debbi McMaster, Special Education Teacher, Blair Elementary🏆

Her nomination highlights her positive attitude and commitment to our students and staff.

Debbi’s thoughtful, calm, and caring demeanor makes her a true pillar of strength for both students and staff. She is a vital resource for her colleagues, an exceptional advocate for families, and a trusted mentor for our most trauma-impacted and behaviorally challenging students.

She consistently goes above and beyond to support the holistic needs of our building, embodying a truly exceptional educator. Her classroom serves as a vital safe space for students who may not always feel secure at school. Furthermore, she works creatively to build connections with our toughest students, often advocating for maximized opportunities for them to connect.

Thank you, Debbi, for your fierce advocacy, your creative approach to connection, and for providing a safe harbor for the students who need it most. You represent the absolute best of TCAPS! 🙌💫

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.