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.
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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.
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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.
Mark your November calendar! 📅
Central High School's production of "Urinetown" takes the stage on Nov. 14, 15, 21, and 22 at 7 P.M. Matinees are available on Sunday, Nov. 16 and 23 at 2 P.M. Standard tickets are only $20. Be sure to purchase your tickets now at tcaps.booktix.com!
What an unforgettable night of community spirit and heartfelt appreciation for our Veterans, first responders, and military heroes. A huge thank you to everyone who played a part in making this event a success.
#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
Meet TCAPS Compass Winner: Brittany Kay, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, TCAPS Administration🏆
Her nomination highlights the positive impact she makes for both staff and students.
Brittany has brought immense energy, clarity, and organization to her role, making a profound impact across the district. She has a unique ability to take big, complex projects, such as the CKLA literacy rollout, and make them feel manageable and supportive for all staff involved.
Brittany's leadership is characterized by trust and communication; she ensures staff are informed, heard, and feel supported. Because of her work, professional development is practical, engaging, and encouraging. Her efforts have not only built teacher confidence and strengthened collaboration but have also resulted in stronger instruction for our students and clear positive momentum in literacy across the district. 👏🌟
This recognition is well-deserved! The Compass Award celebrates employees who contribute to the District's Strategic Plan through their daily work.
This week, high fives go out to:
1. WMS’s principals and counseling staff for all they do to ensure their students safely come and go from school each day, especially as we observe School Safety Week. Your dedication to student safety and well-being is truly appreciated! 🙌
2. Traverse City and Long Lake Fire Rescue departments for sharing their time and expertise with our TCAPS students. Students got an up close look at a firehouse, met with local heroes, and even tried out equipment. What a great way to learn about safety! 🚒🧑🚒
3. Eastern Elementary's STAR Student of the Month, Charlie, who demonstrated incredible integrity when he found a large sum of cash at a Trojan football game and turned it in. Since the money went unclaimed, CHS’s Football Coach Schugars and his captains gave Charlie the special recognition he deserved by presenting him with the cash and Trojan swag. What a wonderful way to connect our students and community! 👏
4. TCHS students who volunteered their lunch period to help a fellow classmate practice for his first teaching lesson at the CTC Teacher Academy. That's the spirit of Mavericks supporting Mavericks! Thank you for investing in each other's success. 🌟
5. CHS Trojan Hockey players who volunteered to help motivate the students at Traverse Heights Elementary during their Move-a-Thon. Students pledged to stay moving for 60 minutes straight. This exciting tradition encourages student well-being and raises crucial funds. Great job, everyone! 💪
#GreatCommunityGreatSchools #High5Friday
We caught part of the TCAPS crew working hard to get the field set up! A huge thank you to everyone making this incredible evening possible. Tonight is dedicated to honoring our local Veterans, first responders, and military heroes.
Come see the TC Central Trojans face off against the TC West Titans! Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m.
Get your tickets and all details here: www.tcaps.net/tcpatriotgame
#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
A truly safe school goes beyond security plans. It's a place where every student feels seen and supported. During Safe Schools Week, we're reminding our community that mental health is a critical part of school safety. Students who feel connected are more likely to thrive. We encourage families to check in with their kids, watch for signs of a struggle, and remind them that it's okay to ask for help.
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Winter is approaching, and the TCAPS Student Support Network is here to ensure our students stay cozy and ready for the cold! 💙
Join us at the TCAPS Warm-Up Shop on November 13 & 14 for a selection of FREE winter essentials for your student, including coats, snow pants, hats, gloves, and more.
Appointments are required to visit the shop. The shop is located at the TCAPS Administration Building, 1009 S. Oak Street.
To schedule your visit, please:
Email: KubeshCa@tcaps.net
Call: 231.933.1789
