Meet TCAPS Compass Winner: Danielle Gourley, Day Care Assistant, Long Lake Elementary 🏆
Her nomination highlights her positive impact and commitment to our students.
Dani has been a welcome addition to the Long Lake Elementary Extended Day Before School Program this year. Her enthusiasm and connection with students are second to none; she consistently finds ways to make every child feel special by identifying and celebrating their unique strengths.
Beyond providing a caring environment, she empowers students to contribute meaningfully to their community through projects such as creating banners for custodian appreciation, writing birthday cards for staff, and sending letters to troops overseas. Through her creative crafts and engaging games, Dani has transformed morning care into a time that students truly look forward to each day. 👏💐
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: The TCAPS Board of Education meets today, March 9.
This meeting will begin at 5:00 p.m. and will transition into a Closed Session following the agenda review, with regular business beginning at 6:00 p.m.
Join us in person at the Glenn Loomis Administration Building (1009 S. Oak Street, Traverse City).
Find out more at www.tcaps.net/board.
This week, high fives go out to:
1. West Senior High’s Regional 1st Place Champions as they prepare to head to Washington, D.C.! These talented students secured the top spot at the International Affairs Forum’s annual Academic WorldQuest regional competition. As the winning team, they will now represent our region in the nation’s capital at the Carlos and Malú Alvarez Academic WorldQuest National Competition. This trip offers a life-changing experience for these promising students as they showcase their global expertise on a national stage. 🏆👏
2. Central High School’s Boys Varsity Basketball team who recently presented a check for $2,000 to Munson Healthcare staff, representing the total proceeds from their Purple Game. Every dollar raised will go directly toward supporting patients and families navigating their cancer treatment journeys. We are incredibly proud of these student-athletes for their dedication to supporting vital healthcare needs and making a meaningful impact in our community. 💛✨
3. Cherry Knoll Elementary students who enjoyed a wonderful start to their literacy celebrations this week! Miss Leestma officially launched the "March is Reading Month" activities by sharing her newly published book with the students. This special presentation sparked a wave of excitement for reading across the school, setting a creative and inspiring tone for the month-long celebration of books and storytelling. 📚👍
4. TCAPS Montessori students who kicked off Read-A-Thon Month with high energy and a school-wide D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything and Read) session! Students and staff alike paused their day to dive into their favorite books, marking the beginning of a month dedicated to literacy and community goals. We are excited to see our Montessori community come together to hit these milestones! 📖⭐
5. Long Lake Elementary students who enjoyed a perfect blend of sunshine, warmer weather, and literacy practice! These kindergarteners took advantage of the beautiful day to head outdoors and practice their reading skills. Combining letter sounds with a healthy dose of vitamin D proved to be the best way to learn, making for an engaging and refreshing educational experience under the sun. It was a wonderful reminder that some of the best learning happens when we step outside the traditional classroom. 🌞🙌
#GreatCommunityGreatSchools #High5Friday
TCAPS Superintendent Monthly Office Hours – March 10, 2026 📅⏰
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, March 10, 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
The TCAPS Board of Education will hold its next meeting on Monday, March 9.
This meeting will begin at 5:00 p.m. and will transition into a Closed Session following the agenda review, with regular business beginning at 6:00 p.m.
Join us in person at the Glenn Loomis Administration Building (1009 S. Oak Street, Traverse City).
Find out more at www.tcaps.net/board.
Favorite characters and music delivered with sweet delights.
When: Saturday, March 14
Showtimes: 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Where: TC Central High School Auditorium, 1150 Milliken Drive, TC 49686
#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
Meet TCAPS Compass Winner: Jen Couturier, School Safety Liaison, Central High School🏆
Her nomination highlights her dedication to the security of students and staff, with a positive impact.
Jen is an indispensable part of our Central High School community, serving far beyond her vital role in security. While her daily focus is on keeping our students and staff safe, she consistently goes above and beyond as an active supporter of our Band Boosters and music community.
Her dedication even extends into the summer months, where she works with the Facilities department to beautify our campuses. From East to West, Jen’s craftsmanship can be seen in the halls of many TCAPS buildings, creating vibrant spaces where students and staff feel proud to learn and work. Always building positive connections, Jen is a dedicated supporter of our Trojan family and the entire district. 🌟👏
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 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: Sara Bageris (WSH) & Josey Ballenger (CHS)
Date & Time: March 5, 2026, 5:30pm-6:30pm
Location: West Senior High (WSH), 5376 North Long Lake Road & Central High School (CHS), 1150 Milliken Drive Traverse City
We look forward to connecting with you and working together for our students.
#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
The Traverse City West Senior High Music Department is proud to present Little Shop of Horrors. Join us for this classic musical featuring a book and lyrics by Howard Ashman and music by Alan Menken. The production is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
Performance Dates and Times:
Evening Shows (7:00 PM): March 13, 14, 20, & 21.
Matinee Shows (2:00 PM): March 15 & 22.
Tickets:
Tickets range from $15 to $25 (plus box office fees). Secure your seats today by visiting tcaps.booktix.com.
Learn more at www.tcaps.net/enroll.
#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
It's High 5 Friday! 🙌🖐
This week, high fives go out to:
1. Central High students, Arthur Lijewski-Lee, Alex Potrafke, Lillian Shev, and Helly Taylor, for being named Finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Ranking among the top one percent of high school seniors in the U.S., these four students represent the pinnacle of academic achievement. They now move forward to compete for nearly 7,000 scholarships totaling approximately $26 million. This honor is a testament to their dedication and the strong academic foundation provided at Central High School. Congratulations to these scholars! 🎓👏
2. West Senior High Visual Art students for their exceptional performance at the Oliver Art Center 2026 Student Exhibition! Our Titans truly shone in this regional showcase, with 1st and 2nd-place winners earning art supply gift cards and a $2,000/year scholarship to Olivet College. We are incredibly proud of their creativity and dedication to the visual arts! 🎨🥳
3. West Middle School artists for their incredible success at the Michigan Art Education Association K-12 State Exhibit! Out of over 500 entries adjudicated statewide, these talented photographers truly stood out. One student's work was honored as one of the Top 18 middle school pieces in Michigan, while three others were recognized among the Top 100. Additionally, one photograph earned the prestigious distinction of being selected for display at the Michigan Department of Education for an entire year. 📷🙌
4. Our Courtade Elementary students and families who enjoyed a delicious evening of community and culinary skill during Family Cooking Night! A huge thank you to Chef Adam from Cook It Forward and Ms. Juday from Farm to School for sponsoring this event, which featured a livestreamed cooking class led by Chef Adam. More than 30 families joined in from their own kitchens to prepare a delicious meal of gnocchi and vegetables. It was a wonderful opportunity for our students to practice "farm to school" habits while sharing a healthy, homemade meal with their loved ones! 🧑🍳💕
5. Our Central and West ski team students who are rivals on the hills, unified when it matters. At the MHSAA Ski State Finals, these students showcased the true meaning of sportsmanship by standing together during the National Anthem. While the competition is fierce between our two teams, these strong student connections remind us that we are one community first. We are incredibly proud of these athletes for representing our district with such class and unity! ⛷️🌟
#GreatCommunityGreatSchools #High5Friday
Meet TCAPS Compass Winner: Tyson Burch, Director of Transportation, TCAPS Transportation Department🏆
His nomination highlights his dedication to the students of our district and the leadership he brings to the transportation department every single day.
Tyson’s leadership is defined by his ability to remain calm and decisive when challenges arise, ensuring that the wheels of our district never stop turning. A recent dismissal situation at Central Grade served as a perfect example of Tyson's dedication. When an immediate need for a bus replacement arose, Tyson didn’t just manage the situation; he excelled. Thanks to his swift coordination and expertise in navigating complex logistics, he had a replacement bus on site and moving in just six minutes.
This efficiency reflects the dedication of Tyson and his team to our students. Although he often works largely behind the scenes, his impact is felt by every family whose child arrives home safe, warm, and on time. 💫👏
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
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: Scott Hardy
Date & Time: February 26, 2026, 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Location: Traverse Heights Elementary School, 933 Rose Street, Traverse City, MI 49686
We look forward to connecting with you and working together for our students.
#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
This week, high fives go out to:
1. West Middle School’s amazing Math Club students! They are now the #1 team in the region, and they are headed to the State Competition in March! Not only did the team dominate, but several students also ranked as the top individual performers in the entire region. We are so proud of their hard work and spirit! 🏆🥳
2. Blair Elementary students who hosted their first-ever STEM Day! There were STEM stations located throughout the building and led by 4th and 5th grade students. They even had rangers from Sleeping Bear Dunes visit with their mobile planetarium! All of this was organized by their incredible 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Laurie Lijewski. Thank you for bringing learning to life for Bobcat students! 👏🌟
3. East Middle School’s band members who turned the main office into a "mini stage" by surprising staff with an impromptu performance! It was the perfect way to brighten everyone's morning and show off their talent. We love seeing our Trojans take the initiative to share their musical gifts with the whole school. Bravo, musicians! 🎵🙌
4. Eastern Elementary’s Mrs. Hites' first grade classroom who celebrated the Chinese New Year. The Wang family, whose son is in the class, shared the rich history and vibrant customs of the Holiday. Students enjoyed learning Chinese words and Zodiac signs. Thank you to the Wang Family for sharing your traditions and giving our students such a memorable gift of learning! 🎋❤️
5. Westwoods Elementary 5th graders who found a unique way to bring their CKLA unit to life! They engaged in a friendly jousting match, using their skills and knowledge to compete. It wasn’t just about the competition; students utilized their critical thinking and communication skills to navigate the challenge. Who knew the Middle Ages could be this much fun? 💪🛡️
#GreatCommunityGreatSchools #High5Friday
Reminder: TCAPS has an early release day today, Thursday, February 19. 🔔
Note: There is no school for students tomorrow, Friday, Feb 20 (Teacher Work Day).
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.
Meet TCAPS Compass Winner: Vicky Ackerman, Bus Driver, TCAPS Transportation Department🏆
Her nomination highlights her patience and positive influence on students.
As the first school personnel many of our students see each day. Vicky sets the tone with positive words, school spirit, and genuine care. Whether she’s rocking a spirit day outfit or gently enforcing safety rules, she leads with heart.
Vicky exhibits each of the Compass values, putting students first, operating with excellence, showing integrity, and leading students and other staff members with empathy and mindfulness. She cultivates a supportive environment, starting each student's day with a positive connection and promotes respect and responsibility on each of her routes. 💖👏
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 has an early release day this Thursday, February 19. 🔔
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.
