Giving to the TCAPS Student Support Network (SSN) and the Learning, Enrichment, and Athletics Program (LEAP) ensures access and opportunities for all. Your gift goes directly to TCAPS students.
Give today: www.tcaps.net/give
#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
This week, high fives go out to:
1. West Middle School's FIRST Robotics teams who crushed their competition. Teams Apollo and Artemis both placed in the top ten. Congratulations to Team Apollo for winning the overall competition and earning the Innovate Award, securing their trip to the FIRST Robotics State Championships! Well done! 🙌🤖
2. Courtade Elementary’s Ms. Partman and Mr. Boyce, who kicked off the third annual Creative Explorers Program. This free, after-school program has 33 Cougars who will explore the worlds of coding, robotics, and problem-solving in an engaging, hands-on way. Future innovators in the making! 💻✨
3. West Senior High School students who visited TCAPS Montessori and Westwoods Elementary to teach the younger students German. This is an outstanding example of cross-school mentorship and leadership in action! Great job, students! 🙌💪
4. TCAPS Elementary students who know how to embrace a winter wonderland! Students enjoyed the fresh fallen snow, and those smiles say it all! What a great way to enjoy the season with winter fun and fitness!🧣☃️
5. East Middle School's 7th graders who are exploring timeless themes in a Charles Dickens classic! Students are analyzing Scrooge's journey from greed to generosity and Tiny Tim's powerful lessons in kindness. These are character lessons that truly resonate. We love their insight and appreciation for the classics! 📚💡
#GreatCommunityGreatSchools #High5Friday
We’re so grateful for this ongoing partnership and the difference it makes for our students and families.
#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
TCAPS will hold an information and discussion meeting regarding the planning and building design for the Carlisle Field Afterschool Clubhouse and Multi-Purpose Fieldhouse.
📅 Date: December 18
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM
📍 Location: East Middle School Library (1776 N Three Mile Rd, Traverse City, MI 49696)
Talented and Gifted Program Virtual Info Meeting
If you missed the virtual meeting on Dec 10, the recording is now available. Learn about the screening process and the program's focus on growth mindset and challenging projects.
▶️ Watch the Recording Here: https://sholink.to/TAGInformationalMeeting25
Reminder: Mandatory registration for optional testing (CogAT) must be completed by January 21, 2026.
Learn more at www.tcaps.net/TAG.
🔔 Reminder: TCAPS has an early release day today, December 11.
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.
🌟 Beyond Sounding Out: CKLA Knowledge Units Build Confident Readers! 📚
While learning to sound out words is essential, did you know that CKLA Knowledge Units teach your child about the world (like history and science) and grow their vocabulary by introducing important, academic words? This strong foundation of knowledge and words is how they move beyond simply sounding out letters to actually understanding the meaning of what they read, making them skilled and confident readers.
CKLA Connected—check out the learning adventures happening right now!
Kindergarten: Underdogs and Heroes: Stories
First Grade: Common Threads: Different Lands, Similar Stories
Second Grade: Legends and Heroes: Greek Myths
Third Grade: Rhythm and Rhyme: Poetry
Fourth Grade: Meaning and Metaphor: Poetry
Fifth Grade: Visions in Verse: Poetry
⏰ Reminder: Talented and Gifted (TAG) Program Virtual Info Meeting Tonight!
Is your student interested in a faster pace and higher-order thinking? Registration for optional CogAT qualification testing for the 2026-2027 TAG Program is now open!
🗓️ Optional Info Meeting: Join us virtually on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
🔗 Register for Testing Now (Deadline Jan 21): https://forms.gle/htKyceUSR5REHEg58
Learn more at www.tcaps.net/TAG.
Free Meals at TCAPS! 🍎🥪
TCAPS is offering free breakfast and lunch meals at every building, every school day.
Free breakfast is served daily! TCAPS Food and Nutrition Services reminds parents and students that TCAPS offers free breakfast before the start of every school day at every building in the district.
Secondary buildings offer breakfast in the cafeterias, and elementary buildings offer a convenient "Grab & Go" breakfast for students to enjoy in the classrooms or the cafeterias. TCAPS encourages every student to grab a free breakfast to ensure they have the energy necessary to excel! 📚
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Meet TCAPS Compass Winner: Kelly Gignilliat, Licensed Childcare Coordinator, TCAPS Administration🏆
Her nomination highlights her consistent dedication that goes above and beyond her job requirements.
Kelly is a crucial first impression for our district! As one of the first team members new families connect with, her patient, understanding, and exceptionally thorough approach ensures they feel immediately at ease and welcomed. Kelly embodies a true team spirit, always asking "How can I help?" and never adhering to an "it's not my job" mentality.
Her impact is clear, recently managing the successful launch of the K-5 online registration process while simultaneously coordinating hundreds of preschool/toddler registrations, never dropping the ball. Beyond her core duties, Kelly selflessly demonstrates her support for the TCAPS community, always jumping in and being an invaluable asset. 👏🌟
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 on December 11.
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.
🔔 Reminder: TCAPS Board of Education Meeting TODAY!
The TCAPS Board of Education will hold its next meeting on Monday, December 8.
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.
#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
We are incredibly grateful to MAWBY Winery for their year-long partnership supporting the TCAPS Student Support Network. A portion of their flight proceeds resulted in a generous gift supporting the Student Support Network.🌟🤝
We also extend a heartfelt thank you to the MAWBY team for volunteering at our Back to School Pop-Up! Your hands-on support made a real difference for families starting the school year strong.
#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
This week, high fives go out to:
1. Blair Elementary students who are reading with heart! They are turning pages to grow the Grinch's heart with a love for reading! Every minute of at-home reading reported helps the Grinch's heart grow bigger. They're already off to a great start! 📚♥️
2. East Middle School’s student, Max, who achieved an incredible feat at the Scholastic Chess Tournament in Lansing. Competing against 180 students in the K–8 competition, Max secured an impressive 25th place! This highlights his dedication and strategic skill. Congratulations on this major accomplishment! ♟️👏
3. Central High School Choirs, who have officially wrapped up URINETOWN 2025! Huge thanks to everyone who poured so much time, grit, love, and care into this incredible show. Bravo to all students, directors, the creative team, parents, and volunteers! What an amazing production! 🎭
4. Central Grade Elementary’s staff member, Mrs. McKinnon, and her husband! They came into the school during the break to decorate the hallway outside the office, giving everyone a fun and festive surprise on Monday morning. This wonderful act of kindness sets the perfect tone for their December theme: JOY. Thank you for spreading the joy! 🎁🌟
5. Traverse Heights Elementary’s Roadrunners who are studying fables, understanding how these short stories teach important morals and wisdom. This is a wonderful way to build reading comprehension and character! 📖💪
#GreatCommunityGreatSchools #High5Friday
Our TCAPS music students are performing all through December. Click for the complete performance list: 🔗 https://sholink.to/SoundsoftheSeason
#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
A heartfelt thank you to all who have supported TCAPS inaugural year-end fundraising efforts thus far! While our campaign continues through December 31, we are honored to share that we surpassed our Giving Tuesday goal.
A special thank you to Scott Newman-Bale for generously matching the first $10,000 raised. To date, we have raised $23,088.25 for TCAPS Student Support Network and LEAP programs. 🎉
Let’s keep the momentum going! Your continued support makes a meaningful difference.
Give now: www.tcaps.net/give
#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
TCAPS Superintendent Monthly Office Hours – Tuesday, December 9
Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) Superintendent Dr. John VanWagoner invites community members to “office hours.” Office hours will be held at Horizon Books, 243 E. Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49684 (Mezzanine level) at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 9. For more information, visit www.tcaps.net/about/superintendent.
#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
The TCAPS Board of Education is holding its next meeting on Monday, December 8. The closed session will begin at 5:00 p.m., 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.
#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
Double your impact and support TCAPS students! Scott Newman-Bale, Partner at Short's Brewing Company, will match the first $10,000 received through December 2, helping us provide essentials and remove barriers so all students can access SSN and LEAP opportunities. 🎒✨
Give now: www.tcaps.net/give
#GreatCommunityGreatSchools #GivingTuesday2025
Is your student interested in a faster pace and higher-order thinking? Registration for optional CogAT qualification testing for the 2026-2027 TAG Program is now open!
🗓️ Optional Info Meeting: Join us virtually on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
🔗 Register for Testing Now (Deadline Jan 21): https://forms.gle/htKyceUSR5REHEg58
Learn more at www.tcaps.net/TAG.
