Congratulations to this week's ROAR Model award winners!
2 days ago, Courtade Elementary
A group of young children poses for a photo in a library, each holding a book.
With the recent nice weather, Mr. Phillips is officially declaring the end of winter. And what a winter it was! Check out this side by side photo of Mr. P standing on a snowdrift at the back of our playground. That's a backstop! We had some HUGE snowdrifts out there!
3 days ago, Courtade Elementary
Two men stand behind a fence; one has his hand on the top, both wear winter attire. The background shows a grassy field and a snowy landscape.
The 2026 State of the District video is now live! Stay up to date with TCAPS’ initiatives and see how we are educating, engaging, and supporting all learners to maximize individual excellence.

Watch the video here: https://itl.ink/TCAPSStateoftheDistrict26
10 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
A blue logo displays "TCAPS" with "Traverse City Area Public Schools" written underneath in smaller text.

Reminder: TCAPS has an early release day today, Thursday, April 16.

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.

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

TCAPS Transportation and Safety Update

Our TCAPS Administrative team spent the day working closely with Grand Traverse County to evaluate road conditions and finalize bus routing. While families whose students have been rerouted have already been notified, we ask for your patience tomorrow,  as there will likely be delays in both morning pick-up and afternoon drop-off times. School administrators are aware of these delays and are prepared to assist students as they arrive.

To stay updated on your student’s transportation status, please utilize the MyRide K-12 app. You can access Account Setup Instructions and Routing Information online to view real-time routing details at https://www.tcaps.net/page/transportation. The Grand Traverse County Road Commission asks that you plan ahead for the next few days and give yourself extra time. Please use extra caution when traveling and slow down immediately if you encounter areas with standing water.

Also, please note that tomorrow is a scheduled early release day. You can view start and dismissal times athttps://5il.co/3jfxa and the full academic calendar athttps://5il.co/3jfx6. Thank you for your flexibility and for your partnership in keeping our students and drivers safe.

11 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
Orange banner with a bell icon reads "TCAPS Update" against a blue background.

Reminder: TCAPS has an early release day on Thursday, April 16. 🔔

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.

12 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
Early release promotional graphic
Congratulations to this week's ROAR Model award winners!
16 days ago, Courtade Elementary
ROAR Models
The "Spiral" Effect: Building Background Knowledge Experts!

Have you ever wondered how to build background knowledge for students? CKLA builds background knowledge for reading comprehension. In our Amplify CKLA curriculum, we use "spiraling"—revisiting big topics at a deeper level as students grow! For example, TCAPS 5th graders learned about Maya, Aztec and Inca this year, but this isn’t the first time students will be exposed to these ideas.

In 1st Grade (The Foundation): Students first "meet" these cultures. They listened to stories about maize, stepped into the floating gardens of Tenochtitlan, and learned basic geography. 🌽

In 5th Grade (The Deep Dive): Now, they are investigators. They aren’t just listening; they are analyzing primary sources, decoding Maya hieroglyphics, and comparing the sophisticated political systems of the three empires.

Connecting the Dots: This unit isn't just about the past, it’s a bridge! It sets the stage for future units on the Age of Exploration and the American Revolution by giving students the "big picture" of who was here first.

By revisiting these big ideas, our students aren’t just memorizing facts for a test—they are building a permanent library of knowledge that makes them better readers and critical thinkers for life.
18 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
Five students pose in a classroom holding handmade tri-fold projects about Maya, Aztec, and Inca civilizations.
A student project with drawings and handwritten facts about Maya, Aztec, and Inca architecture and culture.
A student project displaying Maya numbers, Aztec war weapons, and the Inca quipu system with typed research paragraphs.
Congratulations to this week's ROAR Model award winners! Have a great Spring Break!
about 1 month ago, Courtade Elementary
ROAR Models

Reminder: There will be no school for students from Friday, March 27, through Friday, April 3. Additionally, all TCAPS school offices and the TCAPS Administration Building at Glenn Loomis will be closed to the public during this time.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Monday, April 6.

Have a safe and relaxing spring recess!

about 1 month ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
A silhouette of a person sitting under a large tree and reading a book against a warm, golden sunset background. Centered in the frame is the white logo for "TCAPS" with the text "Traverse City Area Public Schools" written underneath it.

Reminder: TCAPS has an early release day today, Thursday, March 26.

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.

about 1 month ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
Early release promotional graphic
Bedtime Story Night was a blast! Huge thanks to all of the staff that planned stations and stayed after school to put on this event for our students. Thanks to our PTO for helping out with the book fair, and for providing funding so that all Cougars left with a free book. Thanks to the volunteers who were our mascots tonight. Special thanks to the Pit Spitters for bringing Monty. Did you have fun at Bedtime Story Night? Comment and post your photos below!
about 1 month ago, Courtade Elementary
Monty from the Pit Spitters with a student and his mom.
Trojy that mascot and Roary the mascot with a student.
Two kids picking out free books.
Shadow puppet show.
A mom building something out of toothpicks and gum drops with her daughter.
Three teachers dressed as the three little pigs.
Teacher dressed as a pig reading The Three Little Pigs
Parents cutting up fruit.
Kids and moms eating pancakes.
Teacher reading a book to students.

Reminder: Spring Recess Ahead! ☀️🌸

There will be no school for students from Friday, March 27, through Friday, April 3. Additionally, all TCAPS school offices and the Administration Building at Glenn Loomis will be closed to the public. We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Monday, April 6. Have a safe and relaxing spring recess!

Academic Calendar: https://5il.co/3jfx6

about 1 month ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
A silhouette of a person sitting under a large tree and reading a book against a warm, golden sunset background. Centered in the frame is the white logo for "TCAPS" with the text "Traverse City Area Public Schools" written underneath it.

Reminder: TCAPS has an early release day on Thursday, March 26. 🔔

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.

about 1 month ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
Early release promotional graphic
Last night, Mrs. Helman and Ms. Cici launched our second free, eight week after school program of the year. They are leading the Creative Project Program. This project-based learning program is all about exploring different kinds of games (the non-electronic kind). After students explore a variety of games, from current trendy games to the classics, they will take what they have learned about to develop their own game. They'll be challenged to use their creative writing skills, art skills, and logical reasoning skills. Our 3D printers may even play a role! This program is going to be great!
about 1 month ago, Courtade Elementary
Four students exploring a variety of board games.
Teacher exploring the Catan board game with six students.
Teacher looking at a board game with a student. Two other students exploring a board game.
Congratulations to this week's ROAR Model award winners!
about 1 month ago, Courtade Elementary
ROAR Models
Have you RSVP'ed for Bedtime Story Night yet? Follow the link below! This annual event is always a hit. It features Mrs. Myers' legendary shadow puppet show, the Scholastic Book Fair, some fun with mascots, Mrs. Helman's blacklight stories, and Mrs. Owen's therapy dog Chaplin playing the role of the Big Bad Wolf! Don't miss it! RSVP NOW!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeIymOCGsl4TxYM4-9lMBrYhkz5Mua-TWOAQC2TBYBcAmzuFA/viewform?usp=header
about 1 month ago, Courtade Elementary
Mascots reading stories with kids.
Two mascots with one kid hugging one of them.
Glow stories with Mrs. Helman
TCAPS schools will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday, March 18, 2026. This decision was made to prioritize the safety of our students, staff, and community by allowing our facilities team and local road crews the time needed to clear the heavy snow received throughout the district and on secondary roads. While all school buildings are closed, the TCAPS Administration Building will be open. Employees who normally report on closure days should report as scheduled.

Students currently enrolled in Michigan Virtual, Acellus, or Dual-Enrolled classes should follow the specific direction of their instructors for those programs.

For more information, please visit www.tcaps.net.
about 1 month ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
TCAPS Alert Graphic
All TCAPS buildings, including TCAPS Administration, are closed on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. No employees should report to work on Tuesday unless their supervisor contacts them for essential work. This includes first, second, and third shift employees.
about 1 month ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
TCAPS Update Graphic

School is Closed: All TCAPS schools will be closed on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, due to inclement weather. Students in Michigan Virtual, Acellus, or Dual Enrollment classes should follow the direction of the instructors for those programs.

For more information on snow days, including how they are communicated and how decisions are made, visit www.tcaps.net.

about 1 month ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
TCAPS ALERT Schools are closed due to inclement weather.