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.

5 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
TCAPS Alert Early Release Day

Mrs. Hites' first grade classroom celebrated Chinese New Year yesterday! The Wang family, whose son is in the class, shared the holiday's history, customs and information with the class. Students learned the Chinese words for joy and peace as well as 2026 being the Year of the Horse and finding their Chinese Zodiac animal. Thank you to the Wang family for the gift of this experience!

6 days ago, Eastern Elementary School
A second grade boy looking through a festive cardboard frame decorated for the Chinese New Year that he is holding.
Two second grade girls looking through a festive cardboard frame decorated for the Chinese New Year that they are holding.
A second grade boy looking through a festive cardboard frame decorated for the Chinese New Year and he is holding a small red banner with Chinese language symbols on it..
A second grade boy looking through a festive cardboard frame decorated for the Chinese New Year that he is holding.

Mrs. Fak's second grade classroom is wrapping up a project called Valentines Across the United States. The goal was to help students develop map skills by gathering valentines from all 50 states. Mrs. Fak and the class requested cards from friends and family far and wide. As cards came in, students mapped the location from where it came and counted the number received: 98 cards from 37 states and 5 countries! In addition to cards, several people sent facts, pictures, and gifts from their locations and students showed their appreciation by writing thank you notes. While the project began with a map-skills focus, it grew to include heartfelt lessons in writing, connection and gratitude.

6 days ago, Eastern Elementary School
Two second grade students, one boy and one girl, each holding a Valentine card in front of their bodies with two hands.
Two second grade boys standing in front of a window wall covered with Valentines taped to it. The boys are holding up their arms pointing to the valentines.
A smiling second grade boy holding a card open that is taped to a wall of displayed valentines, using a finger to point to the greeting card message.
Two second grade girls standing in front of a map of the USA that has red dots indicating the 37 states from which they received valentines and also using their hands with a pointed finger towards the valentines.
A landscape picture of the window wall of the classroom to which all the received valentines are taped.

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.

7 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
TCAPS Alert Early Release Day

In the spirit of the winter Olympics, this week students in PE have been introduced to the sport of curling! Our PTO funded a proposal at the end of last school year to purchase equipment in response to growing interest. The week has been filled with the learning of sport, skills, strategy and also fun! Maybe we have some future Olympians in the making!

12 days ago, Eastern Elementary School
A group of elementary students in a line crouching on the gym floor, two have curling rocks in their hands waiting to release them to slide across the gym floor to a target not pictured.
One female student and one male students crouched on the gym floor. The male student has released a curling rock from his hand and the female student is waiting to release her curling rock.
The photograph spans the length of the gym.  In the foreground is the curling target and two curling rocks are in the middle of the floor. Four students in the background are a team of curlers that have released their curling rocks.
Another group of four students crouching on the gym floor; three have curling rocks and one has released it from their hand.
Four students in the gym, all holding curling rocks, one student has released the rock across the floor.
Word Smithing In Progress! Or Chain Reactions We Actually Like!

If your student has been talking about "chains" lately, don't worry—they aren't auditioning for a construction crew! They are mastering one of the most powerful tools in our CKLA Skills toolkit.

What exactly is Word Chaining?

It’s a fast-paced "mental gymnastics" game for the brain. We start with a word like cat, and by changing just one sound at a time, we transform it: cat → can → fan → fin.

Why it’s a Game-Changer:
- Phonemic Awareness: It trains the ear to hear the tiny differences between sounds.
- Decoding Speed: It builds the "muscle memory" needed to recognize patterns instantly.
- Confidence: Using our Word Chaining Folders, students get hands-on practice manipulating letters, turning "scary" big words into a series of small, manageable shifts.

Our students are proving that building literacy is all about making the right connections!
13 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
A young student smiling at the camera while sitting at a school desk. They are working on a CKLA activity with a white board containing various letters and phonics tiles.
A young student smiling at the camera while sitting at a school desk. They are working on a CKLA activity with a white board containing various letters and phonics tiles.
A young student smiling at the camera while sitting at a school desk. They are working on a CKLA activity with a white board containing various letters and phonics tiles.

Congratulations to our Eastern Stars of the Week - our first for the month of February! Way to be Safe, Trustworthy, Attentive and Respectful! You all shine bright!

18 days ago, Eastern Elementary School
Five students standing against a wall
Join us tonight, Tuesday, February 3, at 5:30 p.m. for the Kindergarten and Junior Kindergarten Information Session. Families seeking to enroll an incoming Kindergarten or Junior Kindergarten student for the fall of 2026 are invited to attend!

Learn more about early childhood education at TCAPS by visiting www.tcaps.net/enroll.
21 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
TCAPS Information Nights
Join us on Tuesday, February 3, at 5:30 p.m. for our Kindergarten & Jr. Kindergarten Information Night! Our amazing teachers will share all about our programs, what to expect, and how we make learning fun! You will also receive step by step registration details to make sure your child is all set for the big year ahead! We look forward to seeing you there!
23 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
TCAPS Kindergarten and Junior Kindergarten Information Nights

SCHOOL IS CLOSED: All TCAPS schools are closed today, Tuesday, January 27, 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, go to www.tcaps.net.

28 days ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
TCAPS ALERT Schools are closed due to inclement weather.

All TCAPS schools are closed tomorrow, Friday, January 23, 2026, due to inclement weather. Students in Michigan Virtual, Acellus, or Dual Enrollment classes should follow the direction of the instructors for those programs.

Due to the inclement weather closure, we are moving the 2-hour early release to Thursday, March 26, 2026. Based on staff and community feedback, we want to prioritize full days of instructional time for this upcoming week. 

Thank you for your flexibility as we work to maximize learning time for our students!

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

Reminder: TCAPS has an early release day today, January 22. 🔔

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.

about 1 month ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
TCAPS Alert Early Release Day

Reminder: Upcoming Early Release Days 🔔

TCAPS will have a 2-hour early release on both Thursday, January 22 and Friday, January 23.

Thursday's early release was rescheduled due to Monday's weather closure, while Friday's remains as originally scheduled.

Start & Dismissal Times: https://5il.co/3jfxa

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

For questions, please contact your school directly.

about 1 month ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
TCAPS Alert Early Release Day

SCHOOL IS CLOSED: All TCAPS schools are closed today, Tuesday, January 20, 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, go to www.tcaps.net.

about 1 month ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
TCAPS ALERT Schools are closed due to inclement weather.
TCAPS Early Release Schedule Change 🗓️

Due to today’s inclement weather closure, the 2-hour early release originally scheduled for today has been moved to Thursday, January 22. 🗓️

Please note that the scheduled early release for Friday, January 23 remains in effect. Students will have a 2-hour early dismissal on both Thursday and Friday.

Start & Dismissal Times: https://5il.co/3jfxa
Academic Calendar: https://5il.co/3jfx6

For questions, please contact your school directly.
about 1 month ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
TCAPS Update

SCHOOL IS CLOSED: All TCAPS schools are closed today, Monday, January 19, 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, go to www.tcaps.net.

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

🔔 Reminder: TCAPS has an early release day this coming Monday, January 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.

about 1 month ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
TCAPS Alert Early Release Day
Word Power at TCAPS!

Did you know a strong vocabulary is a top predictor of reading success? At TCAPS, our CKLA curriculum builds "word power" from Kindergarten through 5th grade by immersing students in exciting, real-world topics. It’s not just about knowing a word; it’s about understanding it deeply and being able to use it!

Here is a look at the vocabulary our students are mastering:

Kindergarten: Building the Foundation In K, we introduce fascinating topics like "Farms," "Seasons and Weather," and "Colonial America" through captivating read-alouds. Your child is learning words like: harvest, migration, and colony! 📚

1st Grade: Expanding Horizons First graders delve into domains like "The Human Body," "Fairy Tales," and "A New Nation." They're learning words like circulation, heroic, and independence! 🌳

2nd Grade: Digging Deeper In second grade, topics like "Ancient Greek Civilization," "The War of 1812," and "Ecology" bring more complex vocabulary into play- such as democracy, conflict, and biodiversity. 🔍

3rd Grade: Bridging Listening to Reading Now, students are reading more independently, and CKLA helps them tackle more sophisticated texts in units like "The Ancient Roman Empire," "Astronomy," and "Immigration." They learn words like emperor, celestial, and immigrant. 🏰

4th Grade: Mastering Academic Language Fourth grade dives into subjects like "Early American Civilizations," "Geology," and "The American Revolution." Vocabulary becomes even more crucial for academic success. Words such as Mesoamerica, erosion, and patriot. 🌎

5th Grade: Preparing for Middle School In their final elementary year, students engage with challenging topics like "The Renaissance," "The Civil War," and "Human Anatomy and Physiology." Students learn words like patron, secede and skeletal. 🚀

From their first day to their elementary graduation, we are empowering TCAPS students to own their language!
about 1 month ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
Infographic titled 'Words are Power' showing CKLA vocabulary: Harvest, Migration, and Colony for K-2; Emperor, Celestial, and Perspective

SCHOOL IS CLOSED: All TCAPS schools are closed today, Wednesday, January 14, 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, go to www.tcaps.net.

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

🔔 Reminder: No School Dec 22 - Jan 2.

Enjoy the winter break! All TCAPS school offices and the TCAPS Administration Building at Glenn Loomis will be closed during this time.

Buildings and classes will resume on Monday, January 5, 2026.

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

2 months ago, Traverse City Area Public Schools
Warm-toned photo with a silhouette of a person reading under a large tree and the TCAPS school logo