TC West Robotics Boosters welcome parents and caregivers to the TC West High School Innovation and Manufacturing Center to learn about elementary school robotics. Meet with coaches, ask questions, and see demonstrations of the middle and high school robots, too! Geared toward 4th through 6th graders, robotics is a great introduction to engineering, building, and coding and provides an opportunity for cerebral competition with a focus on building skills in collaboration and teamwork.
Date: Wednesday, May 20
Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: TC West High School Innovation and Manufacturing Center
Date: Wednesday, May 20
Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: TC West High School Innovation and Manufacturing Center
What an incredible week for our fifth-grade student council!
Thanks to their hard work, creativity, and dedication, our student council members proudly delivered a $1,200 donation to Noah’s Animal Rescue Farm!
The students worked diligently to raise these funds through fundraising efforts, all to support the amazing animals. During their visit, they had the opportunity to meet the animals, learn more about the rescue’s mission, and see firsthand the impact of their generosity.
A huge thank you to Noah’s Animal Rescue Farm for welcoming our students and giving them such a memorable experience. By the end of the day, the unanimous student review was: “Best field trip ever!”
We are so proud of these compassionate student leaders for making a real difference in our community!
Thanks to their hard work, creativity, and dedication, our student council members proudly delivered a $1,200 donation to Noah’s Animal Rescue Farm!
The students worked diligently to raise these funds through fundraising efforts, all to support the amazing animals. During their visit, they had the opportunity to meet the animals, learn more about the rescue’s mission, and see firsthand the impact of their generosity.
A huge thank you to Noah’s Animal Rescue Farm for welcoming our students and giving them such a memorable experience. By the end of the day, the unanimous student review was: “Best field trip ever!”
We are so proud of these compassionate student leaders for making a real difference in our community!
The May 2026 edition of TCAPS District News is officially live! 🗞️✨
Stay connected with the latest stories, student highlights, and important updates from across our schools.
Mobile Version: 📱https://itl.ink/DistrictNewsMay26
Desktop & Print Version: 💻 https://aptg.co/YbKds7
#GreatCommunityGreatSchools
Opening New Chapters: The Power of the Novel Study
Did you know that 3rd - 5th graders have the opportunity to engage in novel studies through the CKLA curriculum? These Novel Study Units are where "learning to read" transforms into "loving to read." By diving deep into these specific titles, our students are building more than just literacy—they’re building character:
- Stella Díaz Has Something to Say: Students are finding their own "inner starfish" as they learn about confidence, identity, and the bravery it takes to speak up.
- The Seasons of Styx Malone: This adventure pushes kids to analyze loyalty and friendship, weighing the thrill of the "extraordinary" against the value of home.
- The Science of Breakable Things: A beautiful look at using the scientific method to understand empathy and hope, connecting lab reports to real-life emotions.
The Big Benefit: Novel studies build reading stamina and critical thinking. Instead of just skimming, students learn to track complex themes and see the world through a new lens.
Did you know that 3rd - 5th graders have the opportunity to engage in novel studies through the CKLA curriculum? These Novel Study Units are where "learning to read" transforms into "loving to read." By diving deep into these specific titles, our students are building more than just literacy—they’re building character:
- Stella Díaz Has Something to Say: Students are finding their own "inner starfish" as they learn about confidence, identity, and the bravery it takes to speak up.
- The Seasons of Styx Malone: This adventure pushes kids to analyze loyalty and friendship, weighing the thrill of the "extraordinary" against the value of home.
- The Science of Breakable Things: A beautiful look at using the scientific method to understand empathy and hope, connecting lab reports to real-life emotions.
The Big Benefit: Novel studies build reading stamina and critical thinking. Instead of just skimming, students learn to track complex themes and see the world through a new lens.
We earned the Michigan Evergreen School designation, the highest level possible! 🌲✨
We are incredibly proud of our students and staff at Westwoods Elementary for their dedication to our environment. By completing 20 or more environmental projects, our school helped TCAPS become one of only two districts in the state to reach 100% participation! 🏆
This achievement shows just how hard our students are working to protect the Traverse City community. We are honored to lead the way at the Evergreen level! 💚
Read more about the Michigan Green Schools program here: https://greenschools-michigan.hub.arcgis.com/.
Experience an evening of community music at the Traverse City Music Boosters Benefit Concert. This fundraiser supports student scholarships and music classroom mini-grants.
When: May 21, 2026, at 7:00 P.M.
Where: Traverse City Central High School Gym
Donation: Suggested $5 per person or $20 per family
Stop by to enjoy the performance and support local music education!
When: May 21, 2026, at 7:00 P.M.
Where: Traverse City Central High School Gym
Donation: Suggested $5 per person or $20 per family
Stop by to enjoy the performance and support local music education!
The PTO needs volunteers for the Carnival.
Please use the link below to sign up. Thank you.
https://signup.com/go/WRzjAGg
Please use the link below to sign up. Thank you.
https://signup.com/go/WRzjAGg
Today Team McPherson and Team Steele took their annual May Basket walk to one of the local neighborhoods. This tradition started in Germany years ago and the learning buddy team has been doing it for the past few years to spread happiness, friendship, and kindness.
Westwoods friends and family, you have to check out @CampInvention this summer. It’s an awesome week full of confidence-boosting, creative, hands-on STEM fun.
Right now there’s a special discount for friends to save $35 when you register using the code SHARE35. Learn more and register at invent.org/camp.
Today was Principal Day. Mr. Tisdale received flowers and Diet Cokes throughout the day. Thank you for being an amazing principal.
Teacher Appreciation Spirit Week
Week of 4-8
Monday- Bring a note to a staff member
Tuesday: Bring a picture of your teacher or one you would like to give them.
Wednesday: Brighten someone's day: wear bright colors
Thursday: Bring a flower day, make a flower, or draw a picture of a flower.
Friday: Future dreams day- Dress as what you want to be when you grow up
Week of 4-8
Monday- Bring a note to a staff member
Tuesday: Bring a picture of your teacher or one you would like to give them.
Wednesday: Brighten someone's day: wear bright colors
Thursday: Bring a flower day, make a flower, or draw a picture of a flower.
Friday: Future dreams day- Dress as what you want to be when you grow up
Norte Bike Event Cancelled
Due to the cold weather, this evening's bike event has been cancelled.
Due to the cold weather, this evening's bike event has been cancelled.
Westwoods PTO arranged for Clark Lewis to perform for the students. They had a fantastic time.
Mr. Stave's and Mrs. Carter's classes are cleaning up for Earth Day.
Westwoods Presents! Family Bike Night!!
Friday May 1st 5pm-7pm at Westwoods Elementary
Bring a picnic dinner and enjoy some biking!!
We will have bike decorating, safety checks, trail riding and more!!
Don't have a bike!
Norte will have a small selection of bikes and helments to borrow.
For questions about borrowing from Norte's Bike Library,
donating a child's bike to the library, or to learn more about
Westside Adventure Mountain Bike Club, Please contact Tyler at
231-883-2471
https://www.norteyouthcycling.org/youthbikeprograms
Please note Helemets are required
If you need Assisanance with a helmet please reach out to the PTO;
westwoodselementarypto@gmail.com
Friday May 1st 5pm-7pm at Westwoods Elementary
Bring a picnic dinner and enjoy some biking!!
We will have bike decorating, safety checks, trail riding and more!!
Don't have a bike!
Norte will have a small selection of bikes and helments to borrow.
For questions about borrowing from Norte's Bike Library,
donating a child's bike to the library, or to learn more about
Westside Adventure Mountain Bike Club, Please contact Tyler at
231-883-2471
https://www.norteyouthcycling.org/youthbikeprograms
Please note Helemets are required
If you need Assisanance with a helmet please reach out to the PTO;
westwoodselementarypto@gmail.com
Teacher Appreciation Week.
Recess Volunteers Needed
See the sign-up to help!
Recess Volunteers Needed
See the sign-up to help!
Mrs. Gang's fifth-grade art class was weaving outside on a beautiful Earth Day.
The top readers of the Read-a-Thon voted on a prize, and they chose to tape Mr. Tisdale to the wall.
This week in Science, the 5th graders continued their study of the circulatory system with a hands-on sheep heart dissection . This engaging activity allowed the students to explore the structure of the heart in a real, meaningful way, helping them better understand how it functions and connects to what they learned in class.
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
Watch the video here: https://itl.ink/TCAPSStateoftheDistrict26
