Parents & Students

Below you will find information, resources and links to the most commonly asked for information.

TCAPS 2022-23 K-12 Courses

TCAPS offers both in-person and 100% virtual learning options for students in grades K-12. Below you'll find resources to assist with your class selections:

TCAPS K-12 Course Catalog

2023-2024 Registration Information

5th into 6th Grade Parent Registration Nights 

PDF DocumentOrder Pictures with Timeless Image

TCAPS partners with Timeless Image, Inc. for school pictures. You can order pictures online at External LinkTimeless-Image.com. Click on "Order Pictures" and use the EMS school code of 8221.

 

Advance Notice Pesticide Treatment for October 1, 2022

Please be advised of pest control treatment for weeds at the East Middle School lawns, fence lines, and around the building on Saturday, October 1, 2022.  PDF DocumentRead the full notification here. 

How to Report Bullying

Traverse City Area Public Schools takes bullying very seriously and will investigate all reported incidents. Reports can be made by contacting your school office or by filling out the Google FormsTCAPS Bullying Preventions & Intervention Incident Reporting Form.  

All reported incidents reported will follow the PDF Documentbullying/cyberbullying investigative process.

 

Breakfast & Lunch Information

Find Out if You Qualify for Free/Discounted Meals

TCAPS is proud to offer healthy meals to our students every school day. Children need healthy meals to fuel their learning and your child(ren) may qualify for free or reduced meal benefits

Whether or not your child plans to participate in the free and/or reduced meals program, the information is vital for the district. It is used not only to determine meal prices for qualifying families, but it is also used as part of the application process for a number of grants and other opportunities TCAPS participates in. We are pleased to be able to offer qualifying families with free or discounted meal rates, so if you think your family might qualify, please External Linkapply today

PowerSchool Public Portal can be accessed by both students and parents to view class schedules,  keep track of grades and attendance, set up email notifications, and receive comments from teachers. 

There are multiple ways you can find out if school is closed due to inclement weather:

  • All local radio and televisions stations announce school closings on a regular basis
  • Call the bus hotline - 231.933.1955
  • Visit the External Linkdistrict website or the External Linkschool website. A pop up will come on the screen if there is a closing alert (pop up blocker must be turned off)
  • Follow the district on External LinkFacebook and/or External LinkTwitter

Want more information? View PDF DocumentSnow Day FAQs

For Students

One of the biggest challenges to new students is the school locker. Here are a few helpful tips:

  • Step 1: Get your locker assignment. East Middle School gives out locker assignments at registration when you get your books and schedule of classes. The locker assignment will tell you your locker number and the combination that you will need to open the locker.
  • Step 2: Write down your combination in several places. It is easy to forget your locker combination at first. Be sure you have it written down on something in your backpack, at home and a copy with your parents if all else fails. If you really forget your locker combination and don't have a backup written somewhere, the office can usually look it up for you.
  • Step 3: Do a test run. If you get your locker combination in advance, ask your parents to take you over to the school so you can find your locker and practice opening it.
  • Step 4: Locate the locker. While lockers have numbers on them you might also want to find a memorable landmark to help you find it quickly such as a heating vent, classroom door, or bulletin board that is close to your locker. The faster you find your locker when you are in school, the more time you will have to get what you need and get to class on time.
  • Step 5: Practice the locker combination several times. All locker combinations have three numbers. The standard combination lock has you turn right to the first number, left past the next number and then to it again, then right to the last number. Practice opening your locker until you can do it with ease. Don't worry, you won't be the only one who is doing it for the first time.

Store Hours

  • Monday - Friday
  • 7:15 AM - 7:35 AM

Items for Sale

  • Trojan swag (pens, pencils, key chains, gym bags, clothing)
  • Gum, mentos, etc.

Store Managers

The store is run by students in the middle school and is supervised by Advisor Erin Ryan. Students interested in applying for the school store must complete an application and participate in an interview with Mrs. Ryan, and the current store managers, Grant Manker and Gabe Glidden.

More Information

Erin Ryan, Advisor
231.933.7362

Student Work Permits

Following is the school district’s process for student work permits:

  1. Student obtains a copy of the appropriate blank work permit form from his/her employer or by using the appropriate link below (based on student age).

External LinkLink to Work Permit for students ages 16 or 17 

External LinkLink to Work Permit for students under 16 years of age

  1. Student completes Section 1.
     
  2. Student takes the form to his/her Employer.
     
  3. Employer completes Section 2.
     
  4. Student goes to his/her school or the administration office with completed form and school ID or state ID card/driver’s license.
     
  5. School or administration office reviews the work permit, confirms information with the student's PowerSchool record and ID that is presented, and completes Section 3 of the work permit. School makes a copy of the work permit for the student's file.
     
  6. Student takes his/her completed work permit to his/her employer.  

If you have questions about this process or need further assistance, please speak with your school’s main office or call TCAPS' Human Resources office at 231.933.1710.

For Parents

Attendance Line - 231.933.7444

Regular school attendance is important and a major factor in the academic success of each student.  Active participation and interaction by students in the classroom is an essential part of the instructional process and is only experienced through regular attendance. The primary responsibility for ensuring regular school attendance rests with the parent(s)/guardian(s) and the student. Through the cooperative efforts of parent(s)/guardian(s), it is hoped each student will develop attendance habits and attitudes which will be helpful to his/her present and future endeavors.

All student absences and lateness (tardies) must be communicated with the school office. 

Please be sure to include the following information when communicating with the school office:

  • Student’s full name (with spelling)
  • Teacher's name
  • Applicable date and time
  • Your name and relationship to the student 
  • Reason for the student’s absence (If ill: report student's symptoms and diagnosis by doctor if applicable)
  • Length of time you expect the student to be absent or tardy
  • Number where you can be reached

If your busing needs change at any time, please contact your school office or call the transportation department at 231.933.1933 for more information.

All TC East parents are invited to participate in the East Community Organization (ECO) and to get involved in school activities and events. The ECO works throughout the year to bring quality enrichment opportunities to our students as well as raise funds for student programming. ECO meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month and are open to the public. All East families are encouraged to attend. Please join us to learn more. Visit the ECO webpage for meeting dates more information about the ECO.

Interpreter/Translation Services

Interpreting during any meeting or translation of any documents will be provided for any parent who requests interpreting or translating. The process to request these services is:

  • Contact your school and make a request. The school will then make the request through the Human Resources Department, and an interpreter will be provided.
  • A school may use the Tele-Interpreter Service if no interpreter is available, or if interpreter/translation services are an immediate need.

Liaisons

Throughout the school year, East Middle School looks for parent volunteers to help in various positions. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the main office or speak with your child's teacher. All volunteers will need to complete the district's online volunteer application and a background check before volunteering at the school. To complete the application and for more information on volunteering, please visit the External Linkdistrict's volunteer page. Thank you for your support! 

External LinkOrder your Trojan yearbook here. Enter cide 2858 to find East Middle School

Student Programs

EMS Journalism Students Earn MIPA Awards PhotoEast Middle School is proud to have award winning scholastic journalism programs, with our Digital Media & Communications and Newspaper classes. Students in DMC create the school yearbook and produce Trojan TV, a weekly newscast that highlights school news through interviews, taping, and editing video. In Newspaper, students write for Trojan News covering student life, TCAPS news, and more. Together, the two programs also produce The Link, an online multi-media website that showcases all things Trojan News.

Click here to view The Link websiteSeventh and eighth grade students interested in joining DMC or Newspaper should be responsible team players, and have a desire to learn and be active in the production of the publications. 

External LinkVisit The Link website for up-to-date information on yearbook, newspaper, Trojan TV and all things EMS.

Building A Learning Community Through Biking

East Middle School is interested in making walking/biking to school a feasible option for staff and students living in the East Middle School area. With that in mind, we are collaborating with community organizations that share these common goals. External LinkLearn More About the Bike2East Initiative

Recycle-E(A)st-Bike Program

Students interested in biking have a unique new learning opportunity at East Middle School. Students may sign up to participate in the Recycle-E(A)st-Bike program taking place during resource period. Students learn to repair and maintain bicycles, either their own or a bike being readied for donation to a student in need. Learn more

The goal of the Recycle-E(A)st-Bike program is to provide students an opportunity to work with their hands to further their minds. Interested students will sign a contract and make a personal commitment to learn how to repair, maintain and rebuild bicycles. Once repaired, the bikes may be given to TCAPS students in need of a bicycle.  

External LinkLearn More About the Recycle-E(A)st-Bike Program

 

  • Book Club: Join in book talks in the school library with the Library Media Assistants.
  • Math Counts Club: This club meets during lunch and after school to work on math concepts and to prepare for math competitions. Advisor: Bob Sagan
  • External LinkNational Junior Honor Society: a community-minded group of students who have qualified with GPAs of 3.5 or better working together to promote community support within the greater TC area and EMS to support those in need. 
  • Robotics Teams: Each team works to solve problems and compete with other schools.

The EMS Peer-to-Peer program focuses on developing positive role models and peer relationships for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Our mentors have been trained throughout the school year and have participated in weekly P2P meetings to take part in interactive social and extracurricular activities with our peers from TBAISD programs.

The benefits of having a peer-to-peer program at East Middle School are that it develops disability awareness across the building, it builds friendships, teaches patience, tolerance and acceptance and helps to develop leadership qualities. Both mentors and peers alike enhance communication skills and help to make a difference in another person's life.

P2P would not be successful without our dedicated peer mentors. A P2P rally is held at the end of the school year. Students have the opportunity to complete applications to participate for the following school year. In the fall, applicants are interviewed and matched with peers from our TBAISD and TCAPS programs.

More Information

Erin Ryan, Advisor
231.933.7362

Deposit Days

  • Tuesday, October 18, 2016
  • Tuesday, November 1, 2016
  • Tuesday, November 15, 2016
  • Tuesday, November 29, 2016
  • Tuesday, December 13, 2016
  • Tuesday, January 3, 2017
  • Tuesday, January 17, 2017
  • Tuesday, February 7, 2017
  • Tuesday, February 21, 2017
  • Tuesday, March 7, 2017
  • Tuesday, March 21, 2017
  • Tuesday, April 4, 2017
  • Tuesday, April 18, 2017
  • Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Hours of Operation

  • 7:15 AM - 7:35 AM

Member Application