Board of Education
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Curriculum Committee spotlights our new middle and high school strategic plan goals
🔔ICYMI – our Curriculum Committee had a great meeting earlier this week on our Middle & High School strategic plan goals: • Student Achievement – Fall PSAT scores • Student Well-Being – Absent rates, school engagement, and student survey • Positive Student Behaviors – Student survey and disciplinary data • Post-Secondary Readiness – Post-secondary engagement…
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Putting Students First in Michigan’s School Safety Debate
While we wait for the outcome of the lawsuit — and for our special school board meeting to decide whether to accept or decline the state’s school safety funds — it’s been interesting to see how other districts are navigating the same issue. Why Detroit Public Schools Community District recently agreed to the waiver: 1.…
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Clarity, Commitment, and Care: What’s at Stake in Michigan’s School Safety Funding
Kathryn wrote today’s Traverse City Record-Eagle story, “TCAPS to join lawsuit against state.” At the heart of this issue, and not mentioned in the article, is the Oxford tragedy (read the final report) — and the larger epidemic of school shootings and gun violence that continue to affect communities across the country. I’m hopeful this…
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My 10 Biggest Takeaways from the 2025 Michigan Association of School Boards Annual Leadership Conference
My first Michigan Association of School Boards Annual Leadership Conference was fantastic — a great few days of learning, connecting, and recharging. Here are my 10 biggest takeaways: Lead with trust – Every decision we make as school board members helps shape community confidence and stability. Board self-reflection matters – Strong boards regularly assess how…
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Equity vs Equality – And Why it Matters
Sometimes you’ll hear public officials — including school board members — talk about equity. But what they’re really describing is equality. Thanks to the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation for helping explain the difference — and why it matters for our region. Because when we invest in equity, we create communities where every one of…
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Roadrunner Leaders Shine at TCAPS School Board Meeting
At Monday’s school board meeting, four student leaders from Traverse Heights Elementary took the mic to share how their House System builds connection, belonging, and school pride. They crushed it. Watch their three-minute presentation. And if you want to know more about the magic happening at Traverse Heights, check out my Behind The Bell story: “Magic at…
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Leveling the Field: How Community Giving Helps Close Opportunity Gaps
In 2023, a few of us came together to launch Roadrunner Nation, a friends group supporting the Traverse Heights PTO. We created it to help level the playing field—so every student at Traverse Heights Elementary School has the opportunity to access things like field trips, recess equipment, after-school cubs, and scholarships for sports and arts.…
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A new 5-year plan for TCAPS – Excited for what we can accomplish together
Earlier this week, we unanimously approved a new 5-year Strategic Plan for TCAPS. This new plan builds on the work of our previous 3-year plan, carrying forward four focus areas and adding a new one: health, wellbeing, and school connectedness. It also aligns closely with our mission, vision, and values—including our shared commitment to inclusive education, equitable…
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My 10 takeaways from the Michigan Association of School Boards’ Summer Institute
1. Ethical Imperative – An ethical imperative is more than a guideline; it’s a moral principle that makes a course of action essential and binding — “do the right thing.” 2. Data-Informed Decisions – Using data helps ensure all students are learning, holds school boards accountable, and deepens the community’s understanding of our shared responsibility…
TY FOR TCAPS 