Equity
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December’s newsletter
December’s newsletter is out: – Rooted in relationships: What school connectedness and inclusive excellence look like in action – Caring adults, stronger schools: The impact of TCAPS mentors – Strategic plan update: Middle and high school goals – What inclusive excellence looks like in our community – On gun violence and keeping our students safe…
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Expanding Access and Opportunity: Spotlight on Our Nonprofit PTOs and Boosters
Happy #GivingTuesday! Today’s a great day to recognize our many 501c3 organizations whose sole mission is to support TCAPS students — from our 11 elementary PTOs to music and athletic boosters. These school-based nonprofits help expand equitable access and opportunity by funding co-curricular enrichment, building community, and ensuring every student has what they need to…
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TCAPS Curriculum Committee Meeting: Strategic Plan Update – Middle & High School Data
Our next Curriculum Committee meeting is tomorrow – agenda highlight: Strategic Plan Update – Middle & High School Data • 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 and student…
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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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TCAPS’ Chronic Absenteeism Rates Drop in 2024/25 – Important Work Ahead
Encouraging progress — and important work ahead. Our chronic absenteeism (students who miss more than 18 days of school/year) has dropped from 22.6% to 18.6% in just two years, even as Michigan’s statewide rate remains close to 30%. That’s real progress, thanks to the care and commitment of our educators, staff, and families. But we’re…
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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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My October TCAPS Newsletter
My October newsletter is hot off the presses: – A new chapter for our English Learners – We (finally) have a state education budget – Our district’s Sustainability Committee – and Traverse City Light & Power visits Willow Hill Elementary – Building tomorrow, trades kids, and Northwestern Michigan College – Community members keep showing up…
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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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Funding Uncertainty Threatens Student Success in Traverse City and Beyond
Michigan lawmakers remain deadlocked on the state budget, leaving districts like ours uncertain about funding for teacher salaries, after-school programs, literacy interventions, school meals, and more. This uncertainty hits students hardest—especially those furthest from opportunity. Research shows that targeted investments in students with the greatest needs improve achievement, graduation rates, and school climate. Despite recent…
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