Meetings
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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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Our Next Five Years: Focus, Equity, and Opportunity for All
We had a great discussion last night on our new 5-year strategic plan. This strong draft builds on our previous 3-year plan (4 of the 5 focus areas carry over from 2022–25) and is well aligned with our mission, vision, and values—including our commitment to inclusive education, equitable access, and success for all. It reflects…
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5 New Strategic Plan Goals for TCAPS
Student achievement equity Health, wellbeing, school connectedness and safety Behavior and bullying Staff recruitment, development and retention Expanding post-secondary options including Career & Technical Education, dual enrollment and Advanced Placement Save the date: The next strategic plan meeting will be on August 11th – and another one will be on August 25th. And you can…
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July’s TCAPS School Board Meetings
Busy week coming up for your school board: • Curriculum Committee (July 8) • Finance Committee (July 10) • Executive Committee (July 10) • Board of Education (July 14) Meeting agendas and packets Questions? Ideas? Concerns? I’m happy to chat anytime. Cute photo of Willow Hill Elementary‘s Princess Brooklynn and Prince Jackson
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Educational Equity, TCAPS and Carrying on Holly’s Work
Tomorrow, we’ll appoint someone to fill Holly’s seat on the school board. Losing Holly still hurts — she was a fierce champion for marginalized kids, and for advancing equitable access to opportunity and inclusive education throughout our district. Most recently, she helped bring forward a request to form an educational equity ad hoc committee this…
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Equity Is the Antidote: A Call for Courage in Strategic Planning
“Your letter paints equity as a threat. But equity is not the threat. It’s the antidote to decades of failure. Equity is what ensures all students have a fair shot. Equity is what makes it possible for a child with a speech impediment to present at the science fair. It’s what helps the nonverbal kindergartner…
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April’s TCAPS Board of Education Meetings
Happy April! It’s a busy month for your school board: – Curriculum Committee (April 1) – Finance Committee (April 3) – Health & Fitness Committee (April 3) – Executive Committee (April 3) – Study Session (April 7 – strategic plan) – Board of Education (April 14) – Sustainability Committee (April 17) – Study Session (April…
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Please keep showing up for all of our kids
This was originally published in my once-in-awhile newsletter. Quick thanks to many of you for writing/speaking in support of school board candidates who stood for a more inclusive, equitable, and compassionate district. While the candidate I voted for wasn’t selected, it was heartwarming to read/listen to many who care about helping all of our kids…
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Six Agenda Highlights for March’s TCAPS School Board Meeting
Six agenda highlights for Monday’s school board meeting: 1. School board appointment 2. New English language arts curriculum adoption for elementary 3. Title I (economically disadvantaged students) policy updates 4. Title IX (sex discrimination) policy updates 5. Acceptance of a $25,000 Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians 2% Grant for the Student Support…
