Schools
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TCAPS Curriculum Committee Snapshot: Creativity, Opportunity, and Pathways for All
The TCAPS Curriculum Committee meets to guide and oversee teaching and learning across the district. These meetings bring together school board members, staff, and district leaders to review programs, monitor student progress, and discuss instructional strategies. The Curriculum Committee Snapshot is a monthly series designed to increase awareness and understanding of how this work supports…
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Courtade and Willow Hill Elementary: Brights Spots
There’s a national conversation happening right now about early literacy—and which schools are helping students succeed as readers, regardless of family income. Right here in our community, two schools have been recognized as part of that story. Courtade Elementary and Willow Hill Elementary have both been identified as “Bright Spots” by The 74*, a national…
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Virtual Learning Is Growing — But Who Is It Serving?
I don’t yet know the percentage of economically disadvantaged students enrolled in our virtual programs. I do know we’ve expanded our virtual program at Traverse City High School and launched a new middle school option at East Middle School – with built-in adult support and check-ins. That’s a positive step. At the same time, our…
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Parker’s Story: Finding Her Voice at Central High School
Sometimes, the bravest thing a student can do is simply walk into a room. For Parker Ziegler, that meant stepping into the school newspaper class at Traverse City Central High School, despite a deep fear of others reading her writing. What followed is the kind of story that reminds us what schools can be at…
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Community Members Supporting Trojans at Lunch
One of the things I love most about our schools is when the community steps forward to help meet a real student need. At February’s TCAPS Curriculum Committee meeting*, we learned of a Traverse City Central High School – TCAPS program called Loft @ Lunch that is doing exactly that. The Loft offers a quiet,…
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Growing Readers Together: TCAPS and the Traverse Area District Library
Strong readers grow in strong communities. One of the most powerful literacy partnerships we have is with the Traverse Area District Library. During Reading Month, their youth services team works closely with our eleven elementary schools to create meaningful reading experiences for our students. This year, first graders are participating in library orientations, storytime, tours,…
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TCAPS Curriculum Committee Snapshot: Community, Innovation and Strengthening School–Family Partnerships
The TCAPS Curriculum Committee meets to guide and oversee teaching and learning across the district. These meetings bring together school board members, staff, and district leaders to review programs, monitor student progress, and discuss instructional strategies. The Curriculum Committee Snapshot is a new monthly series to help increase awareness and understanding of how this work…
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Federal Policy is Personal: Advocating for TCAPS Kids in DC
At our Organizational Meeting this year, the Board of Education was clear: when the district invests in professional learning for trustees, we should share what we learn with our community. After attending the National School Board Association’s Advocacy Institute in DC, I reflected on the experience and what it means for TCAPS students. Here’s my…
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Traverse Heights Elementary principal invited to attend the State of the State address in Lansing
Proud of this guy. Bryan Kay, principal at Traverse Heights Elementary, has been invited by the Governor’s office to attend the State of the State address in Lansing tomorrow. This honor recognizes his outstanding leadership, dedication to students, and participation in the TeachMichigan fellowship. Traverse Heights, a Title I school with TCAPS’ largest English Language…
