Schools
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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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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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Rooted in Relationships: Traverse Heights Shows What School Connectedness Looks Like
Loved seeing this op-ed in last week’s paper from Traverse Heights Principal Bryan Kay and former Traverse Heights PTO President Stephanie Wilson. Their message is simple and powerful: when families are centered from Day One, students thrive. Traverse Heights Elementary is building a school year rooted in relationships — from their Great Lakes House System,…
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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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The Catalyst For Opportunity
“Literacy is such an important focus for TCAPS because, in the broadest sense, literacy is the catalyst for opportunity.” I love this quote by Blair Elementary Principal Kirk Ranney in our new Traverse City Area Public Schools video. Because reading opens doors — to curiosity, confidence, and lifelong learning. That’s why we’re investing deeply in…
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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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Supporting Traverse City’s English Learners: Local Action, Strong Commitment
As Washington steps back and Michigan rolls out new statewide requirements to ensure English learners receive dedicated instructional time, TCAPS is stepping up our support for students and families. State Superintendent Michael Rice has made clear that while federal protections may feel uncertain, Michigan’s commitment to fairness, access, and inclusion remains strong—and we’re proud to…
TY FOR TCAPS 