Schools
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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…
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Let’s Give Every TCAPS Student a Fair Shot
“The most effective schools don’t treat equity as a buzzword. They build intentional systems of support. They use data to respond to student needs, they expand access to early learning and enrichment, and they view families as essential partners.” Excellent op-ed by Mike Radke in the Record-Eagle about our opportunity to help level the playing…
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Equity in Action: Room to Grow for Our Roadrunners
Thanks to the 2024 bond, construction is underway to add three new classrooms and expand the cafeteria at one of our Title I elementary schools. What this could mean for our Traverse Heights Elementary Roadrunners: Smaller class sizes—especially in those crucial early grades Improved student success and outcomes Better learning environments for all We’re building…
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5 New Strategic Plan Goals for TCAPS
Save the date: The next strategic plan meeting will be on August 11th – and another one will be on August 25th. And you can subscribe to have school board meeting agendas and packets emailed to you once they’re published HERE. *Story by Kathryn in the June 16th Record-Eagle Cute photo of Mrs. Helman and some…
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TCAPS’ Eleven Floats Shine at National Cherry Festival Parades
Our eleven floats looked soooooo good in the National Cherry Festival Parades last week. Thank you, princes, princesses, parents and sponsors. #tcapsproud Float Slideshow
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Happy, Healthy, Ready-to-Learn in Traverse City—Safe Routes to Student Success
Building schools for happy, healthy, ready-to-learn kids—not car line and parking convenience—isn’t just about walking or biking or exercise. It’s a proven way to support the goals just outlined in our new strategic plan: • Student Achievement • Health and Safety • Student Behavior • Student and Staff Wellbeing As we invest millions this summer…
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Mississippi’s Reading Miracle: A Lesson for Michigan?
Between 2013 and 2024, reading scores for the lowest-performing students dropped significantly across 40+ states — but one state defied the trend: Mississippi. Despite being the poorest state in the country, Mississippi’s literacy gains—especially among Black and low-income students—are now leading the nation. How? They didn’t just tweak policy. They invested in literacy coaches, screened…
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Uncomfortably bold
I love this public comment from last week’s school board meeting, which advocated for the new strategic plan to be uncomfortably bold with measurable goals to significantly reduce the achievement gap between students from low-income and financially comfortable families. Thank you, May Van Valin. You can watch her full comment. Tonight is our second meeting…
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All means all – an opportunity for better
July 7th update: The next strategic plan meeting will be on August 11th – and another one will be on August 25th. Our Curriculum Committee will also discuss it tomorrow at their meeting. Here’s that agenda – note presentation slides linked at the top. And you can subscribe to have school board meetings agendas and…
TY FOR TCAPS 