TCAPS Montessori Weekly Reader:
HOWL Everyday with Harmony, Optimism, Wisdom & Leadership!
August 23, 2024 Head of School News & Notes
Dear Montessori Timberwolves Families and Friends,
I am sure you are excited to meet or reconnect with your classroom communities! For some of you, that is joining our school for the first time; for some, it's returning to many familiar faces. Please know our staff is here to serve and help you through the BIG back-to-school transition. All families will receive an email from their child's Lead Guide at noon on Thursday, August 29, confirming their classroom assignment. Remember, in Montessori, returning children return to their same environments for three years to ensure continuity, growth, and progress. Lead Guides will provide you with helpful back-to-school information.
On Thursday, August 29, we look forward to welcoming students and families back to school at our annual open house. As a reminder, toddler families are invited to a one-on-one meeting with your guide. CASA (Preschool/Kindergarten) will be from 3:30 to 4:30 on August 29. LE (Lower El), UE (Upper El), and AC (Adcolscent Community) will be from 4:30 to 5:30 on August 29. Lead Guides (teachers) will have packets/information ready for you. If you cannot attend, packets will be sent home on our first school day - Tuesday, September 3, 2024.
At our Open House, you will meet our PTO board members, learn about the TCAPS Student Health Center, and learn about opportunities to take the BATA bus to our school. Our Greenhouse will also be open! Our office staff will be available to answer any questions regarding registration paperwork.
See you soon,
Tracy Rucker
Head of School
Reminders & Updates
- CELL PHONES & PEDs: Please remember that per TCAPS Board policy, all students in PreK-8th grades must abide by the cell phone/PED (Personal Electronic Device) "Away for the Day." If these items are brought to school, they must be powered off and kept in backpacks. Students who disobey the policy must turn the item into the office and retrieve it at the end of the day.
Lunches in the cafeteria: Students in Casa through our Adolescent Community are offered free hot lunches, served in the Timberwolf Cafe. The Timberwolf Cafe offers two or three choices for hot lunches every day, you can access the menu online here.
If you are providing lunch from home please note that your students will not have access to a microwave.
Greenhouse Updates
The Green House committee has some exciting things planned for the coming year. We are looking for donations of house plants to help make the greenhouse beautiful. Some can come in large pots that can sit on the floor or also in hanging baskets that can hang from the ceiling. Here is a list of plants we are hoping for:
- Pothos
- anything in the Peperomia family
- Tradescantia Zebrina ( Wandering Dude)
- Tradescantia Pallida ( Purple Heart)
- Chlorophytum Comosum (Spider Plant)
- Monstera
- Philodendron
- Jade
- Aloe
Darling Botanicals has an amazing variety of plants and they have helped create this list of plants for us. They are very knowledgable. Please stop in and support them.
We are also looking for the below items- Please call the Office to see if these have been purchased:
- OXO Salad Spinner
- Garden Hose with sprayer
- large planter boxes
Calling 5th through 8th graders interested in orchestra
For any students who are considering joining orchestra, or returning and think they might need a bigger instrument, come down to see Mr Bollinger during the Open House in the Orchestra/General Music Classroom. He will have instruments of different sizes ready to try, information about obtaining instruments, and can answer any questions you might have. Also feel free to reach out and email Mr. Bollinger at bollingest@tcaps.net with any questions.
UPCOMING CALENDAR EVENTS
- August 29, Open House & Community Gathering
- Toddler Famillies: 8/27 - 8/29 by appointment
- CASA Families: Thursday, August 29, 3:30 to 4:30 pm
- Lower El, Upper El & Adolscent Families: Thursday, August 29 4:30 to 5:30 pm
- September 3, First Day of 2024-2025 School Year, Dismissal @ 3:12
- September 6, Half Day, Dimissal @ 11:22
Supplies for Fall
Drop Off and Pick Up Procedures - Please Read the Attachment
PTO News
Highlights:
8/29 - Meet & Greet the PTO at our Open House
Read the PTO Newsletter for more information! Please Click HERE for the
District News
- TCAPS Board of Education Monthly Office Hours: The Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) Board of Education will host its next monthly “office hours” in person on Thursday, August 22, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Horizon Books, 243 E. Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49684. The meeting will be located on the mezzanine level (second floor) of the bookstore. TCAPS Board office hours provide community members with the opportunity to talk to a school board trustee. This month, Trustee Ballenger is scheduled to attend.
- Secondary Information: The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) office supports students and families each year with information regarding post-graduation options. These MDE support guides can be found at this site: Michigan Career Pathfinder.
- Superintendent Monthly Office Hours: Dr. John VanWagoner's monthly open office hours for community members will be held virtually on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at 5:00 pm. Community members may access the virtual meeting here or by calling +1 475-549-0438 PIN: 961 104 679#.
- TCAPS 2024-2025 Student/Parent Elementary Handbook is available on our school’s web page and is intended for use by students, parents/guardians, and staff as a guide to the rules, procedures, and general information about the district. Please familiarize yourself with the handbook and use it as a resource to assist your student(s) with following its rules and procedures.
- CEP Education Benefits Form. This form helps public schools receive crucial grant money to help ensure high-quality programming in our school as well as all of TCAPS. Please remember that even though all students qualify for free breakfast and lunch this year, we need households to turn in the CEP Education Benefits Form. Families can complete the form online at: traversecity.familyportal.cloud (one form per household). Many thanks for your time with this important endeavor!
School Hours
CASA - 8th Grade:
Start Time: 8:15
End Time: 3:12
Half-Day Dismissal: 11:22
Early Release Dismissal: 1:12
Toddler Program:
Start Time: 7:50-8:30
End Time: 2:30-3:00
Morning Session End Time: 11:00
Afternoon Session Start Time: 12:00
Half-Day Dismissal: 11:00
Early Release Dismissal: 1:00
TCAPS Montessori School
Email: ruckertr@tcaps.net
Website: https://www.tcaps.net/schools/elementary-schools/montessori/
Location: TCAPS Montessori School, Franke Road, Traverse City, MI, USA
Phone: 231-933-6420
Facebook: facebook.com/TCAPSMontessori
YouTube: TCAPS Montessori YouTube Channel
X: @TRuckerTCAPSmo