TCAPS Montessori Weekly Reader:

Dear TCAPS Montessori Families and Friends,

Monday is a half day, with dismissal at 11:22. It is Martin Luther King Jr. Day! Across TCAPS, students will experience a special lesson to honor this day and this incredible human. Be sure to check in with your child on what they learned.

This day also marks the end of our first semester together. It’s hard to believe that half of the 2024-25 school year is ending. Instructors will work hard over the next quarter to increase rigor and guide students through new, challenging content. Students will work hard to persevere, be curious, and be committed to learning. Our reading and math screenings are taking place to give us information on students who may need additional instruction in our second tier of instructional intervention. You will be notified if your child qualifies.

Stay warm…rumor has it there’s a cold snap coming our way,

Tracy

Respect for Others, Materials, and Nature: Respect is at the heart of the Montessori classroom. The ideas of grace and courtesy prevail in this educational setting. How can you help your child learn about respect? Look at the top tips to help your child learn about this quality in a patient, tolerant way. Model Respect: You can’t expect your child to show (or understand) respect if you don’t lead by example. Montessori educators respect their students. They also expect the students to give the same respect back to adults and their peers.

How can you role model respect for your child? Some of the easiest ways to do so include:

• Remain attentive when they speak. Your child’s thoughts and words are important. Give your child the respect they deserve and pay full attention when they speak. While this isn’t always easy, it demonstrates the connection between undivided attention and respect for others.

• Use kind and courteous words. Please and thank you are simple signs of respect. Use these words often with your child as you role model positive behavior.

• Treat others with kindness and courtesy. Show your child what respect looks like in action. Greet friends and family with a kind word, use pleasantries like please often, and speak kindly of others even when they aren’t around.

These seemingly simple actions set a serious tone for your child. The more respect you show toward others, the more likely it is that your child will follow your courteous and kind actions at home, at school, or anywhere else they go.

• Please use the crosswalk area for pick up and drop off. Our crossing/traffic guard watches and manages several areas during this busy time. When people choose to avoid the crosswalk, it creates confusion in our process. Do the right thing - use the crosswalk!

• The TCAPS Montessori Lego League Robotics Team came home from the State Championship with third place for Core Values. Way to go team!
• Our Greenhouse Team needs to do some winter cleaning before we do our spring planting! Please contact Luette Frost at 719-588-9417 if you are interested in helping.
• Yearbook Ordering: link: https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/Order/SelectJob School Code = 15194325
• Current Toddler Families - If you are interested in moving from our Toddler, Montessori Day Care Based Program to our Preschool/Kindergarten Montessori School-Based Program, you will want to attend a coffee conversation hour on Wednesday, January 29 from 3:30 to 4:30. During this time, you will have the opportunity to meet with current toddler staff, CASA (Preschool/K) staff, myself and current parents to learn more about what our school program offers. There is a separate registration process for toddlers to preschoolers. Questions regarding enrollment can be directed to Kelly Gignilliat at (231) 933-1759 If you cannot attend in person, you may join virtually with the following Google Meet Link: Toddler to CASA Information Hour
• Casa Information Night will take place on Wednesday, February 12, from 5:30 to 6:30 for families interested in enrolling in our preschool - kindergarten. Please help us spread the word if you know of interested families.
• AC (Adolescent Community) Parent/Student Information Night will be held on Thursday, February 6, from 5:30-6:30 (Inclement weather date 2/10/25). We recommend that all 5th and 6th grade families attend.

Dear Parents, Caregivers, and Families, We are pleased to share a free and confidential website for parents and families, ParentGuidance.org. This site was developed by licensed therapists and provides trusted and specialized courses, professional support, and a safe community for parents to learn how to support their child. Parents can find answers to a wide range of mental health questions, including anxiety, depression, self-worth, grief and loss, suicide ideation, family challenges, and more. Popular courses you might consider exploring include:

• January 8 - 29 - NWEA Winter Testing Window
• January 20 - End of First Semester, Half Day, Dismissal at 11:22
• January 21 - TBA Student Run Credit Union, Deposit Day
• January 28 - PTO Meeting
• February 3 - Early Release Day , Dismissal at 1:12 PM
• February 6 - Adolescent Community Family Information Night
• February 10 - March 12, Safety Around Water for all 3rd Graders
• Februrary 12 - Count Day!
• February 12 - 14 - CASA & LE Music Informances
• February 12 - CASA Parent Information Night
• February 13 - West Middle School Registration night (incoming 6th graders) at 6:30-7:30
• February 14 - 100 Day of School!
• February 15 - PTO Winterfest
• February 17 - East Middle School registration Night (incoming 6th graders) at 5:00-5:30
• February 18 - TBA Student Run Credit Union, Deposit Day
• February 21, Builidng Bridges Music Assembly for Grades 4 - 6
• February 24, PTO Read-A-Thon Begins
• February 25, PTO Meeting
• February 28, PTO Movie Night (last one of the school year)

1. Ala Cart items are available for UE & AC (grades 4-8 students) to purchase daily. These items will be an extra main entree option. The prices are as follows: Additional First Choice Entree $2.85 - Soy Milk $2.50 - Dairy Milk - $0.50 - Extra Bosco Sticks (2 sticks w/ sauce) $3.00 - Extra Slice of Pizza $2.50

2. If students with packed lunch would like to purchase milk, they must have money on their account. Dairy milk is $0.50.

3. To put money on a students account you may send cash or check (made payable to TCAPS) in a marked envelope - LUNCH MONEY - in your child's folder.

-Mark your calendars...Winterfest will be on February 15. More Details coming soon!

-A new round of Lunch Buddies is starting soon and running through March 19, 2025. Please use this link if you are interested in volunteering.

-Read-a-thon Cmte needs some more help. More info and sign-up links available in the PTO Update.

TCAPS Montessori PTO Newletter and Updates

Dear AC Families,

If you have an 8th grader going into 9th grade for the fall of 2025-26 please use this resource for important information and resources; including dates for tours, registration, etc: TCAPS Incoming 9th Grade & New Students Information for Spring 2025

Please use this link to access news and events from the AC community. The drive will be updated on a monthly basis.

Spanish Class News & Notes (Click Here)

(parents look next to the Spanish class Google classroom link to look at the top row for their student's level (CASA, LOWER, UPPER, AC)

• TCAPS District Website
• TCAPS Elementary Student/Parent Handbook]
• TCAPS Secondary Student/Parent Handbook
• TCAPS PowerSchool Parent Portal FAQ
• PowerSchool Parent Portal Log-in
• TCAPS Student Support Network
• TCAPS Student Health Center
• Montessori Parenting.org
• Montessoir Parenting: The Kavanaugh Report

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

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