TCAPS Montessori Weekly Reader:

Dear TCAPS Montessori Families and Friends,

It was great to have a full last week of school for the 2024 year! Please enjoy the photos below from our 4 & 5-grade girls basketball team as they wrap up their 2024-25 season! We appreciate all the support you give to our staff and community. The PTO spoiled us with Secret Santa gifts as well as several families showing their love and kindness. We are grateful for this, and for ALL of YOU!

From our staff to yours, we wish you a happy, peaceful, and healthy holiday! We look forward to seeing the students back on Monday, January 6, 2025. We will have an early release day that week on Thursday, January 9, 2025, with dismissal at 1:12.

Happy Holidays,

Tracy

A Montessori Lead Guide takes on many different roles as your child’s teacher. Our Staff Stream is something we all strive for each and every day. Below are a few of those many different roles:

Safety: Before we can address student academics, we must ensure that we provide a safe and secure environment for staff and students. This includes physical and emotional environments. If students do not feel safe, we will not be able to help them reach their full academic potential.

Provide Strong Academics: Teachers embrace the Montessori philosophy along with rigorously aligned state and district academic standards. Data is reviewed collaboratively, and a plan is put in place to address needs in the fall and winter. Tier II interventions (structured programs for students performing below grade level and needing extra support beyond the general education curriculum) are available for Reading and Math.

Support Non-Academic Needs: All students participate in our Second Step curriculum, which emphasizes self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making, relationship skills, social awareness, and a growth mindset for students. When students need additional support, we have a part-time school social worker to help with social, emotional, or behavioral needs either individually or in small groups. These supports are in place to help with school success but are not therapy or counseling services. With parent permission, we work with students’ doctors and/or outside therapists to co-implement strategies that are helpful towards success in school.

Prepared Environment: The teachers arrange the environment of the classroom with carefully selected materials that are presented sequentially following Montessori and state curricula. Well-prepared Montessori environments have a feeling of “home.” They are mindful of furniture size, accessibility, and space for the children to work independently or collaboratively. The prepared environment is highly organized; everything has its place, and children learn to maintain this sense of order. They make their work “beautiful and ready for the next person.”

You are kindly invited to join us on the following dates for a short & sweet Valentine music informance. All events will take place in Room 214.

Wednesday, February 12

8:20 - Mrs. Barnes

9:15 - Mrs. Olson

2:30 - Mrs. Hall

Thursday, February 13

8:40 - Mrs. Anderson

1:45 - Mrs. Ballmer

2:30 - Mrs. Girard

Friday, February 14

9:15 - Mrs. Belovich (let’s meet again if you would like:)

1:45 - Mrs Vajda

2:30 - Mrs. Hisem

• Yearbook Ordering Information: ENJOY 10% OFF your order! CODE: F202410OFF EXPIRES: July 31, 2025 Redeem Now. Don’t forget to order your FREE Digital SmileSafe card! More about the Smilesafe program here

• December 23 - January 3 - Winter Recess
• January 6 - School Resumes
• January 8 - 29 - NWEA Winter Testing Window
• January 9 - Early Release Day, Dismissal at 1:12 PM
• 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

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.

Our Family Directory is a great way to connect with school friends for playdates during Christmas Break. If you haven't already done so this year, take a moment to register your family. [The family directory is completely voluntary; it is not a TCAPS-affiliated list]

Dear AC Families,

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)

• 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

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