TCAPS Montessori Weekly Reader:

Hello Timberwolves!

Today we had our second HOWL spirit assembly to celebrate a successful first semester of the 2024-25 school year. Our student leadership team dazzled us with skits introducing our next social emotional learning topics of Empathy and Attitude and how we can grow these traits as humans and make our school a better place.

Shout out to our Peseverance Award Recipients! The following students were selected by their instructors for having the persistence and tenacity, giving the effort required to do something and keep doing it until the end, even when it’s hard. Way to go Timberwolves:

Lilah Caron, Jace Clark, Lakeleigh Clone, Ben Cram, Reid Figueroa, Elliana Ford, Franky Gawel, Whnn Hanley, Arlo Hayden, Brady Hines, Lucy Horan, Sayber Howerd, Mark Kulikov and

June Smith

On Monday we will have our 4th early release day of the school year. Dismissal will be at 1:12.

Have a great weekend,

Tracy

Please Note: In last week’s news, I made a mistake on district registration dates. Toddler and Preschool registrations will open on Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at 10:00 am. Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten open on Thursday, February 13, 2025 at 10:00 am.

How to use Praise and Respect:

When discussing respect, we as caregivers want to focus on positive praise, affirmation, and co-regulation by modeling respect for ourselves and our children. The young child won’t always find respect an easy concept to grasp — or display. While your child may have the best intentions, immature social, emotional, or cognitive development sometimes gets in the way. This can make showing complete courtesy and kindness in every situation difficult.

As your child explores the idea of respect and attempts to show this behavior:

• Focus on their actions. Does your child take turns or share? Even if they don’t remember to say please or thank you, authentically praise the part of the action that shows courtesy and kindness.

• Give partial credit. Did your child make an attempt to act with respect? Did the effort only partially succeed? Praise the positive parts of their actions and discuss why the attempt wasn’t entirely successful.

• Speak in specifics. A steady stream of “great,” “good job,” and “nice” may not mean much to your young child. Instead of general terms, praise specific areas of effort with affirmations. “You got all of your dirty clothes in the hamper.” “Thank you for clearing the table without being asked. That is so helpful and responsible.” “Wow, I noticed your printing is getting so much neater - what have you done differently to improve your handwriting?”

• 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.

• February 3 - Early Release Day , Dismissal at 1:12 PM
• February 4 - Toddler & Preschool Registration Opens @ 10:00 AM
• February 6 - Adolescent Community Family Information Night
• February 10 - March 12, Safety Around Water for all 3rd Graders
• February 12 - CASA New Familiy Parent Information Night from 5:30-6:30
• Februrary 12 - Count Day!
• February 12 - 14 - CASA & LE Music Informances
• February 13 - JK & K Registration Opens for new families @ 10:00 AM
• 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.

📚Read-a-thon 2025 is coming soon! Help us prepare by donating your used chapter books, worded picture books, and graphic novels. No board books please; all books must be in good condition. Also accepting: kid-friendly prizes & gift certificates to local businesses -- contact Gretchen at tcapsmo.pto@gmail.com for donation details.

Check out the PTO Update (https://secure.smore.com/n/3ct649) for other info, including Lunch Buddies, spiritwear, and submitting photos to the yearbook.

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)

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 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

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