TCAPS Montessori Weekly Reader:
HOWL Everyday with Harmony, Optimism, Wisdom & Leadership!
Week of May 6 Head of School News & Notes
Dear Montessori Timberwolves Families and Friends,
May has arrived, and is our last full month of the school year! During this month, many classrooms partake in “going outs” Montessori’s style of field trips. Our amazing Lead Guides spend a tremendous amount of time and energy planning and preparing for these experiences for our students. Please be sure to look for special updates and timelines from them to ensure your children do not miss out on any of the fun!
Monday begins teacher and staff appreciation week! It is a true privilege to work beside the TCAPS Montessori hardworking, knowledgeable, and passionate staff. In my inaugural year as Head of School, this staff amazes me with the care, expertise, and dedication they give to our students each and every day. THANK YOU, TEACHERS AND STAFF - you are loved! 💓
“A special technique is necessary to the teacher who is to lead the child along such a path of discipline, if she is to make it possible for him to continue in this way all his life, advancing indefinitely toward perfect self-mastery.” -Maria Montessori, Montessori Method.
Enjoy your weekend,
Tracy Rucker
Head of School
UPCOMING CALENDAR EVENTS
- April 8 - May 24, M-Step Testing Window, Grades 3 - 8
- May 5-11, Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week
- May 13 - 3rd Grade Trip to Grass River
- May 16-17, AC Lansing Trip
- May 20-22 UE Camp LOC
- May 23, CASA - Kindergarten - Signing Day
- May 27, No School, Memorial Day Observed
- May 31, Stepping Up Ceremony
- June 6, 8th Grade Graduation Ceremony/Celebration
- June 7, Half Day/Last Day of School, Report Cards Home
BAND & ORCHESTRA CLASS NEWS
Congratulations to the following students who participated in the Solo & Ensemble Festival hosted by West Middle School this past weekend! All students who performed earned a Division I rating, which as defined by the Michigan Band School & Orchestra Association means, they “demonstrated an excellent level of performance and musicianship”.
Betty & Roxy Hall - clarinet duet
Jai Olrich - snare drum solo
Will Velek - marimba sol
Reminders & Updates
Library book late notices - Please carefully check to see if your child receives a late library book notice this week. Due to the TCAPS technology disruption in April, library data from the weeks just prior to Spring break were lost. Mrs. Tank, MO LMP, has checked all student's accounts, but it is possible there are still errors undiscovered. Please email Mrs. Tank if you have any questions or concerns. tankje@tcaps.net
A warm invitation is extended your way to enjoy a Collage concert from the Montessori Band and Orchestra. Our Spring treat will feature sounds from the 5/6 Band, 5/6 Orchestra, Adolescent Band and Adolescent Orchestra. The performance will occur in the gym on Thursday, May 30 at 2:00.
- Attention Upper Elementary Parents: You are cordially invited to hear a wonderful Spring Sing from all Upper Elementary classes. Please hear the beautiful sounds of your children singing on Friday, May 31, at 9:30 in the gym. The performance will occur following step-up ceremonies and will be approximately 45 minutes. Looking forward to seeing you ~ Mrs. Cress Smith
- Bike to School Day is May 8th! Prizes awarded to schools and classes with the most pedal-power. Bike trains starting from: YMCA and Thirlby Field, 7:40am. Commit to ride here: https://bit.ly/tc-bike-day
PTO News
Highlights:
5/21/24: Last Meeting of the Year - 3:30 in the Timberwolves Cafe
6/7/24: End of school picnic
Read the PTO Newsletter for more information! Please Click HERE for the
District News
As a friendly reminder: The TCAPS Student Health Center (a Northwest Michigan Health Services Inc. clinic) is located on the West Middle School campus and open Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm year-round! They are always accepting new patients for behavioral health and medical services. All TCAPS students ages 3-21 are welcome, regardless of ability to pay (they take all insurances, offer a sliding fee scale, and can help with insurance enrollment). Please see the TCAPS FAQ handout for a refresher of their services and commonly asked questions!
To schedule an appointment at the Student Health Center, parents/guardians/students 18+ years old can call the clinic directly at 231-642-5291, or scan the QR code on the TCAPS FAQ form to submit an appointment request via Google form. The Google form appointment request can also be filled out by TCAPS Staff, with parental consent.
The Student Health Center is also excited to add two new faces to the clinic as of April: Kailey Kanaziz, AmeriCorps Volunteer/Community Health Worker (CHW), and Stacy O’Donnell, Clinic Director at NMHSI’s TC location who will now be overseeing the Student Health Center. As a CHW, Kailey helps connect families to resources to overcome social barriers to health and can assist with health insurance enrollment. They are looking forward to joining Erika Spaulding, behavioral health therapist, and Hannah Wilson, physician assistant, in supporting the health and wellbeing of the TCAPS school community!
National Teacher Appreciation Week is May 6-10, 2024. The Michigan Department of Education’s (MDE) Office of Educator Excellence (OEE) wishes to celebrate teachers across Michigan for the entire month of May.
MDE invites parents to submit 15-30 second videos of their students recognizing and thanking a specific teacher for their impact. Nothing fancy is required—cell phones can capture the videos. Please follow the directions on the flyer. Videos and parental consent may be submitted via the Teacher Appreciation Video Project Google Form. Videos are currently being accepted until Friday, April 19, 2024.
Submitted videos may be posted on the Teacher Appreciation Month webpage and the MDE’s YouTube channel. The Office of Educator Excellence Facebook (@MIeducator) and X (formerly Twitter) social media pages will be promoting the videos throughout the month of May.
If your child has great things to say about a teacher, don’t hesitate—use the instructions found on our website to submit a video today!
- TCAPS Bond Information: Additional information can be found at www.tcaps.net/bond
Notes from La Clase de Espanol
Check out our school's new Spanish Class Google Site. Please click on the link below to access updates and activities that our students are working on in la clase de espanol!
School Hours
CASA - 8th Grade:
Start Time: 8:15
End Time: 3:11
Half-Day Dismissal: 11:22
Early Release Dismissal: 1:11
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