TGIF Families,
We made the most out of our surprise four-day learning week! We are well into the second semester now and Lead guides have looked at winter data points to continue to differentiate instruction to ensure we are working hard to help our students make their annual work growth. Please do your part by attending the parent-teacher conferences in March; being sure your child is regularly reading at home; and they are getting enough sleep to be alert and ready for school days.
Read-a-thon starts Monday! We will have our school wide D.E.A.R (Drop Everything And Read) kickoff at 1:30 pm! Be sure to get logged in this weekend. This is our PTO’s largest fundraiser and a great way to promote the amazing readers we have at TCAPS Montessori. Go Timberwolves!
Our SEEDS program started this week! There is still space for this afterschool opportunity for students in JK-5th grades. Paperwork is available in our school office. You may contact the program director, Keira Long at: klong@ecoseeds.org with any questions.
Get ready for a vibrant and exciting evening! Our Spring Fling "Color Clash" Family Dance and Fundraiser is just around the corner on March 7, 2025. We're inviting all families to join us for a fun-filled night. This event is a fundraiser organized by UE families and students to support the Upper El's overnight trip to Camp Pinewood. Your participation will help make this trip a memorable experience for our students!
Date: Friday, March 7, 2025
Times: CASA (Toddler - K) & LE (first - third grades) - 5:30 to 6:45
UE (fourth - sixth grades) & AC (seventh & eighth grades) - 7:00 to 8:30
Location: School Gymnasium
Theme: Color Clash! Wear your favorite colors!
Attire: Formal or informal attire is welcome! Get creative with your color choices!
This dance is a fantastic opportunity for students to socialize with friends, show off their colorful style, and support a great cause. We will have [a DJ, refreshments, face painting/temporary tattoos, silent auction, raffle]
Admission: $5/person (includes 1 free snack/activity ticket!). Cash or payment via QR code at the door (see code attached for donations).
Additional food items and games/activities tickets will be available via cash at the door. We hope you can join the fun!
Have a fablulous weekend,
Tracy
Family Responsibilities for Children
Children are capable of performing many tasks within the family household. These help children feel more confident and self-assured and make them think they have an essential role in the family unit. Although some of the tasks below may need to be modified to fit individual needs, consider allowing your child opportunities to accept responsibility for the following household tasks:
3 Years Old
Choose clothes, dress themselves; pick up dirty clothing; fold clean clothes
Brush teeth and hair independently
Make bed (with help)
Tidy up bedroom/play areas
Dust bedroom furniture
Clear & wash dishes from the table
Help load dishwasher
Help put away groceries
Empty small trash cans
Help in the garden & with yard work
Sort laundry by color
4-14 Years Old:
Wash face, brush hair
Make bed, tidy bedroom
Clear table & wash/dry dishes
Wash kitchen table/counters
Pick up toys (without help)
Feed pets
Water plants
Set the table for meals
Get ready for bed (without help)
Put away clean laundry
Pull weeds in garden/flower beds; help with outdoor work
Children at these ages can learn to LOVE to help, especially when working with the rest of the family in the spirit of fun and cooperation. Notice the effort and NOT the perfection of the job.
Train the child slowly and think out loud as you are completing tasks. “Let's see, have I taken everything off the table? This is how I wipe crumbs from the counter into my hand.” This modeling shows the correct way to do the job and brings fun and purpose. Fostering this type of care of oneself and your environment can go a long way to help children build their foundational skills of order, concentration, coordination, and independence - just as Dr. Montessori intended! We are in this together! 😀
- February 24, PTO Read-A-Thon Begins
- February 25, PTO Meeting
- February 28, PTO Movie Night (last one of the school year)
- March 3 - District Viewing of Screenagers for Elementary
- March 4 - Early Release Day #5, Dismissal @ 1:12
- March 4, 11 & 13 - Parent Teacher Conferences from 3:30 to 6:30
- March 7 - Spring Fling Family Dances (March 14, inclement weather make up date)
- March 14 - PTO Read-a-Thon Ends
- March 18 - TBA Student Run CU Deposit Day
- March 20 - End of 3rd Quarter. HOWL Spirit Assembly @ 2:15
- March 21 - 30 - Spring Break
- March 31 - School Resumes
- Disney and Desserts: Central High School Choirs present their annual event "Disney and Desserts" for community members, young families and students. Enjoy songs from your favorite Disney movies and musicals performed live on the stage. Enjoy activities in the lobby following the performance including face painting, story book corner, photo booth, craft making and delicious desserts! Choose from 2shows on Saturday, March 15th, 11:00 a.m. or 4:00 p.m. $15 for adults, $5 for students and children under 18. Children 2 and under are free. Tickets are available at the door only, cash or check to TCAPS. Audience members (adults and children) are encouraged to dress up as their favorite Disney Character!
- Calling all Parents & Caregivers of Young Children. Help Me Grow Northwest, in collaboration with Northwest Education Services, Strong Beginnings, Great Start Readiness Program, and Great Start Collaborative & Family Coalition Traverse Bay, is offering two free virtual seminars - Diving Beneath All Behaviors on February 20 and Guiding Discipline: Leading with a Calm Nervous System on March 12. Click here for more information and to register online.
- Join us for a FREE viewing of the film, Screenagers Elementary Edition on March 3 at Central High School Auditorium. Screenagers: Elementary Edition will provide students, caregivers, and educators with practical tools to manage our digital environment. This film supports healthy technology use, improving focus in the classroom, and fostering positive social and emotional development in our youngest learners. Join us! Please click here to register: Registration Form If you are attending - show your TCAPS Montessori pride with some spirit wear. Our PTO is still taking orders and if you order by Sunday you can save on shipping and have them delievered for this event!
📚Read-a-thon 2025 starts on Monday! 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.
- 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)
Community Resources & Important Links
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