TCAPS Montessori Weekly Reader:
HOWL Everyday with Harmony, Optimism, Wisdom & Leadership!
October 11, 2024 Head of School News & Notes
Dear Montessori Timberwolves Families and Friends,
We started this week with our first lockdown drill practice. This year, TCAPS partnered with local law enforcement to give students a presentation explaining what a lockdown drill is, what we do during lockdown, and ways we can stay calm during lockdown drills.
Seeing parents attend our first parent education night this school year was great! Thank you to TCAPS Ed Tech Coach (Montessori parent) Danelle Brostrom and Stephi Luyt (TCAPS Media Specialist) for giving us much to consider as we raise our children in this high-tech digital age. If you could not attend, you’ll want to take a few moments to check out this slide presentation: Kids and Tech: Building Healthy Habits in Your Home. This presentation contains helpful resources to help parents/guardians navigate tech for all age levels of our student body.
You have one more opportunity to attend next Wednesday’s event on October 16, from 5:30 to 6:30. The topic is Montessori 101, and Lisa Thauvette from Tilt Think will present it (click the link for more information). TCAPS Montessori NJHS students will provide child care in the Spanish Room. The session will take place in our Timberwolves Cafe, where light refreshments will be provided. Please complete this registration form if you plan to attend: Parent Registration Form. We hope you can join us in this most informative session.
This next week will also be the first opportunity to sign up for Wonderful Wednesday Lunch Buddies for this school year. Check out more information below, including how to sign up.
Enjoy the weekend,
Tracy
A Montessori Minute
This week, take a quick moment to read two more ways that parents can support and help their children with their educational endeavors:
Follow School Rules and Procedures: Parents take the time to read the district/school handbook and discuss the rules with their children. They have also researched the Montessori philosophy and how they can integrate it into their home lives.
Technology and Digital Citizenship: Navigate TCAPS technology tools (Examples: Brightspace, Seesaw, email, Google Suite), use and communicate via technology responsibly, apply grace and courtesy when using social media platforms, and set age-appropriate boundaries for screen time.
Once again, a great resource - filled with valuable family-friendly tech activities, knowledge, and plans is the following presentation given this past week by TCAPS Technology and Media Staff members Danelle Brostrom and Stephie Lyut. Check it out: Kids and Tech: Building Healthy Habits in Your Home
Updates & Reminders
Shout Out to the WMS Titan 8th grade girls and the volleyball team for winning gold at the GRPS invitational. This team includes some of our own TCAPS Montessori Timberwolves!
Your child can also bring their completed flyer with cash or check on Picture Day.Picture Day is coming on Monday, October 21! You can place your order on mylifetouch.com using your Picture Day ID: EVTMWC4CT. Order before midnight on Picture Day to get FREE shipping!
UPCOMING CALENDAR EVENTS
- October 11, Grand Traverse County Fire Department Safety Presentation
- October 14, Half Day, Indigenous People Day, Dismissal at 11:22
- October 16 - Parent Education Night #2, 5:30-6:30
- October 18, Interlochen Arts Academy Presents "The Snow Queen" assembly
- October 21 - Picture Day
- October 22, TBA Student Run Credit Union Deposit Day
- October 22, PTO Meeting
- October 31, Literacy Celebrations
- November 1, No School, Teacher Workday
- November 5, No School, Regional Staff Professional Development Day
- November 7, TCAPS All City Choir Performance
- November 7, Panera Night, AC Fundraiser
- November 7, 12, & 14, Parent Teacher Conferences (3:30-6:30)
- November 19, TBA Student Run Credit Union Deposit Day
- November 26, PTO Meeting (3:30-4:30)
- November 27, 28, & 29 - No School, Thanksgiving Recess
Wonderful Wednesday Lunch Buddy Mentorship is Back!
We are excited to invite you to be a part of an extraordinary opportunity that combines play, healthy eating, and meaningful connections. The Wonderful Wednesdays program, hosted by the TCAPS Montessori PTO, is gearing up for a fantastic year.
ABOUT WONDERFUL WEDNESDAYS
Wonderful Wednesdays is a mentorship program designed to create a vibrant, positive and engaging school environment. By joining forces with TCAPS Montessori's noon duty staff and support team, we aim to achieve the following objectives:
Joyful Play Time: Ensure that all UE Timberwolves experience fun and happiness during their open gym time through a variety of playful activities and games (Available Shift #1 Only). Shifts #2 and 3 offer reading stories to small groups of children, socializing and playing table type games when they are finished eating.
Healthy Eating Habits: Encourage healthy eating habits by modeling nutritious meal choices in the cafe. (feel free to bring your own lunch or you may purchase lunch from our cafeteria)
Positive Relationships: Build strong connections between students and community mentors, fostering a sense of belonging and support.
BECOME A MENTOR
We invite individuals who are passionate about contributing to the growth and success of young Timberwolves to join Wonderful Wednesdays as mentors. By dedicating just one hour per week on Wednesdays, you can:
■ Help Timberwolves thrive academically and emotionally.
■ Engage in exciting activities and play.
■ Promote healthy eating habits.
■ Support a happy and healthy TCAPS Montessori community.
Wonderful Wednesdays are divided into three seasons:
■ Fall Season: Start of School Year - Winter Break (starts October 16th,
2024)
■ Winter Season: Winter Break - Spring Break (Jan. 8 - March 19, 2025)
■ Spring Season: Spring Break - End of School Year (April 2 - June4, 2025)
Mentors commit to at least one season where they will be present every
Wednesday. Three mentors are needed per shift. Choose from several shifts:
■ Shift #1: 11:00 am - 11:40 am (this will have both gym and cafe time)
■ Shift #2: 11:45 am - 12:25 pm
■ Shift #3: 12:30 pm - 1:10 pm
Consistency is crucial for success, so we encourage mentors to commit to at
least one season, attending most sessions.
HOW TO JOIN:To become a mentor, sign up at
Timberwolves Wonderful Wednesday Lunch Mentor Sign-Up, pass a background check (TCAPS online volunteer application form), and attend a
A 10-minute training session will be conducted by TCAPS staff before your first shift.
Lunch Menu
Notes From the Cafe:
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.
PTO News
Highlights:
-October 22nd: PTO Meeting @ TCAPS Montessori from 3:30-4:30
-We look forward to seeing many Montessori families at our Harvest Festival on Sunday, Oct 20th! Please register your family by next Friday (10/17). Fall Harvest Festival at Myrtle and Maudes Tickets
-A big "Thank You!" to all families that secured donations or pledges for Move-a-thon 2024. We met our $10k goal AND had a lot of fun doing it! Remember that all pledges should be fulfilled by October 18th.
Details about upcoming events and volunteer opportunities can always be found in the PTO Update: https://secure.smore.com/n/3ct649
District News
On October 14th, all TCAPS students will have a half day of school to honor Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Our teachers and Indigenous Education Coordinator have worked to create meaningful lessons for students that explore Indigenous cultures, histories, and contributions. We encourage you to ask your student about their learning and join us in recognizing this day.
- The Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) Board of Education will host its next monthly “office hours” in person on Thursday, October 24, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Horizon Books, 243 E. Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49684. The meeting will be located on the mezzanine level (second floor) of the bookstore. TCAPS Board office hours provide community members with the opportunity to talk to a school board trustee. This month, Trustee Newman-Bale is scheduled to attend.
TCAPS Montessori Adolescent Community Student News
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.
La Clase de Espanol
Community Resources & Important Links
School Hours
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 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