Westwoods Newsletter

Westwoods Food Drive: Now through March 20th

Please drop off in the office vestibule anytime. Food donations will go to families in need. Every donation of food can make a difference.

We accept donations of non-perishable food. We recommend sauces, soups, beans, honey, pasta, flour, cereal, long-life milk and noodles.

Westwoods Food Drive flyer with sketches of various non-perishable foods, such as pasta, honey, beans, ramen, flour, ketchup.

It may not seem like it, but it is time to start thinking about enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year. If you or someone you know has a student that will be entering Junior Kindergarten or Kindergarten in the fall and intends to enroll them at Westwoods, please complete this Westwoods Kindergarten/Junior Kindergarten Interest Survey - 2026-2027: https://forms.gle/ACYvM5t3PJKib5Zr5.

Enrollment is now all online, which you can access here: https://www.tcaps.net/page/enrollment

Please share this information and the interest survey link with families you know that are not current Westwoods families.

TCAPS communicates school closings through several channels, including the district website, social media, and local media outlets. In addition, direct text messages and emails are sent to staff and families to ensure they receive timely updates. This notification service is reserved for the phone numbers and email addresses currently registered in the TCAPS staff and student databases.

To read more information, view the Snow Day FAQs

Pictures Wanted

We want to showcase your child's interests outside of school on our TV slideshow for staff and students to enjoy. The slides will be updated each season: Fall (September - November), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - May).

Please send pictures to Kelly Niskanen at niskanenke@tcaps.net.

Image with a black and white background with line drawings of cameras of various sizes. A red text box over the background contains a request for pictures of students' activities outside of school.

Yearbook Orders

Yearbooks can be ordered online at ybpay.com. Our yearbook ID code is 15176226.

If you are uncertain if you have ordered, Jamie or Kelly in the office can check and let you know.

Your school memories from cover to cover.

Visit ybpay.com to order your yearbook today!

Order deadline April 17, 2026.

Yearbook ID Code: 15176226

A father in a blue suit carrying a briefcase and a young girl wearing a red top, green skirt and red hat carrying a backpack are pictured. The daughter's hand reaches back to touch the father's outstretched hand as she walks up the steps to a door with a sign above saying "School". In the upper left corner of the picture is the image of a bell ringing.

Morning Drop-Off Procedure

When dropping students off before school, parents are not to enter the building. Please drop off students at the exterior doors.
All visitors to the building must check in at the office first.
If dropping off students at 9:00 or later, you must walk in with your student to sign them in at the office. Doors lock promptly at 9:00.

Updated Pickup Procedure

We're updating our pickup procedure. Going forward, if someone not on your child's Emergency Contact/School Pickup List will be picking them up, you must notify us in writing.

Please send an email to both Jamie Roster and Kelly Niskanen with the name of the person authorized to pick up your child. This helps us confirm the identity of anyone who is not a familiar face.

To add a new person to your child's permanent Emergency Contact/School Pickup List, you can also do so by email or in person. We can no longer accept these changes over the phone.

Thank you for your cooperation!

A picture of a bin of various toys, with a red circle and line across the image. Text at the top says "No toys from home".

Reminder - No Toys

Please make sure kids are keeping their toys, Pokémon cards, etc. at home to avoid loss, damage or other issues.

Lost & Found

Lost and found items can be see on this slideshow. If you recognize any of these items, you can stop by to pick up, or let the office know and we'll get it back to your child.

Please claim items before Spring Break. All unclaimed items will be donated after that time.

February 19 2-Hour Early Release Day: Dismiss at 1:57

February 20 No School

March 2-6 Read-a-Thon Kick-off Spirit Week

March 3, 5, & 11 Parent-Teacher Conferences

March 9 Talent Show Auditions after school

March 12 2-Hour Early Release Day: Dismiss at 1:57

March 26 2-Hour Early Release Day: Dismiss at 1:57

March 27-April 3 No School - Spring Break

April 6-May 15 M-STEP Testing Window

April 15 WW Talent Show 6:00 pm

April 16 2-Hour Early Release Day: Dismiss at 1:57

April 22 4th & 5th grade Spring Music Concert

April 23 2nd grade Spring Music Concert

June 10 Half-Day & Last Day of School

Westwoods PTO

EVENTS: Read-a-Thon

Our second fundraising event of the year starts on March 2nd and continues through March 13th. If you are interested in being a sponsor, big or small, don't hesitate to get in touch with the PTO.

PTO MEETINGS

Next PTO meeting is Tuesday, March 10th. In the library, at 6:30pm.

If you have any questions please email us at: westwoodselementarypto@gmail.com

POPCORN

We are in need of more Popcorn Friday volunteers!!

Please consider volunteering - minimal time commitment 2:15/2:30 to the end of day 3:45.

Click the link below to sign up

https://signup.com/go/hTvgYOJ

POPCORN FRIDAYS!!

February 27th Garlic Parmesan

A special thank you to this week's popcorn sponsor: Happy Early 5th Birthday Hudson!

Westwoods Wake Up flyer with a picture coffee beans across the top of the page.

Westwoods Wake Up - Friday, February 27th, 8:30-9:30 am

Westwoods families! Another community event is upon us!

We'll be by the flagpole with coffee and pastries for sale, with all proceeds supporting each grade's field trip fund.

February's beneficiary - 4th Grade

Payment options: Cash, check, or Venmo

Minimum donation: $3 each for coffee and pastries

Thank-you to 9 Bean Rows, Espresso Bay, and Northwoods Soda Co. for sponsoring February’s event.

We can’t wait to share a cup of coffee with you.

We want to reiterate that Coffee stand items are intended for adults only - thank you for understanding.

Event Designed for you by Westwoods PTO!

Square graphic with a red and yellow background with popcorn kernels and melting butter, and states the popcorn flavor and sponsor for February 13th.

Popcorn Friday 2.13.26

Flavor: White Cheddar

Sponsor Message: The Shaffer Family

Popcorn Friday Volunteers Needed!

Be a Popcorn Bagger

2:30 - 3:45 pm

Help set up, bag popcorn, and clean up.

4-6 adults needed per Friday

Be a Popcorn Popper

2:15 - 3:45 pm

Set up popcorn machine, pop popcorn, clean up machine (we will train)

1 adult needed per Friday

Be on Standby

Can't commit but still want to help? Email the PTO your name and number to join the weekly text thread when we need extra volunteers!

**Parents are welcome to bring non-school age children as we are in the cafeteria the entire time!

Questions Email: westwoodselementarypto@gmail.com

Winterfest Carnival at Central High School

All TCAPS elementary students are invited to Traverse City Central High School’s Student Senate Winterfest Carnival hosted at Central High School, located at 1150 Milliken Drive, Traverse City, on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. There will be games, prizes, and snacks. Entry is FREE for TCAPS elementary students. The entrance fee is $5 for middle school and high school students and parents/guardians.

February Sports Physical Dates

TCAPS Sports Physicals will be held at the TCAPS Student Health Center, located at 3954 Silver Lake Rd, Traverse City, MI 49684, on Monday, February 23 from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM and Thursday, February 26 from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM. The cost is only $35. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are preferred. To schedule your sports physical, please call 231.642.5291. Get cleared and ready for the season!

Connect with the TCAPS Board

Join us for TCAPS Board Community Connections, an informal space for families and community members to discuss district-wide updates and TCAPS policy. To facilitate personal dialogue, one board member will host each month’s session. Note: For specific building-level or student concerns, please contact your school principal first for the most direct assistance.

This Month’s Trustee: Scott Hardy
When: Thursday, 2.26, 5:30-6:30pm
Where: Traverse Heights Elementary-933 Rose Street

Photo of Dr. John VanWagoner, wearing a dark suit with a red tie

Superintendent Office Hours

Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) Superintendent, Dr. John VanWagoner, will have monthly “office hours”, alternating each month between in person and virtual meetings. This month’s meeting will be in person on Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 5:00 p.m., and will be held at Horizon Books, 243 E. Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49684 on the second floor (Mezzanine level).

Lunch Menu - Week of 2/23/2026

Monday

Mozzarella Stuffed Breadsticks

Soft Pretzel & Cheese Dip

Soy Jammer

Tuesday

Beef Fiestada Pizza

Pizza Quesadilla

Soy Jammer

Wednesday

Baked Chicken Nuggets

Mini Pizza Bento Box

Soy Jammer

Thursday

Pancakes & Sausage

Soy Jammer

Friday

Four Cheese Pizza

Pepperoni Pizza

Soy Jammer

2025-2026 School Year Calendar

Volunteer Application

Free & Reduced Meal Application

WW Drop-Off & Pick-Up Info & Map

Westwoods Newsletter