The Eastern Star Family Newsletter

Thank you to our families who came in for conferences on November 4. Our Eastern staff has been working diligently to provide the best possible learning experience for our Stars. It is great to have the opportunity to share some areas of success that our students are experiencing as well as plans on how we're going to continue to grow in the future.

If you're still seeking out a conference time, please, schedule using the links below.

#ShineBrightTogether

Click above👆👆👆

Last year we started our Eastern Staff shoutout form. This is a great opportunity to share the good stuff about any staff member at Eastern Elementary. I (Mr. Swegles) receive an email notification when the form has been filled out, and I have the pleasure of sharing your shoutout with them.

• November 10, 4:30-7:30: Parent-Teacher Conferences
• November 12, 4:30-7:30: Parent-Teacher Conferences
• November 18: TBA SRCU Deposit Day
• November 19, 8:30-7:00: Book Fair -- after school event from 4:00-6:30
• November 20, 8:30-6:30: Book Fair
• November 20, 4:00-6:30: Book Fair Event (see details below)
• November 24: Early Release Day; Eastern Dismisses at 1:57
• November 25-27: No School; Thanksgiving Break
• TCAPS 26-27 Calendar

Our school has been chosen alongside TCAPS Montessori to be featured in a commemorative video celebrating architectural firm Diekema Hamann’s 50th anniversary! On Wednesday, November 18, production crews from RHINO will be on site capturing student learning and showcasing our spaces in action.

If you have already submitted the standard annual TCAPS media opt-out, your child will automatically be excluded and no action is needed. If your child normally has media permission but you wish to opt them out specifically for this project, please fill out our Media Opt-Out Form or pick up a paper copy in the main office by Friday, November 13. School administration will coordinate all filming areas directly to honor your preferences. Thank you for your support as we partner with the Diekema Hamann team to celebrate this milestone!

Kick off your holiday shopping and support local music education during Shop Your Community Day in downtown Traverse City.

When you make a purchase at any participating downtown merchant this Saturday, simply mention "Traverse City Music Boosters" at checkout. The business will donate 15% of your sale directly to our organization, helping fund K-12 music programs across TCAPS.

It’s an easy, meaningful way to shop local and invest in our student musicians. Thank you for your support!

Eastern Stars have been hard at work in the art room creating a masterpiece that can be printed onto a variety of fun products, such as water bottles, ornaments, and t-shirts! Special order forms from Art To Remember will be sent home soon that show your child’s art and the products available for purchase. There are over 60 products and many are less than $15. These make great gifts and a percentage of every purchase goes right back to our school to purchase art supplies. All purchases are made on-line, and orders will be shipped to your home.

At the Art to Remember website you can place orders using your unique code from the order form, searching by your student’s name, or by using the QR code found on your order form.

All Art To Remember orders must be submitted online by 11/17/26.

Thanks for supporting the arts!

Mrs. Culik

Art Teacher

Informational flyers went home last week about the TBA Student Run Credit Union. If you missed the flyer, you can find a digital copy here: TBA Student Account Information. Students who have an account through TBA can make deposits on the following days:

• November 18
• December 16
• January 20
• February 17
• March 17
• April 21
• May 19

Eastern will host a Book Fair with Artemis Books on November 19 and 20. Here are the details:

Thursday, November 19: 8:30-6:30 (for students and visitors)

Friday, November 20: 8:30-4:30 (for students and visitors)

There will be an after school event from 4:00-6:30 on Thursday. It will be a fun evening of guest readers and activities. Students must be accompanied by an adult. This is not a drop-off event where your child can just stay after school. An adult must be with them.

The Book Fair is a great opportunity to support the Eastern Library. If you have any questions, contact Ms. Asiala (asialahe@tcaps.net).

Eastern’s fall parent-teacher conferences are November 10 and 12. Sign up at the links below. Please remember the following:

• Conferences are limited to 15 minutes, so please make sure you are on time.

• Consider scheduling a break between conferences if you have multiple children; that will allow you to be on time for your conferences and stay the full amount of time.

• If you have a child in 4th or 5th grade, only sign up with your child’s homeroom teacher.

Mrs. Feaster's Conference Sign Up

Mrs. Harwell's Conference Sign Up

Mrs. Odette's Conference Sign Up

Ms. Edwardson's Conference Sign Up

Ms. Freeman's Conference Sign Up

Miss Luecke's Conference Sign Up

Dr. Chaprnka's Conference Sign Up

Ms. Ross's Conference Sign Up

Mrs. Stout's Conference Sign Up

Mrs. Fak's Conference Sign Up

Mrs. Hites's Conference Sign Up

Mrs. LaBarre's Conference Sign Up

Mrs. LaBlanc's Conference Sign Up

Mrs. Norton's (Blanchard) Conference Sign Up

Mrs. Shembarger's Conference Sign Up

Ms. Stoudt's Conference Sign Up

Mrs. Berger's Conference Sign Up

Ms. Lutes's Conference Sign Up

Mrs. Nelson's Conference Sign Up

Mrs. Annelin's Conference Sign Up

Mr. Cooper's Conference Sign Up

Mrs. Kearney's Conference Sign Up

Mrs. Markey's Conference Sign Up

Mr. Swegles's Conference

Please read this Crystal Mountain Ski Informational Letter if you are interested in learning about skiing and snowboarding opportunities.

Eastern is looking for volunteers to help in the cafeteria and at recess. You can sign up at the links below. If you have any questions, please contact the office.

All volunteers must submit the TCAPS Volunteer Form.

1st and 3rd Grade Recess Volunteer Sign Up (10:10-10:40)

Kindergarten and 2nd Grade Recess (2:05-2:35)

4th and 5th Recess (3:10-3:40)

JK. Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd Grade Lunchroom/Lunch Recess Volunteer Sign Up (11:05-12:25 )

3rd, 4th, 5th Grade Lunchroom/Lunch Recess Volunteer Sign Up (12:00-1:30)

Please remember to label your child's belongings. Our lost and found is overflowing, and it is much easier to get lost items back to kids when there is a name on it.

MONDAY

Muffins

fruit, juice and milk

TUESDAY

Cereal,

cheese stick

fruit, juice and milk

WEDNESDAY

Mini bagel pastries

yogurt

fruit, juice and milk

THURSDAY

Cereal

cheese stick

fruit juice and milk

FRIDAY

Assorted sweet breads

cheese stick

fruit, juice and milk

LUNCH

Monday

1st choice: French toast bites with eg bites and hash browns

2nd choice: Sunbutter and jelly with crackers and cheese stick

No 3rd option

Tuesday

1st choice: Beef nachos

2nd choice: Cheese quesadilla

3rd choice: sunbutter and jelly with crackers and cheese stick

Wednesday

1st choice: Chicken patty sandwich

2nd choice: Bosco sticks

3rd choice: sunbutter and jelly with crackers and yogurt

Thursday

1st choice: chicken tenders

2nd choice: mac & cheese

3rd choice: sunbutter and jelly with crackers and yogurt

Friday

1st choice: cheese pizza

2nd choice: pepperoni pizza

3rd choice: sunbutter and jelly with crackers and cheese stick

Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) Superintendent, Dr. John VanWagoner, monthly “office hours”, alternating each month between in person and virtual meetings. This month will be on November 11, 2026 and will be Virtual office hours held via Join with Google Meet meet.google.com/ghh-vsqb-uot Phone Numbers (‪US‬)‪+1 413-400-2781‬ PIN: ‪232 272 077#‬ . All meetings begin at 5:00 pm.

Make an impact right in our district! Two great opportunities are hiring now:

College Coaches & Advisers (MCAN & AdviseMI): Help high school students navigate applications and financial aid starting Dec. 1. Earn a $20,000 living allowance plus benefits. Bachelor's degree required; paid training provided!

EcoSchool Site Coordinator (SEEDS): Lead outdoor activities, academic support, and summer camp at Traverse City Heights Elementary ($21.36/hr). Requires 1+ year of youth experience.

Check their websites to apply today!

Traverse City Area Public Schools is honored to offer veterans the opportunity to receive their high school diploma and participate in our 2027 graduation ceremonies!

Under Michigan's Public Act 181 of 2001 and Public Act 55 of 2014, the TCAPS Board of Education is authorized to award high school diplomas to veterans of WWII, the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam Era in recognition of their service and sacrifice.

Eligibility Details:

• WWII Veterans: Must have left high school between December 16, 1940, and December 31, 1946.

• Korean War Veterans: Must have left high school between June 27, 1950, and January 31, 1955.

• Vietnam Era Veterans: Must have been drafted or enlisted between February 28, 1961, and May 7, 1975, and attended a TCAPS high school.

This opportunity is available to eligible veterans who did not subsequently receive a high school diploma. Family members are welcome to apply on behalf of a living or deceased veteran.

For more information or to submit an application, please call 231.933.1722.

Don't miss the Traverse City Central High School Music Department’s Michigan premiere of WONDERLAND!

• Showtimes: Evening performances (7 p.m.) on Nov. 13, 14, 20, and 21; Matinees (2 p.m.) on Nov. 15 and 22.

• Tickets: $20 General Admission | $25 VIP

Reserve your seats today at tcaps.booktix.com to support our talented students!

Elementary Handbook

LEAP Website

School Menus

TCAPS Volunteer Form

TCAPS Volunteer Standards of Conduct