Long Lake Newsletter

Dear Long Lake Families,

We've been busy around campus! The Panther Pumpkin Project was a big success with 62 pumpkins submitted this year! Thanks to all who came and helped support our Monster Mash Dance on Friday!

Parent Teacher Conferences start next week! We have times available on November 4th, 10th and 12th. You can sign up for conference times here Scroll down to your teacher's name. Parents can request any format (virtual or in person) on any of the evenings. Virtual links can be found here. We ask that dual households schedule one conference for their child. This helps everyone to be on the same page to support the student’s learning, it also allows the teacher to have enough time slots for all of the students in their class. Resource Room and Intervention Teachers will join student's homeroom teacher times. If you experience problems signing up, feel free to contact our office at 231-933-7800 or your child's teacher. We look forward to connecting to share all of the progress your child has made this year!

Conference Meals: Our amazing PTO organizes meals for our teachers during Conference Nights Conferences are long days for our amazing LL staff. Please consider helping fuel them through conference nights! Conference Meal Donations Thank you for your consideration!

Warm regards,

Kate Burwinkel
Long Lake Elementary Principal

Life Touch will be on campus on Wednesday, November 4, 2026 for picture retakes. Students who were absent on picture day and students who need retakes will have their pictures taken. If your child needs retakes, please return their original pictures to school before November 4. If you would like to order pictures, there are two ways to order. Orders can be placed online at mylifetouch.com using ID number EVTGZZQJW. Picture envelopes are available in the office if you would prefer to pay with cash or check. Orders after picture day must be placed online at mylifetouch.com.

Yearbooks can also be ordered if you have not already done so. Yearbook orders are placed online at ybpay.lifetouch.com. The Long Lake yearbook ID code is 15170527.

We would love to see you and your kids at Crystal Mountain! Students must be 7 years or older by January 1. Membership includes 1 lesson/week, skiing all evening Thursdays, and for an additional fee on Sundays. Discounted Thursday night passes for adults too! Click here for more information!

We will be continuing the Long Lake tradition with our Halloween Parade scheduled for October 30th at 9:20 a.m. More information can be found on our Halloween Parade Flyer

Veterans Assembly November 10th: We invite all Veterans and Active Duty Military to join us for our annual Veterans Assembly (in honor of Veterans Day) on November 10th @ 9:30 AM. Know a Veteran who would be interested in joining us for this honorary celebration? Please invite anyone who may be interested!

Photos of Family: As we prepare for our Veterans Celebration on November 10th, we would love to continue to honor the veterans and active service members who are connected to our school community. Please email a photo of the family member who has served or is currently serving to burwinkeka@tcaps.net if you haven't shared in past years. Their photo will be added to our Veterans Assembly slideshow!

It has become tradition at Long Lake to collect donations of Halloween candy and supplies for military members stationed overseas. This year, Adopt a Soldier will be sending care packages to Coast Guardsmen in Bahrain. Long Lake Panthers are typically very generous, last year we collected 125 pounds of candy! If you would like to donate, please follow this specific list for requested items: Halloween candy, Cliff bars, trail mix, gum, chapstick, cough drops, Tums, Uno type card games, crossword/word search books, Sudoku. Boxes will be set up near the main entrance for donations. Donations must be received by November 5th.

We are excited to continue a resource available to our Long Lake families, the Abound Parenting App! Learning to read is a gradual process that builds important skills over time. A strong foundation in vocabulary plays a critical role in reading success. The Abound Parenting App makes it easy for families to support this growth at home!

Each day, the app prompts parents to ask their child just two questions. These questions spark meaningful conversations, build vocabulary, and strengthen the skills that support reading comprehension. There are also additional resources including Read Aloud Books and a Check In survey to learn more about your child’s reading needs.

Thanks to grant funding, this app is completely free for all our families. You are also encouraged to share access with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other caregivers who spend time talking and learning with your child.

Get started by signing up: Go to the App Store or Google Play, download & open the Abound Parenting App. Enter account info (e.g. your email, and create a password including a symbol, number, upper and lowercase letter). Enter your INVITE CODE, LLE2026 An informational flyer can be found here.

House Assembly: Families are invited to join our House Assembly on Friday October 23rd at 9:20 a.m. We will share in community and build house spirit!

Please join us on Saturday November 14th from 9:00am - 3:00pm. Every room will have vendors. You will find our 3rd Graders in the main hallway hosting a baked sale by donation.

Our 5th Graders will be in the main hallway, serving Panther Coffee and Hot cocoa by donation. They will also be serving a pizza lunch in the cafeteria, also by donation. Funds collected will be used towards their trip to Mackinac Island in June. If you are a parent of a 5th grader and would like to help out, please check out the sign up below. Thank you!

Craft Show Volunteer Sign Up

Craft Show Donation Sign Up

Wow! S0 many amazing farming designs this year! We had 62 students decorate pumpkins and bring in their creativity.

Thank you so much for all of the volunteers! Your help makes fun nights like this all possible! Thank you to all of the families that dressed up and came out to celebrate Long Lakes annual Monster Mash!

Our PTO provides popcorn to students as an extra treat once a month! However, we need volunteers to make this possible. Bring your friends and meet some new people for a fun night out for the kids. You don't need to have previous experience to help out! Volunteer positions for this include a pro-popper (someone that knows how to use the popcorn machine) and additional volunteers to help bag the popcorn. Please consider volunteering: Popcorn Popper Sign Up Link

Looking for a way to help out your child’s classroom? Click on the link below to find your Teachers name at the bottom of the spreadsheet and take a look at the items needed for their classroom. Make sure to mark off if you are able to purchase any items. Thank you! Teacher Wishlist Link

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

• 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

October 30th: Halloween Parade @ 9:20 a.m.

November 2nd: No School for Students Regional Staff Development Day

November 4th: Picture Retake Day

November 4th: Parent Teacher Conferences

November 4th-6th: Vision and Hearing Rescreening

November 10th: Veterans Assembly @ 9:30 a.m.

November 10th: Parent Teacher Conferences

November 12th: Parent Teacher Conferences

November 14th: PTO Sponsored Craft Fair 9:00-3:00

November 19th: Mobile Health Unit Visit to Long Lake

November 19th:PTO Meeting 6:30 p.m. in the library or you can join virtually @ https://meet.google.com/rqp-hqre-sds

November 24th: Early Release Day for Students

November 25th-27th Thanksgiving Break

TCAPS 2026-2027 Academic Calendar
TCAPS 2026-2027 Building Hours

Long Lake Website: https://www.tcaps.net/o/lles

Long Lake Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/LongLakeElementarySchoolTCAPS

PTO Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Long-Lake-Elementary-PTO-305155839569856/