The Eastern Star Family Newsletter

Principal Ponderings

Cartoon image of Mr. Swegles jumping for joy!

It is overwhelming to think all that we fit into a school year. Thank you to our Eastern school community on a fantastic year. Plenty of learning of content in addition to learning about ourselves. More success than learning opportunities. Now it's time for summer to do its thing. Recharge those batteries. Connect deeper with family. We'll miss our Stars while we all head in various directions. I wish all of our Eastern Star families a wonderful summer chasing joy! We'll see you in September!

#ShineBrightTogether

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Upcoming Events

August 27, 9:00-1:30: Kindergarten Signing Day (by appointment only)
September 1, 4:30-6:00: Back to School Open House. Classroom open from 4:30-5:30; PTO treat from 5:00-6:00.
September 8: First Day of School
TCAPS 26-27 Calendar

New Information

Update from the Eastern Library!

Library Closing for the Summer!

I wish you a summer full of reading fun! If you happen to come across an Eastern Library book during the summer, please hold on to it and return it at the start of next school year. Every book should have a barcode sticker on the back, a spine label and an “Eastern LMC” stamp inside the front and back cover.

I’d like to give a huge THANK YOU to the weekly volunteers who helped throughout the year so the library could be the best it could be for our star students and staff: Sunny Miller, Kyle Cameron, Anne-Marie Clark, Laura Benson-Hadley, Carrie Minto, Alex Raphael, Kerri Malkiewicz, Keelin McNulty, Megan Raphael, Maggie Stafford, Caroline Wright and Nancy Denison.

Unearth a Story - Summer Reading Club at the Traverse Area District Library!

I hope your students will continue to read through the summer. Please consider registering for the Traverse Area District Library (TADL)’s Summer Reading Club - they have free events, activities, lunches, books and the chance to earn awesome prizes! For more information about what this free program has to offer your children this summer, visit tadl.org/summerreading.

Have a wonderful summer and happy reading,

Mrs. Asiala

Unearth a Story - Summer Reading Club at the Traverse Area District Library!

I hope your students will continue to read through the summer. Please consider registering for the Traverse Area District Library (TADL)’s Summer Reading Club - they have free events, activities, lunches, books and the chance to earn awesome prizes! For more information about what this free program has to offer your children this summer, visit tadl.org/summerreading. Your student will also be given a bookmark to share with you that has instructions on how to register. The more students and adults, too, who register and read, the greater chance for summer fun and for Eastern to win the Golden Book Trophy!

Happy Reading,

Mrs. Asiala

2026-2027 Classroom Supply Lists

Each year families ask about supply lists. Teachers created suggested supply lists. You can find links to them below.

Junior Kindergarten Supply List

Kindergarten Supply List

1st Grade Supply List

2nd Grade Supply List

3rd Grade Supply List

4th Grade Supply List

5th Grade Supply List

TCAPS Sunshine Bus

The TCAPS Sunshine Bus is entering its fourth year of partnership with the Father Fred Foundation to provide free food and essentials to students throughout the summer months. New this year, the Sunshine Bus will offer enrichment activities at each stop. Weekly themes include “Summer Reading: Let the Games Begin, Growing Takes Time: Midsummer Planting, and Three, Two, One: Blast Off Back to School!” For more information including the Sunshine Bus Summer Route Schedule, please visit www.tcaps.net/sunshine.

End of Year Medication Pick Up

Families, If your student takes medication at school, please make arrangements to pick it up no later than June 12, 2026, by 3:00 p.m. Parents/guardians must come into the office to pick up medication; unless it is approved to be self-carried; medication(s) that are not self-carried cannot be sent home in backpacks or on the bus. Per TCAPS guidelines, medications will not be kept for the following school year. Any medication not picked up by June 12, 2026, by 3:00 p.m. will be picked up by the District Nurses and disposed of per guidelines.

If your student will be attending Summer Explorer’s Club or Summer Academy, please ensure that you pick up your child’s medication and a copy of the TCAPS Medication Authorization Form from school to bring to camp/school. Medication(s) will not be transported by staff between schools.

To prepare for the 2026-27 school year: please remember that a Medication Authorization Form must be on file whenever medication is brought to school. The form includes written instructions from the child’s health care provider, specific information about the medication, and a parent's signature. This policy applies to prescription as well as over-the-counter medications.

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Previous Information

TCAPS Board Community Connection Event:

Join us for TCAPS Board Community Connections, a dedicated space for families and community members to engage in open dialogue regarding district-wide updates and TCAPS policy. These informal sessions are designed to foster transparency and strengthen the partnership between the school board and the public. Each month features a different Board Trustee available to answer questions and hear your perspective. Your voice is a vital part of our district, and we look forward to connecting with you as we work together for our students. This month will be Trustee Schmidt on June 10, 2026 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Traverse City Senior Center - 801 East Front Street.

Bus Routing Information

Please look for an email from the transportation department regarding routing information for next year. They are encouraging families to download the My Ride K-12 App, as transportation will not be sending emails with routing information. Through the app families can also view routing updates, see real time bus location, and message the dispatch office.

The transportation call center will be open one week prior to school starting, should you have any questions about busing.

Notes from the Eastern Office

Eastern Summer Office Hours

The Eastern office will be open 8:00 to 3:00 through Friday, June 12. It will re-open on Monday, August 17. If you have any enrollment questions over the summer, please call 231-933-1765.

Have a great summer!