The Eastern Star Family Newsletter

It certainly didn't take us long to get back into the swing of things here at Eastern Elementary. Being out in classrooms I was seeing great teaching and learning and when bouncing around the building seeing so many positive interactions and people enjoying one another was so great to see! I'm so proud of our entire staff for meeting students where they were at this week and for our students in getting back into their routines in procedures on how we do things here at 1600 Eastern Ave! Lastly, thanks to you for getting back in those routines, as well. TEAMwork makes the dream work!

#shinebrighttogether

• January 19: Early Dismissal; Eastern Releases at 1:57
• January 20, 5:45-7:45: Eastern Spelling Bee
• January 21, 3:20-3:45: Student Run Credit Union Deposit Day
• January 23: Early Dismissal; Eastern Releases at 1:57
• January 30: Popcorn Friday
• February 3, 5:30-6:30: Eastern Kindergarten Information Meeting
• TCAPS 25-26 Calendar

The registration window for optional CogAT testing for TCAPS TAG Program is closing soon! If your 3rd grader is interested in applying to the TCAPS TAG Program for the 2026-2027 school year, you must register by the deadline. Testing will be administered at your student's home school between February 2 and 13.

DEADLINE: Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Register your 3rd grader now: https://forms.gle/tNG3PTui4J72hkYo7

The Grand Traverse Health Department will again be providing free screening services for students. Screenings for grades Preschool through 5th are scheduled for January 12-16 and will take place at Eastern. Rescreens will take place February 18-19.

The MDHHS routine screening schedule is outlined below. All students will be screened unless otherwise indicated. Parents/Guardians will be notified of any results which meet MDHHS referral criteria.

Families wishing to decline their child’s participation are asked to complete a screening waiver, available HERE or at the school office.

Free student screenings are also available by appointment during Health Department clinics; call 231-620-3697 to schedule.

VISION: Any student with prescription glasses is asked to have them available on the screening dates.

HEARING: Any student with an implanted medical device (shunt, cochlear implants, insulin pump, etc) will NOT be screened for hearing due to potential effects on device settings. Please be sure your child’s teacher is aware of any implanted medical device.

MDHHS Routine Screening Guide:

• Preschool: Hearing & Vision
• Junior Kindergarten & Kindergarten: Hearing
• 1st Grade: Vision
• 2nd Grade: Hearing
• 3rd Grade: Vision
• 4th Grade: Hearing
• 5th Grade: Vision
• 7th Grade: Vision
• 9th Grade: Vision

The following exceptions may apply to the routine schedule:

• Students in need of follow-up screenings.
• Screenings requested by school staff.
• Screenings required for IEP purposes.
• Screenings requested by parent or guardian.
• Students with completed screening waivers.
• Students in self-contained special needs classrooms.
• Students with implanted medical devices.

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

Please fill out this form if you are interested in having your child attend Eastern for Junior Kindergarten or Kindergarten. Remember that students must turn 5 by December 1, 2026, in order to qualify for either program.

Eastern is holding its Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten Information Night on Tuesday, February 3, from 5:30-6:30.

First Grade Families!

We are excited to announce that we will be hosting a First Grade Talent Show this winter! The event will take place in the Eastern Gym on Thursday, February 26th at 3:00 pm. Any first grader who wants to be a star and showcase their talent is welcome and encouraged to participate.

Important Details:

• Sign-up will be posted outside the office starting Monday, January 26th.

• Each child must be signed up and have the attached permission form filled out (look for that in an email after break)

• Practices will be held at lunch in the lobby on Tuesdays, starting February 3rd

• Each act can be one minute or less (depending on the number of participants).

• All acts, including music and clothing, must be school-appropriate and approved by the school.

This is an optional event and participation is not required. We kindly ask that all participants come to the first practice prepared with their act and ready to shine. There will be only four short practices with volunteers at lunch, so we encourage all participants to practice their acts at home and during recess.

If you are interested in volunteering to help with the practices and/or show, please reach out to Kelly Bulloch, bullochkelly@gmail.com

The Talent Show is a cherished Eastern Elementary tradition, and we truly appreciate your support in making it a success!

Thank you,

Talent Show Committee

Thank you to everyone who signed up to be an Eastern volunteer through DOGS/MOMS. We are changing the way we coordinate volunteers through this program. Each Friday we will include sign ups for classrooms/school areas that need extra support.

We will also reach out to those who have signed up with DOGS/MOMS. If you would like to be on that list, please fill out THIS FORM.

Volunteer Areas:

Ms. Ross: Kindergarten

Mrs. LaBarre: 2nd Grade

Mrs. Kearney: 5th Grade

January Recess Volunteers

Eastern Lunchroom Volunteers

I'm guessing the snow is here stay so it is a good reminder to solicit your help in backing up our STAR expectations for playground play at home. Snow is expected to stay on the ground. We do encourage kids to roll snow, make snow structures, and the like, however, tossing snow is strongly discouraged.

I also want to encourage conversation with kiddos about physical play. With winter comes the extra padding of thick jackets, snowpants, and the cushion of snow on the ground. We see an uptick in physical play and it is not in line with our expectations.

We appreciate any conversation that can support our conversations here at school.

The January PTO meeting has been canceled.

MONDAY

muffins

yogurt, fruit and milk

TUESDAY

cereal

cheese, fruit and milk

WEDNESDAY

mini bagels

yogurt

fruit & milk

THURSDAY

Cereal

cheese stick, fruit & milk

FRIDAY

Assorted sweet breads

cheese stick, fruit & milk

LUNCH

MONDAY

1st choice: chicken drumstick with dutch waffle

2nd choice: Sunbutter & Jelly with cheese stick and Crackers

TUESDAY

1st choice: beef nachos

2nd choice: pizza quesadilla

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

WEDNESDAY

1st choice: chicken sausage wrapped with a pancake

2nd choice bosco sticks

3rd choice: Sunbutter & jelly with yogurt and graham crackers

THURSDAY

1st choice: chicken tenders with dinner roll

2nd choice:Mac & cheese with dinner roll

3rd choice:sunbutter & jelly with yogurt and crackers

FRIDAY

1st choice Cheese Pizza

2nd choice: Pepperoni pizza

3rd choice: sunbutter & jelly with string cheese & crackers

Elementary Handbook

LEAP Website

School Menus

TCAPS Volunteer Form

TCAPS Volunteer Standards of Conduct

WATCH D.O.G.S. Sign Up

WATCH D.O.G.S. Calendar (see where D.O.G.S. have already signed up)