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The Eastern Star Family Newsletter

March 20, 2026

The Eastern StarFamily NewsletterMarch 20, 2026

Principal Ponderings Principal Ponderings

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Well, that was (insert adjective here). Last year, we had a snow day on March 20 so I had a feeling that we may not be done with snow days. I did not imagine the scenario we experienced last week. I know the kids were super excited, but I also recognize the strain that it puts on families and work schedules. Mother Nature is unpredictable and we do appreciate your flexibility. It was so great to see the faces of our school community at drop off this morning!

#ShineBrightTogether

Upcoming Events Upcoming Events

  • March 27-April 3: Spring Break
  • April 14, 6:00-7:00: PTO Meeting
  • April 15. 3:20-3:40: TBA SRCU Deposit Day
  • April 16: Early Release; Dismissal at 1:57 p.m.
  • TCAPS 25-26 Calendar
Give an Eastern Staff Member a Shoutout! Share the good stuff!

New Information New Information

Join the Great Lakes Region 2026 Child Safety Conference

The Great Lakes Region 2026 Child Safety Conference is coming to the Central High School Auditorium in Traverse City on Thursday, May 7. This event provides a dedicated space for officers, parents, and faculty to learn about protecting children in schools, sports, and across the community.

The afternoon and evening will feature four sessions led by national and local experts:

  • 4:00 PM – Campus Safety: MSU Deputy Chief of Police Chris Rozman will draw on 25 years of experience to discuss security risks and building a positive safety culture.

  • 5:00 PM – Bullying and Abuse Prevention: Jenna Baker of the Traverse Bay Children’s Advocacy Center and Prosecuting Attorney Noelle Moeggenberg will provide training on awareness and reporting child abuse.

  • 6:00 PM – Online Exploitation: Founding partner of Marsh Law Firm, James Marsh, will share insights on protecting children from digital threats.

  • 7:00 PM – Keynote Presentation: Renowned advocate and attorney Rachael Denhollander will deliver the keynote on supporting injured students through trauma-informed care.

Eastern Employment Opportunity

The Cook's Assistant performs a variety of tasks in the preparation and cooking of food; helps with production records, inventory and conforms to schedules established by the Kitchen Leader. The Cook’s Assistant reports to the building Kitchen Leader or other kitchen workers as assigned by the Kitchen Leader.

EA_Cook's Assistant.pdf

launch drive.google.com

Previous Information Previous Information

Spring Break Post Cards

Eastern is once again asking families to send us a post card of your spring break travels -- whether that's leaving town or staying in Traverse City. Send your post card to:

Eastern Elementary School

1600 Eastern Avenue

Traverse City, MI 49686


We will create a bulletin board with the post cards!

Dismissal and Building Exit Points

Per our dismissal protocol for our JK-5 students, the only two building exit points are the cafeteria doors for our JK students and the front door for all others. We have noticed increase traffic out of the back door. All students must exit in the two aforementioned exit areas. This area is not supervised and not in line with our building protocol that helps to ensure to student safety.

Birthday Party Treats--Reminder

We love birthdays and we all need to celebrate as many as possible. Here at Eastern, students get a card from the office with a sticker, a shout out on the announcements, and anything extra that the classroom teacher may do.


I would ask you to review our district/building expectations regarding celebrations and birthday parties. Below you find wording from our Student/Parent Elementary Handbook.


CELEBRATIONS/PARTIES
Classroom celebrations/parties can offer a fun learning experience and an opportunity to celebrate cultural traditions. For example: a school’s Halloween celebration typically includes a parade of costumes that highlight a student’s creativity and ingenuity. Celebrations/parties should not interfere with the instructional program. Each school may have a special way to recognize birthdays. A note on sensitivity: please refrain from sending invitations to birthday parties, balloons, gifts, or food during the school day for your child’s birthday.

A promotional graphic for "Little Shop of Horrors" featuring a large, yellow carnivorous plant with sharp teeth and a human hand reaching out from its mouth. The plant sits in a pot labeled with the show's title in dripping red and yellow text. The scene is set against a green curtain background lit by two spotlights.
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Traverse City West Senior High School Music Department Presents Little Shop of Horrors

The Traverse City West Senior High Music Department presents Little Shop of Horrors. Join us for this classic musical featuring a book and lyrics by Howard Ashman and music by Alan Menken. This production is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

Performance Dates and Times:

  • Evening Shows (7:00 PM): March 13, 14, 20, and 21.

  • Matinee Shows (2:00 PM): March 15 and 22.

Tickets: Tickets range from $15 to $25, plus box office fees. Secure your seats today by visiting tcaps.booktix.com

Notes from the Eastern Office Notes from the Eastern Office

PTO PTO

Spring Fundraiser April 27 at 7:00 pm. The auction will be at The Peninsula Room. Tickets on sale soon. Adults only. Attire: Think red carpet meets real life -- we're talking everyone from today's biggest names to timeless Hollywood icons.
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Spring Auction Information

Auction Donations Needed

No item is too big or too small! We are accepting all donations to be used during our Spring Fundraiser on April 25th!


Ideas:

- School spirit baskets

- Foodie baskets – non-perishables, please!

- Local gift certificates

- Local experiences

- Sports memorabilia

- Event tickets to a college or pro sports team


Email EasternElementarySchoolPTO@gmail.com


Lights! Camera! Become a Sponsor!

We are thrilled to announce the Eastern Elementary Spring Auction Fundraiser, and this year, we’re celebrating Hollywood Through the Ages: From Hollywood Legends to Modern Day Icons.

Save the Date

  • When: April 25th, 2026

  • Where: The Peninsula Room

  • Adults Only

More details to come!


We are officially calling all sponsors to join our cast!

Would you like to see your company name in the spotlight? We invite you to be a sponsor! Your partnership will not only contribute to the success of this fundraiser, but it will also provide excellent visibility for your business within our school community. To make it even better, your sponsorship is tax deductible, as the Eastern Elementary PTO is a registered 501(c)3 charitable organization.


Your sponsorship will make a direct impact on Eastern Elementary with 100% of the net proceeds from the event going back to the school.


Email easternelementaryschoolpto@gmail.com to become a sponsor.


Red Carpet Sponsorship: $750

  • Reserved Table at Event
  • Eight (8) event tickets ($320 value)
  • Company logo on the auction program, bidding cards, and displayed throughout the event
  • Social media shoutouts


Leading Role Sponsorship: $500

  • Six (6) event tickets ($240) value
  • Company logo on the auction program, bidding cards, and displayed throughout the event

Rising Star Sponsorship: $250

  • Two (2) event tickets ($80 value)
  • Company logo on the auction program

Additional PTO Information

Amical

20% of gift card sales at Amical, both online and in store for the week of March 15 - 21, will be donated to Eastern PTO specifically benefiting our Art Department (clay, glaze, cardstock, etc.)! You can purchase gift cards at the restaurant daily between Noon and 8pm or they can be purchased online at Amical Online Gift Cards.


Video Game Club

Eastern's Video Game Club is on the hunt for some new games!

We're looking for:

- 2x Nintendo Switch consoles

- Nintendo Switch games

Do you have a Switch collecting dust at home? Why not give it life where it'll bring joy to our community of gamers?


Proposals

We will be pausing proposal applications until after our Spring Auction on April 25th. A brief pause will allow us to host the event and calculate final proceeds to ensure a strong, sustainable fund to support Fall 2026 staff startup and student field trips. Thanks for understanding!


PTO Links:

BUDGET: 25/26 PTO approved budget.


PENDING / GRANTED PROPOSALS: Log of what has been submitted or accepted for the 25/26 school year

Weekly Breakfast & Lunch Menu

Menu

BREAKFAST

MONDAY

muffins

fruit and milk


TUESDAY

cereal

fruit and milk


WEDNESDAY

mini bagels

fruit & milk


THURSDAY

Cereal

fruit & milk


FRIDAY

SPRING BREAK BEGINS



LUNCH

MONDAY 3/23

1st choice: Hamburger with fries

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


TUESDAY

1st choice: doritos walking tacos

2nd choice: meatless walking tacos

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


WEDNESDAY

1st choice: Grilled Cheese & tomato soup

2nd choice: Mini pepperoni calzones

3rd choice: sunbutter & jelly with yogurt and crackers


THURSDAY

1st choice: cheese pizza

2nd choice Pepperoni pizza

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


FRIDAY 3/27

🌱🪻🌷🐣🐥

SPRING BREAK HAS ARRIVED!!

ENJOY YOUR SPRING BREAK

District News and Notes District News and Notes

TCAPS Strategic Plan
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Eastern Elementary Useful Links Eastern Elementary Useful Links

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)

Mr. Swegles
Principal
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