Westwoods Newsletter

Dear Westwoods Elementary Families,

We hope you have a wonderful and safe Halloween!

The students had a fantastic day today, enjoying a fun mix of special activities and engaging learning alongside their classmates. Please be safe if your family is out trick-or-treating tonight.

📆 Important: Parent-Teacher Conferences

We are looking forward to welcoming you into the building for our upcoming Parent-Teacher Conferences. We value this important opportunity to connect with you about your child's progress.

Our scheduled conference nights are:

• Thursday, November 6 (Next Week)

• Tuesday, November 11

• Thursday, November 13

Action Required: Please be sure to sign up for a time slot with your child’s teacher if you have not already done so. https://signup.com/go/SQCqwHM

Wishing you a safe and enjoyable evening!

Sincerely,

Toby Tisdale

Principal

• When dropping students off before school, parents are not to enter the building. Please drop off students at the exterior doors.

  
  

• All visitors to the building must check in at the office first.

• Please make sure kids are keeping their toys, Pokémon cards, etc. at home to avoid loss, damage or other issues.

Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held this fall on November 6, 11 and 13, from 4:30-7:30 each evening. Our goal is for teachers to meet with the parents/guardians of every student, so we encourage you to click the link below, select your child's teacher and sign up for a 15 minute conference time.

https://signup.com/go/SQCqwHM

Conferences are held in person. If you need to make other arrangements for your conference, please reach out to your child's teacher personally.

Specials Teachers

Specials teachers (art and music) are available for drop-in conferences on the evenings listed below. If you'd like to speak with them about your student(s), feel free to stop by their classrooms while you are here.

Mrs. Gang - Art:

Mrs. Burnell - Music:

Mrs. Harrod-Burch - Music: November 6

We're updating our pickup procedure. Going forward, if someone not on your child's Emergency Contact/School Pickup List will be picking them up, you must notify us in writing.

Please send an email to both Jamie Roster and Kelly Niskanen with the name of the person authorized to pick up your child. This helps us confirm the identity of anyone who is not a familiar face.

To add a new person to your child's permanent Emergency Contact/School Pickup List, you can also do so by email or in person. We can no longer accept these changes over the phone.

Thank you for your cooperation!

School pictures are ready!

To order, log in to your account on mylifetouch.com or create an account using your student's student ID number. (Reach out to the office if you need your student's ID.) Please do not send order envelopes to school after picture day, as we have no way of getting them to Lifetouch.

All families can also log on and order a FREE Digital SmileSafe card. More about the Smilesafe program is available here.

If your child was absent, or you would like to have retakes done, Lifetouch will return to Westwoods on November 10. Retake picture order forms are available in the office - let us know if you need one. You can also order online using the Picture Day ID EVTJRHQWS.

Yearbooks can now be ordered online at ybpay.com. Our yearbook ID code is 15176226.

Flyers will be sent home this week.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We are looking for help with Thanksgiving Lunch service on Thursday 11/20/2025. Please see the sign-up link! https://signup.com/go/cipDMhZ

If you haven't already, be sure to fill out the TCAPS online volunteer application form.

Interested in hanging new student art around the school at your leisure?

Email gangta@tcaps.net to set up a time!

Art Room Donation Requests:

• Clean brown paper bags
• Cereal box front and backs
• Old buttons or beads

Thank you!

We've had a nice start to the year, but wanted to take a minute to make sure everyone is aware of the procedure for drop off and pick up of students. Please review this document and map for details.

Crystal Mountain Ski Program is starting up soon!

The program runs Jan 6- Feb 12, 2026 for all students ages 7 & up. Tuesday will be Westwoods night to ski again this year.

All registration will be online this year, on the Crystal Mountain website. All registrations are due by NOV 25, 2025

*Please be sure to check the box to release contact info to the school advisor so that you can be contacted with the most up to date information! (Must provide own transportation to ski hill)

Anyone interested in more information about the Crystal Mountain Ski Program can reach out to Westwoods advisor Andrea Loomis at 313-468-2944.

*Upcoming Ski Swaps*

Crystal Mountain - Held in James Bay, lower level of the Crystal Center
Sale Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025 from 9am - 2pm

Grand Traverse Ski Club - Held at West Middle School

Sale Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025 from 9am - 1pm

November 4 No School - Election Day

November 10 Picture Retake Day

November 6, 11 & 13 Parent-Teacher Conferences

November 25 Early Release Day: Dismiss at 1:57

November 26-28 No School - Thanksgiving Break

December 3 3rd grade Winter Music Concert

December 11 Early Release Day: Dismiss at 1:57

December 15-19 Holiday Spirit Week

December 22-January 2 No School - Holiday Break

January 19 Early Release Day: Dismiss at 1:57

January 23 Early Release Day: Dismiss at 1:57

January 23 End of 1st Semester

April 22 4th & 5th grade Spring Music Concert

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has been directed to temporarily pause the November payment of SNAP benefits (food assistance) due to an ongoing federal funding lapse. This situation affects approximately 1.4 million Michigan residents, placing many families with students at high risk of food insecurity. Key resources for families experiencing food insecurity are listed below.

Internal Resources for Families:

• Free Meals Continue: All eligible students should continue to eat free school breakfast and lunch without interruption.

• Get Help: Families needing assistance are strongly encouraged to reach out to their School Social Worker or Counselor for help with food and other essential needs.

External Resources for Families:

• For Immediate Food & Assistance Referrals: Call 2-1-1 or visit 2-1-1 Michigan.

• For Local Pantries: Visit the Northwest Food Coalition website to find food pantries near you.

For Benefit Updates: Check your local MDHHS office or MI Bridges for official information on benefit release.

The TCAPS Student Support Network is hosting the Winter Warm-Up Shop on Thursday, November 13th and Friday, November 14th. The Winter Warm-Up Shop offers FREE new and gently used winter outerwear and footwear for students currently enrolled in TCAPS. Shopping is by appointment only and items are available while supplies last. Please complete this form to request an appointment.

In conjunction with Rock Your Mocs week, which is nationally celebrated, we are hosting a spirit week, November 10-14. Themed days were thoughtfully selected by our program staff and students. Show your support, celebrate, and share your looks with us each day on social media, email (henionly@tcaps.net). Share with us on social media using the hashtag #TCAPSIE so we can feature your participation on our social media.

Themed Days:

• Monday, Nov. 10: Rock Your Braids - Hair is culturally significant to Indigenous people, back the braid, and wear your hair in braids.
• Tuesday, Nov. 11: Rock Blue or Red - Celebrate Veterans' Day and honor Ogichidaa (warriors). Click here to watch a YouTube video on how to say Ogichidaa.
• Wednesday, Nov. 12: Rock Red or Ribbon Skirt/Shirt - Support Indigenous resilience through fashion.
• Thursday, Nov. 13: Rock Kindness & Indigenous Bling - This World Kindness Day, wear Indigenous bling and tell someone they are Maamakaaj (awesome)! Click here to watch a YouTube video on how to pronounce.
• Friday, Nov. 14: Rock Your Mocs or Crocs - In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, wear your mocs, crocs or turquoise.

Michigan law requires TCAPS to share information with parents and caregivers about the safe storage of firearms. Here are the resources provided by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE): What is the Secure Storage Law in Michigan, and the Safe Storage Notice. Additional resources and information can be found on MDE’s Safe Storage Law webpage. Questions may be directed to MDE’s Office of Health and Safety at MDE-OHS@Michigan.gov.

Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) Superintendent, Dr. John VanWagoner, will have monthly “office hours”, alternating each month between in person and virtual meetings. This month’s meeting will be virtual on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 at 5:00 p.m., Virtual office hours will be held via Google Meet and can be accessed here - https://meet.google.com/cpo-wwwz-qat?hs=122&authuser=0 , or by calling +1 475-549-0438‬ and entering PIN: ‪961 104 679‬#.

Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) Board of Education will host its next monthly “office hours” as a virtual meeting on Thursday, November 20, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. You can use this link to join VM: (Google Meet)- meet.google.com/ten-gqes-pow or call 1.440.462.2802; PIN 243 200474#. TCAPS Board office hours provide community members with the opportunity to talk to a school board trustee. This month, Trustee Hardy is scheduled to attend.

Please complete your Free & Reduced Meal Application by October 1. Your application is crucial as it directly secures state and federal funding that benefits all TCAPS students and programs. Submit it today to provide essential support for our district!

By doing this, your application helps fund:

Reduced fees for programs like LEAP and other extracurricular activities

Equitable access to education by helping fund staffing and resources that benefit all students

Educational extensions such as field trips, enrichment opportunities, and after-school programs

Complete Your Application Now

Traverse City Area Public Schools is honored to offer veterans the opportunity to receive their high school diploma and be part of the 2026 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 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 must have attended a TCAPS high school.

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

For more information, please call 231.933.1722.

We invite community members to share their time and talents with our students by becoming a volunteer in our schools and on field trips, etc. All adult (over 18 years of age) volunteers must go through a background check for the safety of all students.

• Volunteers are asked to review the Volunteer page on the district's website and read the Volunteer Standards of Conduct.
• Volunteers are asked to complete the online volunteer application form.
• Once the form has been completed, volunteers can expect to hear back in 1-2 business days, after submission, from TCAPS Human Resources Department.

If there are any questions about the volunteer approval process, please contact Luke VanHouten at 231-933-1710 or vanhoutelu@tcaps.net