Long Lake Newsletter

Dear Families,

Winter weather is here! It’s important that students are dressed appropriately. We go outside for recess almost every day. So please make sure your child has a set of gloves, hat, boots, snow pants and gear available at school to use. If your family is in need of items, please notify the office. We can help match your family with giving opportunities.

Welcome Back and Happy December!

Kate Burwinkel

LONG LAKE GIVING TREE: Each year, we are able to sponsor a Giving Tree to support Long Lake families in need. We’re pleased to continue this tradition for another year. If your able to give a gift to a school family this year, please look through the following list and sign up for any item(s) you intend to buy. The sign up is anonymous, so other donors will not see your name or information. You can sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044BA9AA2BA64-60375104-llgiving Once a gift is purchased, please wrap it and write the number on a tag or paper attached to the gift so we can make sure each present gets to the right family. Gifts should be dropped off at Long Lake Elementary by Thursday, December 11th. The gifts will be delivered to the families soon after this date, so it is very important to have the gift at the school, wrapped, and tagged by Thursday, December 11th. If it is more convenient, please feel free to have online purchases delivered to Long Lake Elementary at the following address: 7600 N Long Lake Rd, Traverse City, MI 49685. Make sure to include the correct number in the "gift message" box Questions can be directed to our office at 231-933-7800. The generosity of our community is amazing. On behalf of our Long Lake families, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

HOUSE UPDATE: Our next House Assembly is this Friday, December 19th @ 9:30 a.m. Families are welcome to join us and be a part of this celebration! Just sign in at the office upon arrival. We will highlight one student per class and recognize classes for attendance and for following our lifelong guidelines!

SEEKING SCHOOL CHEER IDEAS: We have a fun challenge for our students! We’re on the hunt for ideas for a school-wide cheer! Each House already has its own cheer, and now we’d love to create one that brings our whole school together. Please submit ideas by December 12th by completing the sheet being sent home in backpacks or this form.

NEW TEE SHIRT DESIGN!: We are excited to share a new Long Lake logo with you AND we have all House Tee Shirts available in adult sizes for purchase. Order forms went home with kids this week and all orders are due by Friday, December 5th so we can have them printed and heading home with you before the Holiday Break. Link to Order Form (also going home in backpacks).

HOLIDAY NIGHT: Please join us for a festive night of crafts, cookie decorating, games, fun Photo ops, and cocoa. Friday December 12th from 6:00pm-8:00pm in the cafeteria.

Volunteers For Holiday Night: We are looking for a few helping hands to help our fun night. If you are interested in helping click on the link below. Thank you!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F44ACAC29A0FBCF8-60785619-holiday

POPCORN POPPERS: PTO is happy to provide the entire school popcorn once a month and volunteers are needed. Bring the kids with you for extra helping hands and it is a fun way to meet new friends! Below is the sign up genius to help pop popcorn for students. Please consider helping out. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F44ACAC29A0FBCF8-58294686-popcorn

PTO LARGE PURCHASE IDEAS: We are looking for great ideas from you! There is money reserved in our budget for a larger purchase to benefit the school, students, and staff. These purchases need to provide a positive impact for our students. Please see the link below to submit an idea. Deadline is Friday, December 19, 2025.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeg-kZRTBuNM8vAno0yd5Cspa3nBLYv60C8qsCGyCnhpMB6kQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=116723536023437740044

Snow Days There are multiple ways you can find out if school is closed due to inclement weather:

All local radio and televisions stations announce school closings on a regular basis
Visit the district website or the school website https://www.tcaps.net/o/lles. A pop up will come on the screen if there is a closing alert (pop up blocker must be turned off)
Follow the district on Facebook, Instagram, or X. Want more information? View Snow Day FAQs

Board Office Hours: The Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) Board of Education will host its next monthly “office hours” in-person at the Traverse Area District Library (TADL) in the McGuire Room, 610 Woodmere Avenue, on Thursday, December 18, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. TCAPS Board office hours provide community members with the opportunity to talk to a school board trustee. This month, Board President Newman-Bale is scheduled to attend.

Superintendent Office Hours: 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 in person on Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at 5:00 p.m., and will be held at Horizon Books, 243 E. Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49684 on the second floor (Mezzanine level).