Long Lake Newsletter

Dear Families,

EARLY RELEASE: This Thursday, December 11th is an Early Release Day for TCAPS. Long Lake dismisses at 2:02 p.m.

LONG LAKE GIVING TREE: This Thursday is the last day to turn in Giving Tree gifts. Thanks to all who have generously donated! To check the sign up, look here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044BA9AA2BA64-60375104-llgiving We ask families to bring wrapped gifts with the number on a tag or paper to school by Thursday, December 11th. Questions can be directed to our office at 231-933-7800. The generosity of our community is amazing. Thank you again!

HOLIDAY SING ALONG: Save the Date for our upcoming Sing Along on Friday, December 19th at 3:15 PM in the Long Lake gym. Join us and sing your holiday favorites with the Long Lake students!

PAJAMA DAY FRIDAY, DEC. 19th Join us in dressing cozy as we head into winter break! All Long Lake students and staff can wear PJ’s to school! Please make sure the PJs are school appropriate and please no slippers.

HOUSE UPDATE: Our next House Assembly is 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.

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. A BIG thank you to all of the volunteers that signed up so the fun event can happen!

STAFF FAVORITES: Many parents requested some gift ideas for our AMAZING staff. PTO asked staff to provide a few ideas. Click on the link and scroll through some ideas!

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

Register Now & Attend TAG Info Meeting Next Week Registration is officially open for the optional CogAT testing for the TAG Program (Grades 4-5)! Interested 3rd grade families are strongly encouraged to attend our optional informational virtual meeting on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. to learn about the curriculum, testing, and new program locations (Eastern and Silver Lake Elementary). The testing registration deadline is January 21, 2026. Visit www.tcaps.net/TAG for meeting access and the registration link.

Winter Break: As you plan ahead for the holiday season, please note that winter break runs from December 22 through January 2. All TCAPS school offices and the TCAPS Central Office will be closed during this time, with buildings reopening on January 5, 2026. Thank you for preparing accordingly as we look forward to a strong start to the new year.

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).