Montessori Newsletter

Head of School News and Notes

Dear Timberwolves Families:

It was a fantastic second week of school! Everyone is working hard (adults included) on building their stamina for a full day of learning! Thank you to all our families who attended our welcome back picnic. We had a beautiful evening, and it was great to see so many connections being made. I thank you for supporting our staff, and community with your positive praise and goodwill towards all.

Your Application Powers Our Schools! If you have not already done so, please complete the Free and Reduced Meal Application by October 1. I would love to get 100% participation from TCAPS Montessori! 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

We appreciate your patience as we acclimate our new families to our drop-off and pick-up procedures. Please read below for some important reminders about carline. Our staff is working very hard to ensure an efficient, safe, and secure process. We need your help to do this!

The Move-a-thon kick-off also started this week! Shout out to our amazing PTO for organizing this fun event and BIG fundraiser for our school! The event will take place on October 1, on the West Middle School track and field. Look for ways to volunteer on the PTO link below. We hope you’ll consider joining the cause!

Enjoy the weekend,

Tracy

Updates & Reminders

DISMISSAL REMINDERS:
- After-school carline is for families with students K-3 ONLY. UE and AC only families must use the Playground gate, Flagpole, BATA, or Top of the Trail for pick up.
- Do NOT pass in Carline - BE PATIENT.
- Please place your family's green card on the PASSENGER side visor. Please add the teacher's name to the bottom of the card.
- This is a moving carline. If your child needs assistance with seatbelt buckling, you should use a flagpole or playground gate to pick up.
- The back parking lot (LOT W) is for TODDLER & PRESCHOOL families only. Thank you for respecting this.

If you have not returned all of your back to school paperwork, please do so by Monday, September 15. This includes the handbook acknowledgement form.
Our office and student support staff always love to have extra snacks available for kids when they are extra hungry. If you would like to donate additional snacks please sign up with this link. We would prefer bulk snacks that are individually wrapped. Thank you for your donation and support of our Montessori community.
Elementary Families - please use the following link to review the 2025-2026 Student/Parent Elementary Handbook. A Student/Parent Handbook Acknowledgement Form has be sent home with each student for families to sign and return to school. PLEASE DO THIS ASAP.
AC Families - please use the following link to review the 2025-2026 Student/Parent Secondary Handbook. A Student/Parent Handbook Acknowledgement Form has be sent home with each student for families to sign and return to school. PLEASE DO THIS ASAP.
Your Application Powers Our Schools! 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

Move-A-Thon is well on its way! We are at 18% of our total goal after the first week so let's keep the momentum going!
This week Mrs. Ballmer's class won the MIGHTY HOWL AWARD for most funds raised...but this trophy can be taken by any class who raises the most each week so let's get to work! It's free and easy to register your child and help them to begin earning prizes.
Visit the Move-A-Thon website to register, get donations and win great prizes, and sign up to volunteer today!
Mark your calendars- We are inviting all families to come cheer on their Timberwolves in this school wide event, October 1st, 1:45-2:30pm at the WMS Football Field.

For more details + other family resources, click here: PTO Update

SUPERINTENDENT OFFICE HOURS: September 16, 2025, 5:00-6:00 p.m., and will be a virtual meeting: join using this link: meet.google.com/cpo-wwwz-qat or you can join by phone:

‪(US) +1 475-549-0438‬ PIN: ‪961 104 679‬#

2. Board of Education Office Hours. The Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) Board of Education will host its next monthly “office hours” as a virtual meeting on Thursday, September 25, 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 Bageris is scheduled to attend.

3. Traverse City Area Public Schools is excited to announce the adoption of the Amplify CKLA PreK-5 reading program, which aligns with our mission to provide a high-quality learning experience for all students. This program helps students develop essential skills to read, write, communicate, and problem-solve with clarity. Please use this link to learn more.

4. Volunteer Members Needed for TCAPS PA 226, Sex Education Advisory Board

The TCAPS Sex Education Advisory Board meets five to eight times per year to review sex education curriculum, materials, and methods of instruction. The meetings are typically scheduled from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on the second Thursday of the month.

Selection of members will be based on three criteria – expressed interest, ability to attend meetings as required, and that you meet one of the following categories:

Parent of a student attending TCAPS
Student in the school district (age-appropriate)
Educator
Local clergy
Community health professional
Other interested citizens residing in the district.

According to the committee bylaws, 50% of the membership shall be the parents of current TCAPS students. If there are more volunteers than there are openings, a lottery system will be used to select members.If you are interested, please apply on or before September 29, 2025, using the 25-26 TCAPS Sex Education Advisory Board Application.

Any questions can be directed to Dan McGee, TCAPS Sex Education Coordinator at mcgeeda@tcaps.net.

1. Michigan Career Pathfinder is an excellent, no-cost online tool for families and young learners to explore future career and education choices. This information is backed by real data on job demand and training paths. We strongly encourage you to check it out with your child to help map out a rewarding future. Michigan Career Pathfinder Information from MDE

2. Dear parents, 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.All families can also log on and order a FREE Digital SmileSafe card.More about the Smilesafe program here.Thank you!

Spanish Class Wish List of Supplies
This link: Spanish classes parent updates will take you to updates about all the levels of Spanish: CASA, Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary and Adolescent. Find out what vocabulary your student is learning, what songs we are currently singing & what questions your student should be able to answer in Spanish.