remove_red_eye 653
page background
Logo

The Eastern Star Family Newsletter

March 13, 2026

The Eastern StarFamily NewsletterMarch 13, 2026

Principal Ponderings Principal Ponderings

A bitmoji of Mr. Swegles standing next to a snow man.
zoom_out_map

On the calendar and with the weather, it looks like we truly do have one more week of winter. Our playground will likely have snow remain for a day or two from Sunday's projected snowmageddon, so hopefully you haven't put away the snow gear, yet! Monday's snow day (assuming a snow day) challenge will certainly be to get outside and make one last snow man!


#ShineBrightTogether

Upcoming Events Upcoming Events

  • March 18, 3:20-3:40: TBA SRCU Deposit Day
  • March 20: Popcorn Friday
  • 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

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!

TCAPS Food & Nutrition Services promotional banner: Free Meals! Nourishing Young Minds. Features fresh produce and bread.
zoom_out_map

Free Breakfast and Lunch Offered Daily

TCAPS is offering free breakfast and lunch meals at every building, every school day.


Free breakfast is served daily! TCAPS Food and Nutrition Services reminds parents and students that TCAPS offers free breakfast before the start of every school day at every building in the district. Secondary buildings offer breakfast in the cafeterias, and elementary buildings provide a convenient "Grab & Go" breakfast for students to enjoy in the classrooms or the cafeterias. TCAPS encourages every student to grab a free breakfast before the start of each school day to ensure they have the energy necessary to excel.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

All School Carnival: Save the Date!

Save the Date! The Eastern Elementary School Carnival will be on Friday evening, May 8th. Mark your calendars and we will see you there! More details will be shared after spring break.

Eastern Art Students Honored

Mrs. Culik would like to congratulate the following students for having their art selected for this year’s Crooked Tree Art Center Youth Art Exhibit!


The exhibit will be at 322 Sixth Street in Traverse City, and will run from March 10-April 11, 2026. The exhibit will be closed during the TCAPS spring break. There will be a reception and awards presentation on Sunday, March 22nd from 1-3pm. Please note, the reception was originally scheduled for Sunday, March 15th but has been postponed due to inclement weather.



5 Annelin: Hank

5 Cooper: Celia K.

5 Kearney: Daphne T.


4 Lutes: Lilah W.

4 Nelson: Mack C.

4 Stout: Moss W.


3 LaBlanc: TJ S.

3 Norton: Sage C.

3 Shembarger: Emma P.


2 Fak: Hathaway L.

2 Hites: Lydia M.

2 LaBarre: Logan R.

2 Stoudt: Brooks F.


1 Brott: Leo B.

1 Chaprnka: Rosie O.

1 Ross: Caroline S.P.


K Edwardson: Mae S.

K Ferguson: Kaia M.

K Freeman: Audrey L.


JK Odette: Asa S. and Theo S.

A wall filled with student artwork. The artwork is that of students whose art was selected to be displayed at Crooked Tree Art Center.
zoom_out_map Show in original size

Previous Information Previous Information

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.

Promotional graphic for "Disney and Desserts" presented by the Traverse City Central High School Vocal Department. The background is solid light blue. Centered is a vanilla ice cream cone with three scoops of ice cream arranged to form the shape of Mickey Mouse's head and ears. The "Disney" logo is written in its iconic white script, followed by "and Desserts" in a clean white sans-serif font. Text at the bottom announces the event on Saturday, March 14th, with showtimes at 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at the TC Central High School Auditorium, 1150 Milliken Drive, TC 49686.
zoom_out_map

Disney and Desserts: A Musical Treat!

Get ready for a magical afternoon! The TC Central High School Vocal Department invites you to Disney and Desserts on Saturday, March 14.

Join our talented students for a showcase of your favorite Disney characters and music, paired with delicious "sweet delights."

  • When: Saturday, March 14

  • Times: 11:00 a.m. & 4:00 p.m.

  • Where: TC Central High School Auditorium

Don't miss out on this "sweet" performance!

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.
zoom_out_map

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

Eastern March Volunteer Opportunities

Thank you to everyone who signed up to be an Eastern volunteer through DOGS/MOMS. We are changing the way we coordinate volunteers through this program. Each Friday we will include sign ups for classrooms/school areas that need extra support.


We will also reach out to those who have signed up with DOGS/MOMS. If you would like to be on that list, please fill out the Watch DOGS/MOMS Sign Up.

Mrs. LaBarre, 2nd Grade

Mrs. Stout, 4th Grade

Mrs. Annelin, 5th Grade

Early Release Support, Office

Lunchroom Help

Recess Help

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.
zoom_out_map

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?

Weekly Breakfast & Lunch Menu

BREAKFAST

MONDAY 3/16

Donut

fruit and milk


TUESDAY

cereal

fruit and milk


WEDNESDAY

mini pancakes

fruit & milk


THURSDAY

Cereal

fruit & milk


FRIDAY

sweet breads

fruit and milk


LUNCH

MONDAY 3/16

1st choice: Hamburger with fries

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


TUESDAY

1st choice: Dorito walking tacos

2nd choice: meatless walking tacos

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


WEDNESDAY

1st choice: Grilled Cheese with tomato soup

2nd choice Mini Pepperoni calzones

3rd choice: Sunbutter & jelly with yogurt and graham crackers


THURSDAY

1st choice: chicken tenders basket with emojis, dinner roll

2nd choice: sunbutter & jelly with yogurt and crackers

3rd choice: No 3rd choice


FRIDAY

1st choice: Cheese Pizza

2nd choice: Pepperoni pizza

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

District News and Notes District News and Notes

TCAPS Strategic Plan
zoom_out_map Show in original size

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
Loading indicator

close
Powered by