The Eastern Star Family Newsletter
March 13, 2026
Principal Ponderings
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
- 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
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Notes from the Eastern Office
PTO
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
Eastern Elementary Useful Links
TCAPS Volunteer Standards of Conduct
WATCH D.O.G.S. Calendar (see where D.O.G.S. have already signed up)