Westwoods Newsletter

Dear Westwoods Families,

I am writing to share my gratitude and appreciation following last night's wonderful PTO Holiday Night. The energy, festive spirit, and sense of community were absolutely amazing throughout the entire event!

On behalf of the entire Westwoods staff, I extend a massive thank you to our dedicated PTO, parents, and numerous volunteers whose tireless efforts made the evening such a success. From the planning stages to the setup and cleanup, your commitment ensured that our students and families had a fun, memorable experience. It is your involvement and enthusiasm that truly makes the Westwoods community so special and vibrant.

It was genuinely great to spend some quality time with so many of you—our students, families, and staff—sharing laughter and holiday cheer. These moments of connection outside of the regular school day are invaluable as we head into the busiest time of the year.

As a reminder, the holiday break is just around the corner. Our official Holiday Break begins at the end of the school day next Friday, December 19th. Please take this time to rest, recharge, and enjoy the holidays with your loved ones.

Thank you once again for your incredible support and partnership. We look forward to a strong final week before the break!

Toby Tisdale

Principal

• When dropping students off before school, parents are not to enter the building. Please drop off students at the exterior doors.

  
  

• All visitors to the building must check in at the office first.
  
  

• If dropping off students at 9:00 or later, you must walk in with your student to sign them in at the office. Doors lock promptly at 9:00.

• Please make sure kids are keeping their toys, Pokémon cards, etc. at home to avoid loss, damage or other issues.

The 5th graders are excited to announce a sweet way to spread holiday cheer and raise money for their spring trip to Leelanau Outdoor Center! We will be selling Candy Cane Grams!

When: Tuesday, December 16th through Thursday, December 18th, 8:45-9:00 and 3:45-4:00

Cost: Only $1.00 per gram.

What is it? For $1.00, your child can send a candy cane with a personalized note to a friend, teacher, or staff member in the school!

Music teacher Mrs. Harrod-Burch will lead the all-school holiday sing-along on Thursday, December 18 at 10:00 am. Parents are welcome to attend and sit in the bleachers. Students will stay with their class and teacher. Parents should enter the gym through the south door (follow the signs).

This is not a performance or concert, simply a sing-along for the whole school to participate in.

We still have a few gift requests on our Giving Tree. If you are able to fulfill one of these requests, please sign up and drop off the gift at school by 9:00 am on Monday, December 15.

Sign up here: https://signup.com/go/vPyOiaZ

If you missed Wednesday’s TAG Program informational meeting, the full recording has been posted to the website. This is a great opportunity to learn about the accelerated pace, focus on higher-order thinking, and challenging projects the program offers. Remember, mandatory registration for the optional CogAT test must be completed by Wednesday, January 21, 2026.

Watch the recording and find the registration link at www.tcaps.net/TAG.

Yearbooks can now be ordered online at ybpay.com. Our yearbook ID code is 15176226.

Flyers will be sent home this week.

We're updating our pickup procedure. Going forward, if someone not on your child's Emergency Contact/School Pickup List will be picking them up, you must notify us in writing.

Please send an email to both Jamie Roster and Kelly Niskanen with the name of the person authorized to pick up your child. This helps us confirm the identity of anyone who is not a familiar face.

To add a new person to your child's permanent Emergency Contact/School Pickup List, you can also do so by email or in person. We can no longer accept these changes over the phone.

Thank you for your cooperation!

We've had a nice start to the year, but wanted to take a minute to make sure everyone is aware of the procedure for drop off and pick up of students. Please review this document and map for details.

Shanty Creek Resorts is launching a NEW Locals Student Season Pass Program for the 2025-26 winter season, offering a reduced-rate, all-area pass for only $125 to reward students' dedication to education. This offer is available to students in grades 4-12 (ages 9-17) residing in Antrim, Crawford, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Otsego counties. Purchase the pass online using your school's unique code, TRAVERSE, and remember to bring proof of student enrollment when you pick up your pass starting November 29, 2025. Click here for more information.

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. 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

December 15-19 Holiday Spirit Week

December 22-January 2 No School - Holiday Break

January 5 School resumes

January 19 Early Release Day: Dismiss at 1:57

January 23 Early Release Day: Dismiss at 1:57

January 23 End of 1st Semester

April 22 4th & 5th grade Spring Music Concert

April 23 2nd grade Spring Music Concert

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.

On December 18th TCAPS will hold an information and discussion meeting for the Carlisle Field Afterschool Clubhouse and Multi-Purpose Fieldhouse planning and building design. The meeting will be held at 6 pm at the East Middle School Library.

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.