West Senior High Updates

This week was such a strong reminder that Mother Nature is in charge!

As a former coach, I used to tell my players there is no such thing as "mop up" or "garbage time" (the remaining time in a game after the outcome is no longer in doubt). The time a player is given is defined by how he or she values it. As we look to next week, I'm reminded that this applies to teaching and learning as well. We have four instructional days as a community of learners; West will treat all four of these days as important learning opportunities. As a staff, we strive to value all instructional days equally; there is no "garbage time", so to speak. Each class period is what the teacher and students make of it. We will value your student's time each day next week.

Brian Guiney - Lead Principal

• Mar 19 - 21 | Robotics competition
• Mar 24 | Color Guard Showcase - see details below
• Mar 26 | Early Release Day
• Mar 27 | No school

• Mar 30 - April 3 | Spring Break
• April 6 | School resumes
• April 16 | Early release: SAT Suite of Assessments in the AM for juniors, sophomores, freshmen
• April 17 | Juniors testing continues - MSTEP and WIN assessments

WSH calendar | TCAPS Academic Calendar | WSH Link Tree

The Traverse City West Senior High Music Department presents Little Shop of Horrors.

• Friday 3.20.26 @ 7:00 PM
• Saturday 3.21.26 @ 7:00 PM

• Sunday 3.22.26 @ 2:00 PM

• Secure your seats today by visiting tcaps.booktix.com

If your student is interested in testing out of a class, please read this Test Out Newsletter closely.

• Students must complete a test out application
• Application is due 4.17.26
• Test out dates are 5.6.26 @ WSH and 5.9.26 @ CHS
• For more information, visit https://www.tcaps.net/page/test-out-information

Please review the short slide deck and reach out to your student's assistant principal if you have any questions.

• What is a transcript?
• How do you sign up for an Academic Community at West?
• What important upcoming dates do I need to be aware of?

As we launch in to the second semester, each of our core departments have instructional routines designed to support SAT skill development. For example, our social studies department consistently orients students to graphs and charts relevant to course content - a transferable skill that is called for in the SAT. Here are other options for preparation:

• CollegeBoard Full-length Practice Tests: The full-length practice tests in Bluebook™
• Khan Academy Official Digital SAT Prep: khanacademy.org/digital-sat
• Further details on spring state mandated testing

Come see what Color Guard is all about! Join us for a special Color Guard Showcase featuring performances from our talented team.

Tuesday, March 24th 6:30-7pm
Traverse City West Senior High School Big Gym

The evening will include:

• Our Clue-themed Winter Guard show
• Selections from our Halftime Show routines
• Senior showcase performances highlighting our graduating members

We’re excited to share that Mindy Wilkening is heading up our Staff Appreciation Week in May and is already hard at work preparing something special for our amazing staff. If you or your family would like to make a donation or contribute in any way, please contact Mindy at 933-7590 or wilkeninme@tcaps.net. We’re hoping to make this a truly memorable week for our West Senior High staff—thank you for your support!

This newsletter has all the information you need regarding:

• Important dates/special schedules
• Graduation
• Scholarships
• Senior meetings
• Transcripts

Class of 2026 Newsletter

• TC West Sports Schedules: https://tcwathletics.com/
• Tickets & sports passes are available on GO FAN https://gofan.co/app/school/MI10300

Academic Eligibility (Spring 2026 eligibility is based on 2025-2026 Semester 1 Grades)

• Students who do not pass 66% of their class are ineligible for 60 school days and will miss fall sports (must pass a minimum of 4 of their 6 classes).

• Students who passed 66% of their classes but fall under a 2.0 grade point average will be monitored on a grade card for the fall sports season.

• Student athletes should be on track with graduation credits.

Ensure you are getting communication!

• Parents should log in and select the 2025-26 MHSAA sports their child plans to participate in in our Final Forms system. If you have not signed up for 2025-26 sports in final forms you are likely missing communications from the coach.

Congrats to Grace McSparron and Kristopher Arnold on earning the March Kiwanis Senior of the Month nominations!

This prestigious recognition highlights your excellence in the classroom, strong leadership skills, and commitment to making a difference through service. Great job!

Any student in need of tutoring can drop into the library after school at 3:15 - 4:15 Monday - Thursday. WSH staff members will be there to support your student. Students will sign into the LMC. Pick up arrangements will need to be made for your student.

School Begins at 8:05am and ends at 3:02pm. Students can be in the academic wings of the school (A,B,C, Music, HPE Wings) from 7:40-3:30 on school days. Outside of those times, students must be in the Commons area unless supervised by staff. Students must have a plan to be off campus by 3:45pm on school days (unless in an afterschool activity).

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.

Location: 5376 North Long Lake Road, Traverse City, MI, 49685

Athens Office: 231-933-7590

• Mr. O'Berski
• Athens Attendance: 231-933-7555

Sparta Office: 231-933-7503

• Mrs.Meyers

• Sparta Attendance: 231-933-7555

Olympia Office: 231-933-7707

• Mr. Wares
• Olympia Attendance: 231-933-7555

• Head Principal: Brian Guiney 933-7500
• Lead Admin. Assistant Hannah Pohlman 933-7501
• Admin. Assistant: Rebecca Seyferth 933-7507
• Admin. Assistant: Molly Pahl 933-7505

• Jennifer Lee (student last names A-E): leeje@tcaps.net, 933-7715
• Melissa Kamm (student last names F - Laf): kammme@tcaps.net, 933-7705
• Tom Ford (student last names Lag - Rom): fordth@tcaps.net, 933-7706
• Lauran Pinto (student last names Ron - Z): pintola@tcaps.net, 933-7544
• Registrar: Pamela Jean 933-7702
• Admin. Assistant: Jennifer Roy 933-7700

• Athletic Director: Jason Carmien, carmienja@tcaps.net, 933-7781
• Admin. Assistant Amy Rickenbeam@tcaps.net, 933-7780

WSH Academic Communities: Academic Communities are not courses. Rather, they are experiences students opt into that extend their learning in an area of interest.

• Stay tuned for more information about Academic Communities at West (Global, The Arts, & STEM). Students who would like to join an Academic Community at WSH for the 2025-26 school year can do so here: Google Form

• Incoming freshman can sign up now if they are interested in the STEM community (Sci-Ma-Tech or Sci-Ma-Health). Incoming freshman can sign up for Global or the Arts after they have completed a semester at West Senior High.

Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) Superintendent, Dr. John VanWagoner, will have monthly “office hours”, alternating each month between in person and virtual meetings. In person office hours will be held at Horizon Books, 243 E. Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49684 on the second floor (Mezzanine level). Virtual office hours will be held via Google Meet and can be accessed here or by calling +1 475-549-0438‬ and entering PIN: ‪961 104 679‬#. All meetings begin at 5:00 pm. The alternating schedule will be as follows:

• Tuesday, April 7, 2026 - Horizon Books

• Tuesday, May 12, 2026 - Google Meet

• Tuesday, June 9, 2026 - Horizon Books

Through a partnership with Northwest Michigan Health Services Inc (NMHSI) the Student Health Center provides convenient and affordable primary care and behavioral health services to TCAPS students ages 3-21. Whether serving as your child’s sole primary care provider or as supplemental care for urgent needs and injuries, we look forward to helping students feel their best, right at school. The TCAPS Student Health Center is open year-round and is always accepting new patients. Health insurance or not, everyone is welcome here. Request an appointment | Available Services

Email: pohlmanha@tcaps.net
Website: https://linktr.ee/tcwsh
Location: 5376 North Long Lake Road, Traverse City, MI, 49685
Phone: 2319337500
Facebook: facebook.com/TCWSH
Twitter: @tcwshtitans