Long Lake Newsletter

Dear Long Lake Elementary Families,

The North Sky Raptors Assembly on Friday and the Bro Glow yesterday were such fun events! Thank you to PTO for making both happen! We also want to thank our steadfast volunteers and all who donated food for the Bro Glow! Our community never disappoints!

This week starts MSTEP testing for our 5th grade students. MSTEP tests are state assessments that help to guide programs, resources, and staffing across the district and state. Thank you PTO for the snacks for our students! Below is our MSTEP testing schedule for all grades participating. (Some students may test on varied days depending on group availability. Please check with your child's teacher if you have any questions)

MSTEP Testing 5th Grade: April 21st, 23rd, 28th, 30th

MSTEP Testing 4th Grade: May 4th and 6th

MSTEP Testing 3rd Grade: May 5th and 7th

NWEA Testing for all Grade Levels in Reading and Math: May 11th-22nd

This Friday, we also have our April House Assembly at 9:30 a.m. All families are welcome to join us as we celebrate students for demonstrating integrity!

It looks like Spring is making an appearance this week! Let's make it an excellent week of learning!

Warm regards,

Kate Burwinkel

Long Lake Elementary Principal

Long Lake Elementary is proud to continue to partner with Two Men and a Truck, collecting essential women's care donations from now until May 5th! We’re collecting items such as shampoo and conditioner, hairbrushes, paper towels, toilet paper, laundry detergent, diapers, baby items, body wash, and any other comfort items. The items will be assembled in gift baskets and delivered to the Woman’s Resource Center for Mother’s Day. Thanks for helping moms this Mother’s Day! Thank you Ms. Casey for leading this community outreach activity.

This is a fun extra that is made possible by our parents! Happy Feet allows students to run/walk on the track during lunch recess to earn foot tokens. Our students absolutely LOVE this opportunity and we’re excited to get it back up and running this spring! Find out more about the Happy Feet Program and consider signing up to punch running cards at the track. Please sign up using the Volunteer Sign Up Link This is a fun extra that is made possible by YOU! Thanks for considering!

We are excited to partner with the Boardman River Nature Center again this year to participate in our All School Field Trip on May 28th. They are organizing and planning specific field lessons to match each grade level content standards. We will be looking for parent chaperones for the date. Please see the permission slip and chaperone information here. A direct link to the online volunteer form can be found here. Paper copies of the permission slip will be coming home this week!

Believe it or not, we are starting to plan for next school year! We are asking families to provide input for next year through the completion of an optional survey. The purpose of the survey is to give an opportunity to relay information that will help develop balanced classes for next year. Class roster development for the 2026/27 school year involves collaboration between current grade teacher(s) and the principal. The development of class rosters is complex, and includes looking at class size, varying learning styles, student behavior, balancing special needs, and balancing academic needs of the group. Our classroom teachers know their students well, and will have a high level of input for development of rosters that merge those qualities into a class community where success is the goal for ALL students. If you are interested in sharing feedback for this process, please use the survey below. Please do not request specific teachers as this information will not be used to create rosters. The information provided will be taken into consideration when classes are being built. Parent input will only be accepted through May 3, 2026: SURVEY LINK

Our next House Assembly is Friday, April 24th @ 9:30 a.m. Families are welcome to join us and be a part of this celebration! Just sign in at the office upon arrival. We will highlight one student per class and recognize classes for attendance and for following our lifelong guidelines!

We have one last Popcorn Friday! The PTO is happy to provide popcorn to the entire school once a month, but we need your help!Volunteering is a fun way to meet new friends, and you are welcome to bring your children along to help. Please consider signing up here:. Popcorn Sign Up Link on Sign Up Genius.

Beth organized the Craft Show for many years, but her daughter is in secondary school now, so she would like to hand the torch to a new committee! She will be coming to the school April 22nd at 4:15p.m. to share her years of craft show knowledge with a small group of volunteers. If you are interested or curious about helping out, please join us on Wednesday. We are sad to see Beth go, she has been running the Long Lake Craft show for many years. Thank You Beth!

We are seeking donations for our Silent Auction at the end-of-year Spring Fling event in May. If you, your business, or someone you know may want to donate a gift certificate or auction item, please fill out the Silent Auction Donation form. Thank you for your consideration!

Join us Friday May 15th from 6:00p.m. - 8:00p.m. for Long Lake’s Spring Fling! It will be an evening with the lovely Miriam Pico singing, horse drawn wagon rides around the track, balloon animals, hot dog dinner, silent auction, games and more! We hope to see you there!

If you are able to help out and make this event a success, please click Spring Fling Volunteer Sign Up Link.

Long Lake 1st grader Colton and Kennedie are starting to build Long Lake Elementary's float for the Annual Cherry Festival Parade! The theme is Circus. Their families are looking for a few items to add to the float. If you'd be willing to donate any of the following, please contact Kellie Greenhoe at Langsck@gmail.com or 586.480.4686. Thanks in advance for your kindness!

Two spring/ bouncy horses

Three metal umbrella bases

One large outdoor umbrella

Two wooden wagon wheels

Hula hoops

Polyurethane / clear sealant

Outdoor brown paint

Outdoor green paint

Outdoor black black

Wood glue

Green turf grass

Any shatterproof red bulbs / ornaments

Any circus costumes : clowns, ringleaders, muscle man/woman

The Great Lakes Region 2026 Child Safety Conference is coming to the Central High School Auditorium in Traverse City on Thursday, May 7. This event provides a dedicated space for officers, parents, and faculty to learn about protecting children in schools, sports, and across the community.

The afternoon and evening will feature four sessions led by national and local experts:

• 4:00 PM – Campus Safety: MSU Deputy Chief of Police Chris Rozman will draw on 25 years of experience to discuss security risks and building a positive safety culture.

• 5:00 PM – Bullying and Abuse Prevention: Jenna Baker of the Traverse Bay Children’s Advocacy Center and Prosecuting Attorney Noelle Moeggenberg will provide training on awareness and reporting child abuse.

• 6:00 PM – Online Exploitation: Founding partner of Marsh Law Firm, James Marsh, will share insights on protecting children from digital threats.

7:00 PM – Keynote Presentation: Renowned advocate and attorney Rachael Denhollander will deliver the keynote on supporting injured students through trauma-informed care.

The community is invited to the upcoming TCAPS Art Show, a district-wide exhibition featuring student work from across all grade levels. This event provides a space to view various projects created this year.

Event Details:

• Location: The Village at Grand Traverse Commons

• Dates: April 23 – May 7, 2026

• Opening Reception: April 23, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

• Admission: Free and open to the public

The opening reception of this showcase is made possible through the support of our 2026 sponsors: Oryana Community Co-op, Harvitt Insurance Agency/Meemic, Tom’s Food Markets, and Mundos Coffee. We look forward to sharing the creative efforts of our students with the community.

Turn your "trash" into a high-fashion trend. We are looking for K-12 students to design and create wearable art using alternative and/or recyclable materials. Show off your vision in a professional runway-style show and compete for prize money awarded in every division!

The Details

• Divisions: High School, Middle School, and Elementary.

• When: May 15, 2026 @ 7:30 pm

• Where: TC West High School

• Cost: $5

Register Now! Visit trashionfashion.weebly.com for more info and to sign up today.

April 21st: MSTEP Testing Begins for 5th Graders

April 22nd: Music Informances 10:55-11:25 2nd Luecke

April 24th: Long Lake House Assembly @ 9:30 a.m. All families are welcome!

April 24th Music Informances 10:20-10:50 K Schlunentz 10:55-11:25 K Richardson

May 4th: MSTEP Testing Begins for 4th Graders

May 5th: MSTEP Testing Begins for 3rd Graders

May 15th: PTO Sponsored Spring Fling

May 18th-May 22nd: NWEA testing for K-5th Graders

May 22nd: Long Lake House Assembly @ 9:30 a.m. All families are welcome!

May 25th: No School Memorial Day

May 28th: Long Lake All School Field Trip to Boardman River Nature Center

May 28th: PTO meeting at 6:30 p.m. https://meet.google.com/fxd-mvaf-iic

June 4th: School Picnic (Lunch before Recesses today; Lunch outside)

June 5th: Rainy Day Back Up Date for School Picnic (Lunch before Recesses today; Lunch outside)

June 8th: Fifth Grade Promotion Ceremony 10:20 a.m.

June 9th: Mackinac Island Field Trip for Fifth Graders

June 10th: Half Day of School/Last Day of School

Long Lake Website: https://www.tcaps.net/o/lles

Long Lake Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/LongLakeElementarySchoolTCAPS

PTO Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Long-Lake-Elementary-PTO-305155839569856/