West Senior High Updates

Can we consider a traffic light an early Christmas gift? I think so. Look closely for that green left turn arrow :) The county will monitor traffic flow and adjust accordingly. This completes phase one of our traffic loop redo. Next summer the east side of the school's parking will be redone to move the road outside of the parking lots. We stacked up another great week of teaching and learning at West. Thank you for sharing your children with us!

~Brian Guiney. Lead Principal

• Dec 8 | WSH/WMS Jazz Concert @WSH 7-8:30pm
• Dec 10 | Winter band concert @WSH 7-9:00pm
• Dec 11 | WSH/WMS Holiday concert @WMS 7-8:30pm
• Dec 11 | Early release day #4
• Dec 12 | Freshman class ring distribution at lunch

• Dec 13-14 | Orchestra Christmas in the Village @Grand Traverse Commons
• Dec 15 | Choir Holiday concert @St. Francis Catholic Church @7:30-8:30pm
• Dec 16 | Orchestra Holiday concert- GREEN night 7-8pm
• Dec 17 | Orchestra Holiday concert- GOLD night 7-8pm
• Dec 19 | Special Holiday assembly schedule
• Dec 20-Jan 4 | Holiday Break- no school
• Jan 5 | School resumes

WSH calendar | TCAPS Academic Calendar | WSH Link Tree

As you plan ahead for the holiday season, please note that our break runs from December 22 through January 2. All TCAPS school offices and the TCAPS Central Office will be closed during this time, with buildings reopening on January 5, 2026. Thank you for preparing accordingly as we look forward to a strong start to the new year. If you have a need during this break, please email principal Brian Guiney at guineybr@tcaps.net

The "West Senior High Winter Guard" is the Traverse City West Titan Color Guard winter guard, which is the first of its kind in the Michigan Color Guard Circuit north of Cadillac. It is an indoor competitive sport that combines dance, athleticism, and equipment like flags, sabers, and rifles, and it competes in the winter and spring seasons. The group performs to a recorded soundtrack on a gymnasium floor, sometimes covered by a custom-designed tarp. Please see details here.

Since 2010, supporters like you have helped award over $20,000 in grants, enriching countless opportunities for West Senior High students. In 2025, we awarded $2,000 in grants to three impactful projects: upgrading microscopes for 9th grade Biology classes, supporting hands-on Innovation and Design activities, and creating an Indigenous Education mural that honors local culture and teaches the Seven Grandfather Teachings. Every gift, large or small, grows the Endowment and expands its reach.

Please consider making a donation today to keep this momentum going and provide even more opportunities for our Titans to thrive. Visit GTRCF.org/give and search “Titan Excellence Fund” to contribute!

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.

• Dec 5 - Senior photos due for the yearbook. Submit digital photo to wshyearbook@tcapsstudent.net
• Dec 8 - Senior Financial Aid 101 (Auditorium) 9:05-10:05am. All seniors attend.
• Dec 8 - Parent Financial Aid 101 (LMC) 6:00-7:30pm
• Senior timeline linked here

Senior Class Panoramic Photo

If you are interested in ordering a copy of the class photo taken in September click here.

The College Application Process

This graphic explains a step by step process of how to apply to college and what to consider along the pathway. Included in the graphic are tips on financial aid, transcripts, test scores, implications for those hoping to compete athletically at the college level, and several other considerations.

Michigan Achievement Scholarship

Students and their families looking to secure more financial aid for college are encouraged to

register for an informational webinar about the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, which is the

newest State of Michigan scholarship program expected to impact the majority of students.

WSH Curated List of Non-Local Scholarships

This list is a complilation of non-local scholarships with criteria details, target students, and application deadlines. The list truly has a wide variety of opportunties that target all types of students.

Parents please join us on the evening of December 8th at 6 pm for our Michigan Student Aid Event. Presentor Nick Messing of Michigan Student Aid will give direction on how to make college accessible, affordable, and attainable. Completing the FAFSA will be addressed, as will accessing the several pathways to make college affordable.

From Traverse Bay Lifestyles Magazine: We want to invite all area students who are Freshman and above to write a Short Story and email it to us in late January. We will publish one of the 4 winning 'Short Stories' in each of our 2026 quarterly issues beginning with the Spring issue of Traverse Bay Lifestyles. www.traversebaylifestyles.com Students can find the contest details here.

Congrats to Trey Stewart and Evelyn Burtt for earning the November 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!

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).

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: t.ly/AvVR

• 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.

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

• 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.

Academic Eligibility (Fall 2025 eligibility is based on 2024-25 Semester 2 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.

November SNAP food benefits have been temporarily paused due to a federal funding lapse. This delay affects approximately 1.4 million Michigan residents, putting many TCAPS families at high risk of food insecurity.

Please continue to offer support to all students experiencing food insecurity by connecting them to free school meals without delay. The SSN (Student Support Network) is also responsible for helping families access other food resources.

While assisting families, please guide them to these key resources:

Internal Resources for Families:

• Free Meals Continue: All eligible students should continue to eat free school breakfast and lunch without interruption.

• Get Help: Families needing assistance are strongly encouraged to reach out to their School Social Worker or Counselor for help with food and other essential needs.

External Resources for Families:

• For Immediate Food & Assistance Referrals: Call 2-1-1 or visit 2-1-1 Michigan.

• For Local Pantries: Visit the Northwest Food Coalition website to find food pantries near you.

• For Benefit Updates: Check your local MDHHS office or MI Bridges for official information on benefit release.

We have an urgent need for special trip bus drivers to make sure our student-athletes have transportation for the upcoming Spring sports season. This opportunity is a great way for parents, coaches, or fans already attending events to get paid for their time! Training is FREE: TCAPS covers all necessary CDL bus driver training. Total Flexibility: You choose the trips you want to drive. There is no minimum hours or long-term commitment. You can apply for the position directly by clicking here.To begin your CDL bus training and get ready for the Spring, please contact Tyson Burch at 231.933.1930 as soon as possible.

Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) Superintendent, Dr. John VanWagoner, will have monthly “office hours”, alternating each month between in person and virtual meetings.

This month’s meeting will be in person on Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at 5:00 p.m., and will be held at Horizon Books, 243 E. Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49684 on the second floor (Mezzanine level).

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.

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