Long Lake Newsletter
11.9.25 LL News: Veterans Celebration and Parent-Teacher Conferences
Dear Families,
Please join us tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. as we celebrate our local Veterans and Active Duty Military! Know a Veteran who would be interested in joining us for this honorary celebration? Please invite anyone who may be interested! We'll also be collecting Halloween Candy and Personal Care Items to send to troops overseas.
Join us in celebrating Native American Heritage Month - November 2025! In conjunction with Rock Your Mocs week, which is nationally celebrated, we are hosting a spirit week, November 10-14. Themed days were thoughtfully selected by our program staff and students. Show your support, celebrate, and share your looks with us each day on social media, email (henionly@tcaps.net). Share with us on social media using the hashtag #TCAPSIE so we can feature your participation on our social media.
Themed Days:
Monday, Nov. 10: Rock Your Braids - Hair is culturally significant to Indigenous people, back the braid, and wear your hair in braids.
Tuesday, Nov. 11: Rock Blue or Red - Celebrate Veterans' Day and honor Ogichidaa (warriors). Click here to watch a YouTube video on how to say Ogichidaa.
Wednesday, Nov. 12: Rock Red or Ribbon Skirt/Shirt - Support Indigenous resilience through fashion.
Thursday, Nov. 13: Rock Kindness & Indigenous Bling - This World Kindness Day, wear Indigenous bling and tell someone they are Maamakaaj (awesome)! Click here to watch a YouTube video on how to pronounce.
Friday, Nov. 14: Rock Your Mocs or Crocs - In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, wear your mocs, crocs or turquoise.
Parent Teacher Conferences This Week: Our Fall 2025 Parent Teacher Conferences wrap up this week on 11th and 13th. Please use SignUpGenius to schedule a time to meet with your child's teacher. You can sign up for conference times here. Parents can request any format (virtual or in person) on any of the evenings. Virtual links can be found here. We ask that dual households schedule one conference for their child. This helps everyone to be on the same page to support the student’s learning, it also allows the teacher to have enough time slots for all of the students in their class. Resource Room and Intervention Teachers will join student's homeroom teacher times. If you experience problems signing up, feel free to contact our office at 231-933-7800 or your child's teacher. We look forward to connecting to share all of the progress your child has made this year!
TEACHER CONFERENCE MEALS: Help us support our amazing teachers and staff during parent-teacher conferences by providing them dinner on conference nights. See the link below to sign-up.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F44ACAC29A0FBCF8-59846139-conference
CONFERENCE CHILDCARE: If we can secure volunteers, we hope to offer free childcare during conferences. Please consider volunteering a bit of your time to help provide fun and safe childcare while parents attend their Parent Teacher Conference. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F44ACAC29A0FBCF8-59986911-childcare
Looking forward to kicking off November with our Panthers!
Warmly,
Kate Burwinkel
Photo Highlights
SKI CLUB 2026 would love to see you and your kids at Crystal Mountain! Students must be 7 years and older by January. Membership includes 1 lesson/week, skiing all evening Thursdays, and for an additional fee on Sundays. Discounted Thursday night passes for adults too! Click here for more information!
2025 SSN WINTER WARM-UP SHOP: The TCAPS Student Support Network is hosting the Winter Warm-Up Shop on Thursday, November 13th and Friday, November 14th. The Winter Warm-Up Shop offers FREE new and gently used winter outerwear and footwear for students currently enrolled in TCAPS. Shopping is by appointment only and items are available while supplies last. Please complete this form to request an appointment.
HOUSE UPDATE: Our next House Assembly is scheduled for Friday, November 21st @ 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!
PTO Updates
POPCORN POPPERS: PTO is happy to provide the entire school popcorn once a month and volunteers are needed. Bring the kids with you for extra helping hands and it is a fun way to meet new friends! Below is the sign up genius to help pop popcorn for students. Please consider helping out. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F44ACAC29A0FBCF8-58294686-popcorn
PTO LARGE PURCHASE IDEAS: We are looking for great ideas from you! There is money reserved in our budget for a larger purchase to benefit the school, students, and staff. These purchases need to provide a positive impact for our students. Please see the link below to submit an idea. Deadline is Friday, December 19, 2025.
District Updates
Superintendent Office Hours: 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 virtual on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 at 5:00 p.m., Virtual office hours will be held via Google Meet and can be accessed here - https://meet.google.com/cpo-wwwz-qat?hs=122&authuser=0 , or by calling +1 475-549-0438 and entering PIN: 961 104 679#.
Board Office Hours: The Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) Board of Education will host its next monthly “office hours” as a virtual meeting on Thursday, November 20, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. You can use this link to join VM: (Google Meet)- meet.google.com/ten-gqes-pow or call 1.440.462.2802; PIN 243 200474#TCAPS Board office hours provide community members with the opportunity to talk to a school board trustee. This month, Trustee Hardy is scheduled to attend.
High School Diplomas for Veterans
Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) is honored to offer veterans from WWII, the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam Era the opportunity to receive their high school diploma and participate in the 2026 graduation ceremonies! This recognition is authorized by Michigan law for veterans who left school early to serve and haven't yet received a diploma.
Who is Eligible?
Veterans who served during the specified eras (WWII, Korean Conflict, Vietnam Era).
Note: Vietnam Era veterans must have attended a TCAPS high school.
Family members can apply for a living or deceased veteran.
For details, call TCAPS at 231.933.1722.
Long Lake Events
November 10th Veterans Assembly 9:30 a.m. in the gym
November 11th Elementary School Conferences 5:00-8:00 p.m.
November 13th Elementary School Conferences 5:00-8:00 p.m.
November 20th Thanksgiving Meal at Lunch!
November 21st House Assembly 9:25 a.m.
November 25th TCAPS Early Release Day: LL dismissal 2:02 p.m.
November 26th, 27th, 28th NO SCHOOL Thanksgiving Break
December 11th TCAPS Early Release Day: LL dismissal 2:02 p.m.
December 19th House Assembly 9:25 a.m.
December 19th Holiday Sing Along 3:15 p.m.
December 20th - January 4th Winter Break
