The Eastern Star Family Newsletter

It happens every year, but it is wild to think we are in our last segment of the school year. While it is an exciting time, it is also a time where we have a great deal going on at school. Our MSTEP window opened this week and 5th grade will start testing next week with 3rd and 4th following the week after so keep an eye out for classroom communications. We have a number of spring field trips to look forward to at the end of the year. Of course, we also have our day to day goings on that keep us busy and on our toes. June 10 is going to be here before we know. Let's all support one one another in our school-community and we'll find much success!

#ShineBrightTogether

• April 14, 6:00-7:00: PTO Meeting
• April 15. 3:20-3:40: TBA SRCU Deposit Day
• April 16: Early Release; Dismissal at 1:57 p.m.
• April 24: Popcorn Friday
• April 30, 2:00-3:00: Lower Elementary Talent Show at CHS Auditorium
• May 27, 11:00-12:30: All School Picnic
• May 29, 2:00-3:00: Upper Elementary Talent Show at CHS Auditorium
• June 1: Field Day; Class schedule shared in late May
• TCAPS 25-26 Calendar

Lifetouch will be at Eastern Thursday, April 16, from 9:00-10:00 to take Spring Photos. These photos are optional. Students will only have their picture taken if parents have either pre-ordered online or if students bring in a hard copy of the order form. These forms should have been give to your child this week.

To order online, go to the Lifetouch Spring Pictures Order Form. The Picture Day ID is EVTWMSXQK.

Grades three through five will take the MSTEP this year and all of our students will take the NWEA Reading and Math starting in May. While these assessments help us plan our interventions and instruction, test scores are just one component of the whole child and never do they define who a child is or what they are capable of.

What assessments do provide are opportunities to prepare for something that matters and the better we prepare, the better we are likely to do. Here a few test preparation strategies for our students in the coming weeks from our friends at Scholastic.

All items in lost and found that are not labeled will be donated at the end of the week (Friday, April 17). Please encourage your child to look through lost and found for any missing items.

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.

Thursday, May 7 | Central High School Auditorium, Traverse City

Join law enforcement, parents, and faculty to learn vital strategies for protecting children in our community, schools, sports, and colleges.

Session Schedule:

• 4:00 PM – Campus Safety: MSU Deputy Chief Chris Rozman discusses security risks and safety culture.

• 5:00 PM – Abuse Prevention: Training on awareness and reporting with Jenna Baker (TBCAC) and Prosecutor Noelle Moeggenberg.

• 6:00 PM – Online Exploitation: James Marsh, JD, discusses protecting children from digital threats.

• 7:00 PM – Keynote: Rachael Denhollander on supporting students through trauma-informed care.

For questions or to register: bbuchler@tfnlgroup.com

Thank you to everyone who signed up to be an Eastern volunteer through DOGS/MOMS. We are changing the way we coordinate volunteers through this program. Each Friday we will include sign ups for classrooms/school areas that need extra support.

We will also reach out to those who have signed up with DOGS/MOMS. If you would like to be on that list, please fill out the Watch DOGS/MOMS Volunteer Form.

Volunteer Areas:

Ms. Ross: 1st Grade Volunteers

Mrs. LaBarre: 2nd Grade Volunteers

Mrs. Stout: 4th Grade Volunteers

Mrs. Kearney: 5th Grade Volunteers

April Recess Volunteers

April Lunchroom Volunteers

Auction Tickets On Sale Now!

Eastern Spring Auction Tickets are on sale now! Buy yours today!

Video Game Club

Eastern's Video Game Club is on the hunt for some new games!

We're looking for:

- 2x Nintendo Switch consoles

- Nintendo Switch games

Do you have a Switch collecting dust at home? Why not give it life where it'll bring joy to our community of gamers?

Proposals

We will be pausing proposal applications until after our Spring Auction on April 25th. A brief pause will allow us to host the event and calculate final proceeds to ensure a strong, sustainable fund to support Fall 2026 staff startup and student field trips. Thanks for understanding!

PTO Links:

BUDGET: 25/26 PTO approved budget.

PENDING / GRANTED PROPOSALS: Log of what has been submitted or accepted for the 25/26 school year

BREAKFAST

MONDAY 4/13

muffins

fruit and milk

TUESDAY

cereal

fruit and milk

WEDNESDAY

mini bagels

fruit & milk

THURSDAY

Cereal

fruit & milk

FRIDAY

Sweet bread

fruit & milk

LUNCH

MONDAY 4/13

1st choice: chicken drumstick with dutch waffle

2nd choice: Sunbutter & Jelly with cheese stick and Crackers

TUESDAY

1st choice: beef nachos

2nd choice: cheese quesadilla

3rd choice: sunbutter & jelly with crackers & cheese stick

WEDNESDAY

1st choice: bosco sticks

2nd choice: Chicken patty sandwich

3rd choice: Sunbutter & jelly with yogurt and graham crackers

THURSDAY

1st choice: chicken tenders with dinner roll

2nd choice: Mac & cheese with dinner roll

3rd choice: sunbutter & jelly with yogurt and crackers

FRIDAY

1st choice Cheese Pizza

2nd choice: Pepperoni pizza

3rd choice: sunbutter & jelly with string cheese & crackers

Elementary Handbook

LEAP Website

School Menus

TCAPS Volunteer Form

TCAPS Volunteer Standards of Conduct

WATCH D.O.G.S. Sign Up

WATCH D.O.G.S. Calendar (see where D.O.G.S. have already signed up)