West Senior High Updates

The school year is highlighted by dozens of special moments. Yesterday was one of those moments. Our drum line led former principal Mr. Esper, set to retire next week, through the halls in recognition of his years of selfless commitment to our school. The Esper name will always be synonymous with West. Best wishes to Mr. Esper as he embarks on a new journey!

• 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
• Jan 21 | Semester one final exams begin

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

On December 18th at 6pm in the East Middle School Library, TCAPS will hold an information and discussion meeting for the Carlisle Field Afterschool Clubhouse and Multi-Purpose Fieldhouse planning and building design.

The American Legion Department of Michigan is more than just a veterans' organization; it is a primary investor in the state's future leaders. Driven by the motto "For God and Country," their youth programs are designed to mentor young people in civic responsibility, leadership, and patriotism.

The group stands for the belief that the survival of the republic depends on training youth in the ideals of American government, discipline, and community service.

Key Programs & Opportunities

• Michigan Boys State

• Student Trooper Program

• American Legion Baseball

• Oratorical Contest

• Scholarships

There will be a blood drive on January 9th open to all students, teachers, or any community members. Use this link here to make an appointment. Walk-ins are also welcomed. You must be 16 years old or older to donate. If you are 16 you must fill out the parental consent form located in the main office. Please sign up to help save lives!

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.

On Dec 8, West hosted Nick Messing with MI Student Aid. He presented to seniors during the day and parents in the evening about the FAFSA and scholarship opportunities . If you missed this event, see the links below for more details and to attend a virtual or on demand session.

MI Student Aid Virtual Financial Aid Presentations

How to Complete the FAFSA

MI Achievement Scholarship

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

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 December 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.

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.

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