The Eastern Star Family Newsletter

Guess who's back, back again?!? Mrs. Ruskowski* will be covering for me Monday through Wednesday next week. I have the opportunity to attend the National School Leaders Advocacy Conference in D.C. with my principals organization, MEMSPA. I look forward to the learning that will be provided on Monday and Tuesday and then the opportunity to meet with various elected federal officials from Michigan on Wednesday to advocate for education related items that impact our students at Eastern, in TCAPS, as well as throughout the State of Michigan.

*For our friends new to Eastern, Mrs. Ruskowski was the building principal at Eastern for nearly a decade prior to her retirement in 2023.

#shinebrighttogether

• February 10, 6:00-7:00: PTO Meeting
• February 18, 3:20-3:40: TBA Student Run Credit Union Deposit Day
• February 19: Early Release Day; Dismissal at 1:57
• February 20: No School; Teacher Work Day
• February 26, 3:00-3:45: 1st Grade Talent Show
• February 27: Popcorn Friday
• TCAPS 25-26 Calendar

Our young authors in Grades JK–5 have been pouring their hearts and creativity into their writing this year and we are excited to invite you to our 4th Annual Writers’ Celebrations from February 25–27.

This event is a special milestone where students showcase their progress, share their unique voices, and celebrate the art of writing various genres with our school community.

While students will be exploring the showcase throughout the school week, we have reserved three specific windows for families to come and admire the work:

• Wednesday, Feb. 25, 4:00-6:00
• Thursday, Feb. 26, 4:00-6:00
• Friday, Feb. 27, 8:30-9:30

We look forward to seeing you there!

Our participants stood proud, patient and flexible as they endured two re-schedulings because of inclement weather days and on Thursday, January 29th, an amazing group of 19 spellers from 3rd-5th grade competed, spelling words that stumped even some of the adults in the audience. Through the various rounds, participants demonstrated courage, sportsmanship and spirit. Congratulations to our school champion, fifth grader Alice Berg and alternate, 3rd grader Finlee Lewis. Alice and Finlee will now compete in the Northern Michigan Scripps Regional Spelling Bee on March14th at the Traverse City Opera House. We wish you well, Alice and Finlee - we’ll be rooting you on all the way!

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 Sign Up.

Volunteer Areas:

Ms. Ross, 1st Grade

Mrs. LaBarre, 2nd Grade

Mrs. Stout, 4th Grade

Mrs. Annelin, 5th Grade

Early Release Support, Office

Lunchroom Help

Recess Help

We are excited to announce that we will be hosting a First Grade Talent Show this winter! The event will take place in the Eastern Gym on Thursday, February 26th at 3:00 pm. Any first grader who wants to be a star and showcase their talent is welcome and encouraged to participate.

Important Details:

• Sign-up will be posted outside the office starting Monday, January 26th.

• Each child must be signed up and have the permission form filled out and returned before they can practice. LINK TO Permission slip here

• Practices will be held at lunch in the lobby on Tuesdays, starting February 3rd

• Each act can be one minute or less (depending on the number of participants).

• All acts, including music and clothing, must be school-appropriate and approved by the school.

This is an optional event and participation is not required. We kindly ask that all participants come to the first practice prepared with their act and ready to shine. There will be only four short practices with volunteers at lunch, so we encourage all participants to practice their acts at home and during recess.

The Talent Show is a cherished Eastern Elementary tradition, and we truly appreciate your support in making it a success!

If you would like to volunteer, please reach out to Kelly Bulloch, bullochkelly@gmail.com, or sign up here https://signup.com/go/LTWPLNq

I'm guessing the snow is here stay so it is a good reminder to solicit your help in backing up our STAR expectations for playground play at home. Snow is expected to stay on the ground. We do encourage kids to roll snow, make snow structures, and the like, however, tossing snow is strongly discouraged.

I also want to encourage conversation with kiddos about physical play. With winter comes the extra padding of thick jackets, snowpants, and the cushion of snow on the ground. We see an uptick in physical play and it is not in line with our expectations.

We appreciate any conversation that can support our conversations here at school.

Lights! Camera! Become a Sponsor!

We are thrilled to announce the Eastern Elementary Spring Auction Fundraiser, and this year, we’re celebrating Hollywood Through the Ages: From Hollywood Legends to Modern Day Icons.

Save the Date

• When: April 25th, 2026

• Where: The Peninsula Room

More details to come!

We are officially calling all sponsors to join our cast! See this flyer for additional information:

PTO Links:

BUDGET: 25/26 PTO approved budget.

SUBMIT A PROPOSAL: Any staff member or parent may submit a proposal. We love hearing from you and want your ideas! PTO Proposal Form

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

BREAKFAST

MONDAY

muffins

yogurt, fruit and milk

TUESDAY

cereal

cheese, fruit and milk

WEDNESDAY

mini bagels

yogurt

fruit & milk

THURSDAY

Cereal

cheese stick, fruit & milk

FRIDAY

Assorted sweet breads

cheese stick, fruit & milk

LUNCH

MONDAY

1st choice: chicken drumstick with dutch waffle

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

TUESDAY

1st choice: beef nachos

2nd choice: pizza quesadilla

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

WEDNESDAY

1st choice: chicken sausage wrapped with a pancake

2nd choice bosco sticks

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)