The Eastern Star Family Newsletter

Bitmoji image of Mr. Swegles with happy march written above his head

Thank you to our families who made the time to attend conferences this week. It is always a terrific opportunity to hear good stuff about your kiddos and ways we can support them in their growth and development. If you have yet to schedule, our last opportunity will be on March 11. The specific teacher links for sign are provided below.

#ShineBrightTogether

March 10-12: Book Fair
March 11, 4:30-7:30: Parent-Teacher Conferences
March 12: Early Release Day; Dismissal at 1:57
March 18, 3:20-3:40: TBA SRCU Deposit Day
March 20: Popcorn Friday
March 27-April 3: Spring Break
TCAPS 25-26 Calendar

Give an Eastern Staff Member a Shoutout! Share the good stuff!

Dismissal and Building Exit Points

Per our dismissal protocol for our JK-5 students, the only two building exit points are the cafeteria doors for our JK students and the front door for all others. We have noticed increase traffic out of the back door. All students must exit in the two aforementioned exit areas. This area is not supervised and not in line with our building protocol that helps to ensure to student safety.

A collage of colorful student artwork displayed on the wall.

Eastern Students Recognized at Crooked Tree

Mrs. Culik would like to congratulate the following students for having their art selected for this year’s Crooked Tree Art Center Youth Art Exhibit!

The exhibit will be at 322 Sixth Street in Traverse City, and will run from March 10-April 11, 2026. The exhibit will be closed during the TCAPS spring break. There will be a reception and awards presentation on Sunday March 15th from 1-3pm.

5 Annelin: Hank

5 Cooper: Celia K.

5 Kearney: Daphne T.

4 Lutes: Lilah W.

4 Nelson: Mack C.

4 Stout: Moss W.

3 LaBlanc: TJ S.

3 Norton: Sage C.

3 Shembarger: Emma P.

2 Fak: Hathaway L.

2 Hites: Lydia M.

2 LaBarre: Logan R.

2 Stoudt: Brooks F.

1 Brott: Leo B.

1 Chaprnka: Rosie O.

1 Ross: Caroline S.P.

K Edwardson: Mae S.

K Ferguson: Kaia M.

K Freeman: Audrey L.

JK Odette: Asa S. and Theo S.

A promotional graphic for "Little Shop of Horrors" featuring a large, yellow carnivorous plant with sharp teeth and a human hand reaching out from its mouth. The plant sits in a pot labeled with the show's title in dripping red and yellow text. The scene is set against a green curtain background lit by two spotlights.

Traverse City West Senior High School Music Department Presents Little Shop of Horrors

The Traverse City West Senior High Music Department presents Little Shop of Horrors. Join us for this classic musical featuring a book and lyrics by Howard Ashman and music by Alan Menken. This production is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

Performance Dates and Times:

Evening Shows (7:00 PM): March 13, 14, 20, and 21.
Matinee Shows (2:00 PM): March 15 and 22.

Tickets: Tickets range from $15 to $25, plus box office fees. Secure your seats today by visiting tcaps.booktix.com

Birthday Party Treats--Reminder

We love birthdays and we all need to celebrate as many as possible. Here at Eastern, students get a card from the office with a sticker, a shout out on the announcements, and anything extra that the classroom teacher may do.

I would ask you to review our district/building expectations regarding celebrations and birthday parties. Below you find wording from our Student/Parent Elementary Handbook.

CELEBRATIONS/PARTIES
Classroom celebrations/parties can offer a fun learning experience and an opportunity to celebrate cultural traditions. For example: a school’s Halloween celebration typically includes a parade of costumes that highlight a student’s creativity and ingenuity. Celebrations/parties should not interfere with the instructional program. Each school may have a special way to recognize birthdays. A note on sensitivity: please refrain from sending invitations to birthday parties, balloons, gifts, or food during the school day for your child’s birthday.

Disney and Desserts: A Musical Treat!

Get ready for a magical afternoon! The TC Central High School Vocal Department invites you to Disney and Desserts on Saturday, March 14.

Join our talented students for a showcase of your favorite Disney characters and music, paired with delicious "sweet delights."

When: Saturday, March 14
Times: 11:00 a.m. & 4:00 p.m.
Where: TC Central High School Auditorium

Don't miss out on this "sweet" performance!

Eastern March Volunteer Opportunities

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.

Mrs. LaBarre, 2nd Grade

Mrs. Stout, 4th Grade

Mrs. Annelin, 5th Grade

Early Release Support, Office

Lunchroom Help

Recess Help

Recess Preparedness

"Outside! Outside! Outside, everybody! Outside!" ~Bubble Guppies

We know that sometimes we leave outdoor clothing at home or they get left in a different car. We do have some extras for these moments. That said, we have seen a little uptick in students showing up to school unprepared to go outside by what seems more a matter of choice than a moment of forgetfulness. No boots, no coat, no snowpants, etc. Please, make sure that your child is prepared to go outside for recess as that is the expectation. Unless a doctor's note is provided, students will go outside.

March is Reading Month is in Full Swing!

Our book fair opens Tuesday and next Friday is Flashlight Friday! Please have your student bring in a flashlight, lantern, headlamp, etc. It’s Friday the 13th and students will read by flashlight from 9:05-9:25am.

Check out Eastern’s Artemis Books Book Fair in the lobby!

March 10 - 8:45am-4:30pm

March 11 - 8:45am-8pm

March 12 - 8:45am-2:30pm

March 13 - 8:45am-9:15am

The Book Fair is hosted by Artemis Books & Goods, a new local bookstore owned and operated by professional booksellers who previously worked at Brilliant Books. They’re bringing a

selection of books and other items that are specifically tailored to the ages, interests, and reading levels of our students. Items on offer include books of course, plus educational games and toys like word games and science kits and school supplies like pencils and erasers. Items are available at a range of price points so that all students can participate.

Eastern will get a payout of 10% of every dollar spent at the book fair, which allows us to expand and maintain our library book collections. It also provides valuable funding for new releases, replacing damaged copies, and ensuring our collections are diverse and interesting to young readers.

Though Artemis does have a website, there’s not yet an online component specifically for book

fairs. However, you can special-order books during the event and they’ll be delivered to the

school, so if there’s something your student wants that’s not on hand, it can still count toward

our book fair earnings.

Items can be purchased using cash, checks made out to Artemis Books & Goods, credit cards,

and tap-to-pay methods.

Eastern Book Swap

Student Council is hosting our annual a Book Swap! Please bring in gently used books to donate between March 2 and March 13.

All students will take turns coming down to browse donations and find new books to try starting March 16 and continuing until Spring Break.

Bring in one book or dozens! We hope everyone participates and discovers a new favorite book!

Winter Parent-Teacher Conferences

Eastern’s winter parent-teacher conferences continue next week on March 11. Sign up at the links below. Please remember the following:

Conferences are limited to 15 minutes, so please make sure you are on time.
Consider scheduling a break between conferences if you have multiple children; that will allow you to be on time for your conferences and stay the full amount of time.
If you have a child in 4th or 5th grade, only sign up with your child’s homeroom teacher.

Preschool: Mrs. Feaster Parent Teacher Conference Sign Up

Preschool: Mrs. Roeder Parent Teacher Conference Sign Up

Junior Kindergarten: Mrs. Odette Parent Teacher Conference Sign Up

Kindergarten: Ms. Edwardson Parent Teacher Conference Sign Up

Kindergarten: Mrs. Ferguson Parent Teacher Conference Sign Up

Kindergarten: Ms. Freeman Parent Teacher Conference Sign Up

1st Grade: Mrs. Brott Parent Teacher Conference Sign Up

1st Grade: Dr. Chaprnka Parent Teacher Conference Sign Up (Please note that Dr. Chaprnka's conference dates are March 16, 17, and 18).

1st Grade: Ms. Ross Parent Teacher Conference Sign Up

2nd Grade: Mrs. Fak Parent Teacher Conference Sign Up

2nd Grade: Mrs. Hites Parent Teacher Conference Sign Up

2nd Grade: Mrs. LaBarre Parent Teacher Conference Sign Up

2nd Grade: Ms. Stoudt Parent Teacher Conference Sign Up

3rd Grade: Mrs. LaBlanc Parent Teacher Conference Sign Up

3rd Grade: Mrs. Norton Parent Teacher Conference Sign Up

3rd Grade: Mrs. Shembarger Parent Teacher Conference Sign Up

4th Grade: Ms. Lutes Parent Teacher Conference Sign Up

4th Grade: Mrs. Nelson Parent Teacher Conference Sign Up

4th Grade: Mrs. Stout Parent Teacher Conference Sign Up

5th Grade: Mrs. Annelin Parent Teacher Conference Sign Up

5th Grade: Mr. Cooper Parent Teacher Conference Sign Up

5th Grade: Mrs. Kearney Parent Teacher Conference Sign Up

Social Work: Ms. Markey Parent Teacher Conference Sign Up

Principal: Mr. Swegles Parent Teacher Conference Sign Up

Car Line Family Name Signs

If you are a regular car line user, please make sure you have a bright yellow sign with your child's last name on it for your dashboard or visor. We will have extras in the lobby next week during parent-teacher conferences.

Brain Break Assemblies March 11

PTO has some exciting news! On Wednesday March 11th Brain Break Academy will be at Eastern Elementary to perform its one of a kind high-energy and interactive assembly. This assembly is jam-packed with ridiculous stunts, wild games, wacky competitions, mind-blowing magic, laugh-out-loud comedy, and uplifting messages! For a sneak peek, visit the Brain Break Academy Website.

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
Adults Only

More details to come!

We are officially calling all sponsors to join our cast!

Would you like to see your company name in the spotlight? We invite you to be a sponsor! Your partnership will not only contribute to the success of this fundraiser, but it will also provide excellent visibility for your business within our school community. To make it even better, your sponsorship is tax deductible, as the Eastern Elementary PTO is a registered 501(c)3 charitable organization.

Your sponsorship will make a direct impact on Eastern Elementary with 100% of the net proceeds from the event going back to the school.

Email easternelementaryschoolpto@gmail.com to become a sponsor.

Red Carpet Sponsorship: $750

Reserved Table at Event
Eight (8) event tickets ($320 value)
Company logo on the auction program, bidding cards, and displayed throughout the event
Social media shoutouts

Leading Role Sponsorship: $500

Six (6) event tickets ($240) value
Company logo on the auction program, bidding cards, and displayed throughout the event

Rising Star Sponsorship: $250

Two (2) event tickets ($80 value)
Company logo on the auction program

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.

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

Weekly Breakfast & Lunch Menu

BREAKFAST

MONDAY

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

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

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 will be on March 10, 2026 and will be Virtual. Office hours will be held via Google Meet and can be accessed here: Superintendent Office Hours Google Meet or by calling +1 475-549-0438‬ and entering PIN: ‪961 104 679‬#. All meetings begin at 5:00 pm.