Montessori Newsletter

Dear Timberwolves Families,

It was great to see so many families at our first night of conferences. We look forward to connecting with the rest of you next Tuesday or Thursday. Shout out to our fabulous staff appreciation committee led by Kim B. and Tessa D. We are beyond grateful to the many parents who brought THE BEST SPREAD EVER! Our staff was very spoiled and fueled for a long day—we appreciate the care and love you give our excellent instructional staff!

Enjoy the weekend…I see snow in the forecast—I encourage parents to help children keep hats and gloves in their backpacks as Mother Nature takes on her many forms in November. Please take some time to be sure your child is ready a for Northern Michigan winter. If your family needs any outdoor gear, feel free to contact our office. These requests are confidential; we have a closet of new or gently used items for students.

Peace,

Tracy

Our PTO would like to put together Thanksgiving Baskets for families from our Montessori community who may need some extra help this year. With each $50 donation we receive, we can put together all of the items needed to make a family dinner. If you are feeling generous, please drop off either WalMart Gift cards in any increments, or use the QR code below to send an e-gift card to tcapsmo.pto@gmail.com. Cash or checks made out to “TCAPS Montessori PTO” will be accepted as well. All donations are due by next Friday, November 14th. Thank you for considering!

If you are in need of a Thanksgiving Meal Basket, please complete this form. Your name will remain anonymous to anyone besides the School Social Worker, Jill Wicksall. Submissions are due by Friday, November 14th. We will notify you on Monday, November 17th if you have been selected to receive a basket. Selections will be made in order of form submissions, based on how many donations we receive. Any unused gift cards or donations will either be saved for December Holiday meal giving or sent to TCAPS Student Support Network for other families in the community.

On-line Book Fair ends on Sunday, November 16, 2025

TCAPS Montessori Book eFair: The book efair begins Monday, November 3 and will remain active through Sunday, November 16. Books will be delivered to school within 2 weeks of this end date. I will be sending home additional information next week as well. I will ask you to send this same letter again at the end of next week. Thanks so much for your support! -Jen Tank -
For all 6-8th graders in the Traverse City Area! Vasa Ski Club Presents the 2025-26 Cross Country Ski Program. Follow this link for more information.
Does your family love downhill skiing or snowboarding? TCAPS Montessori participates in the Crystal Mountain School Ski Program. Click this link for more information.
On Thursday, 8th graders will visit the Northwest Ed, ISD Career Tech. Center. They will leave school at 8:00 on a TCAPS bus and return at 12:00.

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Conference Meal Sign Up

If you are willing and able our PTO teacher appreciation committe would appreciate any sign-ups to help with staff meals duirn our upcoming parent teacher conference time. Please use this SignUp Genius Link to volunteer.

For more details + other family resources, click here: PTO Update

1. Parent High School Credit Information for Spanish Class

2. . When you are attending Parent Teacher conferences, be sure to visit our AC's Sturgeon Museum on the 2nd Floor. This is the culmination of the students' work on their first-quarter occupation and humanities project. They worked very hard researching why this native fish has a BIG impact on our local water ecosystems.

Spanish Class Wish List of Supplies
This link: Spanish classes parent updates will take you to updates about all the levels of Spanish: CASA, Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary and Adolescent. Find out what vocabulary your student is learning, what songs we are currently singing & what questions your student should be able to answer in Spanish.

1. 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.

2. 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 or email (henionly@tcaps.net). Share with us on social media using the hashtag #TCAPSIE so we can feature your participation.

3. Board Office Hours: 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.

4. 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#.

5. 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.