West Senior High Updates

I hope the next couple weeks affords you and your family some down time, away from the pressures of school and work. We will see you in 2026!

• Dec 20-Jan 4 | Holiday Break- no school
• Jan 5 | School resumes
• Jan 12 | Second semester schedule made available to students
• Jan 21 | Semester one final exams begin
• Feb 7 | Snowcoming dance

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

In the coming weeks, WSH's Advanced Placement Research class will be conducting a variety of research projects through the use of student surveys. A list of topics include texting rates and grammar skills, political conversations at home, gender influence on political perceptions, gender bias in clinical research for cardiovascular disease, and instrumental music’s impact on listener attention. These topics have been reviewed and vetted by an internal review board of TCAPS' teachers and administrators. If you would like your student to opt out of these optional surveys, complete this form. AP Research is a valuable class for our students to learn how to do peer reviewed research. It is guided by the CollegeBoards' national standard for the class.

The Environmental Club is partnering with Srinergy to bring 14 solar panels to our campus by spring 2026. This project will generate 6,920 kWh of clean energy annually, shrinking our carbon footprint while serving as a hands-on "living lab" for students to study renewable energy data.

While Srinergy has generously donated the panels, we need your help to cover the installation costs. This initiative isn't just about power—it’s about educating future leaders and inspiring our community to embrace sustainable solutions. Join us in building a clean energy legacy at West Senior High. Every donation brings us one step closer to a sustainable campus.

Donate to the Solar Project Today

Please take a quick moment to see these recommendations from the WSH Environmental Club. Thank you!

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.

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