Westwoods Newsletter

Hello Westwoods Families,

What a fantastic week we had at Westwoods! I am incredibly proud of our students for their hard work and focus during our initial benchmarking and testing.

Our staff has already spent valuable time reviewing the reading data to plan targeted support for all of our readers. This detailed look is vital—it lets us know exactly how to best support every child and ensure they are growing as confident, strong readers. Next week, we will turn our attention to analyzing our Math data with the same focus and dedication.

Get ready for an exciting launch! Next week, we will introduce our school-wide focus on the "7 Habits of Happy Kids." We'll start with an assembly dedicated to Habit 1: "Be Proactive," which is all about choosing your response and taking responsibility. This work is central to developing strong student leaders and a positive school culture.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Toby Tisdale

Principal

The State of Michigan now requires that all Michigan kindergarteners have a dental screening. Many of you have already submitted the Oral Health Assessment form. The Health Department of Northwest Michigan will be at Westwoods on October 8th to provide screenings for any kindergarten or junior kindergarten students that are still in need of it.

If you have already turned in an Oral Health Assessment for your child, they will not be screened at school.

For more information about the dental screening requirement, please visit:

https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/adult-childserv/childrenfamilies/familyhealth/oralhealth/koha

We're updating our pickup procedure. Going forward, if someone not on your child's Emergency Contact/School Pickup List will be picking them up, you must notify us in writing.

Please send an email to both Jamie Roster and Kelly Niskanen with the name of the person authorized to pick up your child. This helps us confirm the identity of anyone who is not a familiar face.

To add a new person to your child's permanent Emergency Contact/School Pickup List, you can also do so by email or in person. We can no longer accept these changes over the phone.

Thank you for your cooperation!

Picture Day is coming on Monday, October 13!

You can place your order on mylifetouch.com using your Picture Day ID: EVTBRM6D9.

Order before midnight on Picture Day to get FREE shipping!

Your child can also bring their completed flyer with cash or check on Picture Day.

Orders after Picture Day must be placed online only on mylifetouch.com.

We've had a nice start to the year, but wanted to take a minute to make sure everyone is aware of the procedure for drop off and pick up of students. Please review this document and map for details.

October 13 School Picture Day

October 13 Early Release Day: Dismiss at 1:57

November 4 No School - Election Day

November 10 Picture Retake Day

November 6, 11 & 13 Parent-Teacher Conferences

November 25 Early Release Day: Dismiss at 1:57

November 26-28 No School - Thanksgiving Break

December 22-January 2 No School - Holiday Break

Please complete your Free & Reduced Meal Application by October 1. Your application is crucial as it directly secures state and federal funding that benefits all TCAPS students and programs. Submit it today to provide essential support for our district!

By doing this, your application helps fund:

Reduced fees for programs like LEAP and other extracurricular activities

Equitable access to education by helping fund staffing and resources that benefit all students

Educational extensions such as field trips, enrichment opportunities, and after-school programs

Complete Your Application Now

Traverse City Area Public Schools is honored to offer veterans the opportunity to receive their high school diploma and be part of the 2026 graduation ceremonies!

Under Michigan's Public Act 181 of 2001 and Public Act 55 of 2014, the TCAPS Board of Education is authorized to award diplomas to veterans of WWII, the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam Era in recognition of their service and sacrifice.

Eligibility Details:

• WWII Veterans: Must have left high school between December 16, 1940, and December 31, 1946.
• Korean War Veterans: Must have left high school between June 27, 1950, and January 31, 1955.
• Vietnam Era Veterans: Must have been drafted or enlisted between February 28, 1961, and May 7, 1975, and must have attended a TCAPS high school.

This opportunity is for veterans who did not subsequently receive a high school degree. Family members are welcome to apply on behalf of a living or deceased veteran.

For more information, please call 231.933.1722.

Michigan law requires TCAPS to share information with parents and caregivers about the safe storage of firearms. Here are the resources provided by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE): What is the Secure Storage Law in Michigan, and the Safe Storage Notice. Additional resources and information can be found on MDE’s Safe Storage Law webpage. Questions may be directed to MDE’s Office of Health and Safety at MDE-OHS@Michigan.gov.

Traverse City Area Public Schools is excited to announce the adoption of the Amplify CKLA PreK-5 reading program, which aligns with our mission to provide a high-quality learning experience for all students. This program helps students develop essential skills to read, write, communicate, and problem-solve with clarity.

CKLA Family Letter

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 in person on Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at 5:00 p.m., and will be held at Horizon Books, 243 E. Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49684 on the second floor (Mezzanine level).

The Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) Board of Education will host its next monthly “office hours” at the Traverse Area District Library (TADL) in the McGuire Room, 610 Woodmere Avenue, on Thursday, October 23, 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, Trustee Hardy is scheduled to attend.

The August 2025 edition of TCAPS District News is now live! Read about all the great things happening in TCAPS:

• View the mobile version here: https://5il.co/3nulo
• View the desktop/print version here: https://5il.co/3nulu

We invite community members to share their time and talents with our students by becoming a volunteer in our schools and on field trips, etc. All adult (over 18 years of age) volunteers must go through a background check for the safety of all students.

• Volunteers are asked to review the Volunteer page on the district's website and read the Volunteer Standards of Conduct.
• Volunteers are asked to complete the online volunteer application form.
• Once the form has been completed, volunteers can expect to hear back in 1-2 business days, after submission, from TCAPS Human Resources Department.

If there are any questions about the volunteer approval process, please contact Luke VanHouten at 231-933-1710 or vanhoutelu@tcaps.net

The TCAPS Sex Education Advisory Board meets five to eight times per year to review sex education curriculum, materials, and methods of instruction. The meetings are typically scheduled from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on the second Thursday of the month.

Selection of members will be based on three criteria – expressed interest, ability to attend meetings as required, and that you meet one of the following categories:

• Parent of a student attending TCAPS

• Student in the school district (age-appropriate)

• Educator

• Local clergy

• Community health professional

• Other interested citizens residing in the district.
  
  

According to the committee bylaws, 50% of the membership shall be the parents of current TCAPS students. If there are more volunteers than there are openings, a lottery system will be used to select members.

If you are interested, please apply on or before September 29, 2025, using the 25-26 TCAPS Sex Education Advisory Board Application.

Any questions can be directed to Dan McGee, TCAPS Sex Education Coordinator at mcgeeda@tcaps.net.