The Eastern Star Family Newsletter

Halloween is upon us! I must say that I am a little envious of our Eastern families with kiddos 5th grade and under. The excitement and anticipation that Halloween brings for young people is palpable and the positive core memories for kids and families is something to hold on to tightly. I hope that everyone who partakes has a safe and wonderful Halloween and remember we have an extra day off on Monday to come down from the sugar high that is about to commence! Trick or Treat!

#ShineBrightTogether

Seventy-five percent of respondants to our last poll showed that 75% own stock in Owala.

Click above👆👆👆

Last year we started our Eastern Staff shoutout form. This is a great opportunity to share the good stuff about any staff member at Eastern Elementary. I (Mr. Swegles) receive an email notification when the form has been filled out, and I have the pleasure of sharing your shoutout with them.

• November 2: No School; Staff Professional Development
• November 4, 4:30-7:30: Parent-Teacher Conferences
• November 10, 4:30-7:30: Parent-Teacher Conferences
• November 12, 4:30-7:30: Parent-Teacher Conferences
• November 18: TBA SRCU Deposit Day
• November 24: Early Release Day; Eastern Dismisses at 1:57
• November 25-27: No School; Thanksgiving Break
• TCAPS 26-27 Calendar

Eastern is participating in the Adopt A Soldier/Sailor program this year. Part of this program is our classrooms writing letters to soldiers/sailors. Another part is donating Halloween candy to Coast Guard members.

If you would like to participate, please bring in some Halloween candy on Tuesday, November 3. We will have a table set up in the main lobby.

Thank you!

Eastern Stars have been hard at work in the art room creating a masterpiece that can be printed onto a variety of fun products, such as water bottles, ornaments, and t-shirts! Special order forms from Art To Remember will be sent home soon that show your child’s art and the products available for purchase. There are over 60 products and many are less than $15. These make great gifts and a percentage of every purchase goes right back to our school to purchase art supplies. All purchases are made on-line, and orders will be shipped to your home.

At the Art to Remember website you can place orders using your unique code from the order form, searching by your student’s name, or by using the QR code found on your order form.

All Art To Remember orders must be submitted online by 11/17/26.

Thanks for supporting the arts!

Mrs. Culik

Art Teacher

Informational flyers went home last week about the TBA Student Run Credit Union. If you missed the flyer, you can find a digital copy here: TBA Student Account Information. Students who have an account through TBA can make deposits on the following days:

• November 18
• December 16
• January 20
• February 17
• March 17
• April 21
• May 19

Eastern will host a Book Fair with Artemis Books on November 19 and 20. Here are the details:

Thursday, November 19: 8:30-4:30 (for students and visitors)

Friday, November 20: 8:30-6:30 (for students and visitors)

There will be an after school event from 4:00-6:30 on Friday. It will be a fun evening of guest readers and activities. Students must be accompanied by an adult. This is not a drop-off event where your child can just stay after school. An adult must be with them.

The Book Fair is a great opportunity to support the Eastern Library. If you have any questions, contact Ms. Asiala (asialahe@tcaps.net).

Each year Eastern helps provide Thanksgiving meals to families. Jim Cooley, parent of two Eastern Stars, helps coordinate this effort. If you are interested in helping, please email Jim at james.cooley@und.edu. Thank you in advance for your support.

In addition to the handicap spaces, please, be cognizant of the three additional reserved spaces that are in Eastern's parking lots. We have two spaces in the north and one in the south parking lot. Two of which were part of our spring auction with funds going to support Eastern students and staff. The third is in support of someone going through a season of life and it's our small way of helping.

Please, refrain from parking in these spots or utilizing them during drop off and pickup. Please, reach out to Mr. Swegles with questions.

All Eastern families must submit the Student Handbook Acknowledgement form. First you will review the TCAPS Student Handbook. Then you will access your PowerSchool parent account and fill out the Handbook Acknowledgement form. The office will send hard copies of the form to families who don't fill out the online form. Thank you in advance for filling out the form.

Wanted to give this item some additional attention as we continue to see a plethora of personal items at school. We've also had a few situations where students are working on their bartering skills and one side is left feeling upset due to a poor business decision. TCAPS/Eastern are not responsible for items of personal value that are not needed for education purposes. Squishies, trading cards, stuffies, or any general item worth more than $5 is encouraged to be left at home.

Handbook/Policy language is below:

Personal Property

Students should not bring personal property to school that is not needed for educational purposes.

Responsibility and Maintenance

• Student Liability: The care and maintenance of personal items is the sole responsibility of the student. TCAPS does not assume any responsibility for these items.

• Prohibited High-Value Items: Items worth more than $5.00, treasured toys, trading cards, and electronic devices should NOT be brought to school.

• Confiscation: Any item that causes a disruption to the school environment will be confiscated and held in the principal’s office until a parent or guardian picks it up.

Eastern’s fall parent-teacher conferences are November 4, 10, and 12. 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.

Mrs. Feaster's Conference Sign Up

Mrs. Harwell's Conference Sign Up

Mrs. Odette's Conference Sign Up

Ms. Edwardson's Conference Sign Up

Ms. Freeman's Conference Sign Up

Miss Luecke's Conference Sign Up

Dr. Chaprnka's Conference Sign Up

Ms. Ross's Conference Sign Up

Mrs. Stout's Conference Sign Up

Mrs. Fak's Conference Sign Up

Mrs. Hites's Conference Sign Up

Mrs. LaBarre's Conference Sign Up

Mrs. LaBlanc's Conference Sign Up

Mrs. Norton's (Blanchard) Conference Sign Up

Mrs. Shembarger's Conference Sign Up

Ms. Stoudt's Conference Sign Up

Mrs. Berger's Conference Sign Up

Ms. Lutes's Conference Sign Up

Mrs. Nelson's Conference Sign Up

Mrs. Annelin's Conference Sign Up

Mr. Cooper's Conference Sign Up

Mrs. Kearney's Conference Sign Up

Mrs. Markey's Conference Sign Up

Mr. Swegles's Conference

Please read this Crystal Mountain Ski Informational Letter if you are interested in learning about skiing and snowboarding opportunities.

Eastern is looking for volunteers to help in the cafeteria and at recess. You can sign up at the links below. If you have any questions, please contact the office.

All volunteers must submit the TCAPS Volunteer Form.

1st and 3rd Grade Recess Volunteer Sign Up (10:10-10:40)

Kindergarten and 2nd Grade Recess (2:05-2:35)

4th and 5th Recess (3:10-3:40)

JK. Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd Grade Lunchroom/Lunch Recess Volunteer Sign Up (11:05-12:25 )

3rd, 4th, 5th Grade Lunchroom/Lunch Recess Volunteer Sign Up (12:00-1:30)

Please remember to label your child's belongings. Our lost and found is overflowing, and it is much easier to get lost items back to kids when there is a name on it.

BREAKFAST

MONDAY

No school

TUESDAY

Cereal,

fruit, juice and milk

WEDNESDAY

Mini pancakes

fruit, juice and milk

THURSDAY

Cereal

fruit juice and milk

FRIDAY

Assorted sweet breads

fruit, juice and milk

LUNCH

MONDAY

NO SCHOOL

TUESDAY

1st choice: cheese quesadilla

2nd choice: Turkey and cheese sub

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

WEDNESDAY

1st choice: pasta with meatballs and marinara

2nd choice: sunbutter and jelly with crackers & yogurt

No 3rd option

THURSDAY

1st choice:Egg mcMuffin sandwich with sausage and cheese

2nd choice: Sausage wrapped with pancake on a stick

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

FRIDAY

1st choice: cheese pizza

2nd choice: pepperoni pizza

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

Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) Superintendent, Dr. John VanWagoner, monthly “office hours”, alternating each month between in person and virtual meetings. This month will be on November 11, 2026 and will be Virtual office hours held via Join with Google Meet meet.google.com/ghh-vsqb-uot Phone Numbers (‪US‬)‪+1 413-400-2781‬ PIN: ‪232 272 077#‬ . All meetings begin at 5:00 pm.

Make an impact right in our district! Two great opportunities are hiring now:

College Coaches & Advisers (MCAN & AdviseMI): Help high school students navigate applications and financial aid starting Dec. 1. Earn a $20,000 living allowance plus benefits. Bachelor's degree required; paid training provided!

EcoSchool Site Coordinator (SEEDS): Lead outdoor activities, academic support, and summer camp at Traverse City Heights Elementary ($21.36/hr). Requires 1+ year of youth experience.

Check their websites to apply today!

Traverse City Area Public Schools is honored to offer veterans the opportunity to receive their high school diploma and participate in our 2027 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 high school 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 attended a TCAPS high school.

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

For more information or to submit an application, please call 231.933.1722.

Don't miss the Traverse City Central High School Music Department’s Michigan premiere of WONDERLAND!

• Showtimes: Evening performances (7 p.m.) on Nov. 13, 14, 20, and 21; Matinees (2 p.m.) on Nov. 15 and 22.

• Tickets: $20 General Admission | $25 VIP

Reserve your seats today at tcaps.booktix.com to support our talented students!

Elementary Handbook

LEAP Website

School Menus

TCAPS Volunteer Form

TCAPS Volunteer Standards of Conduct