Parents & Students

Below you will find information, resources and links to the most commonly asked for information.

TCAPS 2023-24 K-12 Courses

TCAPS offers both in-person and 100% virtual learning options for students in grades K-12. Below you'll find resources to assist with your class selections:

TCAPS K-12 Course Catalog


Montessori Registration Information

2024-2025 Registration Opens February 15, 2024


Montessori Enrollment Events

TCAPS Montessori Tour Dates for Prospective Families:
  • Jan. 11, Feb. 1, and March 7, 2024 
    • All from 2:30 to 3:00 PM - Families should meet at the Montessori main office.
TCAPS Montessori Adolescent Community (7th and 8th Grade) Parent Information Night:
  • Feb. 5, 2024 | Inclement weather date TBD
    • 5:30 to 6:30 PM - Students must have prior Montessori school experience if new to the school
CASA (Pre-School, JK, and K) Parent Information Night:
  • Feb. 12, 2024 | Inclement weather date TBD
    • 5:30 to 6:30 PM 

Montessori Toddler & Primary Preschool Registration Process

Families interested in enrolling in the Montessori Toddler or Primary Preschool program will register online and should follow the online instructions found on the preschool webpage. 

Attendance Hotline: 231.933.6420 or Email Us

Regular school attendance is important and a major factor in the academic success of each student.  Active participation and interaction by students in the classroom is an essential part of the instructional process and is only experienced through regular attendance. The primary responsibility for ensuring regular school attendance rests with the parent(s)/guardian(s) and the student. Through the cooperative efforts of parent(s)/guardian(s), it is hoped each student will develop attendance habits and attitudes which will be helpful to his/her present and future endeavors.

All student absences and lateness (tardies) must be communicated with the school office. 

Please be sure to include the following information when communicating with the school office:

  • Student’s full name (with spelling)
  • Teacher's name
  • Applicable date and time
  • Your name and relationship to the student 
  • Reason for the student’s absence (If ill: report student's symptoms and diagnosis by doctor if applicable)
  • Length of time you expect the student to be absent or tardy
  • Number where you can be reached

TCAPS Montessori is a state-funded, public school. Because we are a public school, there is no charge to enroll your Kindergarten - 8th Grade student in our program.   

State funding is not provided for our toddler program or for our three and four year old primary students, so these programs are fee-based. Fee schedule information and specific age-level programming details are available in the toddler, primary and elementary sections above. 

Please contact the Montessori office if you have any questions at 231.933.6420. Our staff will be happy to update you on program availability and email you all the necessary paperwork.

 

Find Out if You Qualify for Free/Discounted Meals

TCAPS is proud to offer healthy meals to our students every school day. Children need healthy meals to fuel their learning and your child(ren) may qualify for free or reduced meal benefits. 

Whether or not your child plans to participate in the free and/or reduced meals program, the information is vital for the district. It is used not only to determine meal prices for qualifying families, but it is also used as part of the application process for a number of grants and other opportunities TCAPS participates in. We are pleased to be able to offer qualifying families with free or discounted meal rates, so if you think your family might qualify, please External Linkapply today. 

happy healthy ready to learn mercury

Looking for safe routes to walk or bike to TCAPS Montessori? 

Walking or biking to school is a great way to energize the mind and body, and gear up for a great day of learning. TCAPS Montessori has teamed up with Norte to help families get moving. 

Norte has created a website offering TCAPS Montessori families suggested routes to school, ideas for getting active and frequently asked questions. It also includes the many walk/bike programs and events available including Fridays Fantásticos and so much more.  

External LinkView Norte's Safe Routes to TCAPS Montessori Information. 

Start of Day Schedule

  • Morning Carline: 8:00 AM - 8:15 AM
  • School Begins: 8:15 AM
Morning Drop Off

Children may be dropped off in our morning car line starting at 8:00 AM. Kindergarten, Upper Elementary, and Adolescent students walk into the building through doors 8 or 11 (monitored by staff). Toddler and Casa Preschool and Lower Elementary children will walk into their environments using the classroom doors. Please wait for an adult to be present before dropping your child off. Please also keep in mind that all school doors will be locked. The first bell rings at 8:10, with the tardy bell ringing at 8:15. If your student is late, you must bring them to the office and sign them in.    

 

Afternoon Dismissal
  • Lot H will offer a MOVING carline for K-3 students (and their older siblings).  Parking around the circle drive is not an option.  
  • ALL parents who park in LOT H and walk up will meet their children at the flagpole.
  • ALL parents who park in LOT L (WMS) and walk up will meet their children at the Greenhouse.
  • Parents will choose a consistent method for pick-up, communicate it to their child’s teacher, and stick to it.
  • REMINDER - Afternoon Carline is ONLY for K-3 students and their older siblings. Upper El and Adolescent students must use Lot L (WMS), and Toddler and preschool students must use Lot W.
  • If your child is not ready, you may be asked to loop around again or park and walk up to the flagpole. Please do this to help the line run efficiently.

LOT W - This lot is for our TODDLER AND PRESCHOOL FAMILIES ONLY.  Please do not park in the circle drive.

LOT L - (West Middle School) This lot is available for Upper El, Adolescent Students, and ALL guardians who want to walk and pick their children up.  

Documents

Services & Information

 

How to Report Bullying

Traverse City Area Public Schools takes bullying very seriously and will investigate all reported incidents. Reports can be made by contacting your school office or by filling out the Google FormsTCAPS Bullying Preventions & Intervention Incident Reporting Form.  

All reported incidents reported will follow the PDF Documentbullying/cyberbullying investigative process.

TCAPS Montessori Peace Education Program

At TCAPS Montessori, every classroom participates in weekly lessons that combine the following peace education with our anti-bullying program! These specific peace lessons are taught on the first day of the week, first thing in the morning, and then remain our school-wide focus for the week. The following five character traits will be our focus this year: 

  • Perseverance: the steady persistence in a course of action, especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles or discouragement.  
  • Empathy: identifying with the feelings thoughts or attitudes of others. 
  • Attitude: your manner, feeling, position, etc, with regard to a person or thing.  Tendency or orientation, especially of the mind.
  • Courage: the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery. 
  • Encouragement: to inspire with courage, spirit or confidence.

In is our hope that by tying our anti-bullying program to a unified daily Peace Pledge and the above Character Education that we will create a positive impact on our school community and the future of children!

Series written by the staff of TCAPS Montessori:

Online Catalogs & Resources

External LinkTCAPS Elementary Library Media Website

Library Media Paraprofessional

Jen Tank
231.933.6438

The online extended day registration process is completed through the External LinkPowerSchool (Parent) Public Portal. Before starting the registration process, you will need to have your child's unique PIN number which can be obtained from your child's school office. 

PowerSchool Public Portal Information

E-Funds Information

For additional registration information contact the Early Childhood office at 231.933.1759 or gignillike@tcaps.net. 


PowerSchool Public Portal can be accessed by both students and parents to view class schedules,  keep track of grades and attendance, set up email notifications, and receive comments from teachers. 



TCAPS Montessori PTO invites all parents to get involved in school activities and events and/or consider becoming a member of the PTO board. The PTO works throughout the year to bring quality enrichment opportunities to our students as well as raise funds for student programming. PTO meetings are held once a month and are open to the public. All Montessori families are encouraged to attend. Please join us to learn more.

  • Visit our PTO webpage for meeting dates, times and board contact information.
  • Visit our External LinkPTO Facebook for event photos, updates and more.

There are multiple ways you can find out if school is closed due to inclement weather:

  • All local radio and televisions stations announce school closings on a regular basis
  • Call the bus hotline - 231.933.1955
  • Visit the External Linkdistrict website or the school website. A pop up will come on the screen if there is a closing alert (pop up blocker must be turned off)
  • Follow the district on External LinkFacebook and/or External LinkTwitter

Want more information? View PDF DocumentSnow Day FAQs

Interpreter/Translation Services

Interpreting during any meeting or translation of any documents will be provided for any parent who requests interpreting or translating. The process to request these services is:

  • Contact your school and make a request. The school will then make the request through the Human Resources Department, and an interpreter will be provided.
  • A school may use the Tele-Interpreter Service if no interpreter is available, or if interpreter/translation services are an immediate need.

Liaisons

Throughout the school year, TCAPS Montessori looks for parent volunteers to help in various positions. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the main office or speak with your child's teacher. All volunteers will need to complete the district's online volunteer application and a background check before volunteering at the school. To complete the application and for more information on volunteering, please visit the External Linkdistrict's volunteer page. Thank you for your support!