TCS News to Know

Dear Families,

We were excited this school year to make all home athletic events FREE to all Tekonsha students. Now that we are beginning basketball season, we also need parents' help to make our game nights safe and enjoyable for all students. If your student is under the age of 13, a responsible adult should be present at the game to supervise your student. Additionally, students that attend games are expected to stay in the areas designated for the game. This includes the gymnasium, the gym lobby by the restrooms, and the cafeteria for concessions. These are the areas where there are cameras to help monitor for student safety, as well as quick access to adults if there are concerns. We love the support that our athletic teams get and hope to see big crowds present cheering on all of our student athletes! Go Indians!

Donations for Fall Festival

Items to be used in the silent auction baskets, prizes for BINGO, or cakes for the cake walk are all needed for the Fall Festival! If you can donate silent auction items or BINGO prizes, these can be dropped off to the elementary office at any time. If you can donate a cake or a baked treat for the cake walk, call and let the elementary office know! These items will not need to be dropped off until the day of the event!

Examples of things that could be in the silent auction baskets:

Holiday-themed decorative items
Beach-themed basket
Hunting-themed basket
Sports-themed basket
Fun gift cards and food items and so much more!

Winter Weather is Coming!

The season of cold and snow has officially arrived. Weather permitting, our elementary students go outside for recess every day. In order for them to stay warm and dry, it is critical they come to school with appropriate winter clothing. During the winter months, students should have a coat, snow pants, outside snow boots, gloves, a hat, and a pair of dry inside shoes to change into after playing outside.

Once there is measurable snow on the ground, students who are lacking snow boots and snow pants will only be allowed to play on the sidewalk. It is important for kids to have the proper winter gear so they can get fresh air, have physical activity, play with their peers, and remain dry and comfortable when they return to class.

If you are unable to provide your student with any of the required winter-wear, please complete and return the slip below and we will be happy to assist you!

AP Potential Letters

Last week, select high school students across the State of Michigan received letters from the Michigan Department of Education. These letters informed students that their score on the spring 2023 PSAT 8/9 or 10 demonstrated they have potential to take future Advanced Placement (AP) or dual enrollment coursework. This is a new initiative that Michigan is starting this year to encourage more students to pursue challenging academic opportunities that can result in earning college credit!

If your student received this letter, congratulations! This means that he/she is doing great work in school! Encourage your student to talk to Mrs. Tew about options for scheduling for next year!

Haunted Houses for Sale!

Mrs. Marcy Rader's third grade students completed the annual haunted house writing project, in which using as much creative detail as possible, they wrote a listing to "sell" their houses! Students then completed the project by drawing a picture of their houses and pricing them to sell. If you're looking for a new place, there are lots to choose from!

Concessions Workers Needed!

Thank you to all that have already signed up! Please check the link below to see the dates and times that still need volunteers! The Boosters also plan on doing a gift wrapping station at the Tekonsha Christmas Festival in December, so they are accepting donations of wrapping paper. These can be dropped off at the HS or at the concessions stand if you come to watch a game.

If you missed the Boosters meeting this month, they are going to start having monthly meetings, so there are lots of opportunities to get involved! Mark your calendar for the following meeting dates:

December 6 at 6:30 pm in HS Cafeteria
January 4 at 5:30 pm in the HS Library
February 7 at 6:30 pm in the HS Cafeteria
March 6 at 6:30 pm in the HS Library

Math Transition...

We were fortunate to start the school year with Miss Holli Gay as a long-term sub for our middle school and high school math classes. Unfortunately, Miss Gay is no longer able to continue in this position due to her schedule, so we are searching for another long-term math sub replacement. In the meantime, Mr. Tim Jenkins is subbing for this week and beginning next week, Mrs. Deb Thompson will be subbing to finish out the first semester. All middle school students will continue with their Go Math textbooks and the high school students will continue with their online curriculum. In-person tutoring is available for all high school math students, but it must be scheduled in advance. Please contact Mrs. Tew or Mrs. O'Keefe if you have any additional questions.

CACC - Providing Career Opportunities to our Students!

The Calhoun Area Career Center (CACC), located in Battle Creek, is a career and technical school operated through the Calhoun Intermediate School District. Juniors and seniors from throughout Calhoun County have the opportunity to attend a variety of hands-on programs, to learn both trade skills and participate in career-specific college-preparatory programs. Students that attend are provided with free transportation and all programs are available at no extra cost to students or Tekonsha Schools. Programming is available in the fields of Arts & Communications; Human Services; Natural Resources & Agriscience; Business, Management, Marketing & Technology; Health Sciences; and Engineering, Manufacturing & Industrial Technology.

Sophomores at Tekonsha High School enjoyed a presentation from a CACC representative on Tuesday, November 7. Tekonsha grad and former THS teacher Ms. Michele Hall, came to present on all of the various programs available at the CACC. Current Tekonsha students that are in the programs also presented to underclassmen and helped answer questions. This year, we have our largest group of students attending CACC!

Sophomores will also be taking a visit to the CACC in February to get even more exposure to their options before signing up for classes next fall!

Money Raffle Fundraiser

Tekonsha High School students have started selling money raffle tickets!!! This fundraiser helps support all classes with their dances and class events. All tickets will be $10 each and the drawing will be held on December 18, 2023 at 10:30 am in the Tekonsha High School library. There are a limited number of tickets for sale, so if you are interested in purchasing some, be sure to let a student know! Tickets can also be purchased by contacting Michele Stuart.

1st - $400
2nd - $300
3rd - $200
4th - $200
5th-8th - $100 each
9th-14th - $50 each

FFA National Convention

Two Tekonsha seniors had the opportunity of a lifetime this fall to attend the FFA National Convention. Mackenzie Knapp and Megan Fairchild traveled to Indianapolis, IN for the event from November 1 -3. Both students are in the Agriscience program at the CACC and are active members of the CACC Chapter of the FFA. They both also stated that one of the most impressive things was seeing the backs of everyone's blue jackets and realizing how many different states were represented...even Hawaii!

This was the 96th National FFA Convention, in which members from all of the country travel to meet and celebrate the values and mission of FFA. According to FFA.org, "FFA is the premier youth organization preparing members for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture." The National Convention included key note speakers, a national meeting, a concert, dance party, contests, and an expo filled with colleges and vendors representing products and career opportunities within the ag industry.

School House Shop

We will once again be holding The School House Shop: A FREE Drop and Shop Event on Saturday, December 2 from 9 am - 11 am. What makes this event so special is that it is a chance for families to share what they no longer need and perhaps find something that was on their own wish list! As your children outgrow toys that are still in good working condition, donating them to The School House Shop allows another family to provide those toys to their child! This is a great way to clean house and save money at the same time! We encourage all families to donate their gently used toys, and then show up on Saturday to shop from the items that have been collected! All items will be available on a first come, first serve basis, with doors opening promptly at 9 am on Saturday! Please make sure that items donated are clean and in good working order. Stuffed animals are discouraged unless they are brand new. If you have any questions, please reach out to Heather Mack in the Tekonsha Elementary office at 517-767-4121, ext. 300.