New Message from Michele:
Calendar:
Dec 22-Jan 2: Winter Break, No School
Jan 5: Staff Work Day, No School
Jan 5: Registration for all summer camps will open to current and Fall 2026 school-year families only, see below
Jan 6: School Resumes, Elementary Theater Intensive begins, details here
Jan 7: CHiPA meeting, 8:30 – 9:30 a.m., in the Community Room or via Zoom, details here
Jan 7: Junior High Shakespeare Theater Intermester begins with Interlochen Arts Academy faculty and students
Jan 13: ISACS Webinar; Elevating Discipline with the Brain in Mind, 7:30–8:30 p.m. on Zoom, see below
Jan 15: Montessori Up Close: The Kindergarten Year, 4 - 5:15 p.m. at The Children’s House, RSVP and reserve childcare here
Jan 16: All School Sing, Equality and Justice for MLK Day
Jan 19: No School, Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Jan 21: Montessori Up Close: Cosmic Education, 4 - 5:15 p.m. at The Children’s House, RSVP and reserve childcare here
Jan 23: Registration for the Elementary Summer Program opens to the public at 12:00 p.m., see below
Jan 23: Theater Intensive Performances, 2 p.m. all-school assembly, 6 p.m. family performance, details here
Jan 29: Montessori Up Close: Exploring Upper El, 4 - 5:15 p.m. at The Children’s House, RSVP and reserve childcare here
Jan 30: Kindergarteners visit Compass Montessori Junior High
Feb 1: Tuition Assistance application opens
Feb 1-Feb 6: Junior High Trip to the South
In The Know:
New! Seasonal Sing
We didn't get to gather for our Seasonal Sing, but you can sing along from home. Watch the recording of Thursday's rehearsal here. Happy Holidays, everyone!
New! Comets Gazette
The Cedar Classroom just released the first edition of their student-run newspaper! The newspaper features school news, playground happenings, and sports and leisure, all from the learners' perspective. Read Comets the Gazette today!
Bright Futures Fund: Off to a Strong Start!
We’re excited to share that we’ve passed $44,000 toward our $275,000 Bright Futures Fund goal—thank you to everyone who has already contributed! A quick reminder that any gifts made before December 31 count toward your 2025 tax year. This year, our Bright Futures Fund is helping us move forward on several essential projects, including replacing our entire outdoor fence, installing a new water heater, and upgrading our kitchen classroom to better support daily learning. Thank you for helping us build a safe, vibrant, and inspiring environment for our students.
Time to Order Lunch
January Lunch Menu is now available, view menu here.
New! Summer Enrollment opens Monday, January 5, at 12 p.m.
The 2026 Children’s House Summer Program offers a rich and engaging summer experience for children, running from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday, June 15, through Friday, August 21, totaling nine weeks. The school will be closed July 3–10, 2026, for Independence Day and the Cherry Festival. Registration for all summer camps will open to current and Fall 2026 school-year families only on Monday, January 5, at 12 pm. Summer camp availability is first-come, first-served. Program minimums must be met before confirming registrations. Registration for the Elementary Summer Program opens to the public at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, January 23, at 12 pm. A day camp embodying the values of respect, empowerment, challenge, authenticity, and joy. We hope you'll join us for Summer 2026.
Learn more by visiting our Summer page
New! Candy Cane Exchange
The Junior High student fundraising team is sad to inform everyone that we have to move the candy cane fundraiser due to the snow day. We have decided that the new drop off date is Friday, January 9th. We will deliver the candy canes to students' cubbies at the end of the day. We thank everyone who contributed, and happy holidays!
New! ISACS Webinar: Elevating Discipline with the Brain in Mind featuring Tina Payne Bryson, Tuesday, January 13, 7:30–8:30 p.m. on Zoom, Registration Required
Join Dr. Tina Payne Bryson as she shares transformative ideas that can serve as a go-to guide for parents and caregivers. With candid stories, compassion, and humor, Bryson will address the challenges we see in everyday parenting and help us approach them from a brain-based lens. She will revisit the true meaning of the word discipline—to teach so that kids learn essential skills—and show caregivers how “chasing the why” behind behaviors and combining nurture with structure can help us shift behaviors, strengthen relationships, and improve discipline. All are welcome.
Mind Up Take Home Lesson
Students K-6 receive MindUP lessons each Monday. Our learners are having fun learning about their brains and how they work. MindUP take home lessons are available to families on this Google Document. It will be updated weekly with new lessons and will always be accessible on our Learning Resources page.
Extracurriculars:
Upcoming Registrations:
Battle of the Books (4th-5th)
Registration deadline: January 9, 2025
Registration: https://battleofthebooksgt.org/
2026 Coaches: Virginie Kanner, Alan Palazzolo, and Charlotte Smith
2026 Asst Coaches: Matt Haberichter, Jim Morse, Casey Ressl, Abby Taylor
Update: We have three full teams for 2026 and more coaches than ever! Woo-hoo!
Participants: Team assignments were sent via email on December 7. Please register at the Battle of the Books Website using your child's name and your coach’s name.
Event Dates: Saturday, January 17: Book handout at library, 10:50-11:50 am
Parking is always an issue; plan for extra time and know it will be chaotic. Please note this event is during MLK Weekend - Email if your reader is unable to attend.
Saturday, April 11: Tournament Day at TC West High School, 9 am-4 pm
Practices: Tuesdays 7:30-8:15 am & Thursdays 3:15-4 pm starting January 20 at TCH
Scheduling Conflicts? Contact us. Parent volunteers still needed for snacks, email TCHbattleofthebooks@gmail.com for access to snack signup.
Learn More
Navigators Robotics (6th-8th)
Registration deadline: January 7, 2026
Registration: Final Forms; (pay participation fee here)
Learn More
Parent volunteers make student extracurricular experiences possible!
Please fill out this form if you are willing to coach or assist. We do not need expert coaches, just adults who would like to help, so that we can have these teams!
Community Bulletin:
Welcome to the Community Bulletin! This is your space to share activities, events, and extracurriculars that your family is involved in outside of school. To submit a message for the bulletin, email Arielle@traversechildrenshouse.org.
- Volunteer for Cherryland Humane Society! -Estelle & Naomi, learn more
- Electronics Recycling Event January 11-18, learn more
- Kathryn Burke, TCH parent, is raising money for her hometown community in Jamaica that was recently devastated by a Category 5 hurricane. learn more
This Week in Photos:
