Calendar:
Jan 6-23: Theater Intensive for Elementary, details here
Jan 7-22: Junior High Shakespeare Theater Intermester with Interlochen Arts Academy faculty and students
Jan 12: Navigators Girls Basketball AWAY Game (6th) at 4:30 p.m. at Grand Traverse Academy
Jan 12: Navigators Girls Basketball AWAY Game (7th-8th) at 6:30 p.m. at Grand Traverse Academy
Jan 13: ISACS Webinar; Elevating Discipline with the Brain in Mind, 7:30–8:30 p.m. on Zoom, see below
Jan 12: Navigators Girls Basketball AWAY Game (6th) at 4:30 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran
Jan 15: Montessori Up Close: The Kindergarten Year, 4 - 5:15 p.m. at The Children’s House, see below
Jan 16: All School Sing, student assembly, Equality and Justice for MLK Day
Jan 16: “Chill Out” Fridays at Hickory Hills, 4-6 p.m., see below
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
Feb 4: CHiPA meeting, 8:30 – 9:30 a.m., in the Community Room or via Zoom, details here
Feb 7: Sledding Party at Twin Lakes Park, 10 a.m. to Noon, details here
In The Know:
New! "Chill Out" Fridays at Hickory Hills, every Friday, January 9 through March 20 (weather-dependent), 4 to 6 p.m., at Hickory Hills
Tired of looking for activities during the winter for your kiddos? Want to get outside with other TCH families and enjoy the snow? This is a chance for your kiddos to ski or snowboard, connect with other TCH families, eat some food, and celebrate the end of the week. Hickory finally announced they are open. Right now their tow ropes seem to be down, but the bunny hill and the magic carpet are open. We are planning to kick off this upcoming Friday at 4:30 pm. Super casual, come and go as you please!
New! Montessori Up Close: The Kindergarten Year, Thursday, January 15, from 4 - 5:15 p.m. at The Children's House
You are invited to a special presentation by our Primary faculty. This opportunity dives deeper into Montessori and focuses on the capstone year of the Primary program. There will be time for Q&A and lots to learn about what it means to be a kindergartner at The Children's House. Your child(ren) (enrolled in Primary and older) are welcome to stay for Friends Club, free of charge. If you have a child in our YCC program, please contact Renee for availability. RSVP and reserve childcare by Monday, Jan 12.
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. Register Today
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!
Time to Order Lunch
January Lunch Menu is now available, view menu here.
Summer Enrollment is open for current families
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.
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!
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!
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.
Blog:
New! A Montessori Journey
By Jaime Janiszewski
As we closed out 2025, I found myself in a deeply reflective space. Looking back on the year felt natural, but my thoughts quickly moved beyond that and into reflection on my Montessori journey. When I walk into Willow Classroom, it feels like a second home—natural, cozy, and inspiring. Continue Reading...
Extracurriculars:
Upcoming Registrations:
Navigators Robotics (6th-8th)
Extended! Registration deadline: January 9, 2026
Registration: Final Forms; (pay participation fee here)
Learn More
Coed Volleyball (4th-5th)
Registration deadline: January 23, 2026
Registration: LEAP
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
- Free and low-cost Educational programs at the Dennos in February, learn more
- Fun and affordable winter events at Interlochen in February and March, learn more