TMS Community ROAR Report
Be the Change at TMS
Email: janine.smith@fcps.org
Website: https://education.fcps.org/tms/
Location: 408 East Main Street, Thurmont, MD, United States
Phone: (240)-236-5100
Twitter: @JanineSmithFCPS
March Newsletter
Be the Change
FCPS prioritizes educational equity so that every student is prepared for lifelong learning and success in today’s world. Educational equity refers to all students having access to resources and appropriate rigor throughout their school career. It also ensures that personal and social identifiers such as ability, age, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, language, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status are considered assets of each unique individual.
Our Catoctin feeder supports and reinforces these FPCS priorities. Ensuring everyone in our schools is seen, heard, known, valued and supported is some of our most important work. Creating an environment that is affirming, nurturing and welcoming allows this work to take place. All schools in our Catoctin feeder commit to collaborating with students and families around educational equity, anti-racism and establishing inclusive environments where everyone can experience success.
For more information on equity in FCPS please visit…
Be the Change,
Janine Smith~Principal
Christopher Bittner~Assistant Principal
Anita Shank~Assistant Principal
Important Dates and Upcoming Events
Important Calendar Date Reminders
- Thursday, March 2nd-TMS PTA Meeting @ 5:00
- Thursday, March 2nd-Community Food Drop @ 3:30
- Monday, March 6th-MISA Testing for 8th Grade
- Tuesday, March 7th-MISA Testing for 8th Grade
- Tuesday, March 7th-FCPS Chorus Adjudication at UHS
- Wednesday, March 8th-MISA Testing for 8th Grade
- Wednesday, March 8th-Leo Club @ 2:30
- Wednesday, March 8th-SGA @ 2:30
- Wednesday, March 8th-PBIS Roy Roger's Fundraiser
- Thursday, March 9th-MISA Testing for 8th Grade
- Friday, March 10th-FCPS Band Adjudication at WHS
- Monday, March 13th-Campus Life @ 2;30
- Monday, March 20th-Campus Life @ 2:30
- Monday, March 20th-TMS Book Club in the Media Center @ 2:30
- Tuesday, March 21st-End of Term 3
- Wednesday, March 22nd-School Closed for Students-Teacher Work Day
- Friday, March 24th-TMS Media Center Mystery Party @ 2:30
- Monday, March 27th-Campus Life @2:30
- Wednesday, March 29th-SGA @ 2:30
Please Continue to Reinforce with Your Student our TMS Norms.
Families of Special Education Students
Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) contracted with Public Consulting Group (PCG)
to conduct a review of the district's special education programming and services. PCG is seeking input from parents/guardians of students currently receiving special education services in FCPS through a brief electronic survey.
The survey will take approximately 15 minutes to complete and will be available until Friday, March 10.
Click here to complete the survey in English [link: https://survey.pcgus.com/s3/FCPS-Parent-Survey]
Click here to complete the survey in Spanish [link: https://survey.pcgus.com/s3/FCPS-Encuesta-Padres]
If you have any issues accessing the survey, please contact Matthew Scott at mscott@pcgus.com.
7th Grade Field Trip
Dear Parents/Guardians:
The seventh grade team has planned a trip to Catoctin Zoo. This is scheduled for Thursday, April 6, 2023 (RAIN OR SHINE). We will leave TMS at 9:00 a.m. and return to the school around 1:30 p.m. The cost of the trip is $15.00 and includes the zoo admission and transportation. For food, students should plan to pack or purchase a school lunch. Because this connects with our 7th grade Science curriculum, all students are expected to attend. Transportation will be provided by Frederick County Public School buses. All FCPS rules and regulations are enforced and expected to be followed.
Please complete the Google Form and submit for permission to attend the Field Trip.https://forms.gle/oWTT7Zq1FzMf6kYB8
Permission Form must be completed or returned NO LATER THAN Friday, March 24, 2023.
If you have any questions about the field trip, please contact Ms. Green, Brianne.Green@fcps.org or if you are having problems with the google form or online payments, please contact Ms. Newman, Christine.Newman@fcps.org or at 240-236-5102.
Purchase Your TMS Yearbook!
2022-2023 TMS YEARBOOKS ARE ON SALE NOW
Get your pre-sale yearbook for $25 (soft cover) and $30 (hard cover) ONLINE SALES ONLY
Please click here to order your 2022-2023 TMS Yearbook
http://yearbooks.classic-photo.com/ThurmontMiddle/home3/Bookstore.jsp
Get your copy now at the Pre-sale price. Sale Ends on April 9, 2023.
Any extra copies after the sale ends will be $35 and on a first come, first serve basis. We will NOT hold or reserve any orders.
Please contact Ms. Coposky, Allison.Coposky@fcps.org, if you have any questions or concerns.
State Testing
As we approach the testing season, it is important to remember that TMS is required to complete state testing during the second half of the school year. Please see below important information about the testing process at TMS this spring. If you have any questions related to Maryland State Testing, please reach out to Christopher Bittner at Christopher.Bittner@fcps.org.
- March 6th-9th-MISA Testing (8th grade students ONLY)
- April 18th-21st MCAP Reading Testing
- April 25th & 26th MCAP Math Testing
- May 1st-4th-Social Studies Testing (8th grade students ONLY)
- May 8th & 9th-Algebra Testing (select students only)
Students are encouraged to get a good night's sleep, eat a healthy breakfast and bring water to stay hydrated. Phones and smart watches should be off and secured in their locker or bookbags - which will be left in the front of the room. Students may prepare for the assessments using the states practice tests found at: https://support.mdassessments.com/practice-tests/.
Good luck!
Charles Tressler Distinguished Teacher Award
I’m sure you know an FCPS teacher who not only has had a significant impact on young people, but has also been an outstanding representative of the teaching profession! It’s that time of the year to nominate that person for the Charles E. Tressler Distinguished Teacher Award.
This award is named for a former member of the Hood College faculty who encouraged young people to enter the profession of teaching. The college presents the award annually to honor distinguished teaching in the Frederick County public school system. The award was established by a gift from the late Samuel Eig of Gaithersburg.
A panel of FCPS judges will screen the nominations and select finalists before forwarding materials to Hood College. We welcome nominations from current and former students, teachers and support staff, parents, community members, administrators and supervisors. Hood College will recognize the winner this spring.
Complete eligibility, nomination criteria, process and selection guidelines are located online at www.fcps.org/awards. The deadline for nominations is Friday, March 17, 2023. Please contact Wanda.Ford@fcps.org or 301-696-6900 with any questions.
FCPS Annual Job Fair
FCPS Annual Job Fair
When: Tuesday, March 14 from 3 - 7 p.m.
Where: Hood College, Whitaker Campus Center, 401 Rosemont Ave, Frederick, MD 21701
Parking: Whitaker Parking Lot on Hood College Campus - Access to the lot is available via the junction of Evergreen Ave. and Brodbeck Dr.
- Please Note: it will be Spring Break at Hood College, so job seekers will be able to park in Staff Parking in the Whitaker parking lot
Description: Frederick County Public Schools is excited to invite the public to the annual Job Fair! FCPS is looking for talented and committed individuals to join our team and fill positions across the entire school system. Representatives will be on-hand to discuss the following positions:
Teachers and Teacher Specialists
- Elementary Education
- Early Childhood Education
- Middle School Education
- Secondary Education
- Special Education
- ELL Teacher
- World languages
- Art
- Music
- Theater Arts
- PE/Health
- Library Media Specialist
- Reading Specialist
Other positions:
- School Counselors
- Behavioral Support Specialists
- School Therapists
- Social Workers
- Substitute Teachers and Substitute Special Education Instructional Assistants
- Instructional Assistants and Special Education Instructional Assistants
- Custodians
- Maintenance Workers
- Bus Drivers
- Food and Nutrition Service Workers
All applicants are encouraged to complete their application in advance. You may apply online here: https://www.applitrack.com/fcps/OnlineApp/
Applicants are also encouraged to pre-register for the Job Fair at the Registration Link here: https://forms.gle/uC2pqzwPbT1geyX59
Teacher Interviews will be held on-site. To sign up for a Teacher Interview, please sign up using this link.
Spanish Interpreters and Sign Language Interpreters will be available to support job seekers and FCPS representatives.
Para leer todo sobre la Feria de Empleo en español, visite la página de Facebook FCPS Informando. (To read all about the Job Fair in Spanish, please visit the FCPS FaceBook Informando page.)
TMS PTA Candy Bingo
Camp Jamie Teen Retreat Information
Camp Jamie is one-day camp is designed to gently teach coping skills and help build self-esteem and trust. It also offers a safe, comfortable environment for teens to express their grief. Through interactions with other teens, adults, nature, and animals, campers experience the universality of loss and learn that they are not alone in their grief.
Licensed and trained counselors, as well as trained staff and volunteers, are part of the day camp experience, leading both large and small groups on issues such as sharing feelings, building trust, and memorializing loved ones through creative expression.
For more information: Camp Jamie Brochure
To apply: Camp Jamie Teen Retreat Application
22-23 School Year Updates
Term 3 End of Term Information: End of Term 3 is on Tuesday, March 21st.
If you have missing assignments or need to complete a re-assessment, please do so as soon as possible. The deadline to submit missing assignments and re-dos/reassessment for the second half of this term is Tuesday, March 14th, one week prior to the end of term date. If you have questions or concerns, please contact your child's teacher. All students also have access to free online tutors 24 hours a day using the TutorMe link in Schoology.
Pet and Food Supplies Drive: The TMS Leo Club is sponsoring a pet food and supply drive for the Frederick County Animal Shelter. Share the love and send in donations of the following: unopened pet food, litter, used and new pet toys, green scouring pads and dawn dish detergent. There is a donation box in the front foyer of the school. Donations accepted through Tuesday, March 7. Thank you for helping the Leo's help animals waiting for their forever homes!
Digital Citizenship Matters: As students use photos or other media online, you need to be aware of copyright law and the appropriate ways to use original work responsibly with fair use. When you use someone else's photo, video, music or other original work from the internet, it is important that you give credit to the original creator of the material. Just like you would not want someone to use your hard work and claim it as their own, people who have material posted online deserve the same respect and recognition. Follow the guidance in this video when using material you find online.
Technology Fees: Students are responsible for damaged or loss of devices and may be charged for repairs.
1st Repair - $30
2nd Repair - $60
3rd Repair - $120
Lost Chargers - $30
Attendance Matters: The Thurmont Middle School Staff wants students to attend school every day. Absences mean that a student misses skills and concepts essential to academic success. Please take a moment to view our TMS Attendance Brochure.
What Can You Do:
- Talk about the importance of showing up to school every day.
- Help your student maintain daily routines.
- Seek out help for any issues that may be interfering with your student’s attendance at school, such as mental health, physical health, or peer issues.
- Work with school personnel to develop a plan to improve your student’s attendance.
- Know the school’s attendance policy – incentives and penalties.
- Check on your child’s attendance to be sure absences are not adding up.
No amount of make-up work can replace the quality of learning achieved in the classroom from direct instruction and interactions with the teacher and classmates.
Attendance Information:
If your child is unable to attend school due to an illness or doctor's appointment, or any other reason, please email a note to our attendance secretary, Ms. Shannon Ingram at tms.attendance@fcps.org.
For early dismissals:
- Parent/Guardian will come to the office to sign student out
- Please bring your ID
- Allow adequate time to locate student for an early dismissal
- If you allow someone else to sign your student out, please note the name you authorize in your note to the school. They will be required to show ID to pick up student.
Don’t forget, when going to a medical appointment, remember to get a doctor's note from their office. We will update your student's attendance accordingly.
FCPS Bus Delay Information:
A quick and easy resource to check if your child's bus is delayed is to visit https://apps.fcps.org/transdelay/ This site is updated in real-time to reflect any bus delays.
Volunteering at TMS:
Are you interested in volunteering at TMS? If so, all volunteers must complete the virtual training linked here. Please note this must be completed to chaperone field trips. Please reach out to Shannon Ingram with questions/concerns.
Tutor Me
TutorMe.com, a new, free student online tutoring and homework help service, is now available in any subject for students in grades 6-12.
TutorMe.com is a secure, online resource easily accessible through the FCPS Clever Portal and offers on-demand assistance. The TutorMe.com service provides assistance that aligns with the FCPS curriculum, including knowledge of new curriculum tools being implemented. The service maintains rigorous standards, providing high-quality, diverse tutors, screened for excellence (including a criminal background check). The service is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. More information is available at the vendor website, www.tutorme.com and this Student Support Document.
FCPS Regulation Review
All schools are required to share the following FCPS Regulations:
Regulation 500 - 32: Replacement of Lost or Damaged Instructional Materials
Regulation 400 - 73: Responsible Use of Digital Technology
Regulation 400 - 48: Bullying, Harassment, Intimidation Complaint Process for Students
Regulation 500 - 05: Grading, Reporting, and Intervention-Secondary
TMS PTA Needs YOU!
2022-23 PTA Board of Directors:
Christy Donnelly-President
Danielle Bloxham-Treasurer
Amanda Knott-Secretary
PTA Meetings 5:00-6:00pm
March 2 Board Meeting
April 6 General Meeting
May 4 Board Meeting
Google Meet Link: https://meet.google.com/kwp-hdkz-new