Gov. TJMS Newsletter
May 2022
Our Mission
At GTJMS, we strive everyday to create an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity, academic achievement, and well-being. Our mission is to empower students for success today and persevere through tomorrow’s 21st century challenges.
Our Vision
Governor Thomas Johnson Middle School is a diverse community of students, educators, support staff, parents and local organizations working collaboratively to provide an academically rigorous education, which includes the technology skills necessary for the 21st century. By holding students, educators and parents accountable for success, we are creating lifelong learners who take responsibility for their own educational goals and positive personal development. Excellence in teaching and learning is paramount to developing productive citizens who have promising and successful lives.
Upcoming Important Dates
Chromebook Collection June 1st-3rd
June 1st: 6th Grade collection during History classes
June 2nd: 7th Grade collection during History classes
June 3rd: 8th Grade collection during History classes
Please make sure your child brings their chromebook and chargers those days. We will not be collecting Chromebook cases. Those can stay home with your child.
In the even there is damage or a missing part, your child will receive a paper with that information on it and next steps.
Missing Work/Re-assessment Due Date: 5/31/22
Locker Clean Out: June 6th During ELT
8th Grade Awards
8th Grade Celebration-June 1st
**FREE KONA ICE FOR 8TH GRADERS**
OHS Move Up Day: June 2nd
GTJHS Student Orientation
NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION
GTJHS AUDITORIUM
9:30 a.m. – Noon
LAST NAMES A - M Wednesday, Aug. 3rd
LAST NAMES N - Z Thursday, Aug. 4th
Come see all that GTJHS has to offer!
- Take a tour of the building
- Meet Counselors and Administrators
- Learn about sports, clubs, and activities
Last Day of School-June 7th
School Improvement Plan Spotlight
This section is dedicated to GTJMS School Improvement Plan (SIP)! It has been a pleasure to share information regarding GTJMS Culture and Achievement data with you.
GTJMS is full of dedicated staff to support students' needs. It is also a wonderful group of students to show commitment to do better and be better each day.
Good luck to all students as they progress to the next school year.
Cultural Heritage Information
Although May is mostly through, we did not want to forget! May is dedicated to three celebrations for the month.
Check out this link to learn something each day! May Calendar
May is:
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Jewish American Heritage Month
National Mental Health Awareness Month
Contacts
If you have questions about the PTSA, please feel free to reach out to one of our board members:
Caitlyn Reed- President
Jenny Lazarus- Treasurer
Susan Myers- Secretary
We are in the final stretch of this school year. Please continue to check Schoology with your student, to be sure that all assignments have been submitted. Please remind your student to message the teacher if an assignment is turned in late so that they know to go back and grade it.
The counselors are working on next year’s student schedules which will be available in early August.
*Open House Schedule Pick-Up (Save the date) August 4th. More details coming soon. **TJMS Counseling Department
- Sarah Gunter- 6th grade/ sarah.gunter@fcps.org 240-236-4851
- Laura Rudy- 7th grade/ laura.rudy@fcps.org 240-236-4852
- Brian Dwyer-8th grade/brian.dwyer@fcps.org 240-236-4884
- Sara Rogers-Behavior Support Specialist/ sara.rogers@fcps.org
Math: 6th graders are finishing Unit 6. We will be working on ALEKS and reviewing for the test prior to taking the unit 6 test on May 31st. We will finish out the year with some fun activities dealing with geometry and statistics.
Science: 6th graders have been attending “Meteorology School” during this final term. Our young scientists discovered the causes and effects of various weather events. With this knowledge, combined with the ability to translate weather maps, compile weather data, and discern the various climate factors involved, students can provide a general weather forcast.
Social Studies: As we wrap up the year we are finishing our 6th grade exploration of the ancient world by learning about ancient Rome. As we continue to work through our unit we will also work on improving our argumentative writing skills with writing a thesis and defending it with evidence. You can help your student at home by asking them questions that have them choose a stance and defend it with evidence.
Food Science: 6th graders are working on their final project of the year. Designing a Restaurant. We will take a break from this project to cook the week of May 23rd - 27th as this will be our last opportunity to get back in the kitchen. You can help your students at home by helping them stay on top of the individual papers designed to help them with their restaurant creation.
Lab 21: 6th grade students are wrapping up their Amuse Me… I Dare You challenge.
Tech Expo: We have been working on our final wood project of the year, recreating an architectural structure of their choice from their 6th grade History class. This should be completed next week, at which time they will be assigned a self-choice project for the balance of the year, in which they have options. There will be multiple project options available to them, they must complete a percentage of them by Monday, June 10.
Language Arts: 7th grade students are finishing the year with a unit that features Science Fiction texts and considers the question “Why do people follow the crowd?”. Students are analyzing character point of view and identifying themes in these texts. In addition to a variety of short stories, students are reading the teleplay of “The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street”.
Math- 7 Accelerated: We have started the unit on systems of linear equations. The students have worked on using graphs to find the solution. Next week will will learn how to solve them using the substitution and elimination methods.
7th On Grade and Honors: We have been finishing our work with solving and graphing inequalities. We will then be exploring some of the concepts of probability and statistics to finish the year.
Science: We will be finishing the year with our Human Impact module. Throughout this module students will learn about the various impacts that society and people have on the Earth and its resources.
Social Studies: As we wrap up the year we are exploring our final unit on the New World. During this unit we will learn about the start of the colonies, triangular trade, and more. As we continue to work through our last unit we will still be practicing our writing process with writing thesis statements that we defend our stance with evidence from sources. To help with this process at home you can ask your student to take a stance on a topic and defend it with evidence.
Invention and Innovation: We have been involved in our robotics unit the past two weeks, and this week we finished with our Virtual Robots. Students have a self-choice project for the balance of the year, in which they have options. There are 10 project options available to them.
Life Skills: 7th graders are working on their final project of the year. Designing a Restaurant. We will take a break from this project to cook the week of May 23rd - 27th as this will be our last opportunity to get back in the kitchen. You can help your students at home by helping them stay on top of the individual papers designed to help them with their restaurant creation.
Math: 8th Grade: We are completing are unit on solving systems of linear equations. We will begin learning how to find the are and volume of geometric figures, as well as reviewing key 8th grade skills.
Algebra: We just completed our unit on systems of equations and inequalities. We will begin exploring exponential functions.
Science: 8th graders are revisiting their physics module by constructing paper roller coasters capable of carrying a standard marble. Students are applying the engineering design process by revisiting their blueprints and trialing various roller coaster track pieces. They are incorporating both basic track pieces like straight tracks, turns, and loops, as well as more complicated pieces including funnels, half pipes, zig-zags, and jumps. This cooperative learning activity has students engaged in reviewing old material in a fun and competitive atmosphere.
Social Studies: 8th grade students have completed our penultimate unit about the Civil War and Reconstruction period. We will finish the year with an exploration of industrialization in the U.S. leading up to the year 1900. This unit will serve as a bridge to the American Studies II course that students will take in 9th grade, and will include topics such as 19th century inventions and innovations, the monopolistic business practices of Robber Barons and Captains of Industry, urbanization and its discontents, and the beginning of labor organization and the rise of unions.
Foreign Language
WLEX: Students will be making a piñata as a final project. They are working in pairs. They need to bring a shoebox, newspaper, liquid glue (Elmer’s) and tissue paper to decorate their piñatas. Once completed, they’ll put candy in their piñatas and bust them. They keep their candy. Please no chocolate, candy with nuts, or gum.
Spanish One: Students have begun studying Unit 6.2 (Health). Some sections will be making piñatas as well. See description above for what they will need to bring.
Spanish Two:Students are studying Unit 6.2 (Movies and Singing)English Language
Expressions Program
May 16th-20th: Two hour early dismissal Friday, May 20th
Reading: Jabari Jumps
Math:Dimes and Quarters
Science/Social Studies: Life cycle of insects/plants-growth charting
May 23-27th:
Reading: Emotions Book
Math: Dollars
Science/Social Studies: Life Cycle of the butterfly
May 31-Julen 3rd: (No school on Monday May 30)
Reading: Emotions Book
Math: Dollars and Cents/Purchasing
Science/Social Studies:
Life cycle of the ladybug
PE & Health
Students are continuing to compete in our “TJMS Olympics”. Participating in sports to earn medals in: Badminton, Basketball, Danish Longball, Field Hockey, Handball, Hockey, Rugby, Soccer, Volleyball, and Track/Field.
*As the weather gets nicer, be sure students bring water bottles to bring outside with them and clothing that they will be comfortable participating in warm weather. Students will be outside for most of their class time for the remainder of the year.*
Health & Wellness Tip
Now that the weather is getting nice...GET INTO NATURE!
Studies show that just a short, 20-minute nature walk can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, increase the feeling of happiness, and decrease blood pressure.
Head to a local park nearby, or a small plot of grass, take off your shoes and let your feet touch the earth so you can feel more grounded.
Life Skills
8th Grade Life Skills (Dukich) ~ Students are working this week on ‘Plan a 7 day vacation’. They must come up with a destination and stay under a given budget for a group of 4.
The coming weeks I am hoping to have them make chocolate chip cookies and smoothies as well as a week to revisit all that they have learned this school year.
Visual Arts
Music/Choir
ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS CONCERT
May 24th, 6:30pm - TJMS
*students arrive by 6:15
**formal concert attire, black below the waist and white above the waist
BAND CONCERT
May 25th, 6:30pm - TJMS
*students arrive by 6:15
**formal concert attire, black below the waist and white above the waist
Ensemble students are preparing for their upcoming concerts.
Music Performance Lab students are learning simple songs. They are practicing the chords and TAB for each song. Students have also selected a song of their choice that they will be working on.
Theatre Arts
Students are working on plays to finish out the school year. All of the classes had a few to pick from and decided on by a majority vote. We are hoping to perform for staff during the school day.
6th grade … Lake at the End of the World by Carol D. Wise
7th grade … Trapped by Janet Brown
8th grade … February on Trial by Shelia L. MarshallMrs. Gemmill- Math Specialist
Mrs. Cole-Advanced Academics
Mrs. Ralston-Media Specialist
Student Service Learning
TJMS Book Recommendations
Ongoing Announcements
Arrival & Dismissal Procedures Reminder
Dismissal: All students must be picked up at the curb in the car rider line. Students are not to be in the parking lot. Do not pick up on Schifferstadt. It is not safe to have students cross Schifferstadt and it causes a back up on the road.
If you need to pick up your child from school early, or be one of the first ones out of the lot, please arrive prior to 2:45 to get a curb side space or one of the first backing in spaces.
There have been numerous close calls lately where students have jumped out of moving cars and almost got hurt. Safety is very important at TJMS. We need full cooperation to make this work.
Dismissal Line is clear between 3:20 & 3:25 (8-13 mins after student dismissal bell)
Attendance
Possible Attendance Scenarios since One Call is now active:
Scenario 1: If you know your child will be absent
- Send email to TJMS.attendance@fcps.org
Scenario 2: If your child will be leaving early for the day
- Send them in with a note to the front office to pick up a pass or
- Send email to TJMS.attendance@fcps.org
Scenario 3: If your child is absent and you receive a One Call voice message stating your child is absent from school
- Send email to TJMS.attendance@fcps.org
Scenario 4: If you receive a phone call from One Call stating your child is not in school, and you believe they are at school. please call 240-236-4900
If you are going to pick up your child from school early, please send in a note with them. Ask them to come to the front office to turn that note in. By doing this, this helps your wait time for pick up.
Buses
News From Our School Health Room
Frederick County Health Department / Frederick County Public Schools
If you have any health related concerns or questions, please reach out.
Reliable Resources
Frederick County Health Department
Maryland Department of Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Governor's COVID-19 Pandemic: Orders and Guidance