TJ Today
Thomas Jefferson Middle School
April 2016
Upcoming Dates:
March 1-3-4 ISTEP am only
March 5 - TJM choir - Circle the State
March 8 - Parent-Teacher Advisory Meeting @ 6:00 pm in the media center
March 9, 11, 12 - Variety Show - see details below
March 15
- 8th graders will attend Envision the Future at the Expo Center.
- Middle School Orchestra Concert at VHS, 7:30pm - free
March 19th - State Science Olympiad Competition
March 21-28 - Spring Break
April 18-May 6 - ISTEP Part 2
July 11-29 - Save the Date - Summer School Enrichment and Remediation
Science Olympiad takes 1st at IUN Regional
Team members in the front row from left: Max Trowbridge, Adam Biggs, Caden Hamscher,Devishi Jha, Hannah Mitchell, Kourtney Collier, Teresa Nelson.
Second row: Zach Heskett,Calvin McMurtrey, Zach Hatseras, Daniel Hu, Ari Kessler, Lauren Skadberg.
Top Row: Coach Haller, Justin Stowers, Ali Will, Charlie Trowbridge, Coach Elly, Coach Bender.
The Thomas Jefferson Middle School Science Olympiad team took first place among 17 other middle schools at the Indiana University Northwest regional competition. The team beat out other area teams such as Chesterton, Wilbur Wright, Kahler, and Stanley Clark. This was just one of the many regional tournaments held in Indiana. The team medaled in 22 out of 25 events, taking home 11 first place medals. Our first place finish means our team has qualified for the State tournament which will be held at Indiana University on March 19th.
Science Olympiad is a national competition that provides standards-based challenges to its competitors. Many of the events involve interactive challenging and inquiry based, hands on approach to learning between various disciplines of chemistry, physics, earth, environmental science, and engineering.
The coaches are very proud of their efforts. The team looks forward to the challenge ahead.
Media Center Embraces Hands-On Learning
Benjamin Franklin said: “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” Students have many opportunities to figuratively roll-up their sleeves and get involved by completing various hands-on activities in our media center. From eighth graders having fun with the little Bits synth kit, to members of the sixth grade book club recreating images and ideas from their reading selection using window markers, all students are encouraged to visit the media center – and get involved with learning that matters to them. Encourage your student to visit Mrs. Hurley today and ask her about the myriad learning options available – of course including how to get your child’s hands on a fabulous book that he won’t be able to put down!
(see pictures below)
Yearbook orders can still be placed online!
Yearbook orders can still be placed online at:
- Be sure that you select Thomas Jefferson Middle School in Valparaiso, as there are several other TJMS options.
- Order now to avoid disappointment on delivery day in June!
- Questions? Email Mrs. Strayer: jstrayer@valpo.k12.in.us
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON YEARBOOKS
If you ordered a yearbook for your child using a nickname ('Cathy' instead of 'Catherine') or a name other than the name recognized by TJMS, you may have received a post card stating that you have not yet purchased a yearbook. The yearbook company does not realize that the name you used is the same as the name on the post card. You can ignore the post card! Rest assured that your order has been placed. It's always a good idea to print out the online yearbook receipt. Thanks for supporting our school yearbook!
If you have any questions, email Mrs. Strayer: jstrayer@valpo.k12.in.us
TJM VARIETY SHOW
Parents Just Don't Understand
March 11, 7 pm; March 12, 2 pm
Special Student Show: March 9, 4 pm
Ticket information was emailed home separately.
Contact Miss Ellenson or Mrs. Wagner for more information.
Math Club
8th - Our Future’s So Bright……
“What? I have to pay for insurance?!”
“Man, kids are expensive.”
These are some of the comments made in the past by 8th grade students after Envision the Future. Envision the Future, sponsored by the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce, is a real-life simulation that teaches students about the real “cost” of life. Before heading out to the Porter County Expo Center for the event, students are given a career and salary based on their interests from the Choices Career Software they used during January. In addition, some students, at age 28, decide if they will choose to have a spouse and children.
Once students arrive at the event, they travel from station to station to determine the costs of their decisions. The groaning begins at the first stop - paying taxes and students realize that they don’t bring home their entire paycheck. Next they continue through the line to secure housing, transportation, insurance, pay utilities, etc. Additionally, students who have a family, learn the costs of providing for that family in the forms of daycare and food.
At the end of their journey, all students pull from the unexpected events box to simulate the surprises in life that we don’t always plan for. Students may encounter “real-life” events such as losing a job, a move to another city, illness, or inheriting money from a relative. At the end of this journey, students begin to realize how much real-life actually costs. Some 8th graders end their trek very well-off; some have to declare bankruptcy. However, all the students learn life skills and begin to think about their future more seriously after their experience at Envision the Future. Ask your child about their experience at Envision the Future! This year’s 8th grade will be attending on Tuesday, March 15. Information will be sent home shortly.
7th Grade Transitioning
In what has become an annual event, seventh graders at TJMS will be participating in"Giver Day" on March 18th. All students will be reading The Giver by Lois Lowry in their Language Arts class during the month of March. Dealing with themes of utopian and dystopian societies, The Giver has been a popular choice for middle school students who have enjoyed newer novels such as The Hunger Games, the Divergent trilogy, and The Maze Runner. This book has been a favorite of students since its publishing in 1993 and continues to hold classes spellbound through its creation of a world that is seemingly perfect, but so desperately not.
In the afternoon, students will experience the ultimate book versus movie experience! They will watch the movie version of this novel and, if they are like classes of the past, will echo a teacher's dream phrase: "The book was WAY better!" We look forward to sharing this experience with our students before our spring break begins!
6th Grade Happenings
English/Language Arts - All 6th graders recently participated in the annual TJMS Poetry Contest. Students chose a poem to memorize and bring to life through costumes and/or props. Classroom competitions narrowed the field to 22 contestants, who performed their selections for a distinguished panel of judges on Wednesday, Feb. 10. Earning first place was Joy Luther. Natalie Miller captured second place, and David Coombs garnered third place. Honorable mentions were awarded to Lauren Phillips, Kylie Begley, and Graham Collins.
After the Poetry Contest, classes embarked on various paths. Some groups have read The Door in the Wall and parts of Gary Paulsen's Woodsong, while others have been enjoying A Wrinkle in Time and working on pen pal letters. All students have been reading nonfiction passages and practicing nonfiction writing in preparation for the ISTEP+ Applied Skills Language Arts testing later this week.
Social Studies - In our Social Studies classes we just wrapped up Feudal Day. We had a great time with the Royal Falconer, Sir Mark, and our local Knight, Sir Jon. Mrs. Amones homeroom won the Jousting Contest--Sir Matt and Squire Troy even saved the Castle from surprise attack by the mysterious Black Knight. We are studying all things classical now with the Renaissance, then on to the Reformation, and ending the 9 weeks with Early Modern Europe. March Madness is here also! Bring your colored pencils to class for our massive, map-making moments!
Math - We have spent the last month studying Geometry and Measurement including two and three dimensional figures. Our unit has included practical problem solving with perimeter, area, volume, and surface area. At this point, your child should be able to figure out how much paint you would need for your walls, how much carpet you'd need for your floors, and how much seed you would need for your lawn. The students have learned that there are many real life applications for Geometry and Measurement. The next unit we will be studying is Ratios, Rates, and Proportions.
Science - We are still learning about astronomy in 6th grade science. We had a mini history lesson on the Greeks and how many early observers thought the Earth was at the center of the universe. We know what Ptolemy thought, we learned about Copernicus’s model, we found out making observations is crucial and can lead to new discoveries which are exactly what Kepler, and Galileo accomplished. Our biggest goal will be to compare and contrast the planets of the solar system with one another and with asteroids and comets with regard to their size, composition, distance from the sun, and surface features.
Science question for the last day of February: What unit is used to measure the distance between planets? Hint: It equals the average distance between the Earth and the sun.Your student should know the answer.
Technology Tidbits: brought to you by the Technology Committee
Canvas: Our New Technology Tool for:
· posting homework assignments on the calendar (assignments are typically posted on the due date).
· sharing information about the class, including help session times and links to online books (if available).
· providing extra notes, links, examples, videos, and resources to help students with a particular learning objective or standard.
· creating online assignments, including tests, quizzes, practice, and discussions.
· KEEP IN MIND: Canvas is not only new to students and parents this year, but teachers as well; some classes may use Canvas more than others.
· KEEP IN MIND: Any grades posted in Canvas are for specific assignments only and do NOT represent your child's current class grades. Current class grades can be found by logging in to your Skyward account.
Observe Your Child's Canvas Classes!
· Obtain your child's username and password.
· Click here for the Parent Canvas Account support document and follow the directions to set-up your account.
· QUESTIONS about account setup? Contact the school office.
· QUESTIONS about information posted to Canvas? Contact your child's teacher.
Student Council
Thank you to the 8th Grade Student Council members for preparing ISTEP treat bags for the whole student body! What an awesome surprise!
The Student Council is sponsoring a Breakfast Food Drive! This is a grade level competition. Which grade level can build the tallest pancake mix pyramid or the largest cereal box maze? Drop your donations off in your homeroom in the morning. We will be displaying each grade's consumables in the cafeteria. Our goal is to collect over 600 items! Here are some breakfast idea suggestions: granola bars, cereal, Pop tarts, oatmeal, peanut butter, jelly, fruit cups, fruit snacks, and boxed pastry products. The food drive will begin on Tuesday, March 1st and go through Friday, March 11th.
Breakfast Food Drive Coming in March
Friday, February 19th - Cabin Fever Fun!
Orchestra News
Congratulations to the following orchestra students who performed at the Indiana State School Music Association's District Contest. last month. Each of these students chose to spend extra time preparing a piece to play for a judge and performed very musically. They earned 11 gold medals and 1 silver medal for TJMS!
6th grade: Helena Shelhart, Isaac Utesch, Jeshua Leftridge, Leo Donaldson, Faith Atkins
7th grade: Devishi Jha, Andrew Lozano, Joel Teeple, Macey Schmetzer, Madelyn Wills, Gabe Schmaltz, Lucia Otten
8th grade: Lydia Bryant, Lauren Skadberg, Jenni Sanders, Isabel Pati
Circle the State with Song 2016
18 students will be representing TJMS in the Area 1 Circle the State with Song Festival. For 28 years, Circle the State with Song (CSWS) has been an integral part of Indiana’s choral landscape. This program is a statewide choral festival for elementary and junior high/middle school choirs. Nearly 5,000 youth from hundreds of different schools participate in Circle the State each spring at one of 12 sites throughout Indiana. The challenging repertoire helps elevate the music instruction at the participating schools, and it also provides an exciting and culminating experience for the youth. During the festival, the participating schools rehearse and perform together under the director of a highly experienced clinician, Dr. Robert Sinclair who is the Director of Choral Activities at VanderCook School of Music. TJMS students have put in extra work outside of school rehearsals to learn and memorized 7 pieces. We are extremely proud of their hard work. You are invited to the performance at Hebron High School this Saturday, March 5 at 3pm. Doors open at2:45pm. Tickets are free for students 12 and under and $3 for everyone else. Sing beautifully!
8th Grade Team Peace
Past Information
Late Bus
- South Bus #15, 3:50 - begins at TJMS and then goes to VHS, and then to BFMS.
- North Bus #30, 4:05 - begins at BFMS, then goes to VHS, and then comes to TJMS.
Box Tops Update
We have already earned over $600 from Box Tops this year. Thank you!
Remember to keep sending them in. Each little bit adds up to a lot when everyone contributes!
Before and After School Tutoring and Computer Usage
Thomas Jefferson Middle School
Email: ekrutz@valpo.k12.in.us
Website: http://www.valpo.k12.in.us/Domain/248
Location: 1600 Roosevelt Rd, Valparaiso, IN, United States
Phone: 219-531-3140
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TJMS.Valpo
Twitter: @Valpo_TJMS