Gov. TJMS Newsletter
September 21, 2018
Our Mission
"A Caring Committed Community for every student, every day."
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 CALENDAR EVENTS
Administrative Announcements
1:1 Information
TJMS is a 1:1 Chromebook school. Students are expected to have a device for instructional purposes. Please note that students may choose to bring their personal Chromebook to school; a cell phone does not meet this expectation.
Fees and Forms for the 1:1 Chromebook Program
The yearly technology fee for the Chromebook program is $60. Students receive their Chromebook once TJMS receives the following:
- 1. Technology Fee form is received with Accept ( Payment must have been submitted) or Decline indicated.
- 2. User Agreement Form
This may be paid by check or cash at the TJMS front office or via the school cash online link: https://frederickcounty.schoolcashonline.com/ This fee provides coverage for accidental damage that may occur during normal use of the device. Payment plans may be set up online. If you have any financial concern regarding the $60 fee, please contact Ms. Gilgallon at margaret.gilgallon@fcps.org so that individual arrangements can be made. The program and coverages are described in the documents linked below.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
If your student will bring their own device, (Chromebook AND/OR phone) please complete the BYOD section of the 1:1 User Device Agreement by following the appropriate link below.
Extended Learning Opportunties
In an effort to provide students with a structured opportunity to build organizational and study skills and accelerate skills with teacher support, GTJMS is offering an opportunity for students to stay after school and attend a program to help support their learning in language arts, math or grade support.
Students for math and language arts programs are selected for the program based on specific data points such as PARCC scores. During the duration of the program, teachers will monitor classroom progress and focus on areas of need.
Grade Support is help for students who are not passing their classes due to missing work or poor assessment grades. Mrs. Gunter, along with TJHS students will be available to assist students who are referred by teachers, school counselors or administration. This program will begin in November.
The programs will meet on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3:15 until 4:30 PM.
School transportation will be provided for students who access the bus on a regular basis during the school year. An afternoon snack will be provided.
Invitations to students will be given out during the week of 9/24.
Program Dates
October
2 ,3 ,9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31
November
13, 14, 27, 28
December
4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19
January
8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30
February
5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27
March
5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27
April
2, 3, 9, 10, 16
May**
7, 8 , 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29
*If FCPS cancels afternoon and evening activities due to inclement weather, ELO will be cancelled.
* * Dates may be adjusted
PBIS News
Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) is a school wide program to encourage a positive climate for learning. We have many exciting plans for our PBIS program! This year we will hold monthly PBIS raffles using TJs, our school “currency”. We will also have school-wide term incentives that celebrate all of the good things we do at TJMS on a daily basis! We would appreciate any donations for our raffles and term incentives. Thank you for your assistance with these fun activities for our students!
We are excited to announce our first dance of the school year on Friday, October 26th. This dance will have a fall theme and will take place from 3:15-5:00. If you have any fall themed decorations or twinkly lights to donate for the dance, it would be much appreciated. We are looking for a small group of parents to assist us with decorating and chaperoning the dance . If you are interested, please contact Beth Ann Miller at elizabeth.miller@fcps.org. Closer to the date of the dance, we would love to have snack and drink donations. More information will be sent in a Find Out First in October.
Student Government Association
Our Rita's Fun Friday was a hit! Students enjoyed a sweet treat and extra recess!
Funds raised will support SGA activities.
Enrichment Clubs
Is your child interested in joining an enrichment club? We have a lot to choose from! Spelling bee, Coding club, Writing club, Service projects, Brain games, and Knowledge masters!! All clubs will take place during ELT time, NOT after school. For more information and to sign up, students should stop by Mrs. Cole’s room (233).
Service Learning
Does your child enjoy volunteering after school or on the weekends? If so, you should know that students in middle school can earn an award by completing 25 hours of service learning. All students have to do is complete a brief form for each service activity and return it to Mrs. Cole in room 233. Forms are located on the service learning bulletin board across from the upstairs computer labs, as well as in Mrs. Cole’s room. See the bulletin board or Mrs. Cole for more information.
Attendance
Regular daily attendance is expected and critical to a child's academic success. Parents' support of regular daily attendance is essential.
Students should arrive at school no earlier than 7:40am and leave the grounds by 3:20pm, except when participating in school-sponsored activities.
Parents are encouraged to notify the school on the day their child is absent. A note stating the reason for absence or lateness is required upon students' return, or the absence is automatically classified as unlawful until an approved note is provided. Whenever possible, please obtain a note from a doctor, dentist, or other professional following your visit. Notes can be handed in to the front office, emailed (suzanne.rieman@fcps.org), or faxed (240-236-4901).
Students who were absent from school have the responsibility to request make-up work within two days of their return
For more information, click here: http://www.fcps.org/student-services/general-info-for-parents
FCPS has a regulation all about attendance/absences. Click here to view: https://apps.fcps.org/legal/file.php?id=277
Questions? Contact Suzie Rieman at 240-236-4846.
PTSA Information
I hope everyone is off to a great start of the year! Thank you to all 83 of you who have signed up for the PTSA already! If you'd like to sign up, please visit our website at www.tjmiddle.my-ptsa.org and fill out a digital membership form. Individual memberships only cost $12, or two people can join for just $20. If your student is interested in serving as a Student Representative, please send in a note with them marked PTSA and we will be in touch.
Please join us for our first PTSA meeting of the year this Monday, Sept 24 at 7pm in the TJMS Media Center to find out what's happening this month. Topics include membership, fundraising, departmental grants, assemblies, the October dance, and the school store.
Here's a HUGE THANKS to everyone who has participated in our Flamingo Flock fundraiser so far! It's been a lot of fun!! Thanks to your generous support, we are in the process of funding lots of great adventures for your students this year! We have a many birds making the rounds in our district. If you'd like to request a visit or be a "flock keeper" for a week, please email our Fundraising Chair Ann Day at 99oakdalebears@gmail.com.
Our Box Top containers have been distributed to each homeroom class, so please start sending those in with your student! Don't hold on them- the expired ones won't be honored, and each one is worth $.10 to us. Please get what you have turned in by Oct 27... The classroom that collects the most will receive a basket full of candy, courtesy of the PTSA!
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at mmrobyns@hotmail.com, or via the website. I would love to hear from you!
Monica Robyns
PTSA President
News From Our School Counseling Office
Peer Power is underway! This year we have two programs. Peer Ambassadors embraces the following aspects: Anti-bullying lessons, kindness initiatives, welcoming students, and assisting new students. Peer Buddies works specifically with the Challenges Program at TJMS. They assist students from Challenges in PE and Music Class.
Next week, September 24th to September 28th is Start With Hello. Begun by parents of victims of Sandy Hook, Start with Hello week asks students and adults to reach out to socially isolated students. Green is the color the organization has chosen and next Friday students should wear green to support the week. In addition special Green TJ’s will be distributed to help reward students for welcoming behavior.
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
- Jessica Potts- Behavior Support Specialist jessica.potts@fcps.org 240-236-4848
Note: Mrs. Rudy will be out of the office until Oct. 22. Ms. Potts is available to assist with 7th grade questions and concerns.
Students are analyzing various short stories for plot, characterization, and point-of-view. Students will use the methods of characterization to learn how characters influence the plot.
Math
The students have been using the factor slide in order to find the GCF and LCM. They will be solving GCF and LCM word problems. They will be using the factor slide to help them rewrite expressions using the distributive property. In the near future, we will be learning about order of operations.
Science
Students are learning about different types of air masses and how they impact our weather. We will be analyzing consecutive days of weather maps looking for trends in how fronts and pressure systems move. Students will then try forecasting the weather based off of those trends.
Social Studies
6th grade classes are working on their unit on ancient Mesopotamia
Food Science
The students have been working on a presentation about their food culture.. This presentation is due on o9/24/18 and the requirements for poster or digital presentations is in schoology plus the rubric.
Lab 21
Please remember to check Schoology for grades. We are in the midst of Our Brain & Growth Mindset, with that particular webpage being due late next week. That assignment and specifics can be found on page on my website - https://dalylab21.weebly.com .Students are beginning to read and analyze short stories. We are specifically focusing on point of view and characterization in the first cycle. Next week we will begin to work on the writing process by extending a narrative.
Math
Students continue to calculate unit rate associated with ratios of fractions. They are also learning to identify proportional relationships and identify the constant of proportionality.
Lancaster: Students have been adding/subtracting integers. They took their first formative this week on these skills. Next week, we will be multiplying and dividing integers and moving to rational number operations.
Science
Students have been building models of molecules in simulations on the computer and with model building kits. Please ask your student to explain to you the difference between an atom, element, compound and molecule.
Social Studies
Students are examining the legacy of the Roman empire and the reasons for the success of the Byzantine Empire.
Creative Arts
Creative Arts students have begun their Japan unit. We are finishing up our kimono projects which focused on our visual vocabulary terms: The Elements of Art and The Principles of Design. (Quiz your student--see if they can identify an element/principle!) Next week we will be practicing watercolor techniques and writing haiku poems. Please follow us on instagram to see what we create! @tjms_galla LOTS of updates to come soon!!
Invention and Innovation
Student are developing an idea for an invention and applying for a patent.
Students are analyzing various short stories for plot, characterization, and point-of-view. Students will use the methods of characterization to learn how characters influence the plot.
Math
Cole: Students have explored converting numbers between scientific notation and standard form with both positive and negative exponents. Next week we will learn how to use a calculator to perform scientific notation as we solve real world problems.
Lancaster: Students have been simplifying and evaluating expressions. They are now solving linear equations and will be solving inequalities next week. In addition, they will be solving for specific values in formulas.
Science
8th grade students are continuing to explore how homologous, analogous structures help support Anatomical similarities and differences among organisms that can be used to infer evolutionary relationships.
Next Generation Science Standards: https://goo.gl/yi5cXG0
Social Studies
Students are beginning to look into the early foundations of American political thought and the causes of the American Revolution.
English Language
The Beginner/Advanced Beginner class has been working on forming sentences with singular and plural nouns. In addition, they are making inferences about stories. Today we read about Malala Yousafzai. The Intermediate/Advanced class has been reviewing pronouns and antecedents, visualizing and making inferences about text, and analyzing paragraphs about literature.
Challenges
In Mrs. Chu’s classroom, we are continuing our Safety September this week by learning about firefighters and how they help us in the community. Students are continuing to learn about a variety of community workers throughout the month. Students are also completing activities this week about Johnny Appleseed, including taste testing apples.
In Mrs. Burdette’s class, we are continuing our fall unit. In science, we are tasting and classifying apples by using all of our senses. Our reading strategies include compare and contrast as well as fact and opinion. We are continuing with place value concepts, different number concepts, money and will begin our time unit next week. Be sure to send in the Boxtops for Education. Our class uses those to reinforce squence counting. Thank you in advance.
Foreign Language
SPANISH I Students are finishing up Preliminary Unit, and beginning Unit 1. There will be a 25-point exam related to Unit Preliminar at the end of next week. More to follow.
SPANISH II Students are finishing up Preliminary Unit, and beginning UNit 1. There will be a 25-point exam related to Unit Preliminar at the end of next week. More to follow.
WLEX Students are studying American Sign Language. They are learning to ask and tell their names, ask and tell where they live, and ask and tell their phone number. They’ll soon be recording a dialogue with a partner.
PE
All grades: Family Life Preview Night is Wed. Sept. 26 at 7:00 p.m. in room 163. Parents will be able to preview the Family life materials.
**If you would like to purchase a PE Uniform online here is the link:
(It works if you type it in!)
Life Skills
We are beginning work on our Babysitting unit. We will be holding mock interviews, resume creation and working on leadership skills.
Visual Arts
Parker
6th VA: Students have done contour drawing and continuous line drawing of still life objects. Students also learned about the four basic methods of shading which they applied to their still life objects.
7th VA: The students have begun a project based on Neo-Expressionism from the 1980s.
8th VA: Students are completing their word portraits of self,celebrities, politicians, etc.
Galla 6th VA: 6th grade artists have been practicing contour line drawings. Ask your student what the term contour means! We are using this technique to create a collaborative bulletin board inspired by the I Spy books! I will post a picture to our class instagram page when we complete it next week! @tjms_galla
Music
Mr. Clawson, my long term sub, enjoyed his visit this past week and is looking forward to his time here at TJMS!
OHS bound 8th grade band students will be joining the OHS Marching Band on September 28th for move-up night! They will play the National Anthem and sit in the stand with the band at a football game!
All students who would like to audition for All-County Band, Orchestra, and Chorus should return signed applications no later than September 26th.
All music classes will be utilizing both Schoology and MusicFirst. Students must use govtjmiddle.musicfirstclassroom.com to access our school specific login page. A link directly to the MusicFirst login page is provided under class resources within Schoology.
Band and orchestra students have been exploring the Sound Innovations method book and will begin sight reading new music.
Music Performance Lab has just completed a project on the purposes of music. Next week students will look a little deeper into their favorite songs and be able to describe their song using the elements of music.
Theatre Arts
All Grades will be working on a voice unit. Included in the unit will be terms and vocabulary, scene work and listening to and creating their own radio dramas. We will then be moving onto pantomime and movement.
Technology Exposition (Tech Expo)
Instructions regarding the power equipment and those related safety tests are being completed. Students must score 100% on that particular quiz before they can use that power equipment.
Computer Science Investigation
Students are continuing to explore GRIT and utilize problem solving strategies (Define, Prepare, Try, Revise) to solve the following problems (Birthday Party seating challenge, Planning a trip with constraints) Students will be exploring “what is actually a computer and what is not considered a computer.”
Problem Solving
News from our Instructional Specialists
Mrs. Lucas-Literacy Specialist
As your family is getting back into your school routine, I would like to pass along some reading tips to help you support your child at home.
Encourage your child to read for at least 20 minutes each night. Let your child pick age appropriate texts he/she finds interesting. The more a child reads, the better he/she will read!
Be your child’s reading partner. Find a text that interests you and your child and read it together. Engage your child in discussions about the characters, plot, favorite passages, etc.
Set a good example. Allow your child to catch you in the act of reading.
Get a library card for you and your child. Take trips to your local library and explore the vast selection of books it has to offer. Find a quiet nook and read with your child there or check out books and read together at home.
Set reading goals. These goals can range from reading a certain number of books during a specified time period to reading for a certain number of days in a row to tackling more difficult texts. Just remember to check in and discuss your child’s progress towards these goals.
If you have an questions or concerns, please contact me. Daren Lucas at (240)236-4913 or daren.lucas@fcps.org
Media Center News from Ms. Ralston
Does your child use social media? It’s important to know what they are really signing up for when they agree to Instagram or Snapchat terms and conditions. Check out this Google slideshow and read the notes for a full explanation Staying Safe on Instagram/Snapchat
Also check out instagram tips and snapchat safety
Ongoing Announcements
End of Day Student Pick Up
Monocacy Boulevard Detour
Message From the Health Room
Frederick County Health Department / Frederick County Public Schools
The health room is staffed by Kelly Pranger, RN and Shaniqua Diggs, HRT. The health room hours are: 7:45am to 3:15pm. The health room phone number is 240-236-4856 Please review the following to help us safely provide health care services:
If a student doesn’t feel well, they are directed to the health room to be evaluated and we will contact the parent/guardian as appropriate.
Our goal is to keep students in school. All student visits to the health room are evaluated with the student returning to class if possible. Students are sent home at the discretion of the health room staff.
FCPS Regulation 400-23 states that students are not permitted to transport medications, unless authorized to self-carry. It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to bring the medication directly to the health room.
Parents often share information with the teacher but not with the health room staff. Please share any medical information about your child with the health room staff. We encourage parent/guardians to complete and sign the confidential health information cards, and have them returned by the end of the first week of school.
We have students in the school with food allergies, diabetes, and other health concerns. Students are not permitted to share food with any other students.
Let us know if we can be of assistance. Thank you for your cooperation, and we look forward to a happy and healthy school year!
Kelly Pranger, Registered Nurse
Shaniqua Diggs, Health Room Tech., CNA/CMT
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Community Resources
Frederick Rescue Mission
Location: 419 South St. Frederick MD 21701
Phone: 301-695-6633
Food Pantry Center Hours
Monday- Wednesday 1:30 to 3:30 PM
Thursday- 5-7 PM
Friday-Saturday 1:30-3:30 PM
Meal Schedule
Breakfast:7-8 AM
Lunch: Monday-Saturday 12-12:30 Sunday 1-2 PM
Frederick Community Action Agency
Location: 100 S. Market Street, Frederick, MD 21701
Phone: 301-600-1506
Food Bank Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday 2 PM- 4-PM
Monday and Wednesday 7 PM-9 PM
2nd and 4th Saturday 11 AM- 1 PM
Free Evening Meal: Served Daily 5:30-6:30 PM
Centennial Memorial United Methodist Church:
Location: 8 West 2nd Street, Frederick, MD 21701
Phone: 301-663-5272
Soup Kitchen: Wednesday 5-6 PM and Saturday 4-5 PM
Food Pantry: Wednesday 6- 7:30 and Sat 4- 5:30 PM