Welcome to TMS!
Information for new students: 2023-24 school year
Timberlane Middle School New Students Next Steps
This newsletter will provide you with everything you need to know to start your journey as a Timberwolf!
1. Provide the most updated academic record (Unofficial Transcript and Report Card)
Email your unofficial transcript and report card to Ms. Kathy Prassas (TMS Counseling Secretary) at kathleenprassas@hvrsd.org
2. Request that your official records be sent to:
Timberlane Middle School
Attn: Ms. Kathy Prassas, Counseling Department
51 S. Timberlane Drive
Pennington, New Jersey 08534
3. Students/Families Registering to Start in September 2023:
Course selection meetings with your TMS assigned school counselor will take place in early September based on counselor availability. All of the following steps must be completed prior to scheduling meeting:
1. Your academic record is received and reviewed
2. Your placement testing is completed and results shared with the school counselor
3. Your electives and world language selections are submitted via your grade level google form (more below)
Once all of the above steps are completed, Ms. Prassas will notify your school counselor, who will at that time reach out directly to the parent/guardian to schedule the meeting. These meetings will take place during New Student Orientation (date TBD). Please be mindful that school counselors will be out of the office for the summer, until the orientation.
If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Kathy Prassas (TMS Counseling Secretary) at kathleenprassas@hvrsd.org
OnCourse Connect (Important!)
Upon registration, parents/guardians will receive an email from OnCourse. The instructions in this email MUST be followed in order to grant the student access to OnCourse.
TMS Math Placement for New Students
Students who are new to TMS will be placed in the grade level appropriate math course (i.e., Math 6, Math, or Math 8). If parents/guardians would like their child to be considered for a higher level math course, a math placement assessment is required. The Principal of STEM will determine math placement testing dates.
Be Prepared for Your School Counselor Course Selection Meeting
Prior to meeting with your TMS Counselor, it is important to review the 2023-24 TMS Program of Studies, which includes a detailed listing of approved middle school courses and elective offerings.
Next, please complete your incoming grade level elective & world language google form. This step MUST be completed prior to meeting with your school counselor. Course selections will be finalized based on review of your transcript.
Rising Grade 6 Elective & World Language Google Form
Rising Grade 7 Elective & World Language Google Form
Special Education / 504 Plans
If your child has an active IEP or 504 Plan, please provide the registrar with the most current version, along with any testing that has been done in the past three years. For IEPs, a member of the Child Study Team will contact you to coordinate a meeting to discuss an appropriate special education program. The case manager, in collaboration with the School Counselor, will create your schedule. For 504s, please request that your prior school send a copy along with the records and the School Counselor will work with you to ensure a smooth transition.
TMS 2023 - 2024 Counseling Department Contacts:
Phone Number: 609.737.4004
Ms. Terri Stimmler - 6th Grade School Counselor, terristimmler@hvrsd.org - ext 4125
Dr. Amy Parker - 7th Grade Counselor - amyparker@hvrsd.org - ext 4115
Ms. Christine D'Avirro - 8th Grade Counselor - christinedavirro@hvrsd.org - ext 4116
Ms. Jodi Capman - Student Assistance Counselor (SAC) - jodicapman@hvsd.org - ext 4120
Ms. Kathy Prassas - Counseling Secretary - kathleenprassas@hvrsd.org - ext 4119
Mr. Dan DeStefano - Supervisor of Counseling Services - dandestefano@hvrsd.org - ext 3524