TMS Community ROAR Report
October Newsletter
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
Be the Change
Greetings Families,
I hope this message finds you well and that you are enjoying the beautiful autumn season. It's hard to believe that October is already upon us; as we settle into the rhythm of the school year, I wanted to take a moment to share some important updates and exciting news from Thurmont Middle School.
Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on October 11th, 12th, & 13th. This is an excellent opportunity for you to connect with your child's teachers, discuss their progress, and collaborate on ways to support their academic success. We encourage all parents and guardians to participate; please access the link below to sign up for a time slot.
October is a month filled with school activities, specifically our Talent Show and Colorfest Fundraiser. Please access the dates/times below if you are interested in volunteering or taking part in any school events; we value and appreciate your partnership!
Be the Change,
Janine Smith-Principal
Chris Bittner-Assistant Principal
Anita Shank-Assistant Principal
Sign-Ups will be open September 26 through October 6.
In order to sign up for a Parent-Teacher Conference, please begin by using the following link:
https://ptcfast.com/schools/Thurmont_Middle_School
- Click on the name(s) of the teacher(s) in which you are requesting a conference.
- You will be prompted to enter your student's name, your name and your email address/phone number. You will receive a sign up link via email.
- Once you click on the link, you will see the available conference dates and times that are currently available for that teacher.
Wednesday October 11 and Thursday October 12
- School opens 4 hours late
- Evening conferences held
- All in-person conferences (Virtual may be requested on these two days, not guaranteed, by calling 240-236-5102)
Friday October 13
- School closes 3.5 hours early
- Afternoon conferences held - All virtual conferences. Once schedule is confirmed, a google meet link will be sent.
If you would like schedule a conference and are in need of an interpreter, please contact Ms. Newman either via email Christine.Newman@fcps.org or by phone 240-236-5102, no later than Tuesday, September 26.
We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to talk with your child's teachers. Please remember that parent/teacher conferences may also be requested anytime throughout the school year if it becomes necessary.
TMS Picture Day
PICTURE DAY IS COMING
Mark your calendars for Monday, October 9, 2023
School Pictures will be taken by Classic Photography on Monday, October 9, 2023. School picture day is when students have their photographs taken by a professional photographer. All in-person students will be photographed for school records (i.e. yearbook, gradebook, and other school system applications).
Skip the order form and pre-order before picture day: www.Classic-Photo.com. Under Order Photos, click Schools then Pre-Order Now. Access Key is thurmiddle23. Please enter in your child's Period 7 teacher's name. Pre-order access will expire 48 hours AFTER picture day. Order forms will be coming home with students on Tuesday, September 26, 2023.
Please click here to see the prices of packages and backgrounds available: ORDER FORM
Payment must be made either online or by cash or check (made payable to Classic Photography) no later than Monday, October 9, 2023. After that date, only online payments can be made. Any questions or concerns, please contact Classic Photography at 1-800-869-9515 x112.
TMS Book Fair
The Book Fair is coming to TMS 10/9-13
Here is a link for more information about the fair, including how to sign up for eWallet:
Mrs. Hunter loves volunteers!
Please use this link to sign-up:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080D44AFAF28A7F58-44347177-scholastic
*All volunteers must first register through the FCPS Volunteer Center*
https://www.fcps.org/student-services/family-community-involvement
7th Grade Fundraiser
The 7th Grade has started it's annual Country Meat Stick Fundraiser. Students are bringing home order forms to share with family and friends. All orders and money are due on Friday, October 6.
Click for FLAVOR DESCRIPTIONS
You may order and pay for your orders using School Cash Online: (https://frederickcounty.schoolcashonline.com). We also accept cash and/or checks. Checks should be made payable to Thurmont Middle School and please make sure your seventh grader's last name is on the MEMO line.
Please support our Grade 7 class, as funds will be going towards the Spring Field Trip and End of Year celebration!
If you have any questions or concerns about ordering and paying online, please contact Ms. Newman at 240-236-5102 or via email Christine.Newman@fcps.org
Thank you for your support!
Important Dates and Upcoming Events
Important Calendar Date Reminders
- Tuesday, October 3rd-Talent Show Auditions-2:45pm-5:00pm
- Wednesday, October 4th-SGA Meeting 2:30-3:30-Ms. Thomson's Room
- Thursday, October 5th-Community Food Drop 3:30-4:30pm
- Monday, October 9th-School Pictures
- Wednesday, October 11th-School Open 4 Hours Late-Evening Parent/Teacher Conferences
- Wednesday, October 11th-PBIS Fundraiser-Roy Rogers
- Thursday, October 12th- -School Open 4 Hours Late-Evening Parent/Teacher Conferences
- Friday, October 13th-School Dismiss 3.5 Hours Early-Parent/Teacher Conferences
- Monday, October 16h-Mobile Dentist at TMS 8:00am-2:30pm
- Monday, October 16th-Wyld Life/Youth Life Meeting 2:30-3:30pm
- Wednesday, October 18th-SGA Meeting 2:30pm-Ms. Thomson's Room
- Friday, October 20th-School Closed for Students-Teacher Professional Learning Day
- Tuesday, October 24th-Talent Show 6:00-8:00pm
- Thursday, October 26th-End of Term 1
- Friday, October 27th-School Closed-Teacher Work Day
- Friday, October 27th-MS Band Night @ CHS Football Game
- Monday, October 30th- Wyld Life/Youth Life Meeting 2:30-3:30pm
- Monday, October 30th-Outdoor School-Mr. Day's Classes
- Tuesday, October 31st- Outdoor School-Mr. Day's Classes
- Wednesday, November 1st- SGA Meeting 2:30-3:30-Ms. Thomson's Room
- Wednesday, November 1st- Outdoor School-Ms. Kolb's Classes
- Thursday, November 2nd- Outdoor School-Ms. Kolb's Classes
- Thursday, November 2nd-Community Food Drop 3:30-4:30pm
- Thursday, Novemember 9th- School Picture Make-Ups
Counselor Corner
TMS Counseling Team Contact Information:
Sherry Bueso- Grade 6 School Counselor 240-236-5107/ sherry.bueso@fcps.org
Stacie Varanyak- Grade 7 School Counselor 240-236-5113/ stacie.varanyak@fcps.org
Rebecca Krauss- Grade 8 School Counselor 240-236-5108/ rebecca.krauss@fcps.org
Debbie Wivell- Behavior Support Specialist 240-236-5155/debbie.wivell@fcps.org
Jane Nicholson- Registrar 240-236-5106/ jane.nicholson@fcps.org
Diana Merritt- Career Coach 240-236-5163 /diana.merritt@fcps.org
Assistant Principal Caseload
Ms. Shank: 8th Grade & 7th Grade M-Z
Citizens Advisory Council (CAC)
The Citizens Advisory Council (CAC) serves as a conduit to the Board of Education for public concerns, advice, and information. An email, CAC@fcps.org, has been established for community members, parents/guardians, students, and staff who wish to share concerns, topics of interest, and/or issues with the CAC. Topics raised in these communications will be discussed by the Council and then relayed to Board leadership.
Service Learning
Have you volunteered outside of the school day to a non-profit organization?
If so, please return this form to Ms. Desonier
I will keep track of your service learning hours.
If you have 25 hours by May of your 8th grade year, you can earn an award.
All hours will transfer to high school.
More information can be found here on the FCPS website.
There are also forms located in Ms. Desonier’s room (250) in the office and in the Media Center.
Attendance = Opportunity
As a feeder, we continue our commitment to attendance knowing that being at school each day opens opportunities for our students. Below is the attendance rate for September for each school:
The research strongly correlates good attendance with school success and, ultimately, high school graduation. Below are some facts related to attendance that highlight the importance of good school attendance (from Attendance Works, www.attendanceworks.org):
Absenteeism in the first month of school can predict poor attendance throughout the school year. Half the students who miss 2-4 days in September go on to miss nearly a month of school
Poor attendance can influence whether children read proficiently by the end of third grade
By 6th grade, chronic absence becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school.
When students improve their attendance rates, they improve their academic prospects and chances for graduating.
We appreciate your support in establishing positive attendance habits at home and reinforcing the importance of coming to school on time each day. Please let us know how we can support your efforts.
Bullying, Harassment or Intimidation
Children need a trusted adult to turn to when they feel threatened. It is important that your child is encouraged to contact their school counselor, administrator or teacher to report bullying because it may not stop without help. If your child feels uncomfortable reporting bullying and harassing behaviors, parents are encouraged to report it to FCPS staff.
To report bullying, use the FCPS Bullying, Harassment or Intimidation Reporting Form, available on the FCPS.org website.
If bullying happens outside of school, families can call:
- 211 for community resource information
- Law enforcement if threats or physical harm occur
Learn more about bullying, harassment, and intimidation in the FCPS Students and Families Tab, found at www.fcps.org. Information is also available in Bullying - Harassment - Intimidation Complaint Process for Students linked here.
School Meals
FCPS is using a new portal for school meal related information. Go to the parent portal at http://linqconnect.com/ where you can:
- Apply for meal benefits (FARM)
- View menus, meal prices and a la carte prices
- Add money to student accounts
- Transfer funds between students
- View student meal transactions
- Set low-balance notifications
Breakfast is FREE to ALL TMS Students this year!
23-24 School Updates
End of Term 1:
Term 1 ends on October 26th. If your child has missing assignments or needs to complete a re-assessment, please encourage them to speak with their teacher(s) as soon as possible.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact your child’s teacher(s). All students also have access to free online tutors 24 hours a day using the TutorMe link.
Student Information Cards:
Important Reminder:
The school needs your child's updated Student and Health Information Cards to reach you when there is an emergency, question or concern.
FCPS requires The Health Information Card to be updated annually.
In addition, below are links to the fillable forms if you wish to print them off at home:
Health Information Card- English
Health Information Card- Spanish
Students may drop off completed Health Information Cards to the Front Office.
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.
The Academy for the Fine Arts will be holding an Open House and Information Session on Thursday October 12th from 6:30pm-8:00pm at Gov. Thomas Johnson High School.
This event is open to FCPS Middle School and High School parents and students who wish to learn more about the college and career pathway program in the visual and performing arts. The Academy for the Fine Arts currently offers focus areas for students in grades 10-12 in:
- Dance
- Digital Art (Photography/Computer Graphics)
- Music
- 2D/3D Visual Art
- Musical Theatre
- Theatre
The schedule for the evening will be:
6:30-7:15: Open house time (see facilities, meet staff and students)
7:15-8:00: Presentation in the Auditorium (program description, application process, Q and A session)
To register for this event, please click here. To learn more about the AFA, please visit: www.fcpsartsacademy.org or contact jonathan.kurtz@fcps.org
Students Reporting Security Concerns:
"See Something, Say Something" and "Don't repost it. Report it" - Encourage students to report security concerns to a trusted adult (parent, school staff member, school administrator, SRO, or a local law enforcement agency). Students may also anonymously report concerns using the Safe Schools Maryland Tip Line at 833-MD-B-SAFE. In an emergency, call 911. Additional resources can be found on each school's website and the FCPS website.
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 each year linked here. Please note this must be completed to chaperone field trips. Please reach out to Shannon Ingram with questions/concerns.
Community Liaison: If you are in need of assistance with school supplies, hygiene products, food, or other community resources for housing, please reach out Crystal Mckenzie, our TMS Community Liason at Crystal.McKenzie@fcps.org. We are here to support and assist all of our families!
If you are in need of a new bed, please access the following link from Sleep Heavenly Peace.
Tutor Me
Our school is proud to announce that we’ve teamed up with TutorMe to offer 24/7 online tutoring to all students!
TutorMe is a place where our students can build the connections they need to learn and thrive. Through TutorMe, students connect with a tutor who’s an exact match for what they’re looking for – whether you’re stumped by an algebra equation, craving a confidence boost, or looking for an extra challenge. There’s more to TutorMe than live online tutoring. Through the TutorMe Writing Lab, you can submit drafts of any written assignment and receive detailed feedback from expert writing tutors in just a couple hours. Reference the TutorMe Support Guide to get started. TutorMe Student Support Guide (English) ESP. Guia de Apoyo- TutorMe (Spanish)
TMS PTA Needs YOU!
2023-24 PTA Board of Directors:
Christy Donnelly-President
Jennifer O’Connell-Secretary
Elizabeth Day-Treasurer
Meeting Dates:
November 9th- BOARD MEETING
December 14th GENERAL MEETING
January 11th NO MEETING
February 8th GENERAL MEETING
March 14th BOARD MEETING
April 11th GENERAL MEETING
May 9th – GENERAL MEETING- Voting of new board members
Digital Membership: https://fspta-00023696.memberhub.com/store?limit=21&live=true
We need YOU to become a member of our PTA! Please be on the lookout for the online membership link for you to join. We are excited to grow our amazing TMS PTA!
Hello TMS community!
We hope the beginning of the year has gotten off to a wonderful start! We're hoping to make this the best year YET, and we need your help!! The PTA is working to organize some fantastic events for students, families and staff. You decide what you're able to commit- maybe it's an hour of time, or maybe it's making a few phone calls to get some donations! No task is too small, and all help is appreciated! Please take a look and pick the committee you'd like to help with!
Click HERE to join PTA! You can use the QR code or by visiting https://fspta-00023696.memberhub.com/store?limit=21&live=true
Thank you, in advance, for the time and effort you put into our students, school, and staff. It is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
PTA
Principal - Thurmont Middle School