Tiverton Middle School
May/June 2015 Newsletter
TMS Science teachers receive training in integrating SMALLab scenarios into science units!
In December, we received a grant from The Champlin Foundations to raise student engagement and achievement in science. The SMALLab+ grant supports Tiverton Middle School teachers and students in building science inquiry skills through embodied, mediated learning experiences. The 100 state-of-the art Dell laptops (4 mobile carts) are ready to go, and the lab's construction is now complete. Blast off for the 2015/16 school year ...!
"During our first session in the SMALLab, students were engaged, working cooperatively, -- and they were clearly enjoying learning and reviewing science concepts. As we were heading back to our classroom, students wanted to know when they were going back to the lab!"
~Maria Clarey -- 8th grade Tiverton Middle School Science Teacher/Science Coordinator
May 2015 Students of the Month!
Grade 5: Kyle Sousa & Isabel DelDeo
Grade 6: Kira Galka & Mariah Ramos
Grade 7: Chloe Higginbottom & Sean Hackett
Grade 8: Tori Blythe & Evan Cayer
TMS' 2015 One School, One Book Program
The multi-talented Bill Harley will visit TMS in the Fall!
Our 2015 summer reading selection is a winner!
Dear TMS Families:
This year’s summer reading program will be a One School, One Book initiative in which every student in grades 5 to 8 is required to read the award-winning Night of the Spadefoot Toads by Bill Harley. Faculty, staff, and parents/guardians are encouraged to read this unique story in order to be able to join in on discussions and other book-centered activities!
The kick off for the program will be Tuesday, June 16th with a fundraising book fair at Barnes & Noble in the Dartmouth Towne Center, 392 State Road, Dartmouth, MA. We are delighted to have author Bill Harley join us for this event from 4 – 7 p.m. during which he will be available to answer questions and sign your purchased books. Books will also be available for loan at the Tiverton Public Library.
Barnes & Noble will donate a percentage of sales made during the bookfair by customers identifying themselves as supporters of Tiverton Middle School. Eligible purchases include Nooks as well as books, educational toys and games, gift products, and music and DVD orders. Bring the entire family! Almost everything in the store and on‐line will count towards the bookfair total and will benefit the TMS Library, so if you’ve been thinking about a gift for Father’s Day or Graduation, this is the time to buy! What better gift than a Nook or a book ...!?
If you cannot make it to the book fair, then vouchers are available at Tiverton Middle School and Tiverton Public Library (see attached). Purchases can be made at any Barnes & Noble store with a voucher, or online by entering the school’s book fair ID number on the payment page.
To purchase on‐line go to bn.com/bookfairs and enter promo code 11608668.
In the fall, during the first two weeks of school, students will be given a “quick write” activity – based on the book. This assignment will be entered in a raffle for award prizes. Also, in the fall, author Bill Harley will visit the school to talk to students about the writing process and answer any questions students might have about his book.
For more information contact Deborah O’Hara, Librarian, Tiverton Middle School, 624‐6668 or e‐mail dohara@tivertonschools.org
April's Students of the Month!
Grade 7: Aja Caldwell & Ryan Oliveira
Grade 6: Alayna Gallant & Connor Nagle
Grade 5: Ryan Matthews & Emily Moreira
The TMS Homepage is the place to go to stay in the know!
Dear TMS Families,
Please navigate to our home page to find links to our 2014/15 newsletters; curated resources at Scoop.It for parents, staff, the community; as well as our June calendar that includes our numerous in and out-of-school activities and enrichment opportunities for our scholars, including:
- The 6/10 Plimoth Plantation excursion for our 140, 5th-grade historians!
- The 6/19 Audubon Society of Rhode Island's 6/19 visit to our campus -- replete with raptors and owls to dovetail with 7th-grade owl pellets unit (7 White)!
- Our 6th graders' 6/19 field trip to Mystic Aquarium, where every boy and girl is a scientist!
- Our 8th graders taking a Blackstone River Valley Boat Ride on 6/10 to discuss the history of the river, the lasting effects of the Industrial Revolution, and the opportunity to use the latest technology to test water quality!
- Our 7th-grade historians headed to the Breakers on 6/19 to explore the phenomenon of industrial growth of the nation during the late 19th century (7 Red)!
- The character-building, positive message of the PTC-sponsored Luneaus Basketball Family Show for the entire school on 6/18 (secular in nature)!
- The 6/22 walking tour to and within the new Tiverton Public Library! Thank you Tiverton PD for providing a police escort!
- The message of building positive interpersonal relationships that was part of the KBEF visit to TMS last week, for all 8th graders!
- The 6/16 3rd Annual TMS Summer Reading Book Fair/Author Signing at Barnes and Noble in North Dartmouth!
- The 6/12 8th-Grade Evening (Roaring Twenties theme), the 6/15 8th-grade field day at Cathedral Camp, and our 8th-grade Promotion Ceremony on 6/19!
It's all there -- and more -- at the TMS home page!
Also, please take a look at the Tiverton Prevention Coalition's latest newsletter, attached ... lots of meaningful info to help keep our kids safe.
It is an honor to partner with you in delivering a world-class education to our young scholars.
Kind regards,
The TMS Faculty and Staff
Spring 2015 SPOTLIGHT ON SUCCESS!
1. TMS Geography Bee winner - Jeremy Mello (gr 8) -- who made it quite far in the state championships, the highest that TMS has ever placed
3. Holocaust Education Center of RI recognized the following students for 1st place (entire state) in the Writing & Arts Contest this year:
Lauren Bowdren, gr 7 - short story
Charlotte Guillemette, gr 7- pen & ink drawing
Abigail Poland, gr 7 - essay
4. Rhode Island State Elks Americanism Essay Contest Honorable Mention Winner
Emma Baker, grade 5 was awarded an Honorable Mention in the RI State Elks Americanism Essay Contest. Emma won a $50 Educational Scholarship Award, a participation certificate, a pin in acknowledgment of her participation, and TMS will also be receiving a plaque to be displayed. Students in grades 5 through 8 -- from all over the state -- participated in the writing contest.
5. Rhode Island State House Essay Contest Winners
Emma Baker and Keira McQueen are headed to Providence soon with their ELA teachers -- Ms. Cayer and Ms. Nogueira -- for a day of celebrating their writing talent and will also receive a grand tour of the State House offered by none other than Representative John Edwards!
TMS 8th Grader Hailey Chapman Is Recognized at URI!
Congratulations 7th Graders!
The Holocaust Education Center of RI recognized the following students for 1st place (ENTIRE STATE!) in the Writing & Arts Contest this year:
Lauren Bowdren- short story
Charlotte Guillemette- pen & ink drawing
Abigail Poland - essay
Jeremy Mello -- Geography Scholar Extraordinaire!
Recently, 8th grader Jeremy Mello -- who handily in every round of TMS' Geography Bee -- was notified by the National Geographic Society that he was one of the semifinalists eligible to compete in the 2015 Rhode Island National Geographic State Bee, sponsored by Google and Plum Creek. The contest was held at Rhode Island College on Friday, March 27, 2015.
This was the second level of the National Geographic Bee competition, which is now in its 27th year. School Bees were held in schools with fourth- through eighth-grade students throughout the state to determine each school champion. School champions then took a qualifying test, which they submitted to the National Geographic Society.
The National Geographic Society has invited up to 100 of the top-scoring students in each of the 50 states, District of Columbia, Department of Defense Dependents Schools and U.S. territories to compete in the state Bees. Maybe he will make it to the nationals! ... fingers crossed!
TMS Mission Statement
Tiverton Middle School is committed to providing a learning environment that promotes the unique talents and abilities of all students, ensures high quality instruction, and actively engages families and the community. Our dedication to excellence is integral as we challenge, guide and support all students in their development to becoming self-sufficient and contributing citizens of our local and global communities.
Tiverton Middle School
Email: ldias-mitchell@tivertonschools.org
Website: http://tms.tivertonschools.org/
Location: 10 Quintal Drive, Tiverton, RI, United States
Phone: 401-624-66678