TJ Today
Thomas Jefferson Middle School 2019-20
DECEMBER 2019
Dec. 9 - "This is Our Story" - VHS 7:00 p.m.
Dec. 19 - 11:30 Dismissal for Students
Dec. 20 - Jan. 5 - Holiday Break
6th-Giving Thanks
The Holidays are upon us and soon the 6th graders of TJMS will have completed their first semester! We’ve had a pretty good first half—let’s make sure the second half is even better!
Giving Thanks!
As a part of our Veterans Day celebration, our 6th grade students wrote letters to our current service members that were sent as a part of Builders Club’s Treat for Troops packages. And for Thanksgiving, students wrote letters of thanks to staff members at TJMS. It’s always nice to know you are appreciated!
Parents, if you could please:
· Check grades and assignments on Skyward/Canvas weekly.
· If you see a missing assignment, communicate with your child and let them know it needs to be completed/turned in.
· Contact your child’s teacher with any questions/concerns if your child is struggling academically—we all want your children to be successful!
· Encourage your child to keep up to date on his/her reading counts points!
· Over break, please try and replenish any school supplies you can. We are experiencing quite a number of students that are low on certain items (pencils!)
· Donate dry erase markers to the Math teachers! They would greatly appreciate it!
7th Finishing 1st semester strong
8th Learning and Competing
Before Thanksgiving, 8th grade students participated in an Interdisciplinary Unit that had them exploring the nine different regions of the United States. After a number of competitions Viking Time groups participated in, each Viking Time class choose one of the nine regions of the United States. Then the students learned many things about their region such as the population, the weather/climate, landmarks, tourist attractions, interesting things to do, and unique foods for that region. Students then worked to put together the information and competed by presenting their findings by creating posters with interesting facts & travel advice, weather forecasts, menus, and jingles to entice visitors to their region. Miss Ellenson’s Viking TIme took first place, Mr. Krenz’s took second place, and Mrs. Joll’s took third place.
As a reminder, the grading period will officially end on December 19. We know this is a busy time of year, but please be sure to be checking Canvas for assignments/tests/quizzes and Skyward for grades. Reminding your child about the importance of keeping up with their work and planning ahead will help avoid last minute stress.
Congratulations Science Olympiad Team 2020
Our Science Olympiad traditions continue here at TJMS as our new team was chosen in late October and we begin now to organize and prepare for our 23 multi topic events. Our team has high expectations, as our goal will be to repeat as Regional and State champions. Good luck !
Lily Rengstorf 9th Grade
Sylvia Rotole 9th Grade
Elias Iceman 9th Grade
Matthew Smith 8th Grade
Liam Utesch 8th Grade
Tyler Edwards 8th Grade
Nick Will 8th Grade
Karissa Kasper 8th Grade
Lauren Harris 8th Grade
Susannah Gross 8th Grade
Martin Aguilera 8th Grade
Amy Yu 7th Grade
Chase Henry 7th Grade
Aliya Mayer 7th Grade
Daniel Nathan 6th Grade
Alt. Kaenen Bartley 6th Grade
Alt. Vincent LaFollette 6th Grade
TJMS Spell Bowl
The TJMS Spell Bowl team finished as State Runner-Up at Purdue University on Saturday, November 16th! Team scores were close throughout the entire competition with lead changes and ties across all divisions. Anchor Preston Hughes helped TJ hold on to the second place title. He was assisted in this effort by Liam Strietelmeier, Naomi Bosman, Amy Yu, Kate Norrod, and Vincent LaFollette (who each posted perfect rounds), along with Ally Telesky and Sylvie Goss who were near-perfect.
Team members Lena Allison, Ceci Alvarez, Sofia Alvarez, Addi Clark, Lauren Earl, Tyler Edwards, Danni Fisher, Matthew Joseforsky, Abi Lansdowne, Abby McAlpine and Evan Olsen spelled along in the crowd and enthusiastically applauded their peers. GREAT job, Team TJ – we are all so proud of you!!
Americanism & Government Contest
Twenty-five 8th grade students participated in the American Legion Post 94's Americanism and Government Contest on Tuesday, November 26, 2019. Students took an online test and wrote an essay on U.S. and state history, as well as our government. The winning students for the post will compete against students from across the state for a $500 scholarship. Winners from the Valparaiso area will be notified in 2020. Congratulations to all who participated.
TJMS Participants
Martin Aguilera
Mia Balash
Naomi Bosman
Caylee Brown
Addison Clark
Jessica Cummins
Tyler Edwards
Maria Fodor
Natalie Gill
Emma Hann
Preston Hughes
Karissa Kasper
Lauren Kessler
Nate Lugar
Ruth Mathews
Austin Olsen
Jacob Ray
Amari Samuels
Mya Schultz
Sean Sistrunk
Matthew Smith
Teghan Smith
Mark Teeple
Liam Utesch
Asher Wilson
PTSO NEWS
Greetings from your TJMS PTSO! Thank you to all who dined at Panera for our giveback night! December's giveback night is at Five Guys on December 17th, and we get an extra $1.00 per milkshake sold, in addition to a percentage of sales. The PTSO donated $300 towards book needs for teacher classrooms. This will allow teachers to choose books from the TJMS books fair to help with their classroom libraries! If you would like to help, you can donate to a teacher's library through the book fair that is happening this week. The book fair runs through December 6th, you may contact Ms. Jennifer Hurley, the Media Center Specialist, for more details on donating to the teacher library fund.
We are looking for volunteers! We need parent volunteers to help chaperon the TJMS Snowball dance on Friday, December 13, from 6:00-8:30. Please click the link below to sign up! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0f4aa5af28abff2-holiday You must have a background check on file in order to volunteer!
The TJMS PTSO is sponsoring a staff breakfast on Friday, December 20th at 7:30am in the Flex Room. This is a small token of appreciation to the teachers and staff who work so hard all year to make TJMS the best it can be. We will be sending out information on how to participate and give to this breakfast i the future. If you are volunteering to help set up/serve/clean up the breakfast, you MUST have a background check on file.
Did you know the TJMS PTSO has a Facebook page? Please "like" us https://www.facebook.com/TJMSptso/
Our next meeting is on Wednesday, December 11, at 5:30pm in the flex room. This is welcome to all parents and guardians, we hope to see you there!
Builders Club News
‘Tis the season! Builders Club has a lot of jolly events for members this month! The first event is Angel Tree Shopping on December 5th. Builders Club has picked a handful of angels from local Angel Trees and will pick out special gifts for those people. Bell Ringing is on Saturday, December 7th. Members will be ringing the bells and spreading cheer outside of Town and Country from 10:00 A.M. until 5:00 P.M. Stop by and put some change in the kettle! We will also be caroling at one of the local nursing homes in the middle of the month. Detailed information will be given soon for all the Builders Club singers! Happy Holidays!
YEARBOOK
Share your pictures
Parents and students--We KNOW you take amazing pictures--like those amazing action shots during sporting events, or group shots of you and your friends---and we want to publish your work in our yearbook!
Have you downloaded the Replayit app on your phone yet? No? No worries! You can upload your amazing photos by visiting www.replayit.com
Thanks for sharing your moments with us!