GTJMS Newsletter
October 2023
March 2024
Our Mission
At GTJMS, we strive everyday to create an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity, academic achievement, and well-being. Our mission is to empower students for success today and persevere through tomorrow’s 21st century challenges.
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 Important Dates
FCPS Calendar
Principal's Message
GTJMS Patriot Family & Community,
As we kick off Term 4, I hope our students and staff are energized and ready to dive into new challenges! Our annual testing for MCAP will begin in April and we will be spending time as a school preparing for these upcoming assessments.
Spring Break is just around the corner, offering a well-deserved pause for relaxation and rejuvenation. I encourage everyone to make the most of this time, whether it's exploring new hobbies, spending quality time with family, or simply enjoying the beauty of spring.
Wishing you all a fantastic start to the term and a memorable Spring Break ahead!
Warm regards,
Dr. Work
Principal, GTJMS
Yearbooks on Sale: TODAY IS THE LAST DAY
You will only be able to receive a yearbook if you purchase it by the deadline.
NO additional copies will be available once the deadline has passed.
GTJMS PTSA
Have you signed up to be a volunteer through FCPS Volunteer Center? If not, please click this link so that you can volunteer to chaperone.
Join PTSA here: https://forms.gle/K1EtjAz5WBUir1f99
Pay Membership Dues or Donate via PayPal: send to @tjmsptsafrederick
Please contact the TJMS PTSA at: tjmsptsafrederick@gmail.com"
Are you curious about what your child's teachers enjoy? The GTJMS PTSA has created a folder with "Teacher Favorites."
Feel free to use this folder for Teacher Appreciation gifts, donations, or just to get to know your child's teacher more!
Counseling Office
Registration sheets for next school year are now overdue. If a student does not return the registration sheet, the electives will be determined by space available, when scheduling.
8th graders attending TJHS: Save the date! Freshman Orientation is August 12 for students with last names A-M and August 13 for students with last names N-Z (times TBD) This is a student only event- more details coming soon.
With summer coming, a few 8th graders have asked about work permits. These no longer are done through schools. All information can be found here: https://www.labor.maryland.gov/labor/wages/empm.shtml
Feel free to reach out with any concerns or questions that you have:
Laura Rudy- 6th grade school counselor laura.rudy@fcps.org 240-236-4848
Brian Dwyer -7th grade school counselor brian.dwyer@fcps.org 240-236-4884
Sarah Gunter- 8th grade school counselor sarah.gunter@fcps.org 240-236-4851
Jessi Carter- Patriot counselor jessica.carter@fcps.org 240-236-4852
Shaniqua Thompson- Behavior Support Specialist shaniqua.thompson@fcps.org 240-236-4862
School Culture
TJs
The purpose of TJs is to continually encourage and reward good behavior
from our students.Staff members distribute TJs to students for demonstrating Patriot Pride.
TJs are a positive reinforcement for being prepared, respectful and responsible, showing integrity, and being disciplined and engaged.
Students will use their TJs in monthly raffles, semester raffles, and classroom stores provided by teachers.
Raffles and Celebrations
Students will have the opportunity to use their TJs in school-wide raffles provided by the School Culture Committee. We also do Mid-Term and Term incentives to give time back to students to enjoy each other!
Positive Referrals can still be earned for students who go above and beyond in showing Patriot Pride.
Upcoming School Culture Events
Service Learning
If your child has volunteered their time outside of the school day to a non-profit organization, they should complete the Record of Volunteer Hours (form) in order to have these hours officially recorded and work towards earning an award at the end of their 8th grade year (for 25 hours of service while in middle school). More information can be found here. You are welcome to turn in the forms to me at the end of this school year, or feel free to drop it off at the TJMS front office. If you have any questions, please contact Kerri Cole, TJMS service learning coordinator at kerri.cole@fcps.org
6th Grade
Students are completing a mini unit on argument in preparation for the Benchmark assessment that will be given the week of March 18th. Students will need to develop an argument using claims, reasons, and evidence.
Math
6th Grade Math classes have just finished their assessment on Module 5: Numerical & Algebraic Expressions. They will begin working on Module 6: Equations & Inequalities which involves writing and solving one step equations and inequalities. Students will continue to complete 5 ALEKS Topics each week.
Science
6th Grade Science classes are nearing the end of our Extreme Planet unit. Throughout this unit students have learned how to evaluate weather, the difference between weather and climate, natural hazards, and the impact that humans have on the Earth’s climate.
As we move into our final unit “Balanced Body” students will begin learning about the systems within the human body such as the vascular system, respiratory system, and nervous systems!
Social Studies
6th graders continue to work their way through learning about the ancient world. We have our last two units of study left in Greece and Rome, which we are currently working through Greece. As we work up to Spring Break students will be learning much about Greece for topics such as geography, Athens and Sparta, and their achievements. Before we leave for Spring Break the students will complete the second county benchmark for the writing process using topics covered in the unit on Greece.
Things you can do at home to help your students is to sit with them weekly and check over their grades, assignments, etc. You can also continue to ask them questions that help them take a stance and support it with evidence as this will continue to support our writing process with thesis and evidence.
Food Science
Students are concluding their training on how to read a recipe and measurement skills and will begin executing what they learned through a series of cooking and baking labs.
Computer Science
6th Grade students finished their Block A movie magic project. Ask your child to share their program with you.
Lab 21
6th Grade students are finishing researching Social & Global issues, creating storyboards to organize their ideas, and turning their storyboards into animated presentations using Scratch coding.
Tech Expo
Students have begun to work on their Bridges project that coincides with our Construction Technology Unit. Utilizing balsa wood students are tasked with building a bridge that is able to support 5 pounds of pressure.
7th Grade
Language Arts
Students in Mrs. Hohlfeld’s class are completing a mini unit on argument in preparation for the Benchmark assessment that will be given the week of March 18th. We will then move to a novel study of The Giver, focusing on how themes are developed in texts.
Please make sure chromebooks are charged every day. Check Schoology on a regular basis for missing work, especially if your child has been absent.
Math
Grade 7 Math: Students have recently tested on Module 6 and have started on Module 7. We will be focusing on writing and solving one and two step inequalities.
7 Accelerated: Students are currently working on Module 9: Probability. In this unit students will develop an understanding of probability of simple and compound events. They will use this understanding to develop fluency in finding likelihoods, relative frequencies, and determining the sample space for compound events. They will also compare probabilities and design simulations.
Science
7th graders are experiencing the ‘fun part’ of science! Students are learning how different reactants create different products through hands-on inquiry and experiment. They will understand how physical and chemical properties may change throughout a chemical equation, however, mass and energy will be conserved. They will use analysis and interpretation skills to understand chemical reactions.
Social Studies
7th graders are working their way through Medieval Europe with finishing this unit and moving into Renaissance and Reformation. After we complete that we will start the unit on Mesoamerica where we get to explore the Maya, Aztec and Inca civilizations.
Things you can do at home to help your students is to sit with them weekly and check over their grades, assignments, etc. You can also continue to ask them questions that help them take a stance and support it with evidence as this will continue to support our writing process with thesis and evidence.
Digital Media Arts
Students are finishing their video/audio unit with a radio drama. Students were responsible for creating an original story and script, rehearsing, recording, and editing a 2-6 minute project. We also discussed the art of Foley to enhance our story telling through the use of sounds.
Life Skills
Students started their Sewing Unit and will end it with the construction of a basic square or rectangle pillow.
8th Grade
8th grade students are completing a mini unit on argument in preparation for the Benchmark assessment that will be given the week of March 18th. We will then move to our study of Romeo and Juliet, focusing on how themes and central ideas are developed in texts.
Please make sure chromebooks are charged every day. Check Schoology on a regular basis for missing work, especially if your child has been absent.
Math
Students have just finished with Module 6, Systems of Equations. We will be diving into our next Module that includes angle relationships with transversals and triangles. To finish Module 7 we will be exploring the Pythagorean Theorem.
Algebra: Students are learning to graph quadratic equations. Soon we wil learn to use a variety of methods in order to solve quadratic equations.
Science
8th Grade Science students are rapidly approaching the end of our Solar System unit. During this unit students have learned about the planets, moons, space rocks, and the sheer vastness of space!
As we move into term 4, students will begin their unit on motion. During our motion unit, students will explore Newton’s Three Laws of Motion. We will have several projects coming up that will require recycled materials. So be on the lookout for an email from Ms. Kaehny or Mr. Porter with a list of supplies to be donated.
Social Studies
We have finished our unit about Manifest Destiny and westward expansion in the U.S. in the 19th century. Students are now learning about the path to the U.S. Civil War. In this unit, we will examine topics such as the lives of enslaved people, the plantation economy of the South and the industrial northern economy, the Underground Railroad and the Fugitive Slave Act, Dred Scott, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Bleeding Kansas, John Brown, and the attempted secession of southern states. Students have finished their last benchmark exam for the year and we will now be preparing for the 8th grade social studies MCAP exam.
Multi-Lingual Students
Multilingual students have been working on reading and writing benchmarks to assess the progress of students. All students have completed informative reading and writing about important inventions, or daily schedules and school safety. Students have been creative in making posters and book covers to present their material, which helps them with speaking and listening to others. We have seen a lot of progress from our students, and we are very proud of them and the effort they have made in their academic subjects!
Expressions Specialized Program
PE & Health
Students in health are finishing up their final unit and will be returning to PE on March 25th. Friendly reminder that all students in PE are asked to bring athletic shoes and a water bottle to class each day. Students should be prepared to go outside.
Students in PE will be ending the term with a March Madness basketball unit, focusing on skill review, practice and small sided game play.
Upcoming units for all PE students in term 4 are: track and field, fitness testing, lacrosse, Olympic games competitions, tennis, and backyard/leisure games to complete our school year.
March is National Nutrition Month – Kick it off with 5 Tips to Boost Your Health Eat breakfast every day. ... Plan as many home-cooked meals as you can. ... Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. ... Beware of sweetened drinks. ... Choose food sensibly when eating out.
Electives
Life Skills
Students started their Sewing Unit and will end it with the construction of a basic square or rectangle pillow.
Visual Arts
Chorus
Choir members are working very hard on their second choral piece for their Spring Concert. They are also learning how to Sight Sing and Clap rhythmic measures
Theater Arts
Theatre Arts classes are creating their own movies. This project will take up all the way up to spring break as the students are writing, directing, starring in, recording, and editing their own original movies. Movie genres consist of comedies, dramas, action , and horror films. Prior to spring break students will complete their films and we will debut the films in class!
Pre-Engineering
8th grade students have prepared for the Tech Fair and will be having Bryson Davis & Alexander Subahi competing in the 8th grade design challenge, while Abby Gomez & Koan Miller will be representing GTJMS in the hovercraft challenge. Currently students are working through the engineering design process to create and eventually race compressor drag race cars out of 10” x 1 ¾” blocks of wood.
Foreign Language
Spanish 1: students have been working with stem-changing verbs (o→ue). They have also been working with vocabulary from Unit 4.2 vocabulary.
Spanish 2: students have been working with Unit 4.2 vocabulary.
Mrs. Gemmill-Math Specialist
With term 3 coming to an end it is important to continue to monitor your student’s progress and assignments on Schoology and reach out to us with any questions you have. Remember to always keep the math conversations going on at home. Ask your students what they are learning in their math class or have them teach you a concept they are working on.
Here is one way to keep the math conversations going with this March Madness Math Puzzle:
Mrs. Cole and Mrs. Shomaker-Advanced Academics Specialists
Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) - Now Enrolling for Summer 2024!
Registration is now open for CTY’s day and residential courses for advanced learners in grades 2-12, which will be offered in Baltimore, as well as at sites across the U.S. this summer. Get ready to explore your favorite subjects and have lots of fun! More information can be found here.GTJMS MathCounts News!
In February, the GTJMS MathCounts team placed 6th in the Frederick Regional MathCounts Competition! See link for article and pic from Frederick News Post. We are incredibly proud of their enthusiasm, teamwork and grit!
Congratulations to...
6th graders: Stella, Thomas, Jocelyn and Tristan
7th graders: Aurelia and Sam
8th graders: Parker, Ybi, Aldin and Sophia
A special Patriot Pride Shoutout to Sophia K who qualified to advance to the Maryland MathCounts Competition. Sophia represented TJMS and FCPS at the state competition at Johns Hopkins University.
Ongoing Announcements
Walkers: Please use Crosswalks and Look both Ways!
Arrival & Dismissal Procedures Reminder
Dismissal: All students must be picked up at the curb in the car rider line. Students are not to be in the parking lot. Do not pick up on Schifferstadt. It is not safe to have students cross Schifferstadt and it causes a back up on the road.
If you need to pick up your child from school early, or be one of the first ones out of the lot, please arrive prior to 2:45 to get a curb side space or one of the first backing in spaces.
Dismissal Line is clear between 3:20 & 3:25 (8-13 mins after student dismissal bell)
Attendance
Attendance: Please use the following email address when sending in notes for attendance - TJMS.Attendance@fcps.org. It’s important to email us when a student is absent for any reason. Please scan or Fax the doctor’s note to us if your student has a medical appointment. Our FAX number is 240-236-4901.
Technical Support
Community Resources
Frederick Community Action Agency, George L. Shields Foodbank
Phone: 301-600-1506
Frederick Rescue Mission
Phone: 301-695-6633
Mental Health Association of Frederick County
Phone: 301-663-0011
226 South Jefferson St. Frederick, MD
Crisis walk in Mental health services.
Student Homelessness Initiative Program (SHIP)Phone: 240-415-8971
Email: info@shipfrederick.comProvides hygiene, clothing, shoes, youth activities and experiences, and emergency shelter for Homeless Students in Frederick County. Please email info@shipfrederick.com
Frederick Community Action Agency
Phone: 301-600-1506 or 301-600-3955
http://www.cityoffrederickmd.gov/183/Frederick-Community-Action-Agency
Frederick County Department of Social Services
Phone: 301-600-4555
Homeless Prevention Program - if eleigible could help pay rent to prevent eviction
Call 301-909-6362
Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Needs
Phone: 301-631-2670
Phone: 240-446-9649
https://www.thereligiouscoalition.org/Help with eviction assistance not due to Covid-19, Security Deposits, Energy Assistance Program, Emergency Family Shelter
Crisis Services
Dial 211