TJ Today
April 2024
Thomas Jefferson Middle School
Website: https://valparaisotjms.valpo.k12.in.us/
Location: 1600 Roosevelt Road, Valparaiso, IN, USA
Phone: 219-531-3140
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TJMS.Valpo/
Twitter: @Valpo_TJMS
April
April 12 - Staff Development - 1/2 day of school for students
April 19 - Dance Marathon
May 7 - e-learning day (Election Day)
May 27 - Memorial Day - No School
May 30 - 1/2 Day school End of 4th qtr.
June 3 - Summer School Begins at TJMS
TJ Science Olympiad Does it Again!
State Champions for the 31st time! It never gets old and it’s just as exciting every year. Our Thomas Jefferson MS Science Olympiad Team competed in the State competition hosted by Purdue University in Hammond on March 23, competing against 23 other schools. TJ won 18 medals competing in 23 different events. Our team's score was 74 (low score wins) to the 2nd place team Wilbur Wright Middle School scoring 106 points, and the 3rd place team from Raymond Park scoring 122 points. Ben Franklin also competed with a final score of 211 coming in 8th place.
The Science Olympiad National Tournament is the pinnacle of achievement for 120 of the country's best Science Olympiad teams, representing more than 2,000 students. The 40th Annual Science Olympiad National Tournament will be hosted on May 24 & 25th at Michigan State University, in East Lansing, Michigan. This tournament represents the highest level of the science competition for middle and high schools across the nation. We are looking forward to competing at a National level and hope to represent the State of Indiana and the City of Valparaiso proudly.
Please congratulate the following students on their hard work and great team spirit, Jennifer Wang, Caroline Dyer, Adam Warren, Nora Duncan, Ahana Bhardwaj, Kiley Anderson, Nathan Allred, Micah Cram, Charlie Rowe, Albert Duncan, Aeesha Al-abachee, Adriel Clyde, Ryan Allred, Reese Taylor, and Blake Siegrist.
6th Grade keeps MARCHING forward!
A Viking Shout Out!
To celebrate Pi Day (3.14), TJ 6 th graders were challenged to see how many digits of Pi they
could memorize. The students impressed their peers and teachers with their amazing
memorization skills! Way to go! You all make us Viking Proud! 2024 Pi Day Contest Winner: Aubrey Quillen (87 digits of Pi!)
What ‘cha Reading?
All 6 th grade ELA students have started reading the book, Refugee, by Alan Gratz. It is the story
of three brave kids separated by decades and continents---each with the same goal: Escape.
P.R.I.D.E Reward Trips
On Friday, March 15th, the 6 th grade students who kept their P.R.I.D.E points above 80% and
had no failing grades went to the Boys and Girls Club for the 3 rd quarter P.R.I.D.E. reward. A
great time was had by ALL!
Our final P.R.I.D.E. trip will be to Inman’s! It is a fun way to end the year and our hope is that
ALL of our students can attend. Remember, no failing grades and P.R.I.D.E points cannot drop
below 80%.
Parents, if you could please continue to:
Make sure that your child/children are CHARGING their chrome books every night!
PENCILS, PENCILS, PENCILS! Students are running low on supplies. Please check to
make sure your child has what they need.
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!
7th -HAPPENINGS
In Science, we started our life science unit and are learning about cells. In Math class, students are currently working through the Data & Statistics unit before moving on to the Probability Unit all in preparation for the ILEARN test at the end of the month. In Pre-Algebra, students are finishing the Transformations unit before moving on to the Functions unit that will help them perform well on the upcoming ILEARN and prepare them for Algebra next year. In Social Studies, students are exploring Southeast Asian cultures and histories. ELA just finished their novel unit on The Giver. As ILEARN approaches, we will be reviewing basic language arts skills, essay writing, and test taking strategies. We also will be reading poetry and plays.
STUDENT COUNCIL NEWS!!
Student Council and Builders Club are hard at work preparing for our Dance Marathon in April. Digital donations can be made using the link below. Jar Wars will be April 10-17. Students can bring in spare change & bills. In each grade level, the Viking Time with the most donations in their jar will win a prize! If you are able, please consider donating to help us raise money for Lurie Children’s Hospital.
Builders Club
This month, we have a very special event. Together, with Student Council, we are hosting DANCE MARATHON! From now until the Dance Marathon event (Friday, April 19), we are raising money for Lurie Children’s Hospital. Families can donate online through the grade-level canvas pages or students can donate loose coins or cash to Jar Wars!! The Viking Time that collects the most money in each grade level will win a HOMEWORK PASS! We will also be selling popcorn and water at the track meets on the 16th and 18th for $2 each. All of the money raised will go directly to Lurie’s.
Our monthly Adopt-a-Trail hike at Meadowbrook is scheduled for April 27th from 9-11. If you have not joined us on a hike yet this year, now is your chance!
“No one has ever become poor from giving.”
– Anne Frank
News from Guidance
Attention 7th and 8th grade parents! The 21st Century Scholarship program provides free or reduced tuition to many Indiana colleges and universities to students who qualify based on family incomes. The 21st Century Scholarship enrollment process has changed. Eighth graders who qualified last summer were automatically enrolled but parents and students still need to create a Scholar Track account. Please check this website for more information and to create a scholar track account:
https://learnmoreindiana.org/scholars/how-to-enroll/
Please contact your student’s school counselor for more information or to check if your child is enrolled. We are happy to help our students prepare for the future!
Mrs. Carlson, last names A-K: jcarlson@valpo.k12.in.us
Mr. Shive, last names L-Z : eshive@valpo.k12.in.us
Step 1- Go to treering.com
Step 2- Enter our school code: 1016299019601518
Price: $27.26
School Wide Contact Information
Mark Maudlin -- Principal
Lauren Pickett-- Assistant Principal
Michelle Kodicek -- School Resource Officer (SRO)
Laura Dull -- Secretary
Kristin Scheub -- Secretary/Treasurer
Jami Carlson -- Guidance Counselor, Last Names A-K
Erik Shive -- Guidance Counselor, Last Names L-Z
Heather Himes -- Social Worker
Shawn White -- Nurse
School Calendar and Times
Our school day runs from 7:50 a.m. -- 2:50 p.m. Students may enter the building at 7:20 through door #8 if they are eating school breakfast or at 7:35 to head to their lockers and 1st period class.
Car Riders
- Enter and exit the drop off lines through the soccer/football field entrance
- The south drive along the side of the building as it is reserved for buses
- Use the 2 lanes (parallel green lines on the map) when entering and merge as you make the right turn toward the back of the building
- Please pull as far down the drive past door #5 as possible to allow multiple cars to unload at the same time along the sidewalk next to the building
- Students can enter door #4 or #5
- Leave the area with the red dashed line open so buses can enter the south drive
- Exit using a single line going to the lane closest to Roosevelt Road as you return to the exit of the parking lot
- Students should not cross the south drive to meet someone picking them up
School Breakfast & Lunch
The cafeteria will open at 7:20 a.m. for any student wishing to eat breakfast. Between 7:20-7:30 students wishing to eat breakfast may enter door #8 on Roosevelt Road (northern door facing Roosevelt Road). At 7:35 bus riders and car riders entering the building are invited to head to the cafeteria for breakfast.
Sport Physicals
Daily Announcements
Student Handbook
Attendance
Becoming A Canvas Observer
Dropping Off Forgotten Items
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