TJ Today
March 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
March
March 25 - 29 Spring Break
April 1 - E-learning day - Snow make-up day
April 19 - Dance Marathon
Regional Champions-Science Olympiad Team Conquering the Competition!
Thomas Jefferson’s Science Olympiad team has been busy studying, building, flying, and getting ready for their Regional competition which was held on February 17th. An outstanding performance was shown by all team members, placing 1st in 20 of the 23 events that were hosted at Indiana University Northwest’s 23rd annual Science Olympiad Regional Tournament.
Science Olympiad is a national competition that provides standards-based challenges to its competitors. Many of the events involve interactive, challenging and inquiry based, hands-on approaches to learning between various disciplines of chemistry, physics, earth and environmental science, and engineering. The State tournament will be hosted by Purdue University NW in Hammond on March 23rd. The team continues to improve as they are preparing to defend their State Title. Congratulations to Jennifer, Caroline, Nora, Ahana, Nathan, Charlie, Kiley, Adam, Micah, Adam, Blake, Reese, Aeesha, Adriel, Albert and all the coaching staff.
6th Grade - Did someone say Pi?...
On Pi Day—March 14— we will be conducting our annual Pi Day contest in which students
recite as many digits of pi as they can. In order to qualify for the contest they must recite at least
40 digits by Monday, March 11. The winner will receive an awesome trophy for their hard work!
Whatcha reading?
All 6th grade Core + students just finished reading Becoming Naomi Leon, by Pam Munoz
Ryan. Naomi is a fifth grader who lives with her grandmother and brother. She loves to carve
soap animals and write lists in her notebook. Her life quickly changes when her mother returns.
Pencils, Pencils, Pencils!
We are noticing a bit of a shortage on the writing utensil front these days in the 6 th grade… Any
and all pencil donations (or any other school supplies) would be greatly appreciated.
Parents, if you could please:
● Check grades and assignments on Skyward/Canvas weekly. The end of the 3 rd grading
period is coming up!
● 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 - Third Quarter Recap
7th Grade has had a great start to second semester. In English Language Arts, students are reading the Giver and exploring what makes Jonas' society perfect. We are looking forward to celebrating the end of 3rd quarter with our culmninating activity day at the end of The Giver. In Social Studies, students are studying Chinese culture and its impact on the development of trade and cultural diffusion along the Silk Road. In Advanced Science, students are continuing an introductory unit on Chemistry. Other students are learning about the Geologic Timeline by completing a timeline project. We are looking forward to celebrating the end of 3rd quarter with our culmninating activity day at the end of The Giver. In math class, students are learning all about writing and solving equations using 'real-world' situations. They are amazed by how cell phone bills used to be designed and that we had to pay per minute or per text! In pre algebra, students are working their way through the data and statistics unit, learning how to critically think about where data comes from and how to not be misled when reading or hearing statistics. Please take a moment to check in with your student and ensure they still have necessary supplies such as paper, pens and pencils and earbuds (inexpensive work just fine).
8th Graders - Planning for the Future…
March is an exciting month for our 8th grade students as we look towards planning for the future. Students are starting to learn about the different classes offered at VHS and select their elective classes for 9th grade. Students are meeting with their guidance counselors to finalize their schedules and prepare for their freshman year.
As part of our Career and College Readiness Plan for our 8th graders, we will be going to the Valparaiso High School Fieldhouse on March 8, 2024. For this visit, we will be transporting students via bus to VHS. Eighth-grade students will be able to see presentations from the Porter County Career Center to learn about the opportunities that are available to them during
their Junior and/or Senior years. TJMS 8th graders will be at Valpo High School between 11:30 a.m. and 2:15 p.m.
STUDENT COUNCIL NEWS!!
Once again, Student Council has partnered with Builders Club in preparation for our Dance Marathon in April. Committee members are hard at work. We are very excited to bring this very special event to TJMS this year. Stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks.
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
YEARBOOK SPECIAL
In case you haven't heard, Thomas Jefferson Middle School is offering you the ability to add your own photos and memories to your custom version of the yearbook.
The Thomas Jefferson Middle School yearbook is $24.93 and includes 2 free pages you can personalize with your own photos and memories.
The custom pages are optional, but if you decide to customize your pages they must be complete by April 1, 2024.
Sign in and complete your custom 2 free pages!
Builders Club News
Builders Club has had a few successful events over the past month. Builders Club members ran the coat check for the VHS Winter Dance and had a great time seeing friends and students in their evening best! At the end of February we took our monthly hike at Meadowbrook Nature preserve. We had 5 students join us and the snow was beautiful ! We even had a member find a garter snake!
Looking ahead, Builders Club is partnering with Student Council and V.U. to work on Dance Marathon. Keep your eyes peeled for advertisements and upcoming details! Jar Wars will be coming soon!
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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