What's Happening At TRJHS!
From the Desk of Mr. Sturges, Principal
Parent Newsletter
As a Junior High School, our students are coming of age where they begin to think or act with some independence. They are also still young where they are products of their families values and beliefs and attempting to balance this new introspection with what their values already are. It's a fun age to see this conundrum at work. Here at Tantasqua we attempt to open as many doors as we can and guide them, whichever way their path goes, allowing our students to try anything we have to offer. Below, at the very end,is a list of clubs, activities and athletics that are offered to all students. Many of the athletic teams are one's you have to tryout for but at least are offered. It comes with great pride when I see at our late buses how many students stay after school to participate each day.
Recently At TRJHS
Halloween Dance
Bully Presentation
Bully
Classroom Activity
Positive Chain
Fall Sports
Girls Soccer had a great season. The final record was 5-4-2 with an impressive couple of games vs. very tough opponents over the course of the season. Great job by these young ladies and good luck to the 8th graders hoping to play soccer at TRHS!
Boys Soccer: the boys final record for the season was 8 wins, 1 loss, and 1 tie. The boys had a great season with very impressive wins over a long list of difficult opponents. We are impressed with the efforts of these gentlemen and wish them good luck with TRHS soccer.
Cross Country boys have come a long way. They had an unbelievable season with only 2 losses. The boys have become stronger and faster slowly picking off their competition. We were only a few spots away from 1st place in our SWCL meet and are slowly gaining ground at our own invitational taking home 2nd place as well. The returning 8th graders have gained so much this year with the help of the incoming strength of the 7th graders. Next year looks to be promising as we have grown as a team.
Cross Country girls had a great year as well pulling in a number of difficult victories with a few losses along the way. Our athletes turned in a season of great effort that translated itself into the victory column. Great job ladies!
Field Hockey had a great season as an official sport and no longer a club. The girls worked all year at getting better and with determination they had a game vs. Charlton Middle School where they scored a bunch of goals. After that they had a hard fought tie with Agawam, a team they had lost to earlier in the year. They always showed great effort and turned in an awesome year.
Once again, congratulations to our fall sport athletes. We look forward to winter sports. See below for tryout schedules relative to boys/girls basketball.
Field Hockey
Boys Soccer
Girls Soccer
Winter Sports
Basketball try-outs will be held on the following schedule:
Girls - Grades 7 + 8--11/13, G7 + 8- 11/14
Boys - G8-11/16, G7-11/19, G7&G8 (combined)-11/20.
*IMPORTANT* All students trying out MUST complete the following PRIOR to their first try-out date. If not 100% complete, students will not be able to try-out;
1. Up to date physical completed, or on file. Students who need a physical can sign up for an in-school sports physical on 11/07. Students must bring the signed In School Sports Physical form on the 7th. Form can be downloaded from the nurse's website.
2. Parents must complete 100% of the online registration which can be found using the following link, or parents can login to the HS website and click on Athletics and then the link for Sport Registration at the top of the page.
https://app.schooldoc.com/!/home/auth/email?r=tantasquahs%20school
**Again, students must have 100% completion of all required paperwork or they will not be allowed to participate in try-outs.**
Music Department
Also on Wednesday October 21st we had our first jr. high school band concert. The students did an amazing job, many of whom just started playing an instrument 8 short weeks ago. I'm very proud of and impressed with our students who work hard at it every day in band. Thanks to Mrs. Colwell for the first of what I'm gathering will be many great performances. On Friday October 12th our bands traveled to UMASS for the yearly multi-bands concert. Our students represented Tantasqua well and turned in another good performance.
Students of the Month-October
October - Tolerance (Bullying Prevention month)
November - Gratitude (Giving thanks)
December - Generosity (Holiday giving)
January - Perseverance (Resolutions)
February - Kindness (Random Act of Kindness Day Feb. 17)
March - Compassion (Developmental Disabilities Awareness month)
April - Courage (Patriots Day)
May - Civility
June - Citizenship.
***Character traits are subject to change but should remain for this year!
We look forward to working with our student body around these positive attributes that will benefit them as they move on to high school and beyond.
7th Grade Students of the Month
Students of the Month October
8th Grade Students of the Month
TED
Technology Grant
Educational Activities Around the Building
Mrs. Hager's class shared pictures of a debate over whether the events in the short story they were reading ere magic, or just coincidence! Not sure who the winners were but it was a passionate debate!
Debate in Mrs. Hager's
Breakout in the Library
More Debating!
Student Council Speeches
Candidates at the Podium
Candidates at the Podium
Candidates at the Podium
High Five Friday-Veteran's Edition
Bus Company Message
We've been working regularly with our bus companies to ensure student safety and one message that we wanted to share is in regards to bus passes. There are a specific list of buses seen below that are full and we will not be able to accept bus passes from students. Because of the shear numbers we have to ensure that there are enough seats available for regularly assigned students. The following buses are full:
Sturbridge 6,7,10,11,12,14,16
Brookfield 6
Finally, there will be no passes on the half day before Thanksgiving. That is a day where all students on both sides of the street go home and there are few (if any) after school activities. Buses will be filled. Thank you for everyone's understanding with the transportation as we understand at times its an inconvenience. Please fee free to contact our office with any questions.
Food Drive War
7th
White - 1,111
Red - 1,115
Blue - 1,844
Teachers - 1,160
8th
Orange - 403
Green - 466
Gold - 629.
Thank you again to all who contributed. Although the contest has ended we will continue to collect items to provide for our own community. Student Council did a fantastic job coordinating announcements, collecting the goods and organization everything.. Great job to all of our students and staff who contributed.
Important Dates For November
November 2- Student of the Month
-Student Coffee House during lunches
November 7 -Picture Day Makeups
-Sports Physicals- 9:30am- Nurse’s Office
-Parent Teacher Conferences- 2:30- 4:30pm and 6:00- 8:00pm
November 9 -Outing Club field trip- 2:15- 5:45pm
November 10- Craft Fair @TRHS (see flyer)
November 12 -No School-Happy Veteran's Day
November 14 -Grade 8 Tech Visit- 8:30- 10:30am
November 15 -Charity Volleyball Tournament- 2:00- 3:15pm
-HS Tech Info Night- Grade 8 parents- 6:00pm in HS Auditorium
November 16 -Career Interests presentation in exploratory classes
November 19 -NJHS Induction Ceremony- 5:30pm
November 20 -TRSD School Committee Meeting- 7:00pm
November 21 -Early Release- 10:51am
November 22 -Happy Thanksgiving- No School
November 23 -No School
November 28 -1st semester grades close
-Christmas Carol presentation- Grade 7 ELA
Important Dates for November
Tantasqua Regional Junior High School
Email: sturgesg@tantasqua.org
Website: www.tantasqua.org
Location: 320b Brookfield Rd, Fiskdale, MA, USA
Phone: (508)347-7381
Facebook: facebook.com/TantasquaRJHS
Twitter: @principal_trjhs
After School Activities
Student Council
Mrs. Stalker/Mrs. Valcourt
Student Council members plan and execute various events and activities such as school dances, student fund raisers, and Tantasqua spirit rallies. Through Student Council, students will develop confidence in their leadership skills, and understand the responsibility that comes with serving in an elected position. Students are elected annually to serve a one year position on the council. The Student Council’s mission is:
Student council members will lead by example. We will be respectful, helpful and welcome all with kindness and acceptance. We will represent the student body and support our school and community. We will create a fun atmosphere full of school spirit and make TRJHS the best it can be.
National Junior Honor Society
Mr. Lindeborg
The National Junior Honor Society is a prestigious and widely respected national organization based on the principles of scholarship, leadership, service, citizenship, and character. The Tantasqua Regional Junior High School chapter of NJHS inducts eighth grade students into the organization each fall. Membership is open to individual students who demonstrate these principles during their seventh grade and eighth grade years. In order to be invited to apply to NJHS, a student must first demonstrate his or her scholastic achievement in seventh grade. The student must earn a cumulative grade point average of an “A” for the year as well as maintain strong academic credentials into eighth grade. Grade eligible students are then encouraged to complete an application to NJHS in the fall of their eighth grade year, highlighting their achievements in leadership, service, citizenship, and character. The applications are submitted to the chapter advisor and then reviewed by a faculty committee. If an applicant is selected for induction, it is expected that he or she will attend the induction ceremony, monthly chapter meetings and service events, and will complete twenty (20) hours of community/school service over the course of the school year. NJHS is the junior high school branch of the National Honor Society. Students who are inducted into NJHS are frequently among those who are later invited to apply to the NHS at the high school.
All seventh grade students are encouraged to solidify their academics so that membership into the NJHS will be a possibility for them as eighth graders. They should also become involved within their school and in the local community, demonstrating the important principles of the NJHS.
Gaming Club
Mr. Johnston
Students gather once a week to play video games, board games etc. with one another. Games range from Madden Football on the smart board to board games such as Risk and Monopoly.
Chess Club
Mr. Reynolds
Chess club meets weekly. The club is open to both 7th and 8th graders and boys and girls of all skill levels are welcome.
Drama Club
Mrs. Belisle
Students practice acting skills and work on improvisation skills. They soon will begin preparing for the school play that will be put on this April.
Intramurals
Mr. Brown
Mr. Svedberg
Intramurals runs 7 weeks every Tues, Weds, and Thurs from 2:00 – 3:15 during each season. Students participate in a wide variety of sports. Anywhere from 15 – 25 students participate on any given day.
Tennis Club
Mrs. Willard
Meets weekly to learn the fundamental skills to playing tennis. This is open to boys and girls in both 7th and 8th grade of all skill levels.
Science Club
Mr. Lavin
Science Club meets weekly for students with an appetite for science and engineering. Projects often continue over several weeks each. Areas of interest include principles of flight (rockets), electronics (assembling circuit boards), alternative energy (solar cookers) and more.
Mountain Biking Club
Mrs. Foley
Mrs. Foley has brought the mountain biking club back to the junior high school. A group of approximately 15-20 students gather together on Fridays and ride the trails behind the school taking on the challenges of tree roots, hills and all obstacles on the trail for a fun filled Friday with friends.
Ski Club
Mr. Peloquin
The club's primary purpose is to teach students to ski at an affordable price, which results in a safe, life-long sport. Every student has room to improve and lessons are strongly recommended. Lessons allow all levels of skiers to raise their awareness of terrain, physical and mental abilities, hazard recognition, and overall safety. Registration for the Jr. High Ski Club will be during the month of October, interested students need to listen to school announcements for more information.
After School Activities (ctd.)
Photography Club
Mr. Schur
Open to all students who want to learn the fun hobby of photography. Club meets weekly and students are required to bring their own camera.
Art Club
Mrs. WIllard
Art Club meets weekly for students who would like to pursue special interests in art. Students may come to Art Club to work on in-depth projects or to participate in planned activities. All students are welcome to join Art Club. The Art Club has sponsored several art contests including two poster contests, a pumpkin painting contest, and a gingerbread house contest. Students in Art Club help with the art planning and decorating of school events.
Jazz Band
Mrs. Colwell-Snyder
Jazz Band is an extracurricular ensemble that meets Thursdays after school from 2:00 - 3:15. It is open to both 7th and 8th grade students. The goal for this ensemble is to learn the basic feel of the blues, swing and jazz music through theory, performance and improvisation. The number and location of performances are based on student interest and dedication.
Show Choir
Ms. Julie Boyd
The Junior High Show Choir, also known as The Maestros, is a performing choral ensemble that combines musical concepts with the art of movement and dance. Students rehearse once a week as well as one Saturday a month. The Maestros has a long tradition of excellence. They have won every award including Best Choral Sound, Best Choreography, Best Pit Band, as well as Best in Show. They have won many Gold Medal Ratings and compete several times a year.
School Newspaper
Mrs. Santiago
Newspaper club allows students to take ownership of the knowledge in their own school and community. Students take both writing assignments from club advisors as well as creating their own assignments based on their own interests in our school, community, and world!
Cooking
Mrs. Canavan
Cooking Club meets every other Wednesday. All 7th and 8th grade students who are interested in learning to cook are welcome. We will prepare seasonal recipes for each month.
Common Ground
This is open to any student, grades 7 and 8, bringing together all students to support one another, socialize, & build respect for all. The goal is to help promote acceptance & expression of self.
Sewing
Mrs. Canavan
The Sewing Club meets every Wednesday after school until 3:15. Any 7th or 8th grader interested in learning how to sew is invited.
Tantascapella
Mr. Von Bleiken
Tantascapella is designed for students who want to spread their vocal wings a little further. We perform all styles of choral music including jazz, pop and classical. There are numerous opportunities to solo and we are still welcoming new members.
S.A.G.E. Recycling Club
Mr. Reynolds
S.A.G.E (students, actively, greening, earth) is a group of students who work together every other week to actively perform school wide recycling duties. It is the responsibility of group members to work together to collect materials and supply teachers with recycling bins in their classrooms. In addition to these important tasks, the students learn valuable work and communication skills.
Anime Club
Mrs. Daley
anime/manga/k-pop/j-pop club
Students can do karaoke, anime watching, cosplay, origami, games, crafts, and more!
Outing Club
Ms. Amadio
The Outing Club is dedicated to increasing the opportunities for Tantasqua Junior High students to experience the natural world. The mission of this club is to engage students in healthy outdoor activities while promoting environmental stewardship. The student and faculty leaders envision two fall and two spring activities that may involve hiking, kayak/canoeing, snow-shoeing, and skating.