TMS Community ROAR Report
Be the Change at TMS
Email: janine.smith@fcps.org
Website: https://education.fcps.org/tms/
Location: 408 East Main Street, Thurmont, MD, United States
Phone: (240)-236-5100
Twitter: @JanineSmithFCPS
May Newsletter
Be the Change
There are approximately 5 weeks of school remaining for the 2022-23 school year and that means 5 more weeks of memorable moments for our students to encounter. Our TMS staff is devoted to making these 5 weeks impactful. You can assist by encouraging your student to persevere through these remaining weeks by ensuring your child is at school every day. Please be sure to check out important information below regarding the many events planned for the remainder of the year. We appreciate your support and collaboration this school year and look forward to a wonderful ending to an extremely successful school year!
Janine Smith~Principal
Christopher Bittner~Assistant Principal
Anita Shank~Assistant Principal
Teacher Appreciation Week May 8th-12th
8th Grade Dance
Thank you to all of the family members who have signed up to volunteer for our 8th grade dance on May 19th from 6:00-8:00pm. We are excited to have this wonderful opportunity for our 8th graders and are grateful for your partnership. If your student is attending the dance, this permission slip must be completed by a parent/guardian prior to Wednesday, May 17th. Students with a completed permission slip will receive their ticket during 7th period on Friday, May 19th. All students must have their ticket when entering the dance. Please reach out to Ms. Sica with questions at penny.sica@fcps.org.
*Please Note: The 8th Grade Dance is Only Open to TMS Students.
6th and 7th Grade Dance-May 5th
TMS is having a dance for our 6th and 7th grade students
on Friday, May 5th from 2:30-4:00 p.m. in our cafeteria. We are in need of parent volunteers for this event and also donations for concessions. If you are able to help, please use the link below to sign up for BOTH chaperoning and/or donations.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040549ACA92BABF85-6th7th
*All chaperones must register and complete a brief training to volunteer in a FCPS building. The link must be completed by Friday, April 28th. Donations should be sent in by April 28th as well. Email emily.thomson@fcps.org with any questions.
If your student would like to attend, you will need to complete the Google Form below. Any students who do NOT have a completed form will not be allowed to attend. This form must be completed by WEDNESDAY, May 3rd.
Permission Slip:
https://forms.gle/QHtQQX494ujT2tcd8 *Parents are REQUIRED to complete this form if you want your child to attend.
Kona Ice will be here as well! Please send money on the day of the dance with your student if they would like to purchase concession items or Kona Ice.
Important Dates and Upcoming Events
Important Calendar Date Reminders
- Tuesday, May 2nd-MCAP-Social Studies-8th Grade ONLY
- Tuesday, May 2nd-Band Chorus Spring Concert @ 6:00pm
- Wednesday, May 3rd-MCAP-Social Studies-8th Grade ONLY
- Wednesday, May 3rd-SGA Meeting @ 2:30pm
- Thursday, May 4th-MCAP-Social Studies-8th Grade ONLY
- Thursday, May 4th-Community Food Drop 3:30-4:30pm
- Friday, May 5th-6th & 7th Grade Dance 2:30-4:00pm
- Monday, May 8th-Campus Life Meeting @ 2:30-Ms. Thomson's Room
- Wednesday, May 10th-Leo Club @ 2:30-TMS Media Center
- Wednesday, May 10th-PBIS Roy Rogers Fundraiser Night @ 5:00pm
- Monday, May 15th-Campus Life Meeting @ 2:30-Ms. Thomson's Room
- Monday, May 15th-TMS Book Club @ 2:30 Media Center
- Wednesday, May 17th-Last SGA Meeting @2:30pm
- Thursday, May 18th-Incoming 6th Grade Move-Up Day
- Friday, May 19th-8th Grade Dance-6:00pm-8:00pm
- Monday, May 22nd-Campus Life Meeting @ 2:30-Ms. Thomson's Room
- Friday, May 26th-CHS Move-Up Day
- Monday, May 29th-School Closed-Memorial Day
- Wednesday, May 31st-8th Grade History Field Trip
- Thursday, June 1st-8th Grade Awards Ceremony @ 8:00am-TMS Cafeteria
- Friday, June 2nd-2-Hour Early Dismissal-Last Day of School for Students
Congratulations to Addison Smith: Recipient of Lions Club Service Award
Mason Scott-TMS Kiwanis Student Award Recipient
End of Year Chromebook Collection
- Students who have a FCPS Chromebook will be required to bring their case, charger, and device to school starting on May 26th. Please view the following Chromebook collection dates:
- Friday, May 26th-6th Grade
- Tuesday, May 30th-8th Grade
- Wednesday, May 31st-7th Grade
- Students will be responsible for removing any stickers they have placed on the Chromebooks and for cleaning them. Students are also responsible for cleaning the case.
- Devices will be assessed for damages.
- Current 6th and 7th grade students will have their device and case returned to them next school year.
- Current 8th graders will be issued at device at their high school.
If you have any questions regarding Chromebook collection, please reach out to our User Support Specialist, Cindy Tibbs at cynthia.tibbs@fcps.org.
E-Cigarettes/Vapes
Vaping is the act of inhaling a vapor produced by an electronic vaporizer or e-cigarette. The vapor can contain nicotine and other substances which are concerning. The liquids that are vaporized come in many flavors and might even smell fruity. For example, many of the flavors of these liquid concentrates, or ‘vape juices’, are sweet and even have names such as cinnamon roll, marshmallow, grape, strawberry, bubble gum, lemonade and cookies.
Below is a link to a presentation shared with us from Brian Griffith, FCPS Specialist for Secondary Health Education and Physical Education. The presentation shares basic information pertaining to e-cigarettes and vapes, hoping to keep you as informed as possible; with your partnership we can work together to ensure all of our students are safe and healthy. Please reach out with questions you may have regarding this topic; we are here to support!
Please Continue to Reinforce with Your Student our TMS Norms.
22-23 School Year Updates
Student Fees: TMS families, please check to see if your student has any outstanding fees for the year by clicking on the following link? https://frederickcounty.schoolcashonline.com
Please reach out to Ms. Newman with any questions.
End of Term 4 Information: End of Term 4 is on Friday, June 2nd.
If you have missing assignments or need to complete a re-assessment, please do so as soon as possible.
The deadline to submit missing assignments and re-dos/reassessment for the second half of this term is Friday, May 26th, one week prior to the end of term date.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact your child's teacher.
All students also have access to free online tutors 24 hours a day using the TutorMe link in Schoology.
FCPS announces last day of the school year: Friday, June 2: Frederick County Public Schools announces that the last day of school for students this year is Friday, June 2, 2023.* FCPS closed one day due to inclement weather in the 2022-2023 school year. Schools will dismiss students two hours early on June 2 for a teacher work session.
The last day of the school year for teachers is Monday, June 5.
The school system's 12-month employees will begin four-day work weeks the week of Monday, June 12. Employees on 12-month schedules will work extended hours four days each week to make up for the fifth day off. The five-day workweek is scheduled to resume the week of Monday, August 7.
The 2023-2024 school year is scheduled to begin Wednesday, August 23, 2023. Fall sports begin Wednesday, August 9, 2023. FCPS will post additional information online at www.fcps.org/calendar.
*This assumes there are no further days schools need to close due to inclement weather.
Safe Schools and Students
Keeping schools safe is everyone’s responsibility. To help, FCPS has a supervisor of Security and Emergency Management, each school has at least one school counselor, and there are school psychologists assigned to every school. A School Resource Officer (SRO) Program places a deputy sheriff in each high school to assist in maintaining a safe environment. The deputies also respond to needs in the corresponding middle and elementary feeder schools. In addition to their role as law enforcement officers, SROs serve as mentors and positive role models.
To report safety concerns, escalate your issue according to the following:
- contact the school's administration, counselor, or SRO;
- contact FCPS at the Central Office (301-696-6806 or security.team@fcps.org)
- contact the appropriate local law enforcement agency at their non-emergency number listed below.
FCPS investigates all reported threats. We remind the community: If you See Something, Say Something, and when it comes to social media, please Report It, Don’t Repeat It.
Technology Fees: Students are responsible for damaged or loss of devices and may be charged for repairs.
1st Repair - $30
2nd Repair - $60
3rd Repair - $120
Lost Chargers - $30
Attendance Information:
If your child is unable to attend school due to an illness or doctor's appointment, or any other reason, please email a note to our attendance secretary, Ms. Shannon Ingram at tms.attendance@fcps.org.
FCPS Bus Delay Information:
A quick and easy resource to check if your child's bus is delayed is to visit https://apps.fcps.org/transdelay/ This site is updated in real-time to reflect any bus delays.
Volunteering at TMS:
Are you interested in volunteering at TMS? If so, all volunteers must complete the virtual training linked here. Please note this must be completed to chaperone field trips. Please reach out to Shannon Ingram with questions/concerns.
Tutor Me
TutorMe.com, a new, free student online tutoring and homework help service, is now available in any subject for students in grades 6-12.
TutorMe.com is a secure, online resource easily accessible through the FCPS Clever Portal and offers on-demand assistance. The TutorMe.com service provides assistance that aligns with the FCPS curriculum, including knowledge of new curriculum tools being implemented. The service maintains rigorous standards, providing high-quality, diverse tutors, screened for excellence (including a criminal background check). The service is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. More information is available at the vendor website, www.tutorme.com and this Student Support Document.
TMS PTA Needs YOU!
2022-23 PTA Board of Directors:
Christy Donnelly-President
Danielle Bloxham-Treasurer
Amanda Knott-Secretary
PTA Meetings 5:00-6:00pm
May 18th General Meeting
Google Meet Link: https://meet.google.com/kwp-hdkz-new