The TJMS National Junior Honors Society is hosting the Red Cross blood drive this year on February 3, 2022. The blood drive will be held at Thomas Jefferson Middle School from 4 to 8 pm. Due to the recent blood shortage, all people willing to give blood are greatly appreciated. To sign up for the blood drive go to the Red Cross Blood website. From there, enter your zip code and locate the TJMS location to make your appointment.

Share your "TJMS is..." hashtag with the school. Student Council has created a Padlet with four hashtags: #family, #friends, #kind, and #thankful. Show us your photos of your gratitude. We sure are thankful for YOU!

https://padlet.com/lferguson9/ic58fap2mlzm4n93

8th grade parents/guardians, save the date of Thursday, March 3, 2022 for 8th Grade Parent Night at VHS. More information will be sent closer to March 3rd. Parents/Guardians of all members of the Class of 2026 are encouraged to attend.

Who is ready for a little competition for a good cause? Bring in new or gently used winter clothing items to donate to the Caring Place in Valpo. Each grade level will have a box and a thermometer. The more items donated the higher the thermometer rises! Which grade level will get the coziest? The winning grade level will earn a special spirit day! Stay tuned to daily announcements for more information!

Below are email addresses of TJMS office members:

Mark Maudlin -- Principal

Erin Strauss -- Assistant Principal

Shannon Morris -- 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

Supply lists are posted on our website as well as linked below.

6th grade supply list

7th grade supply list

8th grade supply list

P.E. uniforms will be required in P.E. classes this school year. Uniforms (t-shirt and shorts) can be purchased at Blythe’s Sporting Goods on Calumet Avenue. Uniforms can be purchased as a set or individual pieces. The same uniform will be worn in 6th-8th grades, so purchasing one that’s a little looser may be a good idea. Students are welcome to use the uniform an older sibling used while attending TJMS.

Students who are not enrolled in band, choir or orchestra will have a full year of P.E. Students enrolled in band, choir or orchestra will have least 2 rotations of P.E. during the year.

Please encourage your student to view the daily announcements that can be found on our website or by clicking here to watch for important call out information, upcoming daily schedule changes or general school announcements.

Through a grant from the USDA, all regular school breakfasts and lunches will be free to all students during the 2021-2022 school year. Additional a la carte items or additional breakfast/lunch items may be purchased by students.

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.

The 2021-2022 Valparaiso Community Schools calendar can be found here.

Our school day runs from 7:50 a.m. -- 2:50 p.m. Students may enter the building at 7:20 through door #8 to eat breakfast or at 7:35 to head to their lockers and 1st period class.

A sports physical dated on or after April 1, 2021 is good for the 2021-2022 school year. If your student is planning to tryout or participate in a sport this school year, please don't wait until just before the season begins to schedule a physical. A physical done this summer or fall is good for winter and spring sports as well. All forms in this packet need to be completed and turned into the main office as one packet.

Each student will receive a student planner early in the school year. Included in that planner is a copy of the TJMS student handbook. The handbook can also be found here. Please encourage your student to keep their daily planner up to date with class due dates and other important classroom, grade level or school wide dates.

Please call the main office at 531-3140 by 8:15 a.m. if your child is absent from school. If we have not received a call by 8:15 a.m. and your child is marked absent from school, you will received a automated phone call alerting you of his/her unexcused absence.

Parents are encouraged to become an observer of your child in Canvas. Being an observer will allow you to monitor your student's work, assignments, etc that are assigned through Canvas. To see more about how to sign up as a Canvas observer, click here.

From time to time students do forget things at home that they may need during the school day (i.e. music instrument, lunch, chromebook, etc). If this occurs, items may be dropped off on the table in the front lobby, just inside door #1. Please make sure your student's name and grade level are clearly marked. We will then email your student to let him/her know to stop by the main lobby to pick up the item(s). Please encourage your students to check his/her school email account a few times throughout the school day.

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