Cougars ROAR: TEMS Community News
Issue IX: May 24, 2024
Principal's Message
It is bittersweet to be sending the last family newsletter of the 2023-2024 school year. While we all can look forward to the long and warm summer days, I know I will miss our middle schoolers and all the energy they bring into TEMS each day. To our eighth graders and their families- it has been a pleasure to get to know you and to learn alongside of you. Congratulations on your upcoming promotion, the best is yet to come!
For returning and new families to TEMS- this summer you can expect communication related to supplies and other grade level information in July. In August, you will receive team assignments and schedules, in addition to my welcome back letter that will include important information about the start of the school year.
This newsletter includes the June calendar and summer reading information. This has been a remarkable year- let's finish as great as we started.
TEMS Celebrates
On Friday April 26th, the TEMS Gold Mock Trial team traveled to New Britain Superior Court to compete in the middle school playoffs. The TEMS team won both rounds of trials and qualified for the State Championship, where they finished with a solid second place.
Two TEMS Debaters participated in multiple rounds of debate at the Reverend Stanley Lord Invitational Tournament. Aarna Jaggi and Shreenika Patil advanced to the quarterfinals but ended their day in that playoff round. In addition, Aarna was named 2nd Place Overall Speaker.
The 2024 Connecticut History Day Contest was another day to showcase South Windsor talent. Three TEMS first place winners- Ishanvi Mohapatra, Asmi Kulkarni and Aaron Aldrin have qualified for the National History Day Contest. This is the tenth year in a row that TEMS has sent students to nationals, but the first where we have seen three qualifying projects.
In the MathCounts National Competition in Washington, D.C. TEMS teacher Beth Goldman led the CT team to a 13th place finish, the best CT has ever done. Eighth grader Girish Prasad was one of the four CT student competitors and he finished 28th out of 224 mathematicians.
The National Geography Bee is a quiz competition for individual students, testing knowledge of the political, human, cultural, and physical geography of all parts of the world. Aarohi Mudakatte, Landyn Smith, Arnav Malpure, and Sri Gaddam qualified for nationals in Orlando, Florida, and Aarohi, Landyn and Sri also qualified for the international competition in Vienna, Austria.
TEMS Student Council members participated in the first ever Connecticut Middle School Model Youth Legislature, sponsored by the Greater Hartford YMCA. Students spent the day at the Legislative Office Building and Capitol. Highlights included debates and voting on four student proposed pieces of legislation.
Elizabeth Reidel, National Director of the Stock Market Game Program, visited TEMS to present an award to sixth grader Shambhavi Raghuvanshi in recognition of his 1st Place State of CT InvestWrite essay.
Spring athletes ended the year on a high note. The girls softball team are heading to the CRAL Championship game next week at Sage Park. The boys baseball team ended the season with 6 wins and 4 losses, finishing 3rd in the league. Girls track went undefeated this season and our boys claimed victory in all but 1 meet.
Finally, TEMS musicians took the stage for the last time this year. The Orchestra, Band, and Choral Concerts were an overwhelming success and we are so proud to be able to highlight the TEMS Chamber Orchestra at the Board of Education meeting as the Student Spotlight next Tuesday.
2024 TEMS Literary Magazine
TEMS is pleased to share this year's issue of our school's literary magazine Out of the Blue. For the first time ever, our magazine is an interactive website, click here to see.
Important Dates
Grade 8 Promotion
Grade 8 Promotion is scheduled for Wednesday, June 12th. Each team has its own promotion ceremony scheduled during the day with a grade 8 formal dance scheduled that evening from 6:00-8:00. We expect each ceremony to last approximately one hour. More communication will be shared with grade 8 families about tickets, parking, and other logistics in this letter sent to just grade 8 families on Monday, April 29th. Please use this form if you are taking your child with you after their promotion.
Grade 8 Promotion Time by Team
- Cobalt 8:30
- Navy 10:00
- Indigo 11:30
- Pacific 1:00
Student Chromebooks
Grade 6 & Grade 7 Students: Students will keep their Chromebooks over the summer and will use the same device next school year at Timothy Edwards Middle School.
All students who are transferring out of district: Please clearly label your device with your name and student ID # and bring it to the main office by June 13th.
TEMS Summer Reading
The purpose of summer reading is to engage in ongoing reading and learning, and to develop a culture of literacy in our community. This year, the goal for summer reading is to read at least one book to help keep your minds active this summer. It may be helpful to review the most recent Nutmeg Nominees for suggestions of high interest titles to read. You can find the Nutmeg Nominee Intermediate or Middle School (formerly Teen) lists on the Nutmeg site (click here) to find books that capture your interest. We encourage parents to be involved in the selection of appropriate reading material.
In the fall, please be prepared to participate in classroom activities involving your summer reading selection during the first few days of school. It will be advantageous to jot down important information about the book to help with the fall activity (click here for an optional summary organizer).
We are a school of readers. While students are required to read at least one book, we implore you to continue to discover many amazing books throughout the summer months. We look forward to hearing about all of the wonderful books you stumble upon this summer. Enjoy your vacation!
Notes from the Stacks: The TEMS Library Media center
Important End of the Year Dates for the TE LMC:
All library books will be due back to the library on Monday, June 3rd.
Current sixth and seventh graders can check out up to five books over the summer. In order to do so, they must bring in the below form signed by a parent or guardian and present it to Mrs. Longo when they are checking out these books. Books checked out over the summer have to be returned back to the library on the first day of school. I have copies of this form in the library, or you can print it out at home.
Summer Reading Checkout Permission Slip for Current 6th and 7th Graders
Please note that students can access TE's Virtual Library 24/7- to checkout out eBooks and e-audiobooks anytime our physical library is closed. Students can sign into Destiny on the main interface using their network username and password and then navigate to the "Destiny Discover" tab on the left side of the page. Lastly, students can download the Destiny Discover app to a personal device to take their eBook or e-audiobook on the go! A video on which devices are compatible and directions for using this app can be found on the main LMC page.
Please feel free to reach out to Mrs. Longo if you have any questions.
School Counseling Information
Parents/Guardians of 8th grade students: If your 8th grade student is planning on enrolling at a high school other than South Windsor High School, please notify Sandy Daigle at sdaigle@swindsor.k12.ct.us or 860-648-5033. This important communication will assist Ms. Daigle in organizing your student's records for transfer and ensure that you receive the necessary official district withdrawal form. Your cooperation and support are greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Parents/Guardians of 6th & 7th grade students- if you have children in the same grade level and want them on the same (or different) academic teams for the 24-25 school year, please let Sandy Daigle know at sdaigle@swindsor.k12.ct.us Thank you!
PTO Spirit Wear Flash Sale
There are great deals on remaining inventory of TEMS Spirit Wear. Next fall we are unveiling the new design that was created by current 8th grader Amariah Luci.
Final Sales- May 31st Dinner and a Show Family Event
The TEMS PTO is proud to share a family night out opportunity. Please see the flier below for more information and to register to attend one of the two shows.
Save the Date- September 7th TEMS at the Yard Goats
The TEMS PTO is also excited to share another family night out opportunity coming at the start of next year. Be on the lookout for more information about purchasing tickets.
2025 Nutmeg Nominees
Last month, students in grades 6-8 had the opportunity to vote for their favorite 2024 Intermediate and/or Middle School Nutmeg Nominee. The winners from each category will be announced by the end of May.
On May 1st, the 2025 Nutmeg Nominees went on display in libraries all across Connecticut, including our own. Click on the image below for a flyer with summaries of each of these great titles. Each year, I also create a Padlet of each category for students that provides a brief book talk and/or book trailer of each title, the author’s website and an image of the author. Mrs. Longo included the link to these padlets below.
2025 Intermediate Nominees
2025 Middle School Nominees
TEMS Yearbooks
The last day to purchase is Friday, May 31st. To order your yearbook, click here: Jostens
Alternatively, you may bring a check for $48 to the TE main office by 5/31. (Check payable to “TEMS Yearbook.”) Yearbooks will be distributed in homerooms during the last week of school.
Notes from Our Nurses: Required Health Exams and Vaccinations for Next Year's 7th Graders
I am sharing the most recent communication that our nurses, Mrs. Caldwell and Mrs. Cox, sent to grade 6 families with reminders about required grade 7 health exams and vaccinations:
In an effort to stay up to date for the 24-25 school year, we wanted to reach out to provide information about the medical requirements for the start of 7th grade. A current physical and record of the vaccines listed below needs to be completed and shared with our office before the start of seventh grade. Some doctor’s offices administer these vaccines during the 6th grade physical so it is likely that some families may already have this documentation. Please forward it to our office by mail, email, fax or send it to school with your child. If your child has not yet received these vaccines there is still plenty of time. Click here to read a recent letter sent home. Follow up communication regarding your child's status was sent to individual families missing documentation this month.
TETV Morning News
US Department of Education Communication
Please click here for a firearm storage safety message from the US Department of Education.