Dear TMS Families,
The first trimester has been a season of growth, learning, and connection. From academic achievements to extracurricular successes, TMS students have demonstrated resilience, curiosity, and a commitment to excellence. We are proud of the progress they have made and the impact they have had on our school. Many students have earned PAW print awards over the past three months, for their positive contributions to the school community. Our students have shown their generosity through community service, food drives for the Cloister Food Pantry, and Candy Donations to the Closter Police Department. Congratulations to our TMS Soccer Team, Boys and Girls Volleyball Teams on their championship wins in the Fall Northern Valley Sports Season!
Students in grade 6 have been exploring phenomena for gravity in space and the Sally Ride EarthKAM mission which involves coding to study Earth’s systems. In 5th and 7th grade Mandarin, students are engaging in language acquisition through story reading. 5th grade students are preparing for an in-class writing celebration in ELA as they work to complete their personal narratives. In 8th grade math, students recently completed the transformation unit where we used parchment paper to identify different transformations from the pre-image to the image. As we look forward to the second trimester of the school year, we remain focused on fostering an environment where every student feels support and challenges to reach their full potential. The second trimester is a time to build on the foundations we have set. Please encourage your child to set personal goals and remain consistent in their efforts.
On behalf of the entire TMS staff, I wish you and your families a warm, joyful winter season filled with health, happiness and time to recharge.
Here’s to a wonderful second trimester ahead!
Warmly,
Ms. Cipollini
Principal
The TMS Winter Concert will take place on Wednesday, December 11th. There will be two performances on that day: 1:30pm for a student assembly and 6:30pm for family and friends. Students who are performing should wear a white top and black bottoms, shoes and socks for both performances. For the night performance: Intermediate band, Junior Chorus, and Orchestra Gold students should arrive at TMS at 6:00pm for a 6:30pm start time. The evening performance will include a brief intermission. The Concert Band, Tenakill Singers, and TMS Orchestra should arrive at TMS at 7:00pm, and their portion of the performance will start around 7:15pm.
The students have been working hard to prepare for the winter concert, and are excited to share their performance with the TMS community!
We are excited to announce that the 6th Grade TREP$ Marketplace will take place on Thursday, December 19th, 2024, providing a unique and engaging opportunity for our students to showcase their entrepreneurial skills.
What is TREP$?
TREP$, short for "entrepreneurs," is a program designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of entrepreneurship. Through hands-on learning, students develop business ideas, create products or services, and bring their visions to life in a real-world setting.
The Marketplace Event
The Marketplace is the culminating event of the TREP$ program. Students will set up individual "business booths" to sell their products to the school and local community. This event fosters creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration while allowing students to practice financial literacy, marketing, and communication skills.
Event Details:
Date: Thursday, December 19th, 2024
Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: Tenakill School Gymnasium
Participants: 6th-grade students
Attendees: Students, families, staff, and community members.
Goals and Impact
The TREP$ program and marketplace align with our commitment to providing engaging, student-centered learning experiences. It encourages:
Innovation and problem-solving
Real-world application of academic skills
Community engagement and collaboration
Thank you for your continued support of programs that inspire lifelong learning and creativity.
Warm regards,
6th Grade Math Team & TREP$ Coaches
Renaissance Testing
On Tuesday, December 3, we will be administering the Northern Valley High School's Renaissance Test to eighth grade students. The Renaissance test is a computer-based assessment of reading comprehension and related skills. The purpose of this test is to establish a baseline level of each student's reading literacy prior to his or her entrance into the high school. While this test is not used exclusively for placement, it is used as one of several criteria to validate student placement into ninth grade courses for History and English.
TeenCAP
Each year the NJ Child Assault Prevention (NJCAP) program provides interactive workshops for our students. This year 8th graders will be participating in TeenCAP, a program aimed at preventing assault against teens by training them to recognize and deal with potentially dangerous situations. These workshops will occur over 3 days, December 17 -19, during Grade 8 Social Studies classes.
High School Transition At-a-Glance
We are entering the season of high school scheduling. In December and January, teachers begin the recommendation process for core-content class placement at the high school. Placements are shared with students and families in late January. Scheduling conferences with a high school counselor usually take place in February. You will also be receiving information directly from the high school about registration requirements and any scheduling information sessions they hold.
As a reminder, this High School Transition At-A-Glance Document gives 8th grade parents an overview of what is coming while also providing a place for housing all related links and information as it is shared. This document is regularly updated as the year progresses and dates are solidified for this year.
Important Dates:
December 3rd – Eighth Grade Renaissance Testing
December 17-19th – Eighth grade TeenCAP Workshop
Dear Parents and Guardians,
The Closter Education Association (CEA) is excited to launch our "Gather For Good" program, an ongoing community-wide, community service initiative in which we will bring together members of the Closter Community to build relationships through an annual high-impact, hands-on initiative. For our inaugural event, we are hosting an exciting meal-packing event through Rise Against Hunger, which provides meals to global communities impacted by extreme hunger. Meals are distributed through the local schools to promote attendance so children can learn. This meal packaging experience will bring together 150 people: middle school students, parents, teachers, and community partners to prepare 20,000 meals for distribution across the globe. It is a chance for our students to learn about the importance of compassion, teamwork, and global citizenship. Mark your calendars!
Event Details:
Date: Sunday, March 2, 2025
Location/Time: Tenakill Middle School ,11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Admission: 2 non-perishable food items per person to be donated to the Closter Food Bank
To ensure a meaningful and safe experience for all, we kindly ask that:
- Participating children must currently attend Tenakill Middle School.
- Each student is accompanied by a parent or guardian during the event.
- No more than two children from the same household may attend with one parent or guardian.
To gauge interest, please complete this short interest form.
Please note that registration for the event will open on January 20, 2025.
Thank you for your continued support in fostering a caring and connected school community. We look forward to making a difference together!
Warm regards,
The Closter Education Association
