Gradebook Support for Parents
All TSD middle schools practice Standard Based Instruction to reflect each student’s growth and achievement by giving clear, specific feedback on his/her growth toward the mastery of grade level content and standards.
TSD has many resources, links, and communication available on our district website. Here is the link for Middle School Standards-Based Instruction.
Things to note for TMS:
All teachers enter 1- 2 scores (academic, work habit, or combination) for each student every week.
Late Work: is accepted so an academic score can be assessed. It is the teacher’s discretion on the score received however in work habits. The assignment will be flagged as late.
At the end of each semester grade books close and academic assignments are no longer accepted.
Work Habits: Missing/never turned in mark a 1
Work flagged as missing, parents get a notification.
All 1 scores will have a comment that explains if the student earned the score of a 1 or because a student did not participate.
Academic Scores (reflect student’s knowledge and level of learning with content standards) These relate to a student’s understanding of the content and mastery of specific standards. They include:
Understanding of Concepts: Ability to grasp and apply key ideas and principles.
Skill Proficiency: Mastery of specific skills or techniques relevant to the subject.
Application of Knowledge: Use of learned concepts in different contexts or problems.
Critical Thinking: Ability to analyze, evaluate, and create based on learned material.
Work Habit Scores (4 main areas: collaboration, communication, creative problem solver, and self-agency)
These focus on the processes and behaviors that contribute to a student's learning environment and productivity. They include:
Participation: Engagement in class discussions, group work, and other collaborative activities.
Time Management: Ability to meet deadlines and manage time effectively for assignments and studying.
Organization: Keeping track of materials, assignments, and responsibilities.
Effort and Perseverance: Demonstrating a willingness to tackle challenging tasks and maintaining effort over time.
Responsibility: Taking ownership of one’s learning and participation in class
Meet Gina Merena
Before TMS I was: I started teaching university level Visual Art classes in Kansas & Colorado, and retired during the pandemic. Now I wish to teach Middle School Art
What I like to do in my free time: I love Nature, travel to national parks, and spending time at home with my family and maine coon cat Alba
My First Job: Scooping Ice Cream
We continue to meet with our 8th grade counseling groups - 2 about Stress, Anxiety, and Anger Management and 1 about Family Challenges & Support. These groups will wrap up the week after Thanksgiving Break and then we’ll start working with 6th grade counseling groups in January. We also started weekly lunch bunches for all grades as a way of supporting students with attendance challenges and helping provide information that can lead to their future success. Individually, our main requests to meet with a counselor lately have been related to academics, friends, peer conflict, anxiety/stress, or some combination of those topics.
Inclusion Club focused on National Veterans and Military Families Awareness Month for November. They hung up posters with information about the different branches of the military and famous veterans on their bulletin board. They also participated in our school wide activity of hanging up paper copies of dog tags for students’ family members who are actively serving or who are veterans of the military.
House of Neighborly Service - Berthoud
House of Neighborly Service in Berthoud is offering a holiday food basket (including a ham and all the sides) and Christmas Toy Shop. Families must bring photo ID for all adults over the age of 18 ( a picture of the license on a phone is fine if an adult is unable to be present), proof of income in the last 30 days, and proof of residency such as a utility bill or any piece of mail. Sign up at 375 Meadowlark Drive in the OutPost building, Tuesdays or Thursdays from 9 AM - 5 PM. If you have questions, contact Jinger Tomassi – jtomassi@honservice.org or 970-532-0161.
Pick up food basket and visit Toy Shop:
December 10th, Tuesday from 9 AM - 5 PM
December 12th Thursday from 9 AM - 5 PM
December 19th Tuesday from 9 AM - 5 PM
6th grade
Up and Coming Important Reminders:
In Literacy News:
In literacy, students will be taking the Middle of the Year (MOY) assessments in early December). Please encourage your child to do their best and ask if they showed growth from their Beginning of Year diagnostic score! In class, students are studying the interactions between humans and animals. They will analyze the story “My Life with the Chimpanzees”, by Jane Goodall. We will continue discussing the author's choices and then move on to writing a research essay!
In Social Studies News:
In Social Studies we have wrapped up studying the Maya and the students closed the unit by creating a historical fiction story about a Mayan person. We have moved to studying the Aztecs. We will continue working on our close reading skills before moving to the Inca before Winter Break.
In Math News:
Students will be taking the Middle of the Year (MOY) assessments in Math starting in early December. Please encourage your child to do their best and ask if they showed growth from their Beginning of Year diagnostic score.
Additionally, students are wrapping up units on ratios, unit rates and expressions. These units have SO many real-word applications! Shopping around and cooking for the holidays is a great way to involve your student and check their knowledge on these topics!
In Science News:
Our young scientists have concluded their Weather and Climate Units and are now extending their learning to Space: our Solar System and the Universe. With the shorter daylight hours and better night viewing, please encourage your astronomer to locate Constellations and our local Solar System planets. “Live Long and Prosper” Spock.
7th grade Encounters
Here’s an update on what’s happening in each class:
Mrs. Krakel’s Science Classes:
We had an exciting visit from Donors Alliance this month! Hopefully, your student has shared about this amazing guest speaker and the valuable insights we gained about transplantation science and organ donation. I was so proud of how engaged and respectful the students were during this session—they were truly outstanding!
We are also nearing the end of our Genetics Unit, which we will wrap up in about two weeks. Following that, students will take the Module B Assessment, covering Cells, Organisms as Systems, and Heredity. Encourage your student to start reviewing a little each day to feel confident and prepared for the test.
Ms. G’s Social Studies Classes:
In Social Studies, we’re currently diving into our third unit, exploring Early Cultural Conflict. Students are learning about Athens and Sparta and Ancient Greece! Soon we'll be discussing the Persian Empire and the Roman Empires! Just a reminder, in our class students are not given homework, an assignment only becomes homework if it is not completed in class.
Ms. Strauss’s ELA Classes:
In ELA, students continue to practice the five paragraph essay structure. In our most recent timed writing exercise, students were asked to write an essay in 45 minutes, and a large majority of students rose to the occasion and did an excellent job! We are just starting our "informational text" unit. Students will be reading examples of informational texts, such as articles about the Dust Bowl, blindness in the United States, migrant farm workers, and pilot Chesley Sullenberger. At the end of the unit, students will write an informative essay that answers the question, "How do people overcome obstacles?" As always, students have weekly spelling and vocabulary words and are tested each Friday. Missing assignments can always be done as homework!
8th grade Adventures
This month in Science Class, the 8th grade students will begin their Chemistry Unit. During this unit students will learn about and perform various chemical reactions, looking at the difference between a physical change and chemical reaction. They will also look at the 5 signs of a chemical reaction and will examine everyday scenarios to differentiate between these chemical and physical processes. When diving into physical processes, students will look at the different states of matter and relate the change of states to the amount of energy in each substance. We will also use liquid nitrogen to demonstrate the change in states of matter.
Throughout the entire unit, students will complete a variety of labs, using Bunsen burners to explore the melting point of different substances and examine how different materials react when exposed to fire. Make sure to ask them about the colored fire lab as we get closer to the end of the semester!
‘Twas the month of December and all through the halls,
Not a 6th grader off-task, 3D projects for all.
Industrial Tech students exploring engineering with care,
through different projects: rocketry, wood working, and laser engraving done there.
The 8th grade children were nestled all snug in their class,
Finishing “Comida es Cultura” Unit without any sass,
Speaking, reading, and writing in Espanol,
Comparing holiday food and traditions were fun for all.
When in 7th grade, there rose such a clatter,
Ms. Bowen sprang from her room and was asked, “What was the matter?”
My 7th graders did a great job on their speaking tests,
They will end the semester with numbers and describe holiday guests.
The moon on the breast of the newly learned food,
Gave the 6th grade an understanding of clothing - that’s good.
When, what to my wondering ears should I hear,
But the choir, band and orchestra playing music near.
With a little old teacher, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment blood-typing is not a trick,
Treadmill, airplanes, Legos, and flight,
The Plus 1 class will debate and learn to not fight.
More rapid than fermentation, the learning came,
As she whistled, and directed, and called them by name!
Now Basketball! Now badminton! Now floor hockey they called,
Do pushups! Count situps! Run the shuttle, be enthralled.
To the top of the stage! Sit and reach to the wall!
Now improve! Now improve! Now have fun y’all!
As ceramic dries and is put in the fire,
Skills from pinch pots and clay and all work prior,
We’ll make masks, and lanterns, and a sculpture or two,
Work will be displayed on Dec. 4th to show you.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard in FACS,
A group of students cooking and saying their thanks,
The 8th grade babies were stressful, and yet they learned,
To make good choices or your goals could be upturned.
The teachers sprang to their rooms, gave a whistle,
And away the semester will end like the down of a thistle.
But you will hear them exclaim, as they enter the last grade,
“Happy holiday to all, and we hope your joys are overpaid.”
GT News
Math Counts and Chess Club will continue to meet on Mondays in January.
Spelling Bee Club will continue to meet on Tuesdays in January.
The Thompson District Chess competition will be held on Saturday, January 18th from 8 am - 1 pm at Lucille Erwin Middle School. Check the TSD.org website for registration. This is a popular activity and usually fills up early. Registration opens Dec. 16.
Mrs. Leonard is looking for adult or high school volunteers to grade at the Math Counts competition on Jan. 30. Answers provided! Please contact her if you are interested.
PENNY WARS
TMS has a fun competition between castles called Penny Wars to raise money for Christmas in Berthoud.
Spirit Week Dec. 16 - 20
Monday - Dress like a candy cane
Tuesday - Sports Day
Wednesday - Pajama Day or Ugly Sweater Day Only flannels, onesies, and (appropriate) pajama sets are allowed.
Thursday - Wear camo or pink
Friday - Castle Colors or Turner Blue Day
Club news
Math Counts meets on Mondays from 4:15 - 5:00pm
Chess Club meets on Mondays from 4:15 - 5:00pm
Dragons of Drama Club meets on Mondays and Wednesday from 4:15 - 5:45pm
Spelling Bee meets on Tuesdays from 4:15 - 5:00pm
Inclusion Club meets before school on Thursdays 8:00 - 8:45am
Battle of the books meets during lunch
LUC club- Nov 1st & Nov 22 before school 8:15 - 8:45am
PRO Class
PRO is our connections/advisory class. Each student is in a same grade group and each grade level group belongs to a castle. There are 8 castles: time, wind, energy, rock, water, metal, ice, and fire. PRO class meets twice a week. Sources of Strength, Character Strong, and Positive Behavior Intervention Supports are part of the lesson development.
- 6th grade students learned about signs of suicide.
- 7th grade students had a focus on developing character values.
- 8th grade students have been learning about teamwork.
Another main focus for November was gratitude, and the Sources of Strength peer leaders did a campaign in the PRO classes. They focused on things we can be grateful for, followed by students filling out leaves where they listed those things, and then the leaves were screened to ensure they were appropriate before they were hung up in the main hallway on a gratitude tree.
TMS PTO
TMS parent teacher organization (PTO) meets at Turner Middle School.
Please feel free to join them for the next meeting on Friday, December 6 at 9:00am. This meeting sets up the opportunity to work together with the school to supplement and enrich our student's educational experience.
See TMS Website for contact information.
SAAC
DAC, District Accountability Committee Meeting
SAC reps encouraged to come
Combined Meeting Information
Tuesday, December 3
5:30 – 7:30pm
In-Person: Admin Building Boardroom - 800 S. Taft Ave., Loveland
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/egp-jcyy-rdw
Or dial: (US) +1 352-800-6524 PIN: 477 277 787#
Committee submits recommendations for the district unified improvement plan (DUIP) and monitors progress, reviews any charter applications prior to going to the school board, makes recommendations to the school board to consider for budget purposes as well as support family engagement in district committees and in their schools. Membership must consist of at least 3 parents, 1 teacher and 1 school administrator.
For more information, please visit: https://www.tsd.org/get-involved/committees/daac
Wrestling & Girls basketball starts in January. Girls basketball tryouts will begin on January 6 from 4:15-5:45 in the gym. Tryouts will be at the same time every day after school until coaches have decided they can place students on Varsity or Intramural.
Make sure you get your forms uploaded on BigTeams and pay through the School Store in Parent Portal. If you need BigTeams help, please contact our athletic secretary Kelly Sandoval (kelly.sandoval@tsd.org) REMINDER: physicals are only valid for 1 calendar year, so make sure yours is current.
2025 MLK Celebration Art, Music, and Writing Contest
Calling all Thompson School District students, Pre-K through 12th grade!
2025 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Pre-K - 12th Grade Student Art, Music, and Writing Contest
Express your creativity and honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy by participating in this year's Art, Music, and Writing Contest. The 2025 theme is “A More Excellent Way, of Love.”
Submission Deadline: December 11, 2024, at 4:30 p.m.
Winners will be celebrated at the January 16th Loveland Community MLK Event!
Guidelines and entry form: https://tsd.org/MLKContest
Let’s celebrate Dr. King’s legacy together! #MLK #ThompsonSchoolDistrict #WeAreThompson #MLKStudentContest
NOCO Emergency Alert
Larimer County Fire Departments have asked us to share this information. This emergency alert will alert those who sign up for it with emergency notifications from Larimer county. Please text NOCOALERT to 888777.
Safety Drills
TMS practices emergency safety drills on a continuous basis throughout the year. The type of drill we practice and discuss with students is rotated. We help students to become familiar with the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) which outline 5 situations and the actions that both the students and the adults do during an emergency.
School fees are due!
You can pay your student fees one of two ways:
1. You can drop off a check or cash at the school
2. Pay in Parent Portal with a credit card.
3. If you have previous years fees to pay, you must change the school year in the school year drop down menu.
If you have any questions, please contact the front office.
Thank you!
Tech4All
Welcome to Thompson’s Tech4All (1:1) program, a vital component of Thompson’s Strive 2025 Strategic plan. Tech4All equips students with the digital tools they need to enhance their learning and prepare for the future. We invite you to partner with us as we empower students to thrive in today's rapidly-evolving digital world.
Tech4All supports TSD’s strategic plan by providing digital tools that enable students to demonstrate their learning meaningfully and reach their fullest potential. Whether it's exploring interactive digital textbooks, collaborating with peers on projects, or engaging in immersive educational experiences, the possibilities are limitless.
Each student will receive a TSD digital learning device, ensuring equitable access to resources and enabling personalized learning experiences. All 6th grade students will receive a Chromebook that will serve as their digital learning tool throughout their time Turner Middle School. Each year, the device will transition with them to the next grade level and will be replaced when they move to high school as freshmen.
Students and families are responsible for the care and safety of their district device. Please see our Technology Agreement Form which includes a link to the JS - Responsible Use Policy for TSD. Instructions to accept the Tech Agreement Form are included in this How To Guide.
Students are expected to bring their device with them to class, charged and ready to use. All students will receive documentation on maintaining their device, keeping it safe, practicing digital citizenship and meeting any school-specific requirements for digital learning. To protect against potential damage, we offer an optional insurance plan.
In an effort to secure student data and teach students how to secure their own accounts, we are implementing a single-sign-on product called ClassLink.
We trust our students to be responsible for maintaining their own password for their device. Students will use their current password, once they log into ClassLink, they will be prompted to reset their password.
As we continue to secure our environment, students will set up their own security questions. This allows them to reset their password in the future and teaches them security processes to confirm their identity.
As a secondary method for protecting accounts, students will also be asked to set up a Personal Identification Number. This PIN will also be used to secure their TSD account.
Please remind your child that the PIN and security questions will help keep other people from accessing their account. Passwords, PINs, and security questions and answers should only be shared with trusted adults, like guardians.
Tech4All is not just a program; it's a commitment to bridging the digital divide and empowering our students to thrive in the digital age which includes password management. We Trust You to take care of your device and use it to open up possibilities in your educational journey. Together, we will embark on a transformative educational experience that prepares our students for a future filled with innovation and opportunity.
For more details, including expectations, frequently asked questions and support for home use, please visit our website.
Turner Middle School
Mission:
We will provide a safe and inclusive environment and ensure a high level of learning for every student to become engaged citizens and lifelong learners.
Vision:
Cultivate Excellence, Celebrate Diversity, Connect with Community
Principal: Brandy Grieves
Assistant Principal: Adam Kohn
Dean: Lacey Scadden
Secretary: Merri Hocker
Attendance Secretary: Kelly Sandoval
Registrar: Brandii Wilson
School Nurse: Stephanie Roberts
School Health Office Aide: Pam Sargent
Website:https://tms.tsd.org/
Location: 950 Massachusetts Avenue, Berthoud, CO, USA
Phone: 970-613-7400
Email: Info.TMS@tsd.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TurnerMSBerthoud
Twitter: @tmsdragons