The Marshall Memo
Parent's Bulletin, August Edition
Please Join Us for Our Student & Guardian Orientation!
We have changed our 3 day orientation to a 1 day all-in-one session. Please join us on Friday, August 30th at Thurgood Marshall for orientation!
Students should be dropped off at Thurgood for a 10am-12:45pm session. They will meet our staff, tour the building, learn how to use their locks/lockers, go over their schedules, have lunch and more!
Guardians should join us at 12pm-12:45pm for a parent info session to learn more about Thurgood Marshall and preparing for the year.
From 12:45pm-1:30pm, we will have bookbags, bus IDs, and other info and giveaways for our families.
Your Chance to win a FREE Laptop!!
If you and your child attend the student & guardian session on August 30th, you have a chance to win a brand new Dell laptop, complete with a wireless mouse, and laptop bag! For $10, you can purchase a raffle ticket for your chance to win!
Supply List!!!
*Many of these items will be provided to students who attend orientation on August 30th!*
About Thurgood Marshall
Thurgood Marshall Middle School (TMMS) is named after the legendary Supreme Court Justice, Thurgood Marshall, who is known for his 1954 ruling in the milestone case “Brown v the Board of Education,” which outlawed segregation in schools. Our mascot is the Jaguar, which symbolizes confidence, courage and strength. TMMS will create a school environment where all students thrive like our namesake and are confident and courageous like our mascot! While building positive relationships with students, staff, families and the community, our main goal is to promote academic promise where Justice, Access and Growth are the minimum standard for all students.
Our Mission
Promoting academic scholarship and critical consciousness to empower scholars to create a world that helps them achieve success; creating a school community that develops leaders committed to creating a more equitable & inclusive society.
Our Vision
Justice, Access & Growth for every student. Every day!
School Colors: Green, gold, black
Green=hope
Gold=success
Black=power
Our Mascot: Jaguar
Jaguars play an important role in maintaining the structure and function of the ecosystems they inhabit. As top predators; they’re confident and balanced. And they roar!
Motto/Slogan
"It's All Good at Thurgood!!
The TMMS Path to Success!
Preparing future leaders is our goal!
• Additional ELA & math support for all students
• Accelerated course offerings
• CREW social-emotional support each day for all students
• Expeditionary learning to expose students to hands on, real-world learning opportunities
• An emphasis on Rochester’s rich history in all courses
• Special projects & activities to promote activism, advocacy & service learning
• 8th grade capstone project, promoting student voice on social issues
Athletics and Extra Curricular Activities
Sports Offerings for the 2024-25 School Year:
• Baseball
• Basketball
• Cross Country
• Football
• Lacrosse
• Soccer
• Softball
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Track and Field
• Volleyball
• Wrestling
Sports participation requires a yearly physical through your Primary Care Physician. Once your child has their physical completed, register at Arbiter Sports (formerly Family ID) https://students.arbitersports.com/organizations/rochester-city-school-district. Be sure to register for the Thurgood Marshall Middle School (TMMS) Sports only.
Extra Curricular Activities:
As a new school, TMMS is developing clubs & extra curricular activities based on student interest. We are looking forward to your ideas & suggestions!
Get Your House Shirt!
For the first 50 TMMS students that RSVP for the Aug 30th orientation AND attend from 10am-12:45pm on August 30th, they will receive a free TMMS House shirt! There will also be shirts available for purchase starting August 30th for $10 for any student interested who doesn't attend orientation, or for any family member wanting to purchase a shirt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Where is TMMS located?
A. TMMS is located at the CHARLOTTE CAMPUS, 4115 Lake Avenue, 14612.
Q. Is Thurgood Marshall the same as Marshall (on Ridgeway)?
A. No. Thurgood Marshall (at Charlotte) and John Marshall (on Ridgeway) are two different schools. Thurgood Marshall is located at 4115 Lake Ave (our school). John Marshall is located at 180 Ridgeway Avenue.
Q. What grades are served at TMMS?
A. TMMS is a traditional middle school, serving grades 7 and 8 only.
Q. How big is TMMS?
A. TMMS is projected to be fairly small for year one. We currently are projected to have between 350 and 400 students for the first year, and then grow as large as 600 students in the future.
Q. Is there a uniform requirement at TMMS?
A. No, there is no uniform policy at TMMS. However, we will have t-shirts/apparel available in the colors of our four houses, and students will be required to wear their House t-shirt when in the community, on field trips, and when representing the school at functions.
Q. What is the bell schedule at TMMS?
A. School is in session at TMMS from 7:30am-2:30pm. We maintain a 9 period bell schedule at TMMS.
Q. What method of transportation does TMMS use?
A. All TMMS students ride the yellow bus.
Q. What are Houses at TMMS?
A. TMMS has four Houses or teams, each consisted of approximately 80 students and 15 staff members per House. The houses are:
- Supreme House: gold (sophistication & success)
- Justice House: green (hope & rebirth)
- Legacy House: purple (royalty & creativity)
- Truth House: blue (peace & inspiration)
Q. How can I contact TMMS?
A. Our main office is open daily, M-F, from 7:30am-3pm. Our phone number is (585) 663-7070.
On the Horizon! Save the Dates!
August 30th: 7th and 8th Grade Orientation
Students report at 10am. Their session is 10am-12:45pm and includes lunch
Parents/Guardians report at 12pm-12:45pm for a parent informational session
Supply giveaway, bus IDs and more: 12:45pm-1:30pm
September 5th: School Starts!
Our school is located at 4115 Lake Avenue, Rochester, NY 14612, and our school hours are from 7:30am-2:30pm!
Check out our Website and Social Media Pages!
Contact Us!
Administration Team
Principal: Nakia Burrows
Assistant Principals:
William Hucks, Supreme & Justice Houses
Dr. Sean Coffey, Legacy & Truth Houses
Associate Director of Special Education
Marissa Nicholson
Athletic Director
Ashley Pierce
Thurgood Marshall Middle School
4115 Lake Avenue
Rochester, New York 14612
(585) 663-7070 (main office)
(585) 935-7438 (fax)