TMS Dragons
PRO: Perseverance, Respect, Ownership September 2024
Meet Dillon Keever - 8th grade Social Studies
I graduated high school late and didn't know what to do with my life, so I joined the Army. During that time the groundwork for my love for teaching was laid. After gaining rank I began to have to teach and lead new soldiers. After my time in the Army, I went to FRCC and explored my options for a potential career and degree path. After much trial and error, I ended my time there with two degrees and no clue what to do. I transferred to CSU to obtain a BA in history. I was told that to achieve that, I would need to also partake in a minor, which I did not want to do. So I asked what routes I could take to still get my history degree but not have to do a traditional major-minor route. This led me to education, and after my first semester in the program, I knew this was meant for me. The rest is history.
Counselors Corner
The TMS counseling department has made a mission and vision statement to help better clarify the scope of our work with students. Our mission is: Supporting each student to expand regulation skills and other tools in order to become empowered self-advocates. Our vision states: Always supportive. Always safe and inclusive. Always meeting kids where they are.
Going along with the work we do to support all students, we would like to invite students to join the TMS Inclusion Club. Anyone who wants to find ways to ensure the school is supportive of students of all backgrounds, connect with others, or who are feeling like they personally are struggling to fit in would be great members for the club. We meet before school at 8 AM on Thursdays. If you'd like more info on the club, please reach out to a school counselor.
School counselors: Andrea Wallace (all 6th grade; 8th grade last names A-L) and Keefer Lanham (all 7th grade; 8th grade last names M-Z). We will be sticking with these kids throughout middle school now. For example, next year, Andrea will continue working with the current 6th grade students when they are in 7th grade.
We have created a Google Classroom for each grade called "Life," which is a location where we will post counseling department updates that we'd like to reach each student. Please encourage your child to accept the invitation to this google classroom if they haven't already.
The school counselors have been busy trying to connect with all of our 7th and 8th grade transfer or choice enrollment students so far this school year. We are also hosting a weekly Friday lunch group for 6th grade students who are new to Berthoud or who came from elementary schools outside of Berthoud. Please reach out to us if your student is struggling with the transition to TMS.
KidsPak is a valuable resource for families who may be facing food insecurity. Please visit their website for more information and to fill out the food request form if you are interested in receiving this support. We can put the KidsPak food bags in backpacks on Fridays to send home for the weekends.
6th grade Squad
Hello 6th Grade Families!
We are just past our first week of school and we are really enjoying this group! We want to take a moment to remind you of a couple of things. First and foremost, students REALLY need a pair of earbuds or headphones. For obvious reasons, we don’t keep classroom sets for them to share, but they are very inexpensive and don’t need to be fancy. Please, if you see a cheap pair, grab them for your 6th grader! Also, if your kiddo is having a hard time getting supplies, please let us know; we have some extras lying around. Lastly, please have your kiddos show you their agendas! This tool will help them with their organization and keep them on top of work they need to complete--which is HUGE now that they have multiple classes and teachers each day.
In Academic News….
In Science,
Science has been having a lot of questions . . . testable questions that is. We have been identifying variables, creating hypotheses and conducting labs to learn the application of the Scientific Method. Soon science students will dive into Weather and Climate. We look forward to having a wonderful year in Science with your Sixth Grader!
In Social Studies, students are fully engaged in learning about Geography. This coming week the students will take on the role of a Cartographer to learn about how people make and use maps. By the end of the lesson students will have an opportunity to process the information by creating their own maps! If your student would like any additional resources, have them email me. Please remind your students that they will need a designated Social Studies folder/paper moving forward.
In Literacy, students are currently building up to writing their own short stories! This past week, they worked on community building, identity exploration, learning routines, and getting ready for the year with Ms Wade and Ms. Heff. Students should start reading 10 minutes everyday at home, so you should see them engrossed in their new library books! Next week, we look forward to delving into some important texts and building the scaffold for an in-depth writing assignment.
In Math, kids are jumping into some Math basics to review factors, multiples and order of operations. All math classrooms have agendas and daily work accessible online through the Google Classroom and teacher websites, so never again should you hear , “I don’t remember what my homework was…” :) Additionally, since the books are completely online as well, everything the kids need for their math work is truly at their fingertips.
7th grade Encounters
When TMS students transition into 7th grade, they have more homework than when in 6th
grade, their social calendars may also get a little bit busier and these demands will need
organizational skill to prioritize time.
Here are some ways to help 7th graders to be a little more organized.
1. Teach them how to divide and conquer.
- a. Use a planner or a calendar to get organized.
- b. Teach your child a little goes a long way.
2. Organize to-do lists in a logical order.
- a. Tasks and chores can be listed by due date or by hardest to easy.
- b. Just putting the tasks and chores together may help.
3. Have a front door “go” box.
- a. Designate a place for your child to put all things school related at home.
- b. Utilize this space everyday after school.
4. Color code tasks.
- a. Use sticky notes for important notes on assignments
- b. Color code the planner for school, chores, and after school events.
5. Use a whiteboard.
- a. Writing tasks, chores and events in their rooms is a visual.
- b. Great way to leave encouraging notes to your child.
6. Set a weekly backpack cleaning day.
- a. Set a day during the week to clean out unnecessary items.
- b. Makes it easier to find important papers and assignments.
7. Keep track of time.
- a. Write down start and end times for all tasks, chores, and events.
- b. Helps your child figure out how to budget their time.
All of the above ideas will help your child become better organized and ultimately a better
student. Our goal in 7th grade is to be successful, even if that means just getting them
organized in the first few months. A little goes a long way, be consistent and each 7th grader
will be successful in their own way.
8th grade Adventures
Your student has taken the iReady Fall Diagnostic test in both Math and Literacy and used those scores to set goals to prepare them for high school. iReady scores will also be used to determine your students’ interventions or enrichments. These interventions and enrichments will take place three mornings a week during the PRO/Intervention time. We are working to help your students fill in any gaps they have in the standards and extend their learning in order to be successful when they go to high school next year. Please ask your student about their iReady goals.
We are excited to be your child’s teacher this year! There are six teachers on the 8th grade team. Throughout the year, if you would like to support our classrooms, the items linked below on these Amazon Wish Lists go directly to helping students. Thank you so much for thinking of us as we use these supplies with your students on a regular basis.
Math: Ms. Cox and Ms. Pasch ELA: Mrs. Rector and Mrs. McGee Science: Mr. Knueven
Morning Drinks
Please help us with drinks that are coming in to TMS before school. We all love Ziggy's, smoothies, and energy drinks, but drinks are not allowed in classrooms or lockers. We have had numerous drinks spill in lockers ruining personal belongings, as well, as other's belongings especially if it is top locker. If your student is bringing a beverage other than water, please have them come into the cafeteria during breakfast to enjoy this drink before school starts.
Breakfast entrance: doors near gym/8th grade hallway; these open at 8:30 (Mon, Tues, Thurs, and Fri) and 9:30 (Wed).
Everyone loves Electives
News from the Electives Team
Here’s what your students are learning in elective classes.
FACS Kitchen Remodel is complete! Mrs. May’s Family and Consumer Studies classes submitted designs for remodeling the kitchens as part of the Interior Design unit. The students' work was rewarded when Mrs. May won Colorado Teacher of the Year and Thompson Education Association donated money in her honor to go toward the TMS Kitchen Redesign project. Thompson School District, ProClean, and Dohl’s donated expertise, materials, and labor. New countertops and cabinets were installed. If you would like to donate to the FACS class, they could use new hand towels and oven mitts (grey or blue) and dryer sheets.
The FACS classes will be carving small pumpkins and roasting the seeds in October. Come October, donations of pumpkins would be greatly appreciated!
Lifetime Sports classes are learning yard games. Students should bring a water bottle because it is hot! Mr. Farus, Mr. Gonzales, and Mrs. Olivas teach these classes.
PE is assessing their current fitness testing and writing SMART goals to maintain or improve fitness by the end of the term. Good sportsmanship is being taught through team-building activities. Mrs. Olivas and Mr. Gonzales teach these classes.
Industrial Technology is learning the Design Process. Students set goals each day and work to accomplish them. Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) skills, equipment safety, and using the 3D printer are being taught. Mr. Gonzales teaches these classes.
Family and Consumer Science is working on developing trust and respect through playing whiteboard games. The FACS contract should be signed and turned in by now.
Next, we’ll begin our first unit.
Band, Choir, and Orchestra are preparing for the first concerts which will be held the week of October 8 & 9. More details will be forthcoming. Contact the teacher if you need a rental form if renting an instrument. The expectation is that students practice a minimum of one hour a week at home. Mr. Farus is the band and choir director. Mrs. Massey directs the orchestra.
Multimedia classes are exploring digital safety and online footprints. Ms. Bowen teaches this class.
Art classes are learning about the elements of art and expressing oneself through art. Ms. Merena is our art specialist.
Spanish classes are working on introductions and basic foundations of conversations. Our 8th-grade classes are building upon what they learned last year. Some students are planning on learning enough this year to be prepared to take Spanish 2 in high school. Ms. Bowen is our Espanol maestra (Spanish teacher).
GT news
GT in middle school looks a little different than in elementary. Our classroom teachers work with the GT teacher to meet student needs. Students are not generally pulled out of class. TMS offers advanced math and literacy cluster classes. Acceleration in the other subjects is done through a cooperative effort between the classroom teacher and GT teacher.
Students who were identified GT in another state will need to be re-identified in Colorado. Students who already have been identified GT in Colorado do not need to be re-identified.
Advanced Learning Plan (ALP) goal writing will begin this week. Parents are invited to join the process either in person or virtually. A SignUpGenius link has been sent to parents of GT students. Parents will receive a copy of the ALP even if unable to attend the meeting. Please contact Mrs. Leonard if you have any questions or concerns.
Thompson Schools screens all sixth grade students for GT services. Parents may opt their student out of the screening process if desired. There are 3-ten minute computerized tests that are used for the screening process. Students who are already identified will not be tested. Dates and opt out forms will be sent out soon.
CAGT Student Art Contest - Students are invited to share their outstanding artistic talents by creating their own artistic interpretation of the theme, Purpose and Passion. Artwork must be an original, creative interpretation of the theme, not a copy of anyone else’s material. Art can be 2D or 3D. 2D pieces must be no larger than 24” x 36”. 3D pieces must have dimensions no larger than 24”x24”x24”. Submissions should be directed to Mrs. Leonard or Ms. Cerena.
Club News - Clubs are open to all students.
Lego Robotics will begin meeting on Wednesdays after school until 5:45 pm, beginning September 11th. We are looking for coaches! If you are interested, please contact Kristina.leonard@tsd.org. Students who wish to participate must complete the Robotics online permission form. We are allowed 3 teams from TMS. It is possible that not all participants will be able to compete on a team.
Math Counts and Chess Club will begin meeting in October. If interested in coaching the Chess Club, please contact Mrs. Leonard.
Kristi Leonard - kristina.leonard@tsd.org or 970-613-7454
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.
August and September we focus on building connections, community agreements, getting to know your school, goals, and Xello.
Xello is a program that helps our students evaluate their future goals, college, technical schools, and build employability skills by integrating a work-based learning modules. Students will continue to use this program through high school.
6th grade WEB DANCE
All 6th graders are invited to attend our WEB dance on Friday, September 6 from 4:15-5:15. The dance will take place in the gym and cafeteria. This dance is for 6th grade only; the cost of the dance is $3.00 and concessions can be purchased during the dance.
Click on the Sign up Link if you can help out!
Acceptable Locker Use
Locker Combination:
It is important that student's keep their locker combinations confidential. They should never share their combination with friends.
Students are to only use the locker that has been assigned to them and lockers are not to be shared. We are fortunate enough to have a locker for each student.
Searching Lockers:
Lockers are considered school property and can be searched at any time.
Decorating the INSIDE:
Students can decorate and personalize their locker. No decorations on the outside of lockers. PLEASE use magnets only on the inside!! No tape of any kind, contact paper, stickers or writing (these are extremely hard to remove at the end of year and ruin the paint).
Students CAN
Go to their locker before class, between classes, before and after lunch, and right after school
Keep their lunch in locker for that day
Use resources to keep your things organized inside locker
Use magnets to hang things
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.
Picture Retakes October 8
Parents can order for the next 13 months by:
View/order online at mylifetouch.com - they just enter their child’s ID number and can view/purchase photos from there.
Or you can order off of the paper proof photo sheet from the first picture day pictures that will be coming home on Friday, August 30. Each proof sheet will have an order code on it.
Any of these orders will ship directly to their homes.
For Parents With Picture Questions, here are 3 ways they can contact Lifetouch for help:
Lorene - Customer Service: 303-565-5203
Lifetouch General Customer Service: 800-736-5473
To email Customer Service: colorado@lifetouch.com
Reminder: No classes for students
Tuesday, Sept. 3 for Staff Professional Development
TMS PTO
TMS parent teacher organization (PTO) meets at Turner Middle School.
Please feel free to join them for the next meeting on Friday, September 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
Next Meeting:
Tuesday, October 8 from 4:15-5:15 pm TMS main office conference room
Remembering 9/11
This year is the 23rd anniversary of 9/11. We take a moment to honor and remember the events of September 11, 2001. On this day, our country experienced a tragedy that forever changed our nation. We remember the bravery of the first responders, the strength of the survivors, and the lives of those who were lost.
As we reflect, let's also think about the importance of unity, compassion, and resilience. These are values that help us support one another in difficult times and build a better future together.
In remembrance, let's choose to be kind, to help others, and to appreciate the freedoms we have. By doing so, we honor the memory of those who were affected by that day and contribute to a more peaceful world.
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!
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