TMS Community ROAR Report

Email: janine.smith@fcps.org
Website: https://education.fcps.org/tms/
Location: 408 East Main Street, Thurmont, MD, United States
Phone: (227)-203-2500
Twitter: @JanineSmithFCPS

Happy New Year! I hope you all had a restful holiday break and are returning with renewed energy and enthusiasm as we step into the exciting year ahead.

As we begin January, we are offered a fresh start—an opportunity to set new goals, reflect on our growth, and continue fostering a positive and inclusive school environment. This year, we encourage our students to stay engaged in school activities, stay on top of assignments, and remember that we are here to support you every step of the way.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to our school community. Together, let’s make 2025 a year of continued success, growth, and inspiration!

Be the Change,

Janine Smith-Principal

Chris Bittner-Assistant Principal

Anita Shank-Assistant Principal

Each year, Frederick County Public Schools celebrates the leadership qualities of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by hosting a winter celebration. A representative from each school is chosen to represent the student body and must possess and demonstrate leadership characteristics both in and out of the classroom. This year Thurmont Middle School is pleased to announce 8th grader, Anna Page as our Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award recipient.

We are extremely proud of Anna and her leadership here at TMS! Please join us in congratulating Anna for this great honor!

Please join the entire Catoctin Feeder by marking your calendar for January 25, 2025 for a night of inclusivity and community! All Catoctin Feeder Schools will join together for our annual Catoctin Feeder Community Night. We hope to see you there!

Important Calendar Date Reminders

• Wednesday, January 8th-SGA Meeting 2:30-3:30pm-Ms. Rebuck's Room
• Friday, January 10th-TMS SGA Winter Dance 2:30-4:00pm
• Tuesday, January 14th-Leo Club Meeting 2:30-3:30pm-Media Center
• Wednesday, January 15th-End of Term 2
• Thursday, January 16th-Schools Closed-Teacher Work Day
• Friday, January 17th-Schools Closed-Teacher Professional Learning Day
• Monday, January 20th-Schools Closed-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Thursday, January 23rd-TMS PTA Meeting @6:00pm
• Tuesday, January 28th-Catoctin Community Feeder Night 5:00-7:00pm @ CHS

Thurmont Middle SGA - Winter Dance

When: January 10 from 2:30-4:00

Where: TMS Cafeteria

Cost: $3 per student and ticket sales are ONLINE only.

Please visit School Cash Online to purchase a dance ticket. Students will be added to list once payment has been made.

All Damaged Chromebook fees and Lost Charger fees must be paid, or payment arrangement made, to be able to attend the dance.

DEADLINE for Dance ticket purchase is January 9, 2025. NO EXCEPTIONS!!!!

STUDENTS MUST EITHER WALK HOME OR BE PICKED UP PROMPTLY AT 4:00 IN THE REAR PARKING LOT.

We are in need of chaperones. If you are able to help, please click link: https://bit.ly/3OXTo47 If we don't get enough volunteers, we will be unable to have the dance. If you are interested in volunteering, you must first complete a mandatory training. Please be aware that the process can take 72 hours and MUST BE COMPLETED PRIOR to volunteering for FCPS. https://www.fcps.org/student-services/volunteer-in-fcps

Please contact Ms. Rebuck, SGA Advisor, if you have any questions or concerns. Charlotte.Rebuck@fcps.org

Greeting TMS Families:

We are sending out a friendly reminder to check your student's School Cash Online account for any outstanding Technology Fees. While we don't charge a rental fee, there are fees in place for damaged Chromebooks or lost chargers. Unpaid fees may result in being denied admittance to afterschool dances. These charges will stay on the student account and will follow them to the High School, where they could affect those activities as well, until charges are settled.

If payments cause a financial hardship, payment options are available. Please contact Ms. Newman, if you have any questions or concerns about these charges, 227-203-2500.

Please remind your student to always carry their Chromebook in the provided case and take caution with it when it is out of the case.

Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

This year, all Catoctin Feeder Schools are committed to implementing the No Place for Hate program. The Anti-Defamation League’s No Place for Hate® (NPFH) initiative provides schools and communities with an organizing framework for combating bias, bullying and hatred, leading to long-term solutions for creating and maintaining a positive climate. No Place for Hate® is an organizing framework for K-12 schools committed to creating sustainable change that leads to improved school climate. Participating schools can incorporate ADL’s anti-bias and anti-bullying resources within their existing programming to form one powerful message that all students have a place to belong. Since the program was launched in 1999, over 1,700 schools across the country have joined the No Place for Hate® movement nationwide.

No Place for Hate schools receive their designation by:

• Building inclusive and safe communities in which respect is the goal, and all students can thrive.

• Empowering students, faculty, administration and family members to take a stand against hate and bullying by incorporating new and existing programs under one powerful message.

• Engaging schools and communities in at anti-bias activities per year, which ADL helps to develop.

• Sending a clear, unified message that all students have a place to belong.
  
  

The Catoctin feeder principals have been collaborating to establish student leadership committees at each of our schools. Students will be introduced to the program throughout this school year!

High School Transition: Look What Exciting 8th Grade Activities Are Coming!

*January 7- High School Registration Assemblies at TMS

*January 8- 5:00-6:30 PM CHS Registration Night at CHS (Snow Date: January 9)

*February 10- Completed Registration Forms Due Back to Ms. Varanyak

Did you miss the Life After Middle School 8th Grade Parent Night? Check out the link below to review the presentation slides. Please reach out with any questions.

Life After Middle School Presentation Link

TMS Scheduling for the 2025-2026 School Year Is Underway!

TMS staff have been reviewing academic data and making ELA and Math placement recommendations for our next school year. Registration sessions will take place on the dates below to review elective options with students.

January 13- Current Grade 7 Registration Sessions with Ms. Bueso, Counselor

January 14- Current Grade 6 Registration Sessions with Ms. Krauss, Counselor

Registration forms with both academic placement recommendations and student elective choices will be sent home with all current 6th and 7th grade students on February 6 and should be returned with parent signature by February 12.

Additional Support:

Therapy Pet Visits to TMS- January 21 During All Lunch Shifts

If you prefer your child not interact with the pets, please contact your child’s school counselor.

TMS Peer Tutoring Program

Students completed a recent survey indicating their desire to either serve as a peer tutor or to receive some tutoring support from a peer tutor. Tutoring sessions are currently being scheduled for interested students. If you would like your child to participate in this program in either capacity, please contact your child’s school counselor.

TMS Counseling Team Contact Information:

Jane Nicholson- Registrar- jane.nicholson@fcps.org/ 227-203-2500 X45015

Rebecca Krauss- Grade 6 Counselor- rebecca.krauss@fcps.org/ 227-203-2500 X45017

Sherry Bueso- Grade 7 School Counselor- sherry.bueso@fcps.org/ 227-203-2500 X45016

Stacie Varanyak- Grade 8 Counselor- stacie.varanyak@fcps.org/ 227-203-2500 X45019

Debbie Wivell- Behavior Support- deborah.wivell@fcps.org/ 227-203-2500 X45060

Diana Merritt- Career Coach- diana.merritt@fcps.org/ 227-203-2500 X45042

Please have your child take some time to look at any assignments they can complete to improve their grade in math since the end of the term is Wednesday, January 15th. Also, please encourage your child to complete topics on their ALEKS pie to ensure they will earn full credit each week for the assignment. Since the ALEKS topics are assigned every week there will only be a due date and not a deadline date. We also have incentives, awards and certificates in place at Thurmont Middle School to reward students for making progress on their ALEKS pie. Thank you, in advance, for any support and encouragement you are providing at home! Please reach out to Lindsey Lowe at lindsey.lowe@fcps.org with any questions.

How to Get to ALEKS on your Child's Device:

1. Open up a new tab or Google Chrome tab on your computer.

2. Click on “FCPS Bookmarks”

3. Click on “Clever Portal”

4. Click on “McGraw Hill”

As the new year begins, it's the perfect time to set fresh reading goals and expectations for your middle school child. The start of a new year offers a chance to reflect on past habits and chart a path for future growth. For middle schoolers, reading can be a rewarding way to strengthen both academic skills and explore new worlds. It’s also the best way to broaden a student’s vocabulary.

First, encourage students to set specific, achievable reading goals. Instead of vague resolutions like "read more," they could aim to read a certain number of books or pages each month, or even explore different genres and authors. This helps make the goal tangible and measurable, providing a sense of accomplishment as they meet each milestone.

Make reading feel fun and relevant. Let students choose books that spark their interests, whether it’s adventure, mystery, fantasy, or nonfiction. Also, setting aside regular time for reading—whether it’s before bed, during free periods, or on weekends—can turn it into a positive habit. Set aside time as a family to read daily or weekly – model good reading as an adult – whether it’s the newspaper, mail, forms, or books.

Finally, emphasize the importance of quality over quantity. Encourage your child to reflect on what they’re reading, whether through journaling, discussing what they’re reading during meals or in the car, or even planning out what the movie interpretation of the book would look like. By setting realistic and meaningful reading goals, middle schoolers can make this year a time of growth, both as readers and as critical thinkers.

Happy January! This time of year brings much excitement in the Advanced Academic Department! Besides the colder weather, it's also Articulation season! This time of year, a team of Specailists, Administration, and Counselors meet with the high school to discuss appropriate placement for each rising 8th grader. Likewise, the Articulation Team also meets with the Elementary Feeder Schools to discuss our rising 6th graders. Many variables go into these conversations and each team member offers insight and suggestions for each student. This special process is vital to the individualized success of each student.

However, the home- school connection is just as important. Please consider these tips to ensure your child is doing their very best every day!

1. Be involved!- Ask your child about something they are proud of or feel they did well today. Ask your child about a problem they solved today.
2. Encourage your child to problem solve their problems instead of giving up or walking away.
3. Make sure your child attends school everyday.
4. Encourage your child to advocate for themselves when they need help.

Lastly, TMS would like to celebrate Anna Page, 8th grade, as our school nomination for the Carson Scholar!! She will advance to the final round of applicants this month! Good luck to Anna!

Children need a trusted adult to turn to when they feel threatened. It is important that your child is encouraged to contact their school counselor, administrator or teacher to report bullying because it may not stop without help. If your child feels uncomfortable reporting bullying and harassing behaviors, parents are encouraged to report it to FCPS staff.

To report bullying, use the FCPS Bullying, Harassment or Intimidation Reporting Form, available on the FCPS.org website.

If bullying happens outside of school, families can call:

• 211 for community resource information
• Law enforcement if threats or physical harm occur

Learn more about bullying, harassment, and intimidation in the FCPS Students and Families Tab, found at www.fcps.org. Information is also available in Bullying - Harassment - Intimidation Complaint Process for Students linked here.

We are asking all students and families to make attendance a priority for the second semester of the school year. Please help us reduce our percent of students who are chronically absent. We want all Cougars to show us that at TMS Attendance Matters and Every Day Counts!!

FCPS is using a new portal for school meal related information. Go to the parent portal at http://linqconnect.com/ where you can:

- Apply for meal benefits (FARM)

- View menus, meal prices and a la carte prices

- Add money to student accounts

- Transfer funds between students

- View student meal transactions

- Set low-balance notifications

Breakfast is FREE to ALL TMS Students this year!

Poster Contest: FCTA’s Human & Civil Rights Committee is preparing to celebrate Black History Month in 2025. To kick that off, they’re hosting a poster contest for all middle and high school students in FCPS. The contest guidelines are available at the online submission link for your review.

Spelling Bee:

Frederick County Public Libraries (FCPL) is excited to be partnering with FCPS to participate again in the Scripps National Spelling Bee to be hosted by Hood College in March 2025. FCPS is fortunate that FCPL will coordinate the county-level bee. The March 2025 bee date is March 8, 2025 (Snow date: March 22, 2025) and will be held on the campus of Hood College.

FCPS Notice of Non-Discrimination:

The Board of Education of Frederick County (Board) does not discriminate in its employment, programs or activities based on race, religion, color, ancestry, national origin, age, marital status, disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex or genetic information.

The Board is committed to providing students, staff and the community with a safe and supportive environment that fosters mutual respect, equity, inclusion and acceptance of the rich diversity that makes up our community.

Information and resources can be found HERE on the FCPS website.

End of Term 2:

End of Term 2 is on Wednesday, January 15th . If your child has missing assignments or needs to complete a re-assessment, please encourage them to speak with their teacher(s) as soon as possible.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact your child’s teacher(s).

Lost and Found Items:

The TMS Lost and Found table is overflowing with clothing, lunchboxes, and other items. Please have your child look on the Lost and Found table, in the cafeteria, for any of their missing items.

Attendance Information:

If your child is unable to attend school due to an illness or doctor's appointment, or any other reason, please email a note to our attendance secretary, Ms. Shannon Ingram at tms.attendance@fcps.org.

For early dismissals:

• Parent/Guardian will come to the office to sign student out
• Please bring your ID
• Allow adequate time to locate student for an early dismissal
• If you allow someone else to sign your student out, please note the name you authorize in your note to the school. They will be required to show ID to pick up student.

Don’t forget, when going to a medical appointment, remember to get a doctor's note from their office. We will update your student's attendance accordingly.

Students Reporting Security Concerns:

"See Something, Say Something" and "Don't repost it. Report it" - Encourage students to report security concerns to a trusted adult (parent, school staff member, school administrator, SRO, or a local law enforcement agency). Students may also anonymously report concerns using the Safe Schools Maryland Tip Line at 833-MD-B-SAFE. In an emergency, call 911. Additional resources can be found on each school's website and the FCPS website.

FCPS Bus Delay Information:

A quick and easy resource to check if your child's bus is delayed is to visit https://apps.fcps.org/transdelay/ This site is updated in real-time to reflect any bus delays.

Volunteering at TMS:

Are you interested in volunteering at TMS? If so, all volunteers must complete the virtual training each year linked here. Please note this must be completed to chaperone field trips. Please reach out to Shannon Ingram with questions/concerns.

Community Liaison: If you are in need of assistance with school supplies, hygiene products, food, or other community resources for housing, please reach out Crystal Mckenzie, our TMS Community Liason at Crystal.McKenzie@fcps.org. We are here to support and assist all of our families!

Online Tutoring Service for Students: The Frederick County Library has an online tutoring platform called Brainfuse HelpNow. This service can be used with a Frederick County Public Library Card Number. HelpNow is a resource designed for K-12 students and beyond. Live tutoring is available in English and Spanish from 2:00-11:00 p.m. to provide homework help for core subjects, including mathematics, science, and English language arts. Practice long division, improve reading comprehension, and learn other key skills. Practice for standardized tests. Students may submit papers to HelpNow’s Writing Lab for expert assistance and feedback, or collaborate with peers in virtual study spaces. More information is available at the FCPL website, https://www.fcpl.org/learn/brainfuse-helpnow.

2024-25 PTA Officers:
Elizabeth Day-President

Jennifer Clements

Jessica Moore

Michele Conrad

Carolina Lake

Digital Membership: https://fspta-00023696.memberhub.com/store?limit=21&live=true

We need YOU to become a member of our PTA! Please be on the lookout for the online membership link for you to join. We are excited to grow our amazing TMS PTA!