THE SCHOOL SCOOP
What's Going On In The World Of Taylor Middle School
2024 - 2025
BACK TO SCHOOL INFORMATION
July 25 and 26
TMS Staff will verify shot records, accept payments for past-due fines, complete new technology forms, and once cleared students will be given their schedule and a new clear backpack with school supplies. The building will be open for students to find their classes and practice opening their lockers in preparation for the first day of school.
First Day of School
Students return to school on Thursday, August 1st! We are excited to welcome our students on campus.
- We will be on a REGULAR SCHEDULE releasing at 3:10 pm.
- Early Release Wednesdays will begin on August 7th.
MEET OUR ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM
Meet our Administrative Team
As a staff, we are all committed to helping our students have a successful school year. Here are a few key people on our Administrative Team that students may come into contact with at school:
Laci Lockwood
Principal
Fred Castellanos
Assistant Principal
Chloe McPherson
Dean of Students
Lupe Delgado
Secretary
Robert Still
School Resource Officer
Rebecca Madrid
School Nurse
Scott Henderson
Counselor
Karina Hernandez
Social Worker
Lauryn Gomez
Social Worker
Picture Unavailable: Doug Wolf - Diagnostician
TMS Staff
We have a fantastic and hard-working staff here at Taylor! Students and parents may see many familiar faces and a few new ones joining our team this year. As a Capturing Kids Hearts National Showcase School for two years in a row, we are dedicated to implementing transformational processes focused on:
Cultivating relationships
Improving school culture
Strengthening trust between teachers and students
Building self-managing classrooms
Creating accountability
Improving academic performance
Fostering trauma-informed care
We are so excited to get this school year started!
TMS PROCEDURES
Cell Phone Policy
In the best interest of preserving the educational environment for our students, we have implemented a cell phone policy. All students will place their cell phones in their lockers at the beginning of the school day. They will have access to them before school, at lunch and after school. Please know that in cases of emergency, parents and guardians are welcome to call the TMS office.
Student IDs
All students are required to wear IDs at all times on the TMS campus. The first ID is free, but additional IDs may be purchased for $5 in the office. Many parents prefer to purchase an extra ID to remain in their student's locker.
Dress Code
The Lovington Municipal Schools recognize that parents are primarily responsible for students' dress and general appearance. However, student behavior and academic expectations are influenced by dress and grooming. The handbook in its entirety can be found on the bottom of the TMS home page or selecting the image to the right.
An important note:
8. Skirts or shorts shall not be higher than 6 inches from the top of the knee (as a student bends his or her knee on a chair). Pants with holes in them higher than the required 6 inch limit shall have leggings underneath. Leggings/tights shall be permitted if the garment over the leggings covers both the front and back of the student's pelvic girdle.
The following is the same as in years past, but a good reminder for students:
14. Pajamas or sleepwear shall not be worn.(No house shoes)
Failure to follow the dress code will cause the student(s) to be assigned disciplinary consequences by an administrator. If students are sent home for dress code violations, unexcused absences will be issued for the school time missed.
School Supplies
TMS will provide each student with the following school supplies:
- Clear Backpack
- School Issued Chromebook and Charger
- Paper
- Pencils
- Black, Blue, and Red Pens
- 3-ring Binder
- Spiral Notebook
- Pencil Bag
- Zipper Binder
BELL SCHEDULE
TMS Schedule
Punctuality is a virtue we like to cultivate in our students. Showing up on time to school each day benefits students' academic performance and future professional habits.
Before 7:55 am: Students arriving early will be admitted to the gym until dismissed at 7:55 to get breakfast and go to a locker assigned near their 4th period class.
We encourage all students to take advantage of the free breakfast and lunch every day!
Free Breakfast: A grab-and-go breakfast will be available in the cafeteria each morning. Students are welcome to eat this meal in their 1st period class.
Free Lunch: This year students will have lunch with their entire grade. Students will have lunch and recess outside each day. In the event of inclement weather, students may have recess in the gym.
Restrooms: Restrooms will be locked during class periods, but will be available during passing periods after students check in with their teacher and drop off their backpack. Students are always allowed to come to the office in case of emergencies. This procedure is a safety precaution against vandalism, fights and exposure to inappropriate peer behavior.
Advisory: A student's 4th period class is also their Advisory class. This 15-minute time is allotted every school day except for Wednesday.
Afternoon Pickup: Parents may pick up students in the north parking lot or along 11th Street in front of TMS. Please avoid the south parking lot as this is for staff and bus parking only!
Student Pick-up Deadline
Reminder for parents that may need to pick up their student(s) early: In order to ensure that we are able to get your student from class, to their locker, and to the office before the bell rings, the cutoff deadline for early student pick-up will be 2:55 pm on regular school days and 1:30 pm on Wednesdays.
GETTING INVOLVED AT TMS
TMS has so much to offer in the way of sports, clubs, and activities. There truly is something for everyone! We encourage our students to find a way to get involved in something bigger than themselves.
Athletics
Fall Sports
7th & 8th graders have the opportunity to participate in Football, Volleyball, and Pep Band.
8th graders are eligible to participate in Cross County and Soccer.
Winter Sports
7th & 8th graders have the opportunity to participate in Basketball.
8th graders are able to compete in Swim and Basketball.
Spring Sports
7th & 8th graders have the opportunity to participate in Track & Field.
8th graders can compete in Softball, Baseball, Tennis, and Golf.
Reminder: Students may not practice until their physical is on file at TMS.
Clubs and Organizations
If sports aren't for you, no worries! We have tons of other ways students can get involved on campus and we encourage you to participate in one of our organizations. Here are some of the clubs and organizations offered here at Taylor:
- Media Club
- Yearbook Club
- Student Council
- Garden Club
- Pep Band Club
- Art Club
- Kindness Club
- Spanish Club
- Book Club
- National Junior Honor Society
LiveSchool
Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) effectively rewards students for making positive choices within the school day. PBIS is at the core of developing a strong culture that meets the social and emotional learning (SEL) needs of our students. When done with consistency, PBIS encourages children to meet behavioral expectations, while simultaneously creating a warm learning environment and building strong teacher-student relationships.
Rewards are an integral component of establishing the PBIS system in our school and we use LiveSchool to award and track points for attendance and positive behavior. These rewards keep students motivated by reinforcing good behavior, and ultimately incentivizing them to keep making good choices everywhere in the school building!
The LiveSchool points will be used to purchase rewards on the virtual TMS PBIS Store. The store openings will be at the end of each 9-weeks grading period.
Parents, you will be able to check your student's points and teacher comments by selecting the LiveSchool image to the right. You will then be asked to enter a code which will be given to students in their Advisory class soon. Weekly recaps will be emailed to the address specified on your account.