We are excited to announce to our February students of the month, recognized for being Reflective! IB Learners thoughtfully consider the world and our own ideas and experience. Through reflection, we work to understand our own strengths and weaknesses in order to support our learning and personal development.

Please seek out our Thinkers and congratulate them in the hallway: Adalynn Conners, Kingston Lewis, Nathan Griffin, Charmante Ndegeya, Morgan Rhodes, Sebastian Jimenez Martinez, Victor Gong, Sadie Green, Katelin Moore, Nolan Hamilton, Kokhi Kawashima, Gia Brandon!

Saturday was the Fayette County Science Fair at Fredrick Douglas High School. TCMS registered 12 projects, and 16 students attended and competed. Our students were great! They were professional and knowledgeable. Congratulations to the following students on their wins!

1st Place: Behavioral and Social Sciences- Havi Sheth

1st Place: Environmental Sciences- Prikash Kharel

2nd Placa: Cellular and Molecular Biology: Layla Richardson and Luna Santillanes

These students will present their projects at the 23rd Annual Kentucky Science & Engineering Fair on March 28-29th.

We also congratulate the following students on their hard work and excellent presentations:

Natalie Feck, Reese Tumlinson, Demaria Gerton, Hope Gatnor, Victory Lewis, Pinnelopea Vanderpool, Kendall Dues, Audrey Jordan, Ishara Kasongo, Oliver Dickson, Abigail Fischer, Sydney Mcilwraith

Please join us in congratulating the 48 students selected as members of the Honor Band or as alternates. This achievement sets a new school record for Tates Creek Middle School!

This weekend, our Archery Team hosted their annual Tommy Jones Memorial Tournament. The tournament is in memory of our team’s founder, Tommy Jones, our school resource officer who passed away from leukemia on November 7, 2013, during the team’s 2nd season. Proceeds from the tournament are donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in Officer Jones' name.

Officer Jones had the ability to see that kids have the desire and potential to be successful and was devoted to ensuring that all students, regardless of their personal circumstances, be involved in extracurricular activities outside the classroom.

We are grateful for everyone who donated to our first DanceBlue fundraiser, Penny Wars! JUKUMU won with 29,464 points! We are not announcing the amount raised in Penny Wars yet, as the mini marathon culminates in the reveal in the total donation to UK Children's Hospital. We don't want to spoil the surprise! Just know, it was a successful start to the cause!

FCPS will use Friday, March 14, as a winter weather make-up day, and schools will be in session. At this time, there are no plans for additional make-up days.

Please join our district ambassadors for the next Multilingual Family Informational Workshop, where students can learn about college financial aid and the FCPS Seal of Biliteracy recognition at graduation.

When: 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5 (doors open at 5:30 p.m.)

Where: John D. Price Administration Building, 450 Park Place

Cost: Free

Light snacks will be provided, and interpreters are available upon request.

The online application window for magnet and special programs is March 1-17 this year. Students interested in applying for one of Fayette County's many specialized academic programs must apply during that window.

The catalog of options is shared below. If your child is interested in a special program, but have questions or need help with the process, please reach out to the point-of-contact named in the catalog, or your child's counselor.

6th grade - Ms. McDowell

7th grade - Mr. Bates

8th grade - Mr. Whitehead

Recently the district updated our phone system. Now, when you call you will be prompt to choose an option (total of 5) to help direct your call.

TCMS main new number 859.422.0039

1 - Counselors and Registrar or 859.422.1451

2 - Main, Attendance, Bookkeeper, Principals

3 - Nurse

4 - YSC/Resource Center (Ms. Church)

5 - Cafeteria Manager (Ms. Hisel-Church)

Office hours are 8:35am - 4:05pm. Please remember during start of school and dismissal you may experience longer hold time.

Overall Standings

Jukumu Leaderboard

Anclacha Leaderboard

Aurore Leaderboard

Tayir Leaderboard

6th Grade Leaderboard

7th Grade Leaderboard

8th Grade Leaderboard

In honor of Black History Month, we share this list of middle grades books about black lives. The books on this list are linked for more information or purchase from black-owned, independent booksellers.

• Brown GIrl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
• The Hero Two Doors Down by Sharon Robinson

• As Brave as You by Jason Reynolds

• A Day of Tears by Julius Lester

• Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes

• Revolution by Deborah Wiles

• Some Places More Than Others by Renee Watson

• A Few Red Drops by Claire Hartfield
• The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
• Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis