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November 17, 2024 Callout

Great evening Jaguar Families,

This Thursday, Thurgood Marshall Fundamental Middle School will be hosting a Discovery Night for potential families of 5th Grade students in Pinellas County Schools.  If you have friends, neighbors, or other family members that want to see what Jaguar Nation is building, please let them know that our event is from 5-7 pm on November 21st.

Basketball Season is under way and both Boys and Girls square off against Tyrone Middle School on Monday Night.  Please make sure to download the GoFan app and purchase tickets in advance for all games.  Cash will not be accepted.

This past week our Drama Department, lead by Ms. Katz and our amazing students, put on a spectacular show for our families, students, and the school community. 

We have had to cancel our ELA Reading tutoring program this Wednesday, but we will continue this intervention program after Thanksgiving Break.

If you have any questions, please call the school at 727-552-1737 during normal operating hours.

Have a great rest of your weekend, thank you for your time, and Go Jaguars!

Please Follow Thurgood Marshall MS on our NEW Social Media Sites:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560634030000&mibextid=ZbWKwL

https://www.instagram.com/thurgoodmarshallms?igsh=aXVranI3MzdyM3pv

Monday, November 18th is an A Day – Periods 1-4

Events/Updates/Meetings (*denotes a meeting credit being offered)

11/18 – Boys Basketball Game vs. Tyrone (Away Game)

4:45 PM  @ Tyrone MS

*11/18 – Girl’s Basketball Game vs. Tyrone (Home Game)

4:45 PM  @ Thurgood Marshall Fundamental MS

*11/19 – All County Chorus Concert – Ruth Eckerd Hall

11/20 – All County Band Auditions

11/20 – Girl’s Basketball Game vs. Bay Point (Away Game)

4:45 PM  @ Bay Point MS

*11/20 – Boy’s Basketball Game vs. Bay Point MS (Home Game)

4:45 PM  @ Thurgood Marshall Fundamental MS

11/21 – NJHS Meeting -  8:30-9:10am

         *Meeting in Mr. Stone’s room 5-214

*Meeting is 1 week early as we will not have school during the week of Thanksgiving

*Students need to bring a laptop

11/21 – Discovery Night - Prospective 5th Grade Families - 5pm-7pm

11/25 – 11-29 – All PCS Schools Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday

          * FALL Break Challenge for all PCS Middle School Students - Middle School Education Fall Break Challenge.pdf 

12/2 – Boy’s Basketball Game vs. JHop (Away Game)

4:45 PM  @ John Hopkins MS

*12/2 – Girl’s Basketball Game vs. JHop (Home Game)

4:45 PM  @ Thurgood Marshall Fundamental MS

*12/4 –Basketball Game vs. Sanderlin (Home Game)

@ Thurgood Marshall Fundamental MS

  • Girls will start their game at 4:45
  • Boys will start their game at 5:45

*12/9 – SAC/Learning Lab – TMFMS Café at 6:00pm – 7:00pm

*12/11 – Winter Band Concert – TBD

12/11 – Girl’s Basketball Game vs. Tyrone (Away Game)

4:45 PM  @ Tyrone MS

*12/11 – Boy’s Basketball Game vs. Tyrone (Home Game)

4:45 PM  @ Thurgood Marshall Fundamental MS

1/6 – 2nd Semester Begins – Hurricane Make-Up Day

1/13 – Boy’s Basketball Game vs. Bay Point MS (Away Game)

4:45 PM  @ Bay Point MS

*1/13 – Girl’s Basketball Game vs. Tyrone (Home Game)

4:45 PM  @ Thurgood Marshall Fundamental MS

1/15 – Girl’s Basketball Game vs. JHop MS (Away Game)

4:45 PM  @ John Hopkins MS

*1/15 –Boy’s Basketball Game vs. JHop (Home Game)

4:45 PM  @ Thurgood Marshall Fundamental MS

*1/21 –Basketball Game vs. Sanderlin (Home Game)

@ Thurgood Marshall Fundamental MS

  • Boys will start their game at 4:45
  • Girls will start their game at 5:45

Fall Break Challenge

While next week is time for family festivities and time away from school, we want all students to continue to challenge themselves and keep a focus on educational opportunities and an extension of learning.  Please use the link below to access the Pinellas County School's Fall Break Challenge and focus on learning.  Let's make Jaguar Nation proud and compete against all other Middle Schools:

Middle School Education Fall Break Challenge.pdf 

TMFMS Holiday Charity Donation Competition

Please send donations of unexpired/nonperishable canned and boxed food items with your students to school.  We are also accepting ten-dollar gift cards from the store FIVE BELOW (or Walmart) to help families buy toys for their kids during the holidays.  Students will turn these items into their first period teacher, by Friday, 12/20/2024.  The classes that donates the most food items and the most ten-dollar gift cards will each earn an ice-cream party social.  Please see a flyer with more details on our school website.  Thank you for your participation and generosity to benefit our local Thurgood Marshall Family, especially since many in our community can really use our help and support in the aftermath of this year’s difficult hurricane season.  Peace and blessings to all!

DRESS CODE REMINDERS

We also want to remind students and families about dress code infractions.  We are seeing an increase in dress code infractions and this means detentions have become more frequent.  Please note that the most common instances of dress code infraction are due to students having rips, holes, or tears in their pants or jeans as well as shorts, dresses and skirts being more than 3 inches above the knee.  We will continue to enforce the dress code with these infractions, but need your help to reduce the instances of these infractions.  We want all students to have their free time before and after school, so if they arrive in dress code each morning, their day will be a success.

  • No rips, holes, tears in pants, jeans, or shorts even if no skin is showing
  • Shorts, dresses, skirts must be no more than 3 inches above the knee

Hurricane Relief Drive to Support TMFMS Students and Staff

Contact: Derrica Fletcher, MSW

fletcherder@pcsb.org or at (727) 552-1737 ext 2070

As our Jaguar community works to return to what was, we are seeking your support to meet immediate needs for our students and staff. PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING: Hygiene Products, Backpacks, School Supplies, New Undergarments, Clothing, and Shoes.

Please bring all donations to OUR FRONT OFFICE 3901 22nd Ave S St. Petersburg, FL 33711

National Junior Honor Society

Change of Date: NJHS will be meeting on Thursday, November 21, from 8:30 to 9:10 AM in Mr. Stone’s room (2-114). Please remember to bring your computers, as we will be working on the NJHS application and teacher recommendation forms, which must be completed by December 13 to earn admission.

Additionally, we will go over how to join the NJHS Canvas page, where all work will be submitted. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Meetings will be on the 4th Thursday of every month

WHERE: Mr. Stone’s Room 5-214

WHEN: 8:30 – 9:00am

Please contact the NJHS Sponsor, Mr. Stone with any questions at stonema@pcsb.org

Basketball Practice Schedule

Boys Schedule: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday – 8:00 – 9:20am

Girls Schedule:  Tuesday, Thursday – 4:15 – 5:15pm

Cheerleading at Thurgood!

Practice: Monday and Wednesday from 4:20-5:20pm

Please contact Ms. Fletcher @ fletcherder@pcsb.org with any questions.

GoFan Sports Ticketing App – Purchase Thurgood Sports Tickets

All Pinellas County School’s will be using GoFan for tickets to games.  Either purchase early or right when the event begins.  You will simply show your tickets on your mobile device at the door.

Sign up is easy: DOWLOAD THE GO FAN APP on your device; search for Thurgood

ALL PRO DAD is Returning to TMFMS

All Pro Dad is Returning to Thurgood Marshall! Fathers and father-figures are invited to join their teen on the 1st Tuesday of every Month, at 8:00AM in the Media Center for refreshments, engaging activities, and meaningful conversations between dads/father-figures and students. A meeting credit can also be earned for your fundamental family requirements!

Take Stock in Children

The application period for families to apply for the Take Stock in Children program is now open.

TSIC Scholarships are awarded to Pinellas County public school students in grades six through nine with demonstrated financial need (students must be on the school’s approved free/reduced lunch list). Students are expected to maintain good grades, behavior and attendance.   Parents must agree to support the educational goals of the student and maintain good communication with the school, among other expectations.

Apply at  pinellaseducation.org/students

The funds can be used for college or a trade school.

This application period will close on November 30.

Join PTSA

Creating a partnership with families, students, teachers, staff, and local community members will continue to support the growth and academic excellence at Thurgood Marshall Fundamental Middle School.  Show your support and become a member of our PTSA by clicking this link: JOIN HERE - Givebacks

Report Instances of Bullying

Say Something - https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/say-something-tips/

Fortify Florida - https://getfortifyfl.com/

Dress Code

DRESSCODE GUIDELINES:

The administration shall be the final judge as to the neatness and cleanliness of wearing apparel and whether such apparel is appropriate, disruptive, distracting, or in violation of health and safety rules

 Fundamental Dresscode

ACCEPTABLE Dress        

  • Dresses or Skirts: Knee Length, No Shorter Than 3” Above Knee.
  • Top of the Slit in a Skirt May Be No More Than 3” Above Knees.
  • Shirts, Blouses, and/or Sweaters for Both Boys and Girls Must Cover the Midriff.
    • While hoodies hare permitted to wear, the hood shall never be worn on campus
  • Athletic Shoes, Sneakers, and Shoes with Heels and/or Straps
    • All Shoes Must have a Permanent  Back
  • Pants, Jeans, and Slacks are all permitted
    • no holes, rips, tears, or frays
  • Uniform style shorts are solid in color with a canvas material like khakis
  • Clothing As Outlined in Announcements for Special Events 
  • Sleeves Are Required for Both Girls and Boys

 Fundamental Dresscode

UNACCEPTABLE Dress         

  • No Hats, Visors, bandannas, sunglasses, or head coverings
  • No non-uniform shorts, athletic shorts, PE shorts,  or cargo style shorts
  • No Dresses, Shirts, or Blouses that Bare the Midriff
  • No Culottes or Skorts Worn More Than 3” Above the Knee
  • No Tank Tops or Sleeveless Tops
  • No Flipflops, Crocs or Similar Style Shoes, Sandals or Shoes Without Back Straps 
  • No See-Through Clothing 
  • No Halter Dresses or Tops with Plunging Necklines
  • No Clothing or Vintage-Style Jeans with Holes, Cuts, Rips, Tears (Even If No Skin Is Visible)
  • No Sunglasses Inside (cannot be worn on head as an accessory)
  • No Visible Body Piercing (Except Ears)
  • No Clothing Disruptive to The Learning Environment
  • No Exposed Tattoos (Real or Drawn)
  • No Neck Collars, Dog Collars, or Other Heavy Chains
  • No Clothing and/or Jewelry Depicting Profanity, Violence, Weapons, Sexually Suggestive Signs or Symbols, Drugs, Tobacco, Alcohol, or Cult Gang Groups, Clubs, Organizations, Activities
  • No Pajamas, Sleepwear, Slippers, or Other Pajama Type Attire
  • No Pencil Skirts, Spandex/Form Fitting Pants, Or Leggings, jeggings, or athletic spandex pants
  • No Pants Rolled Up or Above the Ankle.

Cell Phone Policy – Phones are to remain away all day. 

Phones that are out in any school setting can be confiscated and provided to the front office where a parent will have to pick up.  Phones that are confiscated will not be handed back to students at the end of the day.  Students may use phones in the morning as they wait to enter the building, but once they enter for breakfast, the phones are put away.  Students are also permitted to use phones after school ends as they wait for buses and parent pick up.

School Hours and Parent Car Circle for Daily Drop Off and Pick Up

Parent Directions for Morning and Afternoon Drop Off and Pick Up 

Drop off can begin at 9:10am and student must be picked up by 4:45 

For the 2024-2025 school year, we will continue to use the car line method that was implemented last year. This method was assessed by the City of St. Petersburg and was found to be successful. Parents of 6th grade scholars or new 7th/ 8th grade scholars, this will be slightly different from the summer camps. 

Please enter the car circle from 18th Avenue to 40th Street to 19th Avenue to our car circle. Exiting the car circle please turn right onto 19th Avenue and right onto 38th Street and left (access to 22nd Avenue, 34th Street or 18th Avenue) at 21st Avenue.  This will help in the entry and exit process.  Also, please pull all the way forward (around the curve) to drop students off and pick them up. Please speak with your scholar to keep an eye out for your vehicle and to walk forward. This will help us to team together to have a more efficient car rider line. Please be considerate and avoid blocking household driveways as you wait in line for student pick up.   Do not park on main roadways like 18th Ave S as citations can be provided by law enforcement.

All walkers and bicycle riders will exit the front of the building and use the sidewalk down toward 22 Ave. S, in order to be as safe as possible.  No walkers will enter/exit in the car circle.  Please do not drop students off in front of the school off 22nd Avenue South as this disrupts the flow of traffic and could be dangerous. 

The car circle gate will open at 9:08 AM and students can be dropped off officially at 9:10 AM.  If we begin to drop students off beginning at 9:10 AM and follow the flow designated by the description above, the process will improve each day.  

School Hours – Student hours are from 9:40 – 4:10 Monday through Friday

  • Students can be dropped off by parents in the car circle located behind the school off of 19th Ave South.   The car circle is the best place for student drop off and pick up to ensure their safety.
  • Students should not arrive to campus before 9:10 each day. 
  • Students will be permitted to enter campus at 9:10 each morning where they will report to the cafeteria for breakfast. 
  • Students must be picked up by 4:45 each afternoon. 
  • If students are participating in any ELP, Tutoring, Enrichment, or club opportunities, they must be picked up by 5:15pm.