Great evening Jaguar Families,

Please take time this week to spend time with your families and relax.  School is closed all week, but all students can continue their academic progress by working on the Pinellas County School’s “Spring Break Challenge.”  The details for this opportunity are provided in the attached email.

Quarter 3 has ended, but adjustments can still be made.  Please know that teachers will be working over the break, and the week we return to update grades.  The final submission for Quarter 3 grades is Friday March 28^th so please continue to help your child over the break if they have needed assignments to get caught up with.

Congratulations to Track on an amazing season.  We had 17 student athletes that made it to the PCAC Championships in field and running events and our Boy's Team came home with a 2nd Place trophy! Congratulations on an amazing season! To continue with athletics, Flag Football Paperwork collection and Tryouts begin on March 24^th with Practices to begin on March 31^st after school. 

Our Spring Festival was a also a great success. We hope all students enjoyed their time with their friends, families, and our very own Jaguar staff. Thank you to everyone that came out to support our school community.

Please use the link in the attached email to help us recognize those who have been “SPOTTED for SUCCESS.” On April 8^th, we will celebrate those that earned Honor Roll, Principal’s List, and Perfect Attendance.  We will honor the nearly 500 students in grade level groupings where students will be SPOTTED for SUCCESS during a morning or afternoon social setting.  Students will receive their certificates, a snack, and time with others to be celebrated!  We can’t wait to start this new trend and continue the focus on greatness.

As always, 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, March 24^th is a B Day – Periods 5-8

 

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

3/17 – 3/21 – SPRING BREAK – All PCS Schools Closed - 2025 Middle School Education Spring Break Challenge.pdf 

3/24 -3/27 – Flag Football Paperwork Collection and Tryouts

         * Specific dates for tryouts and practice will be provided

3/25-4/9 – All-County Jazz Band Rehearsals – 5:30pm @ TBD

3/26 – Band 2 and Band 3 MPA Rehearsal – 4:20-6pm (band room)

3/31 - Band 2 and Band 3 MPA Rehearsal – 4:20-6pm (band room)

3/31– Flag Football Practices begin

        * Practices will be Monday – Thursday from 4:15-5:15

3/31 - 4/7  – Writing Assessments for all ELA Classes

       * Specific teacher testing days will be provided

4/1 – Last day to Buy Tickets for Gradventure and 8^th Grade Dance

4/8 - #SPOTTED for SUCCESS - Celebration for Honor Roll/Principal's List/Perfect Attendance
             * 6th Grade students can attend the celebration from 10:50-11:20

             * 7th Grade students can attend the celebration from 2:55-3:25

             * 8th Grade students can attend the celebration from 3:40-4:10

4/9 – All-County Jazz Band Concert – Largo Cultural Center

5/16 – Gradventure – 8^th Grade Field Trip (2pm-2am)

         * Tickets are now cheaper.  We have updated our flyer to reflect the new price.

         * Thank you to those that helped support or Color Run fundraiser as this has helped to lessen the cost for families        OLD Price  $190   ------   NEW Price   $175

         *If you have already purchased your ticket, please see Ms. Newsome for a refund of the difference.

*5/20 – Spring Band Concert @ St. Pete HS – 6pm

5/24 – 8^th Grade Formal Dance @ USF St. Pete (5pm-8pm)

5/29 – 8^th Grade Breakfast and Graduation Parade

 

 

UPDATES AND INFORMATION:

NEW: #SPOTTED for SUCCESS! Please donate! 

Incentive for Q3 Honor Roll, Principal’s List, and Perfect Attendance

Thank you for your engagement at Monday's SAC meeting. We are excited to partner with you to celebrate the great academic and attendance accomplishments of our students. We will be celebrating students early April who have been "spotted" for success, and we need your support! 

If you wish to donate money, please bring a check, money order or cash to the front office and ask for the green TMFMS Adopt-A-Class Program form. Select "Community Involvement" and ask for our bookkeeper, Mrs. Newsome. There is no amount too small. Every contribution is appreciated!  - Adopt-A-Class Program Form.pdf 

Amazon Wishlist: 

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/TTIDCIQY1F3E?ref_=wl_share 

Thank you so much for your continued support!

 

NEW - SPRING BREAK Challenge - 2025 Middle School Education Spring Break Challenge.pdf 

Please use this link to help students continue their progress towards academic success with the PCS Spring Break Challenge. 

 

NEW – Flag Football Tryouts 3/24-3/27 at 4:15pm

 Practice Schedule starting 3/31 – Monday-Thursday 4:15-5:15

* All students must have all paperwork completed prior to tryouts

            *Physical – must be up-to-date

            *K12 Insurance

*Athletic Participation Form

*The above information is only required if you have not participated in athletics for Thurgood during this school year.

GIRLS Flag Football - Please contact Coach Jones @jonesph@pcsb.org with any questions

BOYS Flag Football - Please contact Coach Hughes @ hughesga@pcsb.org with any questions

 

NEW – Support our Drama Department for the Spring Musical

We are seeking benefactors for our Thurgood Marshall Theater Department spring production: Shrek the Musical.

Unfortunately, the hardships of this year have lead to minimal funds raised, particularly the absence of our annual Haunted House.

We need you, your friends, and your families to help the kids produce this show that they are working so hard for.

We need benefactors and sponsorships, and we will gladly print your name or business name in the Shrek the Musical program, handed out to every patron, letting them know you have made a donation to support the children.

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/fund-the-spring-musical

 

Clothes to Kids – Family Resource Clothes to Kids_Family Resource Flyer.pdf 

Thurgood Marshall Fundamental Middle School works with a local organization where kids eligible for free and reduced lunch, or in crisis, can shop, for a week’s worth of clothes free of charge.  Please review the attached flyer if you are interested in this support and resource.

 

Raman Sales at Lunch – Fundraiser

Ramen Noodles will be sold every Wednesday at 1^st and 2^nd Lunches for $2

 

8^th Grade Panoramic Picture Sales

CLICK HERE! THURGOOD MARSHALL FUNDAMENTAL MIDD. Photo

 

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

Starting Monday, February 24^th, teachers will be using a dress code form to provide to the grade level office where students will report for their infractions at the beginning of every day.  The Student Conductor system will then email the families and print a slip for the students for this infraction and the student will then report back to class.

 

STEM Club Updates (Cancelled on Mondays)

Beginning the week of January 21^st, STEM Robotics Club (Monday’s and Tuesday’s) will now ONLY meet on Tuesdays in room 5-207. If you are part of the Monday Robotics Club and are able to attend Tuesday’s Club, we would love to have you. We apologize that we are no longer able to offer STEM Club on Mondays after school. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Greth at gretha@pcsb.org.

 

Street Parking during Drop off and Pick Up

*Please note that the safest place for student drop off and pick up is the car circle.  Many parents are picking up on the side of the school, however, there are street signs indicating locations where parking and stopping on the sides of the road are not permitted.  Please know that we are not able to control the local roadways and local law enforcement has issued tickets to drivers that are stopped orparked on streets where this signage is located.

 

8^th Grade Activities and Events:

Please review the attached 8^th Grade flyer as well as the contract for behavioral stipulations.  Each of these events are offered to all 8^th Grade students, but seats are limited for some of the events.  Prices, dates, times, and details are provided for each event.

 

1/30 – 8^th Grade Panoramic Picture

5/16 – Gradventure @ Universal Orlando (2pm-2am)

*$175 – Price Drop – We were able to use funds from our recent Color Run to help lessen the cost for families

5/24 – 8^th Grade Formal Dance @ USF St. Pete (5pm-8pm)

5/29 – Graduation Breakfast for students (9:45-11:00)

5/29 - Graduation Parade for Parents, Families, and the Community (11:00-12:00)

 

Yearbook Pre-Sales

Pre-Order your 2025 yearbook!

$38 January 1 - March 31

We will have very limited books for sale when they are delivered in May

Use link below to Pre-Order

https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/job/515

 

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

NEW Canvas Page - https://forms.office.com/r/VhWjHg0ixr

Meetings will be on the 4^th 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

 

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 1^st 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!

 

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 18^th 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.