Good evening Jaguar Families,

The end of the year is almost here. I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our families, volunteers, community members, students, and staff for making positive changes during this school year.  We have worked together, collaborated, and listened to ensure needs were being met and growth was possible for every student.  Thank you for being a part of the Thurgood School Community.

As we wait for testing results to finalize with the State Board of Education, I want to share our many successes.  Language Arts Learning Gains improved by 17% from last year with 72% of students becoming proficient readers.  Math gains improved by 2% from last year with 74% of students becoming proficient.  71% of 8^th Graders passed the Science EOC which is a 13% increase from 2 years ago, 94% of students passed the ALG 1 Honors EOC showing a 15 increase over 3 years, and Civics students were 85% proficient which is a 4% increase from last year.  Finally for the second year in a row, 100% of our scholars in Geometry are entering high school with 2 math credits because they continued their acceleration and proficiency. Our testing conditions were strong and the students were well prepared by staff, but our Jaguar students, in every grade, showed up ready and determined to pass their assessments, and they did!  Great job to all students and thank you parents for your continued partnership and dedication to your child’s academic progress.

A few reminders as we wrap up our final week of the 2024-2025 school year.  All Pinellas County Schools are closed on Monday, May 26^th, in observance of Memorial Day.  Backpacks will not be permitted on campus May 27^th through May 29th.

Lastly, May 29^th is a day to celebrate with our 8^th Grade Families.  We welcome all family and friends to help celebrate with a car parade for the 8^th Grade students as they move on to high school.  Please decorate your cars, create banners, and showcase your pride for your student as you make your last trips through the car circle.  The car circle gates will open at 11:15 and will remain open until 12:15. We can’t wait to see you for this final farewell.  After the parade, all student pick ups will be conducted through the front office and parents must drive around to the front parking lot.  Students will only be released to adults that are listed on Focus for student pick up and have a valid ID.  Notes provided for alternative pick up will not be accepted. 

As always, if you have any questions, please call us at 727-552-1737.

Have a great Summer vacation, 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

 

 

Tuesday, May 27th is an A Day – Periods 1-4

 

 

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

 

5/26 – All PCS Schools Closed for Memorial Day

 

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

 

 

 

UPDATES AND INFORMATION:

 

NEW: Yearbook Updates

We will continue to sell yearbooks to all students for $40 cash only during both lunches

6^th and 7^th grade students interested in purchasing a yearbook can put their name in a raffle for the remaining books.  We only have a few remaining after we raffled of the first round on Friday.

Winners of the raffle will be announced on the announcements and the winners can bring $40 cash only to purchase their books on Tuesday!

 

 

NEW: RAMEN Fundraiser
Our booster club will be hosting one more RAMEN WEDNESDAY before the end of the year! We know students have missed this and we would love to sell out of the rest of our RAMEN!

Wednesday 5/28  - 1^st / 2^nd lunches

$2 per Ramen Cup 

 

 

NEW: 8th Grade Breakfast and Yearbook Signing – 5/29

The 8th Grade Breakfast and Yearbook signing will be in the café on 5/29 from 10:00 – 11:10

This event is not open to the public, but is free for all 8th Grade students.

Breakfast will be catered free of charge for all 8th Grade students. We will have celebrations, guest speakers, yearbook signings, and time for students to say their final good-byes to their teachers and friends

 

 

NEW: PARADE 5/29 - 8th Grade Parade 

• 8th Grade Parade Timeline - (11:15 AM-12:15 PM)
8th graders will be dismissed from the cafeteria at 11:05 to line the car circle and await the parade's beginning.

Decorate your cars to support your Rising 9th Grader! – Pictures, FatHeads, Names, Educational Mascots, etc. are all welcome!  Focus on where they’ve been and where they are going.  You are so proud of what they have accomplished at Thurgood, so decorate with a Jaguar theme, or even show pride in where they will be next on their educational journey. 

• The car circle gate will be opened no later than 11:15 a.m., and cars may begin to drive through the parade. Parents, please decorate your cars and be ready to celebrate our students. Parents can loop through the line as often as they like until 12:15 p.m.  If you are going to loop through multiple times, you will need to exit the car circle each time and report to the back of the line.  We will promptly end the parade at 12:15 p.m.
• We ask all 8th-grade students to wear their 8th-grade shirt (if they purchased one) or Thurgood attire/colors.  Hats will be permitted while students are outside.

8th Grade Parent Pickup starts at 12:25 – ID Is required for Pickup

• Parents who want to pick students up immediately after the parade must park in the main parking lot and sign students out from the front office like normal.  No pickups will begin before 12:40 pm.  Please be patient with us during this sign-out process as we want to ensure all students are safe.  Students will all report back to the Café from the parade and we will have multiple staff members to help with groups of 8th Graders being dismissed.

 

 

 

NEW: PCS Student Film Festival - Congratulations

Please congratulate the following students for winning top spots in the Pinellas County Film Festival!

• 1st place: Platon Zubov-Documentary (The Dangers of Online Communication)
• 3rd place: John ("Jack") Mauldin, Eames Booth and Demetrius Palm-Documentary (Cyberbullying to Bullying)
• 3^rd place: Ella Wagner, Kaydence Williams, Dakota Fischer, Khloe Eichinger, Gerard Pinon, and Grace Gardner- Drama (Mean Girls)

If you'd like to watch the videos, you can click on the link below. Middle school winners are on the 3^rd and 4^th pages.

 

https://vimeo.com/showcase/11704833

 

 

NEW: 7^th Grade Immunization Requirements for Next Year

Current 6^th Grade Students

*Required Immunizations going into 7^th Grade

The State of Florida requires students entering the 7th grade to have the TDAP (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) booster before the first day of school in August.

• Contact your child’s pediatrician for an immunization appointment.
• The Florida Department of Health provides required immunizations at NO COST, and
• Turn in your FL Certificate of Immunization (form 680) to your school’s Data Management Technician, in the front office, before school starts in August.

 

 

NEW: State Testing for FAST ELA/Math and EOC

May 5^th – May 21^st

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
26	27	28	29	30
Memorial Day	Exam	Exam	8th grade celebration Last Day (Full Day)

 

 

NEW:District Assessments and Final Exams for All Classes – 5/22-5/29

*Please review the attached calendar for specific times and dates of the Final Exams for the 2024-2025 School Year.

*Exams are to be provided by all teachers unless there was a State Test for the subject

 

 

 

NEW: PE Waivers for Next Year? PE Waiver Instructions.pdf 

Parents if you would like your student to not take PE next year please go on Focus and complete the PE Waiver.  If your student is in 7^th grade, in order to waive PE they must complete the Health course online with Pinellas Virtual School during the Summer.  The directions for the waiver are attached and on the school website.               

 

 

 

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.

 

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

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)

 

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

 

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.