Great evening Jaguar Families,

Please join us on Thursday afternoon at 4:30pm for our Annual Fall Festival.  This event will be open to families and the local community from 4:30 to 6pm.  Bounce Houses, Food Trucks, Vendors, Trunk or Treat, a Dunk Tank, and other events will be available for all students and families of all ages.  We will also have our Scholastic Book Fair accessible in the Media Center as well as the creepy Haunted House in the Gym presented by our Theater students.  Meeting credit is available for all who attend and we have provided a link to sign up if you are able to help in any capacity with this amazing student and community experience. You don’t want to miss this exciting event!

College Spirit Week is also this week. Each day, our AVID Site Team has developed a theme for students and staff to celebrate their future and promote academic excellence through opportunities of dress.  Please read the attached email that provides each day’s theme and participate with creative attire each day.  While Halloween is Friday, students are not permitted to wear costumes of any type while on campus.  Instead, you can “Dream Big” for College Awareness Week with the ability to wear Halloween pajama pants on October 31st. 

Last week, we celebrated Academic Excellence for all who received Honor Roll, Principal’s List, and Perfect Attendance. We will continue these celebrations at the end of each quarter to recognize our scholars that are making academic growth and accelerating their learning each grading period.  Our Golfers and Cross Country Runners competed in their final events for the year.  The seasons are over, but we found great success with our scholar athletes and can’t wait for future years with these athletic experiences.

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!

 

 

Monday, October 27th is an A Day – Periods 1-4

Note: Periods 9 and 10 are Titled “Research 1” – These classes are paired with students’ 1^st and 5^th Block classes and act as the built in intervention blocks and targeted learning opportunities.  These classes are similar in nature to a Homeroom.

Period 9 will be paired with Period 1 (these classes will have the same teacher on A Days)

Period 10 will be paired with Period 5 (these classes will have the same teacher on B Days)

 

Please Follow Thurgood Marshall MS on our Social Media Sites:

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

 

 

Upcoming Events 

*denotes opportunity for parent meeting credit

 

10/27-10/31 – TMFMS College Spirit Week – see attached flyer

10/28 – Joyful Noise – @ USF St. Pete – 7pm-9pm

          *A PCS and USF Community Sing 

DATE CHANGE - 10/29 – Basketball Game Vs. JHOP – Moved to 11/20

*10/30 - Fall Festival/Haunted House/Book Fair  4:30  – 6:30 

*11/3 – HOME Basketball Game vs. BayPoint – TMFMS Gym

          *Girl’s game begins at 4:45

            *Boy’s game begins at 5:45 (or right after the previous game ends)

*11/4 - All Pro Dads Chapter Meeting  - 8:30-9am (Media Center)

11/4-12/19 – Annual Stakeholder Survey

11/5 – AWAY Basketball Game vs. Sanderlin – TMFMS Gym

          *Boy’s game begins at 4:45

            *Girl’s game begins at 5:45 (or right after the previous game ends)

            *This is not our HOME game, but it will be at Thurgood

11/10 – AWAY Basketball Game vs. Pinellas Park @ PPark MS

          *Girl’s game begins at 4:45

            *Boy’s game begins at 5:45 (or right after the previous game ends)

*11/10 - SAC/Learning Lab Virtual – 6pm-7pm 

*11/12 - Great American Teach-In   9:30am-4:10pm

*Meeting credit option for volunteers/presenters only

*11/12 – HOME Basketball Game vs. Mangrove Bay – TMFMS Gym

          *Boy’s game begins at 4:45

            *Girl’s game begins at 5:45 (or right after the previous game ends)

*11/13 – Theater One Act & Showcase  6:30pm – 8pm 

          $5 – Show, Hot Beverage, Desert all included

11/17 – AWAY Basketball Game vs. Tyrone @ Tyrone MS

          *Girl’s game begins at 4:45

            *Boy’s game begins at 5:45 (or right after the previous game ends)

11/19 – All-County Band Auditions @ Pinellas Park HS (Band 2-4 only)

11/19 – AWAY Basketball Game vs. Azalea @ Azalea MS

          *Girl’s game begins at 4:45

            *Boy’s game begins at 5:45 (or right after the previous game ends)

*11/20 DATE CHANGE – HOME Basketball Game vs. JHop – TMFMS Gym

          NOTE – This event date was changed due to conflict with Fal Festival Events in Gym

          *Boy’s game begins at 4:45

            *Girl’s game begins at 5:45 (or right after the previous game ends)

*11/20 - TMFMS Discovery Night for 5^th Grade Families   6pm – 7pm 

11/24-11/28 - Thanksgiving Holidays – No school

12/2 - All Pro Dads Chapter Meeting  - 8:30-9am (Media Center)

12/3 - School Picture Retakes (Staff/Student)

*Meeting credit option for volunteers            

*12/3 – HOME Basketball Game vs. Meadowlawn – TMFMS Gym

          *Boy’s game begins at 4:45

            *Girl’s game begins at 5:45 (or right after the previous game ends)

12/8 - SAC/Learning Lab Virtual – 6pm-7pm

*12/10 – Winter Band Concert – Boca Ciega HS at 6pm

          *Band 1-4 students and Families

12/19 - End of 2^nd Quarter

12/22-12/31 - Winter Holidays – No school

 

 

 

 

Updates and Information:

 

NEW: Fall Festival – 10/30 (Doors open for the community at 4:30)

Please come support our school community at our Fall Festival.  Students will be able to start participating during the last block of the day and parents, families, and the community will have doors opened for them at 4:30. 

 

Fall Festival – Outside behind the gym

Haunted House – In the gym – sponsored by our Theater Department

Book Fair – In the Media Center (access will be available behind the gym)

 

Events and Activities – Food trucks, bounce houses, dunk tank, face painting, caricature drawings, ticket booths, Book Fair, Haunted House, Trunk or Treat, and a variety of vendors from the community.

 

Volunteering and Support opportunities – Use the link below to help 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0544AEA92DA7F8C34-59483181-fall 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEW: TMFMS College Spirit Week – 10/27-10/31

 

Monday, 10/27-Wild About Spirit Day: Unleash your inner JAGUAR!” Wear TMFMS gear or animal print.

 

Tuesday, 10/28- Boss Up Day: “If you can see it, then you can be it.” Dress up as your future career or wear business attire.

 

Wednesday, 10/29- In My College Era: Wear your fave college gear/colors.

 

Thursday, 10/30- Squad Goals Day: “We TWINNEM!.” Wear matching gear with your friend or crew.

 

Friday, 10/31- Dream Big Day: Is it a beautiful dream or beautiful nightmare? Wear your pajama pants. Level up and wear Halloween PJ pants.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEW – Basketball Game Schedule and Information

Date	Day	Time	Home Team	Away Team	Site	Division
11/3/2025	Mon	4:45 PM	Thurgood	Bay Point	TMFMS	Girls
11/3/2025	Mon	5:45 PM	Thurgood	Bay Point	TMFMS	Boys
11/5/2025	Wed	4:45 PM	Sanderlin	Thurgood	Sanderlin at TMFMS	Boys
11/5/2025	Wed	5:45 PM	Sanderlin	Thurgood	Sanderlin at TMFMS	Girls
11/10/2025	Mon	4:45 PM	Pinellas Park	Thurgood	Pinellas Park	Girls
11/10/2025	Mon	5:45 PM	Pinellas Park	Thurgood	Pinellas Park	Boys
11/12/2025	Wed	4:45 PM	Thurgood	Mangrove Bay	TMFMS	Boys
11/12/2025	Wed	5:45 PM	Thurgood	Mangrove Bay	TMFMS	Girls
11/17/2025	Mon	4:45 PM	Tyrone	Thurgood	Tyrone	Girls
11/17/2025	Mon	5:45 PM	Tyrone	Thurgood	Tyrone	Boys
11/19/2025	Wed	4:45 PM	Azalea	Thurgood	Azalea	Girls
11/19/2025	Wed	5:45 PM	Azalea	Thurgood	Azalea	Boys
11/20/2025	Wed	4:45 PM	Thurgood	John Hopkins	TMFMS	Boys
11/20/2025	Wed	5:45 PM	Thurgood	John Hopkins	TMFMS	Girls
12/3/2025	Wed	4:45 PM	Thurgood	Meadowlawn	TMFMS	Boys
12/3/2025	Wed	5:45 PM	Thurgood	Meadowlawn	TMFMS	Girls
12/8/2025	Mon	4:45PM	PCAC Championships - Girls followed by Boys			Site TBD
* Home Games are highlighted above

 

COACHES’ CONTACT INFORMATION:

Boy’s Basketball: Coach Gummo @  gummob@pcsb.org

Girl’s Basketball: Coach Denecke @ deneckec@pcsb.org

 

Thurgood, students must have the following to begin participating in any capacity with athletics:

• School Insurance https://www.pcsb.org/Page/15271
  • ENROLL FOR STUDENT ACCIDENT INSURANCE
• Middle School Activity Form

https://www.hsri.com/K12_Enrollment/Main/default.asp

https://www.pcsb.org/cms/lib/FL01903687/Centricity/domain/176/pcs%20forms/4-1891-B.pdf

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEW: Annual Stakeholder Survey – 11/4-12/19

 The Annual Stakeholder Survey window will be from November 4 to December 19. We will be sending this information out once it is available to families and staff.  A link will be shared once it becomes available and is live for submissions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEW: Joyful Noise – 10/28 from 7pm-9pm

WHERE: USF Harbor Hall - 110 USF St. Petersburg Campus 

This multi-generational gospel choir, created in collaboration with the University of South Florida and Pinellas County Schools, will join together for a Community Sing event! No prior experience or audition necessary. FLYER ATTACHED

 

 

 

 

 

Dungeons and Dragons Club – see attached flyer

Mr. Shortt and Mr. Evans will be starting up our DnD Club! Learn to lead, play, and write about your own land of fantasy! Meetings every Wednesday after school from 4:15 to 5:15 in the Chorus Room starting October 29th. Space is limited, and students must have a C minimum in all classes. See Mr. Shortt or Mr. Evans for application on Monday, October 20th.

 

 

 

 

 

PTSA Sponsorship Opportunities

JOIN PTA HERE –  https://tmfms.givebacks.com/shop

Friends and Families of Thurgood Marshall,

 The school and the PTA are working to make the 2025-2026 the most memorable one yet and we need your help!  We are looking for fall sponsors, who we plan to recognize fully, to support us in our initiatives.

We are offering a sponsorship opportunity to all companies and individuals who are interested in investing in our school. Attached in outline of ways we want to acknowledge you. Please take a look at it.

If you decide to donate, please consider that our PTA  goal is to create a fun, memorable learning environment that will help EVERY child thrive at TMFMS. A list of our plans to allocate all funds received are below:

• Create dances for all grade levels.

• Provide supplies to students in need and to the teachers in need.

• Support Athletics and Extra-Curricular Departments--Band!! Orchestra!! PE!!

• Decorate our school with paint-by-numbers art where kids and parents can participate.

• Offer new curriculum technology that will foster an easier learning environment.

• Give awards to most improved students, encourage them to grow.

• Have teacher luncheons and ALWAYS, ALWAYS find ways to support the teachers who never give up on the ones we love most—our kids. 

• Plus, we want to hear all the ideas you may have. Your opinions matter!

 Support us and our school and we will support you and your child.

 Please consider helping by reviewing the attached form and donating any amount you can via https://tmfms.givebacks.com/shop or the other form of donation opportunities offered on the attached form.

 We want you to be a part of our team.

Thank you for your consideration, 

Your TMFMS PTSA Team

 

 

 

 

 

STEM Club @ Thurgood Marshall

We are delighted to announce that we will offer STEM Club at Thurgood Marshall FMS for the 2025/2026 school year! Students will have the choice between two different focused clubs. All clubs meet in the afternoon from 4:15pm-5:15pm, start the week of October 6^th and will run through to the end of April.

•  Mondays - Exploration Robotics
• Thursdays - Engineering and Design

 If interested, please complete the online application: CLICK HERE for the Application Link

 

 

 

 

Food Pantry at TMFMS

The Thurgood Marshall Food Pantry is providing free groceries to support individuals and families in our community. If you or someone you know could use help, we’re here for you.

🛒 Available Items:

• Canned goods
• Frozen meats
• Fresh produce
• Other essential grocery items (based on availability)

To register, please contact Ms. Fletcher at:
📧 fletcherder@pcsb.org or call 727-522-1737 ext. 2070

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PCS Connects/Family Canvas Login

How can I access Canvas to see what my child is working on? Parents/Guardians can be given observer rights in Canvas so they can support their child in their class (es). If your child is in elementary school, you will need to reach out to their teacher for help in setting this up. If your child is in middle or high school, you can work with them to create the observer account and link it to. - https://www.pcsb.org/Page/33798

Watch this video for support - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5vInqVN2vo

 

 

 

 

 

 

Athletics at TMFMS

The following opportunities will be provided to both boys and girls at Thurgood Marshall during the 2025-2026 school year:

• Cheerleading (for Volleyball and Basketball)

• Boys and Girls Volleyball (Fall – season COMPLETE)

• Boys and Girls Cross Country (Fall – season COMPLETE)

• Boys and Girls Basketball (Winter – In Season NOW)

• Boys and Girls Track and Field (Spring – Usually begins in late January early February)

• Boys and Girls Flag Football (Spring – Usually begins in March)

 

Athletic Events – Ticket Sales

• Tickets for all athletic events in Pinellas County Schools will be sold through the GoFan Ticketing App.  Cash will not be accepted at any site.

• All Middle School Events are $3 

• Download the GoFan App – See attached flyer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cell Phone/Wireless Device Policy

Florida House Bill 1105 is now in effect, and our district has updated the Code of Student Conduct accordingly. Middle school students are not permitted to use or have visible any cell phone or wireless device during the school day (bell to bell). This includes use for instructional purposes, unless specifically allowed under an IEP, 504, medical plan, or emergency situation.

TMFMS - Cell Phone Policy for the 2025-2026 School Year

“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 it 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FUNDRAISERS

 

Ramen Sales are on pause for now.  We may be able to resume as we work through the process with the Federal Food Program

 

 

 

Report Instances of Bullying

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

Fortify Florida - https://getfortifyfl.com/

 

 

DRESS CODE

Dress Code Enforcement

Dress code infractions will also continue this week and be reported through the Focus Minor Infraction Referral Process.  Teachers have slips that include dress code infraction types and the students will be able to carry the form throughout the day to show other teachers they have already received the infraction.  If the infraction is for an item that can be rectified, but the student repeats the infraction, then a second dress code slip will be provided and tracked in the Minor Infractions system.

 

 

 

DRESSCODE GUIDELINES:

• The dress or grooming of a student should be neat and clean and not disruptive to the classroom atmosphere, educational process, or unusually distracting to others.
• Students should wear clothing as designed to be worn; pants and skirts must be worn at waist level.
• Students violating the dress code will be sent to the office to call their parents and request a change of clothing, when necessary.
• The student may be issued a detention for repeated violation of the dress code policy. Repeated violations are considered defiance and may result in a referral to the school’s Intervention and Appeals Committee.

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

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.

 

 

 

 

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

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 4:40 each afternoon.
• If students are participating in any ELP, Tutoring, Enrichment, or club opportunities, they must be picked up by 5:15pm. 

 

 

FUNDAMENTAL SCHOOL POLICIES:

Parent Meeting Requirements 

Parent Meeting Responsibilities Parents/guardians are required to attend eight Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), Parent-Teacher-Student Association (PTSA), or School Advisory Council (SAC), or other approved meetings and activities that promote authentic parental involvement as approved by the Principal.  Not all meetings will be mandatory as a variety of meeting credit options will be provided on the yearly meeting/events calendar.  Options will include, but are not limited to:

• PTA/SAC/Learning Lab Meetings

• Showcase or Discovery Nights

• Volunteering

• Mentoring

• Performances

• Athletic Events

• Awards Ceremonies

• Festivals and School-Wide Events

A list of approved meetings and activities will be published by the school at the beginning of the school year. The meeting dates are listed on the school calendar. When circumstances arise, which make it impossible for a parent/guardian to attend a required meeting, a representative (18 years of age or older) may be sent. The representative may not be a parent or teacher at the school and may represent only one family. The representative may be sent to no more than two meetings per year. If a parent must exercise this option, they must notify the principal prior to the meeting. It is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to make the representative aware of all obligations. Sign-in at meetings must be completed no later than 15 minutes after the scheduled start of the meeting as the QR Codes for sign in are removed at that time. 

Meetings last approximately one hour (not to exceed 90 minutes) and parents are expected to be present for the entire meeting. Arriving late, leaving early, or failure of a parent/ guardian to sign in will result in the meeting being counted as unattended. QR Codes will be used to track meeting credits by student name and also parent/guardian name. 

The procedure for unattended meetings is as follows: 

1. After two missed meetings, a letter will be sent placing the parent/family on probation. Once a family is placed on probation, a representative may not be sent to any meetings. The parent or legal guardian will be required to attend all remaining meetings.

2. After the third missed meeting, the student/family will be referred to the school-based Intervention and Appeal Committee (IAC).

 

Intervention and Appeals Committee (IAC)

Each fundamental program has a school-based Intervention and Appeal Committee. The purpose of this committee is to review and enforce cases including severe or repeated discipline infractions, continued lack of compliance with homework and /or classwork policies, failure to follow the dress code, parental absences from PTSA/PTA/SAC meetings and parental non-attendance at required conferences. The IAC may recommend alternatives and interventions for improvement, recommend probations with stipulations and removals from the program. This committee is not authorized to reinvestigate situations but must accept the validity of administrative decisions regarding incidents. This committee is the first level of appeal regarding a student’s removal from the program. If a student with a disability (an IEP, a 504 plan, or is identified as or suspected of having a disability) is engaging in disruptive behavior that would normally result in disciplinary action, then the school should follow the normal procedures to address the behaviors, including, as needed, implementing behavioral interventions, conducting an FBA and developing a PBIP, and/or conducting an IEP meeting to address the concerns. In some cases, the behavior may be so severe as to warrant being referred to the IAC before these interventions are completed. However, prior to referring any student with a disability (an IEP, a 504 plan, or is identified as or suspected of having a disability) to the IAC for consideration of probation or recommending dismissal for a student related infraction from a fundamental school the school must conduct a manifestation determination review regarding the student related act or acts that lead to the IAC referral for probation or dismissal to determine whether such student related act or acts were a manifestation of the student’s disability. If the student related act or acts are determined to be a manifestation of the student’s disability, then appropriate interventions must be implemented by the school-based team. No student with a disability will be placed on probation or dismissed from a fundamental school for a student related act or acts that were a manifestation of the student’s disability, although such students may be placed on probation or dismissed if such student related act or acts were not a manifestation of the student’s disability. If the student related act or acts are determined to not be a manifestation of the student’s disability, then the student is referred to the IAC. Should the student be placed on probation and violate that probation, an additional manifestation determination review is required prior to recommending the student for program dismissal. If a student with a disability is being considered for referral to the IAC or removal from the program as a result of parental non-compliance, a manifestation determination review is not required. 

The principal, who is not a committee member, selects the members of the IAC. The IAC shall be composed of a minimum of three teachers (selected with faculty input) or other school personnel and three parents (selected with SAC, PTSA and PTA chair input). Efforts will be made to have a community representative. A majority of the members must be present to conduct the meeting and render a recommendation. The Intervention and Appeal Committee members will serve a renewable one-year term. The committee will meet on a regular, predetermined basis or when requested by the principal/designee. Though not a member of the committee, the principal will be available to answer questions and participate in deliberation but will not vote. In addition, at the middle or high school level the assistant principal, guidance counselor, and grade level team leader may be available to answer questions. Only the committee members will vote. Decisions will be based on majority vote. The proceedings will be held in strict confidence.

Referral to the Intervention and Appeal Committee 

A student/family will be referred to the Intervention and Appeal Committee for violations of the fundamental agreement. Reasons for student referrals to the Committee include but are not limited to: 

 

• Excessive demerits (middle/high school) 

• Excessive detentions or tardies 

• Upon receiving two referrals in a grading period (middle/high school) or a third office referral in a school year (elementary school)

• Upon receiving one suspension or work detail 

• Upon serious violation of the Code of Student Conduct

 • Parent not meeting parent requirements • Parent missing three of the required parent meetings 

• At the request of an administrator 

Parents/guardians will be notified at least five days prior to the scheduled meeting that the student has been referred to the Intervention and Appeal Committee. Meetings will be held on the scheduled date and time provided in writing to the parents or guardians. These meetings should be attended by parents, guardians, and the student.  The intent of IAC is to find ways to best support the student and get all stakeholders on the same page so that all can find success.