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In November 129 students will travel to Washington D.C. for our annual 8^th Grade trip. During the same week 91 students will have the opportunity to participate in an enjoyable week of field trips locally as well as a day trip to St. Augustine Florida. Information regarding these field trips was sent home on Thursday September 15th.  The November field trips are schedule for Tuesday November 15^th – Thursday November 17^th.  These field trips can be paid for on the TCMS website through PayPal.

 On Tuesday November 15^th students will go to the Florida Holocaust Museum in St. Petersburg Florida. On Wednesday November 16^th students will travel to St. Augustine Florida. They will visit early the Spanish settlement attractions. Thursday November 17^thstudents will canoe on the Hillsborough River when they arrive to Trout Creek Park, students will have a treasure hunting experience with Geocaching.  The week will end with The TCMS Teach In. Students will experience presentations and demonstrations by community member, parents and volunteers. Friday November 18^th is a half day for TCMS and dismissal will be at 1:05PM

Students in grades 3 through 10 just completed the 2011 FCAT 2.0 Reading and students in grades 3 through 8 completed the 2011 FCAT 2.0 Mathematics and students in Algebra will be completed the Algebra End-of-Course exam.  During this move to the FCAT 2.0 and End-of-Course testing, the following links are useful in explaining these important changes in the state testing program and are available on the District homepage and the Assessment and Accountability website (http://aaaweb.mysdhc.org). Parents and staff should be directed to these sites for answers to any questions they may have regarding FCAT 2.0 and the new End-of-Course exams.

May 9, 2011

Dear Parent/Guardian,

Terrace Community Middle School will be administering the Algebra End of Course Exam (EOC) on May 16^th – 20^th. The Algebra EOC is a computer – based test (CBT) state mandated for all students enrolled in Algebra I Honors and Algebra I.

While this is the first year the state of Florida will administer statewide computer-based assessments, the specific software being used has been successfully proven through more than five million tests in seven other states over the past four years. Additionally, your student has had an opportunity to participate in a practice test to become familiar with the software, item types, and online tools they will encounter and use during testing.

If you would like to practice at home, you can download instructions and a practice test (called an “ePAT”) at www.FLAssessment.com/ePAT . You will also find a “Script for Administering the ePAT” that is read aloud to students during scheduled practice tests. The script includes a walk-though of the software interface and instructions for using each of the online tools. Your student may practice as often as is necessary prior to testing.

We appreciate your assistance in ensuring a successful CBT administration this spring. If you have any questions related to this test administration, you may contact Tahvia Shaw at 813-987-6555. You may also access additional information regarding computer-based testing at the Florida Department of Education’s website at http://fcat.fldoe.org/fcat2/cbt.asp .

Sincerely,

Tahvia Shaw

Grade Level Administrator – 8^th Grade

Testing Coordinator

tahvia.shaw@tcmstornadoes.com

813-987-6555

Dear Parents,

Did you know that you can support the TCMS Auction online? Follow the link http://www.biddingforgood.com/tcms/tcms-5. The online auction closes on  Mar 20, 2011 08:00 PM ED.

Thank you for your continued support.

Tahvia Shaw

March, 14 2011

RE:      8^th Grade Grad-Nite at Busch Gardens

May 13, 2010

5:30 p.m. – midnight

$60.00 per student due to homeroom teachers Monday, 4/18/2011

8^th Grade Parents and Students,

TCMS has been invited to the 8^th grade Grad Nite at Busch Gardens on Friday, May 13, 2011.  The cost of this trip is $60.00 per student and chaperone. This is a wonderful way to close out your 8^th grade year having a fulfilled evening at Busch Gardens with all of your friends!  If you would like to attend, please complete and return the form attached to this letter on or before MONDAY, APRIL 18, 2011.

The above price includes admission into Busch Gardens, dinner certificate, and district school bus transportation to and from Busch Gardens.  On May 13^th please arrive to TCMS at 5:30pm.  Buses will deliver students back to school.  Students are scheduled to load the buses at midnight.  Please arrive at TCMS no later than 12:15am to pick up your child. PARENTS MUST NOT DROP OFF OR PICK UP THEIR CHILD AT BUSCH GARDENS.  NO EXCEPTIONS.

PARENTS: WE NEED AT LEAST 22 PARENT CHAPERONES in addition to our 8 teachers.  If you are willing to chaperone, please place your name and cell phone number where indicated on the form attached to this letter. Thanks in advance for your help!

Here are some additional details:

• Since this is a special event and Busch Gardens will be closed to the public, Grad Nite tickets may only be purchased through your child’s school.  ANNUAL PASSES WILL NOT BE HONORED ON GRAD NITE.  TICKETS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE AT THE FRONT GATE.
• One dining certificate per person is included with the admission price.  The following restaurants will be open until 10:00 p.m. and will accept the dining certificate:

• • Desert Grill – spaghetti, roll, and regular size fountain drink
  • Garden Gate Café AND Crown Colony Pizza – pizza, chips and regular size fountain drink
  • Zagora Café – hot dog, chips and regular size fountain drink
• Other food and nonalcoholic drinks will be available for purchase; open restaurants and snack locations will be marked on a special Grad Nite map.  FOOD AND BEVERAGES CANNOT BE BROUGHT INTO THE PARK
• No alcohol will be served.
• Gift shops and game areas will be open for students to make purchases. There is a 10% discount when you spend $25 or more on gifts and souvenirs.  There is also a Grad Nite tee shirt available for purchase. If you are interested, bring extra money with you.
• Entertainment locations with DJs will be located in Gwazi Plaza, Shekra Plaza, and Timbuktu.
• DRESS CODE: FOR SAFETY PURPOSES TCMS STUDENTS WILL WEAR THEIR WHITE 2010 SPIRIT SHIRT.  BOTTOMS MUST BE NO MORE THAT 3” ABOVE THE KNEE EVEN WITH LEGGINGS, MUST NOT HAVE WRITING ACROSS THE BACKSIDE, MUST BE WORN AT THE NATURAL WAIST LINE, MUST NOT BE TORN OR HAVE HOLES, MUST NOT BE KNIT OR SPANDEX BOTTOMS.

If you have any questions or concerns about the Grad Nite event or this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me at 987-6555 or tahvia.shaw@tcmstornadoes.com

Sincerely,

Tahvia Shaw

Grade Level Administrator

Terrace Community Middle School

Dear Parents,

The Administrative Team and Auction Committee have teamed up to create some new incentives to gain participation in the TCMS Back to Basics Bash!

1. If a grade level sells 500 raffle tickets, they get to “slime” a GLA or administrator (including Mr. Hocevar, Mrs. Bennett, and Mr. LaBaw)!

2. The grade level with the most auction event ticket and raffle ticket sales will receive a non-uniform and field day!

3. A thermometer sign will be placed in the carline to show families the level of overall participation……

And…don’t forget about….

4. Students can win a Nook!  For every auction event ticket sold, their name is put in a drawing for a Nook.  The Deadline is March 11th.

5. The Homeroom with the greatest overall participation of ticket sales and basket donations will receive a pizza party!

6. For top individual raffle ticket sellers:

$100 to 3rd place, $150 to 2nd place, and $200 to 1st place

Thanks to all families for your wonderful support as we raise money for TCMS!

Sincerely,

Ms. Shaw

The key to sucessful grades at TCMS is completing homework on time and studying the material taught in class. Mr. Steinmetz suggest the following for effective studying:

 1.        A quiet, supervised place to work.

2.       Two hours, uninterrupted block of time…regardless of time required to finish assignments.  If a student finishes early, then they should review notes or read a fulfilling novel of choice.   

3.       No distractions.  No TV, computer, radio, windows, etc

4.       Address one subject at a time until completed.  Completion means all items (textbooks, assignments, etc) are put where they belong.  Everything goes into a designated place in the folder.  

When studying for math the key is practice. Review your notes. Select a few questions of every type presented in the lesson to work out. Make sure you have access to the answers so that you can check them, if you get them wrong read over your guided practice problems in the book and work out the problem again.  Spend 12 minutes studying math everyday.

Dear Parents and Students,

It is that time of year again. The FCAT is fast approaching. The 8th grade students will be taking their 2011 FCAT Writes! assessment on Tuesday March 1, 2011. This statewide test is given to 4th, 8th and 10th graders to assess their writing proficency. We have been preparing our students to be effective and proficent writers all year long. Our students have been exposured to proven writing strategies consistently in Language Arts and History class. Students have also been given the opportunity to write in other content areas such as Math and Spanish.

This year in order for a student to pass this writing assessment they must score a 4 on the FCAT Writes! rubric. The highest score one can obtain is a 6. If you have any questions regarding your son or daughter’s writing ability or ways in which you can help prepare them at home please contact your child’s Language Arts teacher.

TCMS Homework Policy

Purpose of Homework

            Homework is assigned for the purpose of reinforcing classroom learning objectives. Practicing concepts through work at home, being responsible for the completion of assignments, organizing materials, and working efficiently and independently are skills that are learned through the completion of homework assignments. Students will receive homework assignments nightly in all core classes. In middle school a student shall learn to be fully responsible for their actions and work ethic and learn to develop independence. Homework and all projects assignments fall into this category.

Why are we updating this policy?

            The TCMS administration, faculty, and staff have observed an increase in students’ lack of concern and irresponsibility regarding completing homework assignments.  Teachers have found that out of the number of students who earn failing grades each quarter, 80-90% of these students consistently fail to turn in homework assignments.  This lack of at home practice is affecting test and quiz performance and ultimately, final course grades. Therefore, we have actively discussed how to handle this issue in the best interest of the students. 

Missing Homework Policy

Students are expected to complete and turn in assignments on time.  A student who is having a difficult time with a homework assignment should attempt the assignment and develop questions about the assignment to communicate with his/her teacher. Once a student has accumulated three missing assignments in one quarter, he/she will be required to attend a Friday lunch study hall. During this time, the student will work on any assignments that have not been completed (regardless if they receive a grade on the assignment or not).  During this study hall, students will work on any assignments missed.  Parents and students will be notified by Friday of a student’s scheduled lunch study hall. 

The following policy is stipulated by the TCMS board. 

Ø At no time will a student‘s homework, which includes assigned classroom and out of classroom projects be accepted late, unless pre-cleared by the classroom teacher and for emergency circumstances only.  

Excessive Missing Homework

            If a student demonstrates a chronic pattern of lunch study hall and/or refusing to turn in their homework at all, a parent conference will be scheduled and the student may receive additional interventions to help support them in completing their homework:

• missed reward activities
• inability to participate in extracurricular activities

We are all responsible for assuring that all students learn and achieve.

 Responsibilities of Students

• Write down all assignments clearly in planner
• Set aside a regular time for studying
• Find a quiet, well-lit study area
• Produce quality work
• Make sure assignments are done according to the given instructions
• Make sure assignments are completed on time

Responsibilities of Parents

• Set a regular, uninterrupted study time each day
• Establish a quiet, well-lit study area
• Monitor student’s organization and daily assignments in their planner
• Help students work to find the answer, not just get it done
• Be supportive when students get frustrated with difficult assignments
• Monitor student progress online

Responsibilities of Staff

• Assign relevant, challenging, and meaningful homework that reinforces classroom learning objectives
• Give clear instructions and make sure students understand the assignment
• Give feedback on assignments
• Communicate with other teachers
• Involve parents and contact them if a pattern of late or incomplete homework develops

Students and Parents: 

On November 16^th  – 19^th  a majority of our 8^th grade students will be in Washington D.C. for an educational field trip that coincides with the U.S. History curriculum. This week is a regular school week and we expect those students who are not going to Washington D.C. to be in attendance at school. During that week we provide relevant curricular activities for students that stay in town through various local field trips.  These field trips provide opportunities for enjoyable and productive learning experiences.

Students learn about:

• The first European settlement in North America
• WWII and the Holocaust
• The Global Positioning System (GPS) to find various items in hidden locations (Geocaching)

The following is the schedule of events and cost for the entire week. We would like for you to join us as a chaperone if you are available for all or any of these days. Please note that chaperoning will count as volunteer hours and all chaperones must have a current 2010-2011 SERVE form on file with TCMS.

Tuesday 11/16-St. Augustine FL — Lunch and Dinner will be provided

• Students must wear a  Spirit shirt and jeans or uniform shirt and jeans with comfortable walking shoes. Cameras, hats, sunscreen, bottled water are recommended. Cell phones must remain put away unless directed by the teacher.  No other electronics are allowed (iPods, Gameboys, PSPs, etc.)

• The Charter Bus Departs at  5:30 a.m. sharp and returns at 9:30 p.m.
• Cost per student and chaperone  $73.00 (includes admission to various sites, lunch, dinner, and charter bus transportation)

Wednesday 11/17- The Florida Holocaust Museum in St. Petersburg (We will also, have a survivor speak to students at the museum)- Students will have lunch at school.

• Students wear the TCMS uniform.

• School bus Departs at 9:30 a.m. and returns 1:30 p.m.
• Cost  per students $14.00 (includes admission to museum and district school bus transportation). Chaperone admission and bus is $16.00.

Thursday 11/18- Geocaching with Mr. Conover—Trout Creek Park-lunch at school

• Students wear TCMS Spirit Shirt/PE shirt and jeans/jean shorts/PE shorts with comfortable walking shoes. Hats, sunscreen, bottled water, and cameras are recommended.

• School bus Departs at 9:30 a.m. and returns 12:30 p.m.
• Cost  $3.00 for (district school bus transportation)

Friday 11/19- TCMS Teach in — various speakers and presenters will be at TCMS to conduct demonstrations,

presentations and activities with the students.

Total Student Cost for all field trips is $90.

Permissions slips and information was given to students on October 1, 2010. The permission slip and money will be due on November 1, 2010. 

Please note that November 16^th  – 19^th  are regular school days and students must be in attendance unless there is illness or you have a  pre-approved absence. Unexcused absences does effect 100% club selection. If your student chooses not to attend the local field trips, students will have alternative educational experiences at school on those days. Please contact me if you have any questions.