Weekly Community Message

January 22, 2023

Mr Lawrence

January 23, 2023

January 22, 2023

Good evening Topsail Middle families, this is Mr. Lawrence with this week's community message.  A very special thank you to all our parent volunteers who assisted with our PBIS “Hot Cocoa and Cookies” event last Friday for our students who meet the criteria during the 2nd Quarter.  We have new information to share this week, so check your email or the school website for our TMS community message. 

  • TMS 8th graders completed four-year plans using Major Clarity in preparation for high school registration.  With help from THS and TMS counselors, Ms. Bafunno, and middle school career development, they did a "deep dive" into possible electives and core class requirements to help them understand the many options offered at the high school level. This information will be useful to bring any questions to THS Curriculum Night which will be Wednesday, February 1st from 5-7 pm. The Curriculum Night is a fantastic opportunity for our students to explore those options and talk to those teachers before making final choices on their schedules. More information to come!

  • Attention 8th grade parents.  TMS will be teaming up with SCM and will host a College Accelerator Program information session at THS on Wednesday, January 25 from 6-7pm.  The meeting will take place at the THS auditorium.  The CAP program will be available to rising 9th grade students next school year and THS will have limited seats available for students who qualify for the fast track program.  The CAP program is intended to allow a high school student to earn a Diploma and Associates degree in 4 years.

  • Attention Military Families, federal regulations require that school collect this information every year by a specific date.  PCS needs to have this information by Monday, January 23.  You can use the online access via Scribbles instead of using the paper survey cards.  This document might also be helpful for you.

  • Our next Coffee and Pastries with the Counselors and Principal meeting is scheduled for Friday, January 27 at 9:00AM. Please fill out this form so we can plan accordingly.

  • Just wanted to recognize our 5th grade Scientists for all of their hard work in critically thinking through the scientific process with their Science Fair Projects.  We had so many great projects this year that students completed.  Congratulations to our TMS Science Fair students who won at the district level last week and will be competing at the regional level at UNCW next month.  Go Pirates!

  • Attention 6th and 7th-grade parents, TMS students have the opportunity to participate in an essay writing contest via the local Rotary of Hampstead.  ELA Teachers have created this extension activity for students via Google Classroom for any 6th or 7th-grade student interested.  This year’s topic is ideas to reduce Bullying, either in person or online. 1st place winner will receive $75, 2nd place $50, and 3rd place will get $25.  The district winner will have a cash award of $500.  The essay deadline is February 15, 2023.  If your child is interested in this essay contest please have them contact their ELA teacher for a participation sheet.

  • Yearbook Dedications are now available! This is offered only to our 8th graders.  It is similar to Senior Ads at the high school. The cost is $25 per dedication for a quarter page, $50 half page, etc. There are 4 options to choose from. You (or your parents) will create your own design with pictures and text using the link. Due by March 1st. This deadline is firm.  Absolutely no ads will be accepted after this date.  enter code: 14491023

  • Yearbook orders are now live! Order yours at ybpay.com and the code for our school is 14491023.

  • Parents mark your calendars for Thursday, February 16th.  Topsail High School will be hosting an International night with over 38 Countries represented.  More information can be found here.

  • It is time for the Elementary All County Choir to get started. 4th and 5th graders from across Pender County will come together on Friday, April 21 to perform together as one group.  Topsail Annadale/Topsail Middle has 18 slots in the All County Choir this year.  If your student would like to participate in the All County Choir, please follow this Sign-Up Genius link - starting Sunday evening - January 15.  This year, due to the limited number and the students being at 2 different schools, the TAES/TMS slots will be first come, first serve.  

    • What: Elementary All County Choir (4th and 5th grade only)

    • When: Friday, April 21, 2023 at 6:00pm

    • Rehearsals: Mondays after school in the TAES music room until 3:15.  TMS 5th grade will walk over with the car riders during dismissal.  Rehearsals will begin on January 23 and continue until April 21.

    • Link:      https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0444abaa23a1fd0-elementary#/ 

    • Questions:  laura_payne@pender.k12.nc.us 

  • Mrs. Markijohn is looking to start a book club with parents this school year.  The book will be KIDS THESE DAYS by Dr. Jody Carrington.  If you are interested in being in the book club please complete this google form.

Athletics & Clubs

  • Our boys and girls basketball teams will have a couple of games this week.  On Monday they will travel to West Pender and on Thursday we will have our first home game hosting Penderlea. The girls will tip off at 4:00 pm, boys will follow.  The costs to attend the game is $5. 

  • The Builders Club meetings are on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month. Our next meeting is Thursday, January 19th in the media center after school. Anyone who would still like to join Builders Club is welcome and should see Mrs. Williams in Room 603 or Mrs. Hardison in Room 604 for a form. Also, a big thank you to all those who donated to our Animal Angel Tree in December. It was a big success!

  • We are currently looking for 15 -7th and 8th grade students interested in joining the Topsail Middle School FIRST Robotics team. Teams design, build, and program robots, develop strategy, and engage in thrilling, head-to-head competition. The team will design, build, and program a robot to compete on a 12' X 12' field, in an alliance format, against other teams from Pender County Schools on April 29th. The robot is built from a reusable platform, powered by Android technology, and programmed using Java-based programming languages. All skill levels are welcomed and needed, technical or non-technical. Student team members are encouraged to bring any skills they already have, like coding, electronics, metalworking, graphic design, web creation, public speaking, videography, and more.The team will meet on Wednesday and Thursday afterschool until 4:00. Interested students should plan to attend the first meeting on Wednesday the 25th in the STEM lab. 

Team Newsletters:

PTO NEWS

  • We are in need of volunteers to assist with concessions during basketball home games.  Please use the signup genius to assist us this season.

  •  It's never too late to join the PTO! And we are always looking for volunteers. Come join us in helping to make TMS a place for our students and teachers to thrive!! ( https://www.topsailpto.com/ )

  • We're taking reservations to paint the rock this year!  Please use the signup genius to reserve your date.  Payments can be sent in with students or made to the PTO Venmo account.  ( Click Here for the Reservation Form) We will no longer be using paper forms.

  • Still In Need of Spirit Wear?  We’ve got you covered!  Head over to the PTO and either print off the order form and send it in with your student or email it directly to the PTO. Paper forms will also be sent home with your students soon, so check those backpacks and folders.  You may pay by cash, check, or Venmo. The shirts will be given to teachers to be distributed during homeroom the following week. (https://www.topsailpto.com/shop)

*****Be sure to follow us on Facebook by searching Topsail Middle School or on Twitter by searching for our handle which is @tms_pirates