TVMS News
October 23, 2026
Hello TVMS Families,
Next Tuesday marks the last day of the first quarter! Please remind your child to check Canvas and submit any final assignments before the grading period ends.
Next week we are partnering with Continental Societies, Inc. for Red Ribbon Week! This week is dedicated to promoting healthy choices, encouraging drug-free lifestyles, and empowering students to make positive decisions for their future.
Reminder: School is closed on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.
We’ll wrap up the quarter on Friday with our Quarterly Celebration, where students will enjoy various team-building games in their classes.
While Friday also happens to be the day before Halloween, costumes are not permitted. Instead, students can show their school spirit by joining our “Wear Red Day” Spirit Day. Please ensure all attire is school-appropriate.
Friday evening, our PTSA is sponsoring a Fall Festival and Night Market. Students are encouraged to wear their costumes here and enjoy an evening of Trunk-or-Treat, Games, Music, Food Trucks, Vendors and much more. We hope to see you there!
Have a wonderful weekend.
Mrs. Young, Principal
Important Dates
October
Tuesday, October 27- End of Quarter 1
Wednesday, October 28- Schools Closed for Students, Staff Professional Day
November
Tuesday, November 3- Schools and Offices Closed, Election Day
Friday, November 6- Picture Retake Day
Monday, November 9- Vision & Hearing Screening
Tuesday, November 10- PTSA Meeting 7-8 PM
Monday, November 16- Vision & Hearing Rescreening
Friday, November 20- Fall Dance (open to all grades)
School Hours
Arrival: Doors open at 8:15 am, First period starts at 8:30 am (Students are late after 8:30 am)
Dismissal: 3:15 pm, No early dismissals after 2:45 pm
Car Loop Reminders: If you are dropping off your student in the morning, please use the car drop off loop in front of the main entrance of the school and follow the directions of our staff members. No cars should be parked along the car drop off loop during arrival and dismissal. Please park in the parking lot if you need to enter the school.
PARENTS, DID YOU KNOW?
Children of parents who talk to their teens regularly about drugs are 42% less likely to use drugs than those who don’t; yet, only a quarter of teens report having these conversations.
Red Ribbon Week® (October 23-31), the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the nation, is your opportunity to get the ongoing conversation started.
This year’s theme is Make A Difference. Be A Hero. Stay Drug Free.™
TVMS students are getting ready for Red Ribbon Week® 2026 with activities at school that promote a drug-free and healthy lifestyle. We encourage you to partner with us at home by discussing this important message at the dinner table, during family outings, and with friends and extended family.
Friday, October 30th will be “Wear Red Day” at school.
We will celebrate with special activities led by the Continental Societies, Inc.® Southeastern Howard Laurel Chapter.
Visit www.redribbon.org to learn more about Red Ribbon Week® and get tips for talking to your kids about drugs. The life you save may be that of your own child or a dear friend.
Red Ribbon Week at TVMS
PTSA Updates
Thank you to everyone that came out this past Wednesday to our Chipotle Restaurant Night Fundraiser. Your support is appreciated!
If you have not become a member of the PTSA, there is still time!
Joining the PTA does not commit you to any activities. Your membership helps provide financial support for our programs and gives you access to National PTA membership benefits.
Fall Festival & Night Market- Coming Soon!
🍂🎃 The Countdown Is On! Just 7 Days Until Fall Fest!
Get ready, TVMS families! Our 1st Annual Fall Festival & Night Market is almost here, and the PTSA has an exciting evening of fun, food, festivities, and a few surprises in store!
From Trunk-or-Treat and food trucks to local vendors, music, games, and more, there's something for the whole family to enjoy!
There's still time to get involved! We're looking for volunteers, families to host a Trunk-or-Treat station, and vendors to join the festivities.
📅 Friday, October 30 | 6:00–8:00 PM
🎟️ Admission is FREE!
Help us make our inaugural Fall Fest one to remember! Spread the word, invite a friend, bring the family, and come celebrate with us!
We can't wait to see you there! 🍁🐺
(CTEC) Career Academy Open Houses
Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC) Career Academy Open Houses – Nov. 11 and Dec. 8, 2026
Current students in grades 8–11 and their parents or guardians are invited to attend an in-person open house on Wednesday, Nov. 11, and Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2026 from 6:00–7:30 p.m. at the Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC), located at 10920 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City.
On both Nov. 11 and Dec. 8, guests will have the opportunity to walk about and explore CTEC’s career academies and learn how Career and Technical Education provides high school students with opportunities to earn college credit, scholarships, and industry-recognized credentials. Students can also participate in worksite and mentorship experiences while developing creativity, problem-solving skills, and career-ready skills through hands-on, project-based learning.
Complete information about all career academies is available online. Students and parents are encouraged to review the CTEC Career Academies Overview.
Participating academies include:
- Aerospace Engineering: Project Lead the Way
- Animal and Agricultural Science
- Animation and Game Design
- Apprenticeship Maryland (for current 11th graders)
- Architectural Design
- Automotive Technology
- Biotechnology
- Civil Engineering: Project Lead the Way
- Construction and Carpentry
- Cybersecurity
- Network Security Engineering
- Finance
- Graphic Design and Print Production
- Health Professions
- Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning
Parking at Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC) is limited. Additional parking can be found on premises in the Homewood School and Board of Education parking lots.
Repeat Info
Holiday Assistance
Does your family need assistance for the holidays this year?
If you would like to request holiday assistance for your immediate family, please complete the Holiday Assistance Request form. Everything is always first come, first serve and we cannot guarantee any specific assistance. Please complete the linked form as soon as possible. This helps us with planning and coordination to ensure we are able to meet as many needs as possible.
The deadline for holiday assistance request forms is TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27TH!
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Maggie_Malone@hcpss.org or Alissa_Aronstam@hcpss.org. You may email or call the TVMS Student Services Office at (410) 313-8247.
Health Room News
Vision and Hearing Clinic
The Vision and Hearing clinic at Thomas Viaduct Middle School will be held on November 9, 2026. All 8th grade students and any student new to the state of Maryland will be screened. Please see the attached letters for more information. If you have any questions please contact our school nurse, Cheryl Harris, at cheryl_harris@hcpss.org
2027 MLK Contests for Students
2027 MLK Essay Contest
The Howard County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission invites Howard County middle and high school students to participate in the 2027 MLK Essay Contest. This year’s theme is “Let us build the future through stones of hope.” Students are encouraged to reflect on Dr. King’s legacy and share their thoughts on service, justice, hope, human rights, and the future they want to help build. Essays must be 500 words or less, typed, single-spaced, submitted as a PDF, and include a completed application.
Prizes:
Middle School: 1st Place $150, 2nd Place $100, 3rd Place $50
High School: 1st Place $200, 2nd Place $150, 3rd Place $100
Submission Deadline: October 30, 2026 at 5:00 PM EST
Submit entries to: MLK@howardcountymd.gov
Learn more: https://bit.ly/MLKCONTEST27
2027 MLK Oratory Contest
The Howard County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission invites Howard County middle and high school students to raise their voices through the 2027 MLK Oratory Contest. This year’s theme is “Let us build the future through stones of hope.” Students are asked to prepare and perform a 2–3 minute speech that clearly reflects the theme and connects Dr. King’s legacy to today’s world. Submissions must include a video link of the student performing the speech, a typed PDF version of the speech, and a completed application. First-place winners will be invited to perform their speeches at the 2027 MLK Celebration.
Prizes:
Middle School: 1st Place $150, 2nd Place $100, 3rd Place $50
High School: 1st Place $200, 2nd Place $150, 3rd Place $100
Submission Deadline: October 30, 2026 at 5:00 PM EST
Submit entries to: MLK@howardcountymd.gov
Learn more: https://bit.ly/MLKCONTEST27
2027 MLK Poster Contest
The Howard County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission invites Howard County elementary, middle, and high school students to participate in the 2027 MLK Poster Contest. This year’s theme is “Let us build the future through stones of hope.” Students are encouraged to create original artwork that visually expresses Dr. King’s legacy of service, justice, equality, nonviolence, human rights, and beloved community. Digital submissions only. Students should scan or photograph their original artwork and email it with a completed application. AI-generated or AI-produced artwork will not be considered.
Prizes:
Elementary School: 1st Place $150, 2nd Place $100, 3rd Place $50
Middle School: 1st Place $200, 2nd Place $150, 3rd Place $75
High School: 1st Place $300, 2nd Place $200, 3rd Place $100
Submission Deadline: October 30, 2026 at 5:00 PM EST
Submit entries to: MLK@howardcountymd.gov
Learn more: https://bit.ly/MLKCONTEST27
Howard County Community Flu Shot Clinics
Dates in October and November
The Howard County Health Department will offer free flu shots at multiple community events this fall. Please see the attached flyers for locations and dates.
Reminders
Lockers
Lockers are available upon request
1st period teachers will share locker request information
Locker times are arrival, before lunch, after lunch and dismissal
Students are allowed to carry backpacks throughout the day
Cell phones & Wireless devices
Cell phones and wireless earbuds will remain off and away during school hours.
First Incident: Students who do not meet this expectation will be sent to the office to store their device for the remainder of the day.
Second Incident & Beyond: The personal technology device is confiscated until it is retrieved by a parent/ guardian.
Food/ Drink Expectations
To Keep Our Classrooms Clean– No food after homeroom ends at 8:35 am in the classroom.
To Keep Our School Clean– No open food/drinks in the hallways.
To Maintain Our School Grounds– No food outside during lunch and recess.
Food delivery services (i.e. Door Dash, Uber Eats, etc.) are not allowed. Delivery will be refused as we do not have the capability to process this during the school day.
School Calendar 2026-2027
View, download, print or subscribe to the HCPSS 2026- 2027 calendar online. The calendar is subject to change; the online calendar reflects the most recent version. There will be no printed 2026-2027 calendars.
Thomas Viaduct Middle School
Website: http://www.tvms.hcpss.org
Location: 7000 Banbury Drive, Hanover, MD, USA
Phone: 410-313-8711