The Topsail Times
Week of April 27th
Important News and Information Regarding our School!
Good afternoon, TMS families,
We hope you had a wonderful weekend and are looking forward to seeing our students back at school tomorrow. The Topsail Times is ready to view and includes important events, dates, and other updates about everything happening at Topsail Middle School this week.
We are one week closer to EOG testing, and we are excited for another week of intentional learning as we continue preparing our students for the upcoming assessments.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend, and we will see you tomorrow!
Important Dates This Week:
- 4/27-5/1: iReady Reading Diagnostic
- 4/28-5/1: 5th Grade Math STAR & mclass EOY
- 4/28-5/1: CommonLit Benchmark MOY
- 4/27: TMS Theater Rehearsal (Aux Gym) @ 3:35 pm.
- 4/28: Baseball/Volleyball @ 4:30 pm. vs. PLE (TMS)
- 4/30: TMS Theater Rehearsal (Aux Gym) @ 3:35 pm.
- 4/30: Baseball @ 4:30 pm. vs. BMS/WPMS (BMS/WPMS)
- 5/1: Debate Club 1st Debate @ 4:00 pm. (Aux Gym)
- 5/1: FCA @ 4:00 pm. (Main Gym)
Upcoming Important Dates:
- 4/27: State Battle of the Books Competition
- 5/8: Math EOG (5th - 8th grade)
- 5/11: Math 1 EOC (8th grade)
- 5/12: Reading EOG (5th - 8th grade)
- 5/14: Science EOG (5th & 8th grade)
- 5/18: 6th Grade Awards Assembly (afternoon)
- 5/19: 7th Grade Awards Assembly (afternoon)
- 5/20: 8th Grade Promotion (morning)
- 5/20: 5th Grade Awards Assembly (afternoon)
- 5/20: 7th Grade Team Day
- 5/21: 5th, 6th, 8th Grade Team Day
- 5/21: Last Day of School
Ms. Burgess - PCS Beginning Teacher of the Month!
TMS's own Ms. Burgess has been recognized as PCS’s BT Teacher of the Month for April. Her dedication, consistency, and positive presence make a meaningful difference for her students each day. Through her hard work, care, and commitment, she helps create a classroom environment where students feel supported, valued, and at home.
Congratulations, Ms. Burgess!
Testing Volunteers Needed!
We are in need of testing volunteers to help proctor in classrooms during our upcoming EOGs on May 8th, 12th, and 14th. If you are available and interested in supporting our students during testing, we would greatly appreciate your help. Your time and assistance make a big difference in helping us provide a smooth and successful testing environment for all students.
If you have not had a background check done in the last 3 years, please CLICK HERE.
Please CLICK HERE to sign up!
Thank you in advance for your support!
Encore Selection Form Reminder
We have shared the Encore selection form with students. Please review the form with your student and make sure it is completed by May 1st.
Parent/Guardian EOG/EOC Retest Letter
Pender County Schools and TMS has important information about this year’s EOG/EOC retest opportunity for eligible students. Beginning with the 2025–26 school year, students who score Not Proficient on their state test may take a second administration to show what they know, but parent or guardian permission is required.
Remediation will take place after the EOG testing window, and retesting will be offered shortly after. If you would like your child to participate, please complete the form below using the email associated with your Infinite Campus account, or return the letter sent home. If the form is not submitted, your child will not be able to participate in the retest opportunity.
Please CLICK HERE to fill out the form.
Test-Taking Tips
Debate Club Competition
Join us for the Debate Club Competition on Friday, May 1st at 4:30 p.m. in the Topsail Middle School Auxiliary Gym! This free event will feature a lively debate on the topic, “Is genetic modification good for society?” Come support our student speakers and enjoy an engaging afternoon of discussion and critical thinking.
TMS Theatre Presents: Good Morning Topsail!
DON’T MISS IT!
TMS Theatre Presents: Good Morning Topsail
Join us May 8th–9th for a one-of-a-kind show that’s written, produced, and performed entirely by our students!
From hilarious moments to creative storytelling, our students have worked so hard to bring this show to life — and you won’t want to miss it!
Grab your tickets here: https://linktr.ee/gmtTIX
Come support these incredible students and experience the magic of live theatre!
Questions? Email Ms. Meyer at hailey_meyer@pender.k12.nc.us
Free Sports Physicals!
Free sports physicals will be available for all PCS student-athletes on May 4 at HTHS from 4:00–6:00 p.m. and on May 6 at THS from 3:30–6:30 p.m. Parents must complete the first two pages of the physical packet before attending and be present to sign forms once the physical is completed.
Upcoming Immunization Requirements and Free Vaccine Clinics
Please see the attached immunization reminders for 7th grade students, along with information about upcoming mobile vaccine clinics through Novant Health Community Health Services. These clinics will be held on May 4 at Heide Trask and May 6 at Topsail High School from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and are available for eligible children birth through 18 years of age.
For 7th grade, students need DTaP, Polio, MMR, Hepatitis B, Varicella, Tdap, and Meningococcal immunizations as required for school entry. Parents should review the forms carefully and make sure their student’s immunizations are up to date before the next school year.
Please click the links below for more information:
Dress Code Reminder
As the weather warms up, we want to remind students and families of the Topsail Middle School and Pender County Schools dress code expectations. More information can be found in Board Policy 4316 . We ask students to follow these guidelines for their health and safety, and because we believe clear standards help promote discipline and self-respect. All TMS students are expected to follow the Pender County Schools dress code each day.
Reporting Absences
As a reminder, when reporting absences, please email tms@pender.k12.nc.us. Please do not email your child’s teacher directly.
Thank you for your support with this!
Message from our PTO:
Paint the Rock
CLICK HERE for our rock calendar and instructions to reserve your dates.
Cafeteria Menu for April
Please CLICK HERE for April's cafeteria menu.
Please CLICK HERE for May's cafeteria menu.
Also, as a reminder we are a peanut-free school, so please do not send any peanut-based products with your TMS students for lunch or a snack.
Thank you for your support with this!
A Few Reminders:
Topsail Middle School would like to remind our families and students of a few important reminders:
- Sick/late notes must be received within 3 days of absence/tardy. Please email the to the following: tms@pender.k12.nc.us Please do not email your teacher.
- Our final check out time at TMS is 3pm.
- Please, no outside food/drink in cafeteria, and only water bottles in classrooms (i.e.: no Starbucks, Dunkin drinks, fast food drinks, sodas, energy drinks, etc.).
- To parents who are dropping off their students in the parking lot in the morning, please do not let your child out of the car before the bell at 8:10am. We do not have staff out there before that time and several parents have been dropping off before the bell, which is causing a major safety issue.
Please remind your children that they may only use their own lunch accounts. They are not permitted to use accounts belonging to siblings, relatives, or friends. Unfortunately, we have had to turn several students away this week because of this issue.
Important Systems to Help Out!
We have a few important systems that will help our school year run smoothly. Please take a moment to make sure you have access to each one:
Infinite Campus
- What it does: Lets you view your child’s grades and attendance, and submit excuse notes.
- Step 1: Get your student’s activation code here: Lookup Activation Code
- Step 2: Use your code to create your account here: Infinite Campus Login
Here Comes the Bus
- What it does: Allows you to see your child’s bus location, receive alerts when the bus is near, and have peace of mind about arrival times.
- What you need: Your child’s Student ID number
- If you do not know it, email jeremy_mortensen@pernder.k12.nc.us and he will send it to you.
- District Code: 29081
- Sign Up Here: Here Comes the Bus
Rooms
- What it does: Our county-wide communication system for messaging between teachers and parents.
- Set up your account here: Rooms Information
Thank you for taking the time to set up these systems. Having access will make communication and daily routines much smoother for you and your child! We greatly appreciate the tremendous partnership we have with our TMS families!