TVMS News
April 15, 2023
Greetings TVMS families
I hope everyone had a wonderful Spring Break. As we entered this 4th and final quarter of the school year, the school administration team took some time this past Wednesday (4/12) to review some of our HCPSS and schoolwide policies including the electronics policy, tardy to class procedures, and lunch and hallway expectations.
On Friday (4/14), we conducted an emergency evacuation drill. An evacuation is a procedure that we would use in any number of scenarios. It involves all students and staff exiting the building as quickly as possible and assembling at predetermined areas. We emphasized the importance of focusing and listening to directions during any emergency situation. For more information on HCPSS Emergency Preparedness please visit the HCPSS website.
We are looking forward to a positive and productive 4th quarter.
I encourage you to visit the Mall of Columbia soon and look at all the artwork that is on display at the HCPSS county art show. TVMS has some wonderful student pieces displayed on our board. You can find it upstairs by the former Lord & Taylor entrance. The Art Show runs until May 1st.
Have a great weekend,
Mrs. Denise Young, Principal
8th Grade Panoramic Picture
MESA Competition Winners!
The Thomas Viaduct Community wants to recognize and congratulate the students who are part of the afterschool program Maryland MESA (Math, Engineering, Science Achievement). This year, 23 students participated in MESA in an engineering design competition against teams from other Howard County middle schools. Each student team took on an engineering design challenge and worked together to find innovative solutions. We are proud of all of the students who have participated this year and are so pleased to announce that two of the TVMS teams won awards in this year’s county-level contest!
The Expanding Structures teams worked to design and build a structure that is both lightweight and strong and that can fit into a small container until assembled or deployed. This project also had to meet a number of stringent criteria and constraints in their design. One of the TVMS teams won second place in the county level competition! Congratulations to Srikar Desaraju, Sri Adarssh Mohan, and Shivasai Krishna Korrapati for their excellent design and hard work on this challenging project.
The Mobile App teams worked to design an app for a mobile device or phone to address an important healthcare concern. All the teams did an excellent job, and one of the teams won second place in the county level competition! Congratulations to Bavishyaa Rajakumar, Krisha Shah, and Saanvi Kandi who demonstrated great dedication and problem solving skills to create their product.
We are proud of all of our students for their dedication and hard work as they took on these very challenging tasks.
MCAP Assessments
Our students will be taking the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) in the areas of Reading and Math. 8th graders will also take the Social Studies Assessment.
More information about the MCAP assessment can be found here. Please note that if your student misses school on a testing day, they will be required to make up the test that they missed. Please note the following testing schedule and plan appointments accordingly:
MCAP ELA
Monday, April 24th through Wednesday April 26th and Friday, April 28th.
6th grade testing- Periods 1 and 2
7th grade testing- Periods 1 and 2
8th grade testing- Periods 3 and 4
MCAP Social Studies- 8th grade only
Tuesday, May 2nd through Friday, May 5th in all 8th grade Social Studies classes
MCAP Math
Monday, May 15th and Tuesday, May 16th
7th grade Testing- Periods 1 and 2
8th grade Testing- Periods 3 and 4
Wednesday, March 17th and Thursday, March 18th
6th grade Testing- Periods 1 and 2
Important Dates
Monday, April 17- Film GT Seminar field trip- HoCo Movies that Matter Film Festival
Wednesday, April 19- 8th grade Panoramic Picture
Friday, April 21- Countywide Professional Learning Day, schools closed for students
Monday, April 24-Wednesday, April 26 and Friday, April 28- MCAP ELA Testing
Friday, April 28- Spring Music Concert I, 6:30 PM at Hammond HS (Concert Chorus, Chamber Chorus, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Chamber Orchestra)
Monday, May 1- 8th grade ELA field trip
Tuesday, May 2- Friday, May 5- 8th grade MCAP Social Studies Testing
Tuesday, May 2- Spring Music Concert II (6th Grade), 6:30 PM at Hammond HS (Chorus, Concert Band and Concert Orchestra
Friday, May 5- Saturday, May 6- Spring Drama Production, Making It Mystery
Monday, May 15- Thursday, May 18- MCAP Math Testing
Friday, May 19- School-based Professional Learning Day- Articulation, schools closed for students, Music Field Trip to Hershey Park
TVMS Yearbook–Monday, April 17 is the Last day to Preorder!
Pre-orders are still being taken until Monday, April 17th by credit card through Lifetouch at https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/Order/SelectJob. Our school code is 12257823. Want to pay by cash or check? Order envelopes are available in the Media Center or the Front Office. Completed order forms can be turned into the Front Office. Please contact Allison Miller at allison_miller@hcpss.org with any questions.
HCPSS Indicators of Educational Equity Survey
Please use the links below to complete the HCPSS Indicators of Educational Equtiy Survey by May 12th. We will use your input, along with other school data, to refine out school improvement plan for next year.
This survey is anonymous and available in multiple languages. If you have children in more than one school, please complete one survey per school.
Thanks for your support.
Families Must Register by June 1st for 2023-2024 Bus Service
Per Board of Education Policy 5200 Student Transportation, families whose students are eligible for bus transportation are required to register through HCPSS Connect Synergy to receive bus service for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year. This new registration process will take place annually to help the HCPSS Office of Student Transportation plan for more accurate student ridership and to make routes more efficient. Registration for 2023-2024 bus service is open now through June 1.
Please note, families who reside in non-transportation areas are not eligible for bus transportation and do not need to take any action. Find the new non-transportation areas for your school online. Additionally, students who receive transportation as part of their Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan do not need to register.
Families who need assistance with the registration process should reach out to their child’s school.
Bus routes for the 2023-2024 school year, along with specific school start times, will be finalized in August, prior to the start of school. More information is available online.
Transportation Translated guides: https://www.hcpss.org/connect/guides/
Important Immunization Requirements for 2023-2024 School Year - 7th Grade Students
Effective the first day of school for the 2023-2024 school year, 1 dose of Tdap vaccine and 1 dose of Meningococcal vaccine (MCV4) are required by the state of Maryland for all students entering grade 7. Many students may have already received these immunizations, but the Health Room may not have the updated immunization record. Please contact your student’s doctor and send or fax an updated copy of your student’s immunizations to the Health Room or schedule an appointment to have your student receive these immunizations. Our fax number is 443-973-5510. The Health Department provides immunization opportunities for kids who are not up-to-date on school-required vaccinations. Call the Health Department at 410-313-7500 for more information and to schedule a vaccination appointment for your child.
If you have further questions, please email Cheryl Harris, TVMS School Nurse, at cheryl_harris@hcpss.org.
Our Turn To Talk
Join us at Centennial High School on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at 6:00-8:00 pm for a viewing and panel discussion of Our Turn To Talk, a film that features teens sharing the impact of social media, sexual identity, gender identity, racism, and the pandemic on their mental health. The film is sponsored by National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Howard County, the Howard County Public School System, Horizon Foundation, One Voice, Active Minds, and the Howard County Health Department. Families and staff may access the trailer and registration form for more information.
The event will feature the following panelists:
Jennifer Marshall (Executive Producer, Principle Pictures)
Peace Williams (WLHS student, Active Minds member)
Stephanie Reid (Youth and Family Support Services, Howard County Health Department)
Ivan Croft (Instructional Facilitator for Psychological Services, Howard County Public School System)
Oliver Song (President, Howard County Association of Student Councils)
Direct Questions to Cynthia Schulmeyer, Coordinator School Psychology or Caroline Walker, Executive Director, Program Innovation and Student Well-Being.
Clothing Giveaway
ALL CLOTHING
FREE
SATURDAY,
April 29, 2023
9:00 - 11:00 am
Lines may form at 7:30 am
Long Reach High School
6101 Old Dobbin Lane
Columbia, MD 21045
Grace Community Church
Regalo de Ropa
Ropa Gratis
Sabado, 29 Abril, 2023
9am-11am
La fila empieza a las 7:30am
Long Reach High School
6101 Old Dobbin Lane
Columbia, Md 21045
HC DrugFree Events
Medication & Sharps Disposal Event:
Free. The next safe and convenient drive-thru medication & sharps disposal event will be held on Saturday, April 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Wilde Lake Village Center Parking lot near the Swim Center. HC DrugFree is accepting prescription and over-the-counter medications, sharps (needles, syringes, EpiPens, etc.), vapes, inhalers, veterinary medication and more. Medication will be guarded/transported by Howard County Police. We are in need of Teen and Adult, and medically trained adult volunteers! Groups encouraged to volunteer. Learn more or sign up to volunteer at https://hcdrugfree.org/drug-take-back-day-1/ Members of HC DrugFree’s Teen Advisory Council (TAC) can earn community service hours for volunteering. If your student is interested in joining TAC, please visit https://hcdrugfree.org/teen-advisory-council/ to learn more and download an application.
Free Parenting Classes (open to grandparents too): Free. Guiding Good Choices is an evidence-based, interactive prevention program that provides families with the skills and knowledge to reduce the risk that their children will use drugs and alcohol or engage in other dangerous behaviors. Howard County parents, guardians and grandparents will learn how to encourage your child to adopt healthy attitudes and behaviors, how to communicate more effectively, how to build a relationship of trust, and much more! Classes will be held Tuesdays, May 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. via Zoom. Learn more or register: https://hcdrugfree.org/2023/02/guiding-good-choices-free-classes-for-parents-2/
8th–12th Grade Teen Advisory Council: Free. HC DrugFree's Teen Advisory Council is open to all Howard County students in grades 8 through 12. This is a great opportunity to help prepare younger students for success in high school while allowing older students to develop their leadership and mentoring skills. The registration form is available at https://hcdrugfree.org/teen-advisory-council/ and community service hours are available. Email your registration form to admin@hcdrugfree.org or mail a hard copy the office. Meetings are on Zoom from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. To register for the Monday, April 17 meeting or any upcoming meeting, click on the TAC registration link next to the meeting date https://hcdrugfree.org/teen-advisory-council/
Know What’s Happening in Howard County: Sign up for HC DrugFree’s newsletter at https://hcdrugfree.org/enews-signup/ or follow us on social media to get updates on events as well as information to keep your family safe and informed: Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn
PTSA NEWS
The Den Dollar Store is in need of restocking, please consider making a donation using this link (https://www.amazon.com/registries/custom/2JPB106SDT0JU/guest-view) or by sending in a donation purchased elsewhere to the front office. The Den Dollar Store is open to all students during extended Den Days. Students trade in Den Dollars they have earned for good behavior. All donations are greatly appreciated! Thank you so much for your support!
Please support the PTSA by becoming a member. PTSA Membership Hub: https://thomasviaductptsa.memberhub.com. You can also stay connected by joining the school’s PTSA Facebook Page.
CONTINUING ANNOUNCEMENTS
Student and Parent Handbook
The 2022-2023 Student and Parent Handbook is now available on the HCPSS website. This resource is helpful for navigating the school year and includes information about HCPSS practices, policies and services available to support and enrich learning. A printed version of the handbook is no longer provided.
Cell Phone Expectations
Students are not permitted to use their personal technology devices (phones) during school time, including lunch and hallway transitions. This is in accordance with the Board of Education Policy 8080. If a student is seen with their device they will be expected to put it away immediately. If chronic issues persist, disciplinary actions may be implemented in alignment with the HCPSS Code of Conduct.
To support this, please refrain from calling or texting your child during school hours. If you need to get a message to them or contact them, please call the Front Office at 410-313-8711
Outside Food Expectations
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. If a parent would like to bring their child’s lunch to the school, we ask that you do so prior to the start of your child’s lunch shift. Parents will need to leave the lunch with our Front Office staff.
Family File
It is mandatory that all parents/ guardians verify and/ or update emergency information for each child each school year. Updating this information provides us with the most current emergency contact information, and also ensures that you are receiving important information and updates for HCPSS and TVMS. Log in to HCPSS Connect, select the More Options tab on the left and then select Family File in the center column.
HCPSS News
Communication is an essential component of a successful school experience for both students and parents. There are many ways to stay connected to TVMS and to HCPSS. Please consider the following ways to stay connected:
Visit the TVMS website often at: http://tvms.hcpss.org/
Visit Canvas often
Thomas Viaduct Middle School
Website: http://www.tvms.hcpss.org
Location: 7000 Banbury Drive, Hanover, MD, USA
Phone: 410-313-8711