TMS Dragons
PRO: Perseverance, Respect, Ownership April 2026
From the Principal’s Desk
Happy April!
As we head into CMAS testing, we are genuinely excited for our students to have the opportunity to show everything they know. We have seen a lot of growth this year—in their learning, their confidence, and their ability to stay engaged—and this is a chance to reflect that progress to the state and our community.
At the same time, we continue to prioritize creating a strong sense of belonging for every student. We have been intentional about improving communication with students and families and taking clear steps to ensure students feel safe, supported, and respected at school. This work is making a difference. Based on our anonymous student survey data, our students are reporting a higher sense of belonging and feeling of respect from their peers than both district and national averages. That said, we still have work to do!
We are proud of the work our students and staff have put in, and we are excited to see that reflected over the next few weeks.
It is a great day to be a dragon!
Adam Kohn
The “Dragons of Drama”, Turner Middle School drama club is thrilled to present their upcoming production of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland! Our talented students have been hard at work bringing this whimsical and imaginative story to life, filled with colorful characters, creative costumes, and plenty of surprises.
Join us for a magical journey down the rabbit hole on Friday, April 10th at 6:00 PM, and Saturday, April 11th at 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM at TMS in the gym. Entry is $5 cash only.
With their dedication, teamwork, and passion for the stage, the Dragons of Drama promise a performance that will have you leaving the production with a big Cheshire Cat grin. Don’t miss it!
CMAS testing
Our students will begin CMAS testing on April 6th. They will be assessed on progress towards meeting the Colorado Academic Standards in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math. Additionally, our 8th graders will also be assessed in Science and our 7th graders will be assessed in Social Studies.
Testing dates:
Grade 6-8: 4/6, 4/7 & 4/9; MATH - 4/10, 4/13, 4/14; ELA
Grade 7: 4/16; Social Studies
Grade 8: 4/16, 4/17, 4/20; Science
The Colorado Department of Education has the following link with for the 2026 CMAS Overview.
Things to note:
During CMAS testing, students are to report to their PRO class at the start of the day.
We will run a different schedule that supports creating the best testing environment we can for students.
The assigned testing room for a student will be for the duration of all assessments.
Once a student starts a test session, he/she is expected to complete this session. Please contact our testing administrator, Cassie Warwick, if there is a day your student will need to be checked out early as this may impact an assessment.
After your student has completed his/her testing session, the expectation is to sit quietly or read a book. Please encourage your student to have a book, magazine, or reading material on testing days.
All electronic devices (cell phones, smart watches, MP3 players, gaming, etc.) are not permitted in the testing rooms.
In addition, students will be asked to leave their electronic devices in their lockers before starting an assessment in each testing room.
Please encourage your student to get plenty of rest, eat breakfast, and do their best during this assessment window. We appreciate your continued support during CMAS assessments, and we look forward to another opportunity for our students to demonstrate what they know and are able to do. If you have questions or concerns regarding our CMAS assessments, please contact Cassie Warwick at cassie.warwick@tsd.org.
What would it be worth to have a simple way to end arguing? Would you like a practical or theoretical way to parent? Do you want a rigid system or something that allows you to be yourself?
Let's face it. Middle school children bring new challenges to our parenting toolbox. The little rascals... well, they're starting to grow. And that brings new and sometimes difficult ways for us to help them develop into fully functioning human beings. What worked when they were little doesn't necessarily work on kids having cognitive growth, puberty, new relationships, new responsibilities, and... phones!
Turner Middle School Counselor Keefer Lanham will offer the Parenting the Love and Logic Way® training course beginning March 26. The Parenting the Love and Logic Way® curriculum was developed by Jim Fay, Charles Fay, Ph.D., and Foster W. Cline, M.D., of the Love and Logic Institute, Inc., in Golden, Colorado. Keefer is an Independent Trainer of the Parenting the Love and Logic Way® curriculum.
Love & Logic is a research-driven, whole-child philosophy founded in 1977. Our approach is used by parents and leading educators worldwide. What you will learn:
- Tools to build stronger, more respectful relationships with your children - and end arguing!
- Promote Responsibility - strategies that encourage children to make good decisions and take ownership of their actions.
- Reduce Stress by navigating discipline and conflict with less frustration and more confidence.
This class is offered to add to your parenting skills toolbox. Classes will take place in the TMS Library at no cost (normally $99 - $750!). Exact dates and times TBD. If you're interested, please contact Keefer Lanham at Keefer.Lanham@tsd.org or call 970-613-7417. Limited seats available.
Literacy News:
In Literacy, students are diving into our unit on Technology. They will be exploring informational and argumentative texts and writing their own argumentative essays! Students will pick their stance on the question: ‘Is technology helpful or harmful in our lives?’, share their evidence, and acknowledge the opposition.
CMAS starts on April 6th, so please be sure your student is getting plenty of sleep and a hearty breakfast each morning so their brains come nourished and well-rested!
In Social Studies News:
We are going to be starting a Great Lakes Unit. We will finish the unit by having a classroom debate on the state of the lakes. After that we will start a government unit where we will be comparing the different forms of government.
In Math News:
6th grade math students will be preparing and practicing for CMAS testing coming up in the next couple of weeks. It’s just one measure of their success, so reiterate to your kiddos to try to keep stress levels low--they know more than they think they do! Math Focus classes will be starting their carnival project after testing, and the Grade Level classes will be diving deep into statistics and creating a multitude of visual data representations.
In Science News:
Our Turner Scientists have been busy working on natural hazards and disasters, how to mitigate, plan and predict for such events. Whether it is a blizzard, drought, flood, wild fires or other natural hazards, our TMS Scientists can design structures to withstand or at least minimize the damage caused by such events.
On a different note, our Scientists have been busy researching a science topic of their choice and will be presenting their findings on Friday, March 27th. This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to show their learning and how proud they are of their scientific mind at work.
Hello 7th grade families!
As we approach CMAS, please encourage your students to bring home their computers and charge them each night. Please also encourage them to eat well and get good sleep. They may bring water bottles to the test and fiction books to read.
In ELA, we are about to start a Poetry Unit. During this unit, we will explore figurative language, poem structure, analysis techniques, and write our own poems. We are looking forward to the creativity and personality during this unit!
In Social Studies, we are working on the Middle Ages. We have already explored what feudalism and manors are and the difference between Samurai and Knights. Up next will be the Black Death, Crusades, and creating posters like a Monk would have. We’ll wrap the unit up with a One Pager where students will highlight key ideas about the Middle Ages.
In Math 2.0 students are finishing up geometry. We are preparing students for CMAS, reviewing the concepts from the year.
In Math 2.5 students are beginning two important topics: the Pythagorean Theorem and Functions. These foundational concepts will appear throughout their math education and real-world applications. To support their learning, we're encouraging students to maintain organized, detailed notes, and labeled examples. A well-organized notebook becomes a valuable study tool and reference guide. If your student mentions feeling stuck on a problem, encourage them to flip back through their notes to find similar examples.
In Science, students will be exploring ecosystems and how energy drives the cycling of matter within them. We will investigate how energy moves through food chains and food webs and how matter is recycled in ecosystems. As part of this unit, students will work on a project that highlights the unique features of Colorado’s diverse ecosystems, allowing them to apply their learning to real-world environments.
News and events in the 8th grade:
Your student will take the CMAS tests: Math, English Language Arts, and Science this April in 8th Grade. Students should take the test for a few reasons. The Math, English Language Arts, and Science teachers use this data to determine student success and make changes in the curriculum for the next year. Secondly, when students take the CMAS tests, they build endurance for longer tests. This will benefit them in high school on assessments such as the PSAT and the SAT.
Math, English Language Arts, and Science tests will be on the mornings of April 6th, 7th, 9th, 10th, 13th, 14th, 16th, 17th, and 20th. Students will have one test a day in the morning, and the rest of the day will be normal classes, including electives. Students can prepare for this test by eating a good breakfast on the day of the test, getting a good night’s sleep the night before, and making sure that their Chromebooks are fully charged.
NEWS FROM ELECTIVE CLASSES
Here is what is going on in our elective classes this month.
Note: PE classes would like donations of deodorant, hair ties, feminine products, and tissues.
FACS classes would appreciate any donations of Klennex, Dawn Dishwashing Foam Refills, paper plates, and paper bowls.
Health and Physical Education
7th/8th PE/Health: We are excited to get outside to play soccer and floor hockey. We will also be playing volleyball, team handball, and will begin our final round of fitness testing. We may also be able to take a field trip to BHS to play tennis.
6th Grade PE: We will be using the results from their fitness testing pre-test to set individual fitness goals. We will be playing volleyball, team handball, floor hockey, soccer, and pickleball. We may also take a field trip to BHS to play tennis.
6th Grade Lifetime Sports: We will begin the month of April with volleyball, have a class PIG Basketball tournament, learn about bowling, play deck ring tennis, and pickleball.
Tech, Engineering & Design
6th Grade: Students are being introduced to Computer-Aided Drafting and are completing their first 3D-printed ID keychains.
7th and 8th Grade: Students are working on a variety of projects. They are learning how to use an array of tools and creation techniques while constructing these projects.
Music
Choir concert is May 11 at BHS
Orchestra concert is May 12 at TMS
Band concert is May 13 at TMS
Family and Consumer Science
6th Grade: Trust & Respect, FACS Syllabus & Contract, Kitchen Safety, Kitchen Math, Reading Recipes, Cloud Dough
7th: April Menu of Assignments - Tiny Houses, Financial Literacy, Food Trucks From Around the World Challenge
8th: Human Growth & Development: Pre-natal development, Rice Babies, Food Trucks From Around the World Challenge
Spanish
6th grade Into. Spanish: New quarter, new class. Learning about the importance of studying Spanish, Spanish-speaking countries and culture.
7th grade Spanish: Learning about the difference between schools in the US and Spanish-speaking countries, and vocabulary related to academics and school supplies.
8th grade Spanish: Learning about the different types of tourism and activities, and vocabulary related to vacationing. Students will be making a presentation to present to the class to practice the new vocabulary.
Lifetime Sports
Students are learning about the rules of hacky sack and practicing the sport. They will also be playing disc golf and yard games if the weather permits.
Art Classes
Art & Multi Media 8th Grade: Students will be working on Gelli Plate Print Making while looking at the work of historical & contemporary printmakers.
7th grade: Students have been creating sculptural figures made from paper mache. They will be using the figures as still-life objects while creating a group project inspired by Henri Matisse.They will use these drawings to paint murals.
6th grade: Students will be practicing drawing skills inspired by Robert Indiana’s LOVE Drawings. They will also be learning about color through a unit on watercolor and creating pet portraits. Classes will be doing ceramic pinch pots near the end of April.
TSD Art Show on Display Now
Thompson School District invites you to the kindergarten through 12th-grade art showcase titled "Strokes of Wonder." Artwork from every TSD school is on-display at the Loveland Public Library from now until April 23rd. Help us celebrate our talented student artists!
Absence reporting
1. You can call the attendance line at 970-613-7490 and leave us a message.
2. Notify us of planned absences directly through the portal, ensuring a seamless and efficient communication process.
Access the How-To Guide HERE for further instructions.
TMS PTO
TMS parent teacher organization (PTO) meets at Turner Middle School.
Please feel free to join them for the next meeting on Friday, April 3 at 9:00am.
See TMS Website for contact information.
Where Does My Water Go?
While some pollutants are removed during wastewater treatment, rain and snowmelt can wash oil, fertilizers, pet waste, and trash into storm drains. This untreated water flows directly into local streams, harming aquatic life. Keep it clean — only rain down the drain!
NOCO Emergency Alert
Larimer County Fire Departments have asked us to share this information. This emergency alert will alert those who sign up for it with emergency notifications from Larimer county. Please text NOCOALERT to 888777.
Safety Drills
TMS practices emergency safety drills on a continuous basis throughout the year. The type of drill we practice and discuss with students is rotated. We help students to become familiar with the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) which outline 5 situations and the actions that both the students and the adults do during an emergency.
TSD Implements System to Support Students Online
I.T.S. offers software to help manage your student's device at home, whether they use an iPad or Chromebook. While we hope these tools are helpful, no filter or device restriction is perfect, and we encourage you to use other network management tools, such as parental controls built into your home router, if necessary.
Securly is a powerful safety tool that works in the background on all district-issued devices. It helps ensure that students stay safe and focused by filtering content on the browser, managing screen time, and keeping parents in the loop.
Learn more about the service by visiting the Securly Home App Set Up Guide
Turner Middle School
Mission:
We will provide a safe and inclusive environment and ensure a high level of learning for every student to become engaged citizens and lifelong learners.
Vision:
Cultivate Excellence, Celebrate Diversity, Connect with Community
Interim Principal: Adam Kohn
Interim Assistant Principal: Cassie Warwick
Dean: Lacey Scadden
Secretary: Merri Hocker
Attendance Secretary: Kelly Sandoval
Registrar: Brandii Wilson
School Nurse: Stephanie Roberts
School Health Office Aide: Pam Sargent
Website:https://tms.tsd.org/
Location: 950 Massachusetts Avenue, Berthoud, CO, USA
Phone: 970-613-7400
Email: Info.TMS@tsd.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TurnerMSBerthoud
Twitter: @tmsdragons