Thurgood Marshall MS WEEKLY UPDATE
OCTOBER 19 - OCTOBER 23, 2026
Thurgood Marshall Middle School
4909 Brinkley Road
Temple Hills, MD 20748
301-702-7540
Click Here to Access Thurgood Marshall MS Website
Sonia Sotomayor
Justice Sonia Sotomayor became the first Latina to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court after being nominated by President Barack Obama. She was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on August 6, 2009.
Thurgood Marshall
Thurgood Marshall was the first Black U.S. Supreme Court Justice and a strong advocate for civil rights and equality. He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on August 30, 1967, and served on the Court until 1991.
Ketanji Brown Jackson
The first African American woman to serve as a U.S. Supreme Court justice is Ketanji Brown Jackson. She was confirmed in 2022 and became the first Black woman on the U.S. Supreme Court.
Thurgood Marshall Middle School Community Message
Dear Thurgood Marshall MS Families:
First, a heartfelt thank you to all of our parents and families for joining us at the Thurgood Marshall Middle School Open House on Thursday, October 15, 2026. Your presence, partnership, and continued support demonstrate your commitment to our students’ success. Together, we will continue to make TMMS The Premier Middle School in Prince George’s County, Maryland!
Second, A special thank you to Mr. Jaime Olano and Mrs. Jeniffer Jarvis-Rivera for their outstanding efforts in organizing and coordinating Thurgood Marshall Middle School’s Hispanic Heritage Month events for our students, staff, and families. Your dedication and commitment to celebrating Hispanic culture, traditions, and contributions through the Hispanic Heritage Month Assembly and International Heritage Night created meaningful opportunities to promote cultural awareness, appreciation, and unity throughout the TMMS community. Thank you for helping us celebrate the diversity that makes our school community stronger!
Third, the Preliminary SAT 8/9 (PSAT 8/9) is a standardized assessment that measures students’ skills in Reading, Writing, and Math, helps identify areas for academic growth, and prepares students for the SAT. Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) is providing every eighth-grade student with the opportunity to take the PSAT 8/9, which is also one of the criteria used to determine student eligibility for admission into select PGCPS High School Specialty Programs. The PSAT 8/9 will be administered to all eighth-grade students at Thurgood Marshall Middle School on Thursday, October 22, 2026, providing an important opportunity for students to demonstrate their academic readiness and prepare for future educational opportunities.
Fourth, as of Monday, October 5, 2026, all Thurgood Marshall Middle School students are expected to power off and store all cell phones and personal electronic devices in their assigned lockers for the entire school day. Students may not use devices for texting, calling, gaming, music, photography, video recording, or social media, and AirPods, earbuds, and headphones may not be worn in classrooms or hallways unless specifically authorized for instructional or testing purposes. All students have received a locker and are expected to follow these expectations each day. In addition, starting, Monday, October 19, 2026, any phones confiscated by security or administration, parents will need to call the front office and schedule a time to pick up their child's phone. Students/families consistently following the school-wide electronics policy will not be impacted.
Fifth, Join us on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. as Thurgood Marshall Middle School takes on Hyattsville Middle School in the PGCPS Science Bowl, an exciting science game show that challenges students’ scientific knowledge and skills. Come cheer on our Tigers as they represent TMMS with pride and compete for Science Bowl glory at the Bonnie Johns Educational Media Center, 8437 Landover Road, Landover, MD 20785!
Sixth, at Thurgood Marshall Middle School (TMMS), Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (P.B.I.S.) provides a proactive, schoolwide framework for explicitly teaching, reinforcing, and recognizing behaviors that support a safe, respectful, and productive learning environment. Tiger Bucks, in which students will be able to use at the P.B.I.S. School Store, will serve as a school-wide incentive system, allowing students to earn recognition for attendance, positive behavior, and academic achievement, reinforcing the TMMS I.C.A.R.E. values of Integrity, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence. The PBIS School Store grand opening is scheduled for Monday, October 19, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. - 8:25 a.m.
Seventh, the school-wide reading initiative known as Reading in the Zone is off to a great start. All students and staff are required to have a book to read. The TMMS 30-minute “Reading in the Zone” block will provide students with consistent opportunities to build reading stamina, comprehension, and academic vocabulary through both free choice and content-based readings. Students may bring a book from home, select a book from their classroom library, or check out a book from the school library to enjoy during this dedicated reading time. Together, we can build a culture of reading and help our Tigers become stronger, more confident readers!
Eighth, during school spirit Friday's, students will be allowed to wear their favorite Team Jersey (e.g., American Football, Soccer, Basketball, Baseball, Thurgood Marshall MS Paraphernalia, etc.) over top of their grade-level polo shirt, every Friday, to promote school spirit. Students are still expected to wear their regular grade level uniform.
Ninth and finally, please review information in the Thurgood Marshall Middle School Information Center to receive important updates from Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS), Thurgood Marshall Middle School (TMMS), and Prince George's County Government.
Dr. Lorenzo R. Prillman, Principal
Hispanic Heritage Month Cultural Dances
Hispanic Heritage Month Display of Flags
International Heritage Night
41st Season of the PGCPS Science Bowl Competition
Come Support the TMMS Tigers at the PGCPS Science Bowl! Join coach DeVante McQueen and TMMS Staff on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. as Thurgood Marshall Middle School takes on Hyattsville Middle School in the PGCPS Science Bowl, an exciting science game show that challenges students’ scientific knowledge and skills. Come cheer on our Tigers as they represent TMMS with pride and compete for Science Bowl glory at the Bonnie Johns Educational Media Center, 8437 Landover Road, Landover, MD 20785.
Reading In The Zone (Free Choice Reading Day) & Thurgood Marshall Middle School
📚 Reading in the Zone – Parent Reminder
Parents and families, please remind your child to bring their reading material to school every A-Day for Reading in the Zone from 8:40–9:10 a.m. Students may bring a book from home, select a book from their classroom library, or check out a book from the school library to enjoy during this dedicated reading time. Together, we can build a culture of reading and help our Tigers become stronger, more confident readers!
School Spirit Friday's @ TMMS
Starting Friday, September 11, 2026 - Friday, February 12, 2027 students will be allowed to wear their favorite Team Jersey (e.g., American football, Soccer, Basketball, Baseball, etc.) over top of their grade-level polo shirt, every Friday to promote school spirit. Students are still expected to wear their regular grade level uniform.
