Thurgood Marshall MS WEEKLY UPDATE

4909 Brinkley Road

Temple Hills, MD 20748

301-702-7540

Click Here to Access Thurgood Marshall MS Website

TMMS Vision Statement

In collaboration with our partners, every student at TMMS will grow into a confident, caring leader ready to succeed in school and make a difference in the world.

TMMS Mission Statement

In collaboration with our partners, TMMS will help every student feel safe, supported, and ready to learn so they can grow, achieve their goals, and succeed in a changing world.

Thurgood Marshall was an American lawyer, civil rights leader, and the first African American to serve as a justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. Born in 1908 in Baltimore, Maryland, he became a leading attorney for the NAACP and successfully argued the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education, which helped end racial segregation in public schools. In 1967, President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed Marshall to the Supreme Court, where he served for 24 years. He is remembered for his dedication to equality, civil rights, and justice, and his work continues to inspire people today.

Dear Thurgood Marshall MS Families:

First, I would like to thank all of our RELA and MATH teachers for their support with administering the IXL RELA and MATH diagnostic test to all students. A special shout-out goes to Ms. Julia Williams, TMMS Testing Coordinator, for organizing the test sessions. Students who were absent during testing will have an opportunity to make-up their test session this week (Sept. 14 - 18, 2026).

Second, all students will be receiving their lockers this week. Please make sure students pay close attention to the locker distribution schedule located in the TMMS newsletter. All students/parents will be responsible for the padlock that will be issued to students to put on their locker. A replacement lock will cost families $15.00.

Third, 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!

Fourth, 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.

Fifth, Maryland State Law requires all students to receive immunizations for school. This year, students must be up-to-date with all required immunizations by Monday, September 14, 2026 or risk being excluded from school. If your student has not received their school immunization, please refer to the information in the TMMS Information Center to locate a free immunization site.

Sixth, parents of students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) are invited to attend the annual Thurgood Marshall MS Special Education Parent Night. The Special Education Parent Night will be held on Wednesday, September 23rd, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Please reach out to Ms. Tiffany Green (Special Education Chair) if you have any additional question or need support with RSVP. We look forward to seeing parents/guardians on September 23rd.

Seventh 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

Being Chronically Present: Every Day. Every Class. Every Opportunity. At Thurgood Marshall Middle School (TMMS), we are committed to addressing chronic absenteeism with urgency and purpose by identifying and removing attendance barriers that prevent students from being engaged and present every day, in every class, and for every opportunity to learn. During School Year 2025–2026, TMMS had a chronic absenteeism rate of 41%, meaning that 41% of students missed 10% or more of the school year. Our three-year goal is to reduce chronic absenteeism by 9 percentage points each year, decreasing the rate to 32% by the end of SY 2026–2027 school year. Students can achieve their attendance goal each marking period (Quarters 1–4) by missing no more than two days per quarter and no more than eight days throughout the school year. Students who earn perfect attendance each marking period will be recognized and celebrated for their commitment to being “Chronically Present: Every Day. Every Class. Every Opportunity.”

Once students reach the following attendance data points for the year, a formal letter will be generated and emailed to parents providing student attendance data and requesting a formal meeting with the grade level administrator, principal & State of MD Truancy Project Coordinator:

• Quarter 1 - 4.5 Days + Absent (Formal Letter to Families & Meeting Request In-Person or Via Zoom)

• Quarter 2 - 9.0 Days + Absent (Formal Letter to Families & Meeting Request In-Person or Via Zoom)

• Quarter 3 - 13.5 Days + Absent (Formal Letter to Families & Meeting Request In-Person or Via Zoom)

• Quarter 4 - 18 Days + Absent (Formal Letter to Families & Meeting Request In-Person or Via Zoom, and added to Tier 3 Attendance List for upcoming school year)

We ask all parents/guardians to partner with TMMS to make sure their student is “Chronically Present: Every Day. Every Class. Every Opportunity.”

📚 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!

Monday, September 14 - B DAY

6th Grade Locker Distribution

Last 20 Minutes of MOD 1

Tuesday, September 15 - A DAY

7th Grade Locker Distribution

Last 20 Minutes of MOD 1

Thursday, September 17 - B DAY

8th Grade Locker Distribution

Last 20 Minutes of MOD 1

Friday, September 18 - A DAY

6th - 8th Grade Locker Distribution Make-Up Day

Last 20 Minutes of MOD 1

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.

Thurgood Marshall Middle School Families,

If your student has an Individualized Education Program (IEP), we invite you out to the Special Education Parent Night on Wednesday, September 23rd, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. During this time, you will be able to:

• Meet your child's Case Manager
• Connect with other parents
• Review your Scholar's IEP Goal(s)
• Sign-up your child for Tutoring and Support
• Express any concerns
• Enjoy refreshments, prizes & more

Contact Ms. Tiffany Green for Questions.

Email: Tiffany4.Green@pgcps.org

Phone: 301-702-7540 (Ext. 73301)

Maryland State Law requires all students to receive immunizations for school. This year, students must be up-to-date with all required immunizations by September 14 or risk being excluded from school.

Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) students can get free immunizations now by taking part in the September 26, 2026 Back-to-School Immunization Fair at Eleanor Roosevelt High School. Parents may also schedule a visit at a Cheverly Health Department Clinic. Clinics are designed to serve families with children who are not insured or underinsured.

Reserve a spot for your child NOW at one of the sites below:

September 26, 2026 | 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Eleanor Roosevelt High School | 7601 Hanover Parkway, Greenbelt
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AT ELEANOR ROOSEVELT HIGH

NEW! School-Based Health Centers

Call to make an appointment • Schedule follows school hours

LEARN MORE AND FIND A HEALTH CENTER NEAR YOU

Cheverly Health Department Clinics

Through October 31, 2026 | Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Cheverly Health Department | 3003 Hospital Drive, Suite 2082, Cheverly

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AT CHEVERLY HEALTH

U.S. Constitution Day is observed every year on September 17. It commemorates the signing of the United States Constitution on September 17, 1787, by delegates at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. The Constitution is the supreme law of the United States. It establishes the structure of the federal government, defines the powers and responsibilities of government, and protects important rights and freedoms of U.S. Citizens.

The week of September 14, 2026 - September 18, 2026 is National Community School Coordinator (CSC) Appreciation Week. Please give a big shout out to Ms. Michelle Agnew (TMMS CSC) this week for her diligent efforts of serving the Thurgood Marshall MS Community.

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Click Here for Information pertaining to Back-To-School Immunizations

Click Here for Information pertaining to Finding Your Child's Bus Stop

Click Here for ParentVUE Support for Parents and Guardians: Prince George's County Public Schools provides a student information system access portal that allows authorized caretakers to log into ParentVUE from any computer with an Internet connection and view the child's student information, including current attendance records and assignment scores.

Click Here (English) for Information on the Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) IXL reading diagnostic administered to all students in grades 6-8 and the IXL math diagnostic administered in grades 6-7.

Haga clic aquí (Español) para obtener información sobre el diagnóstico de lectura IXL de las Escuelas Públicas del Condado de Prince George (PGCPS) administrado a todos los estudiantes de los grados 6-8 y el diagnóstico de matemáticas IXL administrado en los grados 6-7.

THURGOOD MARSHALL MIDDLE SCHOOL IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Click Here for Information on the TMMS School Supply List for 2026 - 2027.

Click Here for TMMS School Uniform requirements for 2026 - 2027.

Click Here for TMMS School Arrival & Dismissal Procedures for 2026 - 2027.

Click Here for TMMS School Attendance Policy for 2026 - 2027.

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Click Here for Information on the District 8 Healthy Families Program

Dr. Lorenzo Prillman, Principal - Lorenzo.Prillman@pgcps.org

Ms. Shawnte' Richeson, 8th Grade Assistant Principal - Shawnte.Richeson@pgcps.org

Mr. Reginald Montgomery, 7th Grade Assistant Principal - Reg.Montgomery@pgcps.org

Ms. Natasha Kyler, 6th Grade Assistant Principal - Natasha.Kyler@pgcps.org

Mrs. Jennifer Jarvis-Rivera, Attendance Secretary - Jennifer.JarvisRivera@pgcps.org

Ms. Lauren Williams, Principal Secretary - Lauren2.Williams@pgcps.org

Mr. Gonkawon Strother, Grade 8 & 6 L-Z Counselor - Gonka.Strother@pgcps.org

Dr. Monifa Battle-Carpenter, Grade 7 & 6 A-K Counselor - Mon.carpenter@pgcps.org

CES Newsletter - Click Here (Week of August 31st - September 04th)

CES Newsletter - Click Here (Week of September 07th - September 11th)

CES Newsletter - Click Here (Week of September 14th - September 18th)

CES Newsletter - Click Here (Week of September 21st - September 25th)

CES Newsletter - Click Here (Week of September 28th - October 02nd)

Click Here to Access the PGCPS Traditional School Year Calendar for 2026 - 2027

Monday, 08/24 (6th Grade Orientation Day/Professional Duty Day for All Teachers)

Tuesday, 08/25 (First Day of School for All Students)

Monday, 08/31 (Grade Level Town Hall Meetings)

Monday, 08/31(TMMS Fire Drill)

Thursday, 09/03 (Back-To-School Night/ 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.)

Thursday, 09/03 (All RELA Classes - IXL Level Up Testing )

Friday, 09/04 (All RELA Classes - IXL Level Up Testing )

Monday, 09/07 (Labor Day - Schools and Offices Closed)

Friday, 09/08 (All MATH Classes - IXL Level Up Testing )

Friday, 09/09 (All MATH Classes - IXL Level Up Testing )

Tuesday, 09/09 (Reading In the Zone Official Start Date)

Thursday, 09/10 (All RELA/MATH Classes - IXL Level Up Make-Up Testing )

Friday, 09/11 (All RELA/MATH Classes - IXL Level Up Make-Up Testing )

Wednesday, 09/16 (Schools Closed for Students/Professional Development Day for Staff)

Thursday, 09/17 - U.S. Constitution Day is observed annually on September 17 to mark the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787.

Friday, 09/18 - School Spirit Friday's (Students are 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.

Monday, 09/21 (Yom Kippur - Schools and Offices Closed)

Wednesday, 09/23 (Special Education Parent Night) 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Friday, 09/25 - School Spirit Friday's (Students are 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.

Note: School calendar will be updated weekly.