SPOOKY TIME IS NEAR!
TMS Middle School Minute 10/23/26
~ Upcoming Events ~
FRIDAY, 10/23 - REPORT CARDS SENT HOME!
Sunday, 10/25 - Cross Country STATE @ Fortress Obetz
Wednesday, 10/28 - Engineering and Coding Club 2:15-3:30pm
Thursday, 10/29 - Mountain Bike Club - Pizza Party 2:15-3:30pm
Tuesday, 11/3 - NO SCHOOL - ELECTION DAY
Thursday, 11/5 - Intergenerational Book Club 2:30-3:30pm
**ATTENTION**
PLEASE NOTE THAT ATTENDANCE IS NOT MARKED ON REPORT CARDS. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR STUDENTS DAILY ATTENDANCE PLEASE CALL THE SCHOOL OFFICE, 513.273.3300.
PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES!
There will be Parent/Teacher conferences on
NOVEMBER 18TH FROM 3PM - 6PM.
Please call the front office to schedule,
513.273.3300.
WINTER SPORTS INFORMATION!
Please use this LINK to access all of the winter sports information.
(Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, and Wrestling)
If you have any other questions please email Annie Klenk, klenke@talawanda.org.
SPIRIT WEEK!
WHAT IS A GREEN SLIP?
What is a Green slip?
If a student misses a due date for an assignment, they will receive a Green slip. The student's name will be added to a school wide list recording the work that was marked late and the office will call home. The work should be completed and turned in ASAP. Extra help is offered afterschool on Tuesdays and Thursdays until 3:30. If the work is not turned in by the help session, students should stay after. If students did not turn the missing work in after attending the help session, their grade turns to a zero and the work will no longer be accepted.
Please be patient and exercise extra caution when exiting the upper parking lot at dismissal, as some staff members are following departing buses from TMS to THS for coaching responsibilities. Please make sure you're looking both ways and not pulling out into oncoming traffic from the lower lot.
TMS CITIZENSHIP ESSAY CONTEST
TMS Citizenship Essay Contest
Due October 30, 2026
Theme: “If we stop remembering”
What could be lost if we stop listening to, sharing, and remembering the stories of our veterans.
DIRECTIONS/ FORMAT = You may write an essay, a letter, a poem, a song (any form of writing) based on the theme. Your writing sample should be typed and printed out.
YOU CAN NOT JUST SHARE IT WITH A TEACHER.
It needs to be printed and turned in to the TMS Office or to Mr. Brinck in room 302.
All entries will be mailed to local VFW halls for our veterans to read.
Winning entries will be held back and read at the THS Veterans Day breakfast on Wednesday, November 11 at 8am.
Prizes -- There will be one winner for each grade level.
$50.00 will be placed into their “Travel Account”.
The top winner(s) will also have their name(s) placed on a plaque that will hang in the TMS lobby.
1 or possibly 2 winners
RULES: Writing samples are judged on the following:
1- Must be typed & (size 14 font, 1.5 spacing, and “Times New Roman” font).
2- Stick to the topic or theme of the essay.
3- You must print off and turn in a paper copy. You can’t share it on Google Docs.
4- Age appropriate writing. . . IT MUST BE YOUR WORK NOT SOMEONE ELSE!
5- Original work . . . please don’t just copy and paste a poem or quote without explaining
the significance to you personally.
5- Correct English and grammar usage
(word usage, sentence structure, punctuation, spelling, clarity, flow, etc.)
Helpful Hints/Suggestions
1- Make several revisions before you turn in your final copy.
2- Ask someone to read it and offer suggestions to improve it.
3- Don’t wait until the last minute. Write a version and wait a day before rewriting/revising.
4- Take pride in your work. Make sure it is your best effort!!
Any questions or concerns please contact Mr. Brinck email - brinckj@talawanda.org
TMS PTG PIE & BUTTER BRAID SALE!
To Support Class Sponsored Field Trips
(Glen Helen & Washington, D.C.)
OCTOBER 15th - NOVEMBER 2nd
Pie Pick up date -- November 18th in
TMS Cafe starting @ 2:30pm.
Parents & Students,
Each year TMS PTG offers two fundraisers. A pie sale in the fall and a cookie dough sale in early spring. The fundraisers are set up so that students have the opportunity to earn money to help pay the cost of class trips offered in the 6th and 8th grade. Every student is welcome to participate and your decision to participate is strictly voluntary. Every student that chooses to participate in a sale will have an account created where their profit will be kept until needed to help pay for a class trip. The pie sale in the fall and the cookie dough sale in the early spring are only meant to help families earn money to help lower the cost of class trips each grade has organized here at TMS. All money raised is held in the student’s account and may be used for any school sponsored trip in 6th or 8th grade. The trips for each grade are as follows:
7th Grade = Glen Helen Experience
8th Grade = Washington, D.C.
Pie Sale = 50% profit & Butter Braids = $6 profit for each one you sell. Your profit total will be deposited into your TMS PTG account. That money may be used to pay for any school sponsored “class trip”. Please read the PTG Fundraising Policy (on the back) for more information.
SALE INSTRUCTIONS. . . .
STUDENT’S NAME + GRADE on the order sheet(s) - written neatly!
Collect all money at the time of sale.
Will not process order w/o payment.
If it's easier you can keep cash and just submit one check.
All checks -- payable to TMS PTG.
Place the order sheet(s) and money in an envelope or zip-lock bag.
Turn in to the main office or Mr. Brinck in room 302.
Note: This fundraiser is voluntary.
You are not required to participate.
Any questions or concerns about this sale or fundraising in general should be directed to
John Brinck. Email = brinckj@talawanda.org Cell 513-477-9503.
Pie Facts:
All pies cost $18.00 except Pecan $22.00.
You will earn 50% profit for all pie sales.
All pies are delivered fresh (not frozen). They have a shelf life of 4 to 6 days.
7 - 8 days if kept refrigerated.
They can be frozen safely for 2 to 3 months.
You can reheat the fruit and pecan pies - DON’T REHEAT THE CREAM PIES.
Only fresh fruit is used in pies - NO canned fruit.
Butter Braid Facts:
All Braids (and rolls) cost $18.00.
You will earn $6.00 for each butter braid sold.
If TMS sells 300+ braids the profit will increase depending on the number sold.
All butter braids are delivered frozen, and will last up to 4 months.
THERE IS AN ONLINE STORE OPTION FOR BRAIDS.
You will have to register yourself to use the online store
There is a QR Code you can scan to register online
More flavors are offered through the online store
TMS PTG FUNDRAISING POLICY
School fundraisers are designed to assist students wanting to travel on class trips. If a student chooses to not travel (by choice not illness or injury), all
money raised is forfeited to the general scholarship fund.
There is also a cap to how much profit a student is allowed to earn.
The profit stops at $75.00 past the cost of the Washington, D.C. trip.
The extra money will be donated to the general scholarship fund.
For example: A student earns $700 and the trip costs $600 -- you keep $75 (spending money) and TMS PTG will keep $25. This rarely happens, but we can’t allow students to potentially keep hundreds of dollars in profit.
Student Council Needs your HELP!
TMS Student Council wants to treat TMS teachers for Halloween! TMS Student Council is organizing a "Boo Bag" creation station for their teachers, and needs donations from TMS Families!
Candy needs to be at TMS by Monday, October 26th. Candy donations can be delivered to
Mrs. Todd in room 110 or the TMS Office.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090C4BA4A928A3F49-66745262-talawand
CAFETERIA UPDATES
Breakfast Reminder
Breakfast is served each morning at school, and we encourage students to take advantage of it! We want every student to have the opportunity to start their day with a good breakfast and be ready to learn.
Students who are late arriving to class because they were eating breakfast in the cafeteria will have that tardy excused. Students should still report to the office to receive a pass to class once they have finished eating.
Purchasing Extras at Lunch
Extra items are available for students to purchase during lunch, including ice cream, cookies, chips, bottled water, juice, fruit roll-ups, rice krispie treats ect.
Please remember that students must have enough money available on their meal account to cover the cost of their lunch AND any extras items they wish to purchase. Extras cannot be charged to an account or purchased if there are not sufficient funds available.
Adding funds to your student's meal account ahead of time helps make lunchtime checkout quick and easy.
If you have any questions regarding breakfast, lunch or purchasing extras, please feel free to contact me.
Beth Schwab
Kitchen Manager
Thank you for helping us keep breakfast and lunch running smoothly while we continue filling hearts and bellies!
ENGINEERING AND CODING CLUB
After school Engineering and Coding Club starts in September. This is a dynamic and engaging environment where students in 6-8th grade can explore the world of engineering and coding. Our club is designed for students who are interested in technology, problem-solving, and innovation. Two Miami University based clubs will be directing our engineering and coding activities this year. Kode2Learn is a student organization that organizes and runs events for kids in the Oxford area that promote teamwork and problem solving through the use of computer programming. SWE (Society of Women Engineers) organization's goal is to encourage our middle school students to consider engineering or computing as a career and provide activities related to engineering/coding.
Engineering/Coding Club times - Schedule
(After school until 3:30 p.m.)
Coding/Programming Focus: Kode2Learn - Wednesdays Oct. 21, 28, Nov. 4, 11, 18
See Mrs. Ruppert for club permission slips (Room 406).
MOUNTAIN BIKE CLUB
About: Students will meet after school in Room 511 to learn bike riding basics and maintenance, and how-tos from a local “Bike Wise” enthusiast, Cris Goff. Please have the student bring a bike helmet to club. Personal bikes are welcome; the TMS Mountain Bike Club has a variety of Trek bikes at different sizes to share. We also have helmets for sale for $5.
Times: 2:15 - 3:30 (Pick up behind school @ Garage Door)
Meeting Dates:
September 3rd- Riding basics, Clean bikes, Safety checks, Ride
September 10th- Learn Bike Parts, Tire Change, Inflation, Ride
September 17th- Parts Quiz, Ride, Tight Turns, Balance drill
September 24th- How to ride on the road, Bike Trail, and Mountain Bike Course? Safety tips
October 1st- Understanding Brakes, Seats, and Chains, Ride
October 15th- Ride to High School (pickup time may change, depending on timing)
October 29th- Pizza Party
Teacher Contact: Scott Dennis (denniss@talawanda.org)
Phone: 513-273-3380
GAMERS CLUB!
What is it?
An after-school group for students who want to play tabletop, role-playing, or card games! We have some games on hand, but you are encouraged to bring your own games/cards to share and play with others. This is not computer games - old school board and card games only!
Who can join?
Any student at TMS who enjoys playing old school games (not computers/phones).
When will it meet?
Wednesday from 2:10 - 3pm
SEE ATTACHED CALENDAR FOR MEETING DATES.
Where?
Room 202 (Mrs. Vu’s Room)
Who are the advisors?
Mrs. Vu, vut@talawanda.org and Ms. Krause, krausel@talawanda.org
Other FAQs
You MUST have a ride or be able to walk home at 3pm to be able to stay for club.
TSD OnePlan Family Engagement
We invite and encourage our families to review the TSD One Plan linked to our website. Talawanda is in year one of our current One Plan. Additional information about the One Plan can be found on the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, linked here.
If you have feedback to share or would like to be part of the parent/community advisory group for our One Plan, please contact Ms. Stephanie Aerni, Director of Teaching & Learning (AerniS@talawanda.org). There will also be a feedback session on 11/19/26 ahead of the School Board Meeting at the THS Performing Art Center.
Health Education Information
Health Education Curriculum Update - SB 288-Erin's Law
The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW), formally called the Ohio Department of Education, has shared with public schools across the state Senate Bill 288. This legislation requires that health education curricula be updated to include (K-12/developmentally appropriate) prevention education information in the areas of sexual abuse and sexual violence for students in public schools.
As promised, the district is providing an opportunity for families to review the curriculum, and parents may opt their students out of the lessons if they choose. For more information from the Ohio Department of Education- Click HERE.
Instruction occurs annually. This year the district will conduct these updates with students October 12-26, 2026.
K-3 Curriculum- Click HERE
4-6 Curriculum- Click HERE
7-8 Curriculum- TMS
Social Inclusion: Click HERE
Dating Violence: Click HERE
Suicide Prevention: Click HERE
9-12 Curriculum - THS will share their videos in three successive weeks.
Social Inclusion: Click HERE
Dating Violence / Healthy Relationships: Click HERE
Suicide Prevention: Click HERE
Contact your student's building and school counselor with any questions.
IMPORTANT TMS WEBSITES
FINAL FORMS – Remember, if you have any changes to your information (phone number, address, who can pick up your student, etc) throughout the school year, change it in Final Forms!. The office is notified of these changes and will update our information.
LOOKING FOR SPIRITWEAR?
Some fights need a team behind them. This October, Talawanda shows up in pink.
Hi Talawanda parents! — Fall Family Favorites are here! For a limited time, save $5 on ALL Talawanda tees and grab some new gear for the Fall. Perfect for game days, school, weekends, and showing your Talawanda pride.
Shop Now: https://1stplace.sale/71854
PEACH JAR!
Notice that the e-news looks different? All of the flyers we used to include have all been moved to PEACH JAR. Please use the link below to help you gain access to see all of the flyers for school and community events.
LINKS to TSD's Peachjar Digital Flyer Solution-