Topsail Times
Week of October 19th-23rd
Announcements
Here are a few Announcements and Reminders as we SAIL into this week.
๐ธ Picture Ordering Information
Pictures went home with students on Friday. Parents can simply scan the QR code on the flyer and follow the directions to access their childโs picture ordering gallery. There is no need to contact Customer Service for an access code! For data security, you will need your studentโs last name and Student ID number to access the gallery.
Need Help?
If you have questions about the Code Lookup or experience difficulty navigating the website, please contact Strawbridge Customer Service through the Live Chat at www.strawbridge.net.We are currently looking for representatives to join the TMS parent advisory committee. This group meets once a month on Wednesday mornings in the school media center. The purpose of this group is to represent parent voice in school decision-making. If you are interested in joining the group, please email tms_pac@pender.k12.nc.us. If you have any other questions, please reach out to Dr. Mac.
- Attention 6th Grade Families: On Friday, October 30, all Pender County Schools 6th-grade students will participate in โICU In Your Future!โ, our districtwide Healthcare Career Awareness Day at Heide Trask High School. Students will explore exciting healthcare and public safety careers through hands-on activities, demonstrations, and interactions with healthcare professionals, CTE students, and community partners. Additional information will be shared with families as we get closer to the event. We are excited to provide our 6th graders with this unique career exploration experience!
TMS Success sessions is getting ready to start on Thursday, October 22! If you would like your student to participate, please register using the form. This is a great opportunity for your student to get support or enrichment for the topics they are learning about. https://forms.gle/pxzB4BjqtAHp2WQW9
๐ Important Dates
This Week's Events
- October 19th- 5th & 7th Grade Vision Screening
- October 19th- Boys Basketball/ Girls Soccer/ Basketball Cheerleading Tryouts (4:00pm)
- October 19th- Pirate Passport Night (Back to School Night) (6:00 PM)
- October 20th- End of 1st Quarter (Early Release-12:45pm)
- October 21st- 5th Grade Science Benchmark
- October 23rd- Color Run (9:00am)
Future Events:
- October 26th- 5th Grade Field Trip (Sturgeon City, Jacksonville)
- October 27th-28th- 8th Grade Science Benchmark
- October 28th- Halloween Spooktacular Band Concert (7th & 8th grade performing) -7:00pm
- October 30th-6th Grade CTE Field Trip
- October 30th- Report Cards
- November 2nd- 7th Grade Field Trip (Wonderworks)
- November 2nd- TMS B. Basketball/G. Soccer vs WPMS @ TMS
- November 3rd- Teacher Workday (No School)
November 5th- Author Visit- Whitney Skeen & Creative Writing Sessions
November 5th- TMS B. Basketball/G. Soccer vs PLE @ TMS
November 6th- PTO Dance (5th-8th grade)
November 9th- TMS B. Basketball/G. Soccer vs CFMS @ TMS
November 11th- Veterans Day (No School)
November 12th-20th- Scholastic Book Fair
November 12th-TMS B. Basketball/G. Soccer vs BMS @ BMS
November 12th- PTO meeting (5:30pm)
- November 13th- Picture Makeup Day
- November 16th- TMS B. Basketball/G. Soccer vs SCMS @ SCMS
- November 19th- TMS B. Basketball/G. Soccer vs WPMS @ WPMS
- November 20th- FCA (3:45pm)
- November 20th- 8th Grade Career Fair
- November 23rd- TMS B. Basketball/G. Soccer vs PLE @ TMS
- November 24th- Progress Reports
- November 25th-27th- Thanksgiving Break
๐ Pickup and Drop Off Traffic Pattern
๐ Transportation & Bus Information
Families are encouraged to review bus information and transportation updates regularly. Please make sure students know their bus information and understand expectations for safe and respectful behavior while riding the bus.
Don't forget to sign up for Here's The Bus App to track your student's bus.
๐ View Bus Information
Bus Dismissal Reminder
To help ensure a safe and organized dismissal, students should remain in class until their bus is called. Students should not leave the classroom early or report to the bus area before their bus has been announced.
Students who leave class before their bus is called may not be permitted to ride the bus that day. Leaving class early creates safety concerns and can make it difficult for staff to account for students during dismissal.
Please remind your student to wait in class until their bus is officially called and then proceed directly to the bus area.
Thank you for helping us keep dismissal safe, organized, and efficient for everyone!
๐ Attendance
All absence notes must be submitted electronically through Infinite Campus.
- ๐ฑ Please submit your studentโs absence note through Infinite Campus.
- ๐ซ Do not send a written note with your student to school.
- โฐ Please submit absence documentation as soon as possible following your studentโs absence.
- โ Using Infinite Campus will help us process absence documentation more efficiently and keep attendance records accurate.
Attendance Note Reminder-
If you are submitting an absence note several days after your childโs absence, please enter the date you are submitting the note. In the Comments section of Infinite Campus, please indicate the date of the absence the note is for. Our Data Manager will then update the system with the correct absence date.- Check-Out Reminder-Please remember that 12:45 pm is the check out time in order to be counted a full day and there will be no student check-outs after 3:00 p.m. This helps us ensure a safe and smooth dismissal process.
๐ School Lunch
Families can review the school lunch menu to help students plan for meals each day.
- Pender County Schools is reminding families to submit a new application for free or reduced-price meals for the 26-27 school year. For more information, Click HERE
Athletics
All student-athletes must have their FinalForms account completed and approved before participating in any workouts or tryouts.
Please remember:
- Workout and tryout schedules are subject to change.
- Check the TMS Athletics webpage regularly for the most current information.
- Follow TMS social media channels for athletic announcements, schedules, and updates.
We look forward to seeing our students demonstrate leadership, teamwork, sportsmanship, and school pride throughout the fall season!
๐ Club News
- Topsail Middle School FCA -Meets 1st Friday of each month. Please contact Mrs. Bowles or Mrs. Engle if you have any questions.
- Operation Military Kids Club Meets 2nd Friday of each month. -For more information, click the link. https://operationmilitarykidsclubs.com/
๐ Grade-Level Newsletters
We encourage families to read each newsletter and stay connected with your studentโs grade-level team.
๐ค Partnering for Student Success
Volunteering Opportunities
We would love to have our families and community members involved at Topsail Middle School! There are several opportunities throughout the school year for volunteers to support our students, staff, and school community.
Interested in volunteering? Please sign up today! Your time, talents, and support make a difference in the lives of our students. Sign Up Genius
Thank you for partnering with us to make Topsail Middle School a great place for our students to learn and grow!
๐ Counselorโs Corner
- Topsail Middle School is proud to partner with Meals Until No Child Hungers to support our students and families. Meals are delivered to TMS weekly to help ensure students have access to nutritious food. If your family could benefit from this program or would like more information, please contact our counselor, Betsy_Monroe@pender.k12.nc.us. We are grateful for our community partners who help support the well-being of our students! 26-27 MUNCH program
๐ฉบNurse Notes
๐Flu Vaccine Clinic at TMS
- The Pender County Health Department will be at school on October 29th from 10:30โ11:30 a.m. to administer flu vaccines to students who have a completed consent form on file. If you would like your student to receive a flu vaccine at school, please complete the online consent form by October 17th. Consent Forms: 2026-2027 Pender County Schools Permission Form for Flu Vaccine -
2026-2027 Formulario de autorizaciรณn de las escuelas del condado de Pender para la vacuna
contra la gripe If you cannot complete the online consent form, paper forms are available in the main office. If you have any questions, please contact the school nurse.
- TMS will be conducting vision screenings on the morning of October 19th for all 5th- and 7th-grade students. If you have any questions or concerns, or if you would like your child to opt out of the screening, please contact Nurse Chewning at jessica_chewning@pender.k12.nc.us.
Thank you for partnering with us to keep our students healthy and thriving!
PTSO Corner
- Please remember to join the PTO for the 2026-27 school year! Go to our givebacks link to join.
- Our 4th annual Color Run is underway! Please see the sign up below to help!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044BA8A629A7F85-58979910-tmscolor#/
Hoodies will be delivered to students homerooms on October 20th.
- Our school dance is scheduled for November 6th from 6:30-8:30pm. We need help selling tickets, setting up, chaperoning and cleaning up. Please see the sign up below to volunteer.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B4DA4A62CA0F58-66445706-tmsdance#/
- TMS PTO meets on the second Thursday of each month at 5:30 PM in the media center. Please make plans to join us at our next meeting on November 12th
- Interested in PAINTING THE ROCK for your students birthday or special event? Sign up using our link:
https://app.givebacks.gives/tmsrock or text the word โtmsrockโ to (919) 626-3277
Spirit wear is available now! Visit our givebacks site to purchase. T-shirtโs, Pura Vida bracelets and stickers are available for quick delivery.
https://rewards.lowesfoods.com/Account/SelectCard?mode=CartToClass
- Have you linked your Loweโs Foods rewards card to support Topsail Middle School? You canโt support up to three schools. You must relink your card each year using the link:
Mark your calendars for our next TMS spirit event. Join us this Tuesday at Dave and Busters from 2-6pm. The flyer must be presented for TMS to receive a donation of 20% of your total purchase. A digital copy is accepted. Itโs a half day, so weโd love to see you there! Bring your friends, family and neighbors!
Dave & Busters Flyer
Giveback QR Code
PTO Membership & Swag Form
โญ Operation: Military Kids โ Stronger Together
Community News
- The Pender County Sheriff's Office LOVES our opportunities to collaborate with Pender County Schools and appreciate the time we are allowed to interact with the students. One way we do this is through the D.A.R.E. program for 5th and 7th graders. Now we need EVERYONE'S help!. Our D.A.R.E. cars won 1st and 2nd place in the NC D.A.R.E. Officer's Association Conference this year. We are now entered in the D.A.R.E. America National Car Show and Competition. This is a virtual car show and the winners will be determined by the number of votes received. I would love to see a 1st and 2nd place repeat at the national level. The vehicles are strong enough to compete on that level but the amount of support that we enjoy in the community is what will put us over the top. Please take 30 seconds to visit this website for the car show and cast your vote for one of our D.A.R.E. vehicles. Please also feel free to share this link with friends and family to help us bring this win home for our students. https://dare.org/d-a-r-e-car-show-vote/
- The NC Spot Festival is coming to Hampstead on November 7โ8! Since 1963, this community tradition has celebrated the Spot fish and the coastal community of Hampstead. Originally started as a fundraiser for the local fire department, the festival now supports schools on the Hampstead/Topsail side of Pender County. Last year, the Spot Festival Board of Directors distributed $36,000 to our local schools, with proceeds allocated based on volunteer hours worked. This is a wonderful opportunity to support our school community while being part of a long-standing local tradition! Volunteers are needed! Families can help make a difference by signing up for a volunteer shift. Every hour worked helps support our local schools and students.
๐ Sign up to volunteer for the NC Spot Festival!
Thank you for supporting our school community!
๐ฐ DISTRICT NEWS
- Congratulations to Dr. Brad Breedlove, who was named the 2027 A. Craig Phillips North Carolina Superintendent of the Year! This historic recognition marks the first time a Pender County Schools superintendent has received this prestigious statewide honor.
- Pender County Schools will hold the next public forum at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, November 17, at Topsail High School. The forum is part of the districtwide planning process examining school assignment, attendance boundaries, enrollment growth and future facility needs, The meeting will also be streamed live on the PCS YouTube channel. Additional information is available at https://www.pender.k12.nc.us/page/redistricting.
๐ดโโ ๏ธ TMS Joke of the Week
What do you call a pirate with both eyes and all his limbs?
A rookie
๐ Together, We Make a Difference!
Thank you for your continued support of Topsail Middle School. We are excited about the year ahead and look forward to working together to ensure every student feels safe, supported, challenged, and successful.
Go Pirates! ๐ดโโ ๏ธ๐