TMS Dragons
PRO: Perseverance, Respect, Ownership March 2026
From the Principal’s Desk
As we turn the corner into March, it’s hard to believe how quickly the second semester is moving. This time of year is always an important stretch in the school calendar — a chance to reflect on progress made, refocus on goals, and build strong momentum heading into spring.
We are proud of the positive academic growth our students continue to demonstrate. Recent assessment data shows encouraging gains across grade levels, reflecting the dedication of our students and the intentional work happening in classrooms each day. It is exciting to see that growth translating into increased confidence and stronger performance.
Looking ahead, CMAS testing in April provides an opportunity for our students to showcase their learning. It’s a chance for Turner Middle School to demonstrate to our families, our district, and the state the meaningful progress happening here every day. We appreciate your partnership in encouraging students to stay focused, well-rested, and confident as we continue this important work together.
It is a great day to be a dragon!
Adam Kohn
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.
Hello 6th grade parents! CMAS is quickly approaching, and we are trying to help students get into the habit of charging their Chromebook every night. Please check to see that your student has a charger, a good place to charge their Chromebooks, and help get them into the nightly charging habit. If they have lost their charger, new ones can be purchased in the TMS library from Mr. Hanes. We appreciate your help at home!
Also, students are still running LOW on supplies. Please check in with your kids and see if they need a refresh on pencils, pens, etc. Thanks!!
In Literacy News:
In ELA, students are finishing up their Natural Allies unit and will be writing their final essays before Spring Break. Please have your student check their grades often and congratulate them on their hard work and dedication! After the break, we are excited to begin our unit on Technology, where we will be reading a variety of informational and opinion texts, and crafting an argumentative essay. We are so excited to see what your students discover!
In Social Studies News:
In Social Studies, we are currently learning about the “Age of Exploration!” The students are engaged in the four European countries that paved the way to explore. We are connecting current real world scenarios and events to the exploration that occurred hundreds of years ago. Next, we will learn about the impact of exploration and how the various perspectives were affected by this time.
In Math News:
Students just wrapped up their Garcia’s House project in the Math Focus classes and they turned out GREAT! Students will have a chance to share their projects with one another to appreciate all of the hard work that went into these. In the 6th Grade Math classes kids recently wrapped up a unit on solving equations and we are jumping into our unit on integers and graphing. Fairly soon we will be reviewing geometry and statistics concepts to get ready for state testing.
In Science News:
In Science, our Meteorologists have been busy working on water and air cycles. Predicting and identifying factors that cause our weather and overall climate are being investigated. Watch out 9 News, your new weather anchors may just be coming from Turner.
Just as a heads up, we have three projects that may need some materials from home. Tornado proof structures will be designed, created and tested in the next few weeks. Bottle Rockets and Solar Ovens will be engineered and tested in April and May. Items that may be needed include but not limited to: popsicle sticks, tin foil, tooth picks, 2 two-liter bottles, duct tape, black paper/paint, saran wrap, small disposable mirrors, and unused pizza/show boxes. We will supply these materials for all students that won’t be able to bring them from home but whatever you can send will help out.
From hands-on learning to thoughtful debates, our seventh graders are actively engaged and hard at work. Here’s what’s been happening in 7th grade!
In ELA, students are continuing to work on their argumentative skills. Students just wrapped up our debate unit. Next, students will choose their own topic to argue. They will then present their argument to the class through a slideshow. As a reminder, students can always pass iReady lessons at home!
2.0 Math is currently working on Geometry and will continue with Volume, Area, and Circumference of shapes. Starting after Spring Break we will focus on reviewing for CMAS and test taking skills. I would encourage all of you to engage with your students about real world application of Geometry. 7th graders usually struggle with this application and concept. I look forward to seeing you coming up during our Spring Conferences! - Mr. Kline
In Math 2.5, students are finishing writing and graphing linear equations by identifying slope and y‑intercept, using slope‑intercept and point‑slope forms, and practicing accuracy with labeled graphs. Next students will begin solving systems of equations using graphing, substitution, and elimination while learning to recognize and interpret solutions in context!
In Social Studies, we are moving on to the Personal Finance section of our Economics Unit! Students have discussed supply and demand, equilibrium, opportunity cost and so much more! Next we will be talking about taxes, budgeting, and credit cards. We are looking forward to starting our Middle Ages unit the week after Spring Break. Also, if you are able to send tissues, we are running low on supplies.
In Science, students are exploring how energy flows through an ecosystem - from the sun to plants and all the way to animals. We’ll investigate how plants make their own food through photosynthesis, how living things release energy using cellular respiration, and how food webs connect organisms together. Along the way, students will discover how energy moves, changes, and supports life all around us!
In 8th grade Social Studies students have been researching Western Expansion and Manifest Destiny. Currently students are finishing their DBQ that asks them the question, “Would they have supported the Louisiana Purchase?” Afterward we are on the trail, the Oregon Trail, and California, Sante Fe, Mormon, and many other trails. Students will research a trail and create a product that captures what it was like to travel on the trail in the 1800s. During this time we will also be looking at major events in the west like the Mexican-American War, The Alamo, Bear Rebellion, and many other events. Following characters like Davy Crocket, John C. Fremont, Kit Carson, and many more. We will wrap up this unit with a museum exhibit where students will make some form of representation that follows the journey of someone or someones. Then off we go into the causes of the Civil War, and finally the Civil War itself. It is a fast sprint to finish with so many things to learn and discover about the formation of our great nation!
In Science class, students recently wrapped up with their Chemistry Unit and are moving on to Forces and Motion. Moving into our new unit on Forces and Motion, students will connect to their math classes using a variety of formulas to calculate speed, acceleration, and amounts of force. To explore different forces, students will complete different labs on gravity, friction, and air resistance. They will also create Comic Strips to represent Newton’s 3 Laws of Motion and go outside with a giant slingshot to show how mass affects an object’s projectile motion. To end our unit, students will create Mousetrap cars, tying together what they've learned about forces and energy. They will have in class time to design and build these cars, but are also more than welcome to use time at home to build. Lastly, because April is quickly approaching, we will sprinkle in a bit of Science CMAS preparations and questions each day to try to get students in the mindset for the upcoming tests.
NEWS FROM ELECTIVE CLASSES
7th/8th PE/Health- Health will be taught before Spring Break. Volleyball and handball after Spring Break.
6th Grade PE- Handball, volleyball, and fitness testing to end the 3rd quarter. To begin the 4th quarter after Spring Break, we will get our fitness testing pre-tests done and set goals.
6th Grade Lifetime- Volleyball, PIG basketball tournament and yard games to end 3rd quarter. To begin the 4th quarter after Spring Break, we will start with badminton and darts.
Engineering & Design - 6th grade Students have been exploring Computer Aided Drafting and are completing their first independent project using SketchUp for Schools.
7th and 8th graders are beginning to transition to various projects such as model rocketry, race car design, and traditional wood shop projects like making cutting boards and chess boards.
6th-Into. Spanish - Students have just learned numbers from 0 to 100 in Spanish and will continue to increase their vocabulary.
7th Grade Spanish - Students are learning how to say the dates in Spanish and express information about the seasons.
8th Grade Spanish - Students are learning how to apply their Spanish language as they talk about the climate, geographical features and countries.
Art - Students will be glazing ceramics pinch pots in early March during the double-blocked classes. They will also be working on Matisse Murals.
Band, Choir & Orchestra classes are preparing for the spring concert. Honor Band auditions were due on Feb. 27. We will find out who earned this honor soon.
FACS- 6th grade: Students are applying the nutrition information they are learning to meal planning. 7th grade: Students will be learning about interior design and applying the concepts to designing tiny houses.
8th grade: Consumerism, where do they fit into the financial puzzle. Students will watch 3 documentaries with parents/guardians.
Multimedia 8th grade: Classes are working on printmaking using linoleum blocks.
7th grade: Students are learning and applying the concept of color through the creation of watercolor paintings.
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, March 13 at 9:00am.
See TMS Website for contact information.
Spring Conferences will be held by appointment only on the following dates:
- Tuesday, March 3 5:00-8:30pm
- Wednesday, March 4 4:30 - 8:00pm.
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