Weekly updates
Message from Principal Alvarez
Tularosa Families,
This past week was truly action-packed, and I could not be more proud of our students, staff, and community. We came together for numerous successful events—including volleyball games, a football game, a pep assembly, our Champion Walks, and the exciting burning of the Zozobra (Tulie Style). Each of these moments highlighted the energy, unity, and pride that make Tularosa such a special place.
A huge thank you to our staff who stepped in to support in so many different ways. Their dedication and teamwork helped make the week run smoothly and ensured every event was memorable. To our students, thank you for showing such positive attitudes and school spirit—it’s your energy that made this week stand out in such a meaningful way. We are fortunate to have such great kids here at Tularosa. And of course, thank you to our parents and families for your incredible support—whether cheering at games or joining our events, your presence strengthens our school community and enriches our learning environment.
This week we kick off Homecoming Week! This is a great time to showcase the spirit and pride of Tularosa—not only at the high school but across all our schools, including Tularosa Middle School. We’ll have fun dress-up days and parade. I encourage both students and staff to join in. Just a reminder we do have school on FRIDAY and STUDENTS WILL BE DISMISSED FRIDAY AT 2:30!!
This week is very exciting! Let’s make it a memorable one! Together, we will continue building on the positive momentum and celebrating the pride we all share in being Wildcats.
With gratitude and excitement,
Principal Alvarez
Highlights of the Week!
This past week at Tularosa Middle School was full of spirit, hard work, and success across athletics, activities, and traditions!
🏈 Football
Our Wildcat football team opened their season with an exciting 30–12 victory over Ruidoso. The boys showed a well-balanced attack—making plays both on the ground and through the air. It was a great team effort and an encouraging start to what looks to be a strong season.
📅 Next Game: The team will be back in action this Wednesday, September 3rd, at home against Capitan. Come out and support our Wildcats!
🏐 Volleyball
Our volleyball teams traveled to Capitan and showed incredible effort and growth.
7th Grade Girls: Won their match in three games, showing determination and teamwork.
8th Grade Girls: Played tough in two very competitive games but came up short. Still, they demonstrated great progress and promise for the season ahead.
📅 Next Games: Both teams will play again Wednesday, September 10th, at home against Hatch. We are excited to see them continue to build on their early success!
🎉 Pep Assembly & Champion Walk
To kick off the season, we held a pep assembly where each athlete was introduced individually to the cheers of their peers. This was a wonderful way to spotlight their hard work and commitment. In addition, our Champion Walk tradition sent our teams off in style—with students lining the halls to clap, cheer, and wish them luck before their games. It’s moments like these that build Wildcat pride and community spirit!
🌶️ FFA Chile Roast
Our FFA students worked tirelessly at the annual Chile Roast fundraiser. Their long hours and teamwork paid off in a very successful event. The funds raised will go directly back to support FFA activities, leadership opportunities, and student success. We are so proud of their dedication and grateful for the community’s support!
🔥 2nd Annual Burning of the Zozobra – Tulie Style
We proudly celebrated our Second Annual Burning of the Zozobra (Tulie Style), and it was an unforgettable event! Students once again had the chance to submit their “gloom thoughts” to burn away, marking a fresh start to the school year.
What made this year even more special was the incredible participation from across our school and community:
Señora Sanchez’s high school Baile Folklórico students performed beautifully, bringing culture and tradition to the event.
Our very own Tularosa Middle School students stepped up in big ways—serving as narrators, assisting with the program, and even performing as fire dancers.
Representation came from all grade levels, showing the unity and pride we share as Wildcats.
The turnout was fantastic, and the energy was high. We are excited to see this tradition continue to grow each year and become a cornerstone of our Wildcat spirit!
Overall, it was an incredible week at Tularosa Middle School—a perfect mix of athletics, school spirit, student leadership, and community traditions. Thank you to our students, staff, and families for making it all possible. Go Wildcats! 🐾
Two-Week At A Glance
We are so proud of our students, staff, and families for making last week such a memorable one. With pep assemblies, Champion Walks, volleyball and football games, and our Burning of the Zozobra, the excitement and positivity were felt all across campus. Thank you to everyone who came out to support—we truly have an amazing school community!
Looking ahead, here are the important upcoming dates:
Week of September 1–6
Monday, September 1 – No School: Labor Day
Tuesday, September 2 – Homecoming Week begins!
Dress-Up Day: Camo Day
Volleyball at home vs. Cloudcroft
Wednesday, September 3 –
Dress-Up Day: PJ Day
Football at home vs. Capitan
Thursday, September 4 –
Dress-Up Day: Disney vs. Marvel
Friday, September 5 –
Dress-Up Day: Wildcat Nation Colors
Parade at 1:00 PM
Early Release at 2:30 PM
Saturday, September 6 – Volleyball at Alamo Round Robin Tourney
Week of September 7–13
Wednesday, September 10 –
Football at home vs. Chaparral
Volleyball at home vs. Hatch
School Board Meeting, 6:00 PM, Central Office Board Room
Thursday, September 11 – September 11 Recognition (TBD)
We are excited to celebrate Homecoming Week (September 2–5) with our students and families. This is a time to show school pride not only at the high school but across all of Tularosa, including our middle school. We encourage all students and staff to participate in the dress-up days—we’ll be taking lots of pictures to share in next week’s update!
Thank you for your ongoing support. Let’s keep the momentum going and make these next two weeks another time to remember!
Academic Updates!
As we continue the school year, our students have now completed their Beginning of Year (BOY) assessments in both reading and math. These assessments are not used for grades but are an important tool that helps us understand each student’s starting point. The data allows teachers to identify strengths, pinpoint areas for growth, and create targeted interventions to support all of our students.
This information also helps us determine which students may need additional support through the Student Assistance Team (SAT) process. The SAT process is a structured system where teachers, parents, and support staff come together to identify a student’s academic or behavioral needs, develop an individualized plan, and monitor progress closely. The goal is to provide interventions and strategies early so that students can be successful in the classroom.
Our ultimate goal is for 100% of our students to show progress in both reading and math by the time we reach the End of Year (EOY) assessments. With focused instruction, data-driven interventions, and strong family support, we believe this is a goal we can accomplish together.
💡 Parent Tip of the Week
One of the best ways to support your middle schooler at home is to ask specific questions about what they are learning each day. Instead of “How was school?” try asking:
“What was the most interesting thing you learned in math today?”
“Can you explain something new you read about in class?”
These questions encourage students to reflect on their learning, practice explaining concepts, and build confidence in their knowledge.
📅 Attendance Matters
We also want to stress the importance of regular school attendance. Every day in class counts—students who attend consistently are more successful academically, more connected socially, and less likely to fall behind. Please help us by making sure your child comes to school on time each day unless they are truly ill. Together, we can build strong attendance habits that support both learning and lifelong success.
Let’s work together to keep every Wildcat in class, on time, every day—because attendance matters for learning, for growth, and for their future success!
Safety Updates
At Tularosa Middle School, student safety and well-being remain our highest priorities. Here are the latest updates and reminders to keep our campus safe, clean, and supportive for everyone:
Lockers & Backpack Use
Students are welcome to carry their backpacks during the school day, except at lunchtime when they should be stored in lockers.
Locker access is available before school, during lunch, and after school only—this helps reduce hallway congestion and ensures classes begin promptly.
Lockers are meant for personal items like lunch bags, practice gear, and personal devices; academic materials should stay in backpacks.
Cafeteria Cleanliness & Food Guidelines
Students have access to a “fast track” line during lunch, but we’ve noticed that not all items are being properly disposed of afterward.
Please remind students to:
Throw away trash in the designated bins.
Keep food and drink inside the cafeteria—this helps us maintain cleanliness across the school.
If a spill or drop occurs, let a staff member know so it can be cleaned up promptly.
A clean cafeteria supports a healthier, more pleasant environment—research shows that tidy eating areas promote better student focus, fewer behavioral issues, and stronger school connection.
Establishing Boundaries & Reporting Concerns
We encourage students and families to speak up when they feel that personal boundaries have been crossed or safety is compromised.
We want to hear from you—together, we can address concerns promptly and support students effectively.
By raising concerns, you provide us with the opportunity to intervene, support, and resolve issues before they escalate.
Understanding & Responding to Bullying
What is bullying?
Bullying is defined as unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves an imbalance of power and is repeated over time
It can be physical (hitting, pushing), verbal (name-calling, threats), relational (spreading rumors, social exclusion), or cyberbullying.
Studies identify six types: physical, verbal, relational, cyber, sexual, and prejudicial bullying
Why the repetition matters:
Unlike a single disagreement or conflict, bullying involves repeated actions and a power imbalance.
As the American University infographic shows, bullying is not a one-time incident—that repetition is key to its definition
What we can do—together:
If you suspect bullying—even a single incident with repeated behavior—please let us know immediately.
We are committed to supporting students and families, investigating concerns thoroughly, and working to foster a safe, inclusive environment for all.
Thank you for joining us in cultivating a safe, respectful, and clean environment for our Wildcats. Your support helps make Tularosa Middle a place where every student can feel secure and thrive.
