The Topsail Times

Good afternoon, Topsail families!

As we head into the new week, we’re excited for a full week of teaching and learning. Take a moment to dive into this edition of the Topsail Times for key updates, important reminders, and a look at what’s coming up for our school community. Thank you for all the ways you support Topsail Middle School and partner with us throughout the year!

Important Dates This Week:

2/23: 5th grade EOY Science Benchmark window begins
2/23: Girls Basketball/Boys Soccer @ SCMS (4:15PM)
2/24: Science Check-in
2/24: TMS Theater Spring Auditions @ TMS Aux gym (3:45)
2/25: 8th Grade field trip
2/25: SIT/MTAC meeting @ 7:15am.
2/26: Girls Basketball/Boys Soccer @ TMS (4:15PM)

Pender County Schools is excited to share a new online resource for families: Parent ProTech. This user-friendly platform is designed to help parents and caregivers navigate kids’ technology use, social media, and online safety with confidence. Parent ProTech offers short videos, guides, and practical tips on topics like managing screen time, setting up parental controls, understanding popular apps and games, and supporting healthy digital habits at home.

Families can explore the growing library of courses and resources any time by visiting:
https://app.parentprotech.com/courses or scan this QR Code:

We encourage you to browse what’s available and use these tools to support your child’s safe and responsible use of technology.

Auditions for our spring production will be held February 24th after school in Ms. Meyer’s room. If you’re interested in being part of the cast or crew, please scan the QR code for more information.

To be eligible, students must turn in a printed audition permission slip or a tech application before auditions.

If you have any questions, please email Ms. Meyer at hailey_meyer@pender.k12.nc.us.

The TMS Theatre Department hopes to see you at auditions… Go Pirates!

JOB SHADOW DAY UPDATE

Thank you to all of the students who submitted their job shadow applications. We have a large number of students participating on Friday, February 27th, which is wonderful! We look forward to hearing about your experiences!

Students, please make sure to join the Job Shadow Day GOOGLE CLASSROOM so you can record your attendance. This requires completion of a Google Form and a photo of you at your job shadow site or with your host. The CLASSROOM CODE is w337uydp. This must be completed by March 6th, 2026, in order to receive an excused absence for the day. Please see Ms. Wood or Mr. Einspahr if you have questions. Thank you!

Middle School Counselling Myth vs. Fact

Curious what our middle school counselors really do? Check out this quick “Myth vs. Fact” spotlight to see how they support students with friendships, stress, organization, academics, and planning for the future—while partnering closely with families.

It's that time of year again! It's time to order your student a TMS yearbook!

Please CLICK HERE for this February's cafeteria menu.

Also, please be aware that the microwaves in the cafeteria are no longer operable and thus, no longer available. Please make sure that if you want to your child to have a hot lunch, please bring it in a thermos or purchase a lunch from the cafeteria.

Thank you for your support with this!

TMS Community,

Thank you to everyone that has been following our new traffic pattern for drop off and pickup. We have seen a major reduction in the number of cars that are blocking traffic on Hwy 17 in the morning and afternoon. However, in reviewing our traffic flow over the last several days, we are starting to see an increase in traffic entering the main entrance in both the morning and afternoon. All cars that are dropping off students in the morning or picking up students in the afternoon should enter at the stoplight on Jenkins Rd.

In an effort to support this, starting on Monday February 9th, cars that enter through the front entrance to the school will not be able to enter the pickup traffic pattern and will have to go back out to Hwy 17 and down to the light at Jenkins rd.

NCDOT has let us know that impeding traffic on Hwy 17 is not acceptable. Having all cars enter on Jenkins Rd will eliminate this issue.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Dr. Mac.

Topsail Middle School would like to remind our families and students of a few important reminders:

Sick/late notes must be received within 3 days of absence/tardy.
Our final check out time at TMS is 3pm.
Please, no outside food/drink in cafeteria, and only water bottles in classrooms (i.e.: no Starbucks, Dunkin drinks, fast food drinks, sodas, energy drinks, etc.).
To parents who are dropping off their students in the parking lot in the morning, please do not let your child out of the car before the bell at 8:10am. We do not have staff out there before that time and several parents have been dropping off before the bell, which is causing a major safety issue.
Please remind your children that they may only use their own lunch accounts. They are not permitted to use accounts belonging to siblings, relatives, or friends. Unfortunately, we have had to turn several students away this week because of this issue.

Thank you for your continued support!

We have a few important systems that will help our school year run smoothly. Please take a moment to make sure you have access to each one:

Infinite Campus

What it does: Lets you view your child’s grades and attendance, and submit excuse notes.
Step 1: Get your student’s activation code here: Lookup Activation Code
Step 2: Use your code to create your account here: Infinite Campus Login

Here Comes the Bus

What it does: Allows you to see your child’s bus location, receive alerts when the bus is near, and have peace of mind about arrival times.
What you need: Your child’s Student ID number
- If you do not know it, email jeremy_mortensen@pernder.k12.nc.us and he will send it to you.
District Code: 29081
Sign Up Here: Here Comes the Bus

Rooms

What it does: Our county-wide communication system for messaging between teachers and parents.
Set up your account here: Rooms Information

Thank you for taking the time to set up these systems. Having access will make communication and daily routines much smoother for you and your child! We greatly appreciate the tremendous partnership we have with our TMS families!