Monday, August 14, 2023
TMS Families,
Thank you to those who were able to make it out to our open building event last week. For those who were unable to attend, students will have plenty of time on Wednesday to organize their lockers and find classrooms. Our staff will be available in hallways to help students out, and teachers will utilize some extra patience and grace the first few days while students get adjusted to the new school year.
With school starting for students on Wednesday, I wanted to make everyone aware of the logistical challenges and procedures for getting 950 students off of highway 40 and into our school building. Traffic can be heavy along highway 40 during our arrival time, and this year there will be additional congestion and delays due to the bridge work at 40 and route 4 just to the east of TMS.
The morning traffic flow calls for all car riders to enter the main entrance near the TMS marquee. Parents should use the circle drive and drop off anywhere along the sidewalk. Students may enter either the large gym doors or the main entrance doors. Cars will exit at the same spot near the marquee. All buses will enter and exit on the east side of the parking lot near the track/football stadium. Bus riders will enter the school through the gym lobby doors. Please do not drop students off at school before 7am, as our doors will not open early with the exception of our band building for early bird band. The majority of our staff begins their work day at 7:15am. The best time to drop your child off at TMS will be between 7:15 and 7:25, but we realize some need to drop a few minutes earlier or later. Students who enter between 7:00 and 7:15 should report to the cafeteria if they need breakfast or the gymnasium. 6th graders will be directed to the small gym until 7:15.
After school the buses will load in the front and parents will pick up on the east side of the school in the stadium/gymnasium parking lot. Map here
Please do not drive around the back of the school before or after school, unless you have special permission for early bird band or a special education drop off or pick up (Gibson & Link’s) classroom.
Thank you for your patience and flexibility these first few days as we get back into the swing of things with our TMS traffic patterns. For those who are new to this experience, it's a busy place. Please be safe and exercise extreme caution as we have no control over the morning rush hour traffic on highway 40.
Dress Code: As a professional learning environment, we do have a dress code and we expect students to arrive at school dressed appropriately. Any see-through clothing or clothing with holes which reveals bare stomachs, cleavage, backs, sides, or underwear is considered inappropriate for school. Revealing clothing such as halter tops, spaghetti strap tops, strapless tops, or tops with only one strap is inappropriate at school. Headgear may not be worn in the building. Shoes must be worn at all times. {Page 15-16}
We would greatly appreciate the cooperation of students and the support of parents when it comes to what students wear to school. Please do not permit revealing clothing to be worn to school. If this happens, please be advised that students will be asked to change their clothes. If they do not have a change of clothes, they can go to Crusader’s Closet for appropriate clothing or they can call home for appropriate clothes to be brought to them.
Spiritwear Orders:
Our TMS student council has organized a spiritwear shop with Kelly Tracy Advertising and Design that will be open until August 25th if your family would like to order some TMS Crusaders. Check it out: https://kellytracy.com/tms_spiritwear/shop/home and make sure to place your order by the 25th!
Virtual Backpack:
Check out the Triad District Virtual Backpack for announcements and information from various community partners.
Repeat information from previous communications may be found below.
Physicals / Important Health Services Forms & Links:
Please check out the Triad CUSD#2 Health Services page on the Triad website for important reminders on physicals, dental and vision forms, and other helpful forms and links. While all 6th graders need to show proof of a physical exam on a state approved physical exam form, all TMS students who plan on participating in a Fall Sport will need a current physical (less than 395 days old) in order to participate. Please see Nurse Becker with any questions.
School Supplies & P.E. T-Shirts:
The 2023-2024 school supply lists for TMS can be found here (23-24 TMS Supply Lists). All TMS students will have P.E. on their 2023-2024 schedule, regardless of other electives. Students will be required to purchase Triad P.E. shirts with their names on the back for the 23-24 school year. They will also be required to wear tennis shoes at all times. Triad P.E. shirts are available at many area vendors. All physical education students will be required to wear a standard uniform consisting of the following: a Triad P.E. T-shirt, (with last name on back), black shorts or athletic pants, athletic shoes and socks. Only Triad Physical Education T-shirts with the student’s last name imprinted on the back will be accepted. Approved P.E. shirts are sold at the following locations (and Kelly Tracy and Sew Time have online ordering links attached):
Kelly Tracy Advertising & Design (Marine) 618-887-4656 or info@kellytracy.com
BJ Printables (formerly Designs & Stitches) (Troy) 618-667-4599 cindy@bjsprintables.com
Gateway Impressions (Troy) 618-505-7544 or info@gatewayimpressions.com
Sew Time Embroidery (Maryville) 618-345-6645 or sewtime89@gmail.com
School Breakfast & Lunch:
Students whose families are eligible for free or reduced price breakfast or lunch will be able to access meals once again this school year at no cost or a discounted rate. Triad families who wish to apply for free or reduced meals must do so through the Skyward Family Access portal. Once in the portal, click on the “Food Service Application” tile.
2023-2024 Cafeteria Prices:
Student Breakfast = $1.70
Student Lunch = $3.15
2023-2024 Bell Schedule:
School doors open 7:00am
Homeroom begins 7:30am
Student Dismissal 1:55pm
Important Dates
Aug. 16th - First Day of Student Attendance - School Day is 7:30-1:55 - Doors Open at 7:00.
Aug. 23rd - 6PM - Fall Open House - Parents will follow their students’ schedules.
Aug. 24th - Fall Picture Make-Up Day at TMS
Sept. 4th - Labor Day - No School
We’re looking forward to seeing you soon!
Best wishes,
Matt Noyes, Ed.D.
TMS Principal