Friday, January 24, 2025
Being present at school is crucial for a student's academic achievement, social development, and overall well-being, as regular attendance allows them to fully participate in lessons, build relationships with peers and teachers, and stay on track with their academics; missing school frequently can lead to falling behind academically and increased risk of dropping out in upper grade levels.
Key points about the importance of school attendance:
Academic impact:
Consistent attendance ensures students don't miss important information, allowing them to grasp concepts better and perform well academically.Social development:
Being present in school facilitates building positive peer relationships and contributes to a sense of belonging.Higher graduation rates:
Research shows a strong correlation between regular attendance and high school graduation.
Please reference the TCUSD #2 Policy below, as students begin to accumulate more absences, we ask that you reference #2 and #3. All absences over 9 need to have documentation beyond a phone call to the Attendance Desk.
Triad CUSD #2 Attendance Policy: (2024-2025)
This year all Triad schools (K-12) will utilize the following attendance procedures to improve our communication with families and have a more uniform approach regarding regular school attendance. When a student is absent for 5, 10, and 15 days, for excused or unexcused reasons, parents will receive a letter in their student’s Skyward parent portal or via email. These letters are automatically generated to inform parents of the number of days their students have been absent and to keep an open line of communication between the school and parents.
Per TMS Handbook:
When a student’s total absences accumulate to 5 days or more, parents will be provided an informational written notice via email and/or mail as a reminder to provide documentation for further student absences.
Upon 9 days of total absences all subsequent absences must be validated with appropriate documentation (doctor’s note, court documents, death notice, etc.) that will be confirmed by the school’s attendance officer. If the parents are unable to make an appointment to see a doctor, the school nurse is available to make the determination as to whether the student is too ill to attend school. It is the parents’ responsibility to present verifiable documentation to the school attendance officer within 2 school days of the absence if it is to be considered excused. If a student exhibits a habitual pattern of nonattendance the school’s attendance officer may make a referral to the Madison County Truant Officer
When a student’s total absences accumulate to 10 days or more parents will be contacted via email, letter and /or phone to encourage school attendance. The letter will remind the family of the attendance policy and that if attendance does not improve, Truancy could be involved.
When a student has been absent 15 days or more of excused or unexcused parents will be contacted via email/or letter. Additional contact may be made with the parent via phone and a meeting will be scheduled with the parents and student to determine how to support regular school attendance for the student. The parents will be given written notification that if attendance does not improve or medical documentation is not provided with each subsequent absence a Truancy report may be filed.
Winter MAP Testing:
Students recently completed their Winter MAP Assessments. The Winter scores give teachers a valuable mid point check regarding how students are progressing. By analyzing this data, teachers and staff members are able to make any necessary adjustments to lesson plans, instructional methods, or delivery of instruction.
E-Learning Schedule for TMS:
6th - 8th Grades (8:00 AM - 1:00 PM): The normal instructional day will be 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. TMS students are expected to follow their normal class schedule and log into their Google Meet virtual classroom (posted in Canvas) at the start time indicated for each period. The teacher will provide instruction for 20-25 minutes and then provide independent practice where students are able to ask questions for each period. Students do not need to check in during their study hall/homeroom period. If students would like to meet with a teacher individually, they can meet with their teacher during office hours from 12:40 PM - 1:00 PM.
TMS Remote Learning/Weather Event Bell Schedule (Times are slightly different from the regular schedule, so please pay close attention.)
Early Bird - 7:20 AM
Period 1 - 8:00 AM
Period 2 - 8:40 AM
Period 3 - 9:20 AM
Period 4 - 10:00 AM
Period 5 - 10:40 AM
Period 6 - 11:20 AM
Period 7 - 12:00 PM
Teacher Office Hours - 12:40-1:00 PM
Attendance Policy for 2024-2025 - Reminder
TCUSD #2 Attendance Policy & TMS Zero Hero Attendance
Young Authors Contest:
Are you interested in writing? Now is a great time to get started working on a story for the 2025 Madison County Young Authors’ Contest. All students in grades K-8 in the Triad School District are eligible to participate in this project. We will choose 1 winner and 1 runner-up from each school per grade level. Our grade level winners will then be invited to represent the Triad School District by attending the Madison County Young Authors’ Conference on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Granite City High School. The deadline to turn in your final story to Mrs. Alldredge in the office is Wednesday, February 19th, 2025. If you are interested, you can pick up a Young Author’s packet in the school office today.
Sports/Extracurricular Activities:
Volleyball season is underway as both the seventh and eighth grade teams have had their first games of the season since the new year.
The boys basketball teams are wrapping up their regular seasons at the end of the month in preparation for the IESA postseason.
Our bowling team has started practice and has matches starting at the beginning of February.
The cheerleading team recently competed in the ICCA State Championships. The team finished 9th in routine and 4th in game day.
Our dance team competed in several competitions lately. At Marion the team qualified both routines placing 1st in jazz, 2nd in open pomgenda/. At Edwardsville, the team also qualified both routines placing 4th in jazz and 2nd in open pom. And at Belleville East the team placed 2nd in jazz. Jewelia Todt received a rising star award.
Notes from Nurse Ann:
In an effort to make Illinois health requirements easier for families. Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation will have a mobile unit available for any student to have a physical examination/sports physical and/or immunization. This mobile unit will be at Triad High School on Tuesday May 6th. SIHF takes most insurances as well as state insurance. If your child has no insurance they will work with you on a sliding scale payment. If you would like your child to participate please complete the attached consent form and return to your school nurse by Friday April 25th. SIHF Consent Form
Middle school and high school students DO NOT need a parent present for the exam or immunization.
Attention 8th graders - IMPORTANT 9th Grade Info:
Illinois Health Requirements for Ninth Grade 2025-2026 school year:
Now is a great time to schedule physical appointments so that your child will be ready to attend ninth grade in August. The following records are due the first day of student attendance. Failure to comply with the State of Illinois regulations will result in exclusion from school beginning September 15, 2025. APPOINTMENTS AFTER THIS DATE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
9th Grade requirements due by September 15th 2025:
● Physical Exams (Sports Physical is NOT acceptable) must be on the State of Illinois Certificate of Child Health Exam form and completed within one year prior to the first day of school. *Parents/Guardians must complete, sign and date the Health History Section on the top of the physical exam form.
Dental exams on an Illinois Dental Exam Form need to be completed between November 15, 2024 - May 15, 2026. Due May 15, 2026.
Health forms will be accepted electronically prior to the first day of school, please send forms to natalie.propst@tcusd2.org or faxed to 618-667-8853. All health forms are available at Triad’s website. https://sites.google.com/tcusd2.org/tcusd2-health-services/home
How can I check academic progress for my student at TMS:
Check grades in Skyward and Canvas
Communicate with teachers if concerns arise
Triad Together - Community Engagement Information: Triad Together Website link
Zero Hero Reward:
Just a reminder as we start a new quarter the 3rd quarter expectations are updated below - to qualify for the reward the following criteria must be met: Due to weather we have postponed 2nd Quarter Reward to a later date this month.
3rd Quarter Expectations
No missing work or zeroes
3 or less absences (Excused or Unexcused)
No office referrals
TMS Daily Announcements:
Would you like to have access to our TMS Daily Announcements? The announcements are located under the “Daily News” section on our TMS Website. TMS Daily Announcements
TMS Frequently Asked Questions
Check out our Facebook posts with FAQs for TMS!!!
TMS Yearbook and Pictures:
Send your photos to tmsyearbook@tcusd2.org.
School Breakfast & Lunch: ALL CHECK PAYMENTS MUST BE MADE TO TCUSD#2,
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.
Important Dates
January 27th - TCUSD #2 Board of Education Meeting - 6:30 p.m
February 3rd - Student Council Soup’er Bowl Food Drive kicks-off
February 12th - School Improvement (½ day Student Attendance)
February 15th - School Resource Officer Day
TMS through photos: