TEMS Family Newsletter 10/31/25

Posted Date: 10/31/25 (8:22 AM)

Cougar Connection

Issue 3: October 31, 2025

Stylized illustration of a purple cougar's face with a geometric background.

Principal's Message

As we enter November we are focused on gratitude and reflection. Each day I am grateful to come to TEMS and interact with such an incredible group of students, educators, staff, and families.

Though it may seem hard to believe, today is the last day of Quarter 1! Teachers will finalize grades next week and you can expect report cards delivered electronically next Friday afternoon (11/7). With quarter grades wrapping up and our first round of benchmark screenings and assessments complete, our teachers will have lots to share during report card conferences. These are scheduled for December 2nd, 4th, and 5th. These are all Early Release days for students (12:05 dismissal). Families can schedule a conference with their child's HOMEROOM teacher through Parent Square beginning on November7th at 6:00. Please see the notes about sign ups in the section below.

There have been a lot of exciting things are happening at TEMS...

The TE Writing Center tutors attended the UCONN Writing Conference and presented at this week's Board of Education meeting. The Robotics Teams hosted our first school wide dance and raised money to start their design process. We are nearing the end of the PTO Move-A-Thon Fundraiser- though a bit cold yesterday, students got to enjoy Kona Ice! There is still time to donate- click here. Student Council hosted our first spirit week and ends today with some Halloween flair- I am loving the costumes!

Fall athletics are coming to a close with CRAL championships for Girls and Boys Soccer, Girls Cross Country, and a Second Place for our Boys in the CRAL Cross Country meet. Our field hockey players are stars on and off the field. No losses for them this season (9-0-1) as it finished this week, and just as impressive- the girls raised over $550 as part of their annual bake sale with all proceeds going to support a South Windsor family. The final fall athletics event is scheduled this weekend with our XC athletes headed to states.

Have a wonderful month, and in the spirit of gratitude- thank you to all the veterans in our community who make our country proud.

A chalkboard with 'Thank You, Veterans' sits next to an American flag.

Important Dates

Please click here to reference the school event's calendar that can be found on ParentSquare. Follow TEMS on Facebook, Twitter, and Threads.

A November 2025 calendar displays school events, including meetings and early releases.

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TEMS Report Card Conferences

We are happy to invite families in to meet with their child's homeroom teacher to discuss the progress your child has made so far this year. Please see the following important notes for scheduling conferences.

Signups will be on Parent Square beginning at 6:00 pm November 7th and close November 21st.
Families will meet with their child’s homeroom teacher. Your child’s homeroom teacher will provide a report from your child's other team teachers.
Each conference will last approximately 10 minutes.
Please only schedule one conference per student.
Students do not need to attend, but if they do they should stay with their family for the duration of the time here.
There are options for in person, Virtual Google Meet, or phone call conferences. If you choose a Google Meet, the homeroom teacher will reach out to you via email with a link to join online.
Special Services/ and Encore teachers will be available for brief check-ins while you are in the building for homeroom conferences. If you would like to schedule a time to meet with any of them you may contact them directly.

iReady Scores

This month, all Timothy Edwards Middle School students completed their iReady benchmark assessments in reading and math. These assessments help us better understand each student’s strengths and areas for growth.

On Monday, November 3, you will receive your child’s iReady assessment information electronically through ParentSquare. Please note that these scores are not part of your child’s quarter grades, but they are an important tool that helps teachers tailor instruction and connect students with appropriate resources and programs. This links to a guide that may help answer questions about your child’s report.

Some students may also take additional screening assessments with our reading or math interventionists. These screeners help us determine whether extra support during our WIN (What I Need) period could further accelerate learning. Families will be notified if a student is entering or exiting an academic intervention.

Thank you for your partnership in supporting your child’s learning and growth.

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Winter Athletics

Registration for winter athletics (Basketball and Cheerleading) is open, and closes on Monday, November 24th at 8:00 am. All athletes must have registered on Parent Portal have an updated physician statement dated after June 1st of 2025 and turned into the main office by this deadline. Athletes cannot tryout without this form on file in the nurses office. Tryout information can be found on the TEMS Athletics webpage.

TEMS eBook Fair 11/10-11/21

Timothy Edwards Middle School Library is hosting a Follett Book eFair from 11/10/25 to 11/21/25.

For every dollar earned, Timothy Edwards Middle School Library will receive 20% back in the form of credits used to purchase additional books for our growing population of avid readers!

Students, families, and teachers will be able to access our Follett book eFair by clicking here or clicking the image below. The code for TE is MK56L. You can click here to read a letter from our school Library Media Specialist, Mrs. Eva Longo.

While you're shopping, check out the teacher classroom wish lists!

All orders ship to our school for free after the online book fair ends. We’ll send them home with your child.

A school book fair advertisement with book titles and a QR code.

Colorful handprints form a circle around the text 'Counselor's Corner'.

School Counseling Information

For students and families applying to independent or private middle or high schools, please refer to this guide to ensure the student's application is completed satisfactorily and on time. Please note, this guide does not apply to technical or magnet schools. It is highly recommended that you work closely with your school counselor throughout this process

Click Here for More Information:

Private School Application Process at TEMS

Regional Choice (VOAG, Tech, Magnet School) Process at TEMS

World Kindness Day November 13th

On November 13th, we will celebrate World Kindness Day, a wonderful opportunity to highlight the importance of compassion and empathy in our school community. We encourage families to participate by sharing acts of kindness—big or small—that you and your students engage in throughout the day. Whether it's helping a neighbor, writing a note of appreciation, or simply offering a smile, these gestures can have a profound impact. We invite you to share your stories with us, which we will highlight in our school newsletter and social media. Let’s work together to inspire kindness and create a ripple effect that extends beyond our school, reinforcing the values of respect and understanding. Thank you for your support in making this day meaningful!

A chalkboard displays 'World Kindness Day' with a heart and globe on a wooden background.

PTO Updates: Move-A-Thon and November Meeting

Students had a great time outside yesterday getting Kona Ice for the annual Move-A-Thon. We are keeping the donation link open until November 2nd so you can still donate by clicking here.

The next meeting is scheduled for November 20th at 6:00. Here is the agenda. This meeting will be held virtually. Click here to join.

A vibrant graphic celebrates Native American Heritage Month with colorful patterns and text.

TETV Morning News

The daily TETV Morning News serve as our primary vehicle for communicating important information to students each day. This is where students can learn about upcoming events, tryouts, clubs and activities, and current events. In addition to playing during homeroom each day you can access the daily news on our school website.

A blue ribbon with a red drop symbolizes Diabetes Awareness Month.

Food Services Newsletter

We’re celebrating scratch cooking and preparing meals together for “Let’s Get Cooking” month. In the cafeteria, we’ll highlight the flavors of homemade foods

and empower students to make some of our own recipes at home with family and friends. Since the holidays are right around the corner, we thought this was the perfect time to get everyone excited about cooking together! Click here to read this month's newsletter.