TEMS Family Newsletter- 3/27/26

Posted Date: 03/27/26 (08:29 AM)

Cougar Connection

Issue 8: March 27, 2026

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

Principal's Message

Spring has arrived at TEMS, filling our school with a renewed sense of energy. This season offers an opportunity for fresh starts, new ideas, and continued progress. As partners in your child’s educational journey, we remain dedicated to supporting their goals, encouraging their growth, and celebrating their accomplishments.

We are approaching the end of the third quarter (April 10th), and as we move into the last stretch of the school year, our calendar is filled with exciting student activities and events that always seem to make the time fly by. This week I shared communication with grade 8 families about everything our 8th graders have to look forward to. This communication is also included in this month's newsletter.

After our spring break, families will receive our annual school climate survey. Your feedback is incredibly valuable and helps us better understand and support the needs of our entire community. TEMS students will also be completing the survey during the school day.

Wishing everyone a wonderful April. For those who celebrate, we extend warm wishes for a joyful Easter and a blessed Passover.

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.

Helping My Child Learn: Foster Ownership

A purple anthropomorphic parent and child are studying together at a desk with books and a computer.

Helping My Child Learn: Foster Ownership

Tip #2: Focus on Process over Grades

Rather than praising a grade, praise the effort. Focusing on the process teaches teens that true learning involves engagement and productive struggle.

Instead of asking: What grade did you get?

Try asking:

What was the most challenging part of this assignment, and how did you push through it?
Which study strategy do you feel helped you understand this concept the best?

Entertainers Presents Beetlejuice, Jr.

This years musical production took the stage for their opening night last night, and wowed the crowed. It is not too late to see a performance- tickets are available for this evening or for tomorrow for the 1:00 and 7:00 show. Click here for more information and to order tickets.

Screenagers Rescheduled for Tuesday, 3/31

As we continue to navigate the balance between technology and personal well-being, I want to emphasize the importance of limiting screen time and monitoring the use of cell phones and social media apps. While technology can be a valuable tool for learning and staying connected, excessive screen time can negatively impact children's mental health, focus, and overall well-being. I encourage families to set clear boundaries around screen use at home and school, especially during study time, and help your child develop healthy habits for managing their devices.

Additionally, it is important to stay informed about the social media platforms your child is using and engage in open conversations about online safety, privacy, and responsible use. Often, when we investigate matters of student conflict, more and more is happening online. We have seen examples of text message and Snap Chat group chats with dozens of students in them, with students sometimes reporting that they do not know everyone in the chat. Together, we can help ensure that technology serves as a positive influence in their lives.

Click here for resources from South Windsor Youth and Family Services and the South Windsor Police department related to social media and screen time.

Thank you for your continued support in fostering a healthy and balanced environment for our students.

2026 International Night April 8th

Timothy Edwards Middle School is hosting International Night on April 8th from 6-8:00pm.

If you would like to attend, please click here for the Parent Square sign ups.

If you have a restaurant that would be interested in donating food or your family would like to run a booth, please complete this Google Form.

Any questions please reach out to Colleen Bouquot by email at cbouquot@southwindsorschools.org.

Illustration of a yellow school bus on a road with text 'FIELD TRIP INFORMATION' above.

End of Year Events

Once we return from April break we speed through the final months. Every grade level has planned field trips and activities. You can note the following dates for grade level events. More information about each of these will be shared by teams.

Grade 8 Spring Happenings:

See this letter for more information
May 15th- High Meadow
June 2nd- Boston (Cobalt and Indigo)
June 4th- Boston (Navy and Pacific)
June 18th- Promotion and Dance

Grade 7 Spring Happenings

March/ April dates vary by team- Wadsworth Field Trip
April/ May dates vary by team- TicketNetwork Field Trip
June dates vary by team- Trip to Nomads

Grade 6 Spring Happenings

May/June dates vary by team- Hammonasset Field Trip
June 15- Grade 6 June Jamboree

A stylized tiger head with a fierce expression, rendered in black, white, and purple.

Spring Athletics

Spring Athletics Registration closes on April 1st. Spring sports include baseball, softball, and track & field.

Baseball Tryouts

6th and 7th Graders Only (Big Gym/Outside):

Wednesday, March 25th @2:45-4:30pm
Wednesday, March 26th @2:45-4:30pm

8th Graders Only (Big Gym/Outside):

Monday, March 30th@ 2:45-4:30pm
Wednesday, March 31st @ 2:45-4:30pm

Final Tryouts- Wednesday, April 1st

Softball Tryouts

Tuesday, March 31st @2:45pm-4:00pm
Wednesday, April 1st @2:45pm-4:00pm

Track and Field Tryouts

8th Grade: Monday, March 30th @2:45-4:30pm
7th Grade: Tuesday, March 31st @2:45-4:30pm
6th Grade: Wednesday, April 1st @2:45-4:30pm

Please check the TEMS athletics website for more detailed information about each sport.

TEMS Library Media Center

This March, sixth graders learned the "lateral reading" strategy to prepare for an upcoming inquiry assignment. This essential digital literacy skill teaches students to evaluate an online source's credibility by opening new tabs to quickly research the author or organization. Building on an earlier lesson about using reliable databases and books, students did a great job practicing this skill.

The results are in! Thank you to all the students and staff who voted in our 2026 March Madness Book Bracket. You have spoken: the winner is War Games by Alan Gratz.

Notes from Our Nurses: Required Health Exams and Vaccinations for Next Year's 7th Graders

I am sharing the most recent communication that our nurses, Mrs. Caldwell, Mrs. Cox & Mrs. Saxton, sent to grade 6 families with reminders about required grade 7 health exams and vaccinations:

In an effort to stay up to date for the 26-27 school year, we wanted to reach out to provide information about the medical requirements for the start of 7th grade. A current physical and record of the vaccines listed below needs to be completed and shared with our office before the start of seventh grade. Some doctor’s offices administer these vaccines during the 6th grade physical so it is likely that some families may already have this documentation. Please forward it to our office by mail, email, fax or send it to school with your child. If your child has not yet received these vaccines there is still plenty of time. Click here to read the most recent letter sent home.

PTO Updates

The next meeting is scheduled for April 23rd at 6:00. This meeting will be held virtually. Click here to join.

Thank you to our amazing TEMS families for making the Scholastic Book Fair another fantastic week! Your support helps bring books, resources, and opportunities directly to our students, and we are so grateful for this incredible community.

Thank you again for helping make this event such a success and for supporting our students’ love of reading!

Please see the information below about upcoming plans for Staff Appreciation Week and CLICK HERE to donate.

Celebrations

The TEMS Science Olympiad team put their hard work to the test on March 14th at the

state competition in Coventry. They showcased their brilliance in 17 categories of

science competing against nearly 20 teams from across Connecticut, Team A took

home the overall third place rank. They also took home medals for first place in four

events, second place in five events, and third place in three events. Team B held their

own by earning 4th place in two events. These teams worked tirelessly by dedicating

their time and putting their hearts and souls into the work it took to compete at this level.

On the same day, the TEMS Jazz Ensemble headed to the Clark Terry Jazz Fest at the

University of New Hampshire. After an incredible performance the Jazz Ensemble took

home the award for Outstanding Musicianship in the Middle School Division.

Congratulations!

World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated on 3/21 every year. In honor of this TEMS

partnered with TE Families, Student Council, and PTO to host a Veterans Sock Drive.

On 3/19 all students and staff were invited to “Rock Your Socks”. Additionally, they

hosted a kindness poster/ door decorating contest for students.

The Timothy Edwards Middle School Future Business Leaders of America Chapter blew the roof off the Connecticut Convention Center on 3/17 during the Connecticut FBLA Spring Leadership Conference. ALL 36 TEMS FBLA members walked to the podium during the awards ceremony to receive recognition for their hard work AND Top Performances in various categories. SPECIAL shout outs to Aadya Tadikonda and Anvi Panat who received ADDITIONAL RECOGNITION for their YEAR LONG EFFORTS.

On March 24th two MOCK TRIAL teams representing Timothy Edwards Middle School traveled to Sedgwick Middle School in West Hartford to compete in a Regional Competition. Congratulations to both the TEMS Red Team and the TEMS White Team for winning both rounds of trials and advancing to the State Playoffs!

On March 26th TEMS students participated in the first Middle School Model United Nations in Connecticut! 24 students in grades 6-8 traveled to Goodwin College and represented the countries of Somalia, the United Kingdom, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, and Pakistan. TE students won BEST DELEGATION– congratulations to all students who participated!

26-27 Peer Role Model Application for Preschool Outreach Program (POP)

South Windsor Public Schools is now accepting applications for community peer role models in the preschool outreach program (POP) for the 2026-2027 school year. If you are interested in this opportunity for your child, please complete the Preschool Outreach Program (POP) Community Role Model Application. Peer role model screenings began in January 2026. You can learn more about POP by accessing our school district's website.

Kindergarten Registration

26-27 School Year Kindergarten Registration is open. If you or someone you know has a child who will be five years old by September 1, 2026 (Kindergarten age) please share this link.

SWPS Registration

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.

Huge thanks to Maddie for all her work creating these sock monsters for our Veterans Sock Drive

celebrating school lunch with a Quest for breakfast

A graphic with the words 'Cougars Roar' in purple and white on a black background.