TEMS Family Newsletter- 4/24/26

Posted Date: 04/24/26 (08:34 AM)

Cougar Connection

Issue 9: April 24, 2026

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

Principal's Message

We are quickly approaching the end of the year, and May is jam-packed with student events and field trips. Quarter 3 report cards will be available on PowerSchool this afternoon, and you can expect your child's spring iReady scores delivered through ParentSquare today as well.

In May, you will be able to see your child's World Language, Music, and Math placements for next year. You will be able to access these by logging into PowerSchool, selcting "Forms" and then "TEMS Scheduling". Teams and schedules are not available until August. If you have any questions you can reach out to your child's teachers or school counselor.

This newsletter includes important information about the Smarter Balanced Assessment that is scheduled to be administered in May. This is a great opportunity for our students to show what they know and I am so proud of all the growth teachers have shared about our middle schoolers this year.

The school climate surveys were sent to families on April 20th. Please help by providing feedback that will inform decisions for next year. These are due by May 4th and can be accessed by clicking here.

The week of May 4th marks the start of Teacher Appreciation Week. I am deeply honored to work alongside such a remarkable staff. The countless hours they put into bringing meaningful learning to our students is notable, but it is the relationships they develop with our learners so that our middle schoolers feel seen and heard every day is what is most impressive. I encourage families and students to reach out to teachers during this week to share gratitude and appreciations. The PTO is planning a week of recognition. You can click here to support this effort.

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.

Graphic celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May.

Smarter Balanced Assessment

The Smarter Balanced (SBAC) assessment in English language arts (ELA) and

mathematics will be administered to all TEMS students as part of Connecticut’s summative

assessment system. In addition, the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) test will be administered to students in grades 8. Specific testing dates are included in the May calendar.

Important Reminders:

Students will need a charged Chromebook, independent book and wired headphones. Wireless headphones are not allowed during testing for testing security purposes.
Cell phones and smart watches will be asked to be stowed in backpacks/lockers during testing.
Please help make sure that your child goes to bed at a reasonable time the evening before assessments.
It is helpful to have students eat a healthy breakfast each morning of testing.
Please encourage your child to do their best- this is the time to show what they know!

Illustration of tips for success: sleep, healthy breakfast, punctuality, knowing location, reading, and positive attitude.

Helping My Child Learn: Foster Ownership

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

Tip #3: Promote Resilience & Encourage Self-Advocacy

It is difficult to watch a child fail, but "rescuing" them (by bringing forgotten projects to school or emailing teachers for them) prevents them from feeling the weight of their choices. Experiencing a lower grade or a missed deadline now is a low-stakes way for them to learn. If your child is anxious, role play how they can approach the teacher themselves.

Instead of asking: What do you want me to do? Do you want me to email your teacher?

Try asking:

How can you get help on this? What is your first step?
What do you think the teacher needs to see from you to know you're trying?
When is the best time for you to ask for extra help?

May is Mental Health Awareness Month: Purple Light Project

The Purple Light Project strives to bring attention and support to mental health patients in Hartford HealthCare’s Behavioral Health Network. Purple signifies the “purple pod” which is the psychiatric section of Hartford Hospital Emergency Department, where the project began in 2020. The light represents our light always being on for those suffering from a mental health crisis.

On Friday, May 15th TEMS will recognize Mental Helath Awareness by wearing purple. Students can also bring in 1$ donations (or click image below to donate). Basic needs like warm winter clothing, food, hygiene supplies, blankets, taxi/bus vouchers, etc. are provided with PLP funds. 100 percent of the funds raised go directly to patients.

Six diverse individuals in purple attire are featured in a collage, promoting Mental Health Awareness Month.

Grade Level Spring Activities

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
April 29th Grade 8 Panoramic Picture
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

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

TEMS Library Media Center

This month, students who read one or more titles from the 2026 Intermediate and/or 2026 Middle School Nutmeg Nominees were able to vote for their favorite title. In our school,

The Intermediate winner was, Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega and the Middle School Nutmeg Nominee winner was Alone, by Megan Freeman. The winners are ultimately decided by students across CT and the official winners will be announced in the middle of May.

The 2027 Intermediate and Middle School Nutmeg Nominees will be on display in our library on Monday May 4th.

We have a new digital content provider in our library in addition to Destiny Discover. MackinVIA provides users with a more seamless user experience. The link to access this content can be found on the home tab of our school’s Destiny online catalog. Once students click on this link, they will be prompted to sign into their Destiny account (their network username and password) and then will have access to all our newly purchased digital content. Students can listen or read this content on their chrome books or download the MackinVia or Destiny Discover app on their personal devices. Make sure your child takes advantage of the wide array of digital content TE owns that is accessible 24/7 and can never get lost or damaged. Students can come and see me in the library if they have any questions.

An open book with purple pages is shown with the text 'ORDER YOUR Yearbook!'

TEMS Yearbook Sales

The last day to purchase is Friday, May29th. To order your yearbook, click here: Jostens

Alternatively, you may bring a check for $50 to the TE main office by 5/29. (Check payable to “TEMS Yearbook.”) Yearbooks will be distributed in homerooms during the last week of school.

Grade 8 Panoramic Picture

The grade 8 panoramic picture is scheduled for next Wednesday, April 29th. Order forms were sent home with students but you can also access the form by clicking here.

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.

TEMS PTO

Staff Appreciation Week (May 4–8) is right around the corner, and we are so excited to celebrate the incredible teachers and staff who show up for our students every single day.

The PTO is working hard behind the scenes to plan a full week of meals and thoughtful touches to make them feel truly valued. We are reaching out early because we cannot do this without your support. If you are able, please consider making a donation—any amount truly helps. The PTO is handling all the planning, shopping, cooking, and set-up, so this is an easy way to make a meaningful impact.

Zeffy Link:

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/donate-to-saw-staff-appreciation-week

Softball beats Ellington 150-2 while our baseball players watch on

On April 17th and 18th the TEMS Jazz Ensemble traveled to Philadelphia for the 7th annual National Jazz Festival. Impressing judges yet again the TE musicians took home medals and trophies. We are happy to share that the Small Jazz Combo took home first place, with, Hridyansh Prajapati being awarded as Outstanding Musician and Yeshe Tripathy recognized as Superior Musician. The large ensemble took home third place among a very competitive group of bands. Finally, a combo comprised of TE and SWHS musicians were also awarded first place. It was a great way to wrap up spring break!

Kennth Bean came toTEMS as a guest clinician for our orchestra and band

What an incredible performance by both casts!

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