
TVMS News
September 23, 2023
Greetings TVMS community,
This week we shifted to our new school hours of 8:30 AM - 3:15 PM, and our students and staff made a smooth transition. Thank you for your flexibility as we made the adjustment to allow for all of our buses to arrive at school on time. For this upcoming week, please note that schools and offices are closed Monday, September 25, 2023.
Have a wonderful weekend
Mrs. Denise Young
Principal
Important Dates
SEPTEMBER
Friday, September 15- Sunday, October 15- Hispanic Heritage Month
Monday, September 25, Schools and Offices Closed
OCTOBER
Monday, October 2- Wednesday, October 4- Reading MAP testing during ELA classes
Thursday, October 5- Renaissance Festival Field Trip for students in Chorus and Theater
Monday, October 9- Professional Learning Day, Schools Closed for Students
Wednesday, October 11-Friday, October 13- Math MAP testing during Math classes
Monday, October 16- Fall Picture Day
Tuesday, October 17- PTSA Meeting (Virtual only)
Wednesday, October 18- Flu and COVID Vaccine In-school Clinic
Friday, October 20- Professional Work Day- Schools Closed for Students
HEALTH ROOM NEWS
Wednesday October 18-Flu and COVID Vaccine in school clinic for students and staff: More information and how to register coming soon.
Thursday November 2- Vision and Hearing Screening Information: The Howard County Health Department and HCPSS School Health Services support your student's academic success by providing vision and hearing screenings at your child's school. Howard County screens children new to the Maryland school system and those in Pre-K or Kindergarten, First and Eighth grades. Please see the attached Vision and Hearing Screening Flier for additional details.
Thursday November 9- Vision and Hearing Re-screening Clinic
Please contact our school nurse, Cheryl Harris with any questions, cheryl_harris@hcpss.org.
Meet Our Hispanic Achievement Liaison – Minerva (Minni) Contreras
My name is Minni Contreras, and I am your TVMS, Hispanic Achievement Liaison for the school year 2023-2024. Under the guidance of principal Mrs. Denise Young and Central Office Specialist, the Hispanic Achievement Liaison collaborates with students, staff, families, and community members to ensure the well-being of each student and to accelerate the academic achievement of all TVMS students. Some of the top priorities of the program are student attendance, increasing access to the school system and community volunteer opportunities, assisting with the identification of Gifted and Talented (GT) students and enrollment in other appropriate programs. I also provide workshops for parents and caregiver/s to support the educational process of their children by making sure they have access to CANVAS, grades and how to communicate with their child’s teacher/s.
I have office hours by appointment only each Wednesday between 8:30-9:30 AM.
To schedule an appointment – call 410-313-8912.
We love to see parents/caregivers participate at school. If you are interested in finding out about the different opportunities for how to get involved within our community – do not hesitate to contact me. I’d be glad to walk with you through the process.
If you have questions or are interested in the resources TVMS has to offer, please give me a call directly at 410-313-8912 or email me @ minerva_contreras@hcpss.org
I look forward to working with you and all our Hispanic students this school year!
Local Events in Celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month
Ms. Contreras our Hispanic Achievement Liaison has collected a few local events occurring in the area for those interested in joining during the celebration of the National Hispanic Heritage Month.
Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and music that make Latino Heritage so special. Whether you have Latino roots or simply appreciate the rich diversity of our community.
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Fiesta DC Festival
Saturday, September 23 & Sunday, September 24 @ 11 am
Pennsylvania Avenue NW (Between 3rd and 7th Streets)
The two-day festival includes a wide range of entertainment and great food from a wide variety of Latino cultures.
Learn more by visiting fiestadc.org
The annual event began as a Latino Festival in the 1970s and was held in the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood, which was home to a large Latino community. In 2012, the festival was moved to the more visible downtown location of Constitution and Pennsylvania Avenues.
Parade: A Colorful Showcase of Latino Culture
Sunday, September 24th 1:00 pm to 04:00 pm
The annual Fiesta DC Parade is a vibrant and captivating celebration that brings together the richness and diversity of Latino cultures from Central and South America. With its lively display of traditional costumes, lively music, and joyful entertainment, the parade offers an immersive experience that allows visitors to explore the beauty and uniqueness of each country represented.
As the parade kicks off at Constitution Avenue and 7th Street, near the iconic National Archives Building, the streets come alive with a tapestry of colors and rhythms. Spectators line the route, eagerly awaiting the procession of floats, dance troupes, marching bands, and community groups. Each contingent proudly showcases their heritage, representing their country with a display of traditional costumes, folk dances, and captivating performances.
The parade route proceeds east along Constitution Avenue, creating a festive atmosphere as it passes iconic landmarks, and culminates in front of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History at 14th Street. The event stage, situated at 10th and Constitution Avenue, becomes the heart of the parade, offering a central point for cultural performances, announcements, and highlights throughout the procession.
The Fiesta DC Parade is a family-friendly event that offers an immersive and educational experience for attendees of all ages. It serves as a platform for cultural exchange and learning, allowing visitors to gain a deeper understanding of the varied Latino cultures that contribute to the vibrant fabric of our community.
Join us as we come together to celebrate the beauty, diversity, and unity of the Latino community. The Fiesta DC Parade is a dazzling spectacle that will leave you inspired, uplifted, and with a greater appreciation for the rich tapestry of Latino cultures. Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to witness the power of cultural expression and join us in creating unforgettable memories along the colorful streets of our Nation’s Capital.
Latino Heritage Festival: Glen Echo Arts Festival
Sunday, October 1st 12:00 pm- 5:00 pm
Glen Echo Park 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Glen Echo, MD 20812
Free, No Registration Needed
Celebrate Latino history and culture with the National Museum of the American Latino at the Echo Arts Festival. This family-friendly day at Glen Echo Park will feature hands-on demonstrations, art classes, yoga, dance classes, musical theater performances, and more. Food and drinks will be available for purchase from Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream and the Roaming Coyote. Free shuttle service will be provided from select locations in the Washington area.
Fiesta DC Parade
Latino Heritage Festival
Black Student Achievement Program- College and Career Opportunities Night
The HCPSS Black Student Achievement Program invites you to attend the upcoming BSAP College and Career Opportunities Night on Thursday, October 12, 2023, at Long Reach High School. This College and Career Opportunities Night invites scholars in grades 8 - 12 countywide to network with working professionals, colleges, and universities, explore post-secondary opportunities, and learn more about HCPSS pathways. The evening will highlight a variety of colleges and universities as well as local businesses and organizations. To register, please complete the Registration Form linked here.
PTSA News
Please consider joining the TVMS PTSA. Your membership does not commit you to any work- your membership helps support our activities!
To become a supporting member, please sign up here.
Thank you to those families and staff members that joined us at The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar for our first fundraiser. Our next restaurant fundraiser night will be at Chipotle- Hanover, MD, on Saturday, October 7th 4:00- 8:00 PM. Mark your calendars!
For questions about the PTSA email TVMSPTSA@gmail.com
REPEAT INFORMATION
Family File
It is mandatory that all parents/ guardians verify and/ or update emergency information for each child each school year. Updating this information provides us with the most current emergency contact information, and also ensures that you are receiving important information and updates for HCPSS and TVMS. Log in to HCPSS Connect, select the More Options tab on the left and then select Family File in the center column.
Student Code of Conduct
You may view HCPSS Student Code of Conduct here.
School Meals
HCPSS no longer will use Nutrislice for school menus or MySchoolBucks for meal payments. LINQ Connect is a secure, online portal that allows families to view breakfast and lunch menus, make online meal payments, monitor their child’s account, schedule automatic recurring payments, set up low balance alerts, submit a Free and Reduced Meals program application, and more. Details and information are available online.
Cell Phone Expectations
To support this, please refrain from calling or texting your child during school hours. If you need to get a message to them or contact them, please call the Front Office at 410-313-8711
Outside Food Expectations
FARMS Application Information
To apply for all the financial assistance benefits of Free and Reduced Meals, including free Evening and Summer School, free SAT/ACT test fees, free college application fees, etc., complete the quick FARMS application at:
https://linqconnect.com/public/meal-application/new?identifier=GA4UME
School Calendar 2023-2024
View, download, print or subscribe to the HCPSS 2023-2024 calendar online. The calendar is subject to change; the online calendar reflects the most recent version. There will be no printed 2023-2024 calendars.
Thomas Viaduct Middle School
Website: http://www.tvms.hcpss.org
Location: 7000 Banbury Drive, Hanover, MD, USA
Phone: 410-313-8711