Taylor County Middle

​​​​​​​​​​February 11, 2024 Parents/Guardians, I want to begin this message with an appeal for patience as we attempt to continue to review and find solutions to what continues to frustrate many, traffic flow during parent pick-up procedures at our Taylor County Middle School. I am convinced that with the cooperation of all involved, what may currently seem an impossible situation can become a process of routine and smooth transition from school to home, etc. However, for us to get there, as I mentioned above, it will take patience and cooperation from everyone. (Indeed, Friday was an interesting and unanticipated day of confusion and frustration for a lot of us.) As a start toward that improved status, here’s a few bits of information and reminders that will hopefully help clarify: • Historically, when most schools were constructed, each included only a limited parking area, as the majority of students have taken advantage of bus transportation and, when living near enough to do so, some even walked to and from school. Parking was typically used for faculty and staff and may have offered very few spots for the occasional need to stop by and retrieve a child who had a doctor/dental appointment, etc., during the school day. • That has changed over the last several years as students and families have increased their respective after-school activities that occur elsewhere. • We’re experiencing increasing numbers of parents/guardians who are arriving earlier and earlier, prior to our school dismissal bell, and this is creating congestion and long lines that reach beyond our school campus properties and along public roads that adjoin, prompting neighboring residents to complain about access to/from their homes along those public roads. • In addition, the recent reported threat of being ticketed for such an infraction for improper parking has apparently been introduced, although, please know that the school or school system in general system has no authority over such a decision, nor are we in favor of having that occur. Here's what is occurring and what I am recommending: • We are currently working on increasing the size of the gravel lot below the rear parking area of the TCMS campus. The intent is that the eventual available space should be approximately twice the width and three times the length of the current area. Far more parking and “staging” (aka waiting) area for such times as waiting for our dismissal bell and parent pick-up procedure to begin. • In the meantime, please consider either using that current lower gravel space as a “staging area” until the dismissal bell or consider delaying your arrival to the school such that lines are not occurring on Spring Hills Road, a public roadway where parking is not permitted. (I understand that everyone wishes to be first, however, this simply isn’t helpful.) • Likewise, we are asking that you also please refrain from pulling onto the grass areas along our school property or along either side of the roadway, as that only presents a safety issue for our children, (our most important concern), as well as contributes to congestion that we are trying to eliminate. • We are also working on introducing a systematic identification system for anyone planning to pick up a student that we have learned can be an efficient means for keeping traffic flow going, information about which will be issued for your awareness, asap. Thanks, in advance, for your cooperation as we collectively try to keep our children safe.

When students are able to read fluently, then there is not the need to devote as much energy on decoding the words. As a result, more focus can be placed on comprehending or understanding the material read. Check out the link below with engaging fluency activities to try with your child. 21 Reading Fluency Activities Your Students Will Love! (natalielynnkindergarten.com)

Reminder: No School for Students on Monday, February 12, 2024. This is a professional learning day for staff.

TCMS has the best school counselors around! We are lucky & blessed to celebrate Mrs. Mahon & Mrs. K this week! Happy Counselor Appreciation Week to all the counselors who service our Taylor County Students! ❤️🖤

Bus Announcement: Bus # 73 will not run today, Wednesday, Feb. 7th. Middle School and High School students who normally ride that bus will be transported home on Bus # 24 or #25. Flemington students from that bus will be transported by Bus #79. bus

As a friendly reminder, at the end of the day, students can only be picked up at the back of the school. Students cannot be picked up at the front of the school where the buses are parked. This has always been the school policy and will be enforced accordingly. Thank you for your understanding. TCMS Administration.

Congratulations to our Lady Knights basketball team for securing the number 1 seed in the Mid Mountain Athletic Conference. Lady Knights will play the winner of WI and Mountaineer Middle on Tuesday 2/13. The game will be played at Grafton High School with a tip off at 7:30. Admission is $5 and only WVSSAC passes will be accepted.

Please join us in congratulating our TCS “Students of the Month" forJanuary. Each of these exceptional students was selected as an excellent ambassador for his or her school. Congratulations to each of these excellent individuals! Way to represent!

Play practice (for Little Mermaid) at GHS is canceled this evening due to a scheduling conflict.

Congratulations to our 8th grade students who made the dean's list (3.0-3.49 gpa) and our students who made the principal's list (3.5-4.0 gpa). You all make us proud on the hill.

Congratulations to our 7th grade students who made the dean's list (3.0-3.49 gpa) and our students who made the principal's list (3.5-4.0 gpa). You all make us proud on the hill.

Congratulations to our 6th grade students who made the dean's list (3.0-3.49 gpa) and our students who made the principal's list (3.5-4.0 gpa). You all make us proud on the hill.

Congratulations to our 5th grade students who made the dean's list (3.0-3.49 gpa) and our students who made the principal's list (3.5-4.0 gpa). You all make us proud on the hill.

Team finished 4th at Mason Dixon Conference Championship Individual results: Gabe Loffler 145 pound Conference Champion Braxton Rush  285 pound Conference Champion  Maverick Bartsch 102 pound Conference Runner Up Ian Glaspell 190 pound Conference Runner Up JW Nestor 123 pound 5th place Randall Grogg 215 pound 5th place Micah Barbe 171 pound 6th place Jayden Conrad 102 pound Consolation Bracket Champion  Mason Dixon Conference Coach of the Year Rick Glaspell TCMS Go Knights! ❤️🖤

Taylor County Little League Information

Reading fluency refers to the ability to read with the appropriate speed, accuracy, and expression. Appropriate read fluency when reading, both aloud and silently, impacts the comprehension or understanding of what is read. Take a minute to watch the short video that provides more information and tips to support reading fluency. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnQigQrck6c

Thrilled to announce our team GPA winners for the winter sports season. Congratulations to our Lady Knights basketball team for a team GPA 3.89. We are proud of our student athletes on the hill.

Bus Announcement: Bus # 73 will not run today, Friday, Feb. 2nd. Middle School and High School students who normally ride that bus will be transported home on Bus # 24 or #25. Flemington students from that bus will be transported by Bus #79. bus

TCMS Career Fair Committee is looking for presenters for career day! If you or anyone you know is interested in participating, please call the school and ask to speak with a counselor!

Bus Announcement: Bus # 73 will not run today, Wednesday, Jan. 31st. Middle School and High School students who normally ride that bus will be transported home on Bus # 24 or #25. Flemington students from that bus will be transported by Bus #79. bus