Programs / Activities

Starting in 5^th grade, students have the opportunity to choose one of the following instruments to play in the Tchefuncte Middle School band:

• Flute
• Clarinet
• Alto Saxophone
• Trumpet
• Trombone
• Baritone
• Percussion (including bells and snare drum)

Joining an instrumental ensemble offers many benefits to students, including but not limited to the following:

• Increased life skills such as teamwork, perseverance, and responsibility
• Self-discipline, self-confidence, self-expression
• Fieldtrip opportunities
• Scholarship opportunities to universities/colleges
• Outright joy of making music

Rehearsals will occur during your child’s regular enrichment time, so they will not conflict with academic classes. Students will need to supply their own instruments. Information on how to procure an instrument will be sent home during the recruitment process.

Starting in 4^th grade, students have the opportunity to participate in Chorus. 

Performing helps students build their confidence, discipline, and self-esteem. Students also learn to work together through teamwork and dependence on each other. More importantly, music is an outlet for enjoyment, creativity, and growing! 

Rehearsals will occur during your child’s regular enrichment time every Monday, so it will not conflict with academic classes. Students will prepare for a Veterans Day performance, a holiday concert, a spring concert, the St. Tammany Vocal Festival, and other possibilities.

Jayna Morgan Decuers, General Music and Choir Director

Your child recently attended a demonstration of orchestral stringed instruments offered at school. In 4th grade, 5th grade, and 6th grade, students have the opportunity choose one of the following instruments to play in Orchestra:

• Violin

• Viola

• Cello

• String Bass

No previous experience is required!  Students learn to read music and enjoy playing in groups.  Weekly rehearsals will occur during your child’s regular enrichment time, so they will not conflict with academic classes. Some instruments may be available to borrow from TMS, but most students will need to supply their own instruments. Information on how to select the correct sized instrument and required materials will be given out at a later time.

In addition to classes during the day the students may participate in:

• The TMS Super Strings - a club that meets before school on Thursday mornings, open to any student with at least 1 year of experience. Forms and information will go out to all TMS students.

• The TMS Chamber Strings -an advanced group that performs more challenging music on concerts.  Students are selected according to their readiness for this junior high-level ensemble.

If you are interested in your child participating in the program as a new student, or if you want more information before deciding:

• Have your child fill out the enrollment form and give it to their homeroom teacher. Email ann.young-bridges@stpsb.org for more information.

• Thank you, and I look forward to creating beautiful music with your children!

Annie Young-Bridges, Orchestra Director

P.S. We will have field trips, awesome concerts, and ice cream parties!  Parent involvement highly encouraged.

Beignet Buddies is a fun program to continue inclusivity in academics and beyond. General education students are paired up to a peer student with exceptionalities. These pairs work on academics and plan social gatherings together. There are parties and tutoring! It is the best of both worlds!

The National Beta Club recognizes high academic achievement, promotes character and social responsibility, encourages service involvement to school and community, fosters leadership skills, and provides settings for students to develop interpersonal relationship skills.

We encourage you to browse the National Beta Club website, www.betaclub.org to answer any questions you may have and to learn more about the benefits of membership in this internationally recognized honor society that celebrates students’ academic achievements.

Calling all 5th and 6th Graders.....Do you enjoy running and want to get in shape?  Do you want to set and achieve goals through hard work?  Do you want to have fun and be part of an after school group? If your answer to these questions is “YES”, then the “Running Gators” is the perfect after-school program for you. 

Sign up forms will be available in the near future!

Student Government Association (SGA) is composed of student representatives who strive to hold fast the principles of honesty and integrity; they consistently exhibit and maintain good conduct. The purpose of SGA is to promote a sense of leadership, responsibility, and pride within the representatives, their school and their community.