Programs / Activities

I am excited to invite your child to participate in the Tchefuncte Middle School Gator Band this year! Starting in 5^th grade, students have the opportunity choose one of the following instruments to play in band:

• Flute
• Clarinet
• Alto Saxophone
• Trumpet
• Trombone
• 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. Some instruments may be available to borrow from TMS, but most students will need to supply their own instruments. Information on how to procure an instrument will be given out at an informational Zoom meeting on Wednesday, August 31st at 6:00pm.

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 that will be sent home and give it to their homeroom teacher (you may also email a scanned image of the attached form to kelby.sappington@stpsb.org) by Friday, August 26th.
• Attend a TMS BAND PARENTS virtual meeting on Wednesday, August 31st.

You will learn about volunteering, field trips, fees, instruments, and performances.

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

Kelby Sappington, Band Director

 

BandEnrollmentForm-5th.pdf

BandEnrollmentForm-6th.pdf

InstrumentTestingDay5thgrade.pdf

 

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 team-work and depending 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, St. Tammany Vocal Festival, and other possibilities. Fall enrollment begins August 15th and closes August 29th. Spring enrollment begins December 12th and closes January 9th.

Jayna Morgan Decuers, General Music and Choir Director

ChorusSyllabus.pdf

StudentExpectations.pdf

 

Your child recently attended a demonstration of orchestral stringed instruments offered at school.  In 4^th, 5^th grade, and 6^th 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 while enjoying playing in groups.  Weekly rehearsals will occur during your child’s regular enrichment time, so they will not conflict with academic classes. In addition to classes during the day the students may participate in:

• The TMS Super Strings -a Fiddle Club that meets before school on Thursday mornings, open to any student with at least 1 year of experience. 
• After School Beginning or “Intermediate” meet on some Fridays after school for extra rehearsals before concerts in December and April.
• The TMS Chamber Strings -an advanced group that performs more challenging music.

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 an informational VIRTUAL Zoom meeting Monday, August 29^th at 9 am or 2 pm. 

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 by Thursday, August 25th.  No emailed forms, please.
• Look for your email from me.
• Attend a NEW ORCHESTRA PARENTS virtual meeting on Monday, August 29^th at 9 am or 12:00 pm. 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. 

Mrs. Bridges' Student Interest and Enrollment Form for Strings class is linked below:

InterestLetter.pdf

StudentEnrollmentForm.pdf

 

Tuition and Fees:  $200.00 per month – Full time attendance

                                   $20.00 per day for “drop-ins” (attendance less than 4 days per week)

A $10.00 LATE PICK-UP FEE WILL BE CHARGED FOR EACH 15 MINUTES (1-15 minutes; 16-30 minutes; 31-45 minutes, etc.) WHEN THE PARENT/GUARDIAN IS LATE IN PICKING UP EACH OF HIS/HER CHILDREN.  NO EXCEPTIONS!  

Please pay using MyPaymentsPlus (www.mypaymentsplus.com).  Payments are DUE on the FIRST of each month.  A late fee of $10.00 is due on or after the 5^th of the month.  If payment is not made by the 10^th of the month, children will not be able to attend until payment is made.  All fees are non-refundable and no credit will be given.

Location:  School Cafeteria, Gym, or Bus Loop

Hours:  3:15 PM to 6:00 PM

ALL STUDENTS MUST BE PICKED UP NO LATER THAN 6:00 PM.

Important:  The person picking up your child MUST be listed on the registration or emergency card if the child is to be released into their custody.  Children must be signed out daily.

Student Conduct and Discipline Policy:  This program is a PRIVILEGE and not a right. 

It is an important part of the educational program.  In order for a student to attend the program he/she must abide by all rules and regulations of the St. Tammany Parish School Board and Tchefuncte Middle School.  If disciplinary action is necessary, the school’s regular discipline form will be used. Parents will be notified should a problem occur.  If problems continue, the student will be dismissed from the program.

Snacks:  Student may bring an afternoon snack from home or purchase a snack from the school concessions. 

Activities:  A designated time will be allowed each day for supervised homework and outside or inside play.  It is the child’s responsibility to know what homework is to be done and to have all supplies.  Students are NOT allowed to go back to their classroom for any materials, homework, etc.  The supervised homework time is not a tutoring service.  Questions will be answered and monitoring of homework will take place.

Director: Laura Gandolfo

After School Care Phone Number:  (985) 502-8415  Please call this cell phone number if you need to contact after school care during the hours of 3:15 PM – 6:00 PM.  This is an unpublished number, so please keep it handy!

AfterCareRegistration.pdf

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.

Chess Club will be offered to 5th and 6th graders at TMS. You do not have to know how to play chess to join the club. Through playing chess, students practice visualizing moves, memorizing, recognizing patterns, using analytic thinking, planning ahead, making decisions, and the ability to accept the consequences of their own actions. We will begin by teaching and reviewing how each piece moves.  

Then we will continue by showing brief strategies to enhance their playing ability and finish with a friendly tournament. We are looking forward to great chess matches that provide wonderful learning experiences!

Sign up forms will be available in the near future!

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.