Mr. Olkowski's Letter (English) Mr. Olkowski's Letter (Spanish)

I am very excited to be serving as the Principal of Torrington Middle

School. I have had the opportunity to meet with community members, parents, teachers, and many students. The TMS community is very strong and will achieve new heights by continuing to work together with all families. I believe that every child can learn under the right circumstances. As your new Principal, I have a tremendous responsibility to the school community to help all Torrington children gain access and opportunities to achieve the American dream. It is a role that I do not take lightly.

I believe that public education is one of our country’s greatest contributions to the world. It is the great equalizer in our society and opens the doors to countless opportunities. Receiving an excellent education, which prepares students for college and careers, will help our children achieve their future dreams. As a graduate of the University of Delaware, Rutgers University, and the University of Connecticut, I am living my dream serving as your Principal, and am committed to helping Torrington students receive the best education possible.

I adhere to the “Turning Points” Philosophy of schooling, which operates on the belief that every adolescent child regardless of age, race, gender, and/or socioeconomic status is at a “turning point” in his/her life while attending middle school. Parents, teachers, community members, and all adults who work with children must collaborate and work together to make each and every child’s “turning point” a successful one, which prepares them for college and future careers.

TMS VIKING NEWS

ALL ABOUT OUR TMS COMMUNITY RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, SAFETY

WELCOME, MR. OLKOWSKI!

Below, you will find a link to Mr. Bryan Olkowski’s welcome letter in both English and Spanish.

CONGRATS MRS. MAGUIRE!!

TMS WELCOMES NEW PRINCIPAL

Mrs. Leanne Maguire has been nominated as the city school district’s teacher of the year nine times. This year, she finally won! Along with that, Mrs. Maguire is our new assistant principal at TMS! What makes her so good? Mrs. Maguire takes the time to get to know the students and their families, so she can understand where they are coming from. Also, she works to help students connect with at least one adult at school, someone who can serve as a mentor and a role model.

TORRINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL 200 MIDDLE SCHOOL DRIVE (860) 496-4050 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018

RESPECT

RESPONSIBILITY

SAFETY T M

S

Positions Mr. O has held: Over the last eighteen years, I have served as a High School Social Studies Teacher, a Central Office Administrator, an Assistant Principal, a Middle School Principal, and a High School Principal

Mr. O says… “I truly look forward to working with our amazing Torrington community to ensure that our children’s ‘turning points’ are ones that will ultimately lead to college and career success while simultaneously providing them with access to the American dream.”

Together we are stronger!

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The TMS news is back up and running for a third

consecutive year! Bringing important information, fun

facts and culture to Torrington Middle School through

audio and video streaming during homeroom. This year

will feature new segments from the couch and other

exciting changes. We will also be surveying students soon

on what they would like to hear about. The news gives

students a chance to develop important communication

and collaboration skills, as well as increasing creativity

and technical attributes.

TMS Fall Fest V

Presented by TMS, Torrington Library, and

Ruwet Farms Friday, October 19th

5:30-8:30 $5 per person

Free for elementary students and younger

Click here for flyer info: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jgrpLKRb90GNIvl86vqZWSP-CbS78bga65bVyj4ICWk/edits

The Spanish Club is having their first

meeting during the month of October,

and all 7th and 8th grade Spanish

students are welcome! The students

will be preparing snacks, viewing

cultural movies, and celebrating

various holidays. This club promotes

interest in the Spanish culture and

language. It allows students to have

opportunities to broaden their

understanding of, and respect for,

diverse Hispanic cultures and customs

by learning about Spanish-speaking

countries, customs, and people.

This year at TMS, students are attending an advisory period every Wednesday which is embedded in the daily

schedule between periods one and two. During the month of September, staff facilitated home-school engagement by

contacting the parents of students listed in their advisory period. During the actual advisory session, the focus is on

establishing trust and developing meaningful relationships with an adult and a group of peers. Studies have shown

that there is a strong connection between a solid advisory program and students thriving academically. An advisory

program facilitates these kinds of relationships and provides the structure that creates "connectedness" in a middle

school. Connectedness is a characteristic of school cultures in which students have meaningful relationships with

adults within the school, are engaged in the school, and feel a sense of belonging to the school. School connectedness

is linked to higher grades, higher test scores, and lower dropout rates, regardless of students' socioeconomic status.

ADVISORY: TOGETHER WE ARE STRONGER

SPANISH CLUB

On October 1st, Chinese

Educational Delegation members

from Qingdao #2 High School had a

very successful visit to TMS! The

members were very impressed by

the amazing staff and well-

behaved students. They admired

our Superintendent who educated

them about our public school

system. They thought our students

were polite and friendly, and

commented that our teachers and

staff are extremely professional.

CHINESE EDUCATIONAL DELEGATION VISITS TMS

A special thanks has gone out to: ~Ms. Julie Ann Hood and our art

teachers (Ms. Boland, Ms.

Theriault, and Mr. Preato) who

helped to create the banner.

~Mr. Hodgkins who led a large

group of students who greeted the

delegation at the entrance to our

school playing several songs by

our school band.

~ Mrs. Julie Browning and the ATP

program who created token gift

bags, which were distributed to

each member of the Chinese

Educational Delegation.

~Mr. McSpiritt, Mrs. Maguire, Ms.

Pollock, and Mr. Budge who served

as tour guides to take our guests to

classes throughout our building.

~Suzanne Colwell and our

cafeteria staff for preparing the

meals for our distinguished guests.

~Kenny Thomas and our great

custodial staff. Our guests stated

that this was one of the cleaner

buildings they visited while

touring several CT schools.

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RESTORATIVE PRACTICES TMS is moving full steam ahead with implementing restorative practices! What does this mean, you say? Restorative practices include the use of informal and formal processes that precede wrongdoing by proactively building relationships and a sense of community to PREVENT conflict. These practices also include maintaining natural consequences and repairing harm after crime and other wrongdoing occurs. Restorative practices can be implemented using formal and/or informal restorative conferences and/or restorative circles. Using these strategies facilitates connections among individuals, which work to establish trust, mutual understanding, and shared values and behaviors. This then binds us together and makes cooperative action possible. The use of restorative practices helps to:

o Reduce crime, violence, and bullying o Improve human behavior o Strengthen civil society o Provide effective leadership o Restore relationships o Repair harm

IMPORTANT INFO

Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held at TMS on:

o Monday, November 19, 2018 from 1:15pm-3:15pm

o Tuesday, November 20, 2018 from 5:30pm-7:30pm

THESE ARE EARLY DISMISSAL DAYS FOR STUDENTS. TMS STUDENTS WILL LEAVE SCHOOL AT 12:40PM.

1. Go to http://www.myconferencetime.com/torringtonms/

2. Click name of your child’s teacher. 3. Select date/time for your conference

by clicking on “Sign Up”. 4. If a Spanish translator is needed,

please type “Spanish” in the “Translator Requested” box for each time slot when signing up.

5. Submit the requested information. THE CONFERENCE SCHEDULES WILL BE ACCESSIBLE ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2018 AT 6:00AM.

RESPECT RESPONSIBILITY SAFETY

TOGETHER WE

ARE

STRONGER!

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Interview with Mr. David Franklin by Adam Millord (7th grade student at TMS) I sat and interviewed Mr. Franklin about the start-up of the Horticulture Club at TMS. Mr. Franklin explained that the club was started last

year when East School was gracious enough to donate their garden to TMS. He said he wanted to help students learn about plants. He

stated that this was a good way for students to get ready for Vo-Ag high school. He talked about how during their meetings, students grow

fruits and vegetables from seed. They also test soil and water for pH values, decorate the courtyards, and sell flowers for Valentine’s Day

and Mother's Day. Mr. Franklin continued on, discussing how the Horticulture Club got started without any funding--much of it came from

his own giving. Because the results in the South Courtyard were so plentiful, it generated a grant from the Torrington Administration this

year. The Horticulture Club promises even greater surprises this year! Meetings will be starting on Tuesdays (and sometimes, on Wednesdays) as soon as we know the late bus schedule.

OCTOBER'S THEME: AUTUMN COLORS

o Determining Tree Selections for Best Fall Foliage (Walk Through Nature Trail)

o Understanding Photosynthesis & Foliage Change

o Identifying Trees by Their Leaves

o Decorations for Fall Festival Design (if we meet 10/16 or 10/17)

SPECIAL EVENT WITH MR. LUKE PEPPER AND HIS CLASS

On Friday, September 21st, Brandon Lane, a local race car driver came in to

speak with Mrs. Browning’s and Mr. Pepper’s classes. He shared about his time

growing up racing and how he had to remain disciplined in order to accomplish

his goals on the track. He shared stories about some of his experiences, brought

along his helmet for the students to check out, and signed autographs. The

students were then brought outside where Brandon pulled around his race

car and they were allowed to take a closer look.

LINKS FOR BREAKFAST AND LUNCH MENUS AT TMS

Breakfast: http://www.torrington.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_348793/File/For_Parents/Lunch_Menus/October 18/October Breakfast TMS.pdf Lunch: http://www.torrington.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_348793/File/For_Parents/Lunch_Menus/October 18/October Lunch TMS.pdf

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MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTS ARE BACK AT TMS!!

Middle school sports at back at TMS! For many student-athletes, trying a new sport in middle school can be a daunting task; some players have played for years

while others participate in a sport for the very first time. Regardless of experience, participation in sports teaches children how to:

Connect with other students on and off the field

Try something new—branching out to try a new sport

Become resilient—success does not happen overnight

Manage time—balance homework, sports practice, and family obligations

Learn good sportsmanship—how to win and lose with grace

Be positive—how to be a better player and a better teammate

Cross Country Announcement: We have our final meet of the season on Monday, October 22nd. The meet begins at 3:30, and I would love some volunteers who are willing to help. Please contact Mrs. Verbickas

Please take a moment to congratulate the TMS Volleyball team! ~Coach Musselman 8th grade

MYCKENZYE DAVIS

IVY KANG

EMMA KEMP

JESS MAIGA

ZOIE MATAVA LILLY MORRISON

ANNASTACIA SEVILLE

VIVIAN TRAN

LAUREN WHALEY

7th grade

SOPHIA CALABRESE

SOFIA DILDY

AISLEY HARRISON

LEANNA HARVEY

BRENNA JOHNSON

JOCELYN LARRICIA

RUBY LEONARD

JASMINE MATTIELLO

MEGAN TANNER

KAYLEIGH WESOLOWSKI

6TH Grade

JADA AMADOR

LILAH BOULLI TATYANA D’MOWSKI NAYOMI LOJA

CLARA NILSEN

ELSIE NILSEN

CHARLESE RIDDICK

ARIANA SKARUPA

TMS BAND!

On October 5th, the

7/8th Grade Band

performed with the

THS “Pride of

Torrington” Band at

the home football

game. The Raiders

challenged the team

from Waterbury

Career Academy, and

the Viking Band was

in the stands rooting

for our home

team! Over 200 band

students were

performing, with the

combined THS/TMS

bands!