By Sara Lane, Principal of the Turkey Hill Middle School

February is a transitional month at THMS.

Despite the cold weather, the days are growing longer and the anticipation of spring and warmer weather is in the air.    Additionally, second term grades closed on January 29 and students switch into new specials as they began the third academic term on February 1.  

Report cards were issued on Friday, Feb. 5 and the Honor Roll Breakfast was held on Friday, Feb. 12.

The Student Government commemorated St. Valentine’s Day by selling chocolate roses during lunches. Students wrote messages on the roses and they were delivered the next day. (I actually got one this year!) Proceeds from the sale benefited school activities.  The Butterbraids and Cookie Dough Fundraiser was also held and generated over $1,300 in profits to benefit scholarship for those in need.

On Thursday, Feb. 11, the Sixth Annual Turkey Hill Middle School Spelling Bee was held at 6 p.m. The spelling words included quarantine, indelible, casserole, and rutabaga.    Matthew Rodrique, grade 8, won first place,  Taylor Olson, grade 8, placed second, and Brittani Stonionis placed third. Matt will go on to represent Turkey Hill at a regional spelling bee in Leominster on March 15.
 

As we enter the second half of the school year, we get ready for MCAS and begin planning for the transition of 8th grade students to Monty Tech, Lunenburg High School, or other institutions. We also begin to think about the Master Schedule for next year and to identify and prioritize initiatives.

This year we are implementing a new program for the early identification of students who are at risk for failing, being retained, and/or attending summer school.  The administrative team is meeting with the academic teachers to identify students who are not doing well and letters are being sent home inviting parents to attend a meeting to discuss the barriers to success and to build a collaborative approach to surmounting those obstacles.

We hope that by working together and addressing issues early, the lack of academic progress can be proactively tackled and overcome.

February is sometimes referred to as the Month of Love because Valentine’s Day is on the 14th. Many times, love is shown with flowers, candy, candlelit dinners, etc. This year, THMS students expressed their love in a wonderful, unique way.

In a week’s time, they collected and donated $1,100 to assist the devastated people in Haiti. Their generosity was overwhelming and was a magnificent way to express their love and empathy for the less fortunate victims of a devastating event.

I have attached a list of culminating February events as well as an exciting upcoming opportunity in March.

Students from THMS have been invited to participate in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) career day to be held on Saturday, March 27 at the Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner.

The day features four workshops that students sign up for in such fields as bio-manufacturing, green chemistry, conservation biology, forensic science, museum management, nursing, public health, robotics, meteorology, etc. Bus transportation and adult supervision is provided as well as lunch and mementoes. Please mark down the date.

We have 30 slots and we expect them to go quickly. More details will follow as the event approaches.

We hope to see you at some of the many THMS events and we wish you a great spring!