Embedded Files
24-25 Magnet Family Survey Results
Thank you to all families to participated in the 24-25 Magnet Family Survey.
Your opinions and insights were extremely helpful and will be shared and discussed with the entire TPMS magnet team as we plan for next year.
If you didn't share your thoughts, and want to, the link is still open at:
https://forms.gle/EVMrdrfeFrAyisuG7
You can scroll through (or click to open) the document below which has charts and AI summaries of all the opinions (some comments removed to protect confidentiality) , but some highlights include:
Families deeply appreciate the supportive, smart, and kind teachers, particularly in math and science.
Stronger magnet identity is desired—with more visible differentiation from general education, and more community-building.
With thoughtful improvements, particularly in CS, communication, and academic challenge, the program could better serve the high expectations and talents of the students it attracts.
Parents express frustration with limited elective variety (e.g., only Spanish and French offered; loss of Broadcast Journalism).
Top Elements of TPMS That Are Valued are: 1, Strong Academics and Curriculum, 2. High-Quality Teachers, 3. Safe and Positive School Culture, 4. Communication and Leadership, 5. Location and Community Connection, and 6. Enrichment Opportunities
Top Areas of Improvement at TPMS are: 1. Communication and Responsiveness, 2. School Safety and Supervision, 3. Academic Rigor and Equity, 4. Curriculum Structure and Schedule, 5. Student Wellbeing and Support, and 6. Enrichment, Athletics, and Student Voice.
Click the document below to view a curated summary of the survey results which excludes some responses and some topics due to confidentiality.
New Year and New Logo
New Year and New Logo
Welcome to, or back to, the TPMS Magnet Program. It is halfway through summer and time for our Summer Magnet Update which is chock full of pictures, links, and deadlines to celebrate our wonderful 24-25 school year and get you excited about the upcoming year.
As we continue to reflect, examine, and improve our magnet program, we are adding a new TPMS magnet logo which will be featured on all magnet-specific communications. We pride ourselves at TPMS of ensuring that the magnet students are a fully integrated part of the TPMS community. But every part of our community deserves an identity and we feel the new logo reflects the spirit and inclusion of the magnet program.
This is symbolic of a desire this year to celebrate and meet the needs of our magnet students while maintaining complete integration with our school community.
Year in Review
The past school year was exciting and full of amazing memories. At the bottom of this page, you will see images from each quarter.
We started the year with a summer picnic and moved quickly into our Color Wars fundraiser, the Turkey Trot, and our first House Day. The 24-25 School year saw the introduction of the monthly META puzzle and every month successful puzzlers were chosen at random to win nerdy prizes.
The rest of the year was eventful as well. We had more puzzle winners, staff-student volleyball games, monthly guest speakers, winter and spring concerts, family math night, the student staff basketball game, more house competitions, and, of course, the WE SHINE night where students shared their passion projects.
At the end of the year, we shared a link to a survey where families could give us feedback on the program and on the year. The results are found to this left and they are being shared with our magnet team to continue to reflect and improve.
Looking forward to 25-26 school year
Building on the success of last year, we will continue to expand our HOUSE program and WE SHINE night to include more and more students to find more ways for students to engage, connect with their passions, and just have fun.
Responding to parent requests, we will also have a goal this coming school year to utilize lunches to form more social groups so that our students can find like-minded peers and get the support they need to build healthy friendships.
We also want to encourage connections among families, so we have a goal to create a TPMS magnet connections group to plan events and expand communication so that magnet families can connect with other magnet families and other families at TPMS.
Don't forget to remind your students to do their summer homework--found at:
https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/tpms-magnet-program/summer-work
Also, we'd love for you to receive text updates about all things magnet by joining the magnet REMIND group using this link:
https://www.remind.com/join/f6ef2ba
This coming year, we will transition into our new seven-period daily bell schedule . While some beloved elements of TPMS were lost in moving away from the eight period block schedule, the seven period daily schedule will allow for more instructional minutes, less student-fatigue, and increased engagement.
Look for the new schedule in Ms. Martin's summer communication (coming soon!)
There will be one more Magnet update in August, which will include the first puzzle of the school year, so look out for it and have a great summer!
Happening this Month
Happening this Month
7/8 9-11am and 1-3pm New 6th Grader Orientations
7/8 6-7pm (All familes) and 7- 8pm (Amharic only) New 6th Grade Parent Orientations
7/9 9-11am and 1-3pm New 6th Grader Orientations
7/10 9-11am and 1-3pm New 6th Grader Orientations
7/22 6-7pm (All families) and 7- 8pm (Amharic only) New 6th Grade Parent Orientations
8/22 Return to School Picnic at TPMS
(look for Magnet Tent at Picnic)
8/25 Student Transition Day (Non-instruction full day, with buses, for 6th graders)
8/26 First day of School
TPMS Magnet Connection Committee
Would you like to see greater connections among Magnet Families and throughout the school?
The purpose of this group is to help magnet families connect with one another for support and resources with magnet-related issues, and to connect to all other TPMS families to strengthen the bond with the greater TPMS community.
This can be done with in-person social events (which can include non-magnet families), online communication, and utilizing social networks
Please complete this brief form to express your interest. Use a separate form for each family member who would like to participate.
https://forms.gle/sVF6oX9Ww3irTMST7
Join the TPMS PTSA
We on the PTSA hope everyone is enjoying the summer break and we look forward to seeing you all at the start of the new school year in August. A quick note about the PTSA: The Takoma Park Middle School Parent Teacher Student Association (TPMS PTSA) provides parents, teachers, and students with a way to share our experience and knowledge, support our children’s education, and promote their health, safety and well-being. The mission of the PTSA is “to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.” The active involvement of parents, teachers, and students is essential to the success of the PTSA. Studies have proven that parental involvement provides children with a greater chance of achieving in school. The PTSA leadership and membership pledge to work together with teachers, school administrators, students, and the greater community to make sure every parent’s concerns are heard and every child’s right to a high quality education is realized.
As the PTSA ramps up for the new school year we invite you to join our listserv and WhatsApp groups to stay updated on our events and messages throughout the year. Links are below and feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions or have interest in volunteering. We will also have representatives at the student orientation sessions and other events leading up to the start of the year.
PTSA Listserv: https://www.tpmspta.org/abouttpmspta/mailinglists/
PTSA WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/HeuZazbLXpfGXKz0i7Pm7H
What you Should Know
What you Should Know
Summer Work Packets
Incoming and continuing Magnet students, please complete the packet according to your grade-level and class for the 25-26 school year. Print packets and complete over the summer so you may turn them into your teacher on the first day of school.
Click HERE for the link to the Math and Comp-Sci Summer work.
Congratulations META Prize Winner
In the 24-25 School year, we had eight META puzzles. Nineteen students solved at least one problem correctly and only one student solved EVERY puzzle correctly, and was the only student to attempt the final puzzle.
For that reason, we have decided to award Alexander Spencer the 24-25 MASTER PUZZLER Award which includes a signed certificate and a magnetic (of course) chess set.
Congratulations Alex! We will be contacting you soon about your prize!
Congratulations Max and Alvin Xu
From May 9th to the 11th, at the 2025 VEX V5 Robotics Competition Middle School World Championship held in Dallas Texas, Max and Alvin Xu’s robotics team, 5th Dimension, won the Innovate Division Design Award which is the highest division award and the only award won by a Maryland MS team in this annual and largest robotics event.
In the Skills Challenges, the team ranked #14 among 485 teams from all around the world. Max, as the main driver and Alvin, as the main programmer played key roles in the team during this event. They played very hard during the qualification matches, and entered quarterfinals in the Innovate Division. Best achievement of all Maryland MS teams!
Congratulations and Thanks to Aydina Johnson
Aydina Johnson was selected as the Transportation Federal Credit Union Dare to Soar Grand Prize winner!
Congratulations Aydina! We are so proud of you. Aydina won $100.00 to be donated to a program of her choice, and she selected Mr. Booker's Starling Squad as the recipient! Thank you Aydina!
Welcome Jesse Loznak!
We are excited to welcome Mr. Loznak as our principal intern for the upcoming school year. He is a former science teacher who brings over 20 years of experience in education, including more than a decade in school administration. Additional details about Mr. Loznak’s role at Takoma Park Middle School will be shared in August.
Answer to last month's puzzle:
Helpful Links
Helpful Links
24-25 Magnet Family Survey
Only for families attending TPMS in the 24-25 school year
Please let us know what you value most about the TPMS Magnet program and where you want us to focus our energies for improvement.
Click this link to take the survey:
https://forms.gle/1ZhNFoQnpCsCd7KD9
Would you like to Speak at TPMS or Mentor a Passion Project?
Do you have a talent, interest, or profession that would inform, inspire, or entertain our students?
For the last two years, parents and community members have been coming to TPMS to speak to groups (as small as a single class to as large as an auditorium) and the students have really loved and appreciated the presentations. Guest speakers give a window to our students to all the possibilities of what can be achieved.
Or, maybe you would like to work, one on one, with a student who is creating their own passion project to share. Students have big visions and need mentors with expertise to help guide and direct their efforts.
If interested in either or both, please complete this form and wait for a member of the WE SHINE committee to contact you.
Thank you for your interest!
https://forms.gle/syuANdg9bJLLRj667
Join the TPMS Magnet Remind Class to receive updates
Quarter 1: Summer Picnic, Color Wars, First HOUSE day, Turkey Trot, and our first META puzzle Winners!
Quarter 2: More META puzzle prize winners, Staff-Student Volleyball game, Guest Speaker, and Winter Concerts
Quarter 3: Magnet Teachers planning curricula with Clemente, HBU Competition, Family Math Night, Shrek!, another HOUSE day, and Space X talk.
Quarter 4: Book Wars, WE SHINE night, Autism Walk, Spring Concert, and Outdoor Ed!
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