Welcome to Monday Mail!
From the Principal
Greetings,

Happy (short-week) Monday! The students have Fall Break beginning Thursday through Monday (October 8-12). It also marks the end of the first nine weeks or the half-way point of the fall semester. Progress reports will go out on October 13th. Please utilize the Parent Portal to stay informed of your child's progress. Please reach out to individual teachers if you have questions regarding your child's performance.

Early Release is scheduled for October 21st & 22nd. Be on the lookout for conference information or feel free to request one by contacting your child's homeroom teacher. Remember, that not all middle school students have conferences during early release, however, all middle school parents who want a conference certainly can request one. Thanks.

For all eighth grade parents wishing to have their digital student participate in the PSAT 8/9, please see the information below on how to register. This assessment is only administered in-person at Trickum, however, all eighth grade students are eligible to participate regardless of their current learning environment.
8th Grade - PSAT 8/9 Information

Test Day: October 14th
Register By: October 12th

Families of Digital Learning students are encouraged to register their student for an upcoming assessment, which will be administered at the school.

The PSAT 8/9 (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test 8/9) is a test given in 8th grade that helps determine what students need to work on most so that they are ready for college when they graduate from high school.

While this assessment is not mandatory for Digital Learning students, the results help establish a baseline for college and career readiness as students enter high school.

In-person students do not need to register for the assessment. They will automatically take the test on October 14th.


Click here for information about the assessment and how we use results, the registration process, and frequently asked questions.

Click here to register for the PSAT 8/9

Questions? Please click here to email Jeff Harrison.

PARENTS: Please make sure to frequently check the GCPS website for all updates regarding digital and in-person learning. You can also visit the Trickum website for information and updates at www.trickum.org.

Also, please stay up-to-date with your child's progress through the Parent Portal. Please reach out to individual teachers if you have questions regarding your child's performance.

Student hours are:
9:00 AM - 4:05 PM

Is there a staff member who has gone above and beyond to help your student(s) and you during hybrid learning?
If so, click on the link below and tell us about him/her. We will make sure they hear about the great job they are doing.

GEMS Annual AKS Review
The annual review of the Academic Knowledge and Skills (AKS) curriculum is open and runs through October 12th. Through the review process, parents, staff, and community members can give feedback on new AKS (Academic Knowledge and Skills) standards developed to align with the Georgia Standards of Excellence and/or Georgia Performance Standards. The AKS spells out the essential concepts students are expected to know and skills they should acquire in a given grade, subject, or course.

This review is addressing AKS in career and technical education, Health and PE, and core academic courses. Input on these courses will be given via an online survey. On Nov. 5, the GEMS Oversight Committee--a group of community and school system representatives charged with the annual review of the AKS curriculum-- will review the suggestions and curriculum director comments before making recommendations to CEO/Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks for adoption by the School Board. 
Note from our Media Center -
Days, Times, and Location of Book Pick-Up for our Digital Learners:
stack_of_books.jpg
In order to better serve you and give you more flexibility with the number of days and hours available to pick-up and return books, we will no longer be having book pick-up outside on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We will now have book pick-up and returns everyday Monday - Friday from 10:00 - 2:00 at the front desk. Please have your STUDENT ID card to pick-up your books.
 
***IMPORTANT: Please do not come before 10:00 or after 2:00 to pick-up or return books due to the school buses arriving and space needed. THANK YOU! 
 
HAPPY READING! 
8th Grade Parents: Celebrate your Trickum 8th grader with a recognition ad in this year's yearbook!



Yearbook for 2020-2021

Since the copies are limited and school schedules continue to change, we ask that you please order your yearbook online this school year.


Time to send in your pics to the yearbook staff! Click here to upload your images.
When uploading your images, please use ID code: 415464640
Does your student need a device or a hotspot?
For families in need, we have a limited number of Chromebooks for checkout available to assist students during digital learning.

** HOTSPOTS AVAILABLE**

If you are experiencing issues with the internet in your home or if problems arise in the future, please contact Kelly Gresham. We have hotspots available for distribution.

You can contact Kelly Gresham at kelly.gresham@gcpsk12.org.
Interested in Trickum Robotics?
Trickum Robotworks would like to invite students from 7th & 8th grades to join our virtual robotics competition season for VEX/BEST this year. Let us know if you are interested in participating by using the link below:


Students from 6th & 7th grades interested in FLL Robotics, please be on the lookout for more information from Mr. Lucy!
Trickum Spirit Wear
Interested in purchasing Trickum Spirit Wear?

Please visit the online store today!! A portion of the proceeds goes to Trickum's PTSA.

Are you a PTSA supporter?

We are all in this together!

While our school year may look different, we are still here to support our students, families, and our teachers and staff at Trickum Middle School! We still need you!

We encourage you to support Trickum by becoming a PTSA member. This year PTSA is offering three levels of membership. Basic Level ($10) includes a single membership. Tiger Level ($30) includes two memberships and two car magnets. Top Tiger Level ($50) includes two memberships, two car magnets and a Trickum spirit wear t-shirt. You may join PTSA anytime via MyPaymentsPlus.com. Please consider joining at any level. You can also send our Executive Board ideas for programs, activities, or support for both our students and parents. Click here to email our PTSA!

Trickum Spirit Wear is available via an online store . A portion of the proceeds go to the Trickum PTSA, so do not forget to stock your closet.
National PTA Reflections Art Contest
National PTA's Reflections program provides opportunities for recognition and access to the arts which boost student confidence and success in the arts in life.

The theme for the 2020-2021 program year is I Matter Because . . . . Students submit their completed works of art in one or all of the available arts categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, and Visual Arts.

Deadline for Entries: October 6, 2020

For Details, Contact: J. McLaurin



If your child loves sports or the arts & you are unable to pay the fees, the Latino Community Fund Georgia welcomes you to apply for this scholarship of $250.00.

Do you have a PASSION for the Arts?
Whether you’re obsessed with street dance or play an instrument, love recording or illustrate graphic novels, dream of art installations or write your own music, there’s a new school opening where you can pursue your artistic vision, explore your creativity, and learn from industry professionals. 
Whatever your creative passion...
You can explore it at SOTA— the School of the Arts @ Central Gwinnett High School!

Applications are available today!



UPDATED: GCPS Lunch Service Information

GCPS will provide meals free of charge to students and children 18 and younger through December 31st.

Students Attending School In-Person

Those attending school in-person will receive meals free-of-charge during their scheduled meal times.

Curbside Pick-up for Digital Learners

Digital learners may pick up meals through the curbside pick-up at each school. Trickum's curbside pick-up time is Monday - Friday from 11:45 AM through 12:45 PM. Each day's pick-up includes both breakfast and lunch. Individuals will NOT be allowed to enter the school to pick up or eat meals. Trickum's curbside-pickup will be the same as it was for material pick-up. You will enter the lower parking lot at the traffic light and then drive on the gravel driveway around the back of the school to the outdoor theater.

**Gwinnett County Public Schools encourages families who are eligible for the Free & Reduced Meal Program to complete the annual application to ensure meal benefits continue when the grant waiver expires. Please click HERE.**
Ice Cream Sales have begun!
Ice Cream is here! We have Hershey’s Ice Cream again this year. Sales are in the cafeteria, and all ice cream is $1.00. Exact change is appreciated.
Orientation Agreement Forms and school contributions must be completed via MyPaymentsPlus.com. All returning students (this includes students who attended Trickum this past year as well as upcoming students from one of our four feeder elementary schools) may simply go to MyPaymentsPlus.com and login to complete the process. Those without an account will need to create one by going to MyPaymentsPlus.com; click on “Register” for a FREE account.

It is important to sign up for MyPaymentsPlus to ensure all orientation forms are completed each school year, and you do not want to miss out on any school contributions that can be paid for on the site! If you have not already, PLEASE make sure you complete all of the forms in MyPaymentsPlus regardless of your child's current learning environment.
Updated TMS Parent's Guide to Digital and In-Person Learning
The Parent's Guide to Digital and In-Person Learning has been UPDATED on our Trickum website under Tiger News. Please make sure to keep this document handy as it contains all of the important information you will need as we navigate through this school year.

Please notice the change in the schedule for Fridays for ALL grade levels.

Remember, we are all in this together!


All students returning for in-person learning are strongly advised to bring a device with them to school each day as teachers will continue to utilize a digital learning platform to serve all of their students, and in-person students using their own devices will minimize sharing and reduce any potential spread of germs.

Car Riders 2020-2021
Please click below for an important update to our car rider procedures for the 2020-2021 school year.


Morning Car Rider Hours: 8:50-9:20
Afternoon Dismissal will begin at 4:05

As a reminder: There is to be NO student drop off or pick up along Nantucket Drive.
Have you signed up for Parent Portal?

Parent Portal is always important but especially as we begin this school year in a digital format. If you have not already signed up for Parent Portal, please contact Drew Schoen at drew.schoen@gcpsk12.org to complete the sign-up process. The Parent Portal allows parents to monitor student progress throughout the year. No more waiting for report cards to get an update on grades; you may simply check the Parent Portal at your convenience. Other features allow you to view attendance, lunch account balances, checked out and overdue books, and emergency contact information.

Parent Portal & Student Portal Updates
Parents who already have an active parent portal account:

The new Parent Portal is now available for parents that have an active parent portal account. A link to resources including the new parent portal flyers, as well as the registration form are available on the GCPS website.


Student Portal Update:

A new link for StudentVUE is available on the student portal. This will replace the GRADES tab that students previously used to view their schedule. 


**Students can now get their grades, schedules, and more from an easy to use app for StudentVUE!**

Student App for eCLASS Course Pages

eCLASS on the Go!

This is another useful App for students!! Please click below to find out more about the Student App!!

Supply Lists
Supply lists are available on our website on the Registration page.
Sign up today to receive school system news online. Sign up to receive Gwinnett County Public Schools e-newsletter. In this newsletter, you'll find stories on teaching and learning, school leadership and governance, and the partnerships that make Gwinnett County Public Schools successful. Click here to sign up for GCPS eNews or check out online registration on the GCPS website.

Communique
The community continues their support of our schools, students, and staff through generous grants.

Always keep up with what's going on at TMS!

We've expanded our use of social media so that parents and students can see what's going on around school. Follow The Roary Report on Facebook and Instagram.