Tyrrell Middle School

Homeroom Heroes Reward

2011-06-09T08:25:00.003-04:00

Homeroom Heroes Reward was won by Mrs. Stevenson's Homeroom 307. They enjoyed a day at Lake Compounce in Bristol on Wednesday, June 8th. Although the students returned a little wetter and tired than they left, they all had a great time. Hopefully next year we have a chance to send another class on this fantastic trip.

2011-06-03T17:50:00.001-04:00

Just crossed to GW Bridge...it's 5:45, about 2 1/2 hours to go!

On the road again

2011-06-03T11:47:00.001-04:00

It's 11:45 and we are headed for Wolcott!

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DC Day 4

2011-06-03T09:11:00.002-04:00

Here we are waiting to enter Mt. Vernon. The kids have been so well-behaved & punctual that we are ahead of schedule!

Air & Space Museum

2011-06-02T12:53:00.001-04:00

Here's the whole group at the Air & Space Museum...now we're off to the Lincoln Memorial.

Archives building

2011-06-02T09:36:00.004-04:00

DC Day 3

2011-06-02T09:10:00.002-04:00

We are on our way to the National Archives. The weather is BEAUTIFUL, warm but very low humidity! We will be visiting the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial & Korean War Memorial. Then will we be off to the Air & Space Museum...pics to follow.

White house

2011-06-01T22:09:00.001-04:00

After dinner we "stopped by" the white house for a kodak moment.
It's still hot & muggy here.

Bus 4

2011-06-01T14:56:00.001-04:00

At the Capitol in front of the Freedom statue

Changing of the guard

2011-06-01T12:15:00.003-04:00

Wreath ceremony

2011-06-01T12:15:00.002-04:00

DC Day 2

2011-06-01T12:14:00.002-04:00

Today we visited the Iwo Jima Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. We visited the grave of JFK and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Following the changing of the guard, Tyrrell students participated in a wreath laying ceremony.
Although it is VERY HOT, everyone is drinking lots of water and feeling fine!

Girls at breakfast

2011-06-01T08:18:00.002-04:00

Dance cruise

2011-05-31T21:50:00.002-04:00

Everyone had a GREAT time, despite the heat. Mr. Simpson & Mr. Blacker impressed the crowd with their dance moves.

Dance

2011-05-31T21:37:00.006-04:00

Dance

2011-05-31T21:37:00.005-04:00

Jefferson memorial

2011-05-31T16:47:00.001-04:00

The whole group

Jeff mem

2011-05-31T16:39:00.001-04:00

Jefferson mem

2011-05-31T16:37:00.002-04:00

At the holocaust museum

2011-05-31T16:07:00.002-04:00

Blog

2011-05-31T14:24:00.001-04:00

We got to town early!

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One Book Kick Off

2011-05-27T14:11:00.002-04:00

TMS kicked off our summer reading One Book program on Friday May 27th with an assembly in the Gymnasium. The book is by Jacqueline Davies (she will be visiting Tyrrell in September of 2011) and is called Where the Ground Meets the Sky. It takes place in the Southwest during WWII and the building of the bomb that would be dropped on Japan.

We will be focusing on the recycling aspect of the book and Mayor Dunn joined the entire student body in the assembly to disseminate information about Wolcott’s new streamline recycling program. The biggest factor in the change being that it costs $64 / ton to dispose of trash and only $20/ per ton to recycle. Mayor Dunn explained the new program to the kids and also plans to improve recycling efforts at Tyrrell and all of the town’s schools. We held a poster contest (slogan SLOW THE FLOW) and the winners, Bethany Gallucci, Ellissa Cibelli, Patrick Baxter and Patrick Cosgrove, were announced as well. Runner up, Tu Van Nguyen and Alexis Mulhall, were also honored.

Students and staff will be transforming our courtyard into a Victory Garden. During the War period in the 30s and 40s, US citizens were encouraged to supplement food supplies with homegrown vegetables and fruits. Tyrrell 8th graders will be learning about this piece of history, weeding and planting the garden next week and the food harvested will be used in Summer School cooking classes or to help feed needy families in town. Mr. Fran Hubeny, director of maintenance for the district, along with Mr. Steve Mirto, TMS technology education teacher, have been/will be instrumental in building vegetable beds and planting the garden.

Superintendent Macary was on hand to help Reading Specialists, Tonyia Tafuto and Holly Schinkel present the student body with the Governor’s Summer Reading Award that Tyrrell won from Summer 2010. Our top readers were honored as well, Darrell Dublin, Christina Velezis and Kara Santoro.

Lastly 7th Grade Language Arts teacher, Ms. Joanne Mumley showed a book trailer that she produced to encourage kids to read and pique interest in the book.

Immigration Simulation

2011-05-27T12:38:00.003-04:00

After studying narrative writing and lots of researching, 7th grade students wrote their own Immigration Journals. As a culminating event, students were able to experience firsthand what immigrants went through during their journey to America. Students traveled by ship (The U.S.S Auditorium). Students recited “The New Colossus” as they sailed by the Statue of Liberty. Students then had to pass the Ellis Island inspection before arriving in America. It was a fun day for all.

NASA Skypes Tyrrell

2011-05-24T10:16:00.004-04:00

Mr. Tom Benson, a NASA Engineer at Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, skyped with Tyrrell students on Tuesday, May 24th. The Tyrrell students' study of Newton's Laws were reinforced through a lively conferrence call/ discussion held in the TMS auditorium. Following their learning of the laws of motion and study of rocketry, students in Mrs. Roman's and Mr. Ligi's science classes will be building and flying straw rockets. It was a great event-- engaging and informative.

CAPTivating Kids Continued

2011-05-23T09:49:00.000-04:00

CAPTivating Kids

2011-05-23T08:31:00.003-04:00

On Saturday, May 21st the CAPTivating Kids program traveled to Pine Lakes Challenge Course in Bristol. The course consisted of elements or stations constructed with a series of ropes, cables, and obstacles in a grove a trees. The activities were designed to test teamwork, communication skills, and creativity. Paired with Westside Middle School, the groups conquered the Pine Lakes Challenge course!

TMS Takes on a Worldly Vision

2011-05-20T09:37:00.002-04:00

The TMS Student Council is proud to announce that we have sponsored a child from South Africa through World Vision.

Phallang lives in South Africa with his mother, 3 brothers, and 2 sisters. His mother struggles to provide for the family and she rarely has money for food, school, or medical care.

Phallang is 13 years old and he enjoys studying his native language and playing soccer. He helps at home by caring for animals.

With the support from TMS, we can help provide Phallang with the basic necessities he needs to maintain a healthy and safe life.

Write a letter! Tell him about yourself, your hobbies, what you like to do with your time, what it’s like to live here in the United States . Ask him about his life.

Leave your letter in the Media Center in the box designated for Phallang by next Friday. We will mail it to him for you.

Student Council members will be around in the next weeks to take pictures of the school and students to send to him as well.

Practice Makes Perfect

2011-05-20T09:26:00.001-04:00

6th grade students put on fashion shows in Spanish to practice clothing and color vocabulary!

Mas Cinco de Mayo Fotos

2011-05-20T09:19:00.002-04:00

Senorita Perugini's classes worked on pinatas to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

TMS Transformations

2011-05-19T13:54:00.002-04:00

Over the next few weeks the TMS courtyard will be transformed into a Victory Garden. As part of the summer reading One Book program, TMS will focus on the World War II time period and recycling. We will have a kickoff on May 27th and then under the guidance of Mr. Mirto and Mr. Hubeny, the courtyard will be transformed into a vegetable garden for June, July and August. Food will be used by local families in need. This is the Courtyard today-- check back soon for pictures of the changes that will take place.

Triangle Shirt Waist CSI

2011-05-19T13:43:00.003-04:00

7th grade students searched for clues in the Triangle Shirt Waist Factory Fire. Students used their investigative skills to solve the mystery as part of their study of immigration as an interdisciplinary unit.

It's Not Easy Being Green

2011-05-19T13:13:00.003-04:00

7th Grade students began frog dissections in Mr. Rocca's classes. This is part of their study of the body systems and parts.

Shakespearience

2011-05-18T09:09:00.003-04:00

Shakesperience’s signature series of in-class Shakespeare workshops came to TMS on May 2nd with several versions of Shakespeare's plays for various age and experience levels. Two actors demonstrated a honed teaching style to make the text accessible to all 8th grade students. They led the classes through Shakespeare's language and times, literary devices, and universally themed scenes featuring student performers.

Sixth Grade Stories Go Back to Kindergarten

2011-05-17T13:55:00.007-04:00

Here are some pictures of Mrs. Uccello's sixth grade reading classes and Ms. Stec's kindergarteners at Wakelee. Mrs. Uccello's students were sharing group created stories, as well as lesson plan activities they created at a kindergarten level which focused on theme, retelling, and story elements.

BMX Program Touts Safety and Drug Awareness

2011-05-12T11:43:00.000-04:00

The entire TMS student body saw some great tricks and heard some important messages about "extreme sport" safety and drug awareness. The BMX program was enjoyed by all-- even the bravest teachers who were "jumped" by BMX rider Danny!

Was this demo called the "Colby" Show?

Our Sombreros Go Off to You...

2011-05-12T11:25:00.000-04:00

6th graders in Spanish class made paper sombreros to link their clothing unit with Cinco de Mayo.

7th Grade Bargain

2011-04-15T14:17:00.002-04:00

7th grade students made character maps for the story "Bargain" by A. B. Guthrie. They were on display in the 7th grade hallways.

Summer Reading Pays Off

2011-04-15T13:04:00.001-04:00

Congratulations to Tyrrell Middle School for being recognized as a top –performing school in the Governor’s 2010 Summer Reading Challenge!
Outstanding achievement for all!

Author Jake Halpern Visits TMS

2011-04-14T12:50:00.003-04:00

On Thursday, April 14th, Author Jake Halpern made a return visit to Tyrrell Middle school. He again wove amazing stories for the students, showing them how they can use real life experiences in their writings, as he does. He was a very well-spoken visitor and we appreciate him spending time with us.

World Language Contest Winners

2011-04-13T11:24:00.003-04:00

Tyrrell celebrated World Language month in March. Students participated in a Poster, Collage and T-Shirt Contest. Here are the winners:

Poster Contest 1st Place - Christina Santa Lucia
2nd Place - Gianna Polzella
3rd Place – Serena Nadeau

Collage Contest 1st Place - Simone Dube
2nd Place - Heatherann Esden
3rd Place - Jessica Brown

Tee Shirt Contest 1st Place - Kyler Vensel
2nd Place - Mark Emons
3rd Place - Ryan Pawlak

Tyrrell Supports Japan Relief Efforts

2011-04-08T12:10:00.000-04:00

Many Tyrrell students expressed interest in raising money for the victims of the recent disaster in Japan. Tyrrell teachers responded by organizing a Basket Raffle. Each team of teachers decided upon a theme and then donated items corresponding to that theme. In all, the Tyrrell staff donated close to $1,000 in merchandise! The students will buy tickets for $1 each, and get to choose which baskets they want to try to win – and the decision is a tough one!
Basket themes include:
Spa Basket
Sweet Treats
Movie Night
Sports Basket
i-Pod Shuffle Basket
Snack Attack
Summer Reading
Gift Card Basket
Game Basket

The Basket Raffle will continue through April 15th. All proceeds will be donated to the people of Japan through the American Red Cross.

NewsBowl USA

2011-04-08T11:45:00.002-04:00

Seventh grade Project Explore students Jenessa Teta, Jessica McKeon, John Belval, Billy Nicol, Susan Naseri, and Matthew Stojanov of the Raisinets Team, placed #1 in the nation in the NewsBowl USA on-line current events competition for the month of March. They beat out 288 teams from all across the country. TMS Project Explore’s other three teams, the LifeSavers, Starbursts, and GummiBears did a great job as well, finishing in 6th, 7th, and 8th place respectively.

Even More Greek Day

2011-04-07T08:42:00.001-04:00

More Greek Day 2011

2011-04-07T08:35:00.001-04:00

Greek Day 2011

2011-04-05T14:17:00.002-04:00

The 7th grade students participated in Greek Day 2011 on Friday, April 1st. This was an activity to complement the Social Studies curriculum.

2011-04-01T14:21:00.002-04:00

8th graders enjoy using the headsets that the World Language Department received through a Wolcott Education Foundation grant. Students narrated a Powerpoint describing their "fin de semana" plans.

Dr. Suess Recreated

2011-03-30T14:34:00.002-04:00

6th graders on the Diamond Team made Dr. Suess-like superheros who fight against injustices, tying in with Dr. Seuss’ poem, “The Sneetches.”

Food Festival

2011-03-30T14:31:00.001-04:00

On Tuesday March 29th, Tyrrell M.S. students made ethnic foods as the culminating event in observance of World Language Month. The countries represented were Spain, Italy, Norway, Ireland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, and many others.

Drug Awareness speaker Milton Creagh

2011-03-30T11:25:00.004-04:00

Drug Awareness speaker Milton Creagh spoke to TMS students at an assembly on March 30. “Bigg Milt” shared stories from his personal experiences and travels around the country speaking to thousands of students about substance abuse.
http://www.biggmilt.com/

Today at TMS: 3.28.11

2011-03-29T09:15:00.005-04:00

French Students Celebrate Mardi Gras

2011-03-29T09:08:00.001-04:00

Students in French classes had fun celebrating Mardi Gras in March. They learned about the history and traditions of Mardi Gras, as well as the various ways it is celebrated in different areas of the French speaking world. Students cooked and sampled foods associated with the holiday and created their own masks. Each class then voted for the most beautiful, most original and best Mardi Gras themed masks.

CAPTivating Kids

2011-03-24T08:34:00.000-04:00

The Tyrrell Middle School CAPTivating Kids are on the road again. Our number has more than doubled to 60 7th and 8th grade students in this year’s group. We have also added 4 new chaperones.
Our “Get to Know You” exchange took place on February 4 at Eli Terry Middle School in Terryville. Almost 150 students from Terryville, Wolcott, Meriden, and Waterbury met for the first time, enjoyed a pizza dinner, participated in ice breakers activities, reviewed the CAPTivating Kids program, and enjoyed music and games with a DJ.
On Saturday, February 26 the groups traveled to the Eli Whitney Museum in Hamden. Students were instructed in how to construct a flying pulley and were then supplied the necessary materials to put one together. After creating a pulley, students experimented with their pulleys within their groups.
As the weather gets better with the onset of spring, we are all looking forward to our future science exchanges.

Elks Club Essay Contest

2011-03-17T13:42:00.002-04:00

Congratulations to the following Tyrrell students that were named winners in the Elks Club Drug Awareness Essay Contest for 2011:

1st Place- Serena Nadeau, Grade 6
2nd Place- Phillip Olmstead, Grade 7
3rd Place- Alexis Morrell, Grade 8
4th Place- Sarah Burton, Grade 7

Boxed Food Drive

2011-03-17T13:24:00.002-04:00

The Tyrrell Middle School Student Council collected more than 250 boxed food items including cereal, rice, and pasta for the Greater Waterbury Interfaith Ministries.

TMS Project Explore Students in National Top 10

2011-03-07T13:14:00.002-05:00

Seventh grade Project Explore students at Tyrrell Middle School participate in a monthly, current events competition known as NewzBrain USA. In this national challenge, TMS students work in teams of five or six competing against middle school students across the nation. Together they complete the on-line test by answering questions about people and places involved in current news.
In February, 304 schools across the country entered the competition, and all four of the Tyrrell Project Explore teams placed in the Top 10! The results are as follows:
3rd Place - Connor Callahan, Simon Kubrynski, Nicholas Roth, Victoria Sanzone, Domenic Setaro, and Carly Venditti
5th Place – Zachary Ahearn, Julia Audibert, Brandan Brown, Kaylee Hale, Sophia Santovasi, and Presley Wilhite
7th Place – John Belval, Jessica McKeon, Susan Naseri, William Nicol, Matthew Stojanov, and Jenessa Teta
8th Place – Tyler Browne, Kyle Fishbein, Allyson Hickey, Briana Japs, and Alex Tapley

Hoops for Heart

2011-03-03T08:16:00.002-05:00

The Physical Education Department is thrilled to share Tyrrell Middle School has been supporting the American Heart Association’s “Hoops For Heart” program since 2004. This year, Tyrrell raised $1457.92. Students who raised money stayed after school on Thursday, February 24th and played organized basketball games to conclude the program. The Physical Education Department started raising money in 2004. Since that time, Tyrrell has raised $10,533.92 for the American Heart Association. Great job Tyrrell, keep up the good work!!!

Look WHOOO Loves Science

2011-03-02T14:09:00.004-05:00

The past few weeks, the Science classes focused on predator/prey relationships and food chains and food webs. 6th grade students completed the Owl Pellet Dissection Lab- students found several different rodent skeletons and a few groups found bird skeletons. Also found in a few owl pellets were indigestible items like exoskeletons of insects, corn kernels, and small seeds. Prior to completing the actual lab, students dissected a pellet virtually in the TMS computer labs.

Students Tryout for Jeopardy

2011-03-02T14:07:00.001-05:00

Mrs. Penta’s Project Explore 8th Graders recently held a Jeopardy Qualification Night where they participated in the initial qualification round for TV’s Teen Jeopardy. This national search will continue over many months before the final contestants are chosen to appear on the show. Good luck to all of our TMS students!

CAPT-ivating Kids "Pull-ey" into Whitney Museum

2011-03-02T14:05:00.001-05:00

Students in CAPT-ivating Kids took a field trip to the Eli Whitney Museum in Hamden on Saturday, February 26, where they learned how to build pulleys. Pictured: Chris Jones making his version of a pulley, along with other students in the program.

TMS Recognizes Board of Education Appreciation Month

2011-03-02T13:11:00.004-05:00

8th Grade students in Mrs. Stevenson's class represent Tyrrell Middle School in thanking our Board of Education Members... Mrs. Najarian, Mrs. Kelly, Mr. Gugliotti, Mr. Baldwin, Mrs. Audibert, Mr. Pape, Mrs. Lumia and Mrs. Mancini.
A BIG thank you for all of the time you spend on the children of Wolcott!

8th Grade Holds Court

2011-03-02T11:29:00.002-05:00

Mrs. Conway's and Mr. Blacker's 8th grade Social Studies students recently held a mock court recreating the Boston Massacre Trial of Captain Thomas Preston and other British troops. Art Teacher, Mr. Kelsey, was on hand to provide the courtroom sketches of the proceedings seen here.