📰 Check out The ESMS Weekly T for the next two weeks! 💙

Plan ahead and stay up to date on all the great things happening at ESMS!

#4theT
less than 1 minute ago, Krista Griffin
The Weekly T newsletter for Eighth Street Middle School, October 12–16, 2026. Navy blue and white two-column graphic featuring the week's athletics and club information, school news, and important dates. Monday, October 12, includes Land Judging, Floriculture, and ATE practices at 3:45 PM. Tuesday has no scheduled events. Wednesday, October 14, is a Teacher Inservice Work Day with no school for students. October 15–19 is Fall Break. October 20 is a Staff Inservice Day, and students return October 21. School News announces Picture Day Make-Up on November 11 and a Hispanic Heritage Month art and literacy exhibit on October 21 from 5–7 PM in the ESMS Media Center. Families must enter through the front lobby, and weapons detection and a clear bag policy will be in effect. Upcoming dates include Thanksgiving Break, November 23–27; the last day of the first semester, December 18; and Winter/Christmas Break, December 21–January 1.
The Weekly T newsletter for Eighth Street Middle School, October 19–23, 2026. Navy blue and white two-column graphic featuring athletics, school news, important dates, and a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration.  Monday, October 19: Boys Basketball at Thomas County Central and Girls Basketball versus Thomas County Central, both at 4 PM. Tuesday, October 20: No athletics events listed. Wednesday, October 21: Floriculture and Livestock Evaluation practices at 3:45 PM and middle school wrestling at Coffee County at 4 PM. Thursday, October 22: ATE Practice at 3:45 PM. Friday, October 23: Tift County Fall Livestock Show at 3:45 PM and TCHS versus Lee County football at 7:30 PM.  School News announces Picture Day Make-Up on November 11 and the Hispanic Heritage Month exhibit, “Our Stories, Our Heritage: Celebrating Hispanic Voices Through Art and Literacy,” on Wednesday, October 21, from 5–7 PM in the ESMS Media Center. Guests must enter through the front lobby. Weapons detection and a clear bag policy will be in effect.  Important dates include Fall Break on October 19, Teacher Inservice Day on October 20, and students returning October 21. Upcoming dates include Thanksgiving Break, November 23–27; the last day of the first semester, December 18; and Winter/Christmas Break, December 21–January 1.
Eighth Street Middle School FBLA would like to thank Olivia Davis for being our guest speaker at our October meeting!

Olivia shared her experiences, accomplishments, and involvement in FBLA, inspiring our students to explore opportunities, develop leadership skills, and set goals for their futures.

We appreciate Olivia taking the time to share her journey with our future business leaders!

💙🤍 #4theT #CTAEdelivers
about 1 hour ago, Krista Griffin
Eighth Street Middle School FBLA thank-you graphic recognizing Olivia Davis as the guest speaker at the October FBLA meeting. The navy blue, white, and silver design features the FBLA and Tift County logos and three photographs. Two photos show Olivia presenting to students, while a third shows her posing with five ESMS students. The graphic reads, “Thank You, Olivia Davis, for Being Our Guest Speaker at the October FBLA Meeting.”
🍂 Fall Break is almost here! Tift County Schools students will be out October 14th – 20th.

📅 Wednesday, October 14th: K – 5 Parent Conference Day
📅 Tuesday, October 20th: Teacher Inservice Day
📚 Students return Wednesday, October 21st.

We hope our students and staff enjoy their break, get some much-needed rest, and take time to recharge!

#4theT
about 6 hours ago, Dana Spurlin
Fall Break Information
🏀 CONGRATULATIONS, BLUE DEVILS! 🏀

Congratulations to the members of the 2026–2027 Tift County Middle School Boys Basketball Teams! 🎉

We are excited to see these young athletes represent Tift County on the court this season! We look forward to watching them grow as players and teammates while demonstrating hard work, dedication, and Blue Devil Pride.

Let’s make it a great season! Good luck, Blue Devils! 🏀

#4theT
1 day ago, Dana Spurlin
Middle School Boys Basketball teams
Middle School Boys Basketball teams
Middle School Boys Basketball teams
October 12–16

🥪 Take a look at what’s on the menu! Here is the weekly breakfast and lunch menu for October 12th – 16th.

For the most up-to-date daily menu, visit your child’s school website and select Explore > Dining. Remember, breakfast and lunch are available at no cost to all Tift County students! 🍎

#4theT
1 day ago, Dana Spurlin
Breakfast and Lunch Menus
Breakfast and Lunch Menus
Breakfast and Lunch Menus
Breakfast and Lunch Menus
🥎🏆 CHAMPIONS! Congratulations to our Middle School Girls Softball Team on winning the championship yesterday with an 8–2 victory!

We are proud of these student-athletes and their coaches for the hard work, determination, and teamwork that led to this achievement. Way to go, Lady Devils!

#4theT
3 days ago, Dana Spurlin
Middle School Softball Champions
It’s Championship Game Day! 🥎

Come out and support our Tift County Middle School Softball Team as they take on North Lowndes TODAY at 4:00 PM at NEMS!

Let’s pack the stands, make some noise, and cheer on our girls! Go Big Blue! 🥎

#4theT
4 days ago, Dana Spurlin
Middle School Softball Game
Our Eighth Street Middle School FBLA members had a great time at their October meeting! 💙 They enjoyed a Dirty Soda Bar while spending time together and talking about what’s coming up for FBLA. We love seeing our students get involved and make memories along the way!
5 days ago, Krista Griffin
Eighth Street Middle School FBLA members enjoying a Dirty Soda Bar during their October FBLA meeting.
Eighth Street Middle School FBLA members enjoying a Dirty Soda Bar during their October FBLA meeting.
Eighth Street Middle School FBLA members enjoying a Dirty Soda Bar during their October FBLA meeting.
Caption
🌿 Our ESMS FFA Plant Sale is happening NOW! 🌿
Come see us on the front lawn of Eighth Street Middle School and shop our plant sale! We are open to the public, so stop by, pick up some plants, and support our ESMS FFA students. 💙🌱
We’d love to see you!
5 days ago, Krista Griffin
ESMS FFA students pose outside Eighth Street Middle School beside tables of plants for sale. Two students are dressed in dinosaur costumes and hold yellow FFA “Plant Sale Today” signs. The graphic announces that the ESMS FFA Plant Sale is happening now, is open to the public, and is located on the school’s front lawn.
ESMS FFA Plant Sale graphic featuring two students in inflatable dinosaur costumes holding yellow “Plant Sale Today” signs. The sale is happening now on the front lawn of Eighth Street Middle School and is open to the public.
📣 Homecoming Dress-Up Schedule Update: Grades 6–12

With the football game moving from Friday to Thursday, grades 6–12 will swap Thursday’s and Friday’s dress-up themes!

Tomorrow, Thursday, October 8th: Spirit Day — Show your Tift County pride in blue and white!
😎 Friday, October 9th: Adam Sandler Day

#4theT
5 days ago, Dana Spurlin
Homecoming Dress Up Days Change
Happy National Coaches Day to our very own Coach LaTasha Burkett, Coach Andrew Cauthen, and Coach Michael Hancock! 💙
Thank you for all you do for our students at Eighth Street Middle School! From teaching teamwork and sportsmanship to encouraging students to stay active, work hard, and do their best, you make a difference every day.
We appreciate each of you and all that you do for ESMS! 💙
6 days ago, Krista Griffin
Eighth Street Middle School National Coaches Day graphic in navy, white, and silver featuring photos of Coach LaTasha Burkett, Coach Andrew Cauthen, and Coach Michael Hancock. The graphic reads, “Thank You for Making a Difference.”
Happy National Instructional Coaches Day to our very own Mrs. Julie Gibbs! 💙

Mrs. Gibbs does so much behind the scenes to support our teachers, whether it's helping with lessons, sharing ideas, answering questions, or simply being someone they can count on when they need a little extra help.

We are fortunate to have her at Eighth Street Middle School, and we appreciate the time and effort she puts into supporting our teachers and students every day. Thank you for all you do, Mrs. Gibbs! 💙
6 days ago, Krista Griffin
National Instructional Coaches Day graphic featuring Mrs. Julie Gibbs, Eighth Street Middle School, and navy-and-silver decorations with books and an inspirational tumbler.

The Eighth Street Middle School Extended Learning Academy will provide additional academic support for selected students during the 2026–2027 school year.

Through small-group instruction, students will have the opportunity to strengthen skills in English Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies.

The program includes 20 after-school sessions from 4:00–5:00 PM, beginning October 27.

Families of selected students will receive additional information about participation and next steps.

Our goal is to help students build confidence, strengthen skills, and continue growing academically! 💙

7 days ago, Krista Griffin
Writing       Tift County Schools Extended Learning Academy flyer for 2026–2027. The program offers 20 after-school sessions from 4:00–5:00 PM for selected students needing additional academic support. Sessions run October through May. Families of selected students will receive participation details.
ESMS LSGT MEETING REMINDER!
The ESMS LSGT meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 12:15 PM in Room 110 at ESMS.#4theT
7 days ago, Krista Griffin
Eighth Street Middle School (ESMS) Local School Governance Team (LSGT) meeting announcement in navy blue, white, and silver. The meeting will be held Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 12:15 PM in Room 110 at ESMS. The 2026–2027 LSGT members are Bradley Winger, Principal; Garrett Lightfoot and Marie Crumley, Teacher Representatives; Emmakate Norman, Non-Certified Staff; Tiffany Alexion, Parent Representative; Jenna Riddle, Community Member; and Michelle Cavanaugh and Ryan Currie, Business Members. The graphic features the ESMS school crest and the words “Collaborate, Learn, Achieve.”
🏃‍♀️🏆 Cross Country Success at Turner County! 🏆🏃‍♀️

The Tift County High School JV Girls Cross Country Team came home with some hardware from the Turner County Cross Country Meet, placing 2nd overall and bringing home a well-deserved trophy! 🥈🏆

We are also incredibly proud of our Tift County Middle School Cross Country Teams for competing and representing Tift County so well at the first-ever Turner County Cross Country Meet!

🏃‍♂️ Boys Team: 4th Place
🏃‍♀️ Girls Team: 5th Place

Congratulations to all of our runners! Your hard work, determination, and commitment continue to show on and off the course. We are proud of you! 👏

7 days ago, Dana Spurlin
xc
xc
October 5–9
🍎 What’s for breakfast and lunch this week? Check out the weekly menu for October 5th – 9th and see what’s being served in our cafeterias!

Daily menus can also be accessed on each school’s website by selecting Explore > Dining. All Tift County students continue to eat at no cost during the 2026–2027 school year! 💙
#4theT
8 days ago, Dana Spurlin
Weekly Breakfast and Lunch Menus
Weekly Breakfast and Lunch Menus
Weekly Breakfast and Lunch Menus
Weekly Breakfast and Lunch Menus
UPDATE: All students have been transported home. 🚌 BUS 20-4 DELAY Parents and guardians of ESMS and TCHS students who ride Bus 20-4: The bus is currently delayed due to wet road conditions. Another bus is being sent to safely transfer the students and complete the route. There has NOT been an accident, and all students and staff are safe. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to get everyone home safely. #4theT
10 days ago, Dana Spurlin

✨ Tift County Homecoming is next week! ✨

Get ready to shine as we celebrate Tift County Homecoming 2026 with the theme Night Under the Stars! 💙⭐

Are you ready for our dress up days? Some days may be different for Grades Pre-K–5 and Grades 6–12 so check the images for themes.

Be sure to join our community for the Homecoming Parade on Thursday at 6:00 p.m., followed by the Homecoming game on Friday night!

It’s going to be a week filled with fun, school spirit, and Blue Devil pride! 🏈

#4theT

10 days ago, Dana Spurlin
Homecoming Spirit Week
Homecoming Spirit Week
🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️ Middle School Cross Country is on the move! 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

Recently, our Middle School boys’ and girls’ cross country teams competed in the local Tift Invitational Cross Country Meet, joining more than 300 runners from across South Georgia and North Florida!

We are proud to share that most of our runners earned personal records (PRs)! 🎉 Their hard work, dedication, and commitment to getting better each day are paying off.

We are incredibly proud of our runners and the effort they are putting in every single day. Keep running, keep working, and keep getting better!

Way to go, Middle School Cross Country!

#4theT
10 days ago, Dana Spurlin
Middle School Cross Country
Middle School Cross Country
🍂🍎 October Breakfast and Lunch Menus are here!

Take a look at the delicious meals our School Nutrition team will be serving students throughout the month.

✅ Monthly menus are available on our website.
✅ Daily menus can be found on each school's website under Explore > Dining.

#4theT
12 days ago, Dana Spurlin
October Menus
October Menus
October Menus
October Menus