Congratulations to our 2026 Eighth Street Middle School Chili Cookoff winners!
🥇 Andy Cauthen – 1st Place for his spicy chili
🥈 Ashley Williford – 2nd Place for her classic chili
A big thank you to everyone who helps organize this fun event each year. We appreciate the time and effort it takes to make it happen. The Chili Cookoff is always a great chance for our staff to enjoy some good food and a few laughs together, and it’s a tradition we look forward to every year.
We’re already looking forward to next year’s competition! 🌶️
🥇 Andy Cauthen – 1st Place for his spicy chili
🥈 Ashley Williford – 2nd Place for her classic chili
A big thank you to everyone who helps organize this fun event each year. We appreciate the time and effort it takes to make it happen. The Chili Cookoff is always a great chance for our staff to enjoy some good food and a few laughs together, and it’s a tradition we look forward to every year.
We’re already looking forward to next year’s competition! 🌶️
It is National School Social Work Week, and we want to take a moment to thank Mrs. Susan Swift, our ESMS School Social Worker. 💙
Mrs. Swift supports our students and families in so many ways each day. From offering guidance and encouragement to helping navigate challenges and connecting families with resources, she makes a real difference in our building.
We are truly grateful for the care, dedication, and steady presence she brings to Eighth Street Middle School.
Mrs. Swift supports our students and families in so many ways each day. From offering guidance and encouragement to helping navigate challenges and connecting families with resources, she makes a real difference in our building.
We are truly grateful for the care, dedication, and steady presence she brings to Eighth Street Middle School.
Be sure to check out the Eighth Street Edition for the week of March 2–March 6 to see all of the amazing things happening at Eighth Street Middle School. From student achievements to upcoming events, there is a lot to celebrate at ESMS!
📣 Cheerleading Tryouts – 2026–2027
If your child is interested in trying out for cheer, please stop by the main office at ESMS to pick up a 2026–2027 Cheerleading Tryouts Packet. Packets are available now.
📘 Order Your 2025–2026 ESMS Yearbook
Yearbooks are on sale now!
To purchase online:
Visit www.yearbookordercenter.com
Enter school code 00070
Secure your copy today so your child can remember all the highlights of this school year.
📣 Cheerleading Tryouts – 2026–2027
If your child is interested in trying out for cheer, please stop by the main office at ESMS to pick up a 2026–2027 Cheerleading Tryouts Packet. Packets are available now.
📘 Order Your 2025–2026 ESMS Yearbook
Yearbooks are on sale now!
To purchase online:
Visit www.yearbookordercenter.com
Enter school code 00070
Secure your copy today so your child can remember all the highlights of this school year.
🐮 Join us next week for the Tift County Steer & Heifer Show & Sale!
This is the final show of the season for our cattle exhibitors, and they would LOVE your support. Come out and cheer them on as they showcase their animals and share what they’ve learned throughout the year.
📍 Multipurpose Livestock Facility
1468 Carpenter Road
(Behind the Extension Office, next to Annie Bell Clark)
🗓 Monday, March 2
Steer & Heifer Show – 6:00 PM
🗓 Tuesday, March 3
Buyers Dinner – 6:00 PM
Steer Sale – 7:00 PM
Let’s show up and support our local youth and agriculture programs. See you there! 💙
The Kiwanis Club of Tifton will host the 2026 Art & Music Showcase on Friday, March 20, 2026 at 6 pm at the TCHS PAC.
The event is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Tifton, ABAC Circle K, TCHS & TA Key Clubs
For more information visit: https://aptg.co/ZP-k3_
Deadline for all entries is Friday, March 6th.
#4theT
The event is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Tifton, ABAC Circle K, TCHS & TA Key Clubs
For more information visit: https://aptg.co/ZP-k3_
Deadline for all entries is Friday, March 6th.
#4theT
🍳🥪 Weekly Breakfast & Lunch Menus | March 2 – 6 🍎
Take a look at what’s being served in our school cafeterias this week for breakfast and lunch!
📅 March 2 – March 6
Daily menus are always available anytime by visiting Explore > Dining on your school’s website.
#4theT
Take a look at what’s being served in our school cafeterias this week for breakfast and lunch!
📅 March 2 – March 6
Daily menus are always available anytime by visiting Explore > Dining on your school’s website.
#4theT
🎨✨ Celebrate Youth Art Month with Tift County Schools!
Join us at the Syd Blackmarr Arts Center for the Who Are YOU? Tift County Schools Art Exhibit from March 7–13, 2026.
We also have FREE family programming throughout March including:
🖌 Self-Portrait classes
🎨 Family Art Hour
🖼 Kids’ Community Canvas
Be sure to register early, as space is limited for some sessions.
We cannot wait to see our students and families create together.
#TiftCountySchools #YouthArtMonth #TiftonArts #BlueDevilPride
Join us at the Syd Blackmarr Arts Center for the Who Are YOU? Tift County Schools Art Exhibit from March 7–13, 2026.
We also have FREE family programming throughout March including:
🖌 Self-Portrait classes
🎨 Family Art Hour
🖼 Kids’ Community Canvas
Be sure to register early, as space is limited for some sessions.
We cannot wait to see our students and families create together.
#TiftCountySchools #YouthArtMonth #TiftonArts #BlueDevilPride
🎾 Middle School Tennis Sweeps Valdosta! 🎾
What a great afternoon for our middle school tennis teams!
Boys – WIN 5-0
Girls – WIN 3-2
The boys stay undefeated and move to an impressive 8-0 on the season!
The girls improve to 4-3 and continue to show grit and determination on the courts!
#4theT
What a great afternoon for our middle school tennis teams!
Boys – WIN 5-0
Girls – WIN 3-2
The boys stay undefeated and move to an impressive 8-0 on the season!
The girls improve to 4-3 and continue to show grit and determination on the courts!
#4theT
🎢 8th Grade Gradventure Reminder 🎢
The second $50 payment for our Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure trip is due TOMORROW, February 25.
Payments may be made online or brought to ESMS between 8:00–10:00 AM. Please note that payments will only be accepted on the designated due dates. Online payment options will close at the end of each listed due date, and no payments will be accepted outside of those dates.
All trip payments must be paid in full by the final due date to ensure your child’s participation, as we must place orders for tickets and shirts.
We are looking forward to an unforgettable Gradventure on May 15 in Orlando. 🚌✨
The second $50 payment for our Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure trip is due TOMORROW, February 25.
Payments may be made online or brought to ESMS between 8:00–10:00 AM. Please note that payments will only be accepted on the designated due dates. Online payment options will close at the end of each listed due date, and no payments will be accepted outside of those dates.
All trip payments must be paid in full by the final due date to ensure your child’s participation, as we must place orders for tickets and shirts.
We are looking forward to an unforgettable Gradventure on May 15 in Orlando. 🚌✨
🍎ATTENDANCE MATTERS🍎
Missing a day of school here and there may not seem like much, but absences add up.
#4theT
Missing a day of school here and there may not seem like much, but absences add up.
#4theT
It’s National FFA Week at ESMS 🎉🌾
Get ready, ESMS. It’s National FFA Week 🌾
Join us February 23–27 as we celebrate agriculture, leadership, and FFA pride and tradition all week long. From Anything but a Bookbag to Camo Day and FFA Friday, we cannot wait to see your creativity and school spirit.
Check the graphic for daily themes and start planning your outfits now.!
Tift County Schools is proud to collaborate with ESE Mental Health to offer referrals to access to high-quality mental health services for our middle school and high school students.
Through this partnership, students will have increased access to licensed mental health professionals who can provide counseling and support —right here in our school community. This initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to the well-being of every student and to creating safe, supportive environments where they can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
We are grateful for this opportunity to work together in supporting the whole child.
For additional information, please contact your school principal or school counselor.
#4theT
🍳🥪 Weekly Breakfast & Lunch Menus | February 23 – 27 🍕
Our cafeterias are serving up delicious and nutritious meals all week long!
📅 February 23 – February 27
Daily menus are always available anytime by visiting Explore > Dining on your school’s website.
#4theT
Our cafeterias are serving up delicious and nutritious meals all week long!
📅 February 23 – February 27
Daily menus are always available anytime by visiting Explore > Dining on your school’s website.
#4theT
Our middle school tennis team did a great job in Valdosta on Thursday. Our boys' team beat Lowndes Middle and Hahira Middle. The boys' team is undefeated this season with a 5-0 record. Kai Folds, our #1 singles player, is undefeated, as is Jett Arant, our #3 singles player. Both of our boys' doubles teams are undefeated as well. Our #1 doubles team members are Charlie Fletcher and Raghav Barman, and for our #2 Boys doubles team members are Will Fresh and JR Wise. Our girls' team has a record of 2-3. Caroline Tucker, who is our #1 girls' singles player, stands undefeated at 5-0.
#4theT
Wishing our 6th graders a wonderful, fun-filled day at SeaWorld! 🐬🌊
Today is all about real-world learning! Watching concepts come to life, asking big questions, and creating unforgettable memories along the way. We can’t wait to see what they discover! 💙 #4theT
Today is all about real-world learning! Watching concepts come to life, asking big questions, and creating unforgettable memories along the way. We can’t wait to see what they discover! 💙 #4theT
⚽ Middle School Soccer Updates This Week
Wednesday vs. Thomas County Central (A Team):
⚽ Girls fell 0–10
⚽ Boys earned a 5–2 win
Tonight vs. Worth County (B Team):
⚽ Girls fell 2–3 in a close match
⚽ Boys fell 2–6
Proud of the effort, growth, and teamwork from all our middle school athletes this week — keep working hard!
#4theT
Wednesday vs. Thomas County Central (A Team):
⚽ Girls fell 0–10
⚽ Boys earned a 5–2 win
Tonight vs. Worth County (B Team):
⚽ Girls fell 2–3 in a close match
⚽ Boys fell 2–6
Proud of the effort, growth, and teamwork from all our middle school athletes this week — keep working hard!
#4theT
🎉 Congratulations to the ESMS FFA Poultry Judging Team for earning 1st place at the Area V FFA Junior Poultry Judging CDE.
In addition to their team championship, the ESMS team members were the top four high individual scorers in the event and achieved the highest overall team score out of all junior and senior teams competing in the South Region.
The team will advance to compete at the State CDE in Athens this March.
We are incredibly proud of their hard work, preparation, and commitment to excellence.
Team Members:
• Josie Golden
• Laurel Rogers
• Will McClendon
• JR Wise
• Reid Lovett
In addition to their team championship, the ESMS team members were the top four high individual scorers in the event and achieved the highest overall team score out of all junior and senior teams competing in the South Region.
The team will advance to compete at the State CDE in Athens this March.
We are incredibly proud of their hard work, preparation, and commitment to excellence.
Team Members:
• Josie Golden
• Laurel Rogers
• Will McClendon
• JR Wise
• Reid Lovett
Middle School Track Meet Today!
Our middle school track teams will be competing today at the Kenny Moore II Middle School Invitational at Lowndes High School.
🗓 Today
⏰ Meet begins at 4:00 PM
🎟 Admission: $5 (Cash only at the gate)
Come out and support our student-athletes work #4theT!
Our middle school track teams will be competing today at the Kenny Moore II Middle School Invitational at Lowndes High School.
🗓 Today
⏰ Meet begins at 4:00 PM
🎟 Admission: $5 (Cash only at the gate)
Come out and support our student-athletes work #4theT!
The Tift County Middle School tennis team started its season last Thursday. Our Boys middle school tennis team beat Coffee and Pine Grove last week and Thomas County Central yesterday. They are undefeated for the season so far with a 3-0 record. The girls' team beat Pine Grove but lost to Coffee and Thomas County Central. They are1-2 for the season. We will be heading to Valdosta tomorrow to play against Lowndes and Hahira Middle at Lowndes High School.
#4theT
#4theT
🎤 Another successful weekend for our Tift County Show Choirs as they wrapped up their last competition of the season in style!
✨ One Voice earned 1st Place in the Middle School Division, with Shelby Flores taking home Best Female Soloist honors.
✨ Ladies Choice captured 1st Place in the Singles Division.
✨ And once again, Eighth Street Singing Company was named Grand Champions in the Mixed II Division, also earning Overall Best Vocals and Overall Best Effects!
Eighth Street Singing Company will travel to Nationals in March! We are incredibly proud of these talented students and directors for representing Tift County so well.
#4theT
✨ One Voice earned 1st Place in the Middle School Division, with Shelby Flores taking home Best Female Soloist honors.
✨ Ladies Choice captured 1st Place in the Singles Division.
✨ And once again, Eighth Street Singing Company was named Grand Champions in the Mixed II Division, also earning Overall Best Vocals and Overall Best Effects!
Eighth Street Singing Company will travel to Nationals in March! We are incredibly proud of these talented students and directors for representing Tift County so well.
#4theT
