After consulting with the Emergency Management Agency and other local authorities, Tift County Schools will be closed tomorrow, Monday, March 16, 2026, due to the potential for severe weather. A strong storm system is projected to arrive in our area around 5:00AM and is expected to be cleared out of the area around noon.
The current forecast calls for widespread damaging winds with gusts of 60–70 mph, along with the possibility of tornadoes and large hail. Temperatures will drop significantly after the front moves through, so families should plan for freezing temperatures on Tuesday morning and ensure students are dressed appropriately.
The safety of our students and staff is our highest priority. Therefore, all schools will be closed and all athletic and extracurricular activities are canceled for Monday, March 16, 2026.
We encourage everyone to stay weather aware and take necessary precautions. Any additional updates will be shared through the district’s communication channels.
#4theT
Our School Nutrition team is serving up delicious and nutritious meals to keep students fueled for learning all week long!
📅 March 16 – 20
Families can view daily menus anytime by visiting Explore > Dining on your school’s website.
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Today is the final day to visit the “Self Portrait: Who Are You?” art exhibit at the Syd Blackmarr Arts Center! This powerful exhibit showcases student creativity and self-expression through art.
In celebration of Youth Art Month, the Tifton Council for the Arts is also offering free programming for Tift County Schools families:
🖌 Kids Community Canvas – Saturday, March 14
🎨 Family Art Hour – Thursday, March 19 (Art class with a parent)
⚠️ Space is limited and registration is required.
Register today: https://tiftonarts.org/tcs/
Come celebrate the creativity of our students and enjoy these special opportunities to make art together!
#4theT
These ESMS students have shown outstanding effort, leadership, and character in and out of the classroom. We are proud to recognize their hard work and dedication. Keep shining and making us proud!
Click here for a link to individual pictures.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1vx9TfWwcsfJIE42m8gMG42mD-OWiyoX2?usp=sharing
Kona Ice Update: Due to mechanical issues with the KONA Ice Truck, KONA Ice will be coming on Friday this week. The sales window is open for one more day. It will close Thursday night at midnight.
🍧 Kona Ice is Coming to ESMS! 🎉
Cool off with Kona Ice!
📅 Tomorrow - March 12th
⏰ 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
👉 Please note: As this is not a PBIS event, students will be responsible for purchasing their own Kona Ice.
💵 Ways to Purchase:
At School: students may purchase in person with cash, check, or debit card only (no electronic payments requiring phone access.)
💳 Students can pre-pay using the QR code on the flyer or by clicking the link below:
https://customer.kona-ice.com/#/K374X3978621
Or
💳 Scan the QR code and use the code K374X3978621 and then and then the zip code 31794.to skip the line!
The pre-pay link will close at midnight tonight!
Tift County High School Volleyball tryouts for the 2026-2027 school year will be held May 4–6 at TCHS.
Please see the graphic for specific tryout times and t-shirt color for each grade level.
✅ Important: All athletes must have a current physical on file in order to try out.
If you have questions, please contact Coach Fletcher at dfletcher@tiftschools.com.
Good luck to all of our future Lady Blue Devils! 💙
#4theT
📘 Get Your 2026 ESMS Yearbook!
The deadline to purchase your 2026 Eighth Street Middle School Yearbook is April 11, 2026!
Yearbooks are $40 each.
Yearbooks can be purchased two ways:
📍 At school
Bring $40 cash or check to Mrs. Griffin in the ESMS Media Center
(Checks should be made payable to ESMS)
💻 Online
Go to www.yearbookordercenter.com
Enter school code 00070 and select Eighth Street Middle School
⏰ Don’t wait until the last minute. Once sales close, we are unable to order extras.
📚 Reserve your copy today so you don’t miss out on the memories!
Join us for our St. Patrick’s Day FBLA Meeting on March 17th from 3:45–4:30 in Mrs. Sanders’ Room 612.
We’re celebrating with a Dirty Soda Bar and snacks as a small thank-you for being part of FBLA. We are lucky to have such a great group of future business leaders at ESMS! #CTAE Delivers!
See you there! 🍀🥤
🎉 Congratulations to our ESMS FBLA students who attended the FBLA State Leadership Conference in Columbus, GA!
A special shoutout to Malik Drayton for earning 6th Place in Career Exploration. We are proud of the hard work, professionalism, and leadership our students demonstrated while representing Eighth Street Middle School.
Way to go, ESMS FBLA! 💙💛#CTAEDelivers!
A new week means new meals in our school cafeterias! Take a look at what’s on the breakfast and lunch menus for the week.
📅 March 9 – 13
Daily menus are available anytime by visiting Explore > Dining on your school’s website.
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📅 Friday, March 6th is a Staff Inservice Day, so students will not report to school. Our staff will be using the day for planning, preparation, and professional learning.
We look forward to seeing everyone back in class on Monday!
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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.
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🥇 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! 🌶️
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.
📣 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 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
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
