Principal's Message
As we begin the 2023-2024 school year, I would like to welcome everyone to our Thelma L.
Sandmeier School community. It is a deep honor to write this letter as the new principal of
Thelma L. Sandmeier school. I am excited to have the opportunity to come to TLS and to lead a
school with such extraordinary students, an extremely dedicated staff, and a vibrant school
community. While I may be new to Sandmeier, I am not new to Springfield. I have been a
member of the Springfield School District for the past 19 years as the principal of the Florence
M. Gaudineer Middle School. My professional experience has also included supervising and
teaching at several different schools that served students ranging from K through 12. I am
looking forward to working with the entire TLS community to provide our students with the best
possible educational experiences in the future.
As I begin my journey as Principal of Sandmeier, I would like to take this opportunity to
recognize the outstanding efforts and accomplishments of the TLS school community. I am
eager to begin the school year with the many opportunities for our students to learn and excel in
their academic, social, emotional and physical growth. I would like to thank Mr. Ronald Slate
and the TLS Staff for all of the hard work in planning and preparing to make the 2023-2024
school year the best it can be.
Over the next three years, you and your child will realize the promise of boundless opportunities
to promote and nurture your child’s academic, emotional, and social growth and development.
TLS is proud to offer a challenging and rigorous curriculum in all of our content areas and
special areas including Art, Music, Library, Health, and Physical Education. We have effectively
found success in meeting individual student need through an additional W.I.N. (What I Need)
period for intervention and enrichment opportunities. This coming year, we are extremely
excited continue to refine our program to strive to have the best possible experience for our
students.
I would like welcome our parents and guardians to join our PTA and further our partnership with
our families. The PTA is a great way to become engaged in your child’s learning and school
community. Again, the partnership of our families and staff are essential elements to the overall
growth and achievement of our students.
I am excited this new academic year, and am looking forward to leading TLS into the 2023-2024
school year! Please see the school website to explore the different areas of Thelma L.
Sandmeier school. Please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss any concerns or share ideas
that can help make our school the best place to be!
Sincerely,
Tim Kielty
Principal