Tuscaloosa Magnet Elementary
Updates - August 7, 2022
Mission, Vision and Essential Agreements
The mission of the Tuscaloosa Magnet Schools is to motivate students to discover knowledge, create a better world, and serve in a way that respects others.
Tuscaloosa City School's International Baccalaureate programs inspire students to be lifelong learners, diverse thinkers, and caring individuals while encouraging international mindedness through inquiry and service to others.
Today I pledge to be a critical thinker. I will be principled and demonstrate integrity with my actions and my words. I will be a caring person and always treat others with respect.
Essential Agreements
★I will strive to show the Learner Profile in my actions in and out of the classroom.
★I will work to make the world around me a better place.
This update is full of information!
Dear TMS Parents,
As a TMS Team of faculty and staff, we have been reviewing and revising our safety measures and protocols to prepare for the return of our students.
In case you missed the communication regarding safety from last week, we are including it below.
Please be prepared, there may be a delay to enter the building. You will be asked to identify yourself. Anytime a student is checked out, ID ‘s will be verified with the PowerSchool Portal. Please be sure your contact and check-out list is current. Visitors to the building will have to be scanned through our Raptor system. Parents will not be allowed to ask the office to have the child ready for check-out prior to the parent or guardians arrival.
Safety has always been a priority at Tuscaloosa Magnet Schools (TMS) and will continue to be. As a continuation, throughout the school year, there will be routine weather drills, intruder drills, fire drills, and mixed-method searches. TMS administrators will follow the behavior protocols listed in the Tuscaloosa City Schools Code of Conduct. Please review the Code of Conduct with your child when you receive a copy at the beginning of the school year. All discipline and safety measures will be strictly enforced. No exceptions!
Students are not allowed to receive food deliveries. In compliance with federal guidelines, outside food must be in a lunchbox or unmarked bag. The school will not provide those bags.
Please do not text your child on their phone or watch during the school day. If students are not feeling well, they must visit the school nurse who will contact the parent. If you need to speak with or send a message to your child during the school day, please call the office.
The school day begins at 7:55. If students arrive after that time, please escort your student into the building. If students arrive without a parent after 7:55, the parent will be called and required to come check the child into school. The middle school does not have extended day, so students should be picked up on time at 2:40.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the administration at TMS.
Thank you.
Preeti Nichani
TMS-E Meet & Greet
Teachers returned to school on Wednesday, August 3rd. They have been working hard this week connecting with each other, planning for the new year, welcoming families via phonecalls and preparing their classrooms for our kiddos.
Please review the meet & greet checklist for more details about this event.
TMSE Extended Day
Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year. We hope you are as excited as we are! The TMSE Extended Day program will start Monday, August 15th. If you are interested in your child(ren) attending our program, please fill out the Google Form and read the information carefully.
After submitting your form, be on the lookout for your registration fee on Procare. By paying online you will save $5 (a total $25 registration fee). If you would like to make a cash or check payment (a total $30 registration fee), you may bring your money to Meet and Greet and visit the Extended Day station in the gym or send money with your child.
We look forward to taking care of your child(ren) this school year in Extended Day!
Best,
Extended Day Directors
Rob Ray, rray@tusc.k12.al.us
Alice Stallworth, astallworth@tusc.k12.al.us
Jade Hermon, jhermon@tusc.k12.al.us
Dorie Edwards, dfedwards@tusc.k12.al.us
2022-2023 Meals (Lunch and Breakfast)
You may put money in your child's account in one of two ways...
- www.PayPams.com You can sign in (if you do not already have an account you can create one for your child) and deposit money online. This is the easiest way to add funds. There is a service fee for each transaction.
- Your child can deposit money in their account during the breakfast time before the start of school.
Universal "free" meals will not be an option this upcoming school year. Families of students will be required to pay for breakfast and lunch. The price remains the same at $1.50 for breakfast and $2.65 for lunch. Paper and online meal applications will be available soon.
Click here for direct access to the application: https://tuscaloosa.rocketscanapps.com/default.aspx
Visit the TCS CNP page by clicking here for more information and to apply.
News from TMS-E PTA
Tuscaloosa City Schools DRESS CODE for 2022-23
The Tuscaloosa City School Board of Education recently approved a new dress code for the Tuscaloosa City Schools as part of its 2022-23 Code of Conduct. The new dress code was written after TCS gathered input from parents, students and school administrators. In addition to student and parent surveys, a parent committee helped draft the new dress code, and input was given by an advisory group of students from each high school. From the information gathered, there was an overall feeling that the previous dress code was outdated and was unfair to certain groups, especially girls. It is our hope that this updated code is fair and easier to follow.
The primary responsibility for a student’s attire resides with the student and parents or guardians. The following rules concerning dress and grooming are mandatory for all students attending Tuscaloosa City Schools. Students who fail to follow these rules will be subject to disciplinary action as outlined in Code of Conduct 1.13, “Non-conformity to Dress Code.”
Section 1: Students MUST Wear:
• Shirts: Must be opaque fabric. Must cover midriff and not be low cut in front or back.
• Bottoms: Pants, sweatpants, joggers, shorts, skirt, dress, leggings. Must be opaque fabric. Dresses and skirts must be fingertip length. Shorts, including athletic shorts, are allowed, but may not be less than a 3” inseam. Genitals and buttocks must be covered at all times.
• Shoes: Activity-specific shoes are permitted (for example for sports or TCTA classes.) Shoes that are secured to the foot and do not easily fall off are highly encouraged for safety reasons.
Section 2: Students May Wear:
• Hoodie sweatshirts, although hood cannot be worn over head.
• Fitted pants, including leggings, yoga pants and “skinny jeans” are allowed as long as it meets requirements in section 1.
• Ripped jeans, as long as underwear is not exposed, and rips are not above fingertip length.
• Tank tops, as long as underwear or midriff is not exposed.
• Athletic attire, as long as it meets requirements in Sections 1 and 3.
• Clothing with commercial or athletic logos provided they do not violate Section 3 below.
Section 3: Students May NOT Wear
• Garments that reflect violent language or images.
• Images or language depicting drugs or alcohol (or any illegal item or activity) or the use of same.
• Hate speech, profanity, pornography.
• Images or language that creates a hostile or intimidating environment based on any protected class.
• Clothing where underwear is exposed. Undershirts/camisoles cannot be worn alone as shirts.
• Spaghetti straps, or strapless tops, unless otherwise covered.
• Bathing suits.
• Hats or head coverings except as a religious observance or as allowed on special days or for certain athletic or class requirements.
• Pajamas, except when allowed on special days.
• House slippers or shoes intended for indoors only.
• Sunglasses (indoors.)
• Metal-spikes on shoes or metal-toed shoes, except for when needed for a class such as at TCTA.
Traffic and general reminders
Dear Parents:
We are looking forward to an exciting year, and it will be good to see our students back on campus! As we prepare for the beginning of school, I need your help. Please read these instructions and reminders for a successful school year:
Student Carpool
We understand that there will be some traffic congestion during first few days of school. We appreciate your assistance in this process to ensure an efficient and safe process for everyone.
- NO CELL PHONE USE IN THE CARPOOL LINE. It is important to be completely aware of ALL students. Safety, Safety, Safety.
- Car drop-off is at the front of the school ONLY. Teachers will direct you through the car line. Please do not load or unload except in the sidewalk/awning area.
- To avoid congestion at the school entrance, please plan to drop your child off in the carpool lane. If you MUST walk your child to the front door, you will need to park your car in the parking lot and accompany your child across the center crosswalk.
- Do not drop off your child in the parking lot or on the side of the building. Safety, Safety, Safety.
- For afternoon pickup, please have a sign with your child’s last name visible in the front window.
- Do not enter the bus zones located on the south side near University Church of Christ.
- All changes to transportation must be made in writing. For the safety of your child, we ask that you not call the school and change the way your child is riding home that day. We must have the transportation change in writing or your child will follow their normal routine.
General Reminders
- School doors will open each morning at 7:30 a.m.
- Students eating breakfast at TMSE should arrive to the cafeteria in time to finish breakfast before school begins at 7:55 am.
- School starts at 7:55 am and ends at 2:40 pm.
- Upon entering the school building, every visitor must come to the school office and sign in.
- Photo ID is REQUIRED to check out a student.
Please know that we are doing everything we can to make this a smooth transition for all students and parents. It is going to be a GREAT year!
Tuscaloosa Magnet Schools-Elementary
Preeti Nichani - Principal
pnichani@tusc.k12.al.us
Mrs. Sewell - Secretary
Email: pnichani@tusc.k12.al.us
Website: https://www.tuscaloosacityschools.com/tmse
Phone: (205) 759-3655
Facebook: facebook.com/TMSE-PTA
Twitter: @TMSElementary