Tamanend Connections
Tamanend Together!
February 18, 2022
Tamanend 7th Graders Make Valentine's Day Special for Seniors
Tamanend 7th Graders helped to celebrate Valentine’s Day by making homemade cards for senior citizens. We wanted to show seniors in long-term and assisted-living facilities that they are loved and appreciated!
CALENDAR ITEMS TO NOTE
No School for Students (professional development day for faculty)--Friday, February 18
President's Day (School Holiday)--Monday, February 21
CB Middle Schools Orientation (for Parents/Guardians of Current 6th Graders)--Thursday, March 3 at 7:00 PM
Tamanend Musical--Friday, March 11 and Saturday, March 12 (details below)
TAMANEND ATHLETICS
INFORMATION:
- Spring sports will begin on March 21st. Registration for Tamanend Spring sports will open on February 1st. All 7th and 8th Grade students interested in playing a Spring sport for Tamanend this year must be registered on the Family ID web site no later than noon on March 14th. Please click HERE for detailed information, deadlines, and requirements.
- If you and would like to receive immediate updates on game schedules, cancellations, etc., visit Tamanend Athletics web page and become a “fan” to get alerts for your child’s team.
FROM CB SOUTH:
- Spring sports registration is open in Family ID for 9-12 graders interested in trying out for a CB South team. The deadline in February 18 to register. The first day of spring sports tryouts is March 7. Further information can be found on the CB South athletic site. Family ID link: www.familyid.com; CB South Athletic website: www.cbsathletics.com
- CB South Boys lacrosse pre-season workouts have begun for any athlete that would like to try out for the 2022 season. This is a great opportunity to sharpen your skills and get in shape. We would also welcome any newcomers to the sport and help you develop your skills for try outs. For more information please email (mstrayline@cbsd.org), and I would be glad to help. The schedule is as follows.
- Tuesdays lifting from 7-8pm wall ball from 8-9pm
- Thursdays lifting from 7-8pm
- Saturdays Stick Skills in the stadium from 10-12pm weather permitting.
- CB South Boys Volleyball is running weekly open gyms on Tuesdays (6:30-8) and Thursdays (8:30-9:30) in the Aux gym. Students in grades 9-12 are welcome to attend. If you would like additional information, please contact Coach Ehlers at mehlers@cbsd.org.
- Please see below for ice hockey information
Athletics Schedule
Monday, 2/21
- No School
Tuesday, 2/22
- No Contests
Wednesday, 2/23
- 7th Grade Boys Basketball vs. Holicong (H; 3:15)
Thursday, 2/24
- 7th Grade Boys Basketball @ Unami (A; 3:15); bus leaves at 2:15
- 8th Grade Boys Basketball vs. Log College (H; 3:15)
Friday, 2/25
- No Contests
TAMANEND EVENTS
Tamanend Players Presents The SpongeBob Musical--March 11 & 12
Tickets for Tamanend's 2022 show, The SpongeBob Musical, are on sale now! You can reserve seats now or buy general admission seats at the door. We hope you can join us under the sea the weekend of March 11-12. As always, thank you for your support of the Tamanend Players!
Next Meeting of Tamanend Parent Book Club is March 16
Reminder--Kelly Anne Dolan Day Re-Scheduled for April 30
TAMANEND FEATURES
A Reminder About Medications in School
A reminder that students are not permitted to carry medication and/or self-administer medication. Per the medication policy, “All medication, both prescription and non-prescription must be kept in the school health office. Medication will be administered to student during school hours only when such medication is required and accompanied by a doctor’s order” (CBSD Medication Dispensing Form medication policy). “With parent permission, acetaminophen and ibuprofen may be administered according to the manufacturer’s suggested dosage. Administration of specific non-prescription medications is available to all students under the guidelines of the district’s chief medical director. These medications include cough drops, throat spray, antacid tablets, and antibiotic ointment. Parents may grant permission when student information is updated via the parent portal during the summer months. Students who have medications of any kind in their possession (purses, lunch boxes, school bags, etc.) may be considered in violation of the school drug and alcohol policy. However, with a doctor’s order, students requiring emergency medication (EpiPen, for example) may be permitted to carry and self-administer the medication” (2021-2022 CBSD Family Handbook).
Regarding field trips and medication:
“A nurse is not available for field trips. If a parent requests medication to be administered during the trip, this should be noted on the field trip permission form. Parents must package medications at home and hand deliver them in a sealed envelope to the teacher. The child will self-administer the medication under teacher supervision” (2021-2022 CBSD Family Handbook). Epi-pens and inhalers should be brought from home for field trips as long as the appropriate doctor’s order/competency check is on file.
Please contact Mrs. Lauren Myrtetus, Certified School Nurse, Tamanend Middle School with any questions at lmyrtetus@cbsd.org or 267-893-2915.
Reminder--Morning Car Line
When the weather is poor (heavy rain, low temperatures, etc.), more and more parents/guardians choose to drive their children to school. A reminder that students are expected to be in their 1st Period classes by 7:30 AM. If a child is late to school because of CBSD transportation, their tardiness will be excused. If a student is late to school because of car trouble, over-sleeping, or they are in the car drop-off line, their tardiness is unexcused. Typically, there are few cars in the drop off line from when the doors open at 7:10 until about 7:20. After 7:20, the line begins to get very long.
If you drive your child to school and the weather is poor, please consider leaving home earlier so that your child arrives to class on time.
Thanks for your assistance!
Reminder--Program Planning Timeline for 2022-2023 School Year
Program Planning for the 2022-2023 school year is underway. Program Planning is the process by which students, parents, teachers, and guidance counselors collaborate to create each student's class schedule for the subsequent school year. The Central Bucks Program of Studies, which explains the program planning process and describes all courses, can be found on the CBSD website as per the dates listed below. Please find a list of important dates below related to program planning:
- January 3--Program of Studies booklet for Grades 9-12 available on the CBSD website. Hard copies will be distributed to current 9th graders at a date TBD.
- January 4--Program planning assembly for current 9th Graders (during school day)
- January 13 (please note this event was re-schedule from January 6)--Central Bucks South Curriculum Fair (for current 9th Graders) 6:30 PM at CB South High School
- January 14--Program of Studies booklet for Grades 7 & 8 available on the CBSD website
- January 19 to February 6--Current 9th Grade students enter course requests at home via Parent Portal
- January 31--Program planning presentations for current 8th Graders (during school day)
- February 1--Program planning assembly for current 7th Graders (during school day)
- February 11--Course verifications posted on Portal for parents of current 7th Graders to review
- February 17--Course verifications electronically confirmed on Portal by parents of current 7th Graders by this date
- February 23-- Course verifications posted on Portal for parents of current 8th Graders to review
- March 1--Course verifications electronically confirmed on Portal by parents of current 8th Graders by this date
- March 18--Course verifications posted on Portal for parents of current 9th Graders to review
- March 30-- Course verifications electronically confirmed on Portal by parents of current 9th Graders by this date
Visit the CB South Program Planning Page (For Rising 10th Graders)
Click here to visit the CB South Program Planning page to learn about course offerings at CB South for the 2022-2023 school year.
Reminder--Middle School Orientation for 6th Grade Parents/Guardians is March 3
Middle School Orientation for parents of current 6th Graders will be held at Tamanend Middle School on Thursday, March 3 at 7:00 PM. The program will begin in the Main Gym where teachers from our different curricular departments will be available in an open-house format to provide information about classes. At approximately 7:25, we will move to the Auditorium for a presentation about middle school life, programs, extra curricular activities, athletics, and answers to frequently asked questions.
You can click here to learn about the many middle school orientation/transition activities that will occur between now and September. This information will be updated regularly. We are very excited to work with you and your child during the middle school years.
Please note: Parents of students with IEPs are invited to attend an informational session at 6:30 PM in Room 302 run by our Special Education staff.
Reminder--E-Sports League Sign-Up is Open for CBSD Students
Sign-ups are happening now for the Central Bucks School District’s official Esports League! Managed by Metro Esports, each esports season will include six weeks of virtual game play, with live playoff and league championship matches hosted at The Metro Gaming Lounge, located on Street Road in Warminster. Students in grades K-12 may participate in a combination of gaming and technology-based skills development, while engaging in an outlet for competing in a non-sport, team activity with the ability to learn about gaming industry and STEM/STEAM careers in a very hands-on way. This first of its kind competitive multi-season competitive esports League will include popular game titles like Apex Legends, Rocket League, and Fortnite. In season, the Metro facility will be available for both individual and team practice sessions and one-on-one coaching and skills training.
Elementary gaming and technology enthusiasts will be able to participate in Minecraft games, challenges and learning opportunities.
This is an opportunity for students of all ages, interest levels and abilities to pursue their interests in gaming and technology. League registration is open on the Metro Esports website at https://metroesports.gg.
Reminder--Yearbook Ordering is Now Open
It’s a great time to order your child’s 2021-2022 Tamanend Yearbook! If you order online prior to January 31, 2022 the cost of the full-color, hardback yearbook is on sale for $35 (plus tax). This is also the deadline if you’d like to add any additional personalization to your child’s yearbook. The price of the yearbook will increase to $40 (plus tax) from February 1st- April 30th. After this date, we unfortunately cannot guarantee your child will be able to purchase a yearbook at the end of the year. Please click the link here to take you to Jostens online ordering page. No preorders will be accepted in school – all orders must be done through Jostens. If you have any questions, please email Kristen Gerth at kgerth@cbsd.org.
EARN YOUR STRIPES--TAMANEND'S SCHOOL-WIDE POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL SUPPORT SYSTEM
Our SWPBIS initiative has been of to a great start! We recently cleared the Tiger 200 board and several students walked away with prizes. Students who appear on the Tiger 200 board are recognized by staff members for being respectful, taking ownership of their behavior, acting appropriately and remembering kindness. Congratulations to all those students who received Tiger Stripes in the 1st Marking Period. Keep up the good work!
QUOTES AROUND TAMANEND
UPCOMING DISTRICT & COMMUNITY EVENTS
Reminder--Vaping & Nicotine: Health Impacts on Adolescent Health and Learning
Reminder--Volunteer Opportunity--Summer Camp Counselors at Churchville Nature Center
We hope your year is off to a great start! We’d love to have your students join us for the 2022 Summer Camp Season at the Churchville Nature Center! This opportunity is open to students 14 years and older. We ask our volunteers to have been vaccinated against COVID.
Copy and paste this link to get the application: https://www.churchvillenaturecenter.org/user/9/downloads/u220106_1155_Counselorapplication2022FINAL.pdf
Reminder--Doylestown YMCA Offers Free Memberships for 7th Graders
Did you know that the Doylestown YMCA offers free memberships for 7th Graders? Click here to read all about this great opportunity.
FROM OUR INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT
Reminder--Please Properly Take Care of Your Laptop
We have seen an increase in cracked laptop screens. Here are a few tips to help you properly take care of your laptop:
· Use your laptop bag when carrying your laptop in school and outside of school.
· If you have a small crack on your screen, please take it to the Library to get it fixed as soon as possible. Many times, students do not have small cracks repaired as soon as they occur. This sometimes results in the screen shattering completely.
· Please note that intentional laptop damage will result in potential disciplinary consequences and a bill for the repairs.
Reminder--Student Technology Security Outside of the U.S.
Currently, the Technology and Innovation Department blocks Microsoft Office 365 logins to Outlook, OneDrive, ClassLink, and Canvas from foreign countries. This aids in protecting our CBSD user accounts and organization from malicious computer attacks from outside of the United States.
Students who travel cannot assume their devices will work once they leave the United States. For student out-of-country access requests, please know that access to technology for vacations will not be approved at this time.
FROM OUR GUIDANCE OFFICE
Guidance Information
- Program Planning is the process by which students prepare to choose their courses for the next school year. Click here for an overview of the process for current 9th grade students.
- The CB South Curriculum Fair for next year's 10th Graders was held on Thursday, January 13. CB South's Program Planning & Curriculum page contains videos from across all of their various departments and can help give a sense of their offerings. Please note that the dates on their page are applicable to current sophomores and juniors. The Program Planning Timeline for current 9th grade students will continue to be shared by the Tamanend team. Verifications for current 9th Grade students will be posted for confirmation on March 18th.
- Verifications for current 8th Grade students will be posted for confirmation on February 23rd. Click on this VIDEO for an overview of the course selection process.
- Verifications for current 7th Grade students were to be confirmed by Thursday, February 17th. Click on this VIDEO for an overview of the course selection process.
- Pertinent program planning dates can be found in this and subsequent editions of the Tamanend Connections newsletter.
- MBIT’s Open House was held virtually on Thursday, November 18th. If you were unable to attend and would still like to learn about all of the amazing programs that MBIT has to offer, please visit the MBIT web site or stop by the guidance for additional information.
- the MBIT web site or stop by the guidance for additional information.
Sparks--Career Exploaration
As part of the State mandate for career education, all Pennsylvania students are to receive information on the various pathways available to them to pursue their interests including post-secondary education, the world of work or the military. As one part of this we have developed a long-standing relationship with the local Career Technical Center, Middle Bucks Institute of Technology.
At the high school level, our students can spend half of their school day at MBIT in classrooms and program laboratories receiving specific training in areas such as horticulture or electronics. While in the middle school grades, students attend presentations about the many programs which can lead to visits or even shadowing a current student in programs such as commercial art or dental occupations. Summer school programs are also conducted in many areas of interest including Drone Discovery and Pastry Art.
Over the last few years, we have also shared information with our elementary students through in-person tours (when permitted) and most recently real-time virtual panels and visits given by the current MBIT students to our sixth-grade classes. These tours are scheduled again for this May.
Take a tour yourself and find out more about the many opportunities available to the Central Bucks students.
https://www.mbit.org/Domain/152
For comments or questions, please contact Ginny Barrett at vbarrett@cbsd.org.
Student Assistance Program (SAP)
The Student Assistance Program (SAP) has been established in schools throughout Pennsylvania with the cooperative support of the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Health and Welfare. SAP programs provide schools with the means to identify, refer, and support students who are exhibiting behavioral, academic, or attendance issues that put them at risk. Every secondary school in Central Bucks has a team of dedicated school personnel who are trained to assist students, faculty and family members in identifying problems that impact the student’s ability to function in school. The team can also offer students and their families resources to assist them in alleviating these problems. Click here to read the latest edition of the SAP newsletter.
FROM OUR HEALTH OFFICE
Reminder--Free COVID-19 Testing
FROM OUR CAFETERIA
Reminder--Free Breakfast and Lunch for All Tamanend Students for 2021-2022 School Year
In April 2021, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service extended the program that will provide for free meals for all students, regardless of income, for the 2021-22 school year. This has been made possible by nationwide waivers that provide for free meals for all students through June 2022.
All menus are available to be viewed online up to 2 weeks in advance by visiting cbsd.nutrislice.com.
Students are entitled to one complete reimbursable breakfast per day and one complete reimbursable lunch per day. Any second entrée or a la carte snack item will be charged to the students’ lunch account. We encourage all families to put money on their students account through MySchoolBucks.com as there will be no cash transactions this year to serve the students as safely and swiftly as possible.
We are thrilled to continue to safely serve students delicious, fresh, and nutritious meals at no charge, and we are equally excited to re-introduce our favorite programs to deliver fun, exciting, and tasty experiences to students throughout the coming year.
Please note: If your child has participated in the free and reduced meal program in the past, we encourage you to apply again as participation allows for eligibility in other programs. You can find the application here: Food Services / Free & Reduced Lunch Application (cbsd.org)
RESOURCES AND ASSISTANCE
Reminder--CB Farmer's Market at Barclay Elementary School
Any Central Bucks family who may need a little extra food assistance is welcome to join us on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of every month at Barclay Elementary School. Our drive-up food distributions run from 4:30 to 5:30 PM. We generally have free dry goods, fresh produce, milk, eggs, and bread, and often have some frozen meat and poultry. At each event we pass out an average of 12,000-15,000 pounds of food.
The CB Farmers Market started in 2019 as a monthly market that distributed free produce. At the start of the pandemic, we recognized a significant need in our community, with many families needing food assistance for the first time in their lives. As our operations grew, so did our network of amazing individuals and community organizations—all of whom are committed to addressing food insecurity in the Central Bucks School District. By our estimates, 1,500 CB children may experience temporary or chronic food insecurity—a statistic which should not exist in a community with our resources.
Our completely volunteer-run and managed organization was founded on two beliefs: 1) During times of need, which we all experience in one form or another, we should be able to count on the compassion and support of our neighbors; and 2) Our community’s collective commitment to our children is a bond much stronger than all of the other forces that might otherwise divide us.
Help with Resources
If you are experiencing a financial hardship, please know that the staff members listed below can help you and your family. We can provide assistance with food, clothing, field trips, student fees, internet access, and other issues. Please don't hesitate to contact us:
Brian Caughie, Principal bcaughie@cbsd.org
Kyle Dudley, Assistant Principal kdudley@cbsd.org
Lauren Myrtetus, Certified School Nurse lmyrtetus@cbsd.org
Jeff Klein, Guidance Counselor jklein@cbsd.org
Mandy Cammann, Guidance Counselor mcammann@cbsd.org
Housing Information
CB CARES
HELPFUL REMINDERS ABOUT TAMANEND PROCEDURES
Reminder--Volunteering at Tamanend
All Central Bucks School District Volunteers play a vital role in supporting the staff, students, sports programs and other activities of our schools.
Thank you for your interest in volunteering! We are excited to introduce our NEW contactless application and paperwork submission process to our CBSD volunteers. You can now upload your clearances online through our Volunteer Tracker portal. Please click App Garden- Volunteer Tracker to sign-up and review the clearance requirements. Sign-up is required for both New and Returning Volunteers! The Volunteer Tracker will allow you to sign-up for volunteer opportunities specific to your building and/or classroom of choice. You will receive communication via email to update you on the latest upcoming event(s), clearance expiration, and to review your participation level. Clearances and Background Checks are valid for five (5) years. Click here for required documentation and further information.
Reminder--Dropping Off Items For Your Child
It's simple to drop off an item for your child! All you need to do is drop the item in the correct grade-level blue bin in the Lobby of our school. Please make sure your child's name is on the item.
Reminder--If You Bring Your Child To School After 7:30
If you bring your child in late to school, please follow this process:
- ring bell to come in to Lobby
- write note
- send student in to Main Office—parents don’t need to come in the Main Office
Reminder--New CBSD Student Absence Reporting System
The Central Bucks School District will be changing the way in which absences are reported, beginning on the first day of school, August 30, 2021. The following items are some key points to be aware of.
- Parents and guardians will be able to submit absence requests via the Parent Portal. Parents can request a full day absence, early dismissal, or late arrival.
- Absence requests will be reviewed by school attendance staff and approved or denied.
- Requests made using the parent portal will also serve as the excuse for the absence. Parents will not be required to submit an excuse either electronic or written.
- Parents and guardians can also still call the school to report an absence, but emails will no longer be accepted.
In addition, when a student is absent from school, but the school did not receive communication from the parent or guardian, the following communication will be sent:
- A text message will be sent midmorning notifying the parent or guardian of the absence
- An email will also be sent at the end of the school day reminding the parent or guardian that the student was marked absent.
Information regarding how to use the Parent Portal to report an absence can be found here.
Reminder--Communicating Absences
You may report your child's absence in any of the following ways:
- Through Parent Portal
- Phone (Attendance hotline): 267-893-2920
Reminder--Parent Drop-Off/Pick-Up & Parking Lot Safety
If parents/guardians decide to drive students to school, please plan enough travel time to allow for safety and congestion on Stuckert Road and in our school parking lot. The speed limit in our lot is 15 mph.
Below is a map of how the student drop-off works in our parking lot. Drop off should only happen along the sidewalk at the Athletics Entrance as indicated by the red dot on the map. For your safety and the safety of our students, please follow these directions and do not drop your student off on Stuckert Road, the Visitor's Parking area, or in the middle of the Main Parking Area.
When dropping off your child, please remember that YOU SHOULD ONLY MAKE A RIGHT-HAND TURN INTO/OUT OF THE PARKING LOT. Please stay to the right of the parking lot, along the sidewalk, all the way up to the Cafeteria/Gym Entrance. Pull up as far as you can when the cars in front of you clear, and let your child out there.
When picking up your child, please remember that YOU SHOULD ONLY MAKE A RIGHT-HAND TURN INTO THE PARKING LOT. The line of traffic will extend back toward the baseball field (Kelly Rd.). Please stay in the line of traffic and continue moving up as the car(s) in front of you move up. If we follow this procedure, all cars we be gone by 2:40.
Para nuestras familias hispanohablantes...
¡Bienvenidos a Tamanend! Yo soy Brian Caughie, Director de Tamanend Middle School. Soy hispanohablante. Pasé mucho de mi vida en España. Estoy aquí para apoyarles a todos los estudiantes y familias en Tamanend. Favor de llamarme or escribirme (en inglés o en español) si Ud. tiene cualquier duda o pregunta.
Correo electrónico: bcaughie@cbsd.org
Oficina: (267) 893-2900
STAYING CONNECTED WITH TAMANEND
Ways to Stay Connected with Tamanend
Here is a list of ways Tamanend communicates with students, families, and the community:
- Tamanend website: includes important information, resources, calendar of school events, and daily announcements
- Calendar of school events (posted on our website)
- Good Morning Tamanend daily announcements (emailed to parents* and students each morning, scrolling on TV screens during school day and posted on our website) *parents should email Mrs. Donna Kirkpatrick at dkirkpatrick@cbsd.org if they would like to have the daily announcements emailed to them directly
- TV show (weekly, during Advisory period)
- Email blasts from Tamanend administration regarding important news, new procedures, and reminders
- Parent Portal: student information, grades, and attendance
- Tamanend Connections newsletter: useful information, important reminders, and school highlights emailed weekly during school year and posted on Tamanend website
- Twitter: @CBTamanendMS highlights of activities, events, and daily life at Tamanend
- CBSD app: highlights of activities, events, and daily life in Central Bucks
Parent(s)/Guardian(s) Can Sign Up for Email Blast of Tamanend Daily Announcements
If parent(s)/guardian(s) wish to receive the daily announcements via email blast, they should email Mrs. Donna Kirkpatrick. Daily announcements are always posted under the "Daily Announcements" Section of the Tamanend website for those who do not wish to receive the daily email.
TMS Parent Council
Parent Council is an open meeting where all parents are welcome to attend to learn more about Tamanend Middle School. Parent Council typically meets on the third Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. There is no obligation to attend all Parent Councils and there are no elected positions. Parent Council is a forum for parents and school leaders to learn from and with each other, together.