Tumwater MS
February 26, 2021
School Name Finalized
Earlier this week the BSD School Board selected Tumwater Middle School as our school name. After receiving over 500 community suggestions, researching geographic history, and consultation with various groups, Tumwater was one of four names presented for considerations. Tumwater means waterfall in Chinuk Wawa, a contact language used by tribes in the Pacific Northwest, including the Atfalati band of the Kalapuya who lived in the Cedar Mill area. The brickwork of the school was inspired by the the weaving technique of Kalapuya baskets.
Board Member Donna Tyner remarked that the name "Tumwater" symbolizes both the nearby Cedar Mill Falls and the Native American community. Board Chair Becky Tymchuk commented that noted that we have a rich heritage in our backyard with a name that recognize the people who provide the land where we live, learn and work.
Now that we have an official school name, we will be engaging students in the design process of choosing a mascot and school colors.Let's get creative!
Meet the Staff: Assistant Principal Haskins
We are excited to announce that Kimberly Haskins is joining our team as Assistant Principal. An educator with 27 years of experience - 25 of those years in the Beaverton School District, she is passionate about creating student-centered learning environments where educators are relentless in their pursuit to grow powerful learners. Her commitment to helping create school communities that families are proud to be a part of is long standing.
Ms. Haskins started her educational career teaching 6th grade mathematics in the Mt. Angel School District. Upon moving to Beaverton, she began teaching 5th grade at Elmonica Elementary and she later accepted a position as a Teacher on Special Assignment mentoring new math and science teachers at the middle and high school level.
In 2003, Ms. Haskins accepted her first administrative position as Principal at McKinley Elementary School. In 2008, she was hired to be the planning Principal and opened Bonny Slope Elementary School. Her planning team collaborated closely with students and families to create a vision for their future school community, laying the groundwork for many enduring Bonny Slope traditions that have lasted - academic, social, and extracurricular.
For the last 7 years, Ms. Haskins has held assistant principal positions at both Stoller Middle School and Meadow Park Middle School. She thoroughly loves learning alongside middle schoolers. Ms. Haskins believes that all students are capable of learning at the highest level possible if they are welcomed into inclusive classroom environments that foster a high level of respect and care for each other. She believes it is our collective responsibility to prepare children with the attitudes and skills necessary to become whoever they want to be when they grow up.
Ms. Haskins shares that she is beyond excited and ready to partner with the staff and community to make Tumwater a very special place to live and learn this upcoming school year.
Family Information Nights
All families are invited to attend an information night to learn about the new middle school, including schedule, academic program, and elective offerings. A Zoom link will be emailed to parents/guardians out the morning of each event:
- Current 5th Grade Families: Monday, March 1st at 6:30 pm
- Current 6th & 7th Grade Families: Tuesday, March 2nd at 6:30 pm
Student Forecasting Meetings
Our planning team staff is scheduled to meet with incoming students March 1-12. During these visits taking place during their current school class sessions, students will learn about classes and elective offerings, how to submit their forecasting requests, as well as participate in a brainstorming activity to generate ideas for our school colors and mascot. We have coordinated with each feeder school for these meetings to occur during the school day. Students’ current schools will share the meeting links.
Current 5th Graders:
- Bonny Slope – March 5
- Cedar Mill – March 2
- Findley – March 2 & 4
- Oak Hills – March 5
- Terra Linda – March 1
Current 6th & 7th Graders:- Cedar Park – March 10
- Meadow Park – March 11
- Stoller – March 8
Incoming students who are not currently attending one of our feeder schools will receive email invitations to small group scheduling sessions.
Parent Teacher Club Planning
All parents and guardians are invited to participate in planning meetings to establish a Tumwater Parent Teacher Club. Johanna Shrout, BSD Coordinator of Volunteer Services, will join us for these meetings to provide information and support. Our first two meetings are Wednesday, March 10 and Wednesday, April 7 at 6:30 pm. Zoom links to the meetings will be emailed the morning of the meetings.
Apply to join the Student Advisory Team
We are seeking current 5th, 6th, & 7th graders to serve on a Student Advisory Team. The team will meet virtually on Wednesdays and/or after school to provide student voice in the planning process. The time commitment is about one hour a week and would continue through the 2021-22 school year. A strong candidate for this team is one who is a strong communicator, creative thinker, and is open-minded. Students who are interested in being considered for the Student Advisory Team are invited to complete this application by Friday, March 19th.
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