Tamanend Connections
Tamanend Together!
December 18, 2020
PLEASE NOTE: The next edition of our newsletter will be sent out on Friday, January 8.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM TAMANEND
Best wishes for a happy, safe, and healthy holiday season! I hope the upcoming break will be a time to relax, enjoy time with family, and engage in favorite pastimes and hobbies. This school year has been filled with many new procedures, policies, practices, and challenges. Thank you for your continued support and understanding as we work together to engage as a community of learners. Please know that we are here to support you and your family during the holiday season, and at all times. We have worked hard to establish a network of resources to support any student or family facing specific challenges or needs. The "Resources and Assistance" section of this newsletter details some of these supports. Please reach out to any of the following staff members if you are in need of any kind of assistance:
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
May the New Year be filled with joy, happiness, and new possibilities!
Happy holidays,
Brian D. Caughie, Ed.D.
Principal
CALENDAR ITEMS TO NOTE
Tamanend Holiday Spirit Week--Wednesday, December 16 through Wednesday, December 23 (details below)
Tamanend Trivia Night--rescheduled for Thursday, January 14 at 7:00 PM (virtual, on Teams)
Deadline for Submitting Freshmen Baby Photos for Yearbook--extended to Monday, December 21 (information below in this edition of the newsletter)
Tamanend Corona Cabaret--Tuesday, December 22 at 7:00 PM (virtual, on Teams) (information below in this edition of the newsletter)
Early Dismissal--Wednesday, December 23 (schedule below in this edition of newsletter0
Winter Break--Thursday, December 24--Friday, January 1
9th Grade Program Planning Presentation for Students--Tuesday, January 5 (during 3rd Period)
CB South Virtual Curriculum Fair (for current 9th Graders)--Activities begin Thursday, January 7 (information below in this edition of the newsletter)
Tamanend Parent Book Club--Thursday, January 7 at 6:30 PM (virtual, on Teams)
Tamanend Trivia Night--rescheduled for Thursday, January 14 at 7:00 PM (virtual, on Teams)
Student Picture Re-Takes--Thursday, January 21 or by appointment at studio until January 29
Schedule for Wednesday, December 23 Early Dismissal
Wednesdays are 100% Online Instruction Days
7:30--8:16 is 4th Period
8:19--9:05 is 5th Period
9:08--9:54 is 6th Period
9:57--10:45 is 7th Period
UPCOMING TAMANEND EVENTS
Corona Cabaret--Holiday Edition is Tuesday, 12/22 at 7 PM
The next Corona Cabaret is next Tuesday, 12/22, at 7pm. This live performance event on Teams gives students a chance to perform in front of a supportive crowd during the pandemic. Tuesday’s music will fit with a holiday/winter theme! If you would like to sign up to perform, join as an audience member, or simply find out more about this event, please click HERE! Questions can be directed to Mr. Sanchez
Reminder--Tamanend Spirit Week: Wednesday, December 16--Wednesday, December 23
The Tamanend Student Council is very excited for the upcoming spirit week! It takes place from December 16th to December 23rd. Online students are encouraged to participate on their Teams calls!
Wednesday 12/16: Winning Team (wear your favorite college or professional sports gear)
Thursday 12/17: Twinsie Thursday (wear the same outfit as a friend)
Friday: 12/18: Flannel Friday
Monday 12/21: Mismatch Monday
Tuesday 12/22: Ugly Sweater Day
Wednesday 12/23: Holiday Hat Day
We can’t wait to see everyone show their school spirit next week!
Tamanend Trivia Night is Re-Scheduled for Thursday, January 14
Tamanend Student Council and Tamanend National Junior Honor Society will host a Tamanend Trivia Night online and for the whole family on Thursday, January 14. Each family can form a team. The trivia game will be played live on Kahoot and hosted on Microsoft Teams:
- Date: Thursday, January 14
- All families and faculty/staff are invited to play.
- The game will begin at 7pm. Please log on by 6:45. The trivia game will last about one hour.
- This event is FREE, but everyone must register in advance in order to receive the link to the game.
- You can play as a single person or as a team, but everyone needs a team name and a team captain.
- Trivia questions will include a variety of topics, including some Tamanend-related trivia.
You will need two devices to play: A laptop or mobile device to join us via Microsoft Teams AND a mobile device with the free app Kahoot!, available on the Apple App Store or GooglePlay. Participants can login to Teams using the link at 6:45 pm and trivia will start promptly at 7pm. The Teams link will be shared with each team captain on Thursday, Janauary 14 at 3:00pm.
In order to play, please fill out the registration form below by Thursday, January 14 at 12:00pm.
You will need to create a team name and designate a team captain. The team captain, who will be entering the team's answers, will need to enter this team name in Kahoot! on the night of the event.
Click HERE to register!
We look forward to playing with you!
TAMANEND FEATURES
NJHS Members Spread Holiday Cheer for Tamanend Staff
Members of the National Junior Honor Society offered a gift wrapping service to Tamanend staff this week. The Tamanend elves worked during Resources to wrap the gifts and spread holiday cheer by relieving some stress and saving time for the staff!
Tambucks Returns
Tambucks Café is back in action in a “COVID-conscious” format. Students make bottled drinks available to staff members with contactless payment. Our staff members greatly appreciate the positive interactions and great service!
CB South Virtual Curriculum Fair for Current 9th Graders
We are excited to begin sharing our High School program with our future South students and parents. Unfortunately, as a result of the current capacity limitations on indoor events we are unable to welcome all of you to South for our annual Curriculum Fair on Thursday, January 7, 2021. However, we are excited to offer an alternative in the hopes that we be able to come together as a South Community later in the year. Dissemination of our curriculum information will take place as follows:
On Tuesday, January 5th, the Program Planning process begins when students receive information from the Middle School during the school. On Thursday, January 7th, you will be able to review pre-recorded presentations by our school counselors and by teachers within our departments. Counselors will review graduation requirements, block scheduling, and course planning options. Teachers will share course options, sequences, level differences, and address questions frequently asked by our rising sophomore families. All the presentations will be available on our Curriculum Information website. The presentations will be separated by department so that you can visit the departments that you are interested in learning more about, mirroring an in-person curriculum fair. A direct link to the website will be sent to all families during the first week of January. On Friday, January 8th, all families will receive an optional survey to complete. The purpose of the survey is to ask questions that have resulted after viewing the pre-recorded presentations. We will use these questions to guide us in preparing for the final segment of our informational series, On Tuesday, January 12th, Mrs. Ladley and Mrs. Barrett will host live on-line sessions for interested parents. The sessions will be offered via Microsoft Teams at the follow times:
- 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
- 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Links to each of these sessions will also be sent to all families during the first week of January. The purpose of these sessions is to address the most frequently asked questions that we received from the survey sent to all families on January 8th and to provide further clarification for families about the course selection process. These sessions are not mandatory and are not intended to address individual questions about your child’s high school plan. Questions as such should be directed to your child’s middle school counselor and/or middle school teachers at this time. We kindly ask you to attend only one session to ensure that all families have the opportunity to join the event. We look forward to offering you these opportunities to learn more about Central Bucks High School South.
Deadline for Freshman Baby Pictures for 2020-2021 Yearbook is Extended to Monday, December 21
DEADLINE FOR UPLOADING PHOTOS IS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21
- Be sure to SAVE THE PICTURE AS YOUR CHILD’S FIRST AND LAST NAME prior to uploading the picture! (We will unfortunately delete any baby pictures not saved correctly with a first and last name, as we do not want to mislabel a student’s picture in the yearbook with a wrong name)
- Please visit the website https://images.jostens.com/upload.jsp
- When asked to type a User ID, please type 415873954
- Click on “Choose File” and upload your picture
- Under “Contact Information” you will enter your student’s e-mail address, your student’s first name, and your student’s last name
- Under “Image Information” you will enter your student’s first name, your student’s last name, and you will choose grade 9.
- Agree to the Terms of Use by checking the box
- Finally, click Upload Chosen Image
Click here if you would like to learn more.
Reminder--Tamanend Players Spirit Wear Sale
Reminder--Join the Wellness/Snack Break Social 10:35--10:55 Daily
Hello! Are you looking for a way to connect with other kids from school while you are learning from home in the virtual setting? Mrs. Cammann is hosting a Wellness/Snack Break Social time each day from 10:35-10:55 during the virtual and hybrid learning models. Students are invited to join in to share some conversation and be connected with students across all grades. On Wednesdays, we will have games and trivia during this time! You are welcome to participate daily or pop in occasionally - no pressure. Maybe you will even get to know some new faces! Just click the link below to take part, socialize, and participate, while using our Tamanend ROAR to respect and include each other in this group. Enjoy your snack and unwind with us at 10:35 any day. Hope to see you there! Click here to join the meeting
Reminder--Order Your Tamanend Yearbook
It’s a great time to order your child’s 2020-2021 Tamanend Yearbook! If you order online prior to January 31, 2021 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 $37.50 from February 1st-March 31st, and finally to $40 for any yearbooks ordered up until April 30th. 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.
Reminder--Tamanend Student Pictures
Picture re-take day will be held on January 21. Additionally, parents/guardians can call C&C Studios at 215-345-1851 or email candcphotostudios@verizon.net to schedule and in-studio appointment. Once your appointment has been made, we will email you the paperwork (Picture Order Form and Covid-19 Consent Form) needed to be filled out brought in at the time of your appointment. Should you wish to make an appointment for any other children that attend high school or elementary school please feel free to do so. All scheduled appointments will be given ample time to provide the utmost customer service and the time allotted will be based on the number of students per family being photographed. Please note that in-studio appointments will not be available for purchase online. All questions will be answered directly by C&C Studios at 215-345-1851 or email candcphotostudios@verizon.net. For a copy of our Covid-19 Safety Protocol, please email us at the above email address and we send you one. Picture order forms are also available in our Lobby. The last day for appointments at C&C Studios is Friday, January 29.
Reminder--Tamanend Parent Book Club
Reminder--UNICEF Club
Are you interested in global issues and news? Do you want to get involved in helping people in your community and around the globe? Join the Tamanend UNICEF Unite Club. This club was started this year and the purpose of this club is serve as a space to discuss global issues, engage students, help students use their voice to enforce positive change, make better thinkers and communicators, and much more. Students will have the opportunity to learn about child protection, education, water, sanitation and hygiene which may align with certain areas of study, allowing for a more insightful, understanding life outside of the classroom. The club will also provide students with an opportunity to gain leadership positions on campus. Through fundraising, awareness, and community service, we will be able to help the millions of children who need our help. Please fill out this interest form https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=j0gLqp78hUGl4zhCIN8jyiSa13bnl15Kgt4n4oFy81FURjJUTThYNlM2M0xTN0pWNFU5MzNWUE9OQy4u if you are interested in the club. Meetings will be once every two weeks virtually A date for our first meeting will be sent out to those interested soon! If you have any questions feel free to contact Kalidindi.H055@student.cbsd.org , EORINSKI@cbsd.org , or AHIGGINS@cbsd.org.
Reminder--Holiday Gifts from Tamanend UNICEF Club
The Tamanend UNICEF Unite Club has some important information to share on how you can make an impact in a child’s life this holiday season. Click this link https://events.unicefusa.org/event/unicef-clubs-holiday-inspired-gifts-guide and consider buying an item that will go to a child in need. $10 can buy 20 jump-ropes, $12 can buy 5 basketballs, $18 can buy 5 school backpacks, $20 provide 100 bars of soap, and $55 buys a child 2 months worth of food. All items helps children in refugee camps, child-solider rehabilitation centers, and schools (through the George Harrison Fund). These items can bring communities together in helping them play, keep clean, and keep healthy. So add this to this years holiday list! Our club name “Tamanend UNICEF Unite Club”. We you a healthy and happy holiday season!
Reminder--Mock Trial Team for 9th Graders
Do you want to improve your speaking and analysis skills? Do you like exploring legal issues of everyday events? Or, just want to spend some time hanging out with Mr. Sterner and Mr. Heisey? We are pleased to offer the Mock Trial Club at Tamamend for any interested 9th graders. It’s a great way to learn about the legal profession and debate your way through an actual case as either a lawyer or a witness, as well as build your skills for future participation and competition at CB South. Please e-mail Mr. Heisey (jheisey@cbsd.org) or Mr. Sterner (dsterner@cbsd.org) if you are interested. Thank you!
Reminder--Tamanend Today Club
While we can’t currently run Tamanend Today, our live weekly TV show, we are still seeking interested students who enjoy broadcast media and video production. We have some ideas for production until we can go live again, and we would like your ideas for when we can go live. Until then, join us and be a part of producing meaningful, pre-recorded broadcasts and features. If media production is your thing, please reach out via e-mail to Mr. Sterner (dsterner@cbsd.org) or Mr. Landis (mdlandis@cbsd.org) to be part of our Tamanend Today Club! Thank you!
Reminder--Roaring Voices Review (Tamanend's Literary Magazine)
Do you like having an impactful voice through writing, art, and/or photography? Then please join us as part of Roaring Voices Review, Tamanend’s own literary magazine. Please let Mrs. Mancini (lmancini@cbsd.org) or Mr. Sterner (dsterner@cbsd.org) know if you are interested via e-mail, and we will alert you to our first meeting. Thank you!
FROM OUR MUSIC DEPARTMENT
Check Out our Holiday Chorus Videos!
8th Grade Chorus made a music video to go with their B101 Christmas Choir Competition recording of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” this year. Though they were not selected as a semi-finalist to be played on air in the radio competition, they had fun putting the video together! Check it out on the Tamanend Chorus YouTube Channel HERE. Also, be on the lookout for a new 9th Grade Chorus video on the channel as well (anticipated release date is 12/18)!
QUOTES AROUND TAMANEND
HELPFUL REMINDERS ABOUT TAMANEND PROCEDURES
Communicating Absences
Teachers will be taking attendance every class period during hybrid learning. If your child is unable to participate in hybrid learning during all or part of the day due to illness or medical appointment, please report your child's absence in any of the following ways:
- Email: tamanendattendance@cbsd.org
- Phone (Attendance hotline): 267-893-2920
Please note for Hybrid students: If your child is participating online from home due to illness on a day he or she is scheduled to be in the building, please contact Attendance. Your child will receive Attendance credit for participating online that day if he/she is logging on to Teams calls and participating in classes.
Reminder--Students Should Check Outlook Email Daily
FROM OUR GUIDANCE OFFICE
This Edition of Guidance Sparks--Success in the New Economy
In today’s world we are all trying to know what is best for our children but it is difficult to see what lies ahead for them. The “Sparks” video below gives some economic insight into the past, present and future. Please share your reactions to this video with you children for their own understanding of future possibilities.
For comments or questions, please contact Ginny Barrett at vbarrett@cbsd.org.
Success in the new economy
FROM OUR LIBRARY
Reminder--Tamanend Library is Here for All Your Reading Needs!
All students have full access to all books in the Tamanend Library and to SORA, our digital collection. If you would like to check out a book, please watch the following videos in your Library Canvas Course to see how to access both physical and digital books. Books will be delivered to classrooms for Hybrid students and Online students can pick their books up in the front lobby of Tamanend!
FROM OUR INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT
Reminder--Introducing LanSchool Air
Thank you for your support and patience as we work together to help students continue their education from home during this extraordinary time. We wanted to tell you about one of the solutions we are offering teachers to help support virtual learning: LanSchool Air.
LanSchool Air helps teachers provide instruction and guidance to students outside of the traditional classroom. This solution includes features that:
- Allow teachers to save time by pushing a website to all student devices instantly.
- Offer instant messaging between the teacher and students, giving students the opportunity to digitally “raise their hand” to indicate they’ve finished their assignment or have a question.
- Enable teachers to view students’ screens to ensure they’re staying on track.
- Provide a way for teachers to set restrictions on the websites and apps students can visit during class time.
If you would like more information about LanSchool Air, please visit the website at Lanschoolair.com.
Thank you for all you are doing to keep your children safe and learning.
Reminder--Technology Support
Reminder--9th-12th Grade Student Technology Toolkit
FROM OUR HEALTH OFFICE
Reminder--Revised Guidelines Regarding Quarantine & Travelling Outside of Pennsylvania
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently revised their recommendations around the length of time that an individual should quarantine after exposure to a positive COVID-19 case. The district integrated these changes into our Health and Safety Plan. These changes will dictate the time that students are unable to attend school in-person and participate in school-sponsored activities and athletics following exposure and/or travel outside of Pennsylvania.
- Students must remain at home for 10 days—7 days with evidence of a negative COVID-19 test—from the date of last close personal contact with a positive individual. The COVID-19 test must have been administered at least 5 days after the exposure.
- The commonwealth has revised their travel restrictions to reflect the CDC’s new guidance. Pennsylvanians who are returning home after travel are required to either quarantine for 10 days without testing, or to quarantine for 7 days with a negative test on or after day 5 of quarantine. Please note, out of an abundance of caution, our health and safety plan protocols require all students and employees to refrain from in-person instruction and school-sponsored athletics and activities during the commonwealth’s travel quarantine period regardless of age.
Please find a revised flow chart that contains this new guidance for your reference below. If we continue to stay home when we are sick, wear face coverings consistently and appropriately, wash hands regularly, and stay six feet away from others as much as possible, we will all do our part to help one another stay heathy.
Reminder--What to Do If Your Child Is Sick
FROM OUR CAFETERIA
Reminder--Breakfast and Lunch Available for Free to All Students
The Central Bucks School District and Aramark are committed to providing every student with the tools they need to succeed, including nutritious meals they can enjoy at no charge. No applications are needed! Breakfast bags will be available for daily grab and go pick up in the morning in the Cafeteria. Grab a breakfast bag and start your day off by fueling your body or hold onto it and enjoy at the designated snack period. Lunch will be available to grab and go at dismissal from the Cafeteria. On Tuesdays and on Fridays, students may take home Breakfast and Lunches for the three school days they are learning online from home. Parents can also pick up breakfast and lunch meals for students on Mondays and Thursdays from 10:30-12:00 at one of three locations:
CB West Visitor Entrance
CB South Gymnasium Entrance
CB East Main Office Entrance
Reminder--Free & Reduced Lunch/Breakfast Application
RESOURCES AND ASSISTANCE
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
Reminder--Coats for Our Kids
Reminder--FEAST--Feeding Everyone at Special Times
Reminder--Grandfamilies Support Group
Reminder--Housing Information
CB CARES
GETTING INVOLVED AND STAYING CONNECTED WITH TAMANEND
TMS Parent Council
Thursday, Jan 21, 2021, 09:00 AM
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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)
- Daily announcements (scrolling on TV screens during school day and posted on our website)
- 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
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
Recursos en Español
Aquí se encuentran recursos en Español para padres y guardianos de los estudiantes de Central Bucks: World Languages / Recursos para Hispanohablantes (cbsd.org)
Share Good News About Tamanend Students
How Did We Do This Week?
Tamanend Middle School
Email: tms@cbsd.org
Website: http://www.cbsd.org/Domain/25
Location: 1492 Stuckert Road, Warrington, PA
Phone: 267.893.2900