Tamanend Connections
Tamanend Together!
October 22, 2021
Help Tamanend Honor Veterans
CALENDAR ITEMS TO NOTE
Tamanend Recognizes Red Ribbon Week--Monday, October 25 to Friday, October 29
Tamanend Blood Drive--Monday, October 25 from 3:00--8:00 PM (details below)
Ryan's Story Parent Event (Anti-Bullying/Suicide Awareness Event)--Monday, October 25 at 7:00 PM (details below)
Ryan's Story Student Assembly (Anti-Bullying/Suicide Awareness)--Tuesday, October 26 (during school day) (details below)
Tamanend Red Out for Red Ribbon Week--Wednesday, October 27 (details below)
9th Grade Drug Awareness Assembly--Wednesday, October 27 (details below)
Tamanend Pink Out in Honor of Corinne Sikora--Thursday, October 28
Early Dismissal--Friday, October 29
Election Day is a Virtual Learning Day--Tuesday, November 2 (students will log on to classes from home via Teams calls links in Canvas)
Tamanend Coffeehouse--Friday, November 12 at 7:30 PM (details below)
Tamanend Parent Book Club--Wednesday, November 17 at 6:30 PM (details below)
Tamanend Parent Council--Thursday, November 18 at 9:00 AM
MBIT Open House--Thursday, November 18 (details below)
TAMANEND ATHLETICS
INFORMATION:
- Family ID opened for Winter sports registration on October 1st. This includes girls basketball, wrestling, and boys basketball. All 7th and 8th Grade students interested in playing a Winter sport for Tamanend this year must be registered on the Family ID web site. The deadline for GIRLS BASKETBALL registration on Family ID is 8:00am on Wednesday, October 27th. The deadline for WRESTLING registration is 8:00am on Wednesday, November 10th, and the deadline for BOYS BASKETBALL registration is 8:00am on Wednesday, January 5th. If your child is not registered by those times, you will not receive important concussion information that will only be sent to those who are registered. All student-athletes must have completed PIAA physicals (if playing their first sport of the school year) OR PIAA Recertification (if they played a Fall sport) uploaded to Family ID prior to the start of the Winter sports season. The PIAA physical forms can be found HERE. The PIAA Recertification form can be found HERE. Additional items are outlined and explained on the Tamanend Athletics web page. Tryouts/Practices will begin on the following dates:
- Girls Basketball: November 1st
- Wrestling: November 15th
- Boys Basketball: January 10th
- If you are interested in becoming part of the Wrestling program, please click HERE for information about the upcoming season.
- 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:
- A reminder from CB South for football games: The Central Bucks ticket policy is $5.00 for students in 8th grade and up. 7th grade and under MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT. You will be turned away at the gate. Please bring your student ID if you have one.
- If trying out for a Winter sport, registration on Family ID must be complete by November 5th.
- CB South 9th Grade Boys Basketball will be hosting open gyms this fall prior to the start of the basketball season. They will run from 6:00-7:30 on Thursday Oct. 28 and Thursday Nov. 11. Please bring your own water bottles.
Athletics Schedule
Monday, 10/25
- 8th Grade Field Hockey @ Klinger (Away; 3:15); bus leaves at 2:15
- 8th Grade Soccer @ Klinger (Away; 3:15); bus leaves at 2:15
Tuesday, 10/26
- 8th Grade Football @ Holicong (Away; 3:15); bus leaves at 2:15
- Volleyball vs. Unami (Home; 3:15)
Wednesday, 10/27
- 8th Grade Field Hockey vs. Lenape (Home; 3:15)
- 8th Grade Soccer vs. Lenape (Home; 3:15)
- Volleyball: Post-season Tournament; Seed 5 @ Seed 4 (Location TBD; 3:15) **if qualifying**
Thursday, 10/28
- Boys Tennis Championships @ CB East (Away; 1:00); bus leaves at 12:30
- Girls Tennis Championships @ CB West (Away; 1:00); bus leaves at 12:30
- Volleyball: Post-season Tournament; Semi-Finals & Championship @ Tohickon (Seed 1 vs. Winner of Seeds 4 & 5 at 3:00; Seed 2 vs. Seed 3 at 3:45; Championship at 4:45); bus time TBD **if qualifying**
Friday, 10/29 (Please note this is an early dismissal day)
- Boys Tennis Championships @ CB East (A; 2:00); parent transport **if qualifying**
- Girls Tennis Championships @ CB West (A; 2:00); parent transport **if qualifying**
- 8th grade Football @ Unami (Away; 3:15); bus leaves at 2:15
TAMANEND FEATURES
#SouthSide STEM Club Soars to New Heights
The #SouthSide STEM Club held it’s first meeting last week and had an astounding 67 students turn out for our first meeting!!! At the meeting, students, working in across grade level groups, were challenged to build the tallest tower possible only using 100 index cards (no other supplies or materials were allowed). Two groups built an amazing tower that remained standing at an astounding 39.25 inches!!
We're looking forward to seeing everyone at our next meeting on Wednesday 10/27 at 2:45 in the Cafeteria!
November 2 is Virtual Learning Day
Tuesday, November 2nd, 2021 (Election Day) is scheduled as a synchronous online instructional day for students in grades kindergarten through twelfth grade. Teachers will be in school providing live online instruction to students learning from home through teams. Students should log on to their classes via Teams call link in Canvas according to their regular schedule. Look for additional instructions from your child’s teacher or school regarding this virtual instructional day. Please note: Students in Mrs. Jill Heisey's class and Mrs. Kelly Frymoyer's class will be attending school in-person on November 2.
Support Christian's Crew at JDRF One Walk on Sunday, October 24
Next Meeting of Tamanend Parent Book Club is November 17
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.
UPCOMING TAMANEND EVENTS
Reminder--Ryan’s Story Anti-Bullying Parent Presentation and Student Assembly
As you know, Tamanend Middle School has implemented a comprehensive bullying prevention program. We are committed to taking serious, proactive steps to curb a problem that is found in schools everywhere. Our efforts are focused on raising awareness about bullying and cyber bullying with students and parents. We have recruited Mr. John Halligan to conduct two presentations, one for parents on Monday, October 25, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. at Tamanend Middle School, and one for students on Tuesday, October 26, 2021 during the school day. He will relay his own tragic experience as a Dad whose 13 year old son took his own life in 2003, after incessant bullying by peers since the 5th grade, both in school and online. His story is riveting and powerful, and reminds students that there is a face, a person, a heart, on the other end of the computer screen. The student presentation will begin with a short video collection of home movie clips and still pictures of Ryan. John will then begin to tell the story of Ryan and the factors that led up to his son’s suicide. The students will gain a perspective from inside a family of a child who is a victim of bullying and cyber bullying. They will also gain awareness about the signs and risk of teenage suicide and how best to help a friend. As part of Mr. Halligan’s presentation, students will have the chance to ask him questions. We encourage you to visit a website named for his son: www.ryanpatrickhalligan.org for more information. Because of the sensitive nature of the topic, we want to inform you about it in advance. We encourage you to ask your child about the presentation and discuss it together. If for any reason, you would prefer that your child not attend this presentation, please send an email to your child’s guidance counselor prior to October 25. Parents are invited to Mr. Halligan’s evening presentation on the topic of “Ryan’s Story: A Father’s Hard Earned Lessons About Cyberbullying and Suicide” which will be held on Monday, October 25th at 7:00 p.m. at Tamanend Middle School. We encourage all of our parents to attend this important and relevant presentation. Should you have questions, please feel free to contact a guidance counselor at 267-893-2910.
Ryan's Story--Evening Event for Parents--October 25
Tamanend Red Out for Red Ribbon Week is Wedenesday, October 27
Wednesday of next week (October 27th) is our annual Wear Red Wednesday Red Out! Please encourage your student to wear as much red as they can to school that day!
Reminder--9th Grade Drug Awareness Assembly--Wednesday, October 27
On Wednesday, October 27th, 9th Graders will be attending an assembly that focuses on drug education, awareness, and prevention.. We are fortunate to have Matt Weintraub, Bucks County District Attorney, as our featured presenter. This program is focused on our local area, so there may be direct connections to your child/family. If you wish for your child to not attend due to the sensitive nature of this assembly, please contact your child’s counselor so that alternate arrangements can be made.
Tamanend Guidance:
Mr. Jeff Klein (A-L)
Mrs. Mandy Cammann (M-Z)
Reminder--Tamanend Pink Out--October 28
FROM OUR MUSIC DEPARTMENT
Tamanend Coffeehouse is November 12
EARN YOUR STRIPES--TAMANEND'S SCHOOL-WIDE POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL SUPPORT SYSTEM
This week, we reviewed expectations for appropriate behavior on busses. You can read more about SWPBIS here.
SWPBIS Bus Expectations
TAMANEND ADVISORY
Advisory is a 19-minute period between 2nd and 3rd periods. The purpose of Advisory is to communicate important information to students, engage in wellness activities, and build strong, positive relationships between students and teachers.
Next Week In Advisory! – The week of 10/25 will be a busy week for Tamanend Advisory groups. Next week is Red Ribbon Week, which was started by Nancy Reagan to raise awareness to the dangers of drugs. Students will be signing pledges and the 9th Graders will be participating in a drug awareness assembly, presented by Bucks County District Attorney Matt Weintraub. The entire school will be listening to the Ryan’s Story presentation on Tuesday. The week will be concluding with a half-day and our Halloween Costume Contest, on Friday.
QUOTES AROUND TAMANEND
UPCOMING DISTRICT & COMMUNITY EVENTS
Reminder--Bucks County Medication Disposal Drive Up & Drop In--October 23
Reminder--CB West Harlequin Club to Present Irving Berlin's White Christmas
Tickets for our production of Irving Berlin's White Christmas go on sale this Saturday, October 16th at 8am!
Performances are Thursday, November 18th at 7:00pm, Friday November 19th at 7:00pm and Saturday November 20th at 2:00pm and 7:00pm.
Tickets are $15 for Adults and $10 for Students/Seniors. We invite all Central Bucks staff to purchase tickets at the Student/Senior rate.
Get your tickets to this holiday favorite featuring lots of well-known standards including Blue Skies, I Love a Piano and, of course, White Christmas: https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/56597
We will be following all State and District Health and Safety Protocols which currently includes a mask requirement for all audience members. We will also be putting one empty seat between all parties.
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
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
- MBIT’s Open House will be held on Thursday, November 18th at 6:00. This is an excellent opportunity for students and parents to learn about and see all of the amazing programs that MBIT has to offer. Please see below or click HERE for specific details. If you would like information via a Zoom session, you can use the same link to access registration.
- If you are in 9th grade and interested in participating in the “Patriots of the American Revolution” high school essay contest, click here for details.
Sparks--Career Education Information
Bringing career education and development to our middle school students is one of the primary goals of the district’s K-12 Guidance Plan and of these Sparks articles. Beginning in October, students in Central Bucks will take a new path toward this by the introduction of Smart Futures in the middle schools. Smart Futures is an online career development platform which focuses on grade-specific activities for students and manages the outcomes of the activities in an electronic portfolio which meets the required PA Career Readiness Standards. This replaces Naviance for the middle grades. We introduced Smart Futures this past spring to our elementary students, so the current 7th Graders are already familiar with this program. The activities the students will complete this year will surpass the minimum State requirement and help them build a self-directed career “Game Plan”.
Smart Futures allows students to discover what they like to do, learn about careers they might want to investigate and how to pursue those careers. It even helps them to develop a budget. To learn more about SF, watch this short video and you can always ask your child to log onto SF to see what they are learning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAovnVPPEXc
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
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.
Reminder--FEAST--Feeding Everyone at Special Times
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
Reminder--CB Cares Pumpkinfest is October 23
Join us on Saturday, October 23 for CB Cares Pumpkinfest where local artists will carve and showcase enormous prizewinner pumpkins into glowing masterpieces between the arches of the Bucks County Tile Works. Food trucks, family fun and the Cherry Lane Band will perform at 7pm.
Reminder--Nominate a Tamanend Student for Boomerang!
The Boomerang Youth Recognition Award is a district-wide monthly program which recognizes and honors youth in our community for exemplifying and living by one of the chosen Developmental Assets®. These Developmental Assets were identified as a set of skills, experiences, relationships and behaviors that enable young people to develop into successful and contributing adults.
HELPFUL REMINDERS ABOUT TAMANEND PROCEDURES
Reminder--Required Masking
As a reminder, at this time, students, staff, and visitors must wear masks inside Tamanend. Any mask exemption forms must be submitted to the Main Office in order for a student to be considered mask exempt. Students who are not on the mask exemption list will be reminded that they are required and expected to wear a mask throughout the school day, except when participating in certain activities as outlined in the CBSD Health & Safety plan. Please have a conversation with your student regarding your family's decision related to masking. Thank you!
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.