Tyngsborough Elementary School
March 24, 2024 Update
Last Wednesday's incident at TES was unfortunate, but it's important to know that is why we train and conduct emergency response drills. We know the incident met all the criteria of the unfortunate hoax “swatting” calls that have plagued the area in recent months.
I wanted to shared my immense gratitude for the tremendous efforts of our staff. The response was prompt and followed our emergency response protocol and beyond that our staff provided care and compassion to your children. We were commended multiple times by Deputy Chief Woods and the responding officers for our prompt, thorough response.
On behalf of TES, I would like to extend our sincere appreciation for the continuous collaboration of the Tyngsborough Police Department.
Message to our Students
On Wednesday, it was important to us that every student had the same message about the events that transpired that day. Below is the message from Dr. Salmon, Mrs. Sousa, and Mrs. Cavanaugh that was shared with all students.
"I’m so proud of all of you for listening, following directions, and showing kindness and empathy to each other. Sometimes we have emergencies at school and don’t always know when they will happen, but that is why we practice and have drills. This morning, we received information that we felt was unsafe and this is why we went into a lockdown. Everyone at TES and all of the helpers in our community, including the police worked together to make sure our school was safe."
ALICE School Safety
In 2014, Tyngsborough Public Schools adopted the ALICE School Safety program. ALICE® is the pioneer in active shooter preparation training in our country. This emergency response program is nationally recognized and has been adopted by school districts throughout the country.
ALICE Training is used to prepare for an active shooter event or related crisis on campus. ALICE is a federally endorsed safety protocol that stands for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate. ALICE training gives staff and students the flexibility to react in a variety of ways based on current information.
Alert – inform people of the threat, giving as much information as possible.
Lockdown – Students and staff can choose to lockdown and barricade the room that they are in if they determine that it is not safe to evacuate.
Inform – pass on as much information as possible to others and to First Responders, including calling 911.
Counter – an effort of last resort, if an armed intruder is able to get into space they are in, individuals can counter with distraction or other tactics. Staff is being trained to use every effort to stop the intruder, instead of relying on the traditional lockdown and hide response.
Evacuate – If it is safe to do so, all are encouraged to evacuate the building, and remove themselves from the threat.
Message from Josh Funk, Author
I just wanted to send a quick thank you. I had a blast chatting with you and your students. Tyngsboro(ugh) Elementary School has been officially added to the map of places I've visited (and "visited" virtually) here (for the fourth time, third time in person).
If any students or staff missed out and would like to order books, they can always order signed and personalized copies directly from, The Concord Bookshop here.
Here are some bonus materials on my website’s ‘Stuff for Kids’ page for students and their families - there are activity kits with coloring pages, word searches, and more, as well as book songs and trailers (all free to watch, listen to, download and print).
Thank you again for an amazing day!
Josh Funk
TES Field Day Volunteers
We are so excited to start setting up all the details for our annual TES field day. For this year's event, we would like to invite any parents/guardians to come in and volunteer their time. As students travel from station to station, our volunteers will be staying at a station to guide students through rules and regulations. Each station will have all the equipment needed and pre-set up for you with directions. If you are interested in volunteering to celebrate our 2024 TES Field day, please fill out the form below. If volunteering, you will need to commit the entire time 8:30-12:00.
*Stay tuned for updates on how to purchase your TES School Spirit t-shirt that you can wear on Field Day!
Celebration of Us
What an amazing night at the Celebration of Us at TMS! The night was filled with food, art, crafts, dance, tradition & more! Our TPS families served traditional dishes as well as had activities, posters & more. The Tyngsborough community was able to walk around to each table and learn more about the diverse cultures represented at TPS. Thank you to all who came out and celebrated with us!
A special STRIPES Shout Out to Ms. Kate Walsh, EL Coordinator and teacher for making this event possible!
TES sᴄʜᴏᴏʟ sᴛᴏʀᴇ
School store will return on 𝙏𝙝𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙙𝙖𝙮𝙨. This is completely optional and runs during your student’s recess time. The Tyngsborough PTO could not run these fun events without our volunteers. **We will have our new Crocs charms and straw toppers available in limited supply** Please consider signing up for a slot. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080D4DA5A82CABF85-47971209-school
TES Health Office March 2024 Update
Wellness update- It is the time of year where we are seeing an increase in reported illnesses. Please review Tips for staying healthy & in school. The nurse’s office is receiving reports of the common cold, Influenza, gastrointestinal illness, strep throat, Covid, conjunctivitis, and viral illnesses. Kindly review the TPS General Illness Protocols for school attendance. The current Covid guidelines for K-12 students can be found here. Please note that Massachusetts has not adopted the recent CDC recommendation to discontinue isolation requirements. Contact your child’s doctor for further guidance If you do not have the password please reply to the email and state password needed.
Additionally, please keep the health office notified of any changes in your child’s health status to include medication changes, hospitalizations, fractures, sprains, concussions, etc. Please note if you provide your child with an activity restriction note your child will not be cleared until a note is received from the doctor, unless otherwise specified on the note provided.
Medication in School- Any medication to be administered in school needs a written doctor's order and parent written permission per Mass state law. Please know this includes antibiotics, cough drops, etc.
Mandated Health Screenings- Mandated school health screenings are in progress! If your child does not pass a health screening a letter will be sent home.
Physical Examination Documentation- Massachusetts state law requires physical exam documentation annually for students entering preschool, upon entering Kindergarten, and upon entering 4th grade. Additionally students new to the district are also required to provide physical exam documentation. This is in accordance with Massachusetts regulation 105 CMR 200 M.G.L.c.7ls.57. Please contact the health office if you require assistance in meeting these requirements.
Weather: Please be mindful of the weather and be sure your students dress accordingly. Students are going outside to play as much as possible. As the weather is changing your children's skin may become dryer. Please apply lotion, sunscreen, and chapstick on your child prior to school. TES staff cannot apply sunscreen.
Clothing: Please send your student in with an extra change of clothes to keep in their locker in case they need to change during the school day. Please be sure the change of clothes is weather appropriate. The health office does not always have clothing that will fit your student and in the event that your child may need an extra set of clothing, you may be called.
As always if you have any questions or concerns regarding the health and well being of your child, please contact the health office.
Sincerely, TES Nurses, 978-649-1990 ext. 2, fax 844-417-3492
sarah.isenberger@tyngsboroughps.org
jennifer.spanos@tyngsboroughps.org
To provide the healthiest possible environment at school, children should not be sent to school when symptoms of illness are present: Temperature 100 degrees or above within the past 24 hours Vomiting or diarrhea within the past 24 hours Excessive coughing and nasal discharge Suspected infection of eye, ears, nose, throat, skin, scalp Severe abdominal pain or headache Suspected communicable disease (including, but not limited to: strep throat, conjunctivitis, impetigo, chicken pox, whooping cough, COVID-19, Influenza, scabies, and scarlet fever). Please notify the school nurse if your child contracts any communicable disease. Suspected fractures or any severe or disabling injury until under physician care Questionable need for sutures Head injury until under physician care Antibiotic therapy started less than 24 hours before returning to school Immunizations which are not up to date
Communication with the Main Office
IMPORTANT
We will use the following email address for ALL communication (i.e. sick calls, tardy calls, dismissal calls, change in child’s typical dismissal process).
tesattendance@tyngsboroughps.org
Please include your child’s teacher on any email correspondence with the main office. Always indicate child’s first name, last name, and grade level.
Changes to your child’s dismissal process should be communicated as early as possible and no later than 1:00
March Breakfast & Lunch Menus
If you have questions regarding the lunch program, please contact
Tracy Demers,
General Manager #978-649-3671
tracy.demers@tyngsboroughps.org demerst@whitsons.com
https://www.fdmealplanner.com/#Tyngsborough
*Please note menu options are subject to change.
*Additional milk can be purchased for $.60.
*Water can be purchased for $1.00
*Cookies can be purchased for $1.00 on Thursdays and Fridays.
The New Statewide Individualized Education Program (IEP) Form
Click here for a message from the district outlining the New Statewide Individualized Education Program (IEP) Form.
Student Information Form
Each year all students must have an updated Student Information Form submitted through the parent portal. The information form, accessible through the parent portal, is used to collect items such as family information, emergency contact data, and medical permissions. It is crucial that you complete this form as soon as possible. Failure to submit this form will affect your student’s ability to attend field trips, participate in after-school activities, and receive medications from the school nurse.
Resources for Bilingual Families
Care Solace
Care Solace is a complimentary and confidential coordination service provided by Tyngsborough Public Schools is available 24/7/365 to help find mental health care or substance use treatment providers for you. Please note-It is not a crisis resource, but rather a service that helps take some of the pressures of trying to find outpatient mental health supports away from families. If needed: Please check out their website for more information, or call them at the number below.
Check out their "Mental Health topics" tab as well for articles and other resources on mental health.
Call 888-515-0595. Support is available 24/7/365 in any language.
Visit https://caresolace.com/TPS and either search on your own OR click "Book Appointment" for assistance by video chat, email or phone.
FACEBOOK@CareSolace
INSTAGRAM@CareSolace24_7
TWITTER@CareSolace24_7
FAQ for Building Project
Please find the latest FAQ about the middle school project HERE.
Tyngsborough Elementary School
Email: kerry.cavanaugh@tyngsboroughps.org
Website: https://tes.tyngsboroughps.org/
Location: 205 Westford Road, Tyngsborough, MA, USA
Phone: 978-649-1990
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TyngsboroughElementarySchool/
Twitter: @TyngsElementary
The Tyngsborough Public Schools does not discriminate against students, parents, employees or the general public on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, religion, or age.
The official text is the English version of this communication. Any discrepancies or differences created in the translation are not binding and have no legal effect for compliance or enforcement purposes. If any questions arise related to the accuracy of the information, refer to the English version of this communication, which is the official version. Please contact Tyngsborough Public Schools if more help is needed.