Tamanend Connections
We Are Together Tamanend!
August 2, 2019
Welcome to the 2019-2020 School Year!
Principal's Welcome Letter
Welcome to the 2019-2020 school year! I am honored and humbled to serve the Tamanend community as Principal. Throughout my career, I have committed myself to helping young people cultivate their interests and realize their true potential. I firmly believe in cultivating positive relationships so that students, parents, colleagues, and the community at large can feel valued and engaged in the important work we do each day at Tamanend.
Middle school students are busy growing personally, socially, and academically. The middle school experience is a time for exploration, discovery, practice, and growth. At Tamanend, teachers, staff members, parents, community members, and peers work together to help each child find his or her own definition of success. That is why we promote the idea that we are “Tamanend Together.” Our community approaches new ideas, successes, and challenges together.
The 2019-2020 school year will bring many positive and exciting changes to our building. On June 17, 2019 we began a renovation project that will provide air conditioning, upgraded lighting, and cosmetic improvements throughout the entire building. The project is scheduled to conclude in August, 2020. During this renovation project, banks of approximately six classrooms will be vacated for periods of approximately six weeks. As a result, many teachers will be moving classrooms at some point during the school year. To accommodate these moves, we set up three temporary classrooms in the Library and two temporary classrooms in the LGI areas of the Auditorium. Although we will face minor inconveniences during this renovation project, the upgrades will make our building more comfortable, more efficient, and more visually appealing.
Tamanend is committed to ensuring that every child has a positive experience at our school. To that end, we work hard to ensure that we have financial supports in place for families in need. Please be aware that we can help with the following resources:
- Food--pantry with healthy snacks and personal care items available all day outside of Guidance; meals to take home; weekend food packages to take home
- Clothing
- Internet access
- Field trips, school supplies, fees
- Holiday gifts
If your family experiences a financial hardship, please feel free to email one of the staff members below so that we can help:
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 and Athletic Director) jklein@cbsd.org
Mandy Cammann (Guidance Counselor) mcammann@cbsd.org
I look forward to working with you and your family this year. Together, we will forge positive relationships and continue to make Tamanend a special place where students feel engaged, valued, and successful. Please note that we are starting a new tradition at Tamanend this year called "Family Locker Night". It will be held on Monday, August 26 from 3:00 until 8:00 PM. This is an open house during which you can informally tour the building and meet other parents while students find their lockers, decorate their lockers (if they wish), and find their classes.
Sincerely,
Brian D. Caughie, Ed.D.
Principal
Tamanend Middle School
CALENDAR ITEMS TO NOTE
District-Wide Parent/Guardian Technology/Student Laptop Information Night--Tuesday, August 6 7:00 PM at CB West
Student Schedules Released on Parent Portal--Friday, August 23
7th Grade Open House--Monday, August 26 1:00 PM--8:00 PM
Family Locker Night--Monday, August 26 3:00 PM--8:00 PM (Open House format)
First Regular Newsletter for 2019-2020--to be released Friday, August 30
First Day of School for Students--Tuesday, September 3
7th Grade Open House & Family Locker Night for All Students
On Monday, August 26th Tamanend will be open for students and families.
7th Grade Open House (students & families welcome any time from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.)
We welcome our 7th Graders and their families to our Open House. Please arrive at the main entrance (by the U.S. Flag). Schedules and locker assignments will be shared and tours, courtesy of our NJHS (National Junior Honors Society), will be available. You may arrive at any time between 1:00 pm. and 8:00 p.m. and stay as long as you wish.
Family Locker Night--(students & families welcome any time from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 pm.) We welcome all students (7th, 8th, and 9th Graders) and their families to tour the school and find their lockers. Students may choose to decorate their lockers at this time. Students interested in decorating their lockers should bring their own decorations and supplies. You may arrive at any time between 3:00 p.m. and 8 p.m. and stay as long as you wish.
Please note that the Parent and Student Portals which provide schedule information will open on August 23rd.
Student Schedules--Available on Portal August 23rd
8th & 9th Grade student schedules will be available on the Portal starting August 23rd.
Bus Assignment & Information
Renovations and Improvements to Tamanend
The 2019-2020 school year will bring many positive and exciting changes to our building. On June 17, 2019 we began a renovation project that will provide air conditioning, upgraded lighting, and cosmetic improvements throughout the entire building. The project is scheduled to conclude in August, 2020. During this renovation project, banks of approximately six classrooms will be vacated for periods of approximately six weeks. As a result, many teachers will be moving classrooms at some point during the school year. To accommodate these moves, we set up three temporary classrooms in the Library and two temporary classrooms in the LGI areas of the Auditorium. Although we will face minor inconveniences during this renovation project, the upgrades will make our building more comfortable, more efficient, and more visually appealing.
Other completed or in-progress improvements:
- Extended bus loop sidewalk to improve bus traffic flow (completed)
- Refinished Main Gym floor and wall mural (completed)
- New student seating areas (in-progress)
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
Back to School Nights
7th Grade BTSN will be held Thursday, September 19 at 7:00 pm
8th and 9th Grade BTSN will be held Thursday, September 26 at 7:00 pm
Summer Reading--One School, One Book
Starting this summer, we will be engaging the Tamanend community in a One School, One Book program. A committee of teachers, librarians, and administrators worked for a year to choose a book that would appeal to our entire school community. We are pleased to announce that we will be reading Posted by John David Anderson. We encourage all of next year’s Tamanend students to read this book over the summer. We are planning a variety of activities throughout the 19-20 school year to engage all members of the Tamanend community in discussions related to this book.
Click here to hear Posted author John David Anderson talk about this book.
Click here for audio files of the book. Steps for downloading audio files to phones:
- Go to Tamanend’s website and scroll down to "School Links."
- Click the link "One Book, One School- Posted (Audiobook)."
- Log-In using your CBSD email account and password.
- Click the Play button and enjoy!
1 to 1 Technology Initiative
Central Bucks is in the second year of implementation of the 1:1 technology initiative. The purpose of the initiative is to allow for creation, mobility, and innovation at home and school. Every Tamanend 7th, 8th, and 9th Grader will have a laptop next year. Next year's 7th Graders will receive their laptops on the second day of school (Wednesday, September 4). Next year's 8th and 9th Graders should have taken their laptops home over the summer and should bring them to school on the first day of classes (Tuesday, September 3).
Families will be asked to pay a $50 usage fee for the device per student per year. This fee will cover breaks, repairs and other services. MyPaymentsPlus opens for payment Monday, August 5th. Please note:
- Families who qualify for the Free/Reduced Lunch Program will automatically receive a $0 fee in MyPayments Plus. Even though the fee is waived, families must still "checkout" to complete this step and be marked as paid on our technology report.
If you are a family dealing with financial hardships, please contact your building principal to discuss payment options.
Please contact your child's Guidance counselor if you do not have Internet access at home so that we may assist you in obtaining this service.
We will hold a district-Wide Parent/Guardian Information Night on Tuesday, August 6th, at CB West at 7:00 pm for parents interested in learning more about this program.
You may also click HERE to learn more about this initiative.
Middle School Physical Education Attire
Starting in the upcoming 2019-2020 school year, students will not be required to purchase a CBSD issued physical education uniform; however, students will be required to change into athletic attire and sneakers to participate safely and practice good hygiene. Student attire must adhere to the dress code guidelines presented in the student handbook. CB locks will still be required to purchase to ensure personal items are secured in a locker. Locks are available for purchase on MyPaymentsPlus. (Please note: Lenape Middle School students will not need to purchase locks as there are permanent locks installed on the lockers).
Tamanend Fall Sports
Middle School Volleyball for 7th and 8th Graders
Student Emergency & Information Form on Parent Portal to Open August 5
The online form will ask you to confirm and/or update the following:
- Demographic Information
- Emergency Contacts
- Health Information, including permission for emergency care and analgesic administration
- Media Release Preferences
If you do not have a Parent Portal account, please follow this link to request one. If you need help with your Parent Portal account, please contact your child’s school for assistance. Beginning August 5th, you may click here to be directed to your Parent Portal account to complete the Student Emergency & Information Form.
Thank you in advance for taking the time to update this important information!
Communicating Absences
You may report your child's absence in any of the following ways:
- Email: tamanendattendance@cbsd.org
- Phone (Attendance hotline): 267-893-2920
- Written note to be turned in to Main Office
Required 7th Grade Dental Exams
Required Immunizations
As a reminder, the current immunization requirements for the 2019-2020 school year continue to be as follows:
Children in kindergarten through 12th grade are required to have the following vaccines:
- 4 doses DtaP – diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis
- 4 doses Polio
- 2 doses MMR – measles, mumps, rubella
- 3 doses Hepatitis B
- 2 doses Varicella (chicken pox)
Children entering 7th grade are also required to have:
- 1 dose Meningococcal Conjugate (meningitis)
- 1 dose DtaP – diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis
To check the immunization status of your student, go to the Portal and click on the Health tab.
Please note, the Departments of Health and Education have not made any changes to the religious, philosophical, or medical exemptions currently provided in the regulations.
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Corinne Sikora at csikora@cbsd.org .
Breakfast is Served!
Free & Reduced Lunch/Breakfast Application
Parking Lot Safety
It is highly recommended that parents/guardians of students who walk or take the bus have their students walk or take the bus. On days, when students need extra help getting to school, please consider driving them to their assigned bus stop and wait together in the car until the bus arrives. A student will never be marked tardy if they arrive by bus.
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.
The following is a mapping of how the student drop-off works in our parking lot. Drop off should only happen along the sidewalk indicated by paw prints 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. Thank you for your support and careful driving.
Arrival to School
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. Please note that this first meeting will take place on a Wednesday. 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.
Wednesday, Sep 18, 2019, 09:00 AM
Tamanend Middle School
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
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
Food and Meals During the Summer Months
Here is a list of some local organizations that provide food and meals during the summer months:
BCHG Doylestown Community Food Pantry
470 Old Dublin Pike
Doylestown, PA 18901
Tel: Maddie Burgess 215-345-4311 Ext. 101
Hours: 5:30pm - 8:00pm Wed (Line closes at 7:45 pm), 10:30am –1:30pm Thu (Line closes at 1:15 pm), 10:30am to 1:00pm Sun (Line closes at 12:45 pm)
Church of the Holy Nativity
749 Durham Road
Wrightstown, PA 18940
Tel: Nancy Stroh 215-598-3405
A place where a person in a food emergency can go for immediate help. No fee. Call for appointment.
Coordinating Council of Health and Welfare, Inc.
Emergency Food Cupboard
73 Downey Drive
Warminster, PA 18974
Tel: 215-672-9422
Hours: 9:30am - 11:30am Mon/Wed/Fri
Doylestown Area FISH
Box 196
Doylestown, PA 18901
Tel: 215-348-7172
24-Hour phone - by appointment only.
Fresh Connect Bucks County
through the Bucks County Opportunity Council
Every Friday in Bristol, PA -12:00 PM
Lower Bucks Campus of Bucks County Community College
1304 Veteran’s Hwy., Bristol, PA 19007
Every Thursday in Ottsville, PA- 11:00 AM
Intersection of Rte 611 & 412
Ottsville, PA 18942
Living Hope Community Church
106 South Main Street – 2nd Floor
Dublin, PA 18917
Tel: 215-249-1133
Hours: Noon – 2:00pm Fri or call for appointment
Angel Food Host Site, call for more info.
New Britain Baptist Church-Food Larder
Route 202 and Tamanend Avenue, P.O. Box 5147
New Britain, PA 18901-0933
Tel: 215-345-9170
Hours: 9am -12pm and 1pm – 4pm Mon and Wed
YWCA of Bucks County
Aspen Grove Family Center Food Pantry – Apt L4-4
120 East Street Road
Warminster, PA 18974
Tel: 215-672-2974
Hours: 10am – 1pm Tue and Thu, 10am – 1pm, Fridays by appointment only 10 AM – 1PM
Housing Information
CB CARES
GETTING INVOLVED AND STAYING CONNECTED WITH TAMANEND
Are You Interested in Volunteering at Tamanend? Look for our Volunteer Survey in September.
Volunteer Required Paperwork
Pennsylvania law requires all persons having direct contact with school children to obtain background checks and clearances. If you are planning on being in a Central Bucks school during the 2018-2019 school year for any reason, you will need to go to Volunteer Required Paperwork, and complete what is needed to obtain your Photo Volunteer ID Card. You will need that ID Card and a photo ID to enter a CB school.
Support Tamanend While You Shop
If you use the following vendors, please think about supporting TMS while you shop:
- Giant Food Store has an A+ School Rewards program through their clip-less coupon card that gives money to the school you designate every time you shop. Use this link to select Tamanend as your A+ school after August 15th of the new school year.
- Clip and send in box tops to the attention of NJHS.
Share Good News About Tamanend Students
Tamanend Middle School
Email: tms@cbsd.org
Website: http://www.cbsd.org/Domain/25
Location: 1492 Stuckert Road, Warrington, PA
Phone: 267.893.2900