Dear Families,

One of the best parts of this school year so far has been welcoming families into our building each month. The Ice Cream Social and Back to School Night events gave families an opportunity to meet their child's teachers and tour the school.

This week, we are excited to partner together as your child takes center stage in family conferences, to share their learning, work of which they are proud, and the goals they have set for themselves this year. Young adolescence is a time of profound physical, emotional, and intellectual development. Our student-led conferences capitalize on students' developing metacognitive skills and ability to reflect on themselves as a learner.

Last week, all parents/guardians should have received a ParentSquare message from their child's Advisory Teacher inviting them to schedule a conference appointment. Families have the choice to attend in-person or via Zoom. If you have not yet scheduled a conference or indicated your preference for in-person or Zoom, please do so by the end of the day Tuesday. Your child has been working hard to prepare for their presentation and we appreciate you joining us for this celebration of their work.

Warmly,

Jill O'Neill

Principal

Oct 14 Staff Development Day - No school

Oct 19 Fall Conferences, 6:40 - 8:10 pm

Oct 20 Fall conferences, 8:10 am- 8:10 pm - No school

Oct 21 No school

Oct 27 Band concert

• 6:15 pm 6th grade
• 7:15 pm 7th & 8th grade

Oct 31- Nov 4 Spirit Week

Nov 1 PTO Board Meeting, 6:30 pm

Nov 3 Picture retake day

Nov 3 Choir Concert, 7:00 pm

Be sure to check the calendars on ParentSquare and our school website (scroll to the bottom of the home page) for the school all school events.

A link to our 2021-22 school profile is posted on our school webpage under About Us>School Profile>Oregon Report Card. The 2021-22 district profile is posted on the district report card webpage.

State report cards began when the 1999 Oregon Legislature passed a law requiring every public school and district to receive a report from the Oregon Department of Education about how they are performing overall. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), signed by President Obama on December 10, 2015, replaces the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act and affords states greater flexibility. ESSA encourages schools and educators to innovate and create systems that address local needs. As a part of this work, the Oregon Department of Education redesigned the School and District report cards to engage and inform families about their school’s approach to learning, academic and extracurricular offerings, and student performance. Reports cards also serve as an important tool for continuous improvement planning by local and state policymakers, in conjunction with the communities they serve.

The 2021-22 school and district profiles include all available data not impacted by the state’s response to the COVID-19. As part of the federal response to COVID-19, all students in our school were eligible for free school meals last year. As a result, our Free/ Reduced Price Lunch percentage is reported as >95%.

At Tumwater Middle School WE are committed to using this information to help tailor our school improvement plans and academic programs to meet the needs of every student. During the year I will communicate with you frequently about student achievement and programs in place at our school to foster student learning and success.

If you have questions about our report card or would like a print copy, please contact me. You may also have suggestions for improvements. Please share them! Thank you!

Se publica un enlace a nuestro perfil del año escolar 2021-22 está publicado en la página web de nuestra escuela y lo puede encontrar al hacer clic en About Us>School Profile>Oregon Report Card (Sobre Nosotros, Perfiles Escolares, Boleta de Calificaciones de Oregón). El perfil del distrito del año escolar 2021-22 está publicado en la página web de boleta de calificaciones del distrito.

El reporte de desempeño de las escuelas y distritos escolares de todo el estado empezaron cuando la legislatura de Oregon en 1999 aprobó una ley que requiere que todas las escuelas públicas y del distrito reciban un reporte del Departamento de Educación de Oregon acerca de cómo les va en general. La Ley Cada Estudiante Triunfa (ESSA por sus siglas en inglés), firmada por el Presidente Obama el 10 de diciembre de 2015, reemplaza la Ley Que Ningún Niño Se Quede Atrás (NCLB por sus siglas en inglés) y otorga a los estados mayor flexibilidad. ESSA anima a las escuelas y educadores a innovar y crear sistemas que atiendan a las necesidades locales. Como parte de este trabajo, el Departamento de Educación de Oregón rediseñó las boletas de calificaciones de la escuela y el distrito para involucrar e informar a las familias sobre el enfoque de la escuela al aprendizaje, las ofertas académicas y extracurriculares, y el desempeño de los estudiantes. Las boletas de calificaciones también sirven como una herramienta importante para la planificación de mejoras continuas por parte de los políticos locales y estatales, en conjunto con las comunidades a las que sirven.

Los perfiles de las escuelas y los distritos para el período 2021-22 incluyen todos los datos disponibles no afectados por la respuesta del estado a COVID-19. Como parte de la respuesta federal al COVID-19, todos los estudiantes de nuestra escuela fueron elegibles para recibir comidas escolares gratuitas el año pasado. Como resultado, nuestro porcentaje de almuerzo gratis / precio reducido se informa como> 95%.

TODOS NOSOTROS en Tumwater Middle School nos comprometemos a usar esta información para acoplarnos a los planes de mejoramiento y a los programas académicos de la escuela para satisfacer, de esta manera, las necesidades de cada estudiante. Durante este año, yo me comunicaré frecuentemente con usted acerca de los programas y aprovechamiento estudiantil de nuestra escuela para fomentar el aprendizaje y el éxito.

Si usted tiene alguna pregunta acerca de nuestro reporte de desempeño o desea obtener una copia impresa, por favor póngase en contacto conmigo. Usted también puede darnos sus sugerencias para mejorar. ¡Por favor compártalas! ¡Muchas Gracias!

At Tumwater, teachers use the IB MYP criteria to determine the progress each student is making on the Beaverton School District learning targets. Soon, you will begin to see, if you haven’t already, scores being entered into ParentVue.

Teachers use scores of 1-8, which are then converted to a letter grade for the semester report card. Each subject area has four criteria that students will receive feedback on throughout the year. Students should be receiving a rubric at the beginning of any major assessments, that outlines what will be expected of them. These rubrics are a good tool for students to use before they turn in an assignment, to ensure they have completed the assignment fully and to assess themselves.

Now is a good time for students to begin reflecting on their learning and identifying areas in which they are strong and areas in which they may need to focus in order to meet their learning goals. Using the rubrics before and after turning in work, students are able to reflect on their growth. When talking to teachers about how to improve, students should use specific criteria as the basis for the question. Rather than, “How can I get an ‘A’,” students should ask “How can I improve my score in criterion A?” This allows the teacher to give specific advice about areas of improvement.

Picture Retake Day is Thursday, November 3rd. Retake Day is for students who were absent or not yet enrolled on Picture Day. It is also for students who purchased a picture package but wish to exchange it for a new picture and for students who wish to purchase a picture package for the first time. Pictures will not be retaken for students who wish to receive a new ID card - they should see Mrs. Ellis in the Counseling Center if a reprint is needed.

Picture order forms are available in the student information center by the main office and online here. Dorian will email portrait packages directly home.

Mon., Oct. 31 Costume Day: see guidelines below

Tues., Nov. 1 Twin Day

Weds., Nov. 2 Crazy Hair Day

Thurs., Nov. 3 Dress Your Best Day

Fri., Nov. 4 School Colors - wear blue and/or light gray

When choosing a costume, keep in mind that culture is not a costume. As an inclusive community, we expect that students will dress in a manner that is respectful of their own and other cultures. Costumes perpetuating stereotypes related to gender, race/ethnicity, culture, or economic status are not allowed.

Students are expected to adhere to the school dress code, particularly those related to safety and modesty. In addition, the following costumes/accessories are not allowed:

• Masks or full face paint
• Dripping or gooey makeup/accessories
• Inflatable costumes
• Weapons or look-alike weapons (daggers, scythes, swords, light sabers, etc.)
• Implements (hockey sticks, baseball bats, etc.)
• Gang-related
• Costumes marketed as "sexy"

Applications for the 2023-2024 school year will be available on October 17. All applicants must reside within the Beaverton School District boundaries or attend a Beaverton school on an approved Inter-District Transfer. Completing the Applications online is the easiest and most efficient way to apply. Resident students not currently attending a Beaverton school have a separate online application. Paper applications are also available online.

Students may only select one Learning Option school on their application. They should give careful consideration to their choice of school. Once an application has been submitted, no changes will be allowed.

Applications must be received online or in the Learning Options office no later than Friday, December 9 at 4:00 p.m. Visit the Learning Options web page for more information.

Our school is participating in the Student Health Survey (SHS), a survey sponsored by the Oregon Health Authority Public Health Division and the Oregon Department of Education. The survey will gather information about health risk behaviors of students in grades 6, 8 and 11. The survey will be conducted online either in your child's PE/Health classroom and includes questions about:

• Student health and safety

• Student mental and behavioral health

• School climate and culture

Completing the Student Health Survey poses minimal risk to your child, who may feel embarrassed or uncomfortable answering some of the questions. Survey procedures have been designed to protect your child's privacy and allow for anonymous participation. If your child is not comfortable answering a question, they can leave it blank. While we encourage all students to participate, the decision to participate is voluntary. You may opt to send a refusal for your child’s participation. Alternatively, your child will have the opportunity to refuse at the time of the survey. There will be no action against you or your child if your child does not participate. If you do not wish your child to take this survey, please email your child’s PE/Health teacher. You need only contact the school if you do not wish your child to participate or have any questions.

You can review the survey document at the school office before the survey date. The survey is also available on the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Public Health website for you to review before the survey date.

Currently D&D Club, MathCounts, and Homework Help/Soccer Club are meeting, but we expect several more clubs to be starting over the next few weeks. We will share more information directly with students on bulletin boards and announcements, as well as with families in our next newsletter.

This year there are are 5 academic competitions that are sponsored by the school and take place during the school day or as an after-school activity:

• AMC-8 The AMC 8 is a 25-question, 40-minute, multiple choice examination in middle school mathematics designed to promote the development of problem-solving skills. 7th & 8th grade students who pre-register take the exam during the school day on mid-January. More information about registering will be shared by math teachers soon.
• MathCounts meets Tuesdays and Thursday after school. Participants prepare for qualifying tests as individuals and/or teams. 12 students will represent our school in a regional competition in their quest to qualify for state and national competitions.
• Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB) Students will have the opportunity to form teams and test their comprehension of this year's OBOB book selections. Qualifying rounds, followed by a tournament will determine our school winner who will represent TMS at the regional tournament.
• Science Bowl is not yet meeting, but when it begins, participants will prepare to represent TMS at the BPA Middle School Science Bowl in January.
• Scripps Spelling Bee Students can sign up for the school bee later this school year. One TMS student will represent our school at the District Bee.

Note that after 33 years, The National Geographic Bee was permanently discontinued last year.

School Affiliated:

Science Olympiad is open to students who want to compete individually or on a team of 10-15 students from the same school. Tumwater does not organize, register, coach, host, or sponsor Science Olympiad teams. Teams meet off campus under the guidance of someone other than school staff. Our school registrar, Wende Ellis, serves as the staff liaison to communicate between the team and Tumwater, as well as verify participants' enrollment status. Learn more by visiting the program’s website.

The International Academic Competitions no longer require registration through a school or require that the free qualifying tests must be proctored at the school. Parents/guardians may now administer the test at home. If students qualify for the Regional or National competitions, the registration fees are paid by the family of the qualifying student, not the school.

• National History Bee

• International Geographic Bee/US National Championships

• National Science Bee

If you need to drop something off for your student, please bring it to the office. To avoid disrupting classroom learning, items will not be delivered to the classroom, but ask that students check in the office during passing periods or their lunch/recess if they're expecting a notebook, lunch etc. It may be helpful for you to email your student that you've dropped the item off and it's ready for them to pick up.

Instructions on how to join our Tumwater volunteer database are available at www.tumwaterpto.org/volunteer. This is a two-step process. We’ve also included an extensive FAQ with the most common volunteer questions.

1. Request your profile be moved into Tumwater’s database or fill out the volunteer application. **Please note: your profile does not automatically move from your previous BSD school. Email update_volunteer_locations@beaverton.k12.or.us in order to add your profile to Tumwater Middle School.

1. Upload a jpg of your covid vaccination or medical exemption to be reviewed by District staff. The covid vaccination & medical exemption requirements remain in place, per state mandate. Please ensure that you have completed this process so that volunteer opportunities can be available to you.

Email our Volunteer Coordinators, Kristi Nelson & Katia Kaeser (volunteer@tumwaterpto.org) with any questions.

Dear BSD Families,

We understand that it can be challenging to access current information regarding your child’s schooling in your own language. We do our best to send out messages about important updates, especially during these challenging times. However, you can access the BSD website — and specifically, our return-to-school page — at any time. Below, we’ve included a link that will take you to our website, where you’ll find it already translated into your language. Please know, the translation is generated by Google Translate. It’s not perfect, but we do hope it’s helpful.

If you need additional assistance, please contact our Multilingual Department at 503-356-3755.

View the BSD website in Arabic قم بزيارة الموقع الإلكتروني للقطاع التعليمي لمدارس بيفرتون باللغة العربية

View the BSD website in Chinese 请浏览中文版的BSD网站

View the BSD website Japanese BSDウェブサイトを日本語で見る

View the BSD website in Korean. 한국어로 된 BSD 웹사이트를 보십시오.

View the BSD website in Russian Посмотрите веб-сайт школьного округа Бивертон на русском

View the BSD website in Somali Ka fiiri bogga BSD ee ku qoran af-Soomaali

View the BSD website in Spanish Vea la página web del Distrito Escolar de Beaverton en español

View the BSD website in Vietnamese. Xem trang mạng BSD bằng tiếng Việt