Tamanend Connections
Tamanend Together!
April 9, 2021
KELLY ANNE DOLAN 2021 TRIVIA NIGHT IS THURSDAY, APRIL 15
Click here to register for Tamanend's KAD Trivia Night.
KAD Virtual Trivia Night is Thursday, April 15
For the first time in Tamanend history, we will be hosting a KAD Virtual Trivia Night for the whole family! Since we can’t host our annual basketball tournament fundraiser, we thought this was a great way to bring our community together and continue our partnership with KADMF. Each family can form a team! The trivia game will be played live on Kahoot and hosted on Microsoft Teams.
You didn’t think we’d have a KAD event without prize baskets did you?! Don’t worry! There are still opportunities to win amazing prizes! Look for information about how to buy chances to win these prizes coming soon. We will have live drawings and announce the winners during the Trivia night! We will also have some special guests make appearances during the trivia night.
You don’t want to miss it! Here are all the details:
- Date: Thursday, April 15
- All TMS community members 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, April 15 around 3:00pm.
In order to play, please fill out the registration form below by Thursday, April 15 at 12:00pm.
You will need to create a team name (KAD themed team names encouraged!) 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 on the 15th!
Tickets for KADMF Gift Baskets
Although Tamanend is disappointed we could not have our traditional basketball fundraiser that supports the Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund, the KADMF committee is excited to offer some incredible items that can be won at Tamanend’s Trivia Night on April 15th. Prizes include: a big screen TV, an Apple Watch, Air Pods, and other awesome items. Click here to view the prizes. When purchasing tickets, please be sure to carefully follow all directions below so that your tickets are correctly entered. If you have any questions, please feel free to email Emily Murray (emurray@cbsd.org) or Jeff Klein (jklein@cbsd.org). Thank you in advance for your support, and good luck to all who participate!
Moe's Southwest Grill to Support KAD on Thursday, April 15
KAD Spirit Week + Light Up Tamanend Blue for Autism Awareness--Monday, April 12 to Friday, April 16
Monday, April 12--Wear your favorite KAD gear!
Tuesday, April 13--Light Up Tamanend Blue for Autism Awareness--wear blue and/or your Autism Awareness t-shirt
Wednesday, April 14--Wear your favorite KAD gear!
Thursday, April 15--Wear your favorite KAD gear!
Thursday, April 16--Wear your favorite KAD gear!
CALENDAR ITEMS TO NOTE
End of 3rd Marking Period/Early Dismissal--Friday, April 9
Kelly Anne Dolan Spirit Week--Monday, April 12 to Friday, April 16
Monday--Wear your favorite KAD gear
Tuesday--Light Up Tamanend Blue for Autism Awareness--wear blue and/or your Autism Awareness t-shirt
Wednesday--Wear your favorite KAD gear
Thursday--Wear your favorite KAD gear
Friday--Wear your favorite KAD gear
Light Up Tamanend Blue for Autism Awareness Day--Tuesday, April 13--wear blue and/or your Autism Awareness t-shirt
Kelly Anne Dolan Virtual Trivia Night (Rescheduled)--Thursday, April 15 (virtually, on Teams; information below)
PSSAs (7th and 8th Grade)--Monday, April 19; Monday, April 26; Monday, May 3
Tamanend UNICEF Unite Earth Day Celebration--Wednesday, April 21 (details below)
TAMANEND ATHLETICS
INFORMATION:
- REMINDER: Please keep in mind that students must go home at the end of the school day. It is the responsibility of the student-athlete and parent/guardian to coordinate transportation back to school on days of practices/games, as well as for away games.
UPCOMING TAMANEND EVENTS
Tamanend UNICEF Unite Earth Day Celebration
Tamanend UNICEF Unite is excited to announce our Earth Day celebration on Wednesday April 21st from 3:00-4:30 in the Cafeteria. Tickets are 12 dollars and will cover the cost of a tote bag, painting supplies, and a small snack in addition to raising money for UNICEF. During our event students will be able to paint eco-friendly tote bags, participate in a friendly tote bag painting competition, listen to music, talk with others, learn about plastic and its effect on our planet, do icebreakers, play games, and win prizes. If you plan on attending please sign up below before 8:00 pm on Friday April 16th. The event is open to all Tamanend students, not only UNICEF club members so we encourage you to bring your friends (as long as they sign up!) If you prefer bringing your own paint supplies/anything else you could use to decorate your bag feel free to do so. But the basics will be provided for you. We will be socially distanced and masked at all times.
TAMANEND FEATURES
PSSA Testing Information for Parents of 7th and 8th Graders
We are writing to provide you with information regarding PSSA testing for your children. The Federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act requires school districts to administer standardized assessments to students in grades 3-8 in the spring of each school year. Last year, the U.S. Department of Education waived these standardized assessment requirements because of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The U.S. Department of Education has not granted an assessment waiver for school year 2020-2021.
Current Testing Requirements
On February 12, 2021, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) issued an update to school districts regarding PSSA testing. Currently, school districts are required to test students in grades 3-8 in-person and on-site, regardless of whether they are fully virtual, fully traditional, or participating in any type of hybrid instructional program. PDE lengthened the testing window to allow for greater flexibility in testing, including testing smaller groups for the sake of social distancing, thorough cleaning, and other prescribed safety protocols. Additionally, PDE has assured district officials that parents will be able to opt-out their children from testing this year, though the impact of parent opt-outs on school accountability has not been determined.
Tamanend’s PSSA Testing Dates:
- Monday, April 19th
- Monday, April 26th
- Monday, May 3rd
* All testing will be completed online using district provided laptops.
Parent Right to Opt-Out
Chapter 4 of Title 22 of the Pa. Code (22 Pa. Code 4.4) provides for the rights of any parent/guardian to excuse their child from the state assessment if, upon inspection of the testing materials, they find the assessment to be in conflict with their religious beliefs. For more information on requesting to exclude your child from testing, please visit the CB assessment page on our website. If you plan to opt-out your child, please do so by Wednesday, April 14th, so that we can prepare accordingly.
Information for Online Only and Opt-Out Students
- Tamanend 7th & 8th Graders will be taking the PSSA tests on April 19th, April 26th, and May 3rd. All students taking the PSSAs, even Online Only students, must come into school.
- Online Only students who will be taking the PSSAs need to report to school by 7:30 am on the testing dates.
- Online Only students will remain in the Cafeteria for the duration of their tests. They will be allowed to text/call home for a ride once they have completed their tests, but it is anticipated that they will be testing until about 1:00pm each day.
- Online Only students who will be taking the PSSAs must bring their laptops and chargers to school with them. They can also bring a snack, but will only be able to eat during breaks between the tests. Phones will be collected at the beginning of the tests and returned at the conclusion, for each testing day.
- If you intend to opt your child out of the PSSA, please do so by completing the district’s Opt-Out Form, by the end of the day on Wednesday, 4/14. The form can be found here- Assessment / Parent Request to Opt-out Child From State Testing (cbsd.org)
- Students who opt-out will still be required to complete educational activities during school hours, including:
- Missing work or make-up work for current classes.
- Research project designed by district Librarians.
- Elective (Specials) classes will be held as usual.
If you have any additional questions, please email Kyle Dudley at kdudley@cbsd.org.
Tamanend Receives CB Cares Grant
Reminder--Tamanend Spirit Gear is Here!
Looking for some Tamanend gear? Here are the current opportunities to order Tamanend Spirit Wear:
Tamanend Spirit Wear from Caldwells in Doylestown
2021 Reading Olympics
We are very proud of the 46 Tamanend students that are participating in this year’s virtual Reading Olympics competition during the next two weeks! Congratulations to our 7th Grade Reading Olympics Team, Rump Roasts, that earned a blue ribbon with 63,303 points!
March Boomerang Award Winners
The Boomerang Youth Recognition Award is a district wide program which recognizes and honors youth in our community for exemplifying and living by the chosen asset for each month of the school year.
For the month of March, the asset was Responsibility—recognizing a young person who “accepts and takes personal responsibility.” We had 32 nominations. Now we would like to highlight our building winner, 7th grade student, Vincent Daniel:
While Vincent is 100% online, he plays a very large role in all of his classes. Vincent is constantly reminding himself and his peers of upcoming assignment due dates and future quiz dates. Additionally, he is very responsible of his study habits, as he often offers to create Kahoot! reviews to play with the class prior to taking a summative assessment. If Vincent ever fails to complete an assignment, he always holds himself accountable. However, Vincent is always on top of his work and will email me if he does have any confusion about the assignment instead of simply not completing it.
At home, Vincent’s responsible nature continues to shine. During his snack break, Vincent gets lunches ready for his siblings and mom. Some days these are pre-planned, but other days, he takes it upon himself to make hot lunches! He cares and is motivated to do this without even asking or being assigned this task as a chore.
Vincent is always self-advocating for himself and showing great accountability skills of his academics. Vincent is self-motivated and driven to be the best version of himself on a daily basis. He is a cheerful student and shows great work ethic when it comes to assignment completion and performance on assessments. Vincent is truly a model of responsibility in and out of the classroom!
Congratulations to Vincent and all the following nominees: Auoss Azzarouk, Olivia Cao, Abhiram Chintapalli, Clara Choi, Alex Dash, Dallas DeBlasis, Annalisse DeSandre, Keira Endy, Reid Ermigiotti, Makenzie Freund, Jacob Henkin, Kaiden Johnson, Olivia Johnston, Jonathan Lopez-Alvarado, Richard Mahony, Izzy Markowitz, Avery Merz, Sana Mohammed, Sai Sivani Pathi, Brianna Potts, Xavier Robayo, Brian Rutledge, Anushka Saha, Jasmine Samayoa, Dallon Smith, Peyton Snyder, Riley Theis, Jennifer Tran
Reminder--Order Your Tamanend Yearbook
Don’t forget to order your child’s 2020-2021 Tamanend Yearbook! The price of the yearbook is $40. The last day to order a yearbook is April 30. 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--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--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--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!
QUOTES AROUND TAMANEND
HELPFUL REMINDERS ABOUT TAMANEND PROCEDURES
Communicating Absences
Please report your child's absence in any of the following ways:
- Email: tamanendattendance@cbsd.org
- Phone (Attendance hotline): 267-893-2920
Reminder--Students Should Check Outlook Email Daily
Reminder--Important Traffic Safety
Since the beginning or the year, our parent drop-off and pick-up traffic has improved tremendously, but we still need your help. There will soon be an increase in daily traffic as more students return to in-person learning. We must remember that WE HAVE STUDENTS WHO WALK TO SCHOOL. Recently, we've seen an increase in cars speeding on Stuckert Road. For the safety of our students, please maintain a 15 mph school zone speed limit in our parking lots and along Stuckert Road. Thanks for your help!
Reminder--Parent Drop-Off and Pick-Up
With the return of 5-day in-person schooling, there has been an increase in the number of car riders. Please remember the following important details when dropping off or picking up your child-
- You can only turn right into the parking lot, from the direction of Kelly Road. Do NOT attempt to make a left-hand turn into the parking lot during pick-up at the end of the day. If you come from Bristol Rd., please go past the school, turn around, and get in the car line.
- There are staggered dismissal times. The first is at 1:16 and the 2nd is at 1:21pm. It would be helpful to find out what time your child is dismissed from their 7th period class, so that you do not rush to get in line if they are let out at the 2nd dismissal time.
- Everyone has been able to exit the parking lot by 1:30 pm, so there is no need to rush. All students are let out between the Main Entrance and the Gym/Cafeteria Entrance, so students should not be walking down the sidewalk to your cars. This causes the line of traffic to stop and we need to keep everyone moving.
Thank you for your support!
FROM OUR GUIDANCE OFFICE
Guidance News
GUIDANCE:
Starting on March 22nd, Child and Family Focus, Inc. will be hosting sessions titled “Strengthening Families Program: For Parents and Youth ages 10-14 (SFP 10-14)” which is an evidence-based program that began in 1993 and has been rigorously evaluated for 26 years! All families can learn from this program because families all have needs and challenges. This program highlights family strengths and helps to build stronger families through the practice of skills, tools, and strategies that can assist in children having bright futures, and creation of stronger and safer communities. Sessions are fun and interactive and can all be facilitated virtually! Please see the flier below for more details. Click here to see a short video clip about the program.
Reminder--Teen Mental Health Check In Group
This Edition of Guidance Sparks--Be the Captain of Your Child's Spark Team
We know that the last 12 months have been difficult for many people in many, many ways. For our students, the struggle has included a disruption in their educational and social way-of-life. Learning from the restrictions the pandemic has placed on your children may be an opportunity to re-exam what is important to them for now and the future. Ask your daughter or son to think about what was missed during this time of limited access? What didn’t he/she/they miss? The answers might give insight to what Sparks are important to them.
If your teen missed working at a part-time job at the local restaurant because of the responsibilities opportunity to learn about how to run a business, this might be worth exploring in a more serious way. If your teen didn’t miss taking piano lessons because it was just something to add to a college resume, maybe it is time to start looking at other activities where there is true interest.
Looking at the whole concept of Sparks, this might be the right time to reevaluate where time is spent and what interest holds true passion. “One joy scatters a hundred griefs.” – Chinese Proverb
For comments or questions, please contact Ginny Barrett at vbarrett@cbsd.org
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--Technology Support
Reminder--9th-12th Grade Student Technology Toolkit
FROM OUR HEALTH OFFICE
Reminder--Required Dental Exams for 7th Graders
Reminder--Please Contact Our Nurse For COVID-Related Issues and Concerns
Please notify our Certified School Nurse, Lauren Myrtetus, if you, someone in your household or your student have been diagnosed with COVID or if your student has been identified as a close contact of someone who has been diagnosed with COVID. Also, please notify Mrs. Myrtetus if your student is ill and is being tested for COVID.
If your students needs to quarantine, he or she should report directly to the nurse’s office on his or her first day back to school for a temperature and symptom screening.
Mrs. Myrtetus is happy to answer any questions related to COVID.
267-893-2915
Reminder--What to Do If Your Child Is Sick
FROM OUR CAFETERIA
Reminder--Breakfast and Lunch is Available to ALL Students Free of Charge Through the Remainder of the 2020-2021 School Year
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
Bucks County Medication Disposal Program--April 24
Reminder--Bucks County Health Human Services Hub
Reminder--Shriner's Children's Pediatric Fracture and Sports Injury Care at Doylestown Hospital
Reminder--Food Pantry at Warrington Fellowship Church
Reminder--Grandfamilies Support Group
Reminder--Housing Information
CB CARES
Reminder--Nominate a Tamanend Student for March Boomerang Award
For those of you who are unfamiliar, the Boomerang Youth Recognition Award, it 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.
Nominations for March's Boomerang Asset are due by Friday, 04/23. The chosen for March is Asset #25: Reading for pleasure- Recognizing a young person who reads for pleasure most days, either alone, with family members, or with friends. Please submit your nomination through this link. Staff members who nominate students will wear jeans and their Boomerang pin to show their Boomerang Spirit on Tuesday, 04/27. Thank you in advance for your nomination
GETTING INVOLVED AND STAYING CONNECTED WITH TAMANEND
TMS Parent Council
Thursday, May 20, 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