Tamanend Connections
Tamanend Together!
December 17, 2021
Help Spark Your Child's Interest in a Career
SPARKS: CAREER EDUCATION INFORMATION
“Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”
― Mark Twain
This quote may optimize the wish that many parents have for their children’s future. Some of you may be fortunate enough to feel that way about your own career. Finding that ideal job is the challenge and for our children it is often a matter of “trying things on” to see what fits. The link below shares interesting looks at how people feel about the work they do. Although many of the videos may be more appropriate for older students, some could be fun for the younger ones such as Kite Designer or Experimental Film and Stop Motion Animator.
Perhaps take a few minutes over the upcoming school break and watch some of these with your sons and daughters. Ask them what they think, and listen. You both may learn something about “a job you enjoy doing.”
https://www.kqed.org/education/18675/50-videos-for-career-path-explorations
For comments or questions, please contact Ginny Barrett at vbarrett@cbsd.org.
CALENDAR ITEMS TO NOTE
Holiday Spirit Week--Monday, December 20 to Thursday, December 23 (details below)
Early Dismissal--Thursday, December 23
Winter Break--Friday, December 24 until Sunday, January 2
9th Grade Program Planning Assembly--Tuesday, January 4 (in school) (details below)
CB South Curriculum Fair (for current 9th Graders)--Thursday, January 6 at 6:30 at CB South (details below)
Kelly Anne Dolan Fundraiser Kick-Off--Friday, January 7
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 BOYS BASKETBALL registration is 8:00am on Wednesday, January 5th. If your child is not registered by that time, 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 for boys basketball will begin on January 10th.
- 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:
- There will be a player meeting for any girl in 9th - 12th grades interested in trying out for the lacrosse team in the spring. The meeting is at CB South on December 20th at 3:00pm in room D204.
- Please see below for ice hockey information.
Athletics Schedule
Monday, 12/20
- 7th grade girls basketball @ Tohickon (Away; 3:15); bus leaves at 2:15
Tuesday, 12/21
- Wrestling vs. Log College/Klinger (Home; 3:15)
Wednesday, 12/22
- No contests
Thursday, 12/23 (Early Dismissal)
- No contests
Friday, 12/24
- No School
- HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!
UPCOMING TAMANEND EVENTS
Student Council Sponsors Holiday Spirit Week
- Monday = Holiday Pajama day
- Tuesday = Dress like your favorite holiday character day
- Wednesday = Festive outfit / ugly sweater day
- Thursday = Holiday hat day
TAMANEND FEATURES
Reminder--Nominate a Tamanend Student for the Boomerang Recognition!
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 December's Boomerang Asset are due by Tuesday, 12/21. The chosen for December is Asset #30: Responsibility- Recognizing a young person who accepts and takes personal responsibility. Please submit your nomination through this link. Thank you in advance for your nomination.
Additional Assistance for the Holidays and Beyond
The Bucks County United Way provides assistance to families and can connect you with other organizations that may be better suited to help with your individual needs. There are several ways for you to reach out and we encourage you to do so if you have a need this holiday season and beyond. The United Way is available 24 hours a day. 7 days a week. 365 days a year. Free, confidential, multilingual information & referrals to Bucks County services.
Call (211), text (898-211), or visit 211 online to connect with a call specialist.
Program Planning Timeline for 2022-2023 School Year
Program Planning for the 2022-2023 school year is underway. Program Planning is the process by which students, parents, teachers, and guidance counselors collaborate to create each student's class schedule for the subsequent school year. The Central Bucks Program of Studies, which explains the program planning process and describes all courses, can be found on the CBSD website as per the dates listed below. Please find a list of important dates below related to program planning:
- January 3--Program of Studies booklet for Grades 9-12 available on the CBSD website. Hard copies will be distributed to current 9th graders at a date TBD.
- January 4--Program planning assembly for current 9th Graders (during school day)
- January 6--Central Bucks South Curriculum Fair (for current 9th Graders) 6:30 PM at CB South High School
- January 14--Program of Studies booklet for Grades 7 & 8 available on the CBSD website
- January 19 to February 6--Current 9th Grade students enter course requests at home via Parent Portal
- January 31--Program planning presentations for current 8th Graders (during school day)
- February 1--Program planning assembly for current 7th Graders (during school day)
- February 11--Course verifications posted on Portal for parents of current 7th Graders to review
- February 17--Course verifications electronically confirmed on Portal by parents of current 7th Graders by this date
- February 23-- Course verifications posted on Portal for parents of current 8th Graders to review
- March 1--Course verifications electronically confirmed on Portal by parents of current 8th Graders by this date
- March 18--Course verifications posted on Portal for parents of current 9th Graders to review
- March 30-- Course verifications electronically confirmed on Portal by parents of current 9th Graders by this date
CB South Curriculum Fair for Current 9th Graders is January 6
Dear 9th Grade Parents:
The 2022 Central Bucks High School South Curriculum Fair for all current 9th grade students from Unami Middle School and Tamanend Middle School is scheduled for Thursday, January 6, 2022. Our program will begin at 6:30 PM in the South Auditorium.
The initial portion of the evening will feature a presentation by the Administrative and Guidance Teams regarding graduation requirements, block scheduling, and course planning options. Then, we will move into other areas of the school, where students and parents will have the opportunity to speak with teachers from each of the academic and elective departments, as well as representatives from the Guidance Department, Special Education Department, and Middle Bucks Institute of Technology.
We welcome and encourage all ninth graders and their parents to attend the Curriculum Fair on Thursday, January 6th beginning at 6:30 PM in the Auditorium.
Sincerely,
Jason H. Bucher
Principal
Central Bucks High School South
Reminder--Tamanend Continues its Tradition of Supporting the Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund
During the holidays, many of us give gifts to important people in our lives. Instead of getting somebody some thing and in the true spirit of the holiday season, we hope you will consider making a donation in someone's name to the Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund. For those new to Tamanend, the KADMF is a tremendous organization that has become a large part of the Tamanend community. The fund provides assistance---that insurance does not cover---to families who have children who are seriously ill. During tough economic times, organizations such as this are even more critically important. Over the last 21 years, Tamanend has raised more than $518,700 for the fund, and we look forward to adding to that total as we approach our 22nd KADMF Basketball Shootout on Feb. 26th.
These cards are available in the guidance office for you to “purchase”. All you will need to do is submit your donation (checks can be made out to “KADMF”), and you will get an “in lieu of” card and an envelope. In addition to the card stating that a donation to KADMF was made in their name, there will be space for you to personalize the card and write a message if you wish. There are a variety of cards, and they were all designed by our Tamanend students. We have had tremendous success with these holiday cards over the last 12 years, raising over $11,900 for the Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund.
Reminder--Next Meeting of Tamanend Parent Book Club is January 19
Reminder--9th Grade Baby Photos for Yearbook
Dear 9th Grade Parents:
The Tamanend Middle School yearbook advisors have opened a website to upload 9th grade baby pictures for the 2021-2022 yearbook. We are inviting you to include a photo memento in your child’s yearbook that he or she will have as a special reminder in their last year at Tamanend. Submitting your child’s baby picture is a great way to honor your child in the yearbook at this special time in his or her life. The cost is $5. If you would like to participate in this optional addition, please make sure that you follow the steps found on this page of our website.
**We will NOT be accepting photos that need to be uploaded. All uploading must be done on your own to the site mentioned below. Please only upload one (1) picture per child.
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.
FROM OUR MUSIC DEPARTMENT
Tamanend Music Department Presents Exceptional 2nd Winter Concert!
The Tamanend Music Department presented its second winter concert of the season on Thursday, December 16. The following groups performed:
String Ensemble
Chieftain Chorus
8th Grade Band
7th Grade Chorus
Symphonic Swing Ensemble
9th Grade Chorus
Congratulations and thank you to Mr. Nugent, Mr. Sanchez, Mr. Werner, our musicians, and our tech crew members for an amazing winter concert season!
EARN YOUR STRIPES--TAMANEND'S SCHOOL-WIDE POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL SUPPORT SYSTEM
Our SWPBIS initiative has been of to a great start! We recently cleared the Tiger 200 board and several students walked away with prizes. Students who appear on the Tiger 200 board are recognized by staff members for being respectful, taking ownership of their behavior, acting appropriately and remembering kindness. Congratulations to all those students who received Tiger Stripes in the 1st Marking Period. Keep up the good work!
TAMANEND ADVISORY
In Advisory this week and next week, students are working together on a ‘Gift Giving’ project and their 2nd marking period Success Plan activities will begin next Thursday (12/16).
QUOTES AROUND TAMANEND
UPCOMING DISTRICT & COMMUNITY EVENTS
Reminder--Bucks for Kids Holiday Gift Card Donation
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
Reminder--Please Properly Take Care of Your Laptop
We have seen an increase in cracked laptop screens. Here are a few tips to help you properly take care of your laptop:
· Use your laptop bag when carrying your laptop in school and outside of school.
· If you have a small crack on your screen, please take it to the Library to get it fixed as soon as possible. Many times, students do not have small cracks repaired as soon as they occur. This sometimes results in the screen shattering completely.
· Please note that intentional laptop damage will result in potential disciplinary consequences and a bill for the repairs.
Reminder--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
Learn About Middle Bucks Institute of Technology
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
Reminder--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
HELPFUL REMINDERS ABOUT TAMANEND PROCEDURES
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.