Tamanend Connections
We Are Tamanend Together!
November 17, 2023
Holiday Donations for Tamanend Families
Dear Tamanend Community,
If you would like to help us provide assistance for the holidays (Thanksgiving and winter holidays) to our families at Tamanend, please consider donating a gift card. Gift cards may be dropped off in the Main Office to the attention of our certified school nurse Mrs. Lauren Myrtetus. Any gift card is much appreciated, but we are especially in need of gift cards to retailers that sell both groceries and other items (i.e. Target, Walmart, etc.). If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Lauren Myrtetus a lmyrtetus@cbsd.org.
Thank you for helping brighten the holiday season for families in our school.
Sincerely,
Tamanend Administration
CALENDAR ITEMS TO NOTE
Thanksgiving Break--Wednesday, November 22 through Friday, November 24
Winter Concert #1--Wednesday, December 6 at 7:00 PM (details below)
Holiday Dance--Friday, December 8 at 7:30 PM
Winter Concert #2--Tuesday, December 12 at 7:00 PM (details below)
TAMANEND ATHLETICS
Athletic Schedule
Monday, November 20
- 7th Grade Girls Basketball vs. Unami (Home; 3:15)
Tuesday, November 21
- No Contests
Wednesday, November 22 through Friday, November 24
- No School—Happy Thanksgiving!
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Monday, November 27
- No Contests
Tuesday, November 28
- 7th Grade Girls Basketball @ Lenape (Away; 3:15); bus leaves at 2:15
Wednesday, November 29
- 8th Grade Girls Basketball @ Holicong (Away; 3:15); bus leaves at 2:15
Thursday, November 30
- 7th Grade Girls Basketball @ Holicong (Away; 3:15); bus leaves at 2:15
Friday, December 1
- 8th Grade Girls Basketball vs. Sandy Run (Home; 3:15)
ATHLETIC INFORMATION
- Family ID opened for Tamanend Winter sports registration on October 1st. This includes girls basketball, wrestling, and boys basketball. Girls basketball and wrestling are already underway. All 7th and 8th grade boys interested in playing basketball for Tamanend this year must be registered on the Family ID web site. Please click HERE for detailed information, deadlines, and requirements.
- The deadline for BOYS BASKETBALL registration is 8:00am on Tuesday, January 9th. Information that pertains to practices/tryouts and seasons, including concussion information, will only be distributed to those who are registered on Family ID. The concussion information will be sent on Wednesday, January 10th.
· Please see below for CB South ice hockey information.
· 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.
- It is becoming increasingly difficult to secure officials/referees/umpires in all sports, and this issue is anticipated to get worse over the next several years. The PIAA is looking to build its officials ranks. If interested, please visit Become an Official - PIAA. Additionally, students who are 16 years old or older have a special opportunity from the PIAA. The PIAA has waived the fee for its Junior Officials Program. All students who go through the course will then have the opportunity to make money officiating middle school through 9th grade sports. For more information, please visit Junior Officials Program.pdf (piaa.org).
FROM CB SOUTH:
- CB South will be offering Girls Flag Football as a sport this upcoming Spring season. Each High School will have a team. Please continue to check this newsletter or contact Mr. Farrell, Athletic Director, at (jfarrell@cbsd.org) for more information.
- Please see below for CB South ice hockey information.
UPCOMING TAMANEND EVENTS
Tamanend Winter Concerts are December 6 and December 12
🐅
Reminder--Reuse and Recycle Club Sponsors Think Green Competition
Reminder--Middle Bucks Institute of Technology (MBIT) Open House is December 6
UPCOMING TIGER'S I ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES
Tiger's I enrichment activities take place during the i/e period Mondays through Thursdays. The first enrichment activities will be begin mid-September. Participation in Tiger's i enrichment activities is optional. You must be in good academic standing (good grades, all work complete) in order to participate in a Tiger's enrichment activity. If a teacher needs to see for academic purposes during a particular Tiger's i period, you must report to the teacher instead of the enrichment activity. You can find out about upcoming Tiger's i enrichment activities in the following ways:
- Daily announcements posted on Tamanend website
- Tamanend Announcements Canvas course (your teachers will show you how to enroll in this course in early September)
- Tamanend Connections newsletter
- Enrichments bulletin board outside of Main Gym
Crochet/Loom Water Bottle Holder Tiger’s i Enrichment Starts November 8
Strategic Games--Tiger's i Enrichment Begins September 21
Origami--Tiger's i Enrichment Begins September 26
Eat that Frog Book Club--Tiger's i Enrichment Begins October 2
UPCOMING CBSD AND COMMUNITY EVENTS
Reminder--NOVA Presents Grooming Awareness and Prevention Parent Presentation
TAMANEND FEATURES
7th Grade Team Time
Earlier this week, the 7th grade teams gathered in the auditorium to review our first marking period expectations and accomplishments. We also recognized recipients of one of the “Portrait of a Graduate” attributes: Resilient Learners. We are very proud of our 7th graders who received this award. The Journey and Legacy teams are excited for the 2nd marking period to begin!
FEAST (Feeding Everyone at Special Times)
Reminder--CB Realign--Link for Questions and Feedback
In anticipation of the grade level realignment for the 2025-2026 school year, the district extends an open invitation to parents, guardians, students, and community members to provide their questions and feedback here. We greatly value your input as it plays a vital role in our decision-making process, ensuring that our choices are in the best interest of our entire community. To learn more about this initiative, please visit our website: www.cbsd.org/cbrealign.
Reminder--Tamanend Yearbook Information
It’s a great time to pre-order your child’s 2023-2024 Tamanend Yearbook! If you order online prior to January 26, 2024 the cost of the full-color, hardback yearbook is available for $40 (plus tax). This is also the deadline if you’d like to add any additional personalization to your child’s yearbook. Jostens is running a special Back to School sale that includes free icons if you pre-order your child’s yearbook before October 27th!
The price of the yearbook will increase to $45 (plus tax) from January 27th-April 30th. After this April 30th 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 for Tamanend. No pre-orders 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. If you have a financial concern, please contact our school social worker Mrs. Raquel Riad at rariad@cbsd.org.
Reminder--Tamanend Homework Club
Homework Club offers an academic environment where students can get caught up in all their classes. In Homework Club students are offered snacks, drinks, and the support of a Tamanend teacher. Homework Club offers a supported environment for Tamanend Tigers to keep up with their academics. Homework Club is held every Wednesday from 2:30--4:00 in Room 205.
Reminder--A Note Regarding the Importance of Regular School Attendance
The Central Bucks School District attendance policy (#204) conforms to the Pennsylvania School Code sections 1326 to 1333 dealing with compulsory school attendance. “Every child of compulsory school age having a legal residence in this Commonwealth… is required to attend a day school in which the subjects and activities prescribed by the standards of the State Board of Education are taught.”
Reporting an Absence from School:
- Parent/guardian must notify Tamanend Attendance of students excuse for absence using the Parent Portal (see below) or by calling (267)893-2920.
Excused Absences and Medically Excused Absences:
Excused Absence (E) is granted for the following reasons: illness, quarantine, death in the family, impassable roads, inclement weather, religious holidays, health care, exceptionally urgent reasons, and family trips. We recommend that you provide the office with a medical note anytime your child is absent and sees a doctor. Absences substantiated with a doctor's notes are considered "Medically Excused". After the 10th absence excused by a parent/guardian, students must submit medical note for all subsequent absences. If a medical note is not provided, the absences is considered Unexcused (U).
Unexcused Absences:
Unexcused Absence (U) may be declared for reasons such as employment, truancy, car trouble, parental neglect, oversleeping, missing the bus, shopping, babysitting, visiting relatives, hunting, fishing, working at home, vacation trips, unauthorized leaving from school, and remaining at home to do school work. In situations where absence is declared unexcused or unlawful, students may be assigned to make up time missed outside regular school hours.
Consequences for Unexcused Absences:
Attendance to school is crucial to academic success. As stated above, parents must provide notice of excused absences as allowable by the PA School Code. If a student does not provide an excusable notice within three days after their absence, the following consequences may be applied:
1. Detention
2. Saturday detention
3. Parents will receive attendance letters which state that continued unlawful absences my result in referral to the magistrate.
4. District Justice will notify parent of truancy hearing date and if found guilty, be subject to fines and penalties prescribed by the School Code of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Appointments:
- If possible, all appointments should be scheduled outside the school day.
- If an appointment must be scheduled during the school day, parent/guardian must either:
- send a note in with the student stating the time of pick up and the reason for the early dismissal.
- The student should submit the note to the main office before homeroom.
- excuse the student for early dismissal using the Parent Portal.
- send a note in with the student stating the time of pick up and the reason for the early dismissal.
- At the time of dismissal a parent/guardian must sign their student out in the main office.
- For the absence to be recorded as Medically Excused, a physician's note must be submitted to the front office upon return.
Lateness to School:
- Late students MUST sign in at the Main Office when they arrives to school.
- A note must be provided by the parent/guardian stating the reason for the lateness, or parents must excuse the student using the Parent Portal. Oversleeping, traffic, car trouble, and missing the bus are considered unexcused latenesses to school.
- After three unexcused latenesses to school, students will begin to receive disciplinary consequences.
Vacations/Family Trips, Field Trips, & other Planned Absences:
- Two weeks before a planned absence, student should pick up a "Request for Approved Absence" form in the Main Office.
- Parent/guardian should fill out the form. Request for Approved Absence for Family Travel
Missed Work:
- Students are responsible for making up all work missed as a result of excused absences. If students will be out for an extended amount of time (at least 3 full days), parent/guardian should call the student’s school counselor.
- A student is allowed the same number of days to make-up work as the number of days she/he missed for excused absences and lateness. Students are obligated to discuss and arrange plans for make-up work within that time. Failure to do so may result in failing grades on missed assignments.
Auto Caller:
If a student is marked absent, the Tamanend Attendance Auto Caller will contact parents/guardians by phone for notification.
Click Below to Read CBSD's Letter to the Community Regarding the Importance of Attendance
English version
Russian version
Spanish version
Ukranian version
Reminder--CBSD Reassessment Policy
You can find CBSD's policy related to the retaking of assessments (quizzes, tests, assignments, etc.) at the link below--
Assessment and PA Graduation Requirements / Grades 7 - 12 Reassessment Guidelines (cbsd.org)
EARN YOUR STRIPES--TAMANEND'S SCHOOL-WIDE POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL SUPPORT SYSTEM
Tamanend Middle School empowers students to grow academically, socially and emotionally. Students, staff, and families work collaboratively to model the acronym ROAR.
Respect yourself, others, and property.
Own your behaviors.
Act appropriately.
Remember Kindness.
We believe that a caring, positive school culture and learning environment foster respectful, thoughtful, appropriate, and kind citizens.
In order to operationalize our mission, Tamanend utilizes a school-wide positive behavioral intervention and support plan (SWPBIS). This plan helps us establish a social culture in which students expect and support appropriate behavior from one another— creating school environments that are socially predictable, consistent, safe, and positive. This helps to reduce problem behaviors that lead to office discipline referrals and suspensions, and to change perceptions of school safety.
This Week's ROAR Focus Area: Cafeteria
QUOTES AROUND TAMANEND
FROM OUR STUDENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
"Guidance" Is Now "Student Services"
Our Central Bucks “Guidance” Department will now be known as “Student Services” Department. We are making this name change K-12 to better represent the wide-range of services that our department provides to students and families across the district. While we certainly provide “guidance” to students, our School Counselors, School Psychologists, Student Support Social Workers, Student Support Counselors, and Nurses provide services including academic planning; college and career planning; social and emotional programs and initiatives; physical wellness; connections to community resources (financial, housing, food, services); and educational record management. We look forward to seeing students and families in our Student Services Office!
Tamanend Student Assistance Program (SAP)
The SAP Team is a state mandated team, a group of trained faculty members who can connect students with appropriate help and resources if they are struggling with mental health concerns and/or alcohol/substance use. If you notice concerns such as major changes in behavior or mood, drop in achievement, or signs of drug/alcohol use, then you may consider a SAP referral. When we receive a referral, we gather more information to determine if there is a need for intervention, further assessment, or to offer other resources. Raquel Riad is our in-house support that we can refer kids to for various reasons and we can also enlist the help of the Caron Foundation for certain substance abuse concerns. The information is confidential, and the process is for the purpose of offering help and resources. Anyone can refer a student about whom they are concerned by contacting a SAP Team member OR by completing this SAP Referral Form
FROM OUR TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION DEPARTMENT
Student Passwords
Kindergarten and New Students:
All new students will need to use the following:
Families can find their username by logging into Parent Portal >More > Family Information. For support they can contact their
building office, librarian (elementary), or counselor (secondary).
New student passwords are First Initial - Uppercase, last initial -
lowercase, Date of birth - numeric. Example: John Smith born
12/25/2003 = Js122503
All new students will be forced to make a new password their first time
logging in.
Please do NOT reset your entire class or use the same password for
all students.
Microsoft will also prompt the student to answer security questions
for SSPR the first time logging in.Grades 1-12:
All students in grades 1-12 should use their password from last year. If students forget their password, please have them refer to the instructions at www.cbsd.org/passwordguide.
FROM OUR HEALTH OFFICE
Required Immunizations
Children entering 7th grade are required to have:
- 1 dose Meningococcal Conjugate (meningitis)
- 1 dose TDAP – tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis
Students must be fully immunized by the 5th day of school. Please send an up to date copy of your child's immunization report Mrs. Lauren Myrtetus, our certified school nurse. If your child will not be immunized by the 5th day of school please email Mrs. Lauren Myrtetus with the date of the doctor's appointment. Our certified school nurse's email is lmyrtetus@cbsd.org
To check the immunization status of your student, go to the Portal and click on the Health tab.
Required 7th Grade Dental Exams
FROM OUR CAFETERIA
When is Lunch?
Free & Reduced Lunch/Breakfast Application
HELPFUL REMINDERS ABOUT TAMANEND PROCEDURES
Arrival to School
Tamanend Traffic Pattern
On Monday, June 5, 2023 we instituted a new morning drop-off/traffic pattern at Tamanend. We will continue with this pattern for the 23-24 school year as we found it reduce wait time for buses, car riders, and staff entering our parking lots in the mornings. This is an explanation of the traffic pattern we will continue to follow. In the morning only, car riders will use the “bus loop” and ONLY busses and staff members will be allowed to enter the Main entrance. Car riders should pull up as far as possible in the unloading zone, but may drop off their children anywhere along the sidewalk. We will continue to encourage drivers to enter the school property from the Kelly Road side so that they may make a right-hand turn on to the property. For the afternoon, parents picking up their children will utilize the Main entrance and busses will utilize the “bus loop”.
Any discussion of traffic patterns provides a good opportunity to remind everyone in our community about the importance of driving safely around our school. We have many students who walk to and from school. Some of our students must cross Stuckert Road in the mornings and afternoons. Please remember the speed limit on our property and in the school zone on Stuckert Road is 15 miles per hour. Please be mindful of the stop sign on Stuckert Road at the intersection with Herblew Road. Thank you in advance for driving safely and for watching closely for our students who walk to school.
Morning Car Line
When the weather is poor (heavy rain, low temperatures, etc.), more and more parents/guardians choose to drive their children to school. A reminder that students are expected to be in their 1st Period classes by 7:30 AM. If a child is late to school because of CBSD transportation, their tardiness will be excused. If a student is late to school because of car trouble, over-sleeping, or they are in the car drop-off line, their tardiness is unexcused. Typically, there are few cars in the drop off line from when the doors open at 7:10 until about 7:20. After 7:20, the line begins to get very long.
If you drive your child to school and the weather is poor, please consider leaving home earlier so that your child arrives to class on time.
Thanks for your assistance!
Regular School Hours
7:10: Students may be dropped off at Tamanend.
7:10--7:20*: 7th Graders wait in the Auditorium; 8th Graders wait in the Cafeteria; 9th Graders wait in Main Gym
7:20: Classrooms open to students
7:27: Reminder bell rings
7:30: First period classes begin
*Breakfast is available to students in all grades beginning at 7:10 in the Cafeteria.
Middle School Bell Schedule
Lockers and Backpacks
Cell Phone Policy
We would like to take this opportunity to update everyone on Tamanend's cell phone policy. It is important that cell phones be turned off and put away during the school day so that students can focus on learning and interacting appropriately with their peers. For some students this will be a change, and will will work through this together.
Cell phones and other electronic communication devices must be turned off and kept out of sight during the hours of 7:30 am and 2:30 pm, including at lunch time and between classes. Students will not be permitted to use their cell phones during the school day, unless instructed by an adult for educational purposes. You can read the entire school district policy by clicking this link: Active Policies - 20 Welden Drive | Doylestown, PA 18901 | Phone 267-893-2000 BoardDocs® Plus and searching for policy #829.1.
Communicating Absences
You may report your child's absence in any of the following ways:
- Phone (Attendance hotline): 267-893-2920
- Written note to be turned in to Main Office
- Through Portal. Click here to learn how to report student absences through Portal.
Agenda Books
Middle School Physical Education Attire
Students are not 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.
RESOURCES AND ASSISTANCE
Help with Resources
Tamanend is committed to ensuring that every child has a positive experience at our school. 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 (students and/or parents and guardians can contact Mrs. Consoletti in the Guidance Office or Mrs. Myrtetus in the Health Office); weekend food packages to take home (students and/or parents and guardians can contact Mrs. Consoletti in the Guidance Office or Mrs. Myrtetus in the Health Office)
- 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 may help:
Brian Caughie (Principal) bcaughie@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
Andrea Consoletti (Guidance Secretary) aconsoletti@cbsd.org
Food Assistance for Families--Central Bucks Farmers Market
CB Farmer’s Market Registration 2023-2024 School Year
The Central Bucks Farmers Market at Barclay will begin food distributions for the 2023-2024 school year on September 28th. Any Central Bucks family who may need a little extra food assistance is welcome to register for our market at Barclay Elementary School from 4:30-5:30 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month. We generally have free dry goods, fresh produce, milk, eggs, and bread, and often have some frozen meat and poultry.
To register or re-register for a market timeslot, please complete the paper or online registration form. Families will need to register for the market every school year. Once your registration is confirmed, you will receive a text or email with your time slot and family number. If you were registered last year and would like to re-register for this school year, please fill out the form and list your family number from 2022-23. At our first market, you will check in and receive your market registration card for the current school year.
Fill out our online form here: https://forms.office.com/r/egpnSN0g08
If you need a paper form, please ask your school’s office. Paper forms can be scanned and e-mailed to egreza@cbsd.org. Additionally, you can mail your registration form to CB Farmers Market at Barclay, 2015 Palomino Drive, Warrington, PA 18976. ATTN: Joe Brereton
Need a New Backpack?
Brian Caughie, Principal bcaughie@cbsd.org
Patti Hartz, Secretary phartz@cbsd.org
Andrea Consoletti, Student Service Secretary aconsoletti@cbsd.org
Housing Information
GETTING INVOLVED AND 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)
- Daily announcements are posted here each morning on the Tamanend 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
Daily Announcements
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 volunteer in in a Central Bucks school during the 2022-2023 school year, you will need to go to Volunteer Required Paperwork, and complete what is needed to be an approved volunteer in our school. Thank you!
Parent Council Meeting
Thursday, Nov 16, 2023, 09:00 AM
Tamanend Middle School, Stuckert Road, Warrington, PA, USA
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
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