Tuffree Times

Dear Tuffree community,

I can't believe we are about to start our fifth week school! This week marked the start of Tuffree Connect, our home for free before and after school academic support and connection with our incredible teachers. You will find the schedule for this program below.

I need your help! I am looking for some parents to join me in leading the school in a variety of capacities. As our staff and students continue to Level Up, it's so important to include community input to keep that growth going. Your voice matters and below you will find three different opportunities to help all students succeed. All three committees only require attendance at four 1-1 1/2 hour meetings through the entire school year. Please read the short descriptions and click the "apply" button if you think you can give 4-6 hours of your time over the next nine months.

I would also like to highlight, "Wear Gold Wednesday" on September 25th as we honor children and families affected by childhood cancer, and to raise awareness for research and support. In addition, please follow along with your students as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.

Enthusiastically,

Sarah Barton, Principal

The School Site Council (SSC) is an elected body responsible primarily for developing and monitoring the School Plan for Student Achievement. SSC's are made up of parents, students, school staff and administrators. Members of the SSC represent the entire school community and take responsibility of achievement for all students. There will be four meetings through the school year, with the first being October 2nd at 3:30pm.

The English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) is a group of individuals who work together to advise school staff and administration on programs and services for English learners. ELACs are made up of parents of English learners, parents of English-only students, teachers, and school administrators. There will be four meetings, with the first being October 8th at 7:30am. I invite any and all parents that take interest in equity and the growth of our community to complete the simple form below.

Title I Parent Advisory Reps will learn about what Title 1 is and how it significantly funds many of our PYLUSD schools. Tuffree will be receiving some of these funds next year, and we want the community to share input and fully understand how these funds can benefit our student achievement. There will be four meetings at the District Office on October 24th, December 19th, February 20th, May 15th.

We are in full swing with Volleyball season here at TMS, with about 70 student athletes coming out to play. The kids are having a ton of fun learning new skills at practice. Our 8th graders are really stepping up and setting good examples of what teamwork looks like on the court for our new 7th graders and atheltes are working hard each day. For updates on all TMS Middle School Athletics, follow our Instagram @tuffreemsathletics. Go Falcons!!

Hispanic Heritage Month is Sept. 15- Oct. 15! Each week on morning announcements, we'll be honoring a significant person's contributions, including one of our very own Falcons in the "Student Spotlight." We also played "Loteria" at lunch this past Wednesday. Posters will be displayed around campus as well.

Wear gold on Wednesday, 9/25 in honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month! We'll have some giveaways at lunch that day, too.

Make-up Picture Day! - Makeup Picture Day is Wednesday, October 2nd. You can order here with order code T578.

1.Spirit Wear: The store has reopened until 9/22. Order those cozy pajamas pants and sweatshirts as the weather cools down. Online orders HERE

2. PTA Membership: No volunteer time required! $15 will help Tuffree PTA support students and staff with activities, assemblies and much more!

https://jointotem.com/ca/placentia/tuffree-middle-school-pta

• School Calendar: The school calendar can be found here.

• Daily Attendance: Every day counts when it comes to student attendance. Students must maintain good attendance to achieve academic success. When a student is absent, please contact the attendance office. The attendance office can be reached by text at (714)202-6891 or by contacting our front office by phone at (714)986-7480. Please include your student’s name, your name, and the reason for the absence. Note that you must report absences every day your student is out, and you have 48 hours to clear an absence.

PYLUSD is seeking individuals to serve as members of our "Literature Review Committee" for the 24-25 school year. Click HERE for more information.

Non-Discrimination Statement: The Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District prohibits discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying in all district activities, programs, and employment based upon actual or perceived gender, gender identity, gender expression, race, ethnicity, color, religion, ancestry, nationality, national origin, ethnic group identification, immigration status, sex, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, pregnancy, age, physical or mental disability, or on the basis of a person’s association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics, or affiliation with the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups or any other basis protected by law or regulation, in its educational program(s) or employment. In accordance with AB-1078, this applies to all acts of the governing board and the superintendent of the school district in enacting policies and procedures that govern the local educational agency. The following employees have been designated to handle questions or complaints of alleged discrimination: Employee complaint- Dr. Issaic Gates, Deputy Superintendent, Human Resources (714) 985-8408. Title IX and any other discrimination complaints - Dr. Baldwin Pedraza, Director, Student Services (714) 985-8670, bpedraza@pylusd.org. Title II Coordinator / 504 Coordinator / Americans with Disabilities Act complaints - Dr. Baldwin Pedraza, Director, Student Services (714) 985-8670. Bullying, intimidation complaints - Tonya Gordillo, Administrator, Student Services (714) 985-8671. The mailing address for all compliance officers is 1301 E. Orangethorpe Avenue, Placentia, CA 92870.