TBMS October 2024

Dear parents and guardians of Twin Bluff Middle School students,

October 1st already!

What a wonderful start to the school year we have had so far. September was a busy month that included a wonderful presentation on Native American Culture and what a Wacipi (Powwow) is. All middle school students were able to attend and many participated as well. We followed that up with "Homecoming 2024" and many enjoyed the festivities and traditions that happened that week. Our students really enjoyed the pep fest activities that the high schoolers came and presented during an assembly. As noted by this picture, our students used their voice to welcome the group in a loud Winger fashion!

I wanted to share some information about upcoming events at Twin Bluff Middle School so that they are on your radar and we can ensure your child has the opportunity to attend/participate in them.

First, we have our TBMS Dance Schedule all set for the school year. We have hired a DJ to come in and help our middle schoolers enjoy a few hours of dancing, games, and fun. The dates for school dances this year are Friday, October 11th; Friday, December 6th; and Friday, March 7th.

All dances cost $5.00 to enter and snacks can be purchased for additional costs. All dances last from 6:00-8:00 pm and are only for TBMS students who follow our Safe, Kind, and Responsible expectations. Only TBMS students may attend, no other schools/students are allowed to attend. If a student is absent from school on the day of the dance, they may not attend the dance (the same as the athletic code to participate in sporting events). Please make sure you drop off and pick up your child on time and in a safe manner. This area gets congested so plan to be patient as we get all students in, out, and home in a safe manner.

Next, we will be participating in a Drive 4UR School event through House Ford on November 4th during parent/teacher conferences. Our goal is to raise $6,000 to purchase comfortable and flexible seating for our Media Center. All you have to do is stop by and take a quick test drive in a new Ford vehicle. I will provide more details in October about this exciting opportunity!

Lastly, we held grade-level meetings with all students last week to ensure that they are practicing Safe, Kind, and Responsible behaviors in all areas. The teachers have done an amazing job of presenting, modeling, and motivating students to make their best choices. This was an opportunity for students to also hear it from their principals as well. This is a TEAM effort that will be most successful if we (home and school) work together. Together, we can create an environment where every student feels safe, supported, and ready to learn.

Thank you for being part of our school family. Your support makes all the difference.

Mr. Beierman & The TBMS Team

Friday, October 11th: All School Dance

Monday, October 14th: Indigenous Peoples' Day.

Wednesday, October 16th: Picture Day & 5th Grade Earth Orbit Expo

October 17-18: No School, MEA Break

Friday, November 22nd-6th Grade Field Trip to MN History Center & State Capitol

All 7th grades need to have a TDAP booster and a Meningococcal immunization or a Conscientious Objection. Please bring paperwork to the school nurse.

Student Flu Clinic Oct 2nd, register here

Student Dental Clinic Oct 4th, forms are in the Nurse's Office.

Vision and Hearing Screening for 5th Grade and Vision Only Screening for 7th Grade October 29th and 30th

Reminder to Parents that students cannot carry medications while at school. All medications need to be brought to the nurse and administered in the Health Office.

Our school is in need of pants in sizes youth medium and large and t-shirts sizes youth medium and large. Thank you.

Students in Mrs. LaVigne's FACS class have been enjoying the new tables donated by the RWPS Foundation. Thank you!

What I Need Now (WINN) is a new time in our student day that allows students to request time with a specific teacher in a specific subject to get the help that they feel they need. Each day students spend 25 minutes with the teacher they select to get the help that they need. Teachers also have the option of assigning students to come to their class when they see students struggling in a subject or they see a student missing assignments in their class. There are also extension opportunities available for students who are looking for greater challenges.

For us older folks, it would be like a study hall with a teacher helping us get what we need in each class or subject area.

Every Friday students sign up for help sessions for the next week. Teachers can assign students to their class up to the day of the session. Students may also ask a teacher to add them if they feel that they are struggling with an assignment during the week and they haven’t signed up for that teacher.

Monday through Thursday are dedicated to academics. This is an opportunity for students to either catch up or attempt even more challenging (extension) work. Fridays are designed more for Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) and team-building activities.

This is a flexible way to support all students each day with content-specific teachers providing the support. As this is a new program, we are sure there will be bumps as we implement it. We will do our best to ensure each student gets what they need!

No parking or drop off during busing times!

We have new signs that are now in place reminding all drivers that the bus loop is ONLY for buses each morning during drop off's (8:15 - 9:15 am) and each afternoon during pick up's (3:15 - 4:15 pm).

New signs at the bus loop entrance reminds drivers that this is a "One Way" and only bus traffic each morning and afternoon as well.

Please help us keep students safe by following the expectations.

Fall Bus Stop and Walk Event Starting Wednesday, October 2nd

We’re excited the Bus Stop and Walk event is being kicked off again Wednesday, October 2nd and will continue every Wednesday until Nov. 6th (weather permitting). The Bus Stop and Walk (BSW) program takes Safe Routes to School to another level by ensuring that every student is provided the opportunity to walk to school. BSWs drop students a safe and walkable distance from school, allowing them to walk with the goal of improving physical and mental health, increasing academic performance and building community by dropping students within a walkable distance to school. We look forward to seeing you all there!

Walk and Roll back to school with Walk to School Day October 9th, 2024

Schools and Families: Let’s go big this year and celebrate the 28th annual Walk to School Day! These events are not only fun for kids but serve as important opportunities to encourage physical activity and promote safety in neighborhoods and near schools.

It's important that our children have 60 min/day of physical activity from a young age so that they have the tools to remain healthy throughout their lives. Safe Routes to School efforts such as Walk to School Day events are an essential part of the equation to provide our children with opportunities to walk and bike to school and home. Consider making it a family event – walk together. If you live far from school, park 2-4 blocks away and walk together.

Students took advantage of the beautiful fall weather to hike the Bluff during their Friday WINN time with Mrs. Nelson.

First Student, Red Wing Public Schools’ transportation provider, will again be using FirstView, a bus tracking and communications app for your smartphone or desktop.

Coverage will begin the first day of school, Sept. 3, 2024. The app will be up to date with the latest information and able to track your student’s bus.

Please note that no personal identifying information is required or shared -- student name, grade, address, etc.

The district code for 2024-2025 is 7MM5.

The code works for all schools.

The features include:

• Live tracking

The FirstView app screen shows you the location and direction of your student’s bus, for both morning and afternoon trips.

FirstView provides caregivers with confirmation when the trip is complete.

• Customization

Notifications -- When the bus enters a specific area -- for example, four blocks from the bus stop -- you will receive an email or alert. The app calls this alert area a “geofence.” The size and alert times are customizable, so parents control their notifications.

Multiple users -- You may choose up to three email accounts to receive these alerts. This is a great feature for grandparents or caregivers.

Multi-stop view -- The buses for all your children can be tracked with FirstView. Using individual colors for each student, the bus assigned to each student’s route appears on the app map in the same color as the student for easy viewing.

• Simple, secure access

FirstView requires a code for app set-up. This way only you can view your student’s stop.

• Customer support

Whether you are having trouble getting started, not seeing correct data or have an idea to make FirstView better, contact FirstView Monday-Friday (English only at this time):

1. Call the toll-free phone number 888-889-8920 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays
2. Email support@firstviewapp.com, or
3. Use the in-app “✉” button.

For more information and to download the app, go to www.firstviewapp.com.

Attendance Matters! Look at this info chart that our Assistant Principal created showing the importance of school attendance.

Please use the attendance line when you need to report an absence, a student is coming in late or needs to be picked up early. You can also email tbmsattendance@rwps.org. Please keep in mind that students may be in PE class outside, in band, or at recess so the earlier the notification the better for us to make that happen in a timely manner. Parents do not need to sign students in when they are coming in late but please call or email. Thank you!

ParentVue gives you access to your student's school information such as attendance and grades. We will also be using it for report cards this year instead of mailing them. Please call or email the office to get an activation key to get things started. Once you have the activation key you can access it through this link or any of the links on the district or school buildings web pages. You must have an email address to use this system.

We also still have a few extra yearbooks available, contact Kelly at kjkolby@rwps.org if you would like to claim one. The cost is still only $20.

Every Sunday during the school year, the district office sends out their newsletter by email. It has news from the whole district and the calendar of events for each building. If you haven't already, please sign up by emailing a request to: newsletter@rwps.org.

Box Tops are now digital! You can help our school raise funds to help students by enrolling in the program. It is free and an easy way to help the school earn money by scanning the groceries you already pay for! https://boxtops4education.com/s/get-the-app

Click the links below for important information about Twin Bluff Middle School and Red Wing Public Schools. Please pay special attention to the District Handbook and the Twin Bluff Expectations & Procedures. Both documents contain important information and are a great reference for many frequently asked questions!

Twin Bluff School Office-651-385-4530

Attendance Line-651-385-4550

First Student Busing Questions-651-388-8244

District Transportation Route Questions-651-385-4795

Spanish Assistance-651-385-4607 (Jeimmy)

Email: tbmsattendance@rwps.org
Webpage: Twin Bluff Middle School
Location: 2120 Twin Bluff Road, Red Wing, MN 55066, USA
Phone: 651-385-4530
Social media: Facebook, Instagram