Tuffree Times

Dear Tuffree community,

So often, the heartfelt work that our staff puts in day in and day out can go unnoticed. Our teachers and support staff show up every day, with intentions of giving their best to our students. They don't do this for recognition, or a massive pay day. They do it, because every child deserves to have an army of adults who show up for them. They do it because they truly believe that what they are doing can positively impact the future. Still, it deserves to be said that the adults we have at Tuffree are the cream of the crop, and this was recognized today as we were redesignated as a California Schools to Watch.

Schools to Watch (STW) is a nationwide program that designates outstanding middle schools across the country. The program aims to identify and publicize effective middle-level schools committed to continuous improvement. In the spirit of continuous improvement, I'd like to invite you to FREE STEM workshops for families that we are offering in partnership with PIQE (Parent Institute for Quality Education). Please see the flyers below for more information.

We look forward to carrying this momentum into the new year. Thank you to all of the parents and guardians who continuously support and partner with us, as we build up these students. Have a fantastic weekend.

Enthusiastically,

Sarah Barton, Principal

Congrats to our November Falcons of the Month! Each teacher selected 2 students from 3rd period who demonstrate our core values. Click here to view.

We want to shout out all the Falcon Families and staff who contributed to the ASB Toy Drive! We are proud to donate the over 55 toys that we collected to our local community in need this holiday season.

December is International Persons with Disabilities Month. Click here to learn more.

Monday-Thursday, Dec. 16-19 is our holiday spirit week! Click here for dress up days.

Tuffree is hosting a sock drive this upcoming week to donate to PYLUSD's McKinney-Vento homeless assistance program. New, unwrapped sock donations are greatly appreciated. To participate, please send your student with socks to their 2nd period teacher. Thank you for your support!

Families, start saving your cans and bottles over winter break! Save your CRV bottles and cans for our Instrumental Music Recycle Drive happening the week of January 6th! We will be collecting bottles and cans on Wednesday January 8th, Thursday January 9th, and Friday January 10th in the drop off valet line before school. We will also be collecting on Saturday, January 11th, 2025 from 9am-12pm in front of the Tuffree Middle School.

• Health Office: Please remind students to go to the health office if they do not feel well. Our health clerk will assess and contact home if needed. Students are not to be using their phones during school hours, and if they text you to pick them up, then we are unaware that there is a sick student on campus and it becomes a safety concern.

• 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.

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.