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Originally delivered on 8/27/2023 1:02 pm

SUBJECT: Welcome Back Bulldogs !

T/E Middle School

Aug 27th Newsletter

Cycle Day 1
Monday Aug. 28, 2023
Welcome back, Bulldogs!

We hope you had an amazing summer and are ready for an incredible 2023-24 school year! 

In this edition of the Blast:

  • Holidays at a glance
  • Tips for navigating TEMS
  • Fall Sports
  • Important Reminder from Nurse
  • TEMS School Store
  • Welcoming Committee Coffee meeting
  • Community News

Summer holidays are over, but as a parent, if you want to plan for upcoming no school days, here is a snapshot of this school year's holidays! For starters, there is no school Labor day, Monday Sep. 4th.

As of now, June 11th, 2024 will be last day of this school year, and it's a half day. Please note this is as of today, so keep a lookout for any updates to the school calendar due to snow days or unplanned off days.

Tips for navigating TEMS


Stay in the loop!

Keep a lookout for this weekly highlights TEMS PTO Blast sent every Sunday afternoon. Checking Schoology and TEMS website are other ways you can be in the loop on what’s happening at TEMS.

Schoology
Kids use Schoology every day to see/submit their assignments, access electronic course materials, and get day-to-day announcements. Both you and your kids can sign up for notifications. There is also a Schoology App that both kids and parents can use!

TEMS Morning Announcements

Every day, students receive announcements and information about school activities through iTEMS videos. The text of these videos is available on TEMS school website and can serve as a valuable resource of information for students and families. The link to this morning announcements page is always included at the bottom as 'TE Bulletin' in Quick Links.


School Food Service

If you are not packing lunch visit the School Food Service webpage for breakfast/lunch options. Here is the lunch menu for August. Please note that School Food Service page link is always available, at the bottom of the newsletter, under quick links.


Dropping off something to school

If you need to go to school to drop off anything your child forgot, then please keep the following in mind.

Dropped off items are to be left on the table in the secure vestibule. Always label items you are dropping, with your students grade and full name. 

Dropped off lunch is taken to cafeteria at 11 am so please make every effort to drop it off before 11 am. Also, remind your student that if they ever forget their lunch to look in the cafeteria at lunchtime. Remember that the cafeteria always has several options to order if ever needed. 


Attendance

Attendance is taken in homeroom which is at 8:27 am. End of last period is at 3:10 pm on full days and 12:17 pm on half days.

All attendance communication goes through the attendance email at temattendance@tesd.net. Please email if your student will be late to school from an appointment, is leaving early due to an appointment, or is absent due to illness, appointment, or family emergency. 

Here are the guidelines on this given by the school.

Early pickup

There will be days when you have to pickup your child early either for an appointment or an emergency. Please email temattendance@tesd.net and ask your child to stop by the office to pick up an early dismissal pass. If you send in a handwritten note, have your child drop it off in the office in the morning and they will get an early dismissal slip. Remind your child that once they have the dismissal slip they should come to the main office per given time. When you arrive for pickup, park your car in a parking spot and enter the secure vestibule by ringing the bell. Your child will be brought out to you at the requested time. 

Remember to account for Conestoga High School traffic if you are planning on picking up your child close to end of school day.

Late drop-off

If your child will be late, please send an email to the attendance office at (temattendance@tesd.net) stating what time they will arrive and the reason they will be late. On arrival students should ring the bell to be buzzed in and go to the main office to receive hall pass.

Excused Absence

If you are traveling with your student and they will not be attending school for one or more days, please complete the Request for Excused Absence for Educational Travel and submit it to temattendance@tesd.net.  


Traffic Flow

Please note that there are road closures on Conestoga Road from 9am-3pm. 

If you have not yet seen the email from school regarding traffic here are some reminders. 

For families driving their student to school: There will be traffic delays so plan accordingly. Remember homeroom begins at 8:27 a.m. Please DO NOT block ‘the box’ on Conestoga Road when entering and leaving the TEMS parking lot. All car traffic should enter the main one-way parking lot at the second left and follow all instructions by the security guard. Kindly pull up all the way in the drop off line in the parking lot. Please do not drive through the bus circle at any time. 

For students riding the bus to school: Be prepared for delays for the first few weeks. Please be patient and kind to your bus driver as they navigate new routes. Call transportation at 610-240-1680 if you have any concerns or questions regarding buses.

Fall Sports

Please remind your students to check schoology and listen for announcements regarding fall sports.

Paperwork for any 7th and 8th grade students wanting to participate in a fall sport at TEMS is now available on the Powerschool Parent Portal. Please visit the TEMS Athletics page for additional instructions: 

Athletics / Participation paperwork and injury information (tesd.net)

Important information from the nurses!

-Please complete the Emergency Medical card under forms in Power School for EACH of your students

-For grade 6: Physical exams within one year are required per PA School Health Code. Please submit in Power School under forms- Physical Exam if possible or email to coaryl@tesd.net.

-For grade 7: students MUST submit documentation of MCV or Tdap PRIOR to the first day of school or risk exclusion. This is per state requirements. This can be done under forms- Proof of Immunization on Power School or emailed to coaryl@tesd.net.

-Additionally, students in 7th grade must have a dental exam within one year. Please download this information to Power School under Dental Exam or email to lallym@tesd.net.

-ALL medications, both daily & emergency, must be accompanied by doctor’s orders written after July 1, 2023, per PA School Health Code.

-Please email coaryl@tesd.net with any questions specifically pertaining to your student & their health needs.

TEMS School Store

The School Store is managed and operated by parent volunteers. Students are welcome to shop during lunch hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays. All school supplies are sold at the store including spirit wear (as available) and other fun items. 

We are looking for volunteers to help with the school store. Volunteering at the school store is a great opportunity to see middle school kids in action and help the PTO. Background clearance is needed for volunteering for the school store. Here is a link on details regarding clearance (Volunteer Background Clearance). 

If you have background clearance please sign up using the link below.

School Store Volunteer Signup

Welcoming Committee Coffee

If you are new to the district, come join the TEMS welcoming committee members on Friday, Sep. 8th 9:30 am -11:30 am at Panera in Gateway Plaza, Wayne.  We would love to help answer your questions and ease your transition to the school. 

For any questions or to rsvp please email Karen at karenzamperini@gmail.com.

Join the TEMS PTO!

We are always looking for parent volunteers to help with various PTO events throughout the year. Please visit our website for volunteering opportunities and if you can help please don't forget to complete the Volunteer Form online. For more information on volunteering and any clearances needed please check the volunteers guidelines. 

We will have some opportunities coming up soon, so definitely watch this space and the TEMS PTO website for updates. Your continued support is much appreciated! If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to us at temsvolunteer@gmail.com

Upcoming Events
Monday, August 28
First day of school for grades 1-12
Monday, September 4
No School
Thursday, September 7
7:00p TEMS- Gr. 7/8 Curriculum Night
Tuesday, September 12
8:30a TEMS- Picture Day
7:00p TEMS- Gr. 5/6 Curriculum Night
Wednesday, September 13
8:30a TEMS- Health Screenings
Thursday, September 14
8:00a TEMS- Health Screenings
Friday, September 15
No School
Community News
T&E Care Rock the Park Concert

T&E Care is a local, all volunteer non-profit that lends a hand to area neighbors who might be struggling due to emergencies or difficult situations. To raise the needed funds for its efforts, once a year the organization runs an event, including a raffle and the potential for donations.  Again this year the event will be a free Community Concert, scheduled for Saturday, September 9 (rain date September 10) at Wilson Farm Park, starting at 5:30. Food trucks will be on hand to serve dinner. The Magical Mystery Doors returns to once again perform songs from the Beatles, the Doors, and Led Zeppelin.  They are an awesome band! Plus Raffle, Face Painting,Betsy Daily Dance Performance at Intermission. Check the T&E Care website for more information about the event, or to make a donation or purchase raffle tickets.  www.tecare.org

Disclaimer: TEMS PTO is not responsible for the activities or events of outside organizations. Local community organizations that primarily serve TEMS students may submit a request to have information posted in the Community Links section of the PTO Blast by sending an email to temspto@gmail.com.

Quick Links
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