Tumwater FAQ's

WELCOME EVENTS

Other than the Ice Cream Social on 8/21, will there be another opportunity for students to peek into the school?  

No, there is not another welcome event.  However, 6th graders will have the entire school to themselves on the first day of school, with lots of support from staff to have questions answered.

What if we can’t come during our assigned time?

If the assigned time slot doesn’t work, feel free to come anytime that works best for your family that evening.

FIRST DAY

Can I walk my child to his/her class on the first day of school?

Middle school is a time when students are ready to be more independent. Parents/guardians attending the Welcome Coffee may enter the building at 9:55. Please take your first day of school pictures at home as the parking lot will be quite crowded.

What does my 6th grader need to bring for the first day of school?

• Tightly sealed reusable water bottle
• Sack lunch (if you are not getting a school lunch)
• Pen or pencil

Where does my 6th grader go on the first day?

WEB leaders, the 8th grade leadership group (Where Everyone Belongs), will direct students where to go on the first day.  Relax, it works out!

What should my child bring to PE on the first day?

Students do not need to bring anything to PE on the first day.

Should my student bring locker supplies on the first day?

 Students are encouraged to use their lockers for a few days before bringing in any locker supplies. This gives students an opportunity to see how much space their backpacks and supplies will use in the locker.

When do students bring supplies? On the first day? Do items need to be labeled?

6th graders only need to bring a pencil, a sack lunch (if they are not getting a school lunch) & a water bottle on their first day. 

7th & 8th graders  need to bring a pencil, a sack lunch (if they are not getting a school lunch), a water bottle, sharpened pencils/pens, colored pencils, highlighters and a notebook with paper on their first day. 

The two-inch binder will hold all the smaller individual supplies for students, including their notebooks, so they will always have everything they need at hand. Labeling the binder & notebooks is essential.

LOGISTICS

What are the school hours?

9:40 am-4:15 pm. Students should arrive no earlier than 9:20 am and plan to depart by 4:15 pm, unless in a prearranged meeting with a teacher or school-sponsored club. Staff supervision is not provided before or after those times.

The cafeteria will open for breakfast at 9:20 am.

What is the school’s main phone line?

503-356-2720.  We are often confused with Tumwater Middle School in Washington state and the Tumwata Middle School in Oregon City, so please ensure you have the correct number in your contacts.

What is the attendance line?

503-356-2721.  Please have your student’s ID number handy before leaving your message. 

Parents/Guardians have the ability to report their student’s absence(s) in ParentVUE. This applies to Excused, full day absences only. Partial day absences or absences that occurred in the past cannot be reported through ParentVUE, and must be reported directly to your school's office.

Where do I drop off my child's medications?

Medications should be dropped off in the main office. Information about medication policies can be found at https://www.beaverton.k12.or.us/departments/student-services/school-nursing.

When will lockers be assigned? 

Lockers information will be printed on your child’s schedule that will be handed out at the ice cream social.  They can also find the information in StudentVue.  Students will be able to practice opening their locker during the ice cream social.

How much passing time do kids have between classes?

Four minutes.

LUNCH

Will lunch be free again?

Lunch and breakfast will be free of charge for all students.

Are there multiple lunch periods?

There are three lunch periods, one for each grade, that last 30 minutes each.  Students have lunch with students in their own grade. 

What do I do if my child forgets their lunch?

You may drop it off at the front office and students can check the office during their lunch time. The school does not accept food deliveries for students from restaurants or delivery services. It may be helpful for you to email your student that you've dropped the item off and it's ready for them to pick up.

Are there vending machines available for students?

No.

DROP-OFF/PICK-UP/TRANSPORTATION

We didn’t get assigned a bus.  Can I request bus service?

Click HERE to get updated info on requesting bus service.

What if our afternoon transportation plans change?

Sometimes afternoon transportation plans change during the day and you may need to notify your child of the change. If this happens, please call the office by 3:30 pm so we have ample time to get the message to your student before dismissal.

What happens if my child leaves a personal item on the bus?

Call Dispatch at (503) 356-4200 as soon as you know an item has been left behind. The dispatcher will attempt to contact the driver to locate the item. In most cases, your student will be able to retrieve the item the next time they ride the bus. Items of high monetary value are turned into Dispatch for safekeeping. 

Can my child go home with another student on their bus?

If your student is riding a bus home with another student, please send a note with your child to school with the information of the student your child will be riding with. They should turn it into the office before school or at lunch and will receive a temporary bus pass from office staff. This is for one-time exceptions, not a regular transportation plan.

Can kids bring their bikes on the school bus (so ride their bike one way and take the bus the other?)

No, bikes are not allowed on school buses.

Can children take the bus some days, and not on others?

Yes, students may ride their assigned bus on whatever days they wish.

Do they need to report to anyone if they won't be taking the bus one day?

No.

Can I park in the “carpool” parking spots near the front of the school?

No, those are meant for staff carpools. Please use the drop off zone marked by the yellow curb.

Where can my child lock up their bike or scooter? 

There are bike racks at the front and back of the school. Each student will need to supply their own locks and chains. The law requires a helmet to ride bikes and scooters. 

VOLUNTEERING

How do I volunteer at TMS?

Head to www.tumwaterpto.org/volunteer for instructions on the two step process to begin volunteering at TMS.  

Why don’t I see Tumwater when I log-in?

First, be sure to scroll down past the other schools in your profile to make sure it’s not at the bottom, as schools are shown in alphabetical order. If you still don’t see Tumwater when you log-into the Raptor system, then you are not a part of the Tumwater database. Head to www.tumwaterpto.org/volunteer for instructions on the two step process. 

***Parent profiles do NOT automatically move schools with their child’s enrollment.  Email update_volunteer_locations@beaverton.k12.or.us in order to add your profile to Tumwater Middle  School. It can take as long as a week (or more) for your volunteer profile to be added to Tumwater’s database, especially during high volume processing times.  If you have emailed the address listed above and have not received confirmation within one week, please send an email to volunteer@tumwaterpto.org.  

I've passed the background check and have a profile at another school, but haven’t been added to Tumwater’s database yet. Can I still volunteer at Tumwater for an upcoming event? 

No. Unfortunately, each school’s volunteer database is separate, so Tumwater’s administration staff and volunteer coordinators cannot view volunteer profiles in other schools’ databases to verify your volunteer status and qualifications. From a security standpoint, it is essential all volunteers have the time clock running while they are on school grounds (or chaperoning an off-campus event) so school staff knows who is on site at all times.  

I have forgotten my login information.  

If you have forgotten your login information, you can reset it at the MyImpact Login page by clicking on the link that says “Forgot your username or password?”. If you don’t remember the email address you used when creating your volunteer profile, please send an email to volunteer@tumwaterpto.org 

If I request my volunteer profile to be transferred to Tumwater, does it remove my profile from the other school(s)?

No, you may have volunteer profiles at more than one school. However, if you would like to be removed from a school’s volunteer database, you may also submit that request to update_volunteer_locations@beaverton.k12.or.us at the same time as your request to be added to Tumwater’s database.

I do not plan to volunteer anymore and would like to be removed from Tumwater’s Volunteer Database. 

You may either send an email to update_volunteer_locations@beaverton.k12.or.us  or volunteer@tumwaterpto.org and you will be removed from the database.

I want to volunteer at the school, but do not want to receive your emails. Can I be removed from your email distribution list? 

No, unfortunately, we do not have the ability to remove you from our mailing list while keeping your profile active in the volunteer system.

I’ve signed up to volunteer for an event. Where do I go and what should I do?

When you arrive at school, you will sign in to your profile on the Volunteer iPad located in the office. You will then have a printed volunteer badge that must be worn while in the building. Then proceed to your volunteer assignment. 

I can log into the system at home to sign up for volunteer opportunities, but I'm unable to see Tumwater when logging into the School iPad.

The website used on the School iPad to start the time clock has a different interface than the website used by volunteers at home to sign up for volunteer opportunities. This occasionally happens where a volunteer cannot see Tumwater when they log into the Chromebook. 

If I can't log into the system to start the time clock, can I still volunteer?

Unfortunately, you will not be able to volunteer. All volunteers must log into the system to start the time clock prior to volunteering, 

I'm volunteering for a teacher or staff member and I don't see an activity for me to select when I sign in. 

Please select the activity "General Volunteer Hours." If you are volunteering on a regular basis and would like a dedicated volunteer activity in the system, please email volunteer@tumwaterpto.org.

I signed up for a volunteer shift, but my plans changed and I can no longer volunteer.

If you are unable to cancel your shift, we would appreciate it if you sent us an email at volunteer@tumwaterpto.org to let us know.

POLICIES

What is the student cell phone policy?

To keep the focus on academics and to reduce unnecessary distractions, we ask that all TMS students keep their cell phones off and away from 9:35 am - 4:15 pm each day.  If a student's cell phone is in use and/or is out (on desk, in hand, etc), the student will be directed to the office where the phone will be kept for the rest of the school day. Office staff will give the student a receipt for the phone and place it in a locked location. At dismissal time, the student will turn in the receipt in order to pick up their phone from the office. Parents/guardians will be notified for repeated patterns of behavior.

Who do I call if I need to talk with my child while at school?

This should occur infrequently. Please call the main office.

Is Tumwater a closed campus?

Yes.  Students are required to stay on campus for the duration of the school day.

How do I deliver something my child has forgotten at home?

You may bring the item to the office. To avoid disrupting classroom learning, items will not be delivered to the classroom, but ask that students check in the office during passing periods or their lunch/recess if they're expecting a notebook, lunch etc. It may be helpful for you to email your student that you've dropped the item off and it's ready for them to pick up.

How can I pick up my child early?

Please send a note to school with your student. They should show it to their teacher or lunch/recess supervisor and will be sent to the office. Only people listed on your pick up list will be able to check them out of the office.  It is easiest if the parent picking up knows their child’s student ID number. Pick up your child prior to 3:30 so we have ample time to get the student before dismissal.

ACADEMICS/CLASSES

Do students need a planner to keep track of assignments?

A planner is an excellent tool to track assignments.  It is recommended that students purchase one that meets their needs. 

PE

Do kids bring clothes/shoes to change into every day?

Every student has the option to change their shoes/clothes for PE, however it is not required. Shoes that students can participate in various fitness activities is highly recommended.

Can they shower after PE?

No

Can PE be any time during the day or is it mainly at the end of the day?

PE classes are evenly distributed throughout the day. There are an average of 3 PE classes meeting during each period.
 

COMMUNICATION

How often will I hear from the school?

School newsletters are published every other week. Teachers will communicate through Canvas (assignments and feedback), ParentSquare (usually general information), ParentVue (grades), and email (individual correspondence).

Does the school or PTO have social media?

Yes, you can follow Tumwater Middle School (@tumwaterrapids) and Tumwater PTO (@tumwaterpto) on Facebook and Instagram.

How do I subscribe to Tumwater PTO’s blog?

Head to www.tumwaterpto.org and sign-up on the front page. You will receive an email around 5pm on the day a blog post is published.

What is the difference between Parentview, Parentsquare & Canvas?

• ParentVUE is a web portal that allows parents/guardians to access real-time information related to their students, including attendance, calendars, course history, emergency contacts, grade Book information, report cards, schedules, and school information. It is also used each fall to verify student enrollment information.  Access to ParentVUE requires a username and password, which parents/guardians set up with an Activation Key code. If you have questions or would like assistance with ParentVUE, please contact our registrar at 503-356-2731. Learn more about ParentVUE and StudentVUE here.
• Canvas is used by middle and high school teachers as an extension to in-class instruction. Teachers use Canvas to post assignments, give feedback, and communicate with students. Students use Canvas to access lessons assignments, manage their time using the calendar feature, submit work, and receive feedback on completed work. Parent/guardian Log In ID and password are the same as ParentVue. Directions, informational videos, and FAQs can be found here.
• ParentSquare is BSD’s communication tool that allows staff, students, and families to connect. You can choose to receive messages from the district and school via email, text or app notification. You can also choose whether to receive the information as it comes or all at once at 6 pm daily. It allows you to communicate in your preferred language and direct message teachers and staff. Learn more here.

CLUBS/SPORTS

When do after school clubs begin?

Clubs are driven by student interest and require a staff advisor.  After school activity transportation is provided by a BEF Grant that is typically awarded in mid-October. Clubs won’t begin until the end of October/beginning of November. Clubs may request volunteers as the need arises.Club information will be shared with students during the school day and with families in the school newsletter.

Are there local basketball, soccer and baseball leagues that most of the kids utilize since there isn't a middle school team? Is there a comprehensive list of all extracurricular activities (ie, clubs, sports, programs offered by non-school affiliated groups, etc)?

The range of competitive and recreation sports leagues/clubs in this area is intimidating. THPRD has a comprehensive list of local recreation sports clubs in the area. However, this list does not include the many competitive clubs in the area.

Here is a brief list of some (emphasis on some) youth recreation sporting organizations that include Tumwater within their boundaries:

• THPRD Middle School Cross Country
• Cedar Mill Little League (baseball)
• Willow Creek Little League (softball)
• Sunset Junior Baseball
• THPRD Winter Basketball Program
• Sunset Youth Football
• Sunset Youth Lacrosse
• Milltown United Soccer
• THPRD Middle School Track & Field
• Sunset Youth Cheer
• Sunset Youth Basketball (boys & girls)
• THPRD Volleyball league (boys & girls)
• Rugby Oregon

 

ACADEMIC COMPETITIONS

What academic competitions are organized by Tumwater?

Academic competitions are divided into two categories: school sponsored and school affiliated.

School Sponsored: The school anticipates there will be five academic competitions that are sponsored by the school and take place during the school day or as an after-school activity:

• AMC-8:- a 25-question, 40-minute, multiple choice examination in middle school mathematics designed to promote the development of problem-solving skills. 7th & 8th grade students who pre-register take the exam during the school day in mid-January. More information about registering will be shared by math teachers.
• MathCounts
• Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB)
• Science Bowl
• Scripps Spelling Bee
• ***Note that after 33 years, The National Geographic Bee has been permanently discontinued.