The Weekly Update 12/23/2025

Merry Christmas to those that celebrate and to all, please enjoy this winter break. Please remember when we return to leave the toys at home. No need for digital distractions or new toys to distract from the learning happening here! Have a Happy New Year and we will see you in 2026 - From the Tawanka Staff

Tawanka Elementary School hosted our third annual Sensory Friendly Santa Experience for students in the Autistic Support program and Intermediate Unit program this past Thursday. It was an opportunity to enjoy and visit with the big guy in red in a private, calm and sensory friendly setting. We even had a special guest this year of Buddy the Elf joining Santa. Families were able to visit and chat with Santa in the familiar setting of their school, enjoy a special snack or just craft and play in some of our sensory friendly activities. Each year just keeps getting better and the families really enjoyed their time!

The cold weather does not stop us from going outside for recess. Please make sure your student is dressed appropriately to go outside all year long (winter jacket, hat, gloves). If the temperature is too cold (below 20 degrees with wind chill, "feels like" on most weather apps) we will be indoors, but aside from cold or rain we try to get our students outside as much as possible. It is even better if their cold weather gear is labeled so it doesn't get lost!

Tawanka is trying to get the Phillie Phanatic to come visit!

We have officially hit snow season and with it comes a couple important pieces of information. When there is snow in the forecast the energy in the building rises dramatically. We know at home students are sleeping with their pajamas inside out and putting ice cubes in the toilet hoping for a snow day so we wanted to communicate how exactly a snow day or delay is communicated out. All weather related decisions will come from Neshaminy School District and not Tawanka. A text message, automated phone call, and emails will all go out once the decision has been made. The Neshaminy website will also display an alert. Neshaminy tries to be as proactive as they can be and make the call as early as possible to help parents arrange childcare but sometimes forecasts underestimate or overestimate the snowfall, thank you for understanding.

To help keep everyone in our school community healthy and learning, please take a moment to review these important reminders from our Nurses:

• If your child has a fever, please keep them home until their temperature is less than 100 degrees for 24 hours without medication.
• Do not send a child to school who has been vomiting during the night or in the morning before school. It takes more than a few hours to recuperate from an intestinal ailment. This is best for your child and reduces the exposure to other students.
• If your child has an injury requiring a cast, brace, crutches, or other supportive devices, PLEASE ask their doctor for a note listing activity restrictions while at school. Contact the nurse’s office before your child returns to school.

  
  

• Please consider sending in spare clothing and underwear for your child. Accidents and spills happen every day! They can be kept at the nurse’s office or classroom.

Please email calexis@neshaminy.org; ddisandro@neshaminy.org or kmccellan@neshaminy.org call with any questions or concerns 215-809-6316 school fax 215-809-6353

Mrs. Banks' and Mrs. Tryon’s classes got together to make gingerbread

Ms. Rukstele's class and Ms. Petsis' class met with their buddies. They asked questions to learn more about each other and about their favorite winter activities. Then they created snowmen based on their responses.

In C106 they are ready for break!!

Third graders are exploring "Area Measurement". We are learning how to find out the square units that fit into a shape. Geoboards help us discover fun connections!

Students in Mrs. Ciotti’s class started writing books

The fourth grade has been sharing the "Gift of Words" with their classmates. Each student wrote a letter acknowledging the positive attributes they notice about that classmate each day. It was also an opportunity to give holiday wishes.

Mrs. Woltemate's 4th grade class did a festive tree building STEM activity using green cups and popsicle sticks. The goal was to see who could be the most creative and build the highest tree!

Mr. Finkel’s class exchanged a “Gift of Words” in a Polyana type exchange to write something nice about their classmates!

Math Challenge is a program we participate in where students see how they can do on different types and levels of math problems. Run by the AE Teacher, Mrs. Morecz.

Feel free to explore with your kids!

Math Challenge Link - Neshaminy Elementary Schools

Tawanka students are learning and practicing basketball in the gym

First Grade students have been practicing xylophones and solfege in music this week!

We are learning about color!

Students have been practicing putting themselves in order by call number just like how the nonfiction books are organized in our library!

The next meeting of the PTO is January 7th at 10:00 at Tawanka. Please consider joining us to find out about exciting events going on here at Tawanka.

SCHOOLS WILL BE CLOSED ON.......

• Winter Break - 12/24-1/4
• Martin Luther King Jr - 1/19