The Weekly Update 9/5/2025
The Weekly Update 9/5/2025
From the Desk of Mr. Palmer
Dear Tawanka Families,
Welcome back to another school year! I hope your summer has been fun and relaxing and over the past couple of months. It’s been a return to normalcy when we see our students walk through the doors once again, full of energy, smiles, and excitement for the year ahead. Going into my 20th year in education and 9th year as building principal at Tawanka, there’s truly nothing better than the first days of school, fresh supplies, new friends, and a whole world of learning ready to begin!
We’re looking forward to a fantastic year full of growth, discovery, and fun. Our teachers and staff have been working hard to develop engaging curriculum and planning activities that will help every student shine. Whether it’s diving into books in our library, exploring science, solving math puzzles, or expressing creativity through art and music, we’re ready to make this school year one to remember!
We have been lucky to have such beautiful weather to kick off the year! Sunny skies and cool breezes have made it perfect for getting outside, and we’re taking full advantage of it. We know how important fresh air and movement are for our students so we will continue to get them outside for recess as much as we can.
Thank you for being a part of our school community. Together, we’re going to make this an amazing year for every child.
Let’s make it a great year!
With Neshaminy and Tawanka Pride,
Mr. Don Palmer
Safety Drills
This week our students practiced 2 of our safety drills. On Tuesday and Wednesday, we taught practiced our Evacuation (Fire) Drill. On Thursday and Friday, we taught and practiced our Lockdown Drill. We hold monthly practice of each drill in coordination with our law enforcement partners.
Label Everything
Don’t Lose It—Label It!
As another school year gets up to speed, the Lost and Found is already starting to materialize! Jackets, lunch boxes, water bottles, and sweatshirts often go on their own little adventures around the building, and without a name, they can be hard to find their way back home.
Help us keep your child’s belongings safe and sound by labeling all items that come to school. A simple name label makes a big difference in reuniting lost items with their owners!
Need labels? Our PTO has partnered with Mabel's Labels, a super easy way to order personalized labels for everything from backpacks to boots. A portion of every purchase also supports the Tawanka PTO—a win-win for your family and our school! Just search for Tawanka PTO on the Mabel's Labels website to start shopping. (https://mabelslabels.com/fundraising/support)
Lost something? Be sure to check the Lost and Found display on the stage in the cafeteria. Items that have been left behind are collected and laid out regularly for students and families to browse.
And don’t forget to keep an eye on the Tawanka PTO Facebook page! We post photos of lost items there throughout the year to help them find their way back to you.
Please note: Unclaimed clothing items are donated to local clothing drives throughout the year—typically 3 to 4 times annually—so don’t wait too long to take a look!
Let’s work together to keep our hallways tidy, our students organized, and our PTO strong.
Please leave the toys at home
We just wanted to reach out and remind all families that toys are meant to stay at home! Please do not put any toys in the student’s bags. Please leave the Labubus at home! We are seeing an increase in small items that many are deemed keychains that also double as toys. These are distractions to the students, and they are also targets for sticky fingers. The last thing we want is for someone’s special item (keychain, trinket, toy) to go missing. Please keep an eye on your child’s bag and remind them that they should be keeping their special items at home!
To help keep everyone in our school community healthy and learning, please take a moment to review these important reminders from our Nurses:
When to Keep Your Child Home
-
If your child has a fever, please keep them home until their temperature has been below 100°F for 24 hours without medication.
-
If your child has vomited during the night or in the morning before school, they need time to recover at home. This helps your child heal and prevents the spread of illness to others.
Returning After an Injury
-
If your child has an injury that requires a cast, brace, crutches, or other supportive equipment, please ask your doctor for a note describing any activity restrictions at school.
-
Be sure to contact the nurse's office before your child returns to school so we can help them stay safe and supported.
Extra Clothes = Fewer Disruptions
-
Spills and accidents happen! Please consider sending an extra set of clothes and underwear for your child to keep in their backpack or classroom. It can make a big difference in their comfort during the day.
Required Health Exams
-
Dental Exams are required for students in Kindergarten and again in 3rd Grade.
-
A Physical Exam is needed:
-
When your child starts Kindergarten, or
-
If your child is transferring to our school and we don’t yet have records.
-
-
Reminder letters will be sent home if we are missing any required forms.
Medication at School
-
For your child’s safety, all medications (prescription or over-the-counter) require a doctor’s note to be given at school.
-
Medications must come in a labeled pharmacy container and be brought to the nurse's office.
For more information or any medical forms needed please visit: Medical Forms
Thank you for helping us keep our school community safe, healthy, and ready to learn!
Carol Alexis
Debby DiSandro
Kelsey McCellan
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
Attendance Counts
Dear Tawanka Families,
As we embrace the school year, it’s vital to highlight the importance of student attendance. Regular attendance is crucial for our students’ academic success, social development, and overall well-being. At Tawanka we are tracking student attendance data and putting it on display. Every day we calculate the student attendance for each grade and the building and at the end of the week the information is posted on a bulletin board right outside of the main office. Attendance is proven to be the best way to advance academically, so we want to celebrate where we can.
Academic Success
Consistent attendance allows students to engage fully in classroom activities, participate in discussions, and grasp essential concepts. Each lesson builds upon the last, making it difficult for students who miss school to catch up.
Social Development
School is not just about academics; it’s also where students form friendships and learn essential social skills. Regular attendance fosters a sense of community and belonging. Missing school can lead to feelings of isolation, making it harder for students to connect with their peers.
Building Habits for the Future
Establishing a routine of regular attendance helps students develop lifelong habits of responsibility and commitment. These skills are not only important in school but will also benefit them in their future careers and personal lives.
At Tawanka Elementary, we believe that every day counts. If your child is struggling with attendance, please reach out to their teacher or our school counselor for support. Together, we can ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive.
Let’s work together to make this school year a success!
Warm regards,
The Tawanka Elementary Team
Mrs. McFadden's Class Roots for the Eagles
A113 is cheering on our Superbowl champions while working on our fine motor skills and creating festive hats for the start of the season!
First Graders Learn Their Student ID Numbers!
Our first-grade students will be hard at work this month learning something very important…their student ID numbers! These special numbers (6-digit numbers mainly starting with 80XXXX) will help them buy lunch in the cafeteria. These numbers will stay with them for their entire time in the Neshaminy School District, all the way through high school, so it is important to get them memorized and help speed up the cafeteria check-out lines!
Teachers and staff will be helping students practice and memorize their numbers during class. Keep practicing at home, these numbers will be used every day!
3rd Grade Update
A whole bunch of our 3rd graders wanted to root for the defending Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles on their opening game!
4th Grade Update
4th grade working hard on their ELA Diagnostics while cheering on our defending champs on Eagles Day!
Instrumental Music Assembly
The music department spent some time at Tawanka exposing our 3rd and 4th graders to the different instruments they can begin to learn through Neshaminy. Our students were excited and engaged the entire time, often singing along and interacting with the different songs. 3rd and 4th grade parents, keep an eye out for more information about instrumental lessons through Neshaminy.
Physical Education
4th Graders working on their eye-foot coordination in the gym!
Library
Kindergarteners had their first library visit this week while sharing stories together, learning library rules, and exploring our beautiful space!
Music
Kindergarten was playing a game called "Bounce high, Bounce Low" in class this week!
