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July Reminders & Important Information 2026-2027 ACADEMIC YEAR
Dear Tandem Friends Parents and Guardians, It's hard to believe that the start of school is only a little more than a month away. I hope your summer has been restful and relaxing so far. This booklet is full of important information regarding many start-of-school topics; please read through every section. Included are letters from leadership, items requiring your action, and informational only sections about the start of school. SomeWhitney Whitney Thompson, Head of School Thank you for your time and attention to this information. We will be in touch a couple of more times before the start of the school year and can’t wait to be in community again as a school in August. In Friendship, information is new and some might be a reminder but all of it is important and some requires action from you. Downloadable forms or links included in this booklet are also provided in a list at the end, as well as uploaded to the applicable Parent Portal Resource Board tile. Important Letters from School Leadership Head of School’s Welcome Letter from Head of School Whitney Thompson Letter for Middle School Parents/Guardians from Middle School Director Paul Cronin Letter for Upper School Parents/Guardians from Upper School Director Russell Combs
Yesterday, you received THIS IMPORTANT EMAIL with instructions to begin uploading 2026–2027 physical forms, student health information, and action plans (if applicable) into August Schools, our student health information system. Health information should be complete with forms uploaded into August Schools on or before August 4. Please look over some important information about TFS health forms for next year. The Annual Medical To-Do List briefly outlines what you need to provide completed physical forms and other health information for each student. TFS School Medical Documentation Requirements for 2026-27 With Links to Forms outlines more specifically what you need to know about annual school physicals (schedule those appointments now!) and other required annual health forms. Questions? Please contact the TFS Health Office at healthoffice@tandemfs.org. Student Physicals, Online Health Forms, and Consents Action Items Emergency Notification System and Updating Your Contact Info and Emergency Contacts Tandem uses Ruvna, an emergency notification system, that links directly to our portal/Blackbaud data to access your contact information. That means it's even more important for you to review your general contact information (especially phone numbers and email addresses) so that you can receive vital weather closing/delay or emergency notifications from Tandem. Please log in to the parent portal, click on the dropdown menu to the right of your name, select Profile, and review/update your contact information. Note: There is no opt-in of phone numbers required; if you choose not to include a phone number or email address in our emergency notification system, please contact kdukes@tandemfs.org. It’s important to have someone other than a parent or guardians included as emergency contacts for your students (we will always attempt to contact parents first). You provide that information in the August Schools database as well. Each student needs this information updated separately.
Tandem’s no-cut, supportive sports teams are one of a kind. The Tandem Athletics Offerings 2026--2027 document outlines fall sports offerings and preseason varsity practice schedules, as well as all athletics offerings for the school year. It also contains a Fall ‘26 Sports Signup Form—please submit this form ASAP if you have not already notified Athletic Director Dave Levy of a student’s intent to play on a specific team next year. The form should be completed individually for each student who wishes to play fall sports. Once players have registered for a team, coaches can reach out via email about practices and expectations, and will invite players and parents to a meeting led by coaches and Athletic Director Dave Levy around the start of the season. All fall games and practices will be visible by the time school starts on the main website calendar. Please contact Athletic Director Dave Levy at dlevy@tandemfs.org with any questions and make sure your student’s physical/health form (required of all students) and VISAA Athletic Participation Examination Form (required of all 8th-12th graders) have been completed and uploaded before attending Upper School pre-season or Middle School practices. Sports Information, Signup, and Meetings Action Items
The Fall Required Trade Books to Purchase List outlines trade paperback books that families need to purchase (used copies are fine); this list is also available on the portal and has been shared with local bookstores if you prefer in-person shopping. Teachers will give school-provided textbooks and workbooks to students if a class uses them. This year's Summer Required Reading List provides the books and other reading requirements, by division and by class, that students must read over the summer. Make sure you/your child checks the list, checks email over the summer, and refers to the portal assignments area for potential assignments. This reading list is also available on the portal and has been shared with local bookstores. Here is the required Middle School Supply List for all Middle Schoolers. Items are listed by grade level. Upper Schoolers may receive suggestions from teachers about specific needs closer to the start of school, but in general, can purchase the school supplies they prefer to use. Here are some Guidelines on Calculator Use for Upper School math classes at Tandem. Fall Required Book List, Summer Reading Required Reading List, and Supply Lists Action Items
Important Start-of-School Dates Families new to Tandem Friends are invited to campus for a New Parent/Guardian Orientation (by division) on Monday, August 17 at 5:30pm with some meet-and-greet time, followed by the meeting program from 6:00– 7:30pm. More details to come. This program is for adults only. New Parent/Guardian Orientation Monday, August 17, 5:30pm Students will meet grade-level advisors and classmates, walk through their schedules, and begin to get grounded in the new school year. School lunch is not available on this day. Grades 5, 7, 9, and 10 will attend from 9:00am–11:30am Grades 6, 8, 11, and 12 will attend from 1:00pm–3:30pm First Day of School (half day by grade) Tuesday, August 18 This will be a regular class day with no Work Crew. First Day of Classes Wednesday, August 19, 8:25am–3:40pm An opportunity for families to meet faculty who will be teaching their student(s), learn about academic and other programming, meet other parents, and ask questions of the division director. This year’s meetings will be held in person. We strongly encourage attendance at these meetings. Tuesday, August 25, 5th & 9th Grade Parent Meetings, 5:45–7:15pm Thursday, August 27, 7th & 11th Grade Parent Meetings, 5:45–7:15pm Tuesday, September 1, 6th & 10th Grade Parent Meetings, 5:45–7:15pm Thursday, September 3, 8th & 12th Grade Parent Meetings, 5:45–7:15pm Middle School meetings will be held in the Community Hall; Upper School meetings will be held in the Pavilion. Parent Meetings (by grade) Tuesday, August 25–Thursday, September 3 A professional photographer takes class and individual photos for use in our online directories and yearbook. These photos are also available for families to purchase. Photos are taken outside during the school day. There will be a makeup photo day (time TBD). School Photos Monday, August 25 (Middle School) Tuesday, August 26 (Upper School)
Daily Schedule The Tandem Friends school day begins at 8:30am (8:45am on Fridays) with Morning Meeting/Attendance by division—check out our Daily Schedule. Students may be dropped off on campus as early as 8:00am each morning. Classes ends at 3:40pm each day. Students at Tandem participate in “Work Crew.” Many students have Work Crew at the end of the day, occupying them until 3:55pm or so. Work Crew will begin a couple of weeks into school; more details will be shared in the beginning of the year. All students are dismissed at 3:40pm for the first two weeks of school. Typical School Day Middle School students who cannot be picked up during our pickup window (3:40–4:00pm) will go to Homework Club in the upstairs of the Middle School Building until their ride arrives. Homework Club for Middle School students will begin on Wednesday, August 19, and runs from 4:00–5:00pm. We do not allow Middle School students to remain unattended after school. If a student wishes to attend an after-school sports event, they must be accompanied by an adult. Homework Club for Middle School
General Information Technology & Devices For students who may need extra help with schoolwork or support for learning differences, Tandem offers tutoring support through our Learning Resource Center (LRC). Students are matched with a tutor who works with them during and/or after the school day. LRC tutors post progress reports to the portal every othe rweek, including specific information from teachers. The cost of each LRC session is $55. Click here to review our TFS Accommodations Policy. If your student does not use the LRC but might need accommodations, contact LRC Director Mara Kennedy with questions. Learning Accommodations and Learning Resource Center Information Please take a moment to review this year’s Technology Letter containing information on our school portal, our grades 5–10 Chromebook program, and our grades 11–12 bring-your- own-device (BYOD) or Chromebook continuation program (along with BYOD device requirements). In August, you will receive several technology related forms to e-sign before the start of school. If you have questions or concerns before then, contact techsupport@tandemfs.org.
General Information Please take a moment to learn about our Parent Community group in this welcome letter and calendar from our Parent Community organizers and complete our Parent and Guardian Community Interest Form to let us know how you'd like to be involved in the Tandem Friends community this year. Contact the Parent Community at tandemparents@gmail.com with any questions or suggestions. Parent Community Letter and Interest Form Parents/guardians interested in carpooling can find other families who live near them by logging in to the parent portal to access our password-protected online directories (go to www.tandemfs.org, click on myTFS, log in, and click on Directories). Select the Parents directory, then select the Map view option at the top right and zoom in on address pinpoints to find nearby families to contact. This only works within the Parents directory. Carpooling Information
General Information Click here to see an abbreviated list of major school dates for families such as holidays and closings. The full school website/portal calendar will be updated with major school events, sports games and practices, parent meetings, and more in the weeks to come. You can view the website/portal calendar by logging in and clicking on Calendar in the menu. You can easily have the calendar feed to your mobile device. Calendars Students may bring lunch/snacks from home or purchase these items from our cafe. Click here to access the lunch program website, which includes ordering options and will have a complete first semester menu posted by early August. Remaining lunch or snack funds from last year will be carried over to the new lunch program. There are daily volunteer opportunities for lunch as well— watch for signups in August. Chef Lisa, who ran the lunch program for 11 years with Chef Shayla, retired at the end of the year, passing the program to Chef Shay. School Lunch Program
General Information Director of College Counseling, Ben Brown, has shared this letter of introduction outlining his college counseling philosophy and offering an invitation to members of the Class of 2027 to sign up for a meeting with him. The Class of 2027 and their families should have received a letter with summer college application assignments in June. College Counseling Information You can order great Tandem gear through our online store and sports-related gear in our Sideline Athletic Store. Many items are currently on sale! Online School Stores
Tuesday, August 4 Upper School sports preseason practices begin (sports physical required), schedules TBD Thursday, August 6 New Middle School Family Picnic + Ice Cream Social, 5:00–6:30pm Monday, August 17 Parent Community Back to School “Chalk the Walk” event, 4:30pm New Parent/Guardian Orientation (adults only), 5:30–7:30pm Tuesday, August 18 First Day of School (half-day by grade) Grades 5/7/9/10 from 9:00am–11:30am; grades 6/8/11/12 from 1:00pm–3:30pm Wednesday, August 19 First Day of Classes, 8:25am–3:40pm First day of MS sports practices First day of Homework Club Monday, August 24 Middle School school photos Tuesday, August 25 Upper School school photos 5th & 9th Grade Parent Meetings, 5:45pm–7:15pm Thursday, August 27 7th & 11th Grade Parent Meetings, 5:45–7:15pm Final Reminders—Mark Your Calendars! Please mark your calendars for these important start-of- school dates/meetings: August 2026
Final Reminders—Mark Your Calendars! Please mark your calendars for these important start-of- school dates/meetings: Tuesday, September 1 6th & 10th Grade Parent Meetings, 5:45–7:15pm Thursday, September 3 8th & 12th Grade Parent Meetings, 5:45–7:15pm Friday, September 4 Pancake Friday in Cafe and Pavilion, 8:10–8:45am Parent Community Kick-Off Gathering, 8:30–10:00am Monday, September 7 SCHOOL CLOSED Thursday, September 10 Back-to-School Night for Parents/Guardians, 6:00–8:30pm September 14–18 Upper School Experience Days for grades 11 and 12, schedule varies Tuesday, September 21 SCHOOL CLOSED September 23–25 Middle School Experience Days, schedule varies by grade September 2026
Letter from Head of School Whitney Thompson Letter for Middle School Parents/Guardians from Middle School Director Paul Cronin Letter for Upper School Parents/Guardians from Upper School Director Russell Combs Annual Medical To-Do List TFS School Medical Documentation Requirements for 2026- 27 With Links to Forms Tandem Athletics Offerings 2026-2027 Fall '26 Sports Signup Form Main website calendar Fall Required Trade Books to Purchase List Summer Required Reading List Middle School Supply List Guidelines on Calculator Use for Upper School math students Daily Schedule Technology Letter Chef Shay G’s Lunch Program Website & Menu TFS Accommodations Policy Parent Community Welcome Letter and Calendar 2026-2027 Parent and Guardian Community Interest Form Online School Store Sideline Athletic Store Major Dates for Families 2026-2027 College Counseling Letter of Introduction Links (in order of appearance) in This Booklet We will be in touch a couple more times before the start of the school year and can’t wait to be in community again as a school in August.