The TMHS Admin Team is extremely excited about the 2024-2025 school year as we continue our pursuit of excellence and work to provide the highest quality education for all of our students.

We hope that the summer has been relaxing and refreshing for parents, students, teachers, and staff alike, and that everyone is ready to start this year off right. This newsletter will provide the information to keep you up to date on all the important news and events to start the school year.

If you have any questions about any of the dates or information in this newsletter, please contact Mr. Mickey by email at jamesmickey@trotwood.k12.oh.us, or by phone at (937) 854-0878 x2025.

Here at Trotwood-Madison High School, our students aspire every day to meet our RAMS Expectations:

• Respectful
• Accountable
• Motivated
• Self-Controlled

Our building PBIS program (Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports) is designed to promote those positive qualities in our students. Teachers acknowledge students' positive behaviors by awarding PBIS Rewards points, which in turn help students earn a variety of incentives from snacks, to in school assemblies and activities, to field trips. A progressive discipline system is also in place to address the instances when student behavior does not meet our RAMS Expectations.

Here are some examples of our RAMS Expectations in action:

• Respectful - Positive interactions with both staff and other students
• Accountable - Attending all classes, arriving on time, and being prepared every day
• Motivated - Staying engaged in class activities and putting forth consistent effort
• Self-Controlled - Responding in a calm, positive manner in emotional situations

The following events will take place prior to the start of the school year:

• Saturday, August 3rd - Back to School Bash @ Trotwood Middle School, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
• Tuesday, August 6th - Freshman Orientation @ Trotwood High School, 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM
• Thursday, August 8th - Trotwood-Madison High School Open House, 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM

TMHS students will have a staggered start to the 2024-2025 school year:

• Monday, August 12th - First day for Freshman students (Freshmen only)
• Tuesday, August 13th - First day for Sophomore students (Freshmen and Sophomores only)
• Wednesday, August 14th - First day of school for Junior and Senior students (ALL grades)

Schedules for Freshman will be available at Freshman Orientation and schedules for Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors will be available at Open House. Students who have recently registered at TMHS may not have schedules available at those times. If your student's schedule is not available during Orientation or Open House, they will receive it on their first day of school.

Please review the updated TMHS Drop-Off / Pick-Up Procedures for this school year. ALL parents dropping off or picking up students will now do so at the front entrance using the guidelines listed in the document below. This changes is being made due to some safety concerns that arose during the previous school year.

As you are likely aware, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine recently signed House Bill 250 into law, requiring all school districts to create a plan to eliminate "cell phone-related distractions" in the classroom. In an effort to maintain a progressive discipline system that is fair and consistent for all students, we have updated our Cell Phone Policy which now also includes iPads and tablets.

1. It is preferred that all cell phones, iPads, and tablets stay at home.
2. All cell phones are to be powered off and placed in your student's Yondr pouch for the duration of the school day (arrival to 2:30 PM).
3. All iPads and tablets are to be powered off and placed in your student's bookbag or locker for the duration of the school day (arrival to 2:30 PM).
4. If a student violates these expectations, they will be subject to the established progressive discipline steps listed below.

TMHS Progressive Discipline Steps for Cell Phones, iPads, and Tablets

1. The first time a teacher sees a student with a cell phone, iPad, or tablet out in class, they will issue a verbal warning for the student to put said device away. The next time a teacher observes the same behavior, the student will be sent to their Assistant Principal's office.
2. The first time a student is sent to an Assistant Principal's office for violating the policy, they will leave the device with the Assistant Principal for the remainder of the school day.
3. The second time a student is sent to an Assistant Principal's office for violating the policy, they will leave the device with the Assistant Principal until a parent/guardian comes to retrieve it.
4. The third (and each additional time) a student is sent to an Assistant Principal's office for violating the policy, they will receive a 2-day out of school suspension.

Please note:

• iPads and tablets are included in this plan because they are utilized for the same purposes and create the same distractions in the classroom as cell phones do. Students will have Chromebooks available in their classes for any necessary technology use.

We are requesting that you not call or text your students on their cell phones, iPads, or other tablets during the school day, as this would violate our building policy and could lead to your student receiving a disciplinary consequence. If you need to contact your student during the school day, please call our Main Office at (937) 854-0878 and our secretaries can connect you to your student's classroom or pass along a message to your student as needed.

Over the course of the previous school year, it became very clear to the TMHS Admin Team that there is a major disconnect in the usage and understanding of the term 'bullying'. In an effort to ensure that we are all on the same page and speaking the same language, please review the following document with your student as it explains the difference between Bullying vs. Conflict. The document also explains the steps the TMHS Admin Team will take to address conflict, as well as the progressive discipline steps that could result from these situations.