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Tomahawk Talk
Week of November 18, 2024
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Dear Tomahawk Families,
As we approach the Thanksgiving season, I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued support and partnership. Your dedication to our school community means so much, and together, we create an environment where our students can thrive.
A special thank you to everyone who participated in and supported our Turkey Trot! Thanks to your generosity, we raised over $1,000 to support our school initiatives. This success is a testament to the strength of our Tomahawk community.
Thanksgiving Break will take place from Monday, November 25th, through Friday, November 29th. We hope this time allows you to enjoy special moments with loved ones, reflect on the season, and recharge for the busy weeks ahead.
Wishing you and your family a happy, safe, and restful Thanksgiving!
-Dr. Ematrudo
Upcoming Dates
Monday, November 18th
- Smencil Sales
- 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM: Starbase (Campbell, Mance & Parks)
- 3:45 PM - 4:30 PM: Rec Club (Selected Students)
- 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM: Math Field Day Practice (Selected Students)
- 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM: Seize the Clay Club
- 6:00 PM: PTO Meeting in Library
Tuesday, November 19th
- 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM: Starbase (Campbell, Mance & Parks)
- 4:30 PM: Fall Art Night (Art Show)
- 6:00 PM: 4th Grade Concert (Blacker, Hott, Inskeep, Irwin & Sowers)
- 7:00 PM: 4th Grade Concert (Glover, Hause, Kerns, Otto & Shaffer)
Wednesday, November 20th
- Smencil Sales
- 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM: Starbase (Campbell, Mance & Parks)
- 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM: Wild for Watercolors Club
- 3:45 PM - 5:00 PM: Robotics Club
Thursday, November 21st
- 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM: Starbase (Campbell, Mance & Parks)
- 3:45 PM - 4:30 PM: Student Council
- 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM: Beginners Crochet Club
- 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM: Percussion Ensemble
Friday, November 22nd
- 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM: Starbase (Campbell, Mance & Parks)
Monday, November 25th
- No School: Thanksgiving Break
Tuesday, November 26th
- No School: Thanksgiving Break
Wednesday, November 27th
- No School: Thanksgiving Break
Thursday, November 28th
- No School: Happy Thanksgiving!
Friday, November 29th
- No School: Thanksgiving Break
Attendance Policy Updates
We want to tell you about some changes to the attendance rules for all public schools in West Virginia. The state has a new policy, called Policy 4110, that explains how important it is for students to be in school every day and what happens if they miss too many days.
The new policy says there are two types of absences: “excused” and “unexcused.” Excused absences include:
If the reason doesn’t fit into these categories, it’s considered unexcused.
Fall Art Night: 11/19
PTO Meeting: 11/18 @ 6:00 PM
Lost and Found Items @ TIS
Our Lost and Found rack is overflowing with items! If your child is missing a hoodie, lunchbox, water bottle, or other item, please have them check the Lost and Found, which is located directly outside of the cafeteria. It would also be helpful if student names were written inside of personal items so that we can return them to the rightful owner when misplaced.
November Reminders
November Smencil Sales
Next Student Reward Day: Dec. 20th
Students are currently working on earning a reward for the end of the 2nd 9 Weeks! Criteria includes good behavior AND good academic effort with i-Ready lessons. Please encourage your child to do their best each day so that they can earn the "Reindeer Rally" reward day before break!
Note: Minor behaviors INCLUDE disciplinary letters received on the bus.
Counseling News (from Mrs. Boyd and Ms. Thomas)
We try our best to serve the menus we post; however, sometimes circumstances beyond our control require us to make last minute menu changes.
Breakfast
Lunch
Bus Transportation
As a reminder, transportation updates are posted to the BCS Transportation Dashboard: https://www.berkeleycountyschools.org/o/bcs/page/transportation-dashboard
In the event that a bus is canceled, we encourage parents/caregivers to transport student(s) to and from school. If you are unable to transport your student to school, please contact our main office at (304) 754-3171. Absences will be marked excused if due to a cancelled bus route.
BCS Absence Note Form
Please complete this form https://www.berkeleycountyschools.org/page/absencenote if your child is absent from school. This form is for all parent notes, and also for medical appointments. Please upload the doctor's note for all medical appointments during school hours, or when a child is out of sick due to illness.
Student Expectations
Minors:
*Classroom-managed behaviors. Teachers will provide verbal warnings, redirect students, remind them of expectations, re-teach behaviors, and inform parents of minor incidents. Consequences may include: loss of recess time, lunch detention, loss of privileges, referral to school counselor, etc. Repeated violations of minor behaviors will become major offenses (habitual violation of school rules).
Examples of minor behaviors:
• yelling out
• out of seat
• inattentive behavior
• interrupting instruction
• minor disrespect
• talking during instruction
• minor peer to peer conflict
• name calling (non-Title IX)
• inappropriate language
• invading personal space
• touching another student WITHOUT intent to harm
• rough play
• refusing to open a book, complete an assignment, work with another student, work in a group, take a test, or do any other class – or school-related activity not listed herein.
Majors:
*Administrator-managed behaviors. Possible consequences include: in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension, lunch detention, loss of privileges, referral to school counselor, etc.
Examples of major behaviors:
• Bullying/Harassment/Intimidation: A student will not bully/intimidate/harass another student. According to W. Va. Code §18-2C-2, “harassment, intimidation or bullying” means any intentional gesture, or any intentional electronic, written, verbal or physical act, communication, transmission or threat that:
• A reasonable person under the circumstances should know will have the effect of harming a student, damaging a student’s property, placing a student in reasonable fear of harm to his or her person, and/or placing a student in reasonable fear of damage to his or her property;
• Is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that it creates an intimidating, threatening or emotionally abusive educational environment for a student; or
• Disrupts or interferes with the orderly operation of the school.
• Disrespectful Conduct Toward Peers or Staff: done with intent to harm and/or repetitive. Note: repetitive behavior may be defined as bullying. Major disrespect includes: screaming, throwing items (chair, desk, sharp object, etc. with intent to hit peer or staff), or profane language indecent act/gesture.
•False Fire Alarm: setting-off the fire alarm knowingly and willingly without cause.
• Habitual Violation of School Rules: evidence of previous interventions; minimum of 2 prior parent conferences (phone or in-person). Student’s behavior is consistently impeding on the learning of others.
• Physical Fight with Intent: Engaging in a physical altercation using blows with intent to harm or overpower another person or persons.
• Possession/Use of Weapon: As defined in WV Code §61-7-2, a “dangerous weapon” means any device intended to cause injury or bodily harm, any device used in a threatening manner that could cause injury or bodily harm, or any device that is primarily used for self-protection. Dangerous weapons include, but are not limited to, blackjack, gravity knife, knife, knifelike implement, switchblade knife, nunchaku, metallic or false knuckles, pistol, or revolver. A dangerous weapon may also include the use of a legitimate tool, instrument, or equipment as a weapon including, but not limited to, pens, pencils, compasses, or combs, with the intent to harm another.
• Sexual Misconduct: Exposing oneself publicly and indecently, displaying or transmitting any drawing or photograph of a sexual nature, or committing an indecent act of a sexual nature on school property, or on a school bus, or at a school sponsored event.
• Technology Misuse: Violating WV Code 126CSR41, WVDE Policy 2460, Educational Purpose and Acceptable Use of Electronic Resources, Technologies and the Internet.
• Threat to a Student or Staff Member: Severely disruptive, imminently dangerous, illegal, and/or aggressive behaviors are willfully committed and are known to be illegal and/or harmful to people and/or property. The inappropriate behaviors include, but are not limited to: verbal, written, electronic and/or illustrative communications intended to offend and/or humiliate.
• Use/Possession of Tobacco Product: usage or possession of tobacco products on school property (cigarettes, vapes, jewels, chewing tobacco, etc.).
• Vandalism: • done with intent and/or cannot be easily cleaned or repaired.
Staff Contact Information
If you need to contact us, please call the office at 304. 754.3171 or email the following personnel:
- Dr. Ematrudo, Principal: kematrudo@k12.wv.us
- Mr. Robison, Assistant Principal: matthew.robison@k12.wv.us
- Mrs. Brandy Pulse, School Nurse: brandy.pulse@k12.wv.us
- Mrs. Kline, Attendance Secretary: ekline@k12.wv.us
- Mrs. Kercheval, Afternoon Secretary: kimberly.kercheval@k12.wv.us
- Mrs. Walling, Enrollment Secretary: twalling@k12.wv.us
- Mrs. Boyd, School Counselor: megan.boyd@k12.wv.us
- Ms. Thomas, School Counselor: katlyn.thomas@k12.wv.us