Tomahawk Talk

Monday, January 20th

• NO SCHOOL: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Tuesday, January 21st

• Math Field Day (selected students)

Wednesday, January 22nd

• Data Review Meetings for Staff
• After-school Club Pictures for Yearbook

Monday, January 27th

• 3:45 PM - 4:30 PM: Rec Club

Wednesday, January 29th

• 3:45 PM - 5:00 PM: Robotics Club

We want to thank you for your feedback regarding the new i-Ready Math curriculum introduced this year. We understand that the increased rigor has presented some challenges, and we are committed to supporting both you and your child in navigating this transition successfully.

To assist students in practicing the strategies taught in the classroom while at home, we are excited to share a video library of resources. This library includes:

• Unit Overviews: A broad introduction to the key concepts covered in each unit.

• Lesson-Specific Instructional Videos: At least one video per lesson for every grade level, designed to reinforce classroom instruction and clarify key strategies.

We hope these resources will help build confidence and deepen understanding for students as they work through the curriculum.

Students who do NOT earn the March Magic event on Thursday, March 13th will have a regular day of school. They'll be in a classroom with instructional activities and academic support. The criteria for the reward day is listed below.

As of January 9th, we have used all five of our allotted snow days for this school year. Moving forward, any additional inclement weather days (days 6–11) will be designated as remote learning days.

On remote learning days, students will be required to:

• Log in to the links provided by their teacher for live instruction.
• Complete and submit the assignments provided during these sessions. Students are expected to work independently, and all assignments will be graded upon the return to school.

Device Update:
To support remote learning, starting January 10th, students with an emergency card on file will bring home their iPads each evening. Please ensure that these devices are handled with care and returned to school daily. The following expectations are in place for iPads:

1. Devices should be fully charged each evening to prepare for the next school day.
2. School-issued iPads are for educational use only. Please monitor usage to ensure students stay focused on schoolwork. Inappropriate use of the device can lead to disciplinary action.
3. Any damage or technical issues should be reported to the school immediately. Lost or damaged devices will result in a replacement fee.
4. Keep iPads away from food and drink.
5. Refrain from taking pictures or videos of anything not related to schoolwork.
6. Do not login with personal Apple IDs or apply any passwords to the device.
7. iPads are to be used by the student only. Siblings or other family members are not permitted to use the device.

Thank you for your cooperation as we continue to prioritize student learning in all circumstances. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your child’s teacher.

1. Attendance is required and will count against students who do not login to meetings and/or complete work.

2. Assignments should be completed independently and will be graded upon the return to school.

3. Students with academic services will meet in small groups with either their exceptional education teacher or interventionist.

• 9:00 - 10:00 AM: Check In Morning Meeting & ELA Instruction

• 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Independent Work Time (ELA)

• 11:00 AM - 11:20 AM: Morning Specials (based on day of the week)
• Bush, Kent, Puffenburger & Williams

• 11:20 AM - 11:40 AM: Morning Specials (based on day of the week)
• Akins, Flohr, Michael-Bragg & Viands

• 11:40 AM - 12:00 PM: Morning Specials (based on day of the week)
• Blacker, Hott, Inskeep, Irwin & Shaffer

• 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch (all classes)

• 1:00 PM - 1:20 PM: Afternoon Specials (based on day of the week)
• Glover, Hause, Kerns/Morgan, Otto & Sowers

• 1:20 PM - 1:40 PM: Afternoon Specials (based on day of the week)
• Campbell, Mance & Parks

• 1:40 PM - 2:00 PM: Afternoon Specials (based on day of the week)
• Ansari, Church, Kurutza & Mayes

• 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Math Instruction & Wrap-Up/Questions

Tomahawk Families,

As we enter the second semester, we are focusing on improving attendance across our school. While we understand that sick students should remain at home to recover, we must work together to reduce late arrivals, early departures, and unexcused absences.

Here are a few reminders to help ensure your child’s success:

• School begins promptly at 8:40 AM.
• Dismissal starts at 3:15 PM.
• Students who are signed in late or signed out early will receive a tardy on their attendance record.
• As a reminder, WV has abolished the "Leave of Educational Value" option. Therefore, all vacations and family trips are considered "unexcused absences." The graphic below represents the updated policy.

If you need support or have any concerns about your child’s attendance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to an administrator or our school counselor. We are here to help!

Thank you for your partnership in making school attendance a priority. Let’s work together to ensure a strong second semester for all our students!

Students will go outside for recess as long as the "real feel" temperature is 32 degrees or above. Please ensure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat, hat, gloves, and any other winter gear they may need to stay comfortable.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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