Tomahawk Talk

Monday, September 16th:

• Ag Lab (Otto, Irwin, Inskeep & Sowers)

Tuesday, September 17th:

• Ag Lab (Kerns, Shaffer, Hott & Hause)
• Interim Grades Available in Schoology
  

Wednesday, September 18th:

• Ag Lab (Sowers, Hott, Blacker & Glover)

Thursday, September 19th:

• Ag Lab (Hause, Blacker, Shaffer & Kerns)
• Superheroes Unite Against Bullying Day: Dress like a Superhero!
• 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: BCS Bullying Prevention Kick-Off @ War Memorial Park

Friday, September 20th:

• Ag Lab (Glover, Inskeep, Irwin, & Otto)

I wanted to take a moment to update you on the safety measures we have in place at our school. Ensuring a secure environment for your children is our top priority.

• We have a School Resource Officer stationed at HHS who is available to help with any issues that occur at Tomahawk. We also have a School Safety Officer, stationed at HMS who conducts random walkthroughs and also assists as needed.
• BCS has safety coordinators who are assigned to complete random safety checks at all schools.
• All visitors are contained to a secure vestibule where they must show ID upon arrival.
• All exterior doors remain closed and locked throughout the school day.
• Interior classroom doors are also closed and locked during school hours.
• Our cafeteria is also locked during lunch times for all grade levels.
• Teachers and students have already participated in several emergency drills this year to be fully prepared for any situation.
• All playground gates are closed and locked during the school day.
• We no longer permit adults to enter the building during parent pick-up for security reasons.
• There are multiple adults outside to supervise students during both arrival and dismissal times.

We understand that school safety is a concern, especially given the increase in social media threats directed at schools nationwide. Please know we are fully committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for all students.

Thank you for your continued support.

Checks should be made payable to: Tomahawk Intermediate School. All proceeds will benefit instructional initiatives at TIS.

Menus are subject to change due to food availability.

Dates for eligibility criteria: September 16 - October 15. Students who do not earn the reward will have a regular day of school in a classroom.

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.

Berkeley County Schools uses SecureVolunteer to process background checks for volunteers. SecureVolunteer is a completely web-based/paperless system. You will receive e-mails from client services email when you submit your information to SecureVolunteer and when your background check is complete. Thank you for volunteering for Berkeley County Schools.

The background processing fee for the Secure Volunteer Background check is $22.45.

Procedures for Volunteers & Chaperones

School district procedure requires that individuals serving as chaperones for all overnight field trips and some daytime activities must have Level 1 approval, which requires a criminal background screening. To apply for Level 1 approval, volunteers must first apply online via Berkeley County Schools’ volunteer registration system (Secure Volunteer).

Registrations are processed in 3-5 days, sometimes longer at the beginning of the school year and then must be submitted to the Berkeley County Board of Education for approval. Once approved, the volunteer’s name will appear on the Level 1 Approved Volunteer list at the school(s) for which they registered.

We are down to 74 families who have not completed the required 24-25 Annual Emergency Information Update. If your child does not have a form on file, they will not be permitted to participate in field trips, have access to a school iPad, or have update emergency contacts in our system. We are asking anyone who has not yet filled out the form to complete it ASAP! Your cooperation is greatly appreciated!

https://bcswv.jotform.com/241506457928060

We will host an organizational PTO meeting on Monday, September 23rd @ 6:00 PM. The meeting will be held in Tomahawk's library. We hope to see you there!

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. Kline, Registrar: ekline@k12.wv.us

- Mrs. Barnett, Attendance Secretary: sarah.barnett@k12.wv.us

- Mrs. Kercheval, Secretary: kimberly.kercheval@k12.wv.us

- Mrs. Boyd, School Counselor: megan.boyd@k12.wv.us

- Ms. Thomas, School Counselor: katlyn.thomas@k12.wv.us