Toll Gate Times- March, 2019
Mrs. Kristi Motsch, Principal
Letter From the Principal
Will March come in like a lamb or a lion? It’s hard to believe that we’ll soon find out! I’d like to ask that you pay particular attention to the dates listed in this and the next two newsletters. There are many important events coming up this spring of which you will want to be aware.
First, I would like to draw your attention to the state testing dates for grades 3 & 4, which are April 15 - May 3. It is especially important that your child report to school on time on these days. Please refer to specific information in this newsletter. Remember the first bell rings at 9:05 a.m. with the tardy bell ringing at 9:15 a.m. Students need to be in their class by 9:15 a.m. in order to participate in testing on these days. In addition, please review your child’s teacher’s classroom newsletter/webpage. It contains information about upcoming classroom activities. Our spring break will be March18-24. Classes resume March 25. We look forward to continuing to provide a quality educational experience for your child over the next three months.
Educationally Yours,
Kristi Motsch
Kristi Motsch, Principal
Growing Leaders
Dates To Remember:
March 2019
Mar. 6- 2Hr. late start – Gr. 1-4 (11:15-4:05 pm)
Kdg. AM – 11:15-1:15pm
Kdg. PM – 2:00-4:05pm
Mar. 7 - K-12 Evening Parent/Teacher conferences – 4:15-8:15-pm
Mar. 8 - End of 9 weeks
Mar. 10 - Don’t Forget – Turn Clocks ahead
Mar. 11-15 - Spring Book Fair
Mar. 14 K-12 - Evening Parent/Teacher conferences – 4:15-8:15 pm
Mar. 14 - Kindergarten registration for the 2018-19 school year will begin online
Mar. 15 - Lunch with A Loved One – Grades 2 & 3.
Grade 2 - 12:45- 1:30 pm
Grade 3 - 11:45-12:30 pm
Mar. 15 - Achievement Records
Mar. 18-24 - NO School - Spring Break
March 25 - CLASSES RESUME
Mar. 28 - PTO Meeting – 7pm in Media Center
SPRING Testing Dates
3rd Grade - AIR - ELA - April 15th - Part 1
April 16th - Part 2
4th Grade - AIR - ELA - April 17th - Part 1
April 18th - Part 2
3rd Grade - AIR - Math - April 29th - Part 1
April 30th - Part 2
4th Grade - AIR - Math – May 2nd - Part 1
May 3rd - Part 2
Newbery Reader
Read 10 of the most distinguished children's books of all time! Challenge yourself with these rigorous literary masterpieces and join the Newbery Club! Toll Gate Elementary School’s prestigious Newbery Reader Club is in its fourth year and would like to invite you to become a member. To be recognized as a distinguished reader you must read 10 of the Newbery Medal Winners and pass the accompanying Accelerated Reader Quiz for each book. You may earn this achievement in one school year or over multiple years. At the end of each school year the names of all students who have earned this award will be permanently placed on a plaque in the library. These winners will also be invited to a year-end celebration. If you have questions or would like help selecting books please see your media specialist or gifted education teacher.
Congratulations to our newest members: Abigail S., Lilliana B., & Isabella S.
For a complete list of all Newbery Medal Books go to: http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newberymedal/newberywinners/medalwinners.cf
Birthday Book Club
The following students have helped our library grow by purchasing a book from our Birthday Book Club Collection. Thank you for supporting our school library.
Parker E., Maria G., Robyn P., Andrew G., & Roman Q.
Kindergarten Registration
PLEASE NOTE: Parents are advised that, due to the high number of callers, our staff and phone lines at the Welcome Center may be very busy at the beginning of kindergarten registration. Thank you for your patience!
Kindergarten registration for Fall 2019 begins in the district Wednesday, March 13.
Children must be at least 5 years old by Aug. 1, 2019, to be registered for kindergarten this fall. The district offers half-day kindergarten in both morning and afternoon sessions. Parents may request a morning or afternoon preference. Depending on the number of parents with preferences, a lottery may be held to determine placement. The kindergarten registration process begins by filling out the online registration form on March 13. Access to the kindergarten registration system will be open by approximately 9 a.m. that morning. After filling out the basic registration information, parents will receive an e-mail with details about contacting the district’s Welcome Center to arrange an appointment to sign paperwork. At that time, parents also will set up an appointment for a readiness assessment for their children Those assessments will be held April 29, 30, and May 2 at Violet Baptist Church, 8345 Blacklick Eastern Road (S.R. 204). Parents may register online through Infinite Campus starting on that date. Access to the kindergarten registration system will be open by approximately 9 a.m. that morning. After filling out the basic registration information, parents will receive an email with details about contacting the district’s Welcome Center to arrange an appointment to sign paperwork. At that time, parents also will set an appointment for a readiness assessment for their children. Those assessments will be held April 29, 30 and May 2 at Violet Baptist Church, 8345 Blacklick-Eastern Road (S.R. 204).
How do I know if my child is ready for kindergarten?
Assuming your child will be 5 years old by Aug. 1, the district will perform an assessment. This year, those assessments will be April 29, 30 and May 2 at Violet Baptist Church, 8345 Blacklick-Eastern Road (S.R. 204). These individual screenings (called Bracken assessments) are performed by trained district educators. They are only used by the district to help teachers determine where to begin teaching individual children. The Bracken assessment tests children on skills such as identifying common colors by name, identifying upper case and lower case letters, identifying single and double-digit numbers, counting objects, demonstrating a basic knowledge of words used to depict size, identifying shapes, and matching or differentiating objects based on specific characteristics.
Find complete information about kindergarten registration and assessments on our website.
Dismissal Procedures
If your child is going home differently than usual, we must have a note from you signifying this. Otherwise your child will be sent home his/her usual way. If an emergency arises, please call the office before 2:30 p.m. to change your child’s dismissal procedure. We cannot ensure that your child will get the message after this time, as this is when classroom folders with messages are delivered. Thanks!
Safety Procedures/School Visits
Parents, please remember to sign in and take a badge from the office when you enter the building. You should always enter from the front, office entrance. Wearing a badge lets our staff know that you have officially signed in with the office. If you are dropping off items for your child, we will call them to the office to limit classroom interruptions. We are very protective of our instructional time and we try to maximize our teachers’ time with students. We appreciate your understanding and your help in limiting classroom interruptions.
School Fees Reminder
School fees are due. If you haven’t paid fees, please send in a check payable to PLSD, cash or we can take a credit card, and indicate on memo line school fees and student ID#. You may also contact the Treasurer’s office at 833- 2112 or pay online using the parent portal on Infinite Campus. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
KG - $19.00
First - $17.00
Second - $17.50
Third - $22.00
Fourth – 22.00