The Tohickon Golden Eagle
January 2019
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Dear Tohickon Families,
The new year has arrived and with it we begin our planning process for the 2019-2020 School Year. The months of January, February and March of 2019 are when we will be making our course selections for the upcoming year.
During the month on January, the Program Planning process mostly centers around our current ninth grade students. The opening planning assembly for grade nine will take place on Thursday, January 3rd. During that assembly, the process is reviewed. The middle school guidance counselors will review the available high school course and discuss how the selection process works. Mrs. Diane Schute, the head counselor at Tohickon, will be directing and facilitating the presentation for students.
On January 10th, during the evening, CB East and CB West will be holding their annual curriculum fairs at both high schools. All ninth grade students, along with their parents, are expected to attend these events. During this evening, the high school counselors will orientate parents and students to the high schools and the process involved with course selection. Course selection will begin at Tohickon during the following week of January 15th.
During the week of January 22nd, seventh grade teachers will be speaking to their students about course options (in their respective courses) for eighth grade. Specifically, the availability of advanced classes and world language classes will be discussed. These discussions will take place in preparation for the seventh Grade Program Planning Assembly on Wednesday, January 30th. During this assembly the Tohickon Guidance Counselors and administrators will meet with all seventh grade students to review course options and discuss the course selection process.
Eighth grade teachers will speak to their subject area classes on January 29th and 30th to discuss criteria for recommendations in moving to grade nine. During these meetings, teachers will also discuss the longer term picture in their content area, explaining options that are available in future years. The Eighth Grade Program Planning Assembly will take place on Thursday, January 31st. Again, the Tohickon Guidance Counselors will present to students, reviewing course options and the course selection process.
In addition to the program planning process, the month of January also has some other important events for you to be aware of. A listing of events is provided in the next section of this newsletter. If you have any questions that relate to 2019-2020 Program Planning, please contact the Tohickon Guidance Office at 267-893-3310.
I hope you have a safe and happy new year!
Sincerely,
Kevin Marton, Principal
Important January Events
There are several upcoming events that students and parents should be aware of. The events for the month of January are as follows:
January 2nd
- Students return to school from winter recess
January 3rd
- 9th Grade Program Planning Assembly
January 10th
- Curriculum Fairs at CB High Schools from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
January 11th
- PEN Field Trip to Franklin Institute
January 17th
- Parent Council Meeting at 9:00 AM in the Tohickon Library
- Community Connections Meeting from 6:00 - 7:00 PM with Dr. Kopicki in the Tohickon Library
January 26th
- VH 1 Concert at Holicong Middle School
January 30th
- Program Planning Assembly for current 7th Grade Students
January 31st
- Program Planning Assembly for current 8th Grade Students
Students Shine in Tohickon Winter Concerts
The Tohickon Winter Concerts took place on Thursday, December 6th and Tuesday, December 18th. During both concerts, our students were outstanding! Students were all smiles as they performed in packed auditoriums. We are very thankful for the dedication, passion and devotion that Mr. Dengler, Mrs. Repper and Mrs. McGahey bring to our students and music program!
Ms. McGahey, Tohickon Band Director, in the Spotlight
Mrs. Parisi's Students bring back the 1920s
On Thursday, December 20th, ninth grade students from Mrs. Parisi's social studies classes, took a trip back in time to the 1920s. The 1920s is a time period that is part of the ninth grade social studies curriculum. Mrs. Parisi worked with Mrs. Fox to create a near authentic experience for students. Students wore costumes, danced The Charleston and celebrated as they did 90 years ago. Students had a great time and had a chance to get a sense of what it was like to live at that time. These activities helped to reinforce concepts that they are learning in the classroom.
Thank You to our Parents!!!
Mrs. Bauer and our Tohickon Parents prepared a winter appreciation event for our teachers on Wednesday, December 19th. Teachers were treated to coffee, cookies and cocoa throughout the day. We are so thankful for all of the effort, preparation and thought that went into this event. It made the holiday season extra special at Tohickon and we are especially grateful!!!
PENN ENGINEERING EXECUTIVES VISIT TOHICKON TO THANK OUR NINTH GRADERS FOR THEIR ACTS OF KINDNESS
The Penn Engineering Company is located on Old Easton Road, just north of Tohickon Middle School. On December 12th, 2018, the facility was damaged from a significant fire. Fortunately, no one was injured during the event, but it was quite traumatic for the employees that work there.
The ninth grade teachers and students, out of concern for our neighbors, decided to write to the employees of Penn Engineering, offering their thoughts and support during this time of need. All of our students expressed a strong desire to reach out during this difficult period.
The executives and employees of Penn Engineering were so impressed with the generosity of our students, they insisted on making a personal visit to Tohickon in order to express their appreciation and thanks. Mr. Leonard Kiely, President of Penn Engineering, brought his leadership team to every classroom, personally thanking our students and teachers. The visit was powerful, reminding our students that small gestures can make a big difference in the lives of others.
Tohickon Club Update
In order for clubs to run, a teacher must be willing to sponsor the club after school and there must be a reasonable level of student interest. For these reasons, Tohickon clubs may be different from year to year. Throughout the year, Tohickon expects to be running the following clubs:
- Diversity Club - Sponsored by Mrs. Fox (bfox@cbsd.org)
- Art Club - Sponsored by Mrs. Bongiorno (abongiorno@cbsd.org)
- A.C.E. Club - Sponsored by Mrs. Fox (bfox@cbsd.org)
- Math Club and Math Counts Team- Sponsored by Mrs. Bellavance and Mrs. Rissing (abellavance@cbsd.org)
- Morning Math Help Club - Mrs. Bellavance and Mrs. Rissing (abellavance@cbsd.org)
- Fitness Club - Sponsored by Mrs. Dobrowolski (ndobrowolski@cbsd.org)
- Garden Club (Seasonal) - Sponsored by Mr. Neely (jneely@cbsd.org)
- Film/Moviemaking Club - Sponsored by Mr. Powell (mpowell@cbsd.org)
- Running Club - Sponsored by Ms. Lewis and Mrs. Parisi (alewis@cbsd.org)
- Writing Club - Sponsored by Mr. Sibel (zsibel@cbsd.org)
- Student/Parent Book Club - Sponsored by Mr. Sibel (zsibel@cbsd.org)
- Magic: The Gathering Club - Sponsored by Mr. Geller (zgeller@cbsd.org)
The number of clubs may increase as the year progresses. We will continue to keep you updated in our monthly newsletters, listing all active clubs. If you are interested in joining one of the clubs at Tohickon or have any questions, please see the club's sponsor in order to sign up.
Parent Council Meeting Reminder and Community Connections Meeting
The next Parent Council Meeting will take place on Thursday, January 17th, at 9:00 AM in the Tohickon Library. This meeting will be devoted to the PAYS (Pennsylvania Youth Survey). That same evening, Dr. Kopicki will be holding a Community Connections Meetings, beginning at 6:00 PM. Dr. Kopicki, Dr. Lucabaugh, Mr. Marton and Mr. Murtha will be present to meet with parents.
From the Nurse's Office
This is a reminder to PLEASE COMPLETE THE ONLINE STUDENT EMERGENCY FORMS THROUGH PARENT PORTAL IF YOU WISH YOUR CHILD TO RECEIVE ACETAMINOPHEN OR IBUPROFEN AT SCHOOL. You may also update your contact information, health conditions or emergency contact. Please call us with any questions regarding this requirement.
As we get into the colder weather please keep in mind that Cold and Flu season is upon us. Please remind your children to wash their hands often and to cover their cough with the arm. If your child needs medication please administer it at home, as the health office does not have any cold medication. Your child may carry their own personal supply of cough drops with them but absolutely no other medication is permitted without a physician’s order.
Sports Update
Winter Sports continue at Tohickon…
Varsity Girls Basketball for 7th and 8th Grade Students (Ends on Jan. 8th). Head Coach - Mike Bartosiewicz (Contact -mcbartosiewicz@cbsd.org)
- 9th Grade Girls Basketball (Runs through Feb. 1st). Head Coach - Pat Costello (Contact - pcostell@cbsd.org)
- 7th Grade Boys Basketball (Begins Jan. 14th and runs through Mar. 4th). Head Coach - Matt Dickter (Contact - dickter422@hotmail.com)
- Varsity Boys Basketball for 7th and 8th Grade Students (Begins Jan. 14th and runs through March 8th). Head Coach - Zach Sibel (Contact - zsibel@cbsd.org)
- 9th Grade Boys Basketball (Runs through Feb. 8th). Head Coach - John Altmire (Contact - jaltmire@cbsd.org)
- Wrestling (Runs until Feb. 1st). Head Coach - Pat Moran (Contact - pamoran@cbsd.org)
- Cheerleading - Continues through the winter season. See contact information below.
In addition to sports announcements being placed on The Morning Show (Monday and Thursday), the Daily Announcements, Sway (for 7th and 8th Grade Students), ALL coaches are expected to communicate directly with students through the Remind App. Any late cancellations due to weather will be communicated on the loud speaker between 1:00 and 2:00 PM of that day.
In order to participate in a sport at Tohickon, the following needs to be done prior to tryouts:
Register for child's desired sport via Family ID on the Tohickon Website under Athletics.
Hand in section 5 and 6 of the PIAA Physical if your child did not play a fall sport. This needs to be dated after June 1, 2018. If they played a fall sport, section 7 of the PIAA physical for needs to be completed and handed in. Students will not be permitted to tryout unless both are completed prior to the tryout dates.
All physicals can be handed in to Mr. Costello in room 122 or emailed directly to pcostell@cbsd.org. Physicals will not be accepted at tryouts; they need to be handed in at least three days before the tryouts.
Please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Costello if you have any questions and/or concerns. Please contact Mr. Costello via email.
Students from CB Middle Schools win Pop Warner Cheerleading Championship
Several students from our CB Middle Schools are Pop Warner Cheerleading National Champions now! This is the first team in history from Lenape Valley Cheerleading that has won a National Championship. There were 28 girls in 6 different CB schools and one from Mt. Carmel. Two students from Tohickon, Allie C. and Setareh Y. were part of the team and can be seen in the picture below, which was taken on December 5, 2018.
Congratulations to all of our CB Girls that were part of this squad!!!
FROM THE GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT
Preparing for 10th Grade
January 10, 2019 -- Curriculum Fairs at CB East and CB West – 6:30PM – The curriculum fair is an opportunity for parents and students to gain more information about the high schools and the courses available. We strongly recommend that 9th grade students and their parents plan to attend. (Snow date January 17)
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We will begin PROGRAM PLANNING for next year in January 2019. See important dates listed by grade on the guidance website in January.
Discussion Groups
Tohickon Counselors will be running a variety of discussion groups with students who have expressed an interest. Topics for these groups include Stress Management, Grief and Loss, Family Support and Mindfulness. Students who have signed up will participate in group during school hours. Groups will run once a week for approximately six weeks.
The counselors are looking forward to meeting with students and helping them face the many challenges of the middle school years in a healthy way. Everyone benefits from talking things out and learning new strategies.
Tohickon Middle School
Email: kmarton@cbsd.org
Website: cbsd.org
Location: 5051 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA
Phone: 267-893-3300