The Tiger Pride Newsletter
St. Thomas Elementary School - AUGUST: 2021 Updated 8/17/21
Principal's Message
July 26, 2021
Dear Students and Parents,
It is with great pleasure that I am writing to you as the incoming Principal of Saint Thomas Elementary School. It is truly an honor to become a member of the Saint Thomas family and school community. As a proud parent of two Tuscarora School District elementary students, I take great pride in the physical, intellectual, and social-emotional development of your child. I am eager to partner with you to ensure the success of your children this school year and in the years to come.
The 2021-2022 school year will mark my 21st year working as an educator in the Tuscarora School District. In my first seventeen years, I taught middle school science, and most recently, I served as the high school Assistant Principal. I’ve enjoyed additional roles within the local community over the years including serving on different committees, coaching basketball, and youth baseball. My wife Jenn, and our two sons, Trey (9) and Beau (7), reside in Mercersburg, PA.
The vision of the Tuscarora School District is to empower ALL learners for their unlimited next! The elementary years play a critical role in creating a pathway for our students in achieving their goals upon graduating high school, whether they choose to continue their education or begin a post-secondary career. The teachers, staff members, and I are committed to ensuring that every student receives the necessary support at Saint Thomas Elementary School to achieve their unlimited next. We view our parents and guardians as important members of the school team who will support our students, as they work towards their goals beyond high school.
I am truly honored to have the opportunity to serve as your principal. I look forward to working with you to ensure we have a successful school year at Saint Thomas Elementary. Clear and consistent communication between the principal, teachers, and parents will play a critical role in the success of our students, as well as our ability to work together as a team. I invite you to call or visit with me anytime you have a question. My door is always open. I can be reached by email at tbradley@tsdrockets.org or by phone at 717-369-3123 ext. 2700.
The faculty and staff of Saint Thomas all look forward to seeing our students at the start of the new school year! Enjoy the rest of your summer.
With Tiger Pride,
Tom Bradley
Principal
Saint Thomas Elementary
Introducing the New Faculty and Staff Members for 2021/22 School Year
Mrs. Kathy Carbaugh - Autistic Support Classroom Teacher
Mrs. Lauren McDowell - Autistic Support Assistant
Mrs. Diane Hockenberry - Autistic Support Assistant
Ms. Nichole Shover - 3rd Grade Teacher
Ms. Kali Schoeneberg - 4th Grade Teacher
Mrs. Jamie Musselman - Library/Lunch/Reading Intervention Assistant
Mrs. Jasmine Ricker - Math/Lunch Intervention Assistant
Dr. Rebecca Blahus - TSD Literacy Supervisor
We look forward to working together to ensure a high-quality learning experience for all learners.
Tiger Pride!
News from the Saint Thomas PTA
The St. Thomas PTA has been busy this summer planning the upcoming 2021/22 activities and fundraisers! We plan to share those dates in the September newsletter. If you want to find out sooner, like and follow us on Facebook or Instagram! The links are below.
Membership is open to all parents, caregivers, or extended family members. Look for the membership form in your child's folder. We appreciate your support!
St. Thomas Elementary School Spiritwear will be for sale starting August 23rd and ending September 10th. We will be sending home a flyer and posting the link via Facebook.
To contact the PTA, email us at saintthomaspta@gmail.com. Find us on Facebook by searching St Thomas PTA or using the following link https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Ffb.me%2FSaintThomasElementaryPTA&h=AT2L_FzCNsOL_djJ_uxWEJvTi9QwAWj9EEyHmHyYcEfLd77EqL3bNlQmhAYTXPWx0tIHGVIZ9I9haBnzVSFEVPuFsUt3m4bvxWHAmIm1scuX80TzZ3PI-usUPors7k0qWf0
We are also on Instagram now! Search...st_thomas_pta
St. Thomas PTA SPIRIT Wear Sale
PowerSchool Parent Portal NEW!!!
please be sure to access the new Powerschool Portal to create an account and link your children to the account. A letter was sent to families within the Tuscarora School District with the required information and steps to follow to set up your account.
Please be sure that you update your contact information and student medical information once you have created your account. Your updated contact information will be used for future school communications.
Daily Health Screening
Contact Tracing and Quarantining
- We will continue to work with DOH or county or municipal health departments (CMHD) to complete contact tracing for individuals diagnosed or exposed to COVID-19. We will follow the DOH quarantining guidance.
- The PA Department of Health requires contact tracing to be completed when any individual is exposed to someone with COVID-19.
- The CDC (Center for Disease Control) defines close contact as someone within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes.
- Non-Vaccinated individuals will be required to stay home for 10-14 days. Students will complete work assigned by their teacher.
Daily School Schedule
7:20: Doors open
7:35: Announcements and Breakfast is done being served
7:40: School day starts
2:10: Dismissal starts
Notes to School
- Include the child's FIRST AND LAST NAME on any notes sent from home.
- When your child is absent from school, a note stating the reason for the absence must be submitted within 3 days upon their return to school.
- Notes should be sent any time you are planning to pick up your child for an early dismissal.
- No bus passes will be given for a change in transportation unless prearranged through the transportation department.
Free and Reduced Meal Forms
Breakfast and Lunch Prices
Breakfast - Free during 2021-2022 school year for all students.
Lunch - Free during 2021-2022 school year for all students
Adult Meal - $3.90
Student Meal - FREE for 21-22 school year
Extra Milk - $.45
Ala Cart Items are available for purchase separately.
Lunch menus are posted in every classroom, printed in the monthly school newsletter, and posted on the district website.