The Tohickon Golden Eagle
October 2014
A GREAT START
Dear Tohickon Families,
During the opening grade level assemblies, Tohickon's four pillars were introduced to students. The four pillars are academics, co-curricular activities, community service and citizenship. The importance of positive relationships was also discussed at these assemblies. Students were encouraged to be positive, to look out for each other and to work together as a team.
The Tohickon Back-to-School Nights took place on September 10th, 15th and 17th. Mr. Dudley and I met with with parents in the auditorium prior to the classroom visitations. The message shared with students during the opening grade level assemblies was shared with parents. We asked parents to help us in reiterating the "four pillars" with their sons and daughters. We also emphasized how important it was for students to be happy and comfortable when coming to school. Parents were asked to communicate with the administration and/or guidance if they had any concerns about their child.
The annual Emergency Personnel Recognition Assembly occurred on September 11, 2014. Several members of our local police, fire and EMS teams attended the assembly. Students proceeded from their classroom to the auditorium in complete silence to honor those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001 and to recognize the daily efforts of our local responders. Students were shown a poignant video of a young man who sacrificed his life in order to save the lives of others during the 9/11 tragedy. Our local responders were presented with baskets of donated items as a token of appreciation, for all that they do in our community.
Students and staff had to comb their hair and smile on September 18, 2014, for their school picture. Pictures are expected to arrive sometime in October. If students are not happy with their picture, they will have an opportunity for a retake on October 27, 2014.
The first month of school has been fantastic! As September comes to a close, students have settled in and appear to be all set for a great year. During the month of October, Tohickon will be hosting many unique events, such as Family Movie Night, Celebrate Education Week, Dr. Mackensen's Lab Night, the Pedals for Progress Bike Drive and a unique author presentation. We are looking forward, with excitement and enthusiasm, as we continue our journey through the 2014-2015 school year.
Sincerely,
Mr. Kevin Marton, Principal
New Tohickon Staff Members
The Tohickon administration is proud to announce the hiring of four new teachers. Mrs. Elizabeth Bantley, Ms. Christine Colosi, Mr. Paul Dengler and Ms. Sarah McGahey joined the Tohickon staff for the 2014-2015 school year.
Mrs. Bantley was hired as a French teacher. She teaches one French class per day at Tohickon. Mrs. Bantley has also worked at Hatboro-Horsham, Upper Dublin and Arcadia University. She has two teenage sons and enjoys playing tennis, cooking French food and reading British novels.
Ms. Christine Colosi is teaching two English classes at Tohickon. She grew up in Bucks County and attended Council Rock School District. She graduated from West Chester University with a degree in English and secondary education. In her spare time, she likes to play softball, run, and read.
Mr. Paul Dengler is Tohickon's new Choral Director. He graduated from Temple University with a major in Music Education and Jazz Studies. Mr. Dengler values all kinds of music and is committed to exposing students to a variety of styles and pieces. When he is not making music, Mr. Dengler enjoys playing tennis, skiing, and reading Sherlock Holmes.
Tohickon's new Band Director is Ms. Sarah McGahey. Ms. McGahey graduated from Temple University with a double major in Flute Performance and Music Education. She has performed in concert bands, marching bands and orchestras. Prior to coming to Tohickon, Ms. McGahey taught Elementary Band. In her free time, Ms. McGahey loves singing, songwriting, playing piano and guitar.
Please join us in welcoming Tohickon's newest staff members!
Celebrate Education Week
Celebrate Education Week will be held beginning on Monday, October 13th. Parents are invited to visit their child’s classroom during this week and attend team activities. Seventh and eighth grade teams will be hosting a breakfast during this week. Please look for information from your child’s academic team for specific times and dates as Celebrate Education Week approaches.
Tohickon Vegetable Garden Update
This month the Gardening Group got back to work! They are harvesting on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Students maintain the garden, pick the vegetables and bag them for sale or donation to our local food bank. Tomatoes, lettuce, kale and various herbs and spices are available in the office for purchase. All proceeds benefit the Wellness Committee’s initiatives. We are always looking for more students to help out; so, see Mr. Dudley if you are interested in helping out.
Family Movie Night
The Tohickon football and cheerleading teams will be holding their second annual Family Movie Night on Friday, October 17th starting at 7:00 PM in the Tohickon auditorium. The cost of admission is one nonperishable food item per person. All food collected and money raised from concessions will be donated to the Doylestown Food Pantry. Last year, nearly 500 pounds of food and $300.00 was raised. Students and all family members are encouraged to attend. This year our movie will be Despicable Me 2. Come out and help us beat last year’s totals.
Dr. Mackensen's Autumn Lab Night
Team Discovery's Pedals for Progress Bike Drive
Team Discovery will be hosting its 11th annual Pedals for Progress Bike Drive on Saturday, November 1st, from 1-4 PM. Pedals for Progress is a non-profit organization based out of New Jersey that collects used bicycles and sewing machines and ships them to people in need all over the world. It uses a win-win model; unwanted bikes are kept out of landfills and people in need of a primary means of transportation are provided with an efficient and environmentally friendly way to get to important places like work and school. Please consider donating any used or unwanted bikes by dropping them off at Tohickon on Saturday, November 1st.
Author Visit
On Thursday, October 16th, during Teen Read Week, author Elizabeth LaBan will be visiting the ninth graders at Tohickon to speak to them about the writing process and her novel, The Tragedy Paper. Ms. LaBan has worked at NBC News, taught at a community college, and has written for several magazines and newspapers. The Tragedy Paper is her first young adult novel and Central Bucks School District just added it to the ninth grade summer reading list. LaBan’s debut offers a suspenseful exploration of forbidden love, tenuous friendship, and the lengths people will go to keep their secrets.
Report Cards No Longer Printed
Effective with the 2014-2015 school year, secondary school parents will be able to view, print, and/or save their child’s report card directly from the Parent Portal. Printed report cards will not be sent home with students. Parents will be able to view report cards for middle and/or high school students for the 1st marking period on November 12th at 8:00 AM. For parent convenience, we will announce future report cards dates at the conclusion of each subsequent marking period in the school newsletter and post them on the school website.
If you need help setting up a Parent Portal account, please contact the guidance office at 267-893-3310. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE INTERNET ACCESS, please contact the guidance office.
From the Nurse's Office
As we enter the colder months, please encourage your sons and/or daughters to wash their hands frequently in order to help prevent the spread of viruses.
Free and Reduced Lunch Applications must be returned by October 14th.
Seventh grade students are reminded to turn in their dental exams to the nurse's office.
Guidance Department
Guidance Office: 267-893-3310
Mrs. Schute will be working with those students with last names from A-Hi.
Mr. Stryker will be working with those students with last names from Ho-R.
Mr. Striano will be working with those students with last names from S-Z.
How to Make Changes to Student Information
Please note the following procedures for submitting address changes and/or changes to mailing addresses, guardian(s) or other household information. This information is also available on the Central Bucks School District Website - www.cbsd.org.
Any changes to the current information we have on file (you can view the census information through the Parent Portal) should also be noted on the Census Verification form that your child brought home the first week of school.
Change of Address
All student address changes within Central Bucks must be validated at the Central Registration office by appointment only. We can not make changes at the middle school.
Student Change of Address Procedures:
Download the Change of Student Address Within Central Bucks form or obtain the form from the school your student currently attends.
Call or email Central Registration for an appointment. Central Registration 267-893-2111. CentralRegistration@cbsd.org
Complete the form and bring it to your scheduled appointment along with the following REQUIRED documentation: Property Deed/Agreement of Sale (follow up with deed) OR Current Lease Agreement AND one of the following: current utility bill, current tax bill/receipt, current bank statement. Your student’s records will be updated to reflect the new address upon receipt of the required documentation.
Change in Household Membership
All student household membership additions, deletions or changes must be documented on the Household Membership Change form. This would include the following: Parent/Guardian changes, Sibling changes and Mailing changes.
Student Household Membership Change Procedures
Download the Household Membership Change form or obtain the form from the school your student currently attends. Complete the form and return to your student’s school or mail it to the address below:
Central Bucks School District
Educational Services Center
Central Registration
16 Welden Drive
Doylestown, PA 18901
If you have any questions, please call Central Registration (267-893-2111)
or email your questions to CentralRegistration@cbsd.org
To view the CB Cares Backpack Newsflash please click the link below:
Just by doing your routine shopping, you can help Tohickon in our efforts to raise money for special programs and various items to support our school and students. Tohickon has registered in fundraising programs sponsored by Giant Market, eScrip.com, Target and Amazon.com. We also collect Boxtops for Education, and recycle newspaper, printer cartridges and clothing. Check out the details below. It’s easy to do, and a wonderful way to support our school! Thank you, in advance, for your participation in these programs!
GIANT A+ School Rewards Program
Tohickon Middle School has the opportunity to earn cash through Giant A+ School Rewards Program. All you have to do is: Log on to giantfoodstores.com/aplus to register online OR dial 1-888-448-4642 to register your card over the phone. After you register your card, each shopping trip at Giant using your BONUSCARD earns CASH for our school! Each month, the amount of CASH awarded will be updated on the Giant website. Attending to this simple process makes a HUGE difference to our school. We need your support. Please be sure to register your card to benefit Tohickon Middle School using ID #05868. Thanks to our Tohickon families, we raised $5,300 from this school rewards program to provide picnic tables for our new pavilion last year.
Target
We’ve covered grocery shopping, how about something different? Just register your Target credit card or Target Visa card, and Tohickon will earn one percent of your purchases made at Target and one-half percent of Target Visa purchases made elsewhere. Go to www.target.com/tcoe and click on “Have a REDcard - find a school” and enter Tohickon - our ID # is 118247. Don’t have a Target credit card? You can apply online at the same site!
eScrip.com
Just register online at www.escrip.com. Tohickon’s Group ID # is 150239570. You can split your donation among several different schools or organizations, so if you’re already registered with another group, consider adding Tohickon! While you’re logged onto the www.escrip.com site, you may want to consider registering your debit and/or credit card so that Tohickon will benefit from purchases made with those cards at retailers like Office Max, Eddie Bauer, Barnes and Noble, and Payless Shoes. Choose “my escrip” from the menu at the top of the screen, log in with your password, go to “Account Administration,” and select “Credit and Debit Cards.” Be sure to check out the complete list of participating merchants and contribution rates.
Amazon.com
An easy way to support Tohickon’s programs is just a few clicks away! If you purchase anything through Amazon.com, our school can earn up to 15%! To ensure Tohickon receives credit for purchases, you will have to access the link on the Tohickon website under "School Links" then click “Support Tohickon.” Once you’ve done that, shop as you normally would. It’s that easy!
Box Tops for Education
Tohickon continues to collect Box Tops for Education. Box Tops coupons are found on a large variety of products. Please clip the coupons from participating products and send them to the school. All coupons can be turned in to homeroom teachers. Talk to your family and friends and ask them to clip Box Tops coupons also. All money raised from this continuous collection will supplement club and activity programs, including volunteer activities. For more information on Box Tops for Education go to www.boxtops4education.com.
Paper Retriever/Project WRAP
Did you know that every person in the United States throws away about two pounds of paper per day? Did you also know that Tohickon Middle School earns money every month for recycling paper in the green and yellow paper retriever bin? What can you do to help? Tohickon Middle School wants your paper! Please help us by depositing your household paper in the paper retriever bin every week. If 200 families put their paper in the paper retriever bin each week, our school would collect more than 2,800 pounds or 1.4 tons of paper per week. Deposit your school paper, office paper, magazines, newspapers, catalogs, junk mail and envelopes in the paper retriever recycling bin every week. Our school and the environment thank you! As the weather changes and you find yourself cleaning out your summer clothes and preparing for winter, please remember that we have a clothing “drop-off” right next to our paper retriever bin. Both bins are located in the back of Tohickon. They not only provide you with one stop “drop-off,” they provide the building with some additional funds.
Tohickon Middle School
Email: kmarton@cbsd.org
Website: cbsd.org
Location: 5051 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA
Phone: 267-893-3300