TGMS WEEKLY UPDATE
OCTOBER 11, 2021
A message from Alesia Gillison Chief Academic Officer - Assistant Superintendent
Situational Awareness Bulletin: October TikTok Challenge
The Ohio School Safety Center (OSSC) has learned of a new October social media challenge that impacts Ohio schools and, specifically, staff and educators.
Some TikTok users have devised a monthly list that includes various pranks or “challenges” to take place at school. For example, in recent weeks, there have been incidents of school vandalism as part of the "devious lick" challenge.
The published challenge for the month of October asks students to “Slap a Teacher."
The challenge encourages students to slap a teacher or staff member and run before being caught committing the assault. The incident must be also be filmed or the challenge does not “count.”
Some open-source media states that TikTok is addressing these trends by deleting and blocking the names of users associated with the challenges. It is being reported that TikTok is now directing associated hashtags to its Community Guidelines page. However, these videos can still be found on this platform by using variations of these terms or misspellings.
Several school administrators are working to inform parents of this new and upcoming trend and are speaking with students about the potential repercussions that could result if they participate. We recommend sharing this information and a copy of your school’s code of conduct with your staff, students, and parents.
CONDUCT
Proper behavior is as much a part of a quality education as anything else. While at school and school events, we expect our students to behave properly, i.e., in a manner that brings credit to themselves and their school. A complete copy of the Code of Conduct is available in the main office and by visiting the district website.
Holiday Assistance
Dear Families,
Pickerington Schools are once again teaming up with the Violet Township Fire Department to help provide some holiday assistance for families in need during this holiday season.
In need of assistance?
Request an online form for holiday assistance by contacting me at kelli_saksa@plsd.us or at 614-834-6400. The request link will then be provided to you, only one per household please. This form is handled in a confidential manner with more details from your school counselor. Please remember that we will only be able to supplement your holiday. The online form must be completed by Tuesday, November 23rd.
Wanting to donate?
There are several ways to donate this year:
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● The traditional big red boxes throughout the community and in the schools accepting
donations of new toys/gifts.
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● Gift cards are also appreciated.
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● Cash donations through Paypal.
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● Another way of donating this year is through Amazon and Target. If you would prefer
to donate in this way, click on the links below. Be sure to ship to Violet Township Fire Department Toy Drive (address will appear as an option).
Target Amazon PayPal
PTO news
TGMS PTO is seeking donations for two October events:
- Pickerington Education Foundation (PEF) Dinner & Auction
- TGMS Fall Book Fair at Barnes & Noble
Please use our Sign-up Genius link to donate!
Any donations are much appreciated!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084caca92ca6fc1-peftree1
Upcoming Events:
PTO Meeting: Monday, Oct. 11 at 7pm
Fall Book Fair: Friday, Oct. 29 6-9pm
PTO meeting, Monday, October 11
Topic: TGMS PTO MTG
Time: Oct 11, 2021 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/95412105529?pwd=VEZKUWhWWm56VlV4MVJRSGE2VkJOQT09
Meeting ID: 954 1210 5529
Passcode: 753879
A message from Mr. Kauffeld - nominate a teacher
Our teachers are doing outstanding and innovative things every day to engage our students.
https://www.ohiolottery.com/About/Partners-in-Education/Teacher-of-the-Month/Nominate-a-Teacher
Thank you for helping recognize our teachers.
5th gr. testing in October 19 - 21
Fifth grade students will be administered the Terra Nova for Science and Social Studies and the InView for cognitive identification. The results of these assessments will be used to inform teachers of student achievement in comparison to national norms and to identify students as gifted and talented.
Testing will take place on the following dates:
October 19, 20 and 21