Toll Gate Times
November, 2020
Ms. Kristi Motsch, Principal
12183 Toll Gate Road
Pickerington, Ohio 43147
614-834-6300
Letter From The Principal
TGE is proud to be a Leader in Me School. Students learn and grow through the 7 effective habits identified by Stephen Covey as promoting student success. Talk with your child about which habits they see as strengths in themselves. The 7 habits are:
- Be Proactive
- Begin with the end in mind
- Put first things first
- Think Win Win
- Seek First to Understand and then to be Understood
- Synergize
- Sharpen the Saw
- All Habits together allow students to Find Their Voice.
Our journey began six years ago when our staff began training and preparing to become a Leader in Me School. Through book studies, formal training, and school site visits, we learned more about the powerful impact of students recognizing their strengths as leaders. I can truly say that over the last six years, students are more involved in their learning by goal setting, data tracking, and identifying their strengths. We received Lighthouse Status in 2017, making us an exemplar Leader in ME School. Last year we have made family engagement a priority. Look for our monthly “homework assignments” on the 7 habits to complete as a family. All students who complete these will be entered into a drawing for a special prize. We look forward to continuing this educational journey with your family.
Educationally Yours,
Kristi Motsch, Principal
Growing Leaders
Important Dates
Toll Gate Elementary
DATES TO REMEMBER
November 2020
Nov. 3 - NO SCHOOL - Parent-Teacher Conferences
Nov. 11 - Veterans Day
Nov. 19 - PTO Meeting @ 6:30 pm
Nov. 25-29 - NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Holiday
Dec. 19- Jan. 4 - NO SCHOOL - Holiday BreakJan. 5 - Classes Resume
Counselor Notes
3rd Grade OST - Testing
Below is a copy of the letter that was sent district wide to families of 3rd Graders
Dear Pickerington Families,
As we continue to navigate this school year our first major testing period involves your third grade student. The Ohio Department of Education has informed us that they will be continuing the Ohio’s State Test this school year. The first major test is the Fall Third Grade ELA test. Pickerington Schools have scheduled this test for the week of October 26th. Students that are currently in the hybrid model (Cohort A or Cohort B) will take the test during their regular school day. Students that are in the Virtual Learning Academy are required to come to their home building to take the test. The Ohio Department of Education does not allow any of the Ohio’s State Tests to be taken virtually.
Schedule of Events
Date
Test - Part
Cohort
Monday, October 26th
ELA 3 - Part 1
Cohort A
Tuesday, October 27th
ELA 3 - Part 2
Cohort A
Wednesday, October 28th
ELA 3 - Part 1 & Part 2
VLA
Thursday, October 29th
ELA 3 - Part 1
Cohort B
Friday, October 30th
ELA 3 - Part 2
Cohort B
Students need to make sure that they bring their Chromebook, fully charged, to school. All of Ohio’s State Tests will be administered digitally through their Chromebook.
For Virtual Learning Academy (VLA) Students Only
As identified in the VLA application and Flexible Learning Plan 2.0, students are required to take Ohio’s State Tests, and families committed to bringing students on-site to do so. The absence of a grade 3 ELA OST score may impact promotion requirements to grade 4 and other components associated with the Third Grade Reading Guarantee.
The Grade 3 ELA test for VLA students will be administered on Wednesday, October 28th.
Pickerington Schools will offer bus transportation for all third grade students on October 28th, 2020. Buses will follow the normal elementary school routes and pick up times.
If you plan on driving your student to school please follow the normal parent drop off procedures and have students at their home elementary school at 9:05 am for drop off.
Testing for students without any special accommodations will be finished about 1:30 PM and will be transported by a school bus home or could be picked up following the normal parent pick up procedures.
Students need to make sure that they bring their Chromebook, fully charged, to school. All of Ohio’s State Tests will be administered digitally through their Chromebook.
Students will need to bring a packed lunch. A break will occur between part 1 and part 2 of the test to allow students to eat lunch and have a “brain-break”.
Sincerely,
Brian Seymour
Director of Instructional Technology & District Test Coordinator
Sabrina Woodruff
Chief Academic Officer - Assistant Superintendent
2nd Grade Gifted Testing
2nd graders will be taking the Gifted Testing during the week of November 2nd.
Cohort A = November 2nd (Monday)
Cohort B = November 5th (Thursday)
Below is a letter from Todd Stanley who is our Districts Gifted Coordinator
Dear Pickerington Families:
During the week of November 2nd, all 2nd grade students will be given testing to determine ability levels. This testing will include taking the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test. This testing is part of whole grade screening for possible gifted identification and also gives teachers insight into your student’s overall cognitive processing skills.
In order to prepare for the testing, students should get a good night’s sleep and have a good breakfast. Currently, free breakfast is offered to all PLSD students through our school cafeterias. The test results will be sent home to you after the first of the year in January of 2021.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the process used for testing please do not hesitate to email me at Todd_Stanley@plsd.us or call at 614-920-6125.
3rd Grade Gifted Testing
3rd graders will be taking the Gifted Testing during the week of November 2nd.
Cohort A = November 2nd (Monday)
Cohort B = November 5th (Thursday)
Below is a letter from Todd Stanley who is our Districts Gifted Coordinator
Dear Pickerington Families:
During the week of November 2nd, all 3rd grade students will be given testing to determine ability levels. This testing will include taking the Cognitive Ability Test. This testing is part of whole grade screening for possible gifted identification and also gives teachers insight into your student’s overall verbal, quantitative and nonverbal skills.
In order to prepare for the testing, students should get a good night’s sleep and have a good breakfast. Currently, free breakfast is offered to all PLSD students through our school cafeterias. The test results will be sent home to you after the first of the year in January of 2021.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the process used for testing please do not hesitate to email me at Todd_Stanley@plsd.us or call at 614-920-6125.
Sincerely,
Todd Stanley
Gifted Services Coordinator
Pickerington Local Schools
Twitter: @the_gifted_guy
Families in Need
Thanksgiving Meals Provided
There are local community members that are organizing and providing Thanksgiving meals for those in need this year. Please contact Mr. Drake by October 30th if you are in need of Thanksgiving meals. Your information will be handled confidentially. Phone: (614)834-6315 or email darren_drake@plsd.us
Holiday Assistance 2020
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 Mr. Drake at darren_drake@plsd.us. The request link will then be provided to you by email, only one per household, please. This form is handled in a confidential manner with more details from Mr. Drake. Please remember that we will only be able to supplement your holiday. The online form must be completed by Friday, November 20th.
Holiday Donations are Needed
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.
There are several ways to donate this year:
Click the link below to make cash donations through Paypal.
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).
Habits @ Home
Friendly reminder that the deadline to watch the voluntary Habits @ Home video is October 30th. The description that was sent earlier in the month is below. Thank you!!!
Birthday Book Club Members
10.22.20
Birthday Book Club Members
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.
Jedd R., Addison B., Violet H., Jayden K., Bella H., Maddie G., Ava R.