The Tohickon Golden Eagle
January 2016
Happy New Year!
Dear Tohickon Families,
Happy New Year! I hope that you had a happy, enjoyable and restful holiday break with family and friends. It is really hard to believe that this school year will be half over in just a few weeks.
The month of December was certainly busy at Tohickon. The Choral and Instrumental Concerts, the Winter Dance, preliminary rounds of the Geography Bee, and the seventh grade field trips to see "A Christmas Carol" made the weeks go by very quickly. I would like to commend Mrs. Repper, Ms. McGahey, Mr. Dengler and all of our students for putting on outstanding winter musical concerts. The feedback that I received from parents and families was fantastic. Congratulations to all involved with these special events!
The arrival of January brings the kick-off for 2016-2017 Program Planning. The program planning period begins in early January and concludes for all grades in March. The primary focus during the month of January will be on our current ninth grade students as they explore and learn about the course selections available to them at CB East, CB West and Middle Bucks Institute of Technology. On January 5th, all ninth grade students will attend a presentation from Middle Bucks Institute of Technology that will provide an overview of the courses and programs available to them in high school. During the evening of January 6th, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM, MBIT will be providing an open house for interested students and parents. The all important curriculum fairs will be held at CB East and CB West on January 7th, beginning at 6:30 PM. It is critically important for ninth grade students to attend in order to gain a thorough understanding of what courses are available and how to plan for them at the high school level. In addition to the curriculum fairs and open houses, the Tohickon counselors and teachers will be discussing scheduling options with students during the month.
I hope that you have had a good start to the year and wish you the best as we move further into 2016. If you have any questions regarding the information that is provided in this newsletter, please do not hesitate to contact us at 267-893-3300.
Sincerely,
Mr. Kevin Marton, Principal
TOHICKON TEACHERS WIN THREE MINI-GRANTS FROM CB CARES
Ms. Ball and Mrs. Taylor were awarded a grant for the purchase of a one-year subscription to Scholastic Scope Magazine. Using a wide range of genres, this magazine brings current events from around the world into the classroom and allows students the opportunity to analyze a variety of topics and make meaningful connections.
Ms. Jones won a grant that will be used to purchase new, student-selected books for her classroom library. Her goal is to instill a love of reading, an appreciation for honesty and integrity, a sense of resiliency, and a feeling of empathy for others, in her students.
Ms. Thomas won a grant for an ARTMOBILE visit. The Bucks County Intermediate Unit provides a traveling art museum. This year’s theme, “Structures & Stories” Investigated artists’ books and unique structures. It included two dozen culturally diverse artists and exhibited more than forty works. Students had the opportunity to experience artist’s personal stories about ethnicity, race, gender, identity, home, family and community. Back in the classroom, teachers will further extend and enrich upon the inspiring visit to the Artmobile, by making interdisciplinary connections to the art curriculum. During art class, students will have the opportunity to make a book structure that communicates a personal story through a combination of words and images.
Congratulations to Ms. Ball, Mrs. Taylor, Ms. Jones and Mrs. Thomas for winning these grants and thank you for going above and beyond for our students at Tohickon!
There are seven upcoming events that students and parents should be aware of in the month of January. They are as follows:
January 5th
All ninth grade students will attend a presentation from MBIT that provides an overview to their programs.
January 6th
MBIT Open House for interested students and parents
January 7th
Curriculum Fairs at CB East and CB West (Important for ninth grade students and parents to attend as it relates to High School Program Planning!)
January 14th
Ninth Grade MBIT Trip
January 18th
NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 21st
Parent Council Meeting at 9:00 AM
January 26th
Last Day of Marking Period
Parent Council Meeting Reminder
TEAM HAPPENINGS!
TEAM SUMMIT and TEAM DISCOVERY - GRADE 7
Both seventh grade teams took field trips this month to see a live performance of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Students all read a version of the classic story in their English class. Team Summit traveled to the Walnut Street Theater in Philadelphia on December 16th, while Team Discovery saw the play at the Hedgerow Theater in Rose Valley, PA on December 18th. The students enjoyed the festive atmosphere and seeing the characters come to life on stage. On December 23rd, the entire seventh grade viewed Disney’s newest version of A Christmas Carol starring Jim Carrey. Following the film, students were asked to analyze the three versions of the classic tale, comparing and contrasting the text, the play, and the movie. Seeing the different forms of the story helps the students better understand the challenging text of the novel.
The eighth grade Honors Social Studies students are working hard in completing their projects for the National History Day competition. In September, students chose a topic to help them prove this year’s theme “Exploration, Encounter, and Exchange.” The project requires that students use research and primary sources to explain how their topic fits the theme. Students can choose a variety of ways to present their information, but most students choose to create a documentary, create a website, or write a research paper to do so. Students will be completing their projects by the end of January and will then begin to prepare their projects for the local National History Day competition at Ursinus College, on March 19th.
A weather related notice: With cold and flu season upon us, our classrooms are in need of tissues. We would greatly appreciate donations if you are willing to send in a box with your child. Please have your child give their box to their homeroom teacher. Thank you for your support!
Taking Stock in Ninth Grade
Ninth grade students are currently participating in an online stock contest as part of their 1920s unit in Social Studies. Each student was given $10,000 (sorry, it’s not real) to invest in any company of their choice. Anxiously keeping track of the rise and fall of their stocks, students are then ranked by their gains or losses in the market.
On an utterly different note, thanks to student Lauren B. in Mr. Hall’s third period class, a calf from a local farm visited. Lauren explained the unique digestive system of a cow and shared information about raising dairy cows. She also shared her interest in raising a calf and how she prepares to enter it in state fair competitions. This provided a new and interesting experience for students in this class!
Several ninth graders had the opportunity to visit the Artmobile during their English classes to view the exhibit on Book Art. Drawing on their knowledge of perspective in literature, these students will be creating their own book art masterpieces and sharing them with their peers.
Remember that course selection and planning will begin when we return from winter break. Be sure to talk to your son or daughter about scheduling classes for next year.
Share Good News About Tohickon Students!
Community Service Update
Even though the weather has been warm so far this winter, it is bound to get colder. Throughout January, we will be collecting new and gently used winter clothing, such as jackets, hats, gloves, and boots to donate to various local shelters. Collection boxes are located near the bus entrance and main office. To kick-off the collection, Mrs. Welch’s students made a special promotion for the morning announcements class using iPads and other technology.
In January, Mrs. Furfari, with the help of student volunteers, will begin preparing food our soup kitchen donation. The dates for the soup kitchen this school year are January 12th, January 28th, February 10th, and February 24th. See Mrs. Furfari for further details.
Message from the Athletic Department
As the girls’ basketball season winds to an end, the boys are just getting ready to start. This year, the eighth grade boys’ team will be coached by Mr. Gary Elias, while the seventh grade boys’ team will be coached by Mr. Matt Dickter. Tryouts begin the week of January 11th. Please check the Tohickon athletics website for specific dates and times as well as coach contact information.
Please remember that to participate in a sport at Tohickon, each student must have page 6 of the PIAA physical on file with the athletics office. This page must have a doctor’s signature and be dated June 1, 2015 or later. If a student has already participated in a sport, he or she must turn in a recertification form. In addition, in order to participate in a winter sport, all athletes must be registered on Family ID. Information regarding the physical form, recertification form, and Family ID can be found on the athletics website.
All Central Bucks School District Volunteers
Volunteers must have their clearances on file with the CBSD Human Resources Department prior to starting volunteer work. The new Pennsylvania State mandate does allow until July 1, 2016 to obtain background checks. However, in the best interest of the safety and security of our students, we are asking volunteers to comply with submitting background checks prior to volunteering in the 2015-2016 school year.
Click link to learn more: http://www.cbsd.org/site/default.aspx?PageID=355
If you have already submitted paperwork you do not need to take any further action at this time.
This online process is ONLY for those who have not submitted clearances/certifications as of October 1, 2015.
Tohickon Wellness Update
CBSD has been working with CB Cares to provide presenters on a variety of topics, including anxiety, making better choices and living a healthy lifestyle. Please check out: http://www.cbsd.org/Page/30725 to find out when the next informative speaker will be.
Students who participate on the Tohickon Wellness Committee came up with some great ideas for Student Days in 2016. Keep an eye out for memos about hot chocolate, citrus fruits, dark chocolate and salads, which will all be given away in various months, next year.
Mr. Neely and Mrs. Furfari are working on bringing parents and students together with cooking classes. They plan to host the first event of this kind on Tuesday, February 16th, at 6:30 PM. More details will be provided as we get closer.
FROM THE GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT
What is MBIT? Is MBIT for me?
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January 6, 2016 – OPEN HOUSE for students and parents at Middle Bucks Institute of Technology – 7:00 - 9:00 PM. For more information, go to the MBIT website: www.mbit.org.
January 7, 2016 -- (snow date January 14) Curriculum Fairs at CB East and CB West – 6:30 PM – 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 ninth grade students and their parents plan to attend.
January 14, 2016 – Ninth Grade Visit to MBIT – Ninth grade students interested in seeing MBIT in action and learning more about the programs should sign up for the trip in the guidance office and obtain a permission slip. Students will travel by school bus to MBIT.
We will begin PROGRAM PLANNING for next year in January 2016. See important dates listed by grade on the guidance website in January.
From the Nurse's Office
General Information:
Because head injuries and concussions may impact your child’s ability to learn, please contact the school nurse and your child’s guidance counselor if your child is injured. Physician documentation to guide the transition back to school post head injury is necessary. Please contact school staff so we can review the CBSD concussion protocol with you and your child prior to him/her returning to school.
Parents should provide a physician note if students require crutches, wheelchairs, elevator keys, physical education excuses, or other accommodations while in school. Students should stop by the nurse’s office upon return to school. Please know that we want to support your child as he/she recuperates.
Your child is measured for height and weight yearly as mandated by the Pennsylvania School Health program. Height, weight, age, and gender were used to determine his/her Body Mass Index (BMI) and percentile. This screening process started in November and will continue into the Spring Semester. Each student is given a pass to come to the nurse and is screened privately. Your child’s height, weight and BMI results will be available on the Parent Portal. If you do not have access to a computer and would like a paper copy sent home, please call your school nurse with this request. In addition, during this visit your child will have their vision assessed. If your child does not pass the vision screening, a referral will be mailed home.
School Dentals:
Any seventh grade student who has not submitted the state required dental exam report has been offered a school dental exam on January 15, 2016. If you are interested in the school dental exam, please return the parent permission form that was mailed home to the school nurse.
Scoliosis Screening - Seventh Grade:
At the beginning of the second semester, scoliosis screening will be completed at Tohickon by a team of CBSD certified school nurses. Any parent who wishes their child be excused from the state required screening should provide a note or e-mail to the school nurse. If you decline the school screening and instead have the screening completed by your child’s physician, please send your physician’s screening results to the school nurse for inclusion in your child’s school health record.
To view the CB Cares Backpack Newsflash please click the link below:
Tohickon Middle School
Email: kmarton@cbsd.org
Website: cbsd.org
Location: 5051 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA
Phone: 267-893-3300