The Tohickon Golden Eagle
February 2016
The Third Marking Period Begins
Dear Tohickon Families,
It is hard to believe that the third marking period has begun. The month of February is a very busy one! We will be continuing the 2016-2017 Program Planning process, hosting the Second Annual Tohickon Dodgeball Tournament, administering the math mid-terms and proceeding with our Relay for Life Kick-Off Assemblies. Due to all of these events, the month of February always seems to go by very quickly.
The 8th Grade Program Planning Meeting took place on February 1st. During this assembly, 8th Grade Students learned about the electives that are available to them in Grade 9. During the second week in February, 8th Grade Students will travel to the computer labs to make their selections with the guidance counselors. All 8th Grade Scheduling Verification Sheets will be sent home with students on February 26th. Meanwhile, 7th Grade Scheduling Verification Sheets will be sent home on February 12th, with an expected return date of February 17th.
Tohickon’s Second Annual Dodgeball Tournament will take place on Friday, February 12th between 6:30 and 9:30 PM. Last year, this tournament proved to be a huge success, with a very large turnout of students, teachers and parents. The proceeds from this event will benefit the Tohickon Musical and the Student Council.
The Math Mid-Term will be administered in most of our math classes on February 10th. Students should prepare by eating well and getting a good night’s sleep. The Math Mid-Term will assess students’ understanding of the math concepts taught during the first half of the school year. Mr. Ellmaker is available in room 118 in the mornings, between 7 and 7:30 AM if extra help is needed. Tohickon also offers Peer Tutoring on Mondays, during the resource period, in room 128. Lastly, all of our math teachers are available in their classrooms during the resource period on a daily basis.
On February 9th, we will be having our Relay for Life Kick-Off Assembly for grades 8 and 9. Mr. Senavaitis, the program’s coordinator, and several cancer survivors, will speak to the students about what it means to participate in the program and how their contributions can make such a big difference in the fight against this terrible disease.
This is a busy, but very important month. There is a tremendous amount of coordination by our staff in order to make all of these things happen in a smooth, effective manner for our students. If you happen to have any questions about any of these events, please do not hesitate to contact the main office at 267-893-3300. I wish all of our Tohickon Families a great month!
Sincerely,
Mr. Kevin Marton, Principal
February Calendar of Events
There are several upcoming events that students and parents should be aware of in the month of February. They are as follows:
February 1st
8th Grade Program Planning Meeting for Students during the school day. The Program of Studies and electives for Grade 9 will be explained to all 8th Grade Students.
February 4th and 5th
No School for Students
February 8th and 9th
8th Grade Students will go to the computer labs to complete elective selections for the 2016-2017 School Year.
February 9
Relay for Life Kick-Off Assembly for Grades 8 and 9
February 10th
Math Mid-Terms
February 11th
Anime Club after school - Please contact Ms. Bongiorno for information and/or questions.
February 12th
Scheduling Verification Sheets for the 2016-2017 School Year are sent home with all 7th Grade Students.
Second Annual Tohickon Dodgeball Tournament 6:30-9:30 PM
February 15th
Presidents' Day - No School
February 17th
7th Grade Student Scheduling Verification Sheets for the 2016-2017 School Year must be returned to Tohickon.
February 18th
Parent Council Meeting at 9:00 AM in the Tohickon Library
February 23rd
Spring Sports Meetings during Resource
February 25th
Relay for Life Captains' Meeting in Library
February 26th
Scheduling Verification Sheets for the 2016-2017 School Year are sent home with all 8th Grade Students.
March 1st
Orientation for Sixth Grade Parents 7:00 PM
FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH
The Martin Luther King Jr. Peace and Social Justice Conference at CB South draws 400 Students from Central Bucks and Surrounding Districts
On Sunday, January 17, some members of Tohickon’s Diversity Club took part in the MLK Peace & Social Justice Conference at CB South. Over 400 students from Central Bucks, Centennial, and Bristol Township School Districts gathered together to honor Dr. Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy. They listened to inspirational speakers and took part in facilitated group discussion about diversity and justice.
Tohickon Gears Up for Its Second Annual Dodgeball Tournament
This year the Musical and Student Council will be hosting its Second Annual Dodgeball Tournament on Friday, February 12th, where sixty teams will come together to face-off in hopes of winning the coveted first place medal, determined to get their names onto our Dodgeball Plaque to be displayed for years to come. Tohickon teachers have again rose to the challenge and are planning to come with their “A” game, ready to jump in and compete against student teams. Although these matches will not impact the outcome of the tournament, they will allow for epic battles and bragging rights for the remainder of the year.
Parent Council Meeting Reminder
TEAM HAPPENINGS!
TEAM SUMMIT and TEAM DISCOVERY - GRADE 7
Over the course of the school year, the seventh grade PEN classes from each team have been collaborating on projects, books, and writing pieces. The Summit PEN class and the Discovery PEN class meet regularly in the library and the students get the chance to work with peers from both teams, which is a fun change of pace for the students. While reading the novel Tangerine in the fall, students worked in groups to create displays and write creatively about the characters, setting, plot, and theme of the book. Currently, both classes are reading The Giver and recently worked together to evaluate a writing piece related to the book.
Next month, the entire seventh grade will be holding its annual drive to benefit the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge. Please keep a look out for information about what items are needed and when to donate! Typically, items requested by the Hope Lodge include things like paper towels, toilet paper, and laundry detergent.
Absent? Leaving early for an appointment?? Snow day??? Your eighth grade teachers’ websites are a great way to check in and make sure you haven’t missed anything. Remember that teachers work hard to make sure their websites up updated regularly with useful information. Look for links to homework, online resources, and supplemental material. Some teachers even provide PDF printable pages of material from class. Team websites can also provide information about exciting events that are happening on the eighth grade floor. The list of website addresses can be found by visiting the Tohickon Middle School homepage and clicking on the ‘Teacher Website’ link at the top. We hope you find this information to be www.AWESOME!!
It’s hard to believe that we have already finished two marking periods and are heading into the second half of the school year. Here is a quick recap of some of things going on in ninth grade.
Ninth Grade Science – Students in ninth grade have been studying fossils as part of our unit on Evolution. The fossils help students learn how the living things on Earth have changed over time. Each student will study twenty-four real fossils that have been found around the world. The fossils date back from 1 million years ago to 500 million years ago. Students will study each fossil and make a note card for each fossil that includes information about the organism and a drawing. The cards will then be sorted by date. By the end of the activity, students will see how life on Earth has changed over time, and how scientists study these changes.
In social studies, we are studying the Roaring 20s, including its politics, its economics and its culture. The stock market, banks, music and speak easies all come into play.
In English, a number of students are beginning their study of Inherit the Wind which is based on the Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925. The story focuses on the court case of a science teacher who is arrested for teaching Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. This is a nice tie-in to current units in both social studies (1920s) and science (Evolution), and students have commented on how much they like the cross-curricular connection.
Some classes had the opportunity to visit the Art Mobile to view its Book Art exhibit. After learning about hexaflexagons, zines, accordion books, restructured books and books in jars, students designed their own book art. Utilizing their knowledge of perspective in To Kill a Mockingbird students created and shared their original masterpieces.
Ninth graders are in the midst of the course selection process for next year. Be sure to talk to your son or daughter about his or her choices for next year.
Super Bowl Lunch!!!
There will be a "Super Bowl Lunch" in the cafeteria on February 3rd. Students will have an opportunity to build their own hoagie. They will have a choice of the following:
- Buffalo Chicken Cheesesteak
- Italian Hoagie
- Ham and Cheese Hoagie
- Turkey and Cheese Hoagie
- Tomato Soup
Parent Positive Series - Lenape Middle School - Thursday, February 18th - 7:00 PM
Growing Healthy Together - Tips to Live Healthier as a Family
Feeling overscheduled? With so many activities, it can be difficult for families to make a commitment to their health.
Join Jason Komasz, MD, pediatrician and lead pediatric hospitalist of Doylestown Health’s Della Penna Pediatric Center, to learn small steps your family can take every day to live healthier. The discussion will focus on getting a good night’s sleep, healthy eating and balancing activities with family time. Leave with practical advice on developing a healthy family routine.
Appropriate for parents of elementary, middle, and high school-aged children. Babysitting for children in Kindergarten through 6th grade available. Pre-registration required for babysitting.
Registration is encouraged. For more information or to register, visit DoylestownHealth.org/ParentPositive or call 215-345-2121.
The Parent Positive Speaker Series is a collaboration among the Central Bucks Family YMCA, Doylestown Health, CB Cares Educational Foundation and the Central Bucks School District.
My Payments Plus is coming to Central Bucks' Middle Schools
CB Middle Schools will be using My Payments Plus for parents to use to pay for field trips, PE uniforms, student activities and other fees. You will receive an email blast to inform you that a field trip has been set up for your student and you can log onto My Payments Plus and make a payment. If you have a student at West you may already be familiar with the program. In the next few weeks an email blast will be sent out to parents with the instructions on how to sign up.
Share Good News About Tohickon Students!
Community Service Update
Thank you to everyone who has participated in the winter clothing drive. So far, multiple shopping carts full of winter clothing have been collected for donation to local shelters. If you have not yet donated and would like to, the clothing drive will run through February. Collection boxes are located on the first floor near the library. Thank you to Mrs. Welch and her students for creating the Tohickon television ad promoting our drive.
Finally, students have begun preparing soup for donation to a local pantry. Students can sign for remaining dates outside of Mrs. Furfari’s FCS room. The remaining dates are 2/10 and 2/24. Cooking begins immediately after school.
Message from the Athletic Department
Congratulations to the girls’ basketball teams who finished their seasons this month. The eighth grade girls’ team earned a spot in the semifinals of the league tournament and fought hard despite falling short of the championship game. Great job to all of the girls and coaches on a strong season. The wrestling team will wrap up its season with the league tournament on Saturday, February 6th, at Neshaminy High School. Best of luck guys!
The cheerleading team has started its competition season this month. In January, the girls took first place at the CB West Invitational and the CB East Invitational! They look forward to competing in the district championships on February 12th at Tamanend.
With March approaching, spring sports are just around the corner. There will be informational meetings for students interested in participating in spring sports on Tuesday, February 23rd, during the Resource period. The meetings will be held in the following locations:
- Track - Cafeteria
- Baseball - Main Gym
- Softball - Main Gym
- Spring Soccer (Girls’ Rules) - Auditorium
If students wish to participate in a spring sport and they have not yet played a sport at Tohickon, they must complete and turn-in section 6 of the physical form. If they have already played a sport for Tohickon, they must complete and turn-in section 7 of the PIAA physical form - Recertification by Parent/Guardian. All interested participants must register for a spring sport on Family ID. Registration for spring sports will open in
mid-February.
High school concussion testing will be held this month as well. All freshmen participating at either East or West must take the Impact test once this school year. CB East will hold their seminar and testing on 2/18, while CB West will hold their session on 2/24. Both schools' sessions will occur immediately after school. Participating freshmen should ride the shuttles that day.
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
Several fun things are planned for the month of February, including Aramark’s Super Bowl preparation day, on Wednesday, February 3rd. The Cafeteria will be serving typical tailgating food, including a build-your-own hoagie or buffalo chicken sandwich with (tomato) soup of course!
On or around February 16th, the Wellness Committee will be providing the students with the benefits of dark chocolate, which include fiber, nutrients and antioxidants. Dark chocolate may also help blood flow and lower blood pressure, while it helps your skin and improves brain functions!
On February 17th, Mr. Neely and Mrs. Furfari are going to host a Parent-Student cooking night. This class will fill quickly and will be done so on a ‘first come, first reserved’ basis. There is no cost for this class, as it is the first of its kind here at Tohickon. The plan is to get parents and children to spend quality time together, while learning how to prepare a tasteful and cost-effective meal. To register, please contact Mr. Neely at jneely@cbsd.org.
Finally, we want to encourage you to view the schedule for CBSD’s Parent Positive Series, at http://www.cbsd.org/Page/30725. Local speakers are scheduled to discuss important current issues with the community. All feedback from parents who have attended these meetings have been excellent!
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.
Scoliosis Screening - Seventh Grade:
Scoliosis screening will take place on Wednesday, February 3rd. The 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