From the Castle
Family Newsletter for Thomas Dale High School-January 2020
Greetings from the Castle!
THIS IS THE BEST YEAR EVER!!!
Ringing in a new DECADE! As 2019 comes to a close, so too does the second decade of the millennium. We are fortunate to live, work, and learn in the best high school in the Commonwealth...nestled in the greatest community a school could ever hope for.Please enjoy THIS SHORT VIDEO from me.
In this issue, I will provide information about our Registration Day for students on January 6 including courses they have access to and how they will begin making their selections for their courses next year. I encourage you to open up the documents and engage in dialogue about our course offerings; your child's strenghts, interests, and "genius;" and what courses would best suit her/him moving forward. Additionally, mark your calendars with all our upcoming events at the end of this issue, connect with our calendars, and follow us on social media!!!
I believe in you, your children, and our staff. We are working as hard AND smart as we can to deliver on the promise of Every Knight, Every Day! Let's DO this!!!
#EveryKnightEveryDay
Don't forget to follow us on Twitter: @GoTDKnights, Facebook: Thomas Dale, Instagram: @GoTDKnights, and Snapchat: @GoTDKnights. Our website is updated regularly for more information: https://sites.google.com/a/ccpsnet.net/tdhs/.
Announcements
- Send some love to a Teacher or Staff Member! It is a great feeling to receive some love from our families and community! Take some time to send someone at Thomas Dale some love. It is quick and easy, simply click HERE and go!
- Thomas Dale is proud to be a high-quality public educational setting and center of the Chester community. Because of the nature of our service and purpose, there are a few reminders about what is not permitted on school grounds at any time: weapons, drugs, alcohol, and tobacco products of any kind (including vapor).
Connect with Your Child
The day is designed to allow students to explore our electives and receive direct feedback in a coaching and counseling manner from each of their teachers. To be clear, this is not a gatekeeper step in the process; it is an opportunity for teachers to have a coaching and counseling session with students regarding their courses next year.
I've included documents for you and your child to use for dialogue about their interests, passions, dreams, goals, and what we call "genius." You can talk through courses for next year and beyond; college, career, or contribution goals; and make decisions about stretching their academic endeavors. On January 6, they will begin making their decisions, and I encourage you to be part of those decisions. Winter break would be a great time to sit down with your child and engage in this conversation!
- Current 9th Grade Students Course Offerings Sheet
- Current 10th Grade Students Course Offerings Sheet
- Current 11th Grade Students Course Offerings Sheet
Additionally, you can see how we've taken the 16 Career Clusters and aligned our instructional program to build pathways for students. What I love most is that it is only one elective per year, there is no diploma seal, and no money for the program, so students have "on ramps and off ramps" as they grow, develop, and change their minds about their pathway selection.
Click HERE to access our pathways.
Finally, to help you have a better idea of what January 6 will look like for you child, I'm including THE BELL SCHEDULE for that day.
Drop-Off Procedures during Arrival
MAIN Campus Drop-Off:
- All parents and families MUST enter the school from W. Hundred Rd (Route 10).
- Follow the traffic pattern to the RIGHT of the school all the way around to the rear of the school and drop off at Door 14.
- Parents/Families and drivers for drop-off SHOULD NOT enter from Old Centralia into the student parking lot.
- Parents/Families and drivers for drop-off SHOULD NOT drop off children in any other location than Door 14. Please do not stop at/before Door 1 or pull into a parking spot for drop off.
WEST Campus Drop-Off:
- All parents and families MUST enter the school from W. Hundred Rd (Route 10) at the entrance closest to Old Centralia. This will allow you to drop your children for entrance at Door 9.
- Follow the traffic pattern that starts at Door 9 and curve around, careful not to block any flow of traffic.
- When exiting Thomas Dale, DO NOT TURN LEFT onto W. Hundred Rd (Route 10).
Thank you for your attention to this matter!
Pick-Up Procedures during Dismissal
MAIN Campus Pick-Up:
- All parents and families MUST enter the school from W. Hundred Rd (Route 10).
- Follow the traffic pattern to the RIGHT of the school all the way around and find an open space for parking.
- Parents/Families and drivers for drop-off SHOULD NOT enter from Old Centralia into the student parking lot.
- Parents/Families and drivers for drop-off SHOULD NOT block or hinder any buses from picking up students and exiting Thomas Dale. Buses ALWAYS have priority and the right-of-way.
WEST Campus Pick-Up:
- All parents and families MUST enter the school from W. Hundred Rd (Route 10) at the entrance closest to Old Centralia.
- Follow the traffic pattern that starts at Door 9 at curve around, careful not to block any flow of traffic. Your children will be released from Door 9
- When exiting Thomas Dale, exercise caution and yield to buses. Buses ALWAYS have priority and the right-of-way.
Thank you for your attention to this matter!
Early Dismissal Pick-Up
Please make arrangements and plan accordingly. No dismissals after 2:45pm will be allowed.
Deliveries for Students
A few notes:
- Thomas Dale is not responsible for anything you deliver for your child to pick up.
- Thomas Dale is not responsible for communicating with your child that you have left something for her/him.
- Flowers and balloons are not permitted for delivery.
- Outside agencies, such as Door Dash, Uber Eats, and Grub Hub (or any food delivery service), are not permitted for use AT ALL at Thomas Dale.
As a point of emphasis, Door Dash, Uber Eats, and Grub Hub (or any other food delivery services) are NOT PERMITTED for use at Thomas Dale High School.
Your attention to this matter and these procedures are greatly appreciated!
Connect with the Principal
Morning Coffees are held at 7am at the West Campus (use Door 9). Sunset Snacks are held at 7pm at the Main Campus (use Door 1).
I'd love to connect with you and learn about what's on your mind and in your heart!
Upcoming Events
December 23-January 3 - Winter Break
January 6, 2020 - Welcome Back!
January 6 - Registration Day (BELL SCHEDULE)
January 8 - Coffee with the Principal (7am, WEST Door 9)
January 8 - Sunset Snacks with the Principal (7pm, MAIN Door 1)
January 9 - Chromebook Check #2
January 9 - CCPS 101 Citizen's Academy (6pm, Beulah Elementary School)
January 14 - PTSA Meeting (6pm, Main Library)
January 20 - No School (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day)
January 21 - One-on-One Meetings for Students with Counselors Begins
January 22 - Genius Hour and One Lunch at Main
January 24 - Genius Hour at West
January 29 - TDHS School Clean-Up Day (Community Service)
January 31 - End of 2nd Grading Period and 1st Semester
January 31 - Early Release for Students (12pm Dismissal)
February 10-14 - Love Dale Spirit Week!
February 11 - PTSA Meeting (6pm, Main Library)
February 12 - Coffee with the Principal (7am, WEST Door 9)
February 12 - Sunset Snacks with the Principal (7pm, MAIN Door 1)
February 14 - Report Cards Issued
February 14 - Early Release for Students (12pm Dismissal)
Stay In-the-Know! Click below for previous issues of From the Castle.
Thomas Dale High School
Email: christopherm_jones@ccpsnet.net
Website: https://sites.google.com/a/ccpsnet.net/tdhs/
Location: 3626 W. Hundred Rd. Chester, VA 23831
Phone: (804) 768-6245
Facebook: facebook.com/gotdknights
Twitter: @GoTDKnights