The Tohickon Golden Eagle
August/September 2015
Greetings From Mr. Marton, Tohickon Principal
Dear Tohickon Families,
I hope that you are having a refreshing and enjoyable summer! This is a time to relax, enjoying family and friends. We have been very busy at Tohickon preparing for the 2015-2016 School Year. The office staff and I have been working diligently, preparing schedules, hiring new staff members and getting ready for the opening day of school on August 31st. We, of course, cannot forget our custodial staff. They have also been working very hard to prepare the classrooms and hallways for the first day of school.
The month of August has arrived and there are some key dates that you should be aware of as we move closer to the first day of school. They are as follows:
August
8/20 - Schedule Pick-Up
8/24 - Parent Portal Opens (Schedules will be available to view)
8/31 - First Day of School for ALL Students
September
9/3 - Fall Sports Sign-Ups during Resource 2PM
9/7 - Labor Day - No School
9/9 - Grade 7 Back-to-School Night 7PM
9/10 - Grade 8 Back-to-School Night 7PM
9/14 - Rosh Hashanah - No School
9/16 - Grade 9 Back-to-School Night 7PM
9/23 - Yom Kippur - No School
9/24 - Picture Day for All Grades
Mr. Dudley and I are greatly looking forward to the 2015-2016 School Year! We are anxious to welcome back our returning students and to meet our incoming seventh grade students. The anticipation of a new school year is always very exciting. In closing, I wish you the best as we move through the second half of the summer. As always, please feel free to stop by the office at any time. We look forward to working with you and your child this year.
Mr. Kevin Marton
Principal
Tohickon Middle School
Tohickon Welcomes New Staff Members
We are thrilled to announce the following new Tohickon Staff Members this year:
English (Grade 7) - Mr. Kenneth Bui
English (Grade 7) - Mrs. Amy Good
Math (Grade 9) - Mrs. Melissa Campbell
French (Grade 8) - Ms. Brandy Cooley
Special Education Teacher (Grade 8) - Ms. Michelle Ball
Art Teacher (All Grades) - Ms. Alison Bongiorno
FCS Teacher (All Grades) - Ms. Kim Hein
Music (All Grades) - Mr. Harry Bower
Physical Education Teacher (All Grades) - Mr. Ray Riley
Please join us giving our new teachers a warm welcome!
Schedule Pick-up - Thursday, August 20th
Important Tips for New Seventh Grade Students and Parents
Communication
We pride ourselves on communication at Tohickon! There are a number of ways we communicate with our parents. They are as follows:
- Monthly Newsletter - The newsletter typically comes out via email on the first of each month, running from August through June. The newsletter is designed to be informational and substantive. There is always a chronology of upcoming events listed. All present and past Tohickon newsletters can be found on the Tohickon website.
- School Website - The Tohickon website is a great place to find important information. The most recent newsletter and daily announcement links are always located on the front page. All information pertinent to parents and students can be found in the "Parent/Student" section of the website . This information can be accessed by clicking the "Parent/Student" tab at the top of the page.
- E-Mail Blasts - Email blasts at Tohickon are used when an important message needs to be sent to parents quickly. PLEASE do not delete these messages, as they are most likely very important.
- Parent Council Meetings (see schedule below) - These are great opportunities to hear what's going on and to provide feedback to Mr. Marton and Mr. Dudley. The Tohickon Administration values your opinion and wants to hear your thoughts on given topics.
- Teacher Websites - All teachers are expected to maintain an updated school website. These sites are useful for finding out what is going on in class, tracking assignments, etc.
- Parent Portal - All grading and assignment information can be accessed using the Parent Portal. If you are having any trouble accessing your child's information, please contact the guidance department at 267-893-3310.
Arrival/Dismissal
Students will begin arriving at Tohickon around 7:10 AM. The buses arrive on the South Side of the building, where the bus lanes are. Students will enter through the doors on that side. When students arrive, there will be teachers to help guide them to the right location. All seventh grade students proceed straight down the hallway to the Tohickon Auditorium, when they arrive.
Students generally dismiss at 2:30 PM. However, for the first week, we allow the seventh grade students to depart at 2:25 PM. This gives them a five minute head start to find their bus and seat.
Lockers, Lockers, Lockers...It's All About Lockers
We know how important lockers are to new students. During the first day, we have several teachers and older students available to help students with their lockers. The orientation on August 20th is a great time to find out your locker number and practice your combination. The key is not to worry...we will always be there to help you!
What Do I Need to Know About Lunch?
During the first week of each marking period, 7th and 8th grade students can choose who they'd like to sit with (9th grade students can change seats daily). Once they have chosen their seat, they are expected to remain in that seat for the duration of the marking period.
The times for lunches are as follows:
- 7th Grade - 11:30 AM - 12 Noon
- 8th Grade - 10:31 AM - 11:01 AM
- 9th Grade - 12:29 PM - 12:59 PM
If a student forgets their lunch, a parent may drop off a lunch in the main office. There is a designated table with grade levels listed. The lunch will be brought down to the cafeteria and given to your son/daughter during their lunch period.
Attendance
Students are expected to be in school daily, unless they have an excused absence (i.e. illness). If your child will not be able to attend school, parents need to call the school attendance line at 267-893-3305 or email tohickonattendance@cbsd.org. Students must be in school before 10:30 AM in order to get credit for the day. If a students needs to leave before 2:30 PM, they should bring a note to the front office in the morning. Once a note is provided, they will be given a yellow pass, which allows them to leave their class at the designated time.
How Can I Reach My Child During the School Day?
If you need to get a message to your child, please contact the front office at 267-893-3300. Students are not permitted to use their cell phones during the school day. If your child calls or texts you, please instruct them to go to the Nurse's or Guidance Office, depending on their concern.
These tips for new students can also be found on the school website. There you can find more detailed information on each of these topics.
Tohickon Back-to-School Nights 2015
Seventh Grade Parents will meet in the auditorium at 7:00 PM for a brief 10-15 minute introductory presentation from Mr. Marton and Mr. Dudley. Following the presentation, parents will attend their child's classes.
Eighth Grade, Thursday, September 10 from 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Eighth Grade Parents will proceed directly to their child's classes at 7:00 PM.
Ninth Grade, Wednesday, September 16 from 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Ninth Grade Parents will proceed directly to their child's classes at 7:00 PM.
Update: Law Regarding Volunteers and Clearances
The following is important information for any parent/guardian that would like to chaperone or volunteer at Tohickon Middle School.
- If you were approved as a volunteer before July 1, 2015, and don’t have clearances (because you previously were not required to obtain clearances) or your clearances are older than 36 months you have until July 1, 2016 now.
- Beginning July 1, 2015, all volunteers will be required to obtain clearances every 5 years.
- New as of July 25, 2015
- The PSP criminal history clearance costs $0
- The Child Abuse clearance costs $0
- The FBI federal criminal history clearance costs $27.00 through PDE
- If a volunteer is arrested for or convicted of an offense that would constitute grounds for denying participation in a program, activity or service, or is named as a perpetrator in a founded or indicated report, the volunteer must provide the administrator or their designee with written notice not later than 72 hours after the arrest, conviction or notification that the person has been listed as a perpetrator in the statewide database. A volunteer who willfully fails to disclose information as required above commits a misdemeanor of the third degree and shall be subject to discipline up to and including termination or denial of a volunteer position.
Parent Council Meeting Dates for 2015-2016
September 17, 2015
October 15, 2015
November 19, 2015
January 21, 2016
February 18, 2016
March 17, 2016
April 21, 2016
All meetings are held in the Tohickon Library. The meetings begin promptly at 9:00 AM and usually conclude between 10:00 and 10:30 AM. There is no meeting in December or June and the May meeting is traditionally reserved for the Teacher Appreciation Luncheon.
Tohickon Vegetable Garden Update
This year we plan to improve our communication from the Wellness Committee to you. Check out the updates on the webpage, to find out more about how the Wellness Committee is remaining an active part of Tohickon’s daily routines.
Over the summer, our community volunteers have been hard at work in the garden. They have been able to provide lots of beans, beets, carrots and potatoes to the local food pantry for those in need. We’ll keep you posted on what new plants will be growing. After the school year begins, many of these products will be available for sale, with all proceeds going back into the garden.
If you or your child is interested in participating in the Gardening Club or the Wellness Committee next year, please contact Mr. Dudley or Mrs. Fox, the school nurse.
Guidance Department
Guidance Office: 267-893-3310
Mrs. Schute will be working with those students with last names from A-Hi.
Mr. Stryker will be working with those students with last names from Ho-R.
Mr. Striano will be working with those students with last names from S-Z.
How to Make Changes to Student Information
Please note the following procedures for submitting address changes and/or changes to mailing addresses, guardian(s) or other household information. This information is also available on the Central Bucks School District Website - www.cbsd.org.
Any changes to the current information we have on file (you can view the census information through the Parent Portal) should also be noted on the Census Verification form that your child will bring home the first week of school.
Change of Address
All student address changes within Central Bucks must be validated at the Central Registration office by appointment only. We can not make changes at the middle school.
Student Change of Address Procedures:
Download the Change of Student Address Within Central Bucks form or obtain the form from the school your student currently attends.
Call or email Central Registration for an appointment. Central Registration 267-893-2111. CentralRegistration@cbsd.org
Complete the form and bring it to your scheduled appointment along with the following REQUIRED documentation: Property Deed/Agreement of Sale (follow up with deed) OR Current Lease Agreement AND one of the following: current utility bill, current tax bill/receipt, current bank statement. Your student’s records will be updated to reflect the new address upon receipt of the required documentation.
Change in Household Membership
All student household membership additions, deletions or changes must be documented on the Household Membership Change form. This would include the following: Parent/Guardian changes, Sibling changes and Mailing changes.
Student Household Membership Change Procedures
Download the Household Membership Change form or obtain the form from the school your student currently attends. Complete the form and return to your student’s school or mail it to the address below:
Central Bucks School District
Educational Services Center
Central Registration
16 Welden Drive
Doylestown, PA 18901
If you have any questions, please call Central Registration (267-893-2111)
or email your questions to CentralRegistration@cbsd.org
9/11 Heroes Run
It's not too late to register for the 9/11 Heroes Run! The 5K and 1 mile race is set for September 27th this year at the Fonthill Museum with a great course through beautiful Doylestown Borough. Please join Central Bucks School District as they support this very worthy event. Registration is simple and easy, and students, families, and friends can register as a team and compete together. Each team can manage their runners and their team from their very own "page." Just visit their site for additional information.
Just by doing your routine shopping, you can help Tohickon in our efforts to raise money for special programs and various items to support our school and students. Tohickon has registered in fundraising programs sponsored by Giant Market, eScrip.com, Target and Amazon.com. We also collect Boxtops for Education, and recycle paper and clothing. Check out the details below. It’s easy to do, and a wonderful way to support our school! Thank you, in advance, for your participation in these programs!
GIANT A+ School Rewards Program
Tohickon Middle School has the opportunity to earn cash through Giant A+ School Rewards Program. All you have to do is: Log on to giantfoodstores.com/aplus to register online OR dial 1-888-448-4642 to register your card over the phone. After you register your card, each shopping trip at Giant using your BONUSCARD earns CASH for our school! Each month, the amount of CASH awarded will be updated on the Giant website. Attending to this simple process makes a HUGE difference to our school. We need your support. Please be sure to register your card to benefit Tohickon Middle School using ID #05868. Thanks to our Tohickon families, we raised $5,500 from this school rewards program last year.
Target
We’ve covered grocery shopping, how about something different? Just register your Target credit card or Target Visa card, and Tohickon will earn one percent of your purchases made at Target and one-half percent of Target Visa purchases made elsewhere. Go to www.target.com/tcoe and click on “Have a REDcard - find a school” and enter Tohickon - our ID # is 118247. Don’t have a Target credit card? You can apply online at the same site!
eScript.com
Just register online at www.escrip.com. Tohickon’s Group ID # is 150239570. You can split your donation among several different schools or organizations, so if you’re already registered with another group, consider adding Tohickon! While you’re logged onto the www.escrip.com site, you may want to consider registering your debit and/or credit card so that Tohickon will benefit from purchases made with those cards at retailers like Office Max, Eddie Bauer, Barnes and Noble, and Payless Shoes. Choose “my escrip” from the menu at the top of the screen, log in with your password, go to “Account Administration,” and select “Credit and Debit Cards.” Be sure to check out the complete list of participating merchants and contribution rates.
Amazon.com
An easy way to support Tohickon’s programs is just a few clicks away! If you purchase anything through Amazon.com, our school can earn up to 15%! To ensure Tohickon receives credit for purchases, you will have to access the link on the Tohickon website under "School Links" then click “Support Tohickon.” Once you’ve done that, shop as you normally would. It’s that easy!
Box Tops for Education
Tohickon continues to collect Box Tops for Education. Box Tops coupons are found on a large variety of products. Please clip the coupons from participating products and send them to the school. All coupons can be turned in to homeroom teachers. Talk to your family and friends and ask them to clip Box Tops coupons also. All money raised from this continuous collection will supplement club and activity programs, including volunteer activities. For more information on Box Tops for Education go to www.boxtops4education.com.
Paper Retriever/Project WRAP
Did you know that every person in the United States throws away about two pounds of paper per day? Did you also know that Tohickon Middle School earns money every month for recycling paper in the green and yellow paper retriever bin? What can you do to help? Tohickon Middle School wants your paper! Please help us by depositing your household paper in the paper retriever bin every week. If 200 families put their paper in the paper retriever bin each week, our school would collect more than 2,800 pounds or 1.4 tons of paper per week. Deposit your school paper, office paper, magazines, newspapers, catalogs, junk mail and envelopes in the paper retriever recycling bin every week. Our school and the environment thank you! As the weather changes and you find yourself cleaning out your summer clothes and preparing for winter, please remember that we have a clothing “drop-off” right next to our paper retriever bin. Both bins are located in the back of Tohickon. They not only provide you with one stop “drop-off,” they provide the building with some additional funds.
Tohickon Middle School
Email: kmarton@cbsd.org
Website: cbsd.org
Location: 5051 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA
Phone: 267-893-3300