Tomahawk Talk

AM Drop-Off: 8:15 AM - 8:40 AM (please do not arrive earlier than 8:00 AM)

PM Pick-Up: 3:15 PM - 3:40 PM (please do not arrive earlier than 3:00 PM)

Monday, October 13th

• End of 1st 9 Weeks
• 7:30 AM - 8:15 AM: Advanced Strings in the Music Room
• Tree Planting with The Cacapon Institute (3rd & 4th Graders)
• 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM: The Palette in the Art Room (selected 5th graders)
• 3:45 PM - 4:30 PM: Girls Who Run
• 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: CEFP Community Meeting @ HHS

Tuesday, October 14th

• Fall Picture Day
• ***Any outstanding assignments/missing work DUE!
• 7:30 AM - 8:15 AM: Beginner Strings in the Music Room
• 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM: Choir in the Music Room (selected 4th & 5th graders)
• PTO Meeting @ 5:30 PM

Wednesday, October 15th

• No School for Students: Professional Learning Day for Staff

Thursday, October 16th

• Smencil Sales During Lunches
• 7:30 AM - 8:15 AM: Beginner Violin/Viola in the Music Room
• 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM: Student Leadership with Mrs. Otto
• 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM: Percussion Ensemble in the Music Room (selected 4th & 5th graders)
• 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM: Robotics with Mrs. Ansari

Friday, October 17th

• 2:30 PM: 1st 9 Weeks Awards Rally 🎉
• Parent/Teacher Conference Requests DUE

Monday, October 20th

• Report Cards Issued
• 7:30 AM - 8:15 AM: Advanced Strings in the Music Room
• 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM: Good News Club in the Library
• 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM: The Palette in the Art Room
• 3:45 PM - 4:30 PM: Girls Who Run

Tuesday, October 21st

• 7:30 AM - 8:15 AM: Beginner Strings in the Music Room
• 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM: Choir in the Music Room (selected 4th & 5th graders)

Wednesday, October 22nd

• Smencil Sales During Lunches
• 7:30 AM - 8:15 AM: Advanced Strings in the Music Room
• 3:45 PM - 4:30 PM: Girls Who Run

Thursday, October 23rd

• Smencil Sales During Lunches
• 7:30 AM - 8:15 AM: Beginner Violin/Viola in the Music Room
• Parent/Teacher Conferences from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
• Kona Ice Truck: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Friday, October 24th

• Trick or Treat Night @ 6:00 PM
• Outdoor Movie Night Following Trick or Treat!

Monday, October 27th

• Red Ribbon Week: Superhero Day!
• 7:30 AM - 8:15 AM: Advanced Strings in the Music Room
• 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM: Good News Club in the Library
• 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM: The Palette in the Art Room
• 3:45 PM - 4:30 PM: Girls Who Run

Tuesday, October 28th

• Red Ribbon Week: Crazy Hair/Hat Day!
• 7:30 AM - 8:15 AM: Beginner Strings in the Music Room
• 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM: Choir in the Music Room (selected 4th & 5th graders)

Wednesday, October 29th

• Red Ribbon Week: Pajama Day!
• Smencil Sales During Lunches
• 7:30 AM - 8:15 AM: Advanced Strings in the Music Room
• 3:45 PM - 4:30 PM: Girls Who Run

Thursday, October 30th

• Red Ribbon Week: Jersey Day!
• Smencil Sales During Lunches
• 7:30 AM - 8:15 AM: Beginner Violin/Viola in the Music Room
• 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM: Student Leadership with Mrs. Otto
• 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM: Percussion Ensemble in the Music Room
• 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM: Robotics with Mrs. Ansari

Friday, October 31st

• Red Ribbon Week: Costume Day: No masks, weapons, or gore!

Please join us in wishing Mr. Robison, our Assistant Principal, well while he is out on family leave from Monday, October 6 through Wednesday, October 22, 2025. During this time, your points of contact will be Dr. Ematrudo (Principal) or Mrs. Ponton (Student Assistance Facilitator). If you need assistance, please contact the main office, and we’ll direct your message to the appropriate person. Mr. Robison will return on Thursday, October 23.

Thank you for your support and understanding!

Each year, students and parents must agree to the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) to continue using school-issued devices and the BCS network. We are trying to streamline the process and are pulling the AUP off of the Annual Emergency Information Update (AEIU).

Mrs. Rihn, our Technology Systems Specialist, has begun filtering the data from the AEIU. Students who do not have an updated AEIU, which contains the AUP, on file will have their device locked by the end of October. If you have not done so already, please take a few moments to fill out the AEIU - HERE!

When students are absent, they are required to complete any missed assignments or assessments. Per Berkeley County Schools policy, students have one day to make up missed work for each day they are absent (example: if a student is absent for 3 days, all missing work must be completed within 3 days of their return to school). If assignments are not completed within that timeframe, the missing grades will be recorded as a zero.

At Tomahawk, our goal is to prepare students for middle school by building independence and responsibility. Please remind your child to stay on top of their classwork and turn in any missing assignments promptly. With 25–28 students in each classroom, our teachers provide reminders and support to the fullest extent possible, but students must also take ownership of their learning.

All missing work is due by the end of the day on Tuesday.

Thank you for your continued support in helping your child stay successful and accountable.

If your child is interested in the Good News Club, after-school meetings will begin on Monday, October 20th. Please print off the registration form below and return to school by Friday, Oct. 17th. Students will need to be picked up at 5:00 PM each week.

Questions? Please reach out to RandyBradley@cefwv.org

Student Leadership is currently collecting donations of Halloween candy to support this event! Please send in bagged candy (individually wrapped). If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Otto!

Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s):

On March 5, 2018, the West Virginia Legislature passed House Bill 4402 which requires that children in grades K-12 receive age-appropriate body safety education. The goal of body safety education is to educate and empower West Virginia public school children. In accordance with

W. Va. Code §18-2-41, your child will be provided body safety education during their Guidance lesson this month.

It is recognized that the basic responsibility for the teaching of body safety education belongs in the home with the support of the school and other community agencies to strengthen the efforts of the parent(s)/guardian(s).

You are encouraged to review all instructional materials (Shaky Bee Worksheet, Bee Hive Worksheet & Bee Catcher Activity plus Body Safety Education Video) and continue to be involved in the discussions which promote body safety education.

In partnership,

Tomahawk Intermediate School

The policy says there are two types of absences: “excused” and “unexcused.” Excused absences include:

• Failure of bus to run
• Judicial obligations
• Military obligations
• Death in the family
• Medical/dental appointments (with a doctor's note)
• Chronic medical condition (school meeting required)
• Personal illness/injury of student or family member (Limit 10 per school year)

Big Change

In the past, families have used Educational Leave ("Leave of Educational Value") for things like trips or 4-H activities. That is no longer allowed under the new law.

Chronic Absenteeism

If your child misses 10% or more of the school year, they are considered “chronically absent.” In a regular school year of 180 days, that would mean missing 18 or more days. When a student misses this many days, the school will reach out to see how we can help.

What Happens If Your Student Has Too Many Unexcused Absences?

If your child has too many unexcused absences, the school may take further steps, such as a home visit or other actions. But we want to work together with you to fix attendance problems before it gets to that point. Remember, "strive to miss less than five" days of school!

Minors:

*Classroom-managed behaviors. Teachers will provide verbal warnings, redirect students, remind them of expectations, re-teach behaviors, and inform parents of minor incidents. Consequences may include: loss of recess time, lunch detention, loss of privileges, referral to school counselor, etc. Repeated violations of minor behaviors will become major offenses (habitual violation of school rules).

Examples of minor behaviors:

• yelling out

• out of seat

• inattentive behavior

• interrupting instruction

• minor disrespect

• talking during instruction

• minor peer to peer conflict

• name calling (non-Title IX)

• inappropriate language

• invading personal space

• touching another student WITHOUT intent to harm

• rough play

• refusing to open a book, complete an assignment, work with another student, work in a group, take a test, or do any other class – or school-related activity not listed herein.

Majors:

*Administrator-managed behaviors. Possible consequences include: in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension, lunch detention, loss of privileges, referral to school counselor, etc.

Examples of major behaviors:

• Bullying/Harassment/Intimidation: A student will not bully/intimidate/harass another student. According to W. Va. Code §18-2C-2, “harassment, intimidation or bullying” means any intentional gesture, or any intentional electronic, written, verbal or physical act, communication, transmission or threat that:

• A reasonable person under the circumstances should know will have the effect of harming a student, damaging a student’s property, placing a student in reasonable fear of harm to his or her person, and/or placing a student in reasonable fear of damage to his or her property;

• Is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that it creates an intimidating, threatening or emotionally abusive educational environment for a student; or

• Disrupts or interferes with the orderly operation of the school.

• Disrespectful Conduct Toward Peers or Staff: done with intent to harm and/or repetitive. Note: repetitive behavior may be defined as bullying. Major disrespect includes: screaming, throwing items (chair, desk, sharp object, etc. with intent to hit peer or staff), or profane language indecent act/gesture.

•False Fire Alarm: setting-off the fire alarm knowingly and willingly without cause.

• Habitual Violation of School Rules: evidence of previous interventions; minimum of 2 prior parent conferences (phone or in-person). Student’s behavior is consistently impeding on the learning of others.

• Physical Fight with Intent: Engaging in a physical altercation using blows with intent to harm or overpower another person or persons.

• Possession/Use of Weapon: As defined in WV Code §61-7-2, a “dangerous weapon” means any device intended to cause injury or bodily harm, any device used in a threatening manner that could cause injury or bodily harm, or any device that is primarily used for self-protection. Dangerous weapons include, but are not limited to, blackjack, gravity knife, knife, knifelike implement, switchblade knife, nunchaku, metallic or false knuckles, pistol, or revolver. A dangerous weapon may also include the use of a legitimate tool, instrument, or equipment as a weapon including, but not limited to, pens, pencils, compasses, or combs, with the intent to harm another.

• Sexual Misconduct: Exposing oneself publicly and indecently, displaying or transmitting any drawing or photograph of a sexual nature, or committing an indecent act of a sexual nature on school property, or on a school bus, or at a school sponsored event.

• Technology Misuse: Violating WV Code 126CSR41, WVDE Policy 2460, Educational Purpose and Acceptable Use of Electronic Resources, Technologies and the Internet.

• Threat to a Student or Staff Member: Severely disruptive, imminently dangerous, illegal, and/or aggressive behaviors are willfully committed and are known to be illegal and/or harmful to people and/or property. The inappropriate behaviors include, but are not limited to: verbal, written, electronic and/or illustrative communications intended to offend and/or humiliate.

• Use/Possession of Tobacco Product: usage or possession of tobacco products on school property (cigarettes, vapes, jewels, chewing tobacco, etc.).

• Vandalism: • done with intent and/or cannot be easily cleaned or repaired.

If you need to contact us, please call the office at 304. 754.3171 or email the following personnel:

- Dr. Ematrudo, Principal: kematrudo@k12.wv.us

- Mr. Robison, Assistant Principal: matthew.robison@k12.wv.us

- Mrs. Pulse, School Nurse: brandy.pulse@k12.wv.us

- Mrs. Kline, Finance: ekline@k12.wv.us

- Mrs. Boyd, School Counselor: megan.boyd@k12.wv.us

- Ms. Thomas, School Counselor: katlyn.thomas@k12.wv.us

- Mrs. Walling, Registrar: twalling@k12.wv.us