Tomahawk Talk

Dear Tomahawk Families,

As we continue navigating the winter season, I want to share several important reminders and updates for the week ahead.

• Remote Learning: If additional inclement weather days occur, they will be implemented as remote learning days, and student attendance will count. The remote learning schedule is included in this newsletter, and students already have their Microsoft Teams links available on their devices to access instruction. Please ensure devices are charged and ready should we need to transition to remote learning. For remote learning days, attendance will be taken during each live session. Students will have two days to complete any missed assignments. A student will be marked present if they attend at least one live session or complete their work that day. A student will be marked absent if there is no participation or completed work.

• 2-Hour Delay: We have a scheduled 2-hour delay on Wednesday, February 25. School doors will open at 10:15 AM, and instruction will begin shortly after students arrive.

• Our Snow Ball will take place Thursday evening. Admission is $5.00 (pay at the door). Pizza will be available for paying students only. All RSVPs are due no later than 4:00 PM on Monday, 2/23. More information will be sent home with students who have RSVPd by Wednesday. We look forward to providing a fun, safe, and memorable evening for our students.

• Student Communication: Lastly, I want to make families aware of an uptick in unkind behavior occurring outside of school hours through cell phone communication and social media. While these interactions may occur off school property, when they carry over into the school day or impact the learning environment, they may result in school consequences. We ask for your partnership in reminding students to practice kindness and responsible digital communication.

Thank you for your continued partnership and for supporting a safe, respectful, and caring school community.

With appreciation,

Dr. Ematrudo

Monday, February 23rd

• 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: Spring Robotics Club with Mrs. Ansari
• 4:00 PM: Snow Ball RSVPs DUE

Tuesday, February 24th

• 7:30 AM - 8:15 AM: Beginner Strings in the Music Room
• 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM: Choir Ensemble in the Music Room

Wednesday, February 25th

• 2-Hour Delay for Students: Doors open at 10:15 AM

Thursday, February 26th

• 7:30 AM - 8:15 AM: Beginner Violin/Viola in the Music Room
• 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM: Student Leadership with Mrs. Otto
• 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM: Battle of the Books
• 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM: Snow Ball (RSVPs required)

Tomahawk Intermediate will consider parent requests for classroom teachers for the 2026-2027 school year. Please keep in mind not all parent requests are able to be met for several reasons.

Those reasons are:

• The number of requests for each specific teacher
• Required special education services
• State mandated class sizes
• The date and time the written request was made

If you would like to request a classroom teacher for your student, please click the link below. The deadline to submit a request will be: March 6, 2026. Due to class scheduling deadlines, requests made after this date will not be considered.

2026 - 2027 Classroom Teacher Requests – Fill out form

Any questions related to student placement should be directed to Dr. Ematrudo at kematrudo@k12.wv.us. Requests made over the phone will NOT be considered.

• $5.00 per student
• Winter-themed stations
• DJ in the cafeteria
• Pizza and a drink

This event is only for students who attend Tomahawk. Parents must remain on site for the duration of the event, and RSVPs are required in advance. Payment will be collected at the event (cash or check payable to Tomahawk Intermediate School).

To assist students in practicing the strategies taught in the classroom while at home, we are excited to share a video library of resources. This library includes:

• Unit Overviews: A broad introduction to the key concepts covered in each unit.

• Lesson-Specific Instructional Videos: At least one video per lesson for every grade level, designed to reinforce classroom instruction and clarify key strategies.

We hope these resources will help build confidence and deepen understanding for students as they work through the curriculum.

Through TutorWV, every West Virginian gains no-cost access to personalized tutoring and drop-off review services, test prep and self-paced resources, and job search assistance. Click the link below from any device, and you’ll get connected to a live expert tutor and resources! Tutors are rigorously vetted subject-matter experts. They ask questions, they encourage, and they empower. They’re available every day from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. so that learners of all ages and stages can get help anytime, anywhere, from any internet-connected device.

In the event of inclement weather, and BCS schools are closed, or in the event that school is unable to open for any reason, we will follow the schedule listed below:

• Snow Days #1-5: Traditional Snow Days
• Snow Days # 6-10: Remote Learning Days

As of January 30, BCS has used all 5 traditional snow days. Any future inclement weather days will be Remote Learning Days following the schedule below.

The West Virginia Department of Education provides closing, delay and early dismissal notifications via email. If you wish to subscribe or manage your message settings through the WVDE system, please visit: https://wveis.k12.wv.us/closings/.

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. Ponton, Student Assistance Facilitator: mponton@k12.wv.us

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

- Mrs. Haines, POS Secretary: joyce.haines@k12.wv.us

- Mrs. Kercheval, Registrar: kimberly.kercheval@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