Tomahawk Talk

Monday, May 19th

• Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Read Aloud: 4th Grade
• 4:00 PM: NSTEM Ceremony in Cafeteria
• 6:00 PM: PTO Meeting on Teams (will select officers for 25-26 SY)

Tuesday, May 20th

• 9:30 AM: Step-Up Day for 2nd Graders @ HES
• 9:30 AM: 5th Grade visit to HMS

Wednesday, May 21st

• Field Day
• 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM: 4th Grade
• 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: 3rd Grade

Thursday, May 22nd

• 9:00 AM: 3rd Grade Field Trip to Harper's Ferry
• Field Day
• 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM: 5th Grade

Friday, May 23rd

• 9:00 AM: 4th Grade Field Trip to Washington, D.C.

Monday, May 26th

• No School: Memorial Day

Tuesday, May 27th

• 4th 9 Weeks Reward Day
• 9:00 AM: HHS Graduation Walk

Wednesday, May 28th

• Report Cards Issued
• 5th Grade Graduation Ceremony
• 9:00 AM: Campbell, Mance & Parks
• 1:00 PM: Ansari, Church, Kurutza & Mayes

Thursday, May 29th

• Last Day of School! 😎

Dear BCS Families,

As we wrap up the school year, I am excited to share an important update that we believe will benefit student learning and help set the stage for a strong start this fall. This year, we are piloting an initiative that allows all students (except graduating seniors) to keep their district-issued devices (iPads and Chromebooks) over the summer.

This pilot is designed to help schools begin meaningful, targeted instruction sooner by allowing us to complete important instructional diagnostics early in the school year. In the past, the time required to redistribute thousands of devices delayed both early learning activities and the assessments that help teachers understand what students know and where they may need extra support. By keeping devices in students' hands, we can eliminate those delays and give teachers an earlier opportunity to tailor instruction to each learner’s needs.

This approach is also expected to reduce staffing costs and time typically incurred for summer device collection and redeployment.

I want to stress this is a pilot program, inspired by successful initiatives in districts across West Virginia and neighboring regions. Districts like Cabell, Kanawha, Monongalia, and Loudoun County, VA have implemented similar summer take-home approaches and report strong success. In fact, Kanawha County Schools has been sending devices home since 2015, and Cabell County since 2020. We are taking a thoughtful, measured approach and will closely monitor results this fall, both instructionally and operationally. If we do not see clear and meaningful benefits for our students and staff, we will discontinue the practice moving forward.

The opportunity for students to keep devices at home also enables our students to access our Summer Learning Toolkit, filled with optional, engaging enrichment activities for all grade levels. They’ll also stay connected to familiar platforms and digital tools, encouraging continued exploration and growth during the summer months.

As a reminder, students are responsible for the care and return of their devices, as outlined in the annual technology agreement signed at the beginning of the school year. This includes any loss or damage that may occur over the summer and the related replacement costs.

We understand that not all families may wish to participate. If you prefer that your child not take their device home, please contact your student’s school directly to opt out.

Our Berkeley County Schools team is hopeful this pilot will be successful and lead to even better outcomes for our students.

Yours in Education,
Dr. Ryan S. Saxe

• BCS internet filtering remains active year-round.

• Administrators are alerted if inappropriate material is accessed.

• All users are expected to continue following the BCS Acceptable Use Policy, which was signed at the beginning of the 24-25 school year and continues through the summer.

On Tuesday, May 20th, all 5th grade students will travel to Hedgesville Middle School for a brief tour and orientation. Students will board a BCS bus at 9:15 AM and depart Tomahawk, with an estimated return time of 10:15 AM. The students will meet HMS administration, learn about the school, and take a tour. Please speak to your child about making good choices on this trip as they are representing Tomahawk Intermediate.

On Tuesday, May 20th, all 2nd grade students from Hedgesville Elementary will travel to Tomahawk Intermediate for a brief tour and orientation. Students will board a BCS bus at 9:30 AM and depart HES, with an estimated return time of 10:30 AM. The students will meet TIS administration, learn about our school, and take a tour.

Classes will earn points each week based on three criteria: Good Attendance, Good Behavior, and iReady Performance. The classes with the highest total points at the end of 8 weeks will earn the rewards!

Report Cards and all remaining personal belongings will be sent home with students on Wednesday, May 28th. If your child is absent on the last day of school, report cards and personal items can be picked-up until Friday, June 6th. After June 6th, any items not picked up will be disposed of.

We’ve introduced SOAR Slips as a way to help students reflect on their lunch behavior when expectations aren’t met. If a student receives a SOAR Slip, duty staff will follow up with a ClassDojo message to inform you of the behavior and the reteach that will take place.

Our goal is to support students in making positive choices and to keep lunchtime safe and respectful for everyone. Thanks for your continued support!

There are changes to the BCS Volunteer/Chaperone Process. Those wanting to become a Level I (Unsupervised) or Level II (Supervised) Volunteer will need to complete the following steps.

1. Watch Meghan's Law video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jwb-Z9luNVU

2. Complete a quiz and attain a score of 80% or above related to the video and BCS procedures https://forms.office.com/r/r6rk3ktUsk

3. After completion, those requesting to be a volunteer will receive a customized message with next steps.

4. A follow-up email will be sent by the district to provide specific instructions for next depending on the level (Level I Volunteers the background check link & Level II Volunteers school approval list status).

Our Lost and Found rack is overflowing with items! If your child is missing a hoodie, lunchbox, water bottle, or other item, please have them check the Lost and Found, which is located directly outside of the cafeteria. Any clothing items remaining in the Lost and Found on May 23 will be donated to a local church or community organization.

As a reminder, transportation updates are posted to the BCS Transportation Dashboard: https://www.berkeleycountyschools.org/o/bcs/page/transportation-dashboard

In the event that a bus is canceled, we encourage parents/caregivers to transport student(s) to and from school. If you are unable to transport your student to school, please contact our main office at (304) 754-3171. Absences will be marked excused if due to a cancelled bus route.

Please complete this form https://www.berkeleycountyschools.org/page/absencenote if your child is absent from school. This form is for all parent notes, and also for medical appointments. Please upload the doctor's note for all medical appointments during school hours, or when a child is out of sick due to illness.

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

- Mrs. Kline, Attendance Secretary: ekline@k12.wv.us

- Mrs. Kercheval, Afternoon Secretary: kimberly.kercheval@k12.wv.us

- Mrs. Walling, Enrollment Secretary: twalling@k12.wv.us

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

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