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)

September is Attendance Awareness Month, and we want to remind everyone that good attendance has a direct impact on student achievement. Instructional time is essential for learning and progress, and recently we’ve noticed a high number of students arriving late or leaving early without excused reasons. These interruptions not only affect the learning of the student involved, but also the flow of instruction in the classroom.

Please be mindful of our school hours, 8:15 AM – 3:15 PM, and do your best to ensure your child is present for the full instructional day. Consistent attendance is one of the strongest predictors of academic success.

If there are challenges that make attendance during these hours difficult, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to help.

Thank you for partnering with us to keep student learning and achievement a top priority!

Monday, September 22nd

• 7:30 AM - 8:15 AM: Advanced Strings in the Music Room
• 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM: The Palette in the Art Room (selected 5th graders)

Tuesday, September 23rd

• 7:30 AM - 8:15 AM: Beginner Strings in the Music Room

Wednesday, September 24th

• 7:30 AM - 8:15 AM: Advanced Strings in the Music Room

Thursday, September 25th

• 7:30 AM - 8:15 AM: Beginner Violin/Viola in the Music Room

Monday, September 29th

• Fundraisers DUE!
• 5th Grade Stream Study
• 7:30 AM - 8:15 AM: Advanced Strings in the Music Room
• 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM: The Palette in the Art Room (selected 5th graders)

Tuesday, September 30th

• 5th Grade Stream Study
• 7:30 AM - 8:15 AM: Beginner Strings in the Music Room

Additional Fall Dates to Note:

Wednesday, October 1st

• 2-Hour Delay for Students

October 6th - 10th:

• WVDE Ag Lab: 4th Grade Classrooms

Monday, October 13th

• End of 1st 9 Weeks
• Tree Planting with The Cacapon Institute (3rd & 4th Graders)

Tuesday, October 14th

• Fall Picture Day
• PTO Meeting @ 5:30 PM

Wednesday, October 15th

• No School for Students

Friday, October 17th

• 1st 9 Weeks Awards Rally

Thursday, October 23rd

• Parent/Teacher Conferences from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Friday, October 24th

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

Berkeley County Schools is grateful for the time and talent our families and community members share with students. To ensure a safe and supportive environment, all volunteers and chaperones are required to complete training and a background check before assisting in classrooms, on field trips, or at school events.

The link below will guide you step-by-step through the process so you’ll know exactly what to do—and when—before you begin volunteering.

We are working to keep our school clothing closet stocked with items for students who may need a change of clothes during the day. To support this effort, we are asking for donations of gently used clothing in sizes 8-14/M-XL (shirts, pants, and leggings).

If you are able, please send donations to the nurse's station. Your generosity helps ensure that all of our students feel comfortable and cared for throughout the school day.

We want to make you aware of a valuable resource available to all West Virginia students. The state provides free access to online tutoring services through TutorWV

.

Students can connect with a live, professional tutor in a variety of subjects, including math, reading, writing, science, and more. Support is available 24/7, making it convenient for families to access help at any time.

This service is free for all WV students and can be an excellent way to reinforce classroom learning, get extra help with homework, or prepare for tests.

We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to support your child’s learning and academic growth.

We are in the middle of our Fall Fundraiser with Joe Corbi's!

You can support the fundraiser by any of the following:

1) Purchase items out of the catalog for you and your family.

2) Share your fundraiser on social media, by email, or text on www.ShopFund.com.

3) Ask neighbors, co-workers, friends & others to purchase and show their support.

Please know that your assistance this year in particular will make a huge difference and thank you in advance for your participation in the fundraiser! Fundraisers are DUE by Monday, September 29th!

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