Tomahawk Talk

Monday, August 11th:

• Teachers and Staff Return!

Wednesday, August 13th:

• Orientation
• Visit the PTO Table
• Kona Ice Available for Purchase

Tuesday, August 19th:

• First Day of School for Students!

Postcards were mailed during the week of August 4th and should have arrived. If you have not yet received a postcard, you may call the office starting August 11th for teacher assignments. We understand how important it is that all students have a positive and successful experience at Tomahawk.

While we offered a courtesy of considering parent requests, we communicated that there was no guarantee that all requests would be honored. Once again this year, we received close to 100 teacher requests, and it was impossible to accommodate them all. With over 650 students at our school, we made a concerted effort to be equitable in our class rostering to ensure a balanced and fair distribution of students across all classes. We are confident that all of our teachers will provide students with a wonderful year filled with growth and learning.

Kona Ice will be available for purchase during Tomahawk's Orientation!

The only app we will be using for parent communication this year is Schoology. Class Dojo will no longer be used for messaging or school updates. Once students return, teachers will share Schoology access codes with families.

We want to remind families of our water bottle guidelines to ensure safety and minimize spills in classrooms. All students have access to water throughout the day as each wing has a water fountain and a bottle filling station.

All water bottles should meet the following guidelines:

✅ No bottle should be larger than 32 oz. in size.

✅ Bottles must have a screw-on cap (no straw lids).

✅ Bottles must ONLY contain water (no juice, Gatorade, PRIME, etc.).

✅ We recommend students bring clear plastic bottles if possible.

Students who do not come to school with water bottles are given access to the water fountains and cups for the bottle filling station during lunch. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated!

Due to space limitations in our cafeteria, we are unable to accommodate visitors for student lunches. However, we encourage parents and guardians to stay involved by joining our PTO to help with special events during the school day or by becoming an approved volunteer/chaperone to assist with classroom projects and field trips. Your support makes a big difference!

For more information on becoming an approved chaperone/volunteer, please click the link below.

Students are not permitted to use cell phones during the school day. **Cell phones should be powered off and in the student’s backpack at all times.* We also do not allow students to use smartwatches for communication purposes during the school day. Students who violate these expectations will receive consequences based on the BCS discipline matrix and parents/guardians will be asked to pick-up the device.

Our main office will contact parents/guardians if there is an emergency or for any other necessary reason. Your cooperation is appreciated.

A "Back to School Checklist," including generic school supply lists have been posted to the BCS website and can be accessed here: https://www.berkeleycountyschools.org/page/checklist

Additional items may be requested by teachers during orientation on August 13th.

Please choose BCS busing for your student!

With an increase in our population, we are growing by the minute! Our school parking lot was not originally designed to handle a tremendous amount of vehicle traffic. We are asking all families to choose BCS busing as their child's mode of transportation.

To find your child's bus # and bus stop information, please click here: http://webquery.bcswv.org/livewq/webquery/.

We are going to have very strict guidelines in place for parents who choose to drive their child to and from school to ensure student safety in the parking lots. Cars will not be permitted on school property earlier than 8:00 AM in the morning and 2:45 PM in the afternoons.

Your cooperation and understanding are both greatly appreciated!

I am looking forward to another healthy school year at Tomahawk! If your child requires emergency medication at school such as an EpiPen, inhaler, diabetic or seizure medication, per BCS policy, these must be present in the health clinic prior to the first day of school. Please be sure your new orders are dated on or after July 1st. Orders and medications can be brought into the school beginning August 11th, and on orientation night. A copy of the medication form is linked below.

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.

NOTE: Teacher requests were due by March 1st. We are unable to accept any requests for teachers at this time. Thank you for your understanding!

3rd Grade Teachers:

• Mrs. Rebecca Akins
• Mrs. Natalie Bragg
• Mrs. Lynn Bush
• Mrs. McKenna Flohr
• Ms. Monica Kent
• Mrs. Amanda Puffenburger
• Ms. Emily Ratliff
• Mrs. Lisa Williams

4th Grade Teachers:

• Mrs. Becca Blacker
• Ms. Breigh Glover
• Mrs. Lorie Hause
• Mrs. Julie Hott
• Ms. Stacie Inskeep
• Mrs. Denise Irwin
• Mrs. Beth Otto
• Mrs. Rachel Shaffer

5th Grade Teachers:

• Mrs. Mystee Ansari
• Ms. Chloe Campbell
• Mrs. Veronica Church
• Mrs. Jade DiNello
• Mrs. Laura Kurutza
• Mrs. Lauren Mance
• Mrs. Jennifer Mayes
• Mrs. Tracey Parks
• Ms. Britney Sowers

Exceptional Education Specialists:

• Mrs. Jowita Bridges
• Mrs. Shelly Compton
• Mrs. Jessica Cook
• Mrs. Jodie Cook
• Mrs. Teri Cowger
• Mrs. Michelle Czaja
• Mrs. Heather Deaner
• Mrs. Julia Earl
• Ms. Sabryn Franklin
• Mrs. Jennifer Higginbotham

3rd Grade Early Childhood Certified Assistant Teachers (ECCATs):

• Ms. Andrea Hall
• Ms. Margaret McCarty
• Ms. Shelby Pearrell
• Mrs. Debbie Rimmer
• Mr. Logan Swindle

Multisubject Instructional Aides:

• Mrs. Lisa Glover
• Ms. Katelyn Klewe
• Ms. Nikki Lewis
• Mrs. Michelle McDonald
• Mrs. Danielle Nye
• Mrs. Deanna Sergent

Unified Arts:

• Mr. Jason Barr, Physical Education
• Ms. Abby Bennett, Library
• Mrs. Pam Lehr, Music
• Dr. Erin Sponaugle, Art
• Mrs. Madison Stevenson, Technology

Student Support:

• Mrs. Megan Boyd, School Counselor
• Ms. Michaela Hartofelis, Speech & Language
• Mrs. Wendy Markley, 4th & 5th Grade Interventionist
• Mrs. Katie Mowen, English Language Support
• Mrs. Sarah Olinger, In-School Suspension (ISS) Aide
• Ms. Lynn Olsen, Speech & Language
• Mrs. Laura Rihn, Technology Support Specialist (TSS)
• Mrs. Shelly Sexton, 3rd Grade Interventionist
• Ms. Katlyn Thomas, School Counselor

Kitchen Staff:

• Mrs. Holly Shockey, Cafeteria Manager
• Mrs. Crystal Wood, Asst. Cafeteria Manager
• Mrs. Jodi Daniels, Cook
• Ms. Cheyenne Rankin, Cook
• Mrs. Lisa Shane, Cook
• Mrs. Dale Thomas, Cook

Custodial Team:

• Mrs. Christine Pearson, Daytime/Head Custodian
• Mrs. Vanessa Bowman, Evening Custodian
• Mr. Tom Richardson, Daytime Custodian

Office Staff:

• Dr. Krista Ematrudo, Principal
• Mr. Tanner Robison, Assistant Principal
• Mrs. Maggie Beth Ponton, Student Assistance Facilitator
• Mrs. Brandy Pulse, School Nurse
• Mrs. Ellen Kline, Attendance/Finance
• Mrs. Kim Kercheval, Afternoon Secretary
• Mrs. Teresa Walling, Enrollment/Point of Service Secretary

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