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DATES TO REMEMBER
April 2016
April 1Carnival! 5:00-8:00 p.m.
April 08Leadership Lunch
April 15No School-Professional Development Day
April 22Mother/Son Event
April 28PTO Meeting @ 7:00 p.m. in media center
SPRING TESTING SCHEDULE:
April 20-21AIR testing 3rd Grade/ELA
April 22-25AIR testing 4th Grade/ELA
April 26-27AIR testing 3rd Grade/Math
April 28-29AIR testing 4th Grade/Math
May 2-3AIR testing 4th Grade/SS
May 4-6Grade Make-ups
REMINDER: May 24is our last school day!!
FOURTH GRADE FAMILY NIGHT AT
TOLL GATE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Parents of all current 4th graders and students that are planning to attend Toll Gate Middle School next year are invited to attend a Family Night on May 11 from 6:30p.m.-7:30p.m.
TOLL GATE MIDDLE SCHOOL PTO
If your student will be attending Toll Gate Middle school the PTO would like to invite you to their next meeting. The April meeting will be held on Thursday, April 7 at 7:00 p.m. in the main conference room of the school. If you are unable to attend the meeting, please “like” Toll Gate Middle School on Facebook. Facebook is an excellent opportunity to view all that the school has to offer. Watch your student’s back pack for an order form for a TGMS tee shirt. The PTO would like to welcome your family to Toll Gate Middle School.
DRESSING FOR SPRING & SUMMER
Please remember to dress your child appropriately with changing temperatures. Remember to send them with a light jacket as needed. Also, tennis shoes are the safest shoes to protect your child’s feet from injury. Please do not send them to school with flip-flops on their feet. Remember, there is no such thing as inclement weather, only inappropriate.
SCHOOL FEES
The end of the school year is quickly coming upon us and we have reviewed our records regarding unpaid fees. If you have not paid your school fees this year, please do soas soon as possible.
KG- $20.50
First - $18.50
Second - $19.00
Third -$20.00
Fourth - $20.00
Your child’s fees can be viewed in the parent portal. For more information on how to access this information visit the following website: The district has posted instructions for activating accounts, using the Infinite Campus portal, and getting help for portal-related issues on this website.
You now have three payment options available to you to pay your student's fees.
1. Go to the link campus.pickerington.k12.oh.us/campus/portal/pickerington.jsp, and pay online via credit card or e-check,
2. Mail your payment to: Pickerington Local Schools
Treasurer's Office
90 N. East Street
Pickerington, Ohio 43147
3. Pay in person at your student's building, or the Treasurer's Office.
All checks or money orders should be made payable to Pickerington Local Schools and reference your student's name or student ID. Cash payments cannot be accepted by mail.
Any questions regarding your student's fees, please contact their building of attendance or the Treasurer's Office (614) 833-2112.
Please note that a $2.00 fee will be added to your student's fees to process any electronic or credit card payment.
CHANGING DISMISSAL
We are receiving an unusually high number of daily calls changing students’ dismissal procedures. It is becoming almost impossible for our school secretary to handle the volume of these calls, especially after 2:30 pm, as she is the only one in the office after this time. She also covers our clinic after 3:00 pm. Additionally, it is causing multiple interruptions to our classroom instruction. I would ask that you send in a note if your child is going home differently than usual. We cannot continue to take calls after 2:30 pm to change dismissal procedures, as this is when classroom folders with messages are delivered. I would ask that you help us to preserve classroom interruptions and call only in emergency situations. Thanks in advance for your cooperation.
UPDATES
Please update any changes in address, telephone number, custody information, emergency contact information, etc…
BOX TOPS
Please remember to continue sending in Box Tops, Campbell's Soup Labels, and Tyson labels. These are found on thousands of your favorite products and can easily add up to thousands of dollars for our school. We have collectively earned over $1,500 since December as well as thousands of Campbell's Soup points that can be used to purchase supplies for our school. Thank you for your continued support of these programs.
CLINIC NEEDS
We are in need of gently used or new, boys and girls clothes for our clinic. New packages of underwear and socks are also needed.
BIRTHDAY BOOK CLUB MEMBERS
The following students have helped our library grow by purchasing a book from our Birthday Book Club Collection. Thanks you for supporting our school library.
Addison W.Xavier N.
Desiree W.Maddie C.
Madison C.Addison M.
Elizabeth A.Wesley W.
Abby M.Haleigh H.
Madison M.
CELEBRATION OF LEARNING
Our fourth annual Celebration of Learning will be held on May 12 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Students and their parents may stroll through the halls to see special STEM exhibits and artwork. In addition, there will be several performances onstage celebrating music. We hope you can join us. A schedule of events will come home in May.
Spring Testing Schedule
2015-16
3rd Grade
April 20-21 – AIR 3rd Grade-ELA
April 26-27 – AIR 3rd Grade-Math
May 4, 5 & 6 – Grade Make-ups
4th Grade
April 22-25 – AIR 4th Grade-ELA
April 28-29 – AIR 4th Grade-Math
May 2-3 – AIR 4th Grade-Social Studies
May 4, 5 & 6 – Grade Make-ups
Traditionally, students perform much better on the tests if taken with their class on the scheduled dates. All students should get plenty of rest and eat a good breakfast in order to perform at their optimum. Please make sure that they report on time these days, as students who are tardy will need to wait in the office. We are confident that all the students will put forth their best efforts and the results will be reflective of their efforts.
Curriculum Corner
Summer months are looming ahead. Keep skills sharp with these
10 FREE LEARNING WEBSITES! They are safe, fun, educational sites to explore on hot summer days!
SWITCHEROO ZOO ( -Watch, listen and play games to learn about amazing animals.
FUN BRAIN ( Play games while practicing math and reading skills.
PBS KIDS ( Hang out with favorite characters while learning!
STAR FALL ( Practice phonic skills with read-along stories.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC FOR KIDS ( Learn about geography and fascinating animals
Into the Book ( Go into the book to play games that practice reading strategies.
Storyline Online ( Favorite stories read by celebrities.
Suessville ( Read and play games with Dr. Suess characters.
ABC YA ( Practice math and reading while playing fun games.
Highlights Kids ( Read, play games and conduct science experiments!
BECOME A NEWBERY READER AT
TOLL GATE ELEMENTARY!
Newbery Club
Congratulations to 3rd grader Matthew R.,& Macy E. for earning their spotsin the Newbery Club by reading 10 Newbery Award winning books and passing the AR quizzes. Great job! If you haven't read a Newbery Award winning book why don't you challenge yourself to read one during this last quarter of the year?
For a complete list of all Newbery Medal Books go to:
4th GRADE G.O.O.D. STUDENTS
Our 4th grade students participate annually in the G.O.O.D. (going on or defeated) program. Ron Derry, former educator, discusses his handicap with the students and talks to them about the decision he had to make when he lost his sight. He could either go on or be defeated. He encourages the students to always try their best and each 9 weeks one student who exemplifies the spirit of this program is chosen from each classroom to receive a G.O.O.D. t-shirt. The students’ chosen for these 9 weeks are:Madison B., Zach C., Jayden G., Jaret W., & Dale B.
News From the Nurse
BIKE SAFETY
Now that spring is here and we are moving into summer, bike riding is a great way to spend time together as a family while getting fresh air and exercise.
Not wearing a helmet when bicycle riding should not be an option for anyone in the family, even when riding short distances in a safe area.
Helmets are important because most bicycle accidents involve head injuries that could cause permanent brain damage or death. Each year in the United States, about half a million kids are seriously injured in a bicycle-related accident. Most of these injuries could have been avoided if a helmet was worn.
When choosing a bicycle helmet the main things to keep in mind are:
- Pick bright colors that are visible to motorist and other cyclists.
- Make sure the helmet is well ventilated.
- Make sure that the helmet has a CPSC or Snell sticker inside. These indicate that the helmet meets standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) or the Snell Memorial Foundation, a nonprofit group that test helmet safety.
- Make sure your child’s helmet fits correctly and can be adjusted. If you purchase your helmet at a bike store, you should be able to get assistance with the fit and adjustment of it.
Be sure to replace any helmet made before 1999. If your child hits any surface hard while wearing a helmet, replace it. Helmets lose their capacity to absorb shock after taking serious hits.
Reference from Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
Reminders about Medications at School...
As we go into the spring season, I’d like to remind parents about the school district policy for sending in medications to school. This policy states that a note from the parent and/or doctor must accompany the medication. Below you will find information regarding the Medication Policy for Prescription and Non-Prescription Medications.
PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION can be administered at school, if necessary, following all of these steps:
1. Note from physician with: **
a. Name of medication
b. Dosage
c. Time to be administered
d. Side effects
e. Start/ End Date
f. Signature of the physician
2. Note from the parent giving permission to administer (with parent’s signature)
3. Medication must be in the original pharmacy labeled container.
** You may obtain a Request for Administration of Medication by School Personnel Grades K-12 form in the school office or on the PLSD website.
NON-PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION (like cough drops, Tylenol, cough syrup) can be administered, if necessary, and requires:
1. Note from parent with: ***
a. Name of student
b. Name of medication
c. Time to be administered
d. Dosage to be given
e. Signature of parent and date
2. Medication must be in the original container
3. Dosage must be age and weight appropriate for your child.
(i.e., We cannot administer medication to children under 12 if the label says: “Do not administer to children under 12, except under the direction of a physician.” We need to have a note from the doctor in order to give a dose of medication that is different than the dose stated on the bottle.)
*** You may obtain an Administering Nonprescription Medication-Grades K-12 form in the school office or on the PLSD website.
Any questions, please contact the School Nurse:
Tami Tackett, RN, BSN
Toll Gate Elementary
Heritage Elementary
Toll Gate Middle School
“YOU ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE”
STAFF RECOGNITION AWARD
Has your child been helped in some special way
by an adult at Toll Gate Elementary?
If so, won’t you please take a moment to let us know by filling out the form below? Toll Gate Elementary is very fortunate to have an outstanding staff that love working with your outstanding children. We all need a little “pat on the back” from time to time. We will make certain that this commendation is delivered to the appropriate staff member and that they are properly recognized. Please mail or return this form to the school office, to Mrs. Motsch’s attention. We thank you for your continued support.
______
Name of EmployeePosition
I would like to commend this employee for:
My Name
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My Child’s Name Grade
Signature: ______Date: ______
LET US HEAR FROM YOU!
We want to hear from you! As a valued resource of our school, your ideas and concerns are being solicited. Please take time to fill out this form. If you wish to have a reply, please list your name & phone number.
I HAVE A QUESTION……..I HAVE AN IDEA……..
I have a question about our I have an idea to improve
School. I would like to know….our school. Here it is....
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Signature (optional) ______
Telephone (optional) ______