The Tohickon Golden Eagle
February 2021
THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR BEGINS
Dear Tohickon Families,
The third semester began on February 1. In a typical year we would be preparing for our Relay for Life kick off and making several preparations for Spring events. However, as we all know, there is nothing typical about this year. During the four weeks of February, we will be focused on wrapping up key aspects of scheduling classes for the 2021-2022 school year and planning our virtual Sixth Grade Orientation Program on Tuesday, February 16.
Throughout this year, the limited access to school environment has created multiple challenges for everyone, especially our students. While we wait for things to improve, we remain committed to doing everything we can to reach out to your child(ren) in order to keep them connected and engaged academically. If your child is struggling (academically or other), please do not hesitate to reach out to our teachers, our guidance department and/or the administration. We will do whatever we can to help provide support and guidance.
The Central Bucks School District is in the process of reviewing the enrollment information that was submitted by our families during the last week in January. As you know, this pertains to expanding the in-person schooling option for our students. The district is currently evaluating the data collected from those surveys in order to make sure that every aspect of the district’s health and safety plan can continue to be maintained with the new option. It is expected that more information will be forthcoming over the next few weeks and, as it becomes available, I will keep you updated on what to expect and the steps involved in moving forward.
If you have any questions or concerns related to program planning and/or scheduling, please contact the guidance office at 267-893-3310. All other questions can be directed to the Tohickon Main Office at 267-893-3300. In closing, I wish all of our families a safe and healthy month!
Sincerely,
Kevin Marton
Tohickon Principal
FEBRUARY IS AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH
During the month of February, in recognition of African American History Month some of Tohickon’s parents and teachers are reading the Pulitzer-prize winning book of poems “The Tradition” by Jericho Brown. Poem discussions will take place in the evening in an online format (through Teams).
Our school is also using school-appropriate stanzas from The Tradition throughout the month of February (spoken by our Social Studies teachers) in the Morning Show. It is a great way to expose our students to Pulitzer-prize winning poems while honoring the too-often neglected accomplishments of African Americans.
MESSAGE FROM DR. FASH - PREPARATIONS UNDER WAY FOR TOHICKON'S 20TH ANNIVERSARY
In the fall of 2020, Mr. Marton asked Dr. Fash, Assistant Principal, to explore ways to celebrate Tohickon Middle Schools upcoming 20th Anniversary in 2022. Dr. Fash joins the Tohickon community having lead student and school recognition projects at Lenape Middle School, Central Bucks High School East, and currently, the district wide, Central Bucks Veterans Recognition Project (https://www.cbsd.org/veterans).
With Tohickon’s 20th Anniversary on the horizon, Dr. Fash established an exploratory committee to identify ways to recognize, celebrate, and honor the achievements of Tohickon Middle School alumni, teachers, and staff. Over the remainder of the school year, a formal committee will be established made up of students, teachers, staff, and our school community to explore ways to highlight individual stories of student and staff achievements for years to come. Additional celebrations for 20th Anniversary will be organized by the committee as we enter 2022. Future announcements and updates will be shared in upcoming newsletters.
TOHICKON STUDENT SPOTLIGHT - HELENA BADIALI
We are thrilled to announce that Helena Badiali is competing in a US wide vocal contest for The Oscar Hammerstein Museum. She is now a finalist in the middle school and local categories. What an amazing voice! We are very proud!!! The winners will be announced on February 12th. To see and hear Helena sing in the contest, please click here: https://www.hammersteinmuseum.org/finalists
PICTURE RETAKES REMINDERS
Picture day photos have arrived. Online student pictures and/or student ID’s are available for pickup from 8:00 AM until 3:00 PM at the Tohickon Main Office Monday to Friday.
Picture retake day has been scheduled for Thursday, February 4th. Hybrid 2 students can have their pictures retaken at school, virtual and hybrid 1 students can have their pictures retaken from 1:30 to 4:00 in the Tohickon auditorium by signing up for a time by clicking the following link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0449AAAD2EA13-picture
In addition to the times above, families have the option to arrange for pictures at the studio. In studio appointments will be for picture purchases only. Call 215-345-1851 or email candcphotostudios@verizon.net to schedule an appointment. *If a student is photographed at the studio, pictures will not need to be taken a second time at school.
Students who did not participate in picture day can still have their picture added to the yearbook by sending in a picture. Please send photos to TOHyearbook@cbsd.org
Here are the requirements for the photo:
•Head shot only
•Solid background color (the goal is to remove the background to match it to the other photos), preferably a blue, green, white background
•Please try to send more than one
•Include the first and last name and grade of student in the email
Please contact the Tohickon Main Office with any questions.
“A ROOM WITH A VIEW" - VIRTUAL SPOTLIGHT ON 8TH GRADE ARTISTS
Mrs. Hallman-DiCicco and Mrs. Thomas are tremendously proud of the persistence and creativity our first semester 8th grade artists. Despite our unique studio conditions both at home and in school, our artists embraced the opportunity to work with clay. While gazing out a window, each artist photographed, sketched, and then created an abstract landscape that highlighted the artist’s view. To add visual interest, artists added textural patterns. To further the sense of abstraction, artists selected color to help emphasize the mood of the artwork.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE HEALTH OFFICE
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR INCOMING 7TH GRADERS
It is an exciting time as you begin to think about your child’s transition to middle school! As you plan upcoming physical or dental appointments, please keep in mind there are some Pennsylvania State Mandated Requirements. Your child needs a Tdap and meningitis vaccine prior to the start of the new school year, along with an updated dental exam. You may send the information to your elementary school nurse or directly to Tohickon Health Office. Our fax number is 267-893-5819 Attn: School Nurse or email Sheila Kelly at shkelly@cbsd.org. If you would like to discuss any health conditions your child has feel free to call and I look forward to meeting you at 6th grade orientation!
FROM THE ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT
Registration for spring sports at Tohickon is OPEN! We have many sports to choose from for 7th and 8th graders. Girls: soccer, softball, lacrosse, track. Boys: baseball, lacrosse, track. Registration directions can be found at Sports Registration Directions. All scheduels and sports information can be found at tohickonathletics.com. Please reach out to Ken Hall at khall@cbsd.org if you have any questions about spring sports. We are looking forward to a great spring sports season!
GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT - PROGRAM PLANNING UPDATES
Middle School Orientation for parents of sixth graders will be held VIRTUALLY on Tuesday, February 16th. Please join us to learn everything you ever wanted to know about middle level education and more. Additional information including a link to the presentation is forthcoming.
PROGRAM PLANNING INFORMATION for 2021-2022
9th Grade
· Students enter their course requests in the portal by Sunday evening, February 7th.
· Counselors will meet individually with all 9th grade students during Science classes to review their course requests. All students will meet with a counselor before the end of February.
· Verifications of course selections will be posted on the Portal on March 19th.
· Verifications must be electronically confirmed by Parents/Guardians by March 25th.
· No changes to course requests will be accepted after April 1st.
8th Grade
· Students select electives during Science classes February 3rd.
· Verifications of course selections will be posted on the Portal on February 23rd.
· Verifications must be electronically confirmed by Parents/Guardians by March 2nd.
7th Grade
· Students who would like to Add or Drop Chorus, Band or Orchestra for 8th grade must email their Guidance counselor by February 3rd to request the change.
· Verifications of course selections will be posted on the Portal on February 5th.
· Verifications must be electronically confirmed be Parents/Guardians by February 11th.
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Guidance Office: 267-893-3310
- Mrs. Diane Schute (dschute@cbsd.org) will be working with those students with last names from A-Le.
- Mr. Joseph Stryker (jstryker@cbsd.org) will be working with those students with last names from Lf-Z.
HOW TO MAKE CHANGES TO STUDENT INFORMATION
Please note the following procedures for submitting address changes and/or changes to mailing addresses, guardian(s) or other household information. This information is also available on the Central Bucks School District Website - www.cbsd.org.
All student address changes within Central Bucks must be validated at the Central Registration office by appointment only. We cannot make changes at the middle school.
Any changes to the current information we have on file can be changed through the Parent Portal.
Student Change of Address Procedures:
- Download the Change of Student Address Within Central Bucks form or obtain the form from the school your student currently attends.
- Call (267-893-2111) or email (CentralRegistration@cbsd.org) Central Registration for an appointment.
- Complete the form and bring it to your scheduled appointment along with the following REQUIRED documentation:
- Property Deed/Agreement of Sale (follow up with deed) OR Current Lease Agreement
AND one of the following:
- current utility bill
- current tax bill/receipt
- current bank statement.
Change in Household Membership:
All student household membership additions, deletions or changes must be documented on the Household Membership Change form. This would include the following:
- Parent/Guardian changes
- Sibling changes
- Mailing changes.
Student Household Membership Change Procedures
Download the Household Membership Change form or obtain the form from the school your student currently attends. Complete the form and return to your student’s school or mail it to the address below:
Central Bucks School District
Educational Services Center
Central Registration
16 Welden Drive
Doylestown, PA 18901
If you have any questions, please call Central Registration (267-893-2111) or email your questions to CentralRegistration@cbsd.org
Tohickon Middle School
Email: kmarton@cbsd.org
Website: cbsd.org/tohickon
Location: 5051 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, USA
Phone: 267-893-3300
Twitter: @CBTohickonMS