March 2016 Will March come in like a lamb or a lion? It’s hard to believe that we’ll soon find out! I’d like to ask that you pay particular attention to the dates listed in this and the next two newsletters. There are many important events coming up this spring of which you will want to be aware. First, I would like to draw your attention to the state testing dates for grades 3 & 4. It is especially important that your child report to school on time on these days. Please refer to specific information in this newsletter. Remember the first bell rings at 9:05 a.m. with the tardy bell ringing at 9:15 a.m. Students need to be in their class by 9:15 a.m. in order to participate in testing on these days. In addition, please review your child’s teacher’s classroom newsletter/webpage. It contains information about upcoming classroom activities. Our spring break will be March 21–27. Classes resume March, 28. We look forward to continuing to provide a quality educational experience for your child over the next three months. Educationally Yours,

Kristi Motsch Kristi Motsch, Principal Growing Leaders

March 2016 Volume 7, Issue 7 The Toll Gate Times

Mrs. Kristi Motsch, Principal 12183 Toll Gate Road Pickerington, OH 43147 TGE-Growing Leaders Phone: 614-834-6300

Toll Gate Elementary DATES TO REMEMBER

March 2016

Mar. 7 - 11 Spring Book Fair Mar. 9 Kindergarten registration for the 2016-17 school year will begin online

Mar. 10 K-12 Evening Parent/Teacher conferences- 4:30-8:00pm Mar. 11 Movie Night End of Grading Period Lunch with A Loved One – Grades 2 & 3. Grade 1 12:15- 1:00 pm Grade 4 11:00-11:45 pm Mar. 13 Don’t Forget - Turn Your Clocks Ahead Mar. 15 K-12 Evening Parent/Teacher conferences- 4:30-8:00pm

Mar. 18 Achievement Records

Mar. 21-27 Spring Break Mar. 28 CLASSES RESUME Mar. 30 Open Enrollment Request Deadline

Apr. 1 Spring pictures – Pre-pay only-order forms will be sent home Carnival

The Toll Gate Times

AIR TESTING SCHEDULE SPRING 2016

DATE DAY GRADE TEST / GROUP

4/20/16 Wed 3rd Grade ELA - Group 1

4/21/16 Thur 3rd Grade ELA - Group 2

4/22/16 Fri 4th Grade ELA - Group 1

4/25/16 Mon 4th Grade ELA - Group 2

4/26/16 Tue 3rd Grade Math - Group 1

4/27/16 Wed 3rd Grade Math - Group 2

4/28/16 Thur 4th Grade Math - Group 1

4/29/16 Fri 4th Grade Math - Group 2

5/2/16 Mon 4th Grade Social Studies - Group 1

5/3/16 Tue 4th Grade Social Studies - Group 2

5/4/16 Wed 3rd / 4th Grade Make-Ups

5/5/16 Thur 3rd / 4th Grade Make-Ups

5/6/16 Fri 3rd / 4th Grade Make-Ups

BECOME A NEWBERY READER AT

TOLL GATE ELEMENTARY!

Newbery Club Congratulations to Alayna S.. who has earned her place in the Newbery Club by reading 10 Newbery winning books and passing the AR quizzes. Consider picking up a Newbery winning book and starting to work toward the club. Our library just received 4 copies of the latest Newbery winner, The Crossover. For a complete list of all Newbery Medal Books go to: http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newberymedal/newberywinners

/medalwinners.cf

________________________________________________________________ ATTENDANCE Please call the attendance hotline (834-6301) by 8:00 a.m. to report your child absent. You may also call the night before and leave a message. Homework requests need to be made by 8:30 a.m. so teachers can prepare these during their planning time. Homework should be picked up between 3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Please remember the office closes at 4:00 p.m.

DISMISSAL PROCEDURES If your child is going home differently than usual, we must have a note from you signifying this. Otherwise your child will be sent home his/her usual way. If an emergency arises, please call the office before 2:30 p.m. to change your child’s dismissal procedure. We cannot ensure that your child will get the message after this time, as this is when classroom folders with messages are delivered. Thanks! EMERGENCY SCHOOL DISMISSAL During the course of the school year, it may become necessary to send the children home due to an emergency. Weather, electrical outage, or other types of emergencies as determined by emergency personnel could cause an emergency dismissal. These emergency situations could occur suddenly leaving no time for parent notification other than radio announcement. In order to help our staff prepare for any such emergency, please complete the Calamity Form included in your back to school folder. Please list on the form the instructions your child is to follow when leaving school and returning home. For example:

• Do they know how to enter your home? • Do they go to the neighbors? • Who do they call when they arrive? • Do they have a list of phone numbers?

As a reminder, our phone system does not operate during electrical outages and waiting at school to be picked up is NOT an option if we are told to evacuate by emergency personnel. Please take time to consider your emergency plan and help us keep your child safe.

SPELLING BEE Our 4th Grade Spelling Bee was held February 5. Over 60 students participated in our preliminary written Spelling Bee, with 16 qualifying for the oral Spelling Bee. Jordan P. was our first place winner and Delaney S. was our alternate. Jordan will advance to the countywide Spelling Bee in Lancaster on March 12. Congratulations and good luck Jordan.

SAFETYPROCEDURES/SCHOOL VISITS Parents, please remember to sign in and take a badge from the office when you enter the building. You should always enter from the front, office entrance. Wearing a badge lets our staff know that you have officially signed in with the office. If you are dropping off items for your child, we will call them to the office to limit classroom interruptions. We are very protective of our instructional time and we try to maximize our teachers’ time with students. We appreciate your understanding and your help in limiting classroom interruptions. BIRTHDAY BOOK CLUB MEMBERS The following students have helped our library grow by purchasing a book from our Birthday Book Club Collection. Thank you for supporting our school library. Bryce D. Jason S. Christos S. Elizabeth K. Meagan T. Elliot H. Avery L. Anae’ L. Riley H. Maddie L. Lilly G.

BOX TOPS AND SOUP LABELS Our February Box Tops Battle was a huge success. The students earned $1,232.40 for Toll Gate during the week long competition. Thank you for your continued support and keep sending in those Box Tops.

SCHOOL FEES REMINDER:

School fees are due. If you haven’t paid fees, please send in a check payable to PLSD and indicate on memo line school fees and student ID#. You may also contact the Treasurer’s office at 833- 2112 or pay online using the parent portal on Infinite Campus. KG - $20.50 First - $18.50 Second - $19.00 Third - $20.00 Fourth – 20.00 Publishing Room: Our Publishing Room is in need of colored cardstock. Help the students feel like a real author and consider donating some cardstock so they can complete their books.

NEW 2016-17 SCHOOL YEAR SCHEDULE

Middle schools and elementary schools: Adding 25 minutes of class time will allow for more instruction. It will give teachers more time for enrichment and intervention, particularly at the middle schools and in the areas of science and social studies. This will allow us to increase the amount of time we can devote to English language arts and math, which are critical at these early grades.

• Junior high schools: 7:20 a.m. to 2:20 p.m. • High schools: 7:55 a.m. to 2:55 p.m. • Middle schools: 8:40 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. • Elementary schools: 9:15 a.m. to 4:05 p.m.

This also should allow us to increase art, music, and physical education, while integrating technology more seamlessly across the curriculum. Schedules for our kindergartens are still being evaluated and will be communicated as soon as they are finalized.

Kindergarten Registration Kindergarten registration for the 2016-17 school year will begin online Wednesday, March 9, 2016. To start the kindergarten registration process, parents fill out the online registration form through Infinite Campus.

At your appointment, you must bring in the following documentation:

• PDF of online registration summary • Birth certificate (original or certified copy.) Children entering kindergarten must be 5 years old by

August 1 of that school year to enroll. • Proof of residence (deed, mortgage coupon, mortgage or settlement statement, completed lease,

current electric or gas bill showing name and home address). If you are living with a friend or relative, you must complete a friends and family affidavit.

• Parent’s photo ID • Immunization records • Custody documents, if applicable. (This may include a judge-signed, court-stamped divorce or

dissolution document.) If you are not currently the residential/custodial parent, please call the Welcome Center at 614.920.6180, before beginning the enrollment process. Ohio law requires the entire custody document be on file with the school.

• Individual Instruction Plan (IEP) or Evaluation Team Report (ETR), if applicable. • All preschool students must have a screening appointment before registering online. • All incoming kindergarten students must have a completed kindergarten physician’s report form on

file, including completed immunizations. These reports can be obtained online or at the Welcome Center and must be turned into the child’s school by August 1. Parents are encouraged to contact their child’s school nurse to discuss any health concerns prior to the start of the school year. If you have any health-related questions, please contact Sharon Schmitz, RN, MSN (School Health Coordinator).

ADDRESS & PHONE NUMBER CHANGES Have you moved or had a phone number changed? Please make sure to notify us of any changes so that we can reach you if needed.

• All address changes must be processed through the Welcome Center. • A Change of Student Information Form needs to be completed and all supporting documentation

must accompany the form when turned into the school office. • The school office can process phone number changes and additions to Emergency Contacts.

BLIZZARD BAGS Blizzard bag information can be found online at http://www.pickerington.k12.oh.us/snow-calamity-days/. Blizzard Bags are located on both the school website and each school website. On the district website it is under “Our District” and then “Snow/Calamity Days”. On the school website it is under “Our school” and then “Calendar and Calamity Days”. Students will print off materials at home. If the student does not have access to a computer/printer we can print the material off for them. The students have 10 days to complete the blizzard bags. These assignments must be turned into the teacher or the student is counted as absent for the snow day. Remember that the first 2 snow days are made up (2/15 & 3/28) so the blizzard bags do not start until the 3rd snow day. More information for students with IEPs will be coming in the near future.

NURSE NOTES

16 Health Tips for 2016 Dedicate yourself to a healthy lifestyle in 2016 with these food, nutrition and physical activity tips.

1. Eat BreakfastStart your morning with a healthy breakfastthat includes lean protein, whole grains, fruitsand vegetables. Try making a breakfast burritowith scrambled eggs, low-fat cheese, salsa and awhole wheat tortilla or a parfait with low-fat plainyogurt, fruit and whole grain cereal.

2. Make Half Your Plate Fruits and VegetablesFruits and veggies add color, flavor and textureplus vitamins, minerals and fiber to your plate.Make 2 cups of fruit and 2 ½ cups of vegetablesyour daily goal. Experiment with different types,including fresh, frozen and canned.

3. Watch Portion SizesGet out the measuring cups and see how closeyour portions are to the recommended servingsize. Use half your plate for fruits and vegetablesand the other half for grains and lean proteinfoods. To complete the meal, add a serving offat-free or low-fat milk or yogurt.

4. Be ActiveRegular physical activity has so many healthbenefits. Start by doing what exercise you can forat least 10 minutes at a time. Children and teensshould get 60 or more minutes of physical activityper day, and adults should get two hours and30 minutes per week. You don’t have to hit thegym—take a walk after dinner or play a game ofcatch or basketball.

5. Fix Healthy SnacksHealthy snacks can sustain your energy levelsbetween meals, especially when they includea combination of foods. Choose from two ormore of the MyPlate food groups: grains, fruits,vegetables, dairy, and protein. Try raw veggieswith low-fat cottage cheese, or a tablespoon ofpeanut butter with an apple or banana.

6. Get to Know Food LabelsReading the Nutrition Facts panel can help youshop and eat or drink smarter.

7. Consult an RDNWhether you want to eat better to lose weightor lower your risk or manage a chronic disease,consult the experts! Registered dietitiannutritionists can help you by providing sound,easy-to-follow personalized nutrition advice.

8. Follow Food Safety GuidelinesReduce your chances of getting sick by practicingproper food safety. This includes: regular handwashing, separating raw protein foods from ready-to-eat foods, cooking foods to the appropriatetemperature by using a food thermometer, andrefrigerating food quickly at a proper temperatureto slow bacteria growth. Learn more about homefood safety at www.homefoodsafety.org.

9. Get CookingPreparing foods at home can be healthy, rewardingand cost-effective. Resolve to learn some cookingand kitchen basics, like how to dice an onion orcook dried beans. The collection of How do I…videos at www.eatright.org/howdoi will get youstarted.

10. Dine Out without Ditching Your GoalsYou can eat out and stick to your healthy eatingplan! The key is to plan ahead, ask questionsand choose foods carefully. Compare nutritioninformation, if available, and look for healthieroptions that are grilled, baked, broiled or steamed.

11. Enact Family Meal TimePlan to eat as a family at least a few times eachweek. Set a regular mealtime. Turn off the TV,phones and other electronic devices to encouragemealtime talk. Get kids involved in meal planningand cooking and use this time to teach themabout good nutrition.

12. Banish Brown Bag BoredomWhether it’s a lunch for work or school, preventbrown bag boredom with easy-to-fix, healthylunch ideas. Try a whole-wheat pita pocket withveggies and hummus or a low sodium vegetablesoup with whole grain crackers or a salad of mixedgreens with low-fat dressing and a hard boiled egg.

13. Drink More WaterQuench your thirst by drinking water instead ofsugary drinks. Stay well hydrated by drinkingplenty of water if you are active, live or work in hotconditions, or are an older adult.

14. Explore New Foods and FlavorsAdd more nutrition and eating pleasure byexpanding your range of food choices. When

shopping, make a point of selecting a fruit, vegetable or whole grain that’s new to you or your family. Try different versions of familiar foods like purple asparagus, Honeycrisp apples, broccoflower or quinoa.

15. Eat Seafood Twice a WeekSeafood—fish and shellfish—contains a range ofnutrients including healthy omega-3 fats. Salmon,trout, oysters and sardines are higher in omega-3sand lower in mercury.

16. Cut Back on Added SugarsFoods and drinks with added sugars cancontribute empty calories and little or nonutrition. Reviewing ingredients on thefood label can help you identify sources ofadded sugar. Visit www.choosemyplate.gov formore information.

For a referral to a registered dietitian nutritionist and for additional food and nutrition information visit www.eatright.org.

©2016 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Reproduction of this tip sheet is permitted for educational purposes. Reproduction for sales purposes is not authorized.

TIPS FOR A HEALTHY HEART Heart disease is the #1 killer in the United States today. This is not just a disease that affects men, but also women and children. While heredity may play a big part in whether you or a family member gets heart disease, we all can choose to reduce our risk by living a healthy lifestyle. Better lifestyle habits can help you reduce you and your families risk for heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. Choosing the right foods and preparing them the right way will provide health benefits. Learning about dietary fats when eating out and cooking at home is very important. Not all fats are created equal. Saturated and trans fats will clog arteries and promote the development of heart disease. Mono saturated and poly saturated fats including those rich in omega3 are a healthy choice and they will prevent the development of heart disease. Managing your weight through healthy eating plus exercise will improve your overall health. To maintain a healthy weight, there must be an equal balance of the calories you take in with the calories your body burns. This will enable you to maintain your weight. To do this you must keep track of the calories you take in and the ones that you burn. Get yourself into a habit of recording these numbers and you will be surprised of the health benefit. Choose exercise activities that you enjoy-you will increase your chances of sticking with it. Make it a family fun time; go for bike rides, swimming, walking, play ball, or any activity that gives you a workout. There are several fitness programs available on the American Heart Association (AHA) website at www.americanheart.org. Also on this website is a section specifically for kids. The AHA is working to raise public awareness about the serious effects child obesity poses for children. There are several related links and resources available. Heartfully yours, Pickerington Local School Nurses

January 2016

OHIO SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS POSTER CONTEST

Ohio grade schools will soon receive notice about the annual Severe Weather Awareness Poster Contest which is promoted by the Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness. We encourage art and science teachers for first through sixth graders and special education/ individualized instruction to have their students participate in this worthwhile and educational activity. Background The Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness has been teaching Ohioans about severe weather safety and preparedness since 1978. The purpose of the poster contest is to have students demonstrate through their artwork how people can protect themselves and others from the dangers and hazards that accompany severe weather in Ohio. Participating schools send their first-place posters (per grade) to their regional National Weather Service Offices (see attached for NWS Office listings). The NWS offices will judge all poster entries and choose their #1 pick, per region, per grade-level. In early May, the Severe Weather Awareness Committee will judge the regional-winning posters to determine the state and overall state winners. Schools will be notified of their regional winners by the end of May; all regional winners will be invited to attend the awards ceremony held at the Ohio State Fair in August. All regional winners and their parents or guardians will receive up to four tickets to attend the awards ceremony at the Ohio State Fair on August 6, 2016. The students will receive a host of prizes, certificates and awards. State-level winners will receive additional prizes. And the overall winner will receive even more prizes along with a personalized trophy. Once school is back in session, the overall winner’s school will be presented a “traveling trophy” to display during the school year. All winning posters from last school year can be viewed on the Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness website: www.weathersafety.ohio.gov. How to Enter Complete contest rules and entry forms are available on the OCSWA site. Go to Just for Kids and click on Contest Rules. Schools are encouraged to participate in the poster contest during Ohio’s Spring Severe Weather Awareness Week, March 20-26, 2016. Schools should mail their first place posters per grade level to their appropriate NWS office. Poster entries must be postmarked by April 16, 2016. All regional winners will be invited to attend the awards ceremony at the Ohio State Fair on Saturday, August 6, 2016. The state-level winners and the overall state winner will be announced near the end of the ceremony.

Governor John R. Kasich American Red Cross Ohio Department of Insurance Emergency Management Association of Ohio Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services National Weather Service Ohio Department of Natural Resources Ohio Citizen Corps Ohio Department of Public Safety-Ohio EMA Ohio Department of Aging Ohio Department of Transportation Ohio Department of Commerce-State Fire Marshal Ohio Insurance Institute Ohio Department of Education WBNS – 10TV Ohio Department of Health WCMH – NBC4