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Fact for the day: We have over 18,000 fluorescent light bulbs in the district and use over 6.6 million sheets of paper per year – both light bulbs and paper get recycled!
Do Angry Birds Live By Their Own Physics Laws and Rules?

As you will see Tim Pasche, a teacher at Tomah Senior High, is using technology in his Physics class to explore how a game many students have played on their handheld device uses, or in this case does not use real world physics laws and rules. Students first used a program called Logger Pro to analyze videos by plotting points and graphing trends. Then they evaluated data points to draw their conclusions, deciding whether Angry Birds is controlled by the same physics we see in our everyday lives. Click on the link to watch how Mr. Pasche and his students made discoveries using technology and physics “know-how”.  YouTube Video
                                                 Snow Days and Early Dismissals for Collaboration
                                                                               

As winter continues, the potential for severe weather which could delay school becomes more of a possibility.  This is a reminder that if a late start for school is necessary due to dangerous weather or road conditions AND this occurs on a teacher collaboration day, the collaboration time will be cancelled and students will remain in school until the normal/regular release time at the end of the school day.                

                   
Early Release on February 1
 
School will be dismissed early on Wednesday, February 1, 2012. This dismissal is for Teacher Collaboration. Schools will be dismissed on the following schedules:

12:45 p.m. - Camp Douglas

1:00 p.m. – Miller, Wyeville, Oakdale, Warrens, LaGrange, Lemonweir, RKLC

1:16 p.m. – Middle School

1:21 p.m. – Senior High

Note: No PM Early Childhood Classes at Oakdale School
         No 4K Classes
         St. Mary's and St. Paul have a full day
HS Presents the Drama 'Harvey' January 27 & 29
 
The Tomah High School Drama Department presents “Harvey”, a comedy in three acts.  Performances are held in the THS auditorium.  There are two show times.

Friday, January 27th, at 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 29th, at 2:00 p.m.
 
The previously scheduled January 26 performance has been cancelled.
 
District-Wide Art Show to be held January 27 & 28
 
 
A district-wide art show will be held on January 27 and January 28.  The exhibits run from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. each night.  Come and see wonderful examples of art from students in all grade levels.
 
Stop the Bullying


Free event for parents and childcare providers


When: Tuesday, February 21, 2012 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Where: Western Technical College, Lunda Center, 319 7th Street North, La Crosse, WI 54601


Childhood bullying is a significant problem in schools across the country. Even more concerning are the lasting and negative effects bullying can have on the social, emotional and academic functioning of today’s children. Gundersen Lutheran child and family therapist Jeff Reiland, MS, will join parents and childcare providers to discuss what students, parents, families and teachers can do to reduce its prevalence in schools.

Thanks to a grant from Kohl’s Cares®, this program is offered for free. For child care providers, this event is a registry-approved training. If you have any questions, contact Teresa Gardner at (608) 775-3079 or (800) 362-9567, ext. 53079. E-mail: TMGardne@gundluth.org

The School Bell

A sincere thank you goes out to the six Tomah community residents who have put their “hats in the ring” as school board candidates in this year’s election. It is so important to have individuals willing to serve our community in this capacity, especially during challenging economic and political times. Public education is the bedrock of our democracy. Our American belief in the value of equal opportunity for every man, woman, and child is promoted and fostered through public education. Public education levels the playing field and provides each individual, regardless of socio-economic status, ethnicity, or gender, the skills necessary to realize their fullest potential. Being elected to serve as a school board member is one of the highest forms of public service. We must demonstrate sincere appreciation to those with the commitment and courage to promote the public good through public education!

It is critical that we have strong professionals educating our students and it is equally critical to have family and community support of public education. The opinions of parents, business leaders, and other community members are important for educators to hear and know in order to make changes in education which will be of benefit to our students and to garner the support needed for public education. I’d like to share some results from the 2011 Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll which were released in September of 2011.  This is a scientifically based survey of 1,000 Americans 18 years and older.

When asked:

·        Do you think high-achieving high school students should be recruited to become teachers?                                                                                                                                             
76% of the respondents indicated YES.
·        Suppose the brightest person you know said he or she would like to be a teacher. What would you most likely do: Encourage the person, discourage that person, or suggest that he or she consider other fields before deciding?                                                            
74% of the respondents indicated ENCOURAGE THAT PERSON.                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
·        Would you like a child of yours to take up teaching in public schools as a career?                                              
67% of the respondents indicated YES.
·        Do you have trust and confidence in the men and women who are teaching children in public schools?                                                                                                                          
 71% of the respondents indicated YES.

Despite the prevalence of “bad stories” in the media about public education, these survey results demonstrate recognition of the value of public education and the value of recruiting quality individuals to enter the teaching profession. Americans do trust and have confidence in public school teachers and it is wonderful that a career in public education is something many Americans would like their children to pursue. We have much to be proud of in this great democracy, including a strong public education system which is responsible for upholding our belief in the value of equal opportunity and ultimately, our freedoms.

To view more of the survey results from the 2011 Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll, go to http://www.pdkintl.org/poll/.

If you have any questions or comments about the information and opinions expressed in this edition of The School Bell, please contact Cindy Zahrte, District Administrator, at cindyz@tomah.k12.wi.us or 374-7002.

  

Open Enrollment Period is February 6-24
 
The recommended method of applying for open enrollment is through the on-line application process at http://dpi.wi.gov/sms/psctoc.html.  The on-line application will be available from midnight February 6, 2010, until 4:00 p.m. on February 24, 2012.
 
4K Open House on February 9
 
There will open houses at 4K sites on February 9 from 5:30-7:00 p.m.  That night you will find information regarding enrollment for the 2012-2013 school year.  You can also tour facilities.  Teachers and staff will be on hand to answer questions and provide additional information regarding the 4K program in the Tomah Area School District.
 
Open House Locations:  Timber PUPS Learning Center, Warrens Elementary, Oakdale Elementary, Noah's Ark Preschool and Tomah School of Childhood.
 
Tomah Schools Informational Brochure
 
Check out the Tomah Area School District brochure which highlights our schools and community.  The link below is a PDF version of this brochure that can be printed or saved and emailed to any individuals interested in re-locating to Tomah or to any community members or local businesses who would like to reproduce the document to share with prospective clients/employees.   For additional information please contact Cindy Zahrte, District Administrator, at cindyz@tomah.k12.wi.us.
 
Complete Brochure


Summer PACK is Back!  Begins June 25, 2012
 
Mark your Calendars
 
Student brochures and registration forms will be distributed at Parent Teacher Conferences on March 29-30 at all elementary schools.  There will be two sessions this summer.  Session 1 will run from June 25 through July 12.  Session 2 will run from July 16 through August 2. 

Summer PACK Schedule
 
Prescription Drugs, Heroin, Bath Salts and Other Drugs Awareness Forum
 
Drugs?  Not in my family...According to the 2010-2011 local Youth Risk Behavior Survey 1 out of every 5 Monroe County High School youth have used a prescription drug with a doctor's prescription.  This forum will be held Thursday, February 23, at the Tomah Senior Center.  The program runs from 6:30-8:30 p.m. 

Presenters include:  Monroe County Judge, Tomah Police Chief, Tomah Memorial Hospital Behavioral Health Doctor, Monroe County Human Services, a recovering heroin addict, Tomah Police Department Drug Investigator and Monroe County District Attorney.
 
 
Si necesita Ud. ayuda en la traducción de este documento, por favor llama la especialista de ELL del distrito (Tania Anderson) a 374-7014. The Tomah Area School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religious beliefs, disabilities, sex, or age, in admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment in its programs and activities. The Coordinator of the District’s efforts to comply with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is Dr. Paul Skofronick, 1310 Townline Road, Tomah, WI 54660 – phone: (608) 374-7011. Any inquiries regarding the application of the District’s non-discrimination policy may be referred to the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights.