Akira Toki Middle School Toki Times October 2016 FROM THE PRINCIPAL Dear Toki Families and Friends, It was great to meet new families and reconnect with those who are returning to Toki at our Back-to-School Night on September 22. The purpose of the event is to build relationships among Crew families and to gain and understanding of the learning that is happening at Toki and sign up for student-led conferences. If you need to sign up for student-led conferences, please contact your child s Crew teacher to schedule a time. Student-led conferences are Thursday, November 10, and Tuesday, November 15. All students will be dismissed at 11:40 am on November 15. Believe it or not, first quarter progress reports were due September 27. Be sure to log in to the Infinite Campus (IC) Parent Portal to check your child s progress in all courses. If you are unable to access the Parent Portal, please contact the main office at 204-4740. If you have a concern regarding your child s class, then contact the teacher directly to address it. As the weather gets cooler, we strongly encourage students to wear a jacket/coat for lunch recess and to dress in layers so they are comfortable in the classroom. It is expected that ALL students go outside for lunch recess and students are reminded to bring their coats/jackets with them to the lunchroom. The temperatures in our classrooms vary and having a sweatshirt or an extra layer is helpful for students as they move from room to room during the day. All students who stay after school must be involved in a supervised activity or be on their way home by 2:45 pm. Students are not allowed to hang-out and/or wait for the 4:15 bus. This is a safety issue since there is no adult supervision. We strongly encourage all students to join the homework club, Tuesday- Thursday, from 2:45-3:45 pm, and participate in the Toki MSCR recreation program from 4:00-5:00 pm. For more information about MSCR clubs, check the Toki website or call Monique Porter at 204-4763. Thank you for your continued support. Nicole Schaefer Principal DATES TO REMEMBER: Monday, October 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 Early Release, 1:37 pm Tuesday, October 4 Evacuation Drill, 8:45 am 8th Grade DC info meeting for interested parents (not already registered), 6:00 pm Thursday, October 6 Picture Retake Day Monday, October 17 Elegant Farmer Pie Sale begins Friday, October 23 All-School Party, 7:00-9:00 pm Thursday, November 10 Student-Led Conferences Friday, November 11 Professional Development, No School Tuesday, November 15 Early Release, 11:40 am Student-Led Conferences Friday, November 18 Elegant Farmer Pie Pick-Up Wednesday, November 23 Teacher Comp Day, No School Thursday, November 24 Friday, November 25 Thanksgiving Holiday No School Monday, November 28 Early Release, 1:37 pm Wednesday, November 30 Personalized Pathways 8th Grade Family Information Session, JMM Auditorium, 7:00 pm Wednesday, December 7 PTA Meeting 6:30, Toki LMC
IMPORTANT INFO ATTENDANCE LINE 204-4743 SCHOOL OFFICE 204-4740 TOKI WEBSITE tokiweb.madison.k12.wi.us Find us on Facebook! Toki Middle School PTA TOKI TIMES The Toki Times is published monthly, with publication dates being the first week of the month. The deadline for the November issue is October 24 Please send your submissions and articles to: TokiTimes@gmail.com PTA needs help with Fall Pie Sale Fundraiser (Nov) Toki Talent Show (Mar) Toki Marathon (Apr-May) Staff Appreciation (May) 8th Grade Completion (May-June) Please consider volunteering for one of these positions. Inquiries to Lori Sakk ltsakk@gmail.com Thank You Thank you to Toki families who have donated school supplies and snacks. Donations are always welcomed, throughout the school year, and may be dropped off in the main office. Suggested School Supplies: #2 pencils, covered pencil sharpeners, pencil top erasers or large erasers, colored pencils, washable markers, pocket folders, wide-lined, loose leaf paper, wide-lined, single-subject spiral notebooks, highlighters, pointed scissors, large glue sticks, post-it notes, and basic calculators Suggested Snacks (PEANUT FREE): Protein snacks (cheese/meat sticks), Nutrigrain bars, applesauce or fruit cups, fruit snacks and Sunbelt granola bars Suggested Clothing: Socks, underwear, leggings, and athletic shorts Coming Soon! Elegant Farmer Pie/Dessert FUNdraiser Sale starts: October 17 Look for order forms later this month, to be distributed through CREW Pick up orders at Toki: Friday, November 18 Just in time for Thanksgiving!!
Akira Toki PTA Have you heard of Personalized Pathways? Current 8th graders will have the option of choosing the new Health and Wellness Pathway for the 2017-18 school year at Memorial. An information session will be held on November 30, 7-8 pm, in the JMM Auditorium. More information can be found in this issue. PTA Meeting - DATE CHANGE Come to the PTA Board meeting on December 7, at 6:30 pm, for a Personalized Pathways Q&A session with JMM staff. Toki All-School Parties will now be organized by the Toki Student Council and held after school on November 4 and February 24 from 2:40-4:00 pm. Opportunities to Support Toki: Bucky Book Fundraiser order forms due to the office by October 28. If you need an order form, contact the PTA at tokipta@gmail.com. Cost of the book is $35 checks payable to Toki PTA. $15 from each sale goes to Toki! Amazon Smile Do you shop on Amazon? If so, go to www.smile.amazon.com and search for Toki PTA. A percentage of the sale will go to Toki. Box Tops please turn them in by October 25 in order to make the November 1 submission date. Pie Sale Mark your calendars! The Pie/Dessert Fundraiser Sale starts October 17; order forms will be distributed in Crew. Toki Spirit Wear https://tokimiddleschool.ilchq1.com/spirit-wear/ dragon-wear/youth.html?mode=list Toki Marathon information will be forthcoming. Lots of volunteers needed! QUESTIONS? Contact your Toki PTA Board! NO COST FUNDRAISER! Collect box tops and send to Crew with your student. 2016-17 Toki PTA Board President Lori Sakk Vice President Amanda Ciarletta Secretary Vicki Fox Treasurer Aimee Kent Contact by Email tokipta@gmail.com Join PTA Today! Membership is required to vote on Toki PTA matters. Membership is not required to participate in PTA. Membership fee: $5.25 (payable to Toki PTA; tax-deductible receipt available) Please return to the Toki main office, in an envelope marked Toki PTA Membership, and include: Parent/guardian name, Toki student(s) name(s) and grade(s), email address and home phone (we occasionally contact members for input and votes on decisions between PTA meetings). Thank You! PTA Meetings 2016-17 School Year Meetings at 6:30 in the Toki LMC December 7 January 11 March 1 May 3
Welcome Back Picnic in the Toki Garden
WELCOME NEW STAFF TO THE TOKI LEARNING COMMUNITY! From Left: Amelia Ramirez, Samantha Yoder, Esther Kim, Katie McArdle, Angie Davies, Michelle Dupuis, Alayna Klapperich, Kim Schmigten, Kenny Cardozo and Matt Felser Kenny Cardozo, Office I am the new Toki school secretary. I am originally from Venezuela, a small country in South America, but with the world's highest waterfall. I hold a degree in Business and Project Management. Being new to the district, I aim to be a team player working toward strengthening our culture of excellence and having positive and collaborative relationships with all members of the Toki community. Angela Davies, 6th Grade I am a 6th Grade Cross Categorical teacher at Toki. I have a Bachelor s Degree from UW-Madison in Gender Studies and a Master s Degree from UW-Madison in Special Education. I live in Oregon with my partner Jimmy, our four children (3 boys and 1 girl) and our cat. I am a lifelong resident of the Madison area and am very excited to be a part of the Toki learning community! Esther Kim, 7th Grade I am a 7th Grade Cross Categorical teacher. I received my Bachelor's and Master's degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Prior to this year, I taught in Illinois. One of my hobbies is to go for walks in the park. I am looking forward to working with Toki students this year! Michelle Dupuis, Computers This is my first year at Toki as the Computer teacher for 6th, 7th and 8th grades. I have been teaching at Whitehorse for the last several years. I have lived in the Madison area my entire life. When I am not working, I enjoy time in my garden trying to keep it alive and weeds to a minimum. I also enjoy time spent with my family, on their dairy farm, in central Wisconsin. I look forward to a wonderful year.
Matt Felser, 7th Grade I grew up in Buffalo, NY before attending Williams College where I graduated with a degree in English, Spanish and International Studies. I have spent the past five years teaching middle school Spanish in Vail, CO where I also coached high school lacrosse and soccer. In my free time I enjoy skiing, biking and playing golf. I participate in adult soccer and hockey leagues and I am a big supporter of the Buffalo Bills and Sabres. I just moved to Madison this fall with my girlfriend and we have spent our first few weeks hanging out by the lakes, going to various concerts and Badger football games, and exploring different neighborhoods and restaurants. Its been a pleasure to join the teaching staff at Toki and I look forward to a great school year. Alayna Klapperich, Physical Education Hello Toki Dragons! I am very excited to be your new PE teacher. I have lived in numerous states including Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin. I went to the University of Wisconsin-Madison and was a cheerleader for football and men s basketball. If you went to any of these games, from 2010-2014, you may have seen me on the sidelines. I am also a coach at the westside Badger Gymnastics Academy. I cannot wait to meet and get to know everyone! Go Badgers! Katie McArdle, Special Education I am a special education teacher for all grades at Toki. I have a bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Science in Educational Studies from Johns Hopkins University. Though I grew up in Wisconsin, I have spent the last nine years teaching in Arkansas and Washington, DC. This will be my first year in Madison and I am looking forward to being able to run and walk by the lakes in the fall. I am excited for the year to come. Ruthie Pirkl, 8th Grade This is my first year teaching Algebra and Geometry at Toki, and my third year of teaching Geometry and Math 8 at Hamilton. Now I'm split between the two schools and getting to know the staff and students here has been great! I will work hard to make sure every student finds success in my classroom. Prior to working in education, I grew up in Stoughton, went to college in Stevens Point, and worked at Epic (the healthcare software company). I live on the east side of Madison with my husband and our animals (cats and chickens) in an 80 year old house that we're slowly renovating. Alyse Weber, Chorus I am thrilled to join Toki as the choir teacher. I graduated from UW-Eau Claire last year with a Vocal and General Music Degree. While I attended Eau Claire I sang in various choir and an a cappella group. Through tours with my collegiate ensembles and completing practicums in the schools, I found my passion for working with middle school students. I am so glad to be starting my career with such a great group of kids and colleagues. I'm looking forward to meeting many families at concerts throughout the year! Deanna Yang, 6th Grade "Nyob Zoo. I grew up in a small town by the name of Sheboygan. After completing high school, I attended UW-Madison and studied Elementary Education. I took my teaching career overseas to South Korea, where I taught English. The time I spent abroad allowed me to travel to neighboring countries where I got to experience new culture and customs than my own. I am excited to return to Madison to teach my first classes in the states. Thank you for having me. Samantha Yoder, 8th Grade In the spring of 2015, I joined the Toki community as its Lead AVID tutor. As soon as I began mentoring students and interacting with teachers at Toki, I knew that Toki was the school for me. In late August, I was ecstatic to learn that this year not only would I have the opportunity to continue supporting the AVID program at Toki, but I would also have the opportunity to encourage 8th graders to think scientifically. With a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biochemistry and a Post- Baccalaureate Degree in Education, this opportunity is a perfect fit for me. This is because teaching students how to be successful and think scientifically has always been a passion of mine. In addition to teaching, I enjoy spending time with my family, reading good books and taking long jogs even in the Wisconsin winters.
BUS PASSES Students can purchase 10-ride youth bus passes in the Office before school, during lunch or after school. The cost is $11.25 (please make checks payable to Toki). Please contact Madison Metro, 266-4466, if problems with purchased 10-ride or fall semester passes. Students are strongly encouraged to carry $1.25 to cover bus fare in case they forget, misplace or lose their bus pass. Madison Metro requires bus fare for each ride. Without a bus pass, cash fare is required. ATTENDANCE REPORTING/HOMEWORK If your child is absent or will be late, call 204-4743 and leave a message via voice mail. Be sure to begin speaking after the beep, otherwise not all of the message will be recorded. Please include the date, student s name, grade, and reason for the absence or tardiness. Homework may be requested on the second day of absence and be picked up after 3:30 PM in the office. APPOINTMENTS/PARTIAL DAY ABSENCES Students who must leave the building during school hours, due to appointments, illness or family emergency, must obtain an Outside Permit. Students should bring a note, signed by parent/guardian, to the office before school on the day the permit is needed. REPORTANDO ASISTENCIA / LAS TAREAS Si su hijo/a estará ausente o llegará tarde, llame al 204-4743 y deje un mensaje en el correo de voz (Puede dejar el mensaje en español). Empiece a hablar después del tono o no se grabará todo el mensaje. Favor de incluir la fecha, el nombre de su hijo/a, el grado y la razón por la ausencia o la tardanza. Se puede pedir la tarea en el segundo día seguido de ausencias y la puede recoger después de las 3:30pm en la oficina principal. CITAS / AUSENCIAS PARCIALES DE UN DÍA Los estudiantes que salen del edificio durante el día escolar a causa de citas, enfermedades, o emergencias familiares deben obtener un Permiso de Salida (Outside Permit). Los estudiantes deben traer una carta firmada por un padre o tutor legal a la oficina antes de que empiecen las clases en el día que se requiere el permiso. Toki All-School Parties This year, Toki Middle School Student Council will be hosting two school-wide parties. Our fall party will be held on Friday, November 4, from 2:37-4:00 pm. Admission to the all-school party is $3.00 and a Toki ID. There will be a professional DJ, open gym and snacks and sodas are available for purchase.
Student-Led Conferences November 10 and 15 Sign up with Crew teacher AVID Signing Ceremony Toki 7th and 8th grade AVID classes are exploring different careers. If interested in sharing your trade/profession as a guest speaker, please contact Emily Jensen at 204-4774 or ejjensen@madison.k12.wi.us
MSCR After-School Clubs and Sports October 2016 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 3 Early Release Open Rec 1:45-5pm Soccer Club 1:45-5pm pm 4 Ukulele 2:45-3:45 Yearbook Club 2:45-3:45 Anime Club 2:45-4pm Cross Country Meet Flag Football 2:45-5pm 5 No MSCR Programs Except for Flag Football and Horseback Riding 6 Makers Space 2:45-5pm Cross Country 2:45-3:45 Flag Football 2:45-5pm 7 10 Early Release Open Rec 1:45-5pm Soccer Club 1:45-5pm Cooking Club 2:45-4:45 pm 11 Ukulele 2:45-3:45 Anime Club 2:45-4pm Cross Country Flag football 2:45-5pm 12 Flag football 2:45-5pm Horseback riding 2:45-7pm pm 13 Makers Space 2:45-5pm Cross Country 2:45-3:45 Flag Football 2:45-5pm 14 17 Early Release Open Rec 1:45-5pm Soccer Club 1:45-5pm Cross Country Meet pm 18 Ukulele 2:45-3:45 Yearbook Club 2:45-3:45 Anime Club 2:45-4pm Flag football 2:45-5pm 19 Flag football 2:45-5pm TBD pm 20 Makers Space 2:45 5pm Boys Basketball 2:45-5pm 21 24 Early Release Open Rec 1:45-5pm Soccer Club 1:45-5pm pm 25 Ukulele 2:45-3:45 Anime Club 2:45-4pm Boys Basketball 2:45-5pm 26 Boys Basketball 2:45-5pm pm 27 Makers Space 2:45-5pm Boys Basketball 2:45-5pm 28 Schools of Hope Tutoring Program We are looking for volunteers to tutor students during the school day and during the after school homework club. Just one hour a week can truly make a difference in a middle school student s life. If you are interested, please contact the Toki Tutor Coordinator, Ms. Mo at 204-4763. After School Program Schedule 2:45-3:45 pm Homework Club 2:45-4:45 pm Clubs and Sport Practices 4:10 pm City buses arrive 4:00-5:00 pm Open Recreation NO 4:15 CITY BUS ON EARLY RELEASE MONDAYS 5:00 pm Rec Bus