Pocono Mountain East High School is excited to welcome students to the new school year!

Pocono Mountain East High School is recognized as a Pennsylvania Positive Behavior Support Network Participating Site, which means the school is committed to implementing a multi-tiered approach to the social, emotional, and behavioral needs of all students. This is achieved through the fidelity of multiple student-centered initiatives including our PRIDE, Check and Connect, and RENEW Programs. Pocono Mountain East High School offers a wide range of co-curricular activities for our students, and they are encouraged to get involved. EHS offers 18 PIAA-sanctioned interscholastic sports and 40 clubs so we truly have something for everyone.

Recent research documents that children who have a connection with at least one caring adult tend to be happier, healthier, and more resilient. These positive connections with caring adults help to promote success in school, lower the odds of experimentation with alcohol and drugs, reduce suicide rates, decrease contact with the justice system, and promote better overall mental health. Children with one or more caring adults in their life are more likely to develop prosocial behaviors and become productive adults.

There are many children who have a caring, positive relationship with an adult in their own home. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Developing long-lasting relationships with caring adults can provide a buffer against negative influences and high-risk behaviors that children navigate on a daily basis. Even if a child has a positive caring relationship at home, having several caring adult relationships, including relationships with adults outside their home, only increases a child’s potential for success in the future. One of the goals of the EHS Cardinal Period is to provide the time and opportunity for the development of positive relationships with caring adults at East High School.

A second goal of the EHS Cardinal Period is to promote the acquisition of soft skills. Soft skills are skills that apply across a wide variety of jobs and life situations. Desirable skills such as communication, organization, punctuality, creativity, teamwork, critical thinking, and adaptability are some of the soft skills cited as being integral to workplace success. Students who transition successfully from high school to college or the workplace show an ability to manage their time, set goals, meet deadlines, get along with others, and deal with obstacles. Since people develop soft skills through socialization and interactions with others, the EHS Cardinal Period is the perfect place to incorporate soft skill development into the school day.

The third goal of the EHS Cardinal Period is to foster the development of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. These are additional skills that will help students achieve academic success, engage with others in a positive manner, improve their own health and wellness, and achieve their post-school outcomes.

We look forward to continuing the Cardinal Period at Pocono Mountain East High School and are truly excited about the continued benefits for our students. Building positive relationships, developing soft skills, and acquiring additional skills to promote student health and wellness will have a positive impact on the climate and culture at East High School, making East High School an amazing place to learn!

Let your EHS Cardinal Pride shine as we start the new school year!

Mrs. Tamala Toleno

Welcome to Pocono Mountain East High School. As a graduate of PMEHS, I am excited to be back as a part of the East High School administrative team. In addition to overseeing several building-level initiatives, such as the Check & Connect program and School-wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS), I work with 9th grade students, last name G-O, as well as 10th grade students. 

I earned my Bachelor’s Degree from Penn State University and hold teaching certifications in English 7-12 and Elementary K-6. I also received my Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership with Principal Certification from Penn State University. I look forward to building relationships with students, teachers and parents to ensure a successful school year!

I would like to take this opportunity to share some information about Pocono Mountain East High School, and my goals and responsibilities as an Assistant Principal. My goals include establishing and maintaining an open line of communication with students and families, ensuring that quality instruction is taking place in our classrooms, and maintaining a safe and orderly learning environment in order to promote the social, emotional, and academic growth of our students.

My student caseload consists of students in the 11^th grade, as well as 9^th grade students with last names beginning with the letters P - Z. I am also responsible for a variety of administrative and educational functions including, but not limited to: Student Attendance, Discipline, Keystone Examinations, School Safety, Tutoring, Student Assistance, and the Check and Connect mentorship program. I consider it a great honor to be able to work with the outstanding faculty, staff, and students of East High School. I would like to encourage all students to take full advantage of the many wonderful opportunities made available here at the East High School, and that through these opportunities, all members of the school community may grow and flourish.

I hope to work with all members of our school community so that together we may make lasting and positive contributions to our school community and society at large.    

Mr. John Richards,

Assistant Principal

I would like to extend the warmest welcome to the staff and students of Pocono Mountain East High School. This year promises to open new opportunities not only for our staff and students but for me, too. I look forward to working with the seniors as they prepare to enter the next chapter in their lives. Additionally, I am excited to work with families and students in helping our incoming freshmen adjust to life on the high school level. We are proud to offer our student body a quality education while providing them with ample opportunities for success here at the East High School. I have spent my career, both as a teacher and administrator at Pocono Mountain and have a vested interest in every student's success. I consider it an honor to serve my community, staff and students and I am proud to wear red and white. 

To tell you a little bit about myself, I received my undergraduate degree in Mathematics at Misericordia University and earned my Masters' Degree and administrative certification from Wilkes University. Currently, I am a Doctoral candidate at Widener University and desire to continue my education to enhance the experience of each and every student.