Welcome!

January 15, 2024 

Hello Wolf Pack Families!

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day! We do NOT have school today. I would like to share a quote from Dr. King that I believe is perfect for Echo Trail: “If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.” As we enter the second half of the school year, we at Echo Trail will continue to #ExpectgreaTness big or small. It all makes a difference.

I want to make sure you have the NTI resources that were shared last week with families easily available. Below, you will find the JCPS letter and Echo Trail’s plan for NTI (should we need to utilize it):

• NTI District Letter

• Echo Trail's short term NTI plan HERE

Grading Term 2 has come to a close and Grading Term 3 will start on January 16th. Report Cards for Grading Term 2 will be available on 1/24/24. 

Starting this week, we will be implementing some adjustments to our school-wide systems. One of those systems is Locker Breaks. Please review the adjustments below. We will also be communicating and assisting students as we implement these changes. 

AM Locker Break

• • Students get supplies for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd 

  • *If students want to carry all supplies for the day, they can still do this

Mid-Day Locker Break (after 3rd period) - this is optional→ Only students who need to switch things out utilize this opportunity

• • Students will be able to get their supplies for Lunch, 4th, 5th, 6th

  • Students are NOT to go to their locker if it is not needed based on the 2nd bullet above *AM Locker Break section 

Dismissal/PM Locker Break

• • No changes

Save the Date(s):

1/15/24 NO SCHOOL

1/16 Recognize our Girl’s Basketball Team 

2/19-2/20/24 NO SCHOOL 

3/15/24 End of Third Grading Term

4/12/24 PTSA Spring Fling Festival 

5/24/24 End of Fourth Grading Term 

#ExpectgreaTness 

Dr. Ammerman, Principal

Twitter: @KaraJo_Ammerman 

Bullying Prevention Parent Night, January 18th 

Join us to discuss transition from Elementary to Middle School, Bullying vs Peer Conflict, and Social Media.

January 18th, 5pm | Echo Trail Media Center

Let us know if you'll be there: Please RSVP with this form!

We need your help! Cellphones and Peer Conflict 

We are seeing an uptick in peer conflict that is stemming from social media and group chats (text messages) communication. We are working to educate our students at school on how to resolve conflict and how to form healthy peer relationships. This work cannot be done alone and we are asking parents and guardians to partner with us in order to navigate healthy friendships while living in a tech world. Remind your child to always “Treat yourself and others with kindness” no matter if they are speaking face to face or online. Below are a few suggestions on how you can speak to your child about their social media use:

• Help them set boundaries and limits on tech. Make sure using social media doesn't get in the way of adequate sleep. 

• Have regular conversations with your child about their mental health and well-being. Talk about the platforms they're on, app features, and how they make your child feel. 

• Make sure they know to go to a trusted adult if they feel uncomfortable about something online.

Counseling Request Form

If your student has an academic question or social-emotional need, you can reach our counselors (Mr. Rul-lan and/or Ms. Thomas) or our Mental Health Practioner (MHP) Mrs. Sanders by filling out the Counselor Google Form.

Dental Clinic Sign-ups Extended

Dental Clinic sign-ups extended: Click here to sign up!

By signing up, a state licensed dentist will regularly check your child's mouth & teeth, as well as provide a cleaning, x-rays as necessary, fluoride treatment and apply sealants, as needed. Additional care, such as fillings, may also be provided. A dental report card will be sent home with your child. By completing this, the dentist will be able to see your child for their initial visit as well as all follow-up visits. 

Yearbook Photo Submissions

Remember, you can submit photos from ETMS events! These photos will be considered for use in our first ever yearbook.

Please use the form linked here and contact kari.ward@jefferson.kyschools.us if you have any questions or feedback. The form will remain open throughout the school year (until the yearbook has to be finalized).

Donuts for FCA

Our Echo Trail FCA is back for all students and meets every Wednesday from 7:00-7:30AM in the Band Room (132).  As we anticipate large groups again, we are in need of families to help by signing up to bring in donuts.

Please click here to see our sign up genius which has all the information needed.

Thanks in advance for your generosity!

Link your Kroger Card to Help Echo Trail

Whenever you shop at Kroger and use your Kroger Card, you use can help Echo Trail!

Kroger Community Rewards

• Link Echo Trail Middle School PTSA to your Kroger Card and every time you scan your card, Kroger will give back 1% of all your purchases ETMS!

• Click here to get started and search for “Echo Trail” in the organization search!

Science Olympiad

Science Club members, please check Google classroom for an updated schedule and information on the science fair. 

STLP Echo Trail Student News

If your student would in interested in being part of the Echo Trail Student News Team, have them reach out an STLP member or Mr. Etter, michael.etter@jefferson.kyschools.us.

Congrats to our Regional STLP Project Presenters!

The Random Acts of Kindness Club and the Echo Trail Student News presented the projects the are doing in their clubs to a panel of STLP judges -- and both scored high enough to pass on to the State Championship in late March! We are excited for them to present to the State judges the grEaT things they are doing at Echo Trail!

Fellowship of Christian Athletes

We will continue to meet every Wednesday in the Band Room (132) from 7:00-7:30am.  All students are welcome to attend!

If you have any questions, please email sponsors joseph.stivers@jefferson.kyschools.us or jordan.stout@jefferson.kyschools.us.

Echo Trail Bowling League

Our Echo Trail Bowling League had to cancel our first league day Friday, January 12, but will return every Friday for six weeks.  Reminder that all students are to report to the band room (132) after school each Friday for a quick attendance check and bowling lesson before loading the activity bus.  Parents are to pick-up each Friday at Ten Pin Lanes by 4:30pm.

If you have questions about game days, contact Mr. Stivers, joseph.stivers@jefferson.kyschools.us for more information.

Sign Up for Spring Sports!

We're all geared up for our Spring Athletic schedule: Baseball, Softball, Boys Soccer, Girls Soccer, Boys Lacrosse, Girls Lacrosse, Track & Field, and Flag Football.

If your athlete is interested in playing any of our upcoming sports, make sure to fill out the form

Athlete Interest Form

STUDENTS!  If you are interested in playing a spring sport, please fill out the form with your information and select the sport you are interested in participating in this spring.
→ Student Athlete Interest Form

Coaching Interest Form

PARENTS & ET COMMUNITY!  If you are interested in coaching a spring sport, please fill out the form with your information and select the sport you are interested in coaching. Give a brief description of your coaching background in "Experience" box below. Thank you!
→ Coaching Interest Form

Volunteers Needed - Calling All Wolf Pack Members...

We are looking for volunteers to help fill some of the game day responsibilities (ticket table, score book, concessions, cleanup, etc.) during our upcoming home basketball events. 

All game day volunteers will receive free admission the day of the event they are working. The link below will take you to the sign up sheet to help us ensure that we will host great events at Echo Trail.

Wolf Pack Basketball Game Day Volunteers - Sign Up!

If you have questions about game day help, contact Mr. Carden, kyle.carden@jefferson.kyschools.us, or Coach Fasoldt, peter.fasoldt@jefferson.kyschools.us, for more information.

Basketball

1/16 Echo Trail @ Home: 

  6th Boys vs Noe MS - 5:30 PM

JV Girls vs Newburg MS - 6:30 PM

JV Boys vs Newburg MS - 7:30 PM

1/22 Echo Trail vs Hudson @ Home

First Game Tip Off - 5:30 PM

Archery

1/20 Archery 

  2nd Annual Charger Challenge - Bullseye & 3D

@ Jeffersontown HS

*Flights TBA - All Day Event

Homework Reminder

As your child continues to settle into middle school, we wanted to take a moment to send out a reminder about the importance of completing homework assignments. 

Homework is used to reinforce the skills and concepts that your child is learning at home. It is important that you are checking in DAILY with your child about the homework that he/she may have to complete. 

We ask that you also check Infinite Campus regularly to stay up-to-date on your child’s progress and any missing assignments that he/she may have. Completing assignments in a timely manner and practicing outside of school will help your child be successful throughout the school year. 

As always, if you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher directly. We appreciate your continued support!

Agenda Use

Starting this week, we will be helping students consistently use their agendas in each class. All teachers will have their students write down the learning target and any homework they might have.

We want to assist our students with organization skills and also completing homework when assigned. We also want to increase communication with you as you support your student.

Quick Reference & Reminders

• NTI Communication - Families

• Technology Plan - NTI

• Bus App Directions

• Please reference this map for AM arrival and PM dismissal 

• Echo Trail MS School Number 502-485-8398

• Expectations Slide Deck 

• Technology Slide Deck 

• Gum/Candy/Food - we ask that students do not chew gum (it finds its way to new furniture or the floor, etc.) and that any candy/food remains put away unless in the cafeteria.  

• Please review the uniform guidance and slide deck linked below:

Uniform Written Guidance

Uniform Slide Deck (visuals)

Spirit Store Items and Uniform Approved Items

Common Items we are correcting:

• Full zip jackets will need to be removed (once we have assigned lockers students will store them there)

• Hoodies that are non-Echo Trail (Echo Trail hoodies with hoods down can be worn on Fridays) Nike women’s dry tempo short, AC women’s tempo luxe 5 in short, and general athletic shorts are not approved school items to be worn. 

• The only athletic shorts approved on Friday’s are BSN Sports Agility 2 pocket Short and Nike Flex Woven Short.

Wolfpack Weekly in Junk Mail

Teachers and parents both found the Weekly Newsletter in the Junk folder of their email recently.

If you missed a newsletter, you can always find previous weeks listed in the navigation window.

Here are things you can do to make sure you don't miss out next time:

• Periodically look in your Junk Folder to make sure you're not missing email from JCPS Teachers

• Whitelist our email addresses

  • For the Weekly, michael.etter@jefferson.kyschools.us and echotrailmiddle_reginfo@jefferson.kyschools.us

• Bookmark bit.ly/WolfPackWeekly and use the navigation bar for the latest week's newsletter

• Update Infinite Campus Parent Portal to include your phone number to receive SMS Notifications from us

We hope this helps. We never want you to miss out on important information. Please reach out to the school with any questions or assistance!

School Contacts

If you need to reach out to any of our administrators, front office staff, core content teachers or other staff, you can find their names, roles and emails on our school website: bit.ly/echotrailmiddle

Weekly Newsletter

Errors? Omissions? If something is missing or needs to be corrected, please email Michael Etter, michael.etter@jefferson.kyschools.us.