Charcter Strong Weekly Update 

Character Strong is our schoolwide curriculum used for social-emotional learning. Students complete lessons during Team Time on Monday's and Friday's of each week. Below are highlights of lessons along with their Character Dare.

Monday, March 11th: 

• • Lesson Title/Description: Practicing Perspective-Taking - This is the 2nd of 2 sessions on perspective-taking. Perspective-taking is not just a passive process. In this session, we practice improving our ability to understand someone else by applying our listening skills and asking thoughtful questions.

  • Character Dare: The Power Quote - Place 1 note with your favorite quote on someone's desk that you think would find encouragement from those words.

Friday, March 15th:

• • Lesson Title/Description: Understanding Emotions - This is the 1st of 2 sessions focused on understanding and learning ways to regulate our emotions. In this session, we talk about the value of regulating and calming our bodies and learn some techniques focused on breathing.

  • Character Dare: Back To The Future - Ask a family member about their favorite tradition or activity growing up. then, ask at least 2 follow-up questions to learn more.

Upcoming School Wide HERO Incentives

Our primary objective is to acknowledge students for their exemplary behavior, and we are very  proud of their progress. To achieve this, we use HERO to record positive behavior and students receive points for exemplifying the GREAT pillars. Here are some exciting incentives we have in store to celebrate our students for the rest of the year. All incentives and dates are subject to change.

• March 29th - Staff vs Student Basketball and Quick Recall Game - 175 TOTAL points by March 22nd

• May 8th - Louisville BATS Game - 225 TOTAL points by May 2nd

Bullying Prevention Parent Night!

Thank you to the families who joined us for an awesome parent! Click the link below to view the information that was presented.

Bullying Prevention Presentation

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.

Please Vote! - SBDM COUNCIL NOMINEE

It is time to vote to fill our vacant SBDM Council position: click here to vote now

You may review our candidate below and vote Yes or No at the link above.

DeeDee Robinson

Hello, I am a PTSA board member who is interested in serving on the SBDM committee to get a better understanding of school procedures and the decision making process.  I would love to sit in and exchange ideas with others regarding school policies and help make informed decisions.

MAP Testing

It’s that time of year again in which your student will be taking part in MAP testing. To help prepare them for testing, your child will be setting goals in their Science and Social Studies classes during the week of March 11th-15th. Please ask your child about what goals he/she set for reading and math.

MAP measures a student’s academic progress in reading and math. Each time your child takes MAP, we use the data to compare their growth from their previous score. On March 20th-22nd, your child will take the Reading MAP test. The average goal for a 6th grade student in spring is 215. On April 15th-16th, your child will take the Math MAP test. The average goal for a 6th grade student in winter is 222. These average scores are a prediction that a student will answer 50% of given questions correctly at a specific difficulty level.

Your child will be bringing home their Student Progress Report that shows their MAP growth over the course of this year. This video explains how to read the report. Please encourage your child to try his/her best on this test. We also ask that you make sure your child is here on time each day for testing. We appreciate your continued support in ensuring your child is successful! 

KDF Marathon / Mini Marathon Discount

Thinking about signing up for the Kentucky Derby Festival Mini Marathon or Marathon? 

Here is your sign! Head over to derbyfestivalmarathon.com and use code EchoTrail24 at checkout and receive 10% off race registration.
Code expires 4/22. Hope to see you out there!
-Ms. Boone

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!

General PTSA Meeting - March 26, 7pm

The PTSA will be having our second general PTSA meeting of the year on Tuesday, March 26 at 7:00pm via Zoom.

All PTSA members are invited to attend.  We will catch everyone up on all things PTSA.

Zoom link to follow closer to the time.

Thanks!

PTSA Board

Spring Festival, April 12 - Save the Date!

We are excitedly planning a great event coming up soon! Make sure to mark your calendars. You won't want to miss this!

More details coming soon!

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: Please check Google Classroom with an updated schedule for the remainder of the year. 

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 Spring Sports

Practice Days

Reminder that all athletes must have an updated Sports Physical and Echo Trail athletics packet turned in and on file to participate in an Echo Trail athletics program. This includes getting your packet notarized, which can be done in our front office.

Baseball:

Head Coach -  Austin Dukes

Email: Linked to name

Practices: *Times and Locations Vary

F - @ Eastwood Cutoff Field 5:00 - 7:00 PM

Sa - @ Eastern HS Indoor 3:00 - 5:00 PM

Softball:

Head Coach - Elizabeth Conard

Email: Linked to name

Practices: 2:45 - 5:00 PM

M W - @ Eastwood Cutoff Rd Field

Th -  @ Echo Trail

**Transportation bus provided to practice from school.

Boys Soccer:

Head Coach - Cary Hearn

Email: clhbanker@bellsouth.net

Practices: *2:45 - 4:30 PM 

T Th - @ The Parklands Egg Lawn

**Transportation bus provided to practice from school.

Boys Lacrosse:

Coach - Phil Brock (Head Coach Eastern HS Lax)

Email: philbrock15@gmail.com

Practices: Contact Coach Brock as schedule and locations may vary

Flag Football:

Coach - Dexter Bowden

Email: Linked to name

TRYOUT Day 2: Wednesday (3/6) 3:00 - 5:00 PM @ Echo Trail (Both boys and girls interested in participating)

Practices: *3:00 - 5:00 PM 

M W -  @ Echo Trail

Volleyball (6th grade Spring League):

Coach - Rachael Johnston 

Email: Linked to name (email last name is "Johnson")

Practices: *2:30 - 4:00 PM 

M Th - @ Echo Trail

Track and Field:

Coach -  William Jacoby

Email: Linked to name

Information: Track and Field is still being developed for this season. Stay tuned for more information.

Go be grEaT this spring!

Mr. Carden

Echo Trail Athletic Director

Archery

3/28-3/30   

2024 KY NASP State Tournament - 3D tournament

@ KY Expo Center

*Flights begin Thursday at 3:00 PM

Check for Overdue Library Books

Greetings Parents and Guardians! 

Please check with your student and remind them to return any library books to the library. We have quite a few overdue books; notices will be sent out via student email as well as through ELA teachers.

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.

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

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.

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!

Weekly Newsletter

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