Echo Trail Middle School Weekly Newsletter

Welcome!

October 14, 2024

Hello Wolf Pack Families!

I wanted to communicate that there have been adjustments to MAP and the question catalog. We are working with district specialists to better understand what kind of impact this could have had on Fall scores. I will provide any updated information as I receive it.

KSA scores were released and I wanted to provide you with a summary of how we did as a school. I am extremely proud of our results and will also use them to plan for where we need to go as a school.

*We did not have scores in the N/A areas, so the other category weightings are adjusted for calculation purposes.

*Blue = Highest Score Range

Green

Yellow

Orange

Red = Lowest Score Range

We scored “Blue” in the Quality of School Climate & Safety Survey. We were the only middle school in JCPS to score at this level on this part of the state accountability model.
- Sense of Belonging Focus
- Positive school climate
- Consistent school systems
We scored “Yellow” in the combined area of Reading and Math. We were 1 of 11 JCPS middle schools to score at this level. We scored a 63.3 in this area, making us the 3rd highest of these 11 schools.
- No middle schools scored in the green in this area, and only 2 scored Blue
For our overall score of 64.3, the survey was included because we did not have the other two categories. We scored - “Green.”
- One of four JCPS middle schools who scored at the “Green Level.”
- No JCPS middle schools scored at the “Blue” level.

Monday, October 14th, we are going to start practicing with students to remove “BLUE Items” (Binders, Laptops/chromebooks, Umbrellas, and Eyeglass cases) prior to entering the building in the mornings. We want to help this become a part of their routine. We will continue to communicate necessary information.

This Wednesday, October 16th, will be the end of Term 1. Students will start their term 2 classes on October 17th. There will only be slight adjustments with Elevate and Explore classes depending on grade and courses being taken. Students will receive their new schedule and adults will be assisting students with directing them to new classrooms as necessary.

Also on 10/16 is Unity Day! We are encouraging our staff and students to wear orange. Please review the dress down guidelines here.

Starting October 28th to celebrate Red Ribbon and School Safety week. We have a variety of fun activities planned for our staff and students including: door decoration contest, dress down days, and more.

Dress Down Day (following guidelines)

Monday 28th - PJ Day "Wake Up Drug Free"

Tuesday 29th - Twin Day - "Friends Don't Let Friends do Drugs"

Wednesday 30th - Neon Day - "Too Bright for Drugs"

Thursday 31st - Book Character Day (NO PROPS/MASKS) HERO Costume Guidelines

Friday 1st - HERO Incentive Dress Down (Cash in 50 points)

We also have a few celebrations!

Congratulations to the Quick Recall team! They split their games with Ramsey Middle last night. The JV team won their game while Varsity only lost by 2 points in their first match of the season.
7th Grade students have been working hard to fundraise for the Ugandan Water Project last month! We raised $2,149! Team Courage raised the most money at $1,176!
The ETMS Swim Team placed 7th out of 15 teams! We had some top 10 placements as well:
- Our girls 200 Medley Relay placed 10th. Swimmers: Adamy B., Tatum C., Ellen W., Erin C.
- Ellen W. placed 13th/158 swimmers for 50 Free Style
- Haden M. placed 5/100 swimmers for 50 Free Style
- Madison F-P placed 8th/43 swimmers for 50 Breaststroke
- Tatum C. placed 8th and Ellen W. placed 9th in 50 Butterfly
- Tatum C. placed 6th in 100 Free Style.

Save the Date(s) and Other Important Information:

Echo Trail Family Calendar : This is a living document that will be updated as needed. We wanted to give you a snapshot of what to expect each month.
Uniform Written Guidance and Uniform Slide Deck (visuals) :
- Please be mindful of skirt length
- Full-zip jackets are to be removed for the day
- Uniform Approved hoodies can only be worn on Friday
EDULOG Parent Information

#ExpectgreaTness

Dr. Ammerman, Principal

Twitter: @KaraJo_Ammerman

Counselor's Corner

Launching HERO!

What is HERO?

HERO is our platform to recognize and reward students for positive actions and behaviors. Students are able to earn points throughout the week for demonstrating the G.R.E.A.T. Pillars of Success.

G - Growth Mindset

R - Ready and Responsible

E - Enthusiastic Attitude

A - Actively Participate

T - Treat yourself and others with kindness

Lanyards: Each student received an Echo Trail Lanyard with their school ID. Expectation is students MUST have their school ID and lanyard with them each day in order to earn points. IDs are used to award points and scan for lunch numbers. In the event, students will need to replace their lanyard, ID and/or plastic ID holder, they can redeem points to do so.

Celebrations: HERO recognitions will take place weekly, monthly and quarterly to celebrate our top HERO earners and staff members who reward points.

Upcoming Incentives:

Nov. 1st - Cash in 50 Points to dress down

Nov. 18th/19th - Cash in 100 Points to attend Kentucky Derby Museum

MAP Testing

CONGRATULATIONS on completing MAP testing!!! This week your child will bring home his/her Family Report from NWEA. This report contains the following information:

Your child’s reading and math scores from the Fall.
- 6th Grade Fall Reading Goal: 210
- 6th Grade Fall Math Goal: 214

- 7th Grade Fall Reading Goal: 214
- 7th Grade Fall Math Goal: 220

Your child’s Achievement Percentile (how well your child has learned skills in a subject area compared to similar students nationwide).

Your child’s Growth Percentile (a measure of your child’s personal progress over the year).

Your child will take MAP testing again in December. Your child will set goals at school based on his/her Fall scores. We strongly encourage you to set goals with your child at home as well. The goals for Winter are as follows:

6th Grade Winter Reading Goal: 214
6th Grade Winter Math Goal: 220

7th Grade Winter Reading Goal: 217
7th Grade Winter Math Goal: 224

We look forward to seeing your child show growth!

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.

Family Feedback Survey

The Family Engagement Team at Echo Trail value your input and want to hear from you! We’re inviting you to participate in our Family Engagement Survey. Your feedback is crucial in helping us create a supportive and thriving environment for all families.

We condensed our previous survey in order to receive more feedback. Click here to take the new and improved Family Engagement survey!

Counseling Request Form

If your student has an academic question or social-emotional need, you can reach our counselors or Mental Health Practitioner by filling out the Counselor Google Form.

6th Grade - Ms. Thomas/Ms. Wales

7th Grade - Mr. Rul-lan/Ms. Wales

Mental Health Practitioner (MHP) - Mrs. Sanders

Important Information & Upcoming Events

Drama Club

Drama club will hold an interest meeting Wednesday, October 16th from 2:20-3:20 pm. Students will receive audition sides and songs for Wonka Kids auditions on October 23rd.

Stay up to date with all Drama Club updates at our club website.

If you have questions, you can email Ms. Knapke at lori.knapke@jefferson.kyschools.us

Louisville Book Fair, Oct 18-19

The Louisville Book Fair will take place on October 18th and 19th from 10am-5pm at the Kentucky International Convention Center. This event is free and open to the public. Any child 18 and under who attends will receive a free book of their choice from the festival. Visit the website -- www.louisvillebookfestival.com -- for more information.

Holiday Assistance Sponsors Needed

If you would like to contribute to our Holiday Assistance program for Echo Trail families in need, please click HERE to complete this Google Form by Friday, October 25th! We do not currently have a Family Youth Service Coordinator and appreciate your willingness to support. Thanks in advance for your generosity and caring for our Wolf Pack!

Holiday Assistance Program

If you would like to receive Holiday Assistance for your student, please click HERE to complete a Google Form by Friday, October 25th!. Make sure to complete the form for each child in your home that attends Echo Trail. Before completing the form, please read below to ensure you understand how our Holiday Assistance Program works.

1. 1. We will provide Holiday Gift Assistance for the first 20 families who complete the form. IF we have additional sponsorship, we may be able to support more families.
  2. If you are not one of the first 20 families to complete the form, you will be added to a wait list. You will also receive information from our school about other ways you can obtain holiday gift assistance.
  3. Our sponsors will focus on providing clothing items or other gift items that you rank as priority.

Yearbook Photo Submissions

Do you have some grEaT photos from Echo Trail events? Submit them for consideration to be included in the 2024-25 Yearbook!

Click the photo or this link. Access Code: wolves24

Breakfast & Lunch Menu

Below is the snapshot of this week's menu. You can always see the menu for any school and any day of the school year on the JCPS Nutrislice website. Below is the Echo Trail menu.
--> Echo Trail Menus | Nutrislice

Celebrations

Weekly Student Spotlight

Each team of teachers will select only one student per week. These students have demonstrated what it means to be G.R.E.A.T. at Echo Trail based upon our school-wide expectations.

Pictures coming soon!

Echo Trail on Facebook

Follow Echo Trail Middle on Facebook for updates and celebrations!

Echo Trail PTSA

Boo Grams

BOO Grams will be sold during lunch October 21-25. Delivery will be on Halloween. $1 per BOO Gram or BOO a whole class for $25. All proceeds benefit the PTSA and school programs. *There will be alternatives due to food allergies.

Support Echo Trail
Shop at 5 Below!

Head to 5 Below between Oct 20-26, show this flier and Echo Trail will receive 10% of the purchase price!

Class Act Heroes of Education

Please vote for Echo Trail Middle School on the Class Act link! Last year we earned $3500 and this year we are already up to $2000!!

Visit heroesofeducation.org/schools/echo-trail-middle-school and make an impact on our school!

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!

Echo Trail Clubs

Club Update

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to the Club sponsor for your students club. You can visit our Club Page here to view current sponsors.

Sponsors will be communicating through Google Classrooms and/or announcements on any club related updates. We also will display our Club calendar weekly to students on our scrolling TV's.

We cannot wait to see what our Clubs do this 2024/25 school year!

-Mr. Stivers, Clubs Coordinator, joseph.stivers@jefferson.kyschools.us

Fellowship of Christian Athletes

Meetings occur every Wednesday from 7:00-7:20am outside the Library on the social stairs. Although this is a before school club, parents are to drop off their student as normal by the gym entrance beginning at 7am. This means if your student is carpool, please drive through the single lane as normal and do not divide into two lanes or drop off early. Please be mindful of our morning staff as they are making sure all students are dropped off safely.

If you have questions, you can email Mr. Stivers at joseph.stivers@jefferson.kyschools.us

Random Acts of Kindness

Our first Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) meeting is Thursday, October 17th from 2:20-3:30pm. Please make sure to arrange pick up at 3:30pm.

If you have questions, you can email Mrs. Herndon at erin.herndon2@jefferson.kyschools.us

Wolf Pack Athletics

Athletic Forms

Your student athlete will not be able to participate in any activity (including practices) until they have completed the Echo Trail Athletics Physical Packet (ignore the school year -- it's still the same packet as last year). This includes the WHOLE packet. Use the cover sheet as a checklist to complete all required forms in order for your student athlete to be eligible to start their desired activity.

Thanks for your attention to this! We Expect greaT things from this Wolf Pack!
Kyle Carden, Athletic Director | kyle.carden@jefferson.kyschools.us
Twitter: @ETMS_WolfPack

Athletic Schedule: 10/4 - 10/19

Saturday 10/19

XC State Meet

Weekly Wrap Up

Congratulations to Hannah Gilbert for Representing Echo Trail at the Middle School All Star Game

Hannah was nominated and selcted to participate in this year's Varsity All Star game.

Varsity Golf finishes the season in a battle for the JCPS Championship.

Varsity golf tee'd it up on Saturday in search of a top finish in the JCPS Championship. The Winning team will be announced at the end of year award ceremony. Jonathan H. had the tournament low round with a 33 and London K. not far behind with a 35.

Cross Country Finishes JCPS Season At The Top

With both the boys and girls filling the top 15 in all leader boards, the Wolfpack runners took 1st in both boys and girls 6th grade, and 4th in 7th grade.

Cross Country has good showing at the Haunted Woods Classic

The Girls team finished 7th out of 17 teams, and the boys finished 10th out of 29 teams in the Middle School division.

Next stop for The Pack is the State Meet this Saturday.

Football Get First Win of the Season 28-0

Football took on Olmsted on Friday and had their best offensive production of the year, and played lock down defense to get the shutout in a 28-0 affair.

Football Playoffs begin this week. The Wolfpack will advance past the first round and head to the second round on Saturday 10/26 against JCTMS.

Echo Trail Swim Dives Into Their Season Opener

The Wolfpack swimmers started the season off strong in the pool with a 7th place finish out of the 15 teams competing.

Some individual achievements from the meet:

Girls 200 Medley Relay placed 10th
- Swimmers: Adamy B., Tatum C., Ellen W., Erin C.
Ellen W. placed 13th of 158 swimmers in the 50 freestyle
Haden M. placed 5th of 100 swimmers in the 50 freestyle
Madison F.P. place 8th of 43 swimmers in the 50 breaststroke
Tatum C. finshed 8th and Ellen W. finished 9th in the 50 butterfly
Tatum C. finished 6th in the 100 freestyle

Repeat Information

Car Rider Reminders

Thank you for your patience during our morning and afternoon car rider line. Our car rider line continues to improve. A few reminders to help us continue to be as efficient as possible:

Morning Drop Off:

- There is 1 lane for student drop off.
- Pull all the way forward to the orange cones located near exit 3.
- A staff member will direct students to exit the car. Please make sure your child has his/her belongings ready to exit safely and quickly.
- For student safety, please avoid letting your child exit the car before the sidewalk begins near the main entrance.

Afternoon Pick Up:

- There are 2 lanes for student pick up. Once students have safely loaded into their cars, one lane will be released at a time by the direction of a staff member. The next set of cars will pull forward and stop and the loading process will be repeated.
- Please follow the directives of the staff members outside in order to keep the line moving safely and efficiently.
- Please avoid pulling around cars unless told to do so by a staff member.

Thank you for doing your part in helping make our car rider line function as smoothly as possible.

Bus Transportation Update

At this point in the school year, we know the consistent number of students on each bus. If a student needs to ride home with someone else, we will handle this on a case-by-case basis due to the availability of seats on each bus.

The process will be:

Both parents/guardians would send a note to school the morning of
School Administrators will check to see if there is room on the bus
If there is room, student will be able to ride
If there is NOT room, student will NOT be able to ride and will need to go home their normal way
A call will be made to let parents/guardians know if the transportation change is approved or not approved

Volunteer This School Year!

We'd love to have you participate in field trips and other volunteer opportunities. Head to the JCPS Volunteer page (Get Involved) and click Volunteer Talent Center to fill out a background check form. Background checks are kept on file with the district and are good for 5 years.

Standards Based Grading at Echo Trail

At Echo Trail MS, we believe students learning the content over simply memorizing material is important for the educational environment we want to provide. We want to begin to provide information to you in order to support your student and better understand what Standards Based Grading is and is not. Please know that SBG will not affect GPAs or transitioning to High School. The majority of Middle Schools in JCPS are shifting from traditional grading practices to SBG.

What does SBG do?

Student learning of grade level standards is measured and communicated.
Students know where they are at in their learning of grade level standards.
Clear learning goals are explained to students and students receive communication about their progress towards these learning goals.
Students receive feedback on assignments to further their understanding of content standards.
Students have the opportunity to use feedback and improve their “grade” and to show their mastery/learning of grade level standards.

SBG Visual Grading Chart

Infinite Campus Grading

When viewing your child’s grades on Infinite Campus, you will see two categories: Engagement and Mastery.

What does Engagement mean?

These are assignments given to help students “practice” the current standards/skills that are being taught within the classroom. These assignments could include, but are not limited to, the following: participation, group work, class discussion, journals/ logs/notebooks, homework, projects, teacher observation, student reflection, demonstrations of learning, defenses, and/or other evidence of student interaction.
These assignments will NOT impact your child’s overall Mastery grade. For example, your child may receive 4s on all of his/her Engagement assignments, but may have a score less than 4 under the Mastery category depending on how he/she performs on various mastery assignments including resubmissions.
These assignments help lead up to Mastery assignments. Descriptive feedback will be provided in order to help your child know how he/she is progressing towards mastery of various standards/skills.
Engagement assignments will need to be completed by the deadline given by the teacher in order to complete the Mastery assignments.
Resubmissions will NOT be permitted on Engagement assignments. Remember, these are practice assignments.

What does Mastery mean?

These are assignments in which students will “apply” their knowledge of the current standards/skills being taught within the classroom. These assignments could include, but are not limited to, the following: projects (e.g., project or problem-based), performance assessments, demonstrations of learning, authentic assessments, presentations/ defenses, other evidence of learning toward mastery, or tests/proficiency assessments.
Resubmissions WILL be permitted on Mastery assignments. Your child will need to complete additional “Engagement” assignments at the teacher’s discretion prior to resubmitting a Mastery assignment in order to demonstrate that he/she is ready.
The number of resubmissions will be at the teacher’s discretion. *Please note: If your child receives a 3 on a Mastery assignment, your child will need to initiate the resubmission. If he/she chooses not to resubmit the Mastery assignment, then the final grade on that assignment will be a B. Resubmissions on Mastery assignments in which your child receives less than a 3 will be teacher initiated and your child MUST resubmit. The highest score on the resubmissions will be entered into Infinite Campus.
Mastery assignments will be scored using the 4-point Standards Based Grading scale. (4=A, 3=B, 2=C, 1=D, 0=U)

The following conduct rubric will be used to administer your child’s final conduct grade:

It is important that you are checking your child’s grades regularly to ensure that he/she is completing assignments in a timely manner and demonstrating mastery towards the standards. The goal is not for students to always achieve a 4. The goal of Standards Based Grading is for your child to be able to apply what he/she is learning and demonstrate true mastery of standards. We appreciate your involvement in your child’s learning and we are committed to helping your child have a successful year!

Modern Music Website

Our Modern Music class has a new website! Students and families can check in for regular updates on our MM classes!

Weekly Newsletter

Our newsletter is sent out every Monday morning. Previous newsletters can be found on the top left side menu bar.

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

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