Echo Trail Middle School Weekly Newsletter

Welcome!

October 28, 2024

Hello Wolf Pack Families!

This week we will be celebrating Red Ribbon Week. We have a variety of fun activities planned for our staff and students including: door decoration contest, dress down days, and more. Check out the slide deck here

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 25 points) OR Celebrate Diwali (Hindu students dressing in traditional apparel, non-Hindu students wear TOP orange, yellow, or red with UNIFORM BOTTOMS)

As we prepare for the weapons detection systems, we want to go ahead and practice with students what needs to be taken out prior to exiting the car or bus. This will help our students get into the routine and make the process smooth. We will be communicating with students what should go home each day versus what should stay in their lockers. Other helpful tips include:

Hold cups straight out when going through the system
Organize your belongings to not have any “loose” items
All BLUE items should be out and ready to pass around BEFORE exiting the car or bus.
- (B - binders, L - laptops/Chromebooks/chargers, U - umbrellas, E - eyeglass cases)

Recent Wolfpack Celebrations:

Congrats to our Football Team for a grEaT first season!

Quick Recall and Future Problem Solving Teams had awesome matches last week! The QR 6th grade team beat Brown and our Varsity team (7th grade) only lost by 1 point competing against 8th graders!

The Chess Team beat Phoenix in their most recent match!

The Golf team brought home the championship- first place as a team, first place in the individual matches (Jonathan H) and overall league winner (London K). The team also had countless skills challenges winners!

12 U Baseball National Team wins and Jack M. 6th grader at ET is on the team!

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

Echo Trail Parent Testimonials for Incoming Families

We invite you to share your experiences! Your testimonials can help incoming families feel welcomed and informed about our community. Highlight the strengths, opportunities, and memorable moments that make our school special. Your insights can guide new families as they embark on this exciting journey. Submit your testimonial today and be a part of shaping their experience using the google form below.

Parent Testimonial Google Form

HERO INCENTIVES

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 25 Points to dress down

Nov. 22nd - Cash in 25 Points to attend participate in a Pizza/Dance Party

HERO Student and Teacher Leaders

Check out our HERO point leaders for last week!

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 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

Echo Trail Winter Athletics Store

Last chance before the store closes on Sunday evening, November 3, to purchase Winter Athletic gear!

Follow the link to grab all your great gear!
Echo Trail Winter Sports Gear 2024

School Picture Retakes

Picture re-take day is November 12th. This will be for students and staff who were absent or are new to the school. If you purchased a package and are unhappy and would like re-takes, please reach out to kari.ward@jefferson.kyschools.us

Holiday Assistance Program

Starting November 1, we'll be collecting items for our Holiday Assistance Program. Check out the list and see where you can help!

Helpers needed for Upcoming Harvest Dance

PTSA is hosting a Harvest Dance November 15th after school. All proceeds are going to the holiday assistance program to help fund meals to Echo Trail families in need.

We need some help to accomplish our goal. Ticket sellers, chaperones, donations and more. Please click the link and help if you can: SignUpGenius: Echo Trail Harvest Dance 2024

Echo Trail Night @ Main Event - Nov 4

Join us at Main Event, November 4 from 5-8pm, and 20% of all proceeds will go towards Echo Trail PTSA. See the flier for more details!

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.

Congratulations!

Echo Trail Band

Students from across JCPS Middle Schools auditioned for the 2024 JCPS All-County Band. We are proud of all of our students who attended. Special congratulations to the six students from Echo Trail who made it as 7th Graders!

Congratulations!

Well done, Echo Trail vocalists!

Congratulations to Miles, Rishi, Trey, Declan, Max, and Leo on a beautiful performance as a part of the boys choir in Carmina Burana with the Louisville Orchestra on October 19!

Echo Trail on Facebook

Follow Echo Trail Middle on Facebook for updates and celebrations!

Echo Trail PTSA

Upcoming PTSA Meeting, November 12

Mark your calendars! We hope you'll join us for the General Body PTSA Meeting. All are welcome.

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

Car Rider Club Pickups

Some of our clubs end at different times after school, so not all students will be released and waiting in the front immediately. This sometimes causes congestion due to cars in the front of the line waiting for their student to be released while cars in the back can't get to the front to pick up their waiting student.

If you are picking up a student after their club, please pull all the way forward through the circle, just like our normal after school dismissal, to provide as much space as possible. Additionally, you may park in a parking space to wait for your student.

Thanks for your help in this matter!

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

No STLP Meeting this Thursday

STLP will NOT meet this Thursday, Oct 31. Our next meeting will be the follow Thursday, November 7.

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

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: 10/21 - 10/26

Wednesday 10/30

Basketball vs JCTMS @ Echo Trail

5:00 PM 6th Boys

6:00 PM JV Girls

7:00 PM JV Boys

Saturday 11/2

Echo Trail Cheer - Competition

Baseball Meet, Greet, and Swings

If you are interested in playing baseball this spring for Echo Trail, come join the baseball coaches at the Eastern High School indoor facility on 11/8, 11/15, and 11/22 starting at 6:00 pm. Coaches will be present to discuss the season, physical and athletic packets can be turned in if you have not done so already, and students can get some swings in while attending (bring your equipment).

If you have any questions please contact Coach Austin Dukes or Mr. Carden for details.

Austin Dukes: austin.dukes@jefferson.kyschools.us

Weekly Wrap Up

Year One of Echo Trail Football comes to an end after a tough battle

In the second round of playoffs, Echo Trail went head to head with top seed JCTMS. After a 0-0 score at half, JCTMS broke through for the 14-0 win. Great first year of Wolfpack football for the coaches and players. We are looking forward to next season.

Echo Trail Golf finishes what they set out to do

After a 3rd place finish in the JCPS Championship last season, Echo Trail Golf had their eyes set on the top spot in year two. After all the championship scores were totaled, your Echo Trail Wolves Blue team are your 2024 JCPS Varsity Champions. Echo Trail Blue also finished the regular season with the most cumulative points as well. Echo Trail Green, our other varsity team, finished 5th in the Championship race. Congratulations to both teams.

Echo Trail JV Golfers also took finished at the top of the standings

Jonathan H. finished as the singles match Champion

Jonathan also walked away with several of the skills challenge awards on the night as well.

London K. finished the season as the varsity league low score average

London was also recognized for his hole in one accomplishment this season.

ET Swim continues to leave its mark in this weeks meet

In meet two of the season, Echo Trail swimmers saw several times improves from week one. Tatum C., Haden M., and Kate P., were just a few swimmers this week that had top 10 finishes. Tatum C. finished second overall this week in the 100yd freestyle.

Special Congratulations to Jack Mattingly on winning the 12U International Baseball Tournament Gold Medal

Jack competed for Team USA in Panama this past week against several teams from North, South, and Centeral America. Jack and Team USA beat Dominican Republic in the final to capture gold.

Jack was also selected as part of the All Tournament team

Congratulations from all of your Echo Trail Staff and Peers!

Calling All Wrestlers

If you are interested in wrestling, Eastern HS will be hosting youth wrestling clinics. Please see the flyer attached and follow the QR code for more information.

Eastern is also looking for 7th grade participants that have interest in wrestling at the high school level. Please contact Coach Ren Pittman for more information.

Ren Pittman - ren.pittman@jefferson.kyschools.us

Repeat Information

Modern Music Website

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

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!

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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