Wolf Pack Weekly
Echo Trail Middle School Weekly Newsletter
Echo Trail Middle School Weekly Newsletter
February 10 , 2025
Hello Wolf Pack Families!
Friendly reminder that today is an NTI Day. Echo Trail NTI Schedule *No live instruction- all assignments will be posted on Google Classroom. Teachers are available to meet with students should they have questions.
The car rider line will close at 7:30 a.m. All students will need to enter through Exit 1 (Main Office) to receive a note to class after the car rider line has been closed.
Parent Teacher Conferences are coming up on 2/17, we wanted to communicate that all families and guests will need to go through our Weapons Detection system.
Please take time to complete the Comprehensive School Survey as a parent/guardian. Last year, we finished in first place with our response rate and would like to continue to have the highest response rate. It is valuable information that the administration team and I look at to continue greatness within our school. Also, by completing the survey and returning the paper sent home with students, they will receive 10 HERO points.
Once we return on Tuesday, Friendship Grams will continue to be sold Tuesday and Wednesday this week due to our NTI days. Cost is $1 per gram or $25 for an entire class. They will be delivered during 6th period on February 14th.
Save the date for our Winter Dance, February 21st after school until 4pm. More information coming soon!
This week, we will also have two stations set up in the cafe and library for Kindness Cards sponsored by our GSA club.
Shout Outs:
Girls and Boys Basketball Teams are moving forward this week in their post season! 6th grade Boys Basketball team will compete on 2/10 at Westport @ 6:30, Girls Basketball team will compete on 2/12 at TJ Middle School @ 5:30, JV Boys Basketball team at Westport @ 6:30.
The PTSA Spirit Store is open until Feb. 16th at 11:59pm.
Orders will be delivered to school and given to your student approximately 3 weeks after the store closes. Please be sure to put the order in your child's name. If you do not know the teacher or team name, you can leave it blank or enter the child's name. Echo Feb 2025 Spirit Wear
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
#ExpectgreaTness
Dr. Ammerman, Principal
Twitter: @KaraJo_Ammerman
We are excited to welcome WOLFPACK families back to Spring Family Conferences! Family Conference Day is Monday, February 17th from 8am - 3PM.
To ensure we meet the needs of all our families, teachers have intentionally set aside time within the day to schedule appointments with families who may need more flexibility or extra support. If the scheduled conference day doesn’t work for your family or scheduled times are full, please feel free to reach out to your child's teacher via email to schedule a separate appointment. We are committed to making sure every family has the opportunity to connect and support their child’s growth.
Click here for the steps to schedule a conference with your student's teacher. In-person and Virtual conferences are both available.
Check out our HERO point leaders for last week!
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.
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
Business & Communication - What can I do with $1 Million Dollars?
Consumer Science - African American Entrepreneurs Exploration
Engineering & Design - Sumo LEGO Robotics, Website Creation with HTML Coding Language
Business & Communication - Finishing up Podcasting Interviews & Stock Market Game
Consumer Science - Tiny Houses Construction Final Stages and Stitching
Engineering & Design - Design Challenge Rocket Catcher
The dentist is coming to school! Please visit www.myschooldentist.com if you would like your child to be seen by the dentist at school. The dentist will be here April 11th. Please submit your request by April 1st.
During the week of Feb 10-14, write a note of encouragement or appreciation to a friend!
Stations will be set up in both the cafeteria and library. Notes will be delivered to your friend the following week. Help put a smile on someone's face!
This week, Yearbook Club students will be coming around during WINN time to get student portraits for the Yearbook. These are only for the Yearbook. Professional portraits will be done March 25th and more information will go out before then.
Order your yearbook today before they sell out!
You can purchase them at the Walsworth website now.
Our kiddos are working diligently to complete the 2024-2025 yearbook but we need your help! Please submit any photos you may have that you'd be willing to share!
Click the photo or this link. Access Code: wolves24
If the device assigned to your student is in need of repair for any reason, please tell your teacher as soon as possible or bring it directly to Ms. Ward in the Library.
After trouble shooting, if the device cannot be repaired, Ms. Ward will submit a heat ticket for District IT support and the device will be sent off for repair.
Please be aware, the repair process may take anywhere from 8-12 weeks. Ms.Ward will email teachers and parents/guardians whenever possible to notify them of updates and/or progress towards completion.
Whenever possible, an NTI loaner device will be given to students for use until their device has been returned for repair.
Please take a moment to complete this important survey and let your voices be heard. It’s completely anonymous, and results are used to improve our schools—everything from school climate and curriculum to safety and more.
We are so thankful to have so many students engaged with after school activities! With that, we have a lot of students who need to get picked up all at the same time, creating congestion in the parking lot.
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 for all waiting cars.
Additionally, we highly recommend that you park in a parking space to wait for your student. If you choose to park, you may slowly and carefully drive around cars that are waiting in line to get to a parking spot.
Because some clubs are released later than others, parking will allow more cars into the waiting area.
Thanks for your help in this matter!
Congratulations on demonstrating what it means to be G.R.E.A.T. at Echo Trail!
Follow Echo Trail Middle on Facebook for updates and celebrations!
Follow Echo Trail Middle on X for updates and celebrations!
Once we return on Tuesday, Friendship Grams will continue to be sold Tuesday and Wednesday this week due to our NTI days. Cost is $1 per gram or $25 for an entire class. They will be delivered during 6th period on February 14th.
Come out to Blaze Pizza this Wednesday night and 20% of proceeds go to PTSA! Just tell them your order should be credited to Echo Trail. Giving back never tasted so good!
February 12th, 2025
5:00pm - 9:00pm
Middletown Commons - 13317 Shelbyville Rd Louisville, KY 40223
In-Restaurant, Blaze Pizza App, Blazepizza.com
TWO WAYS TO SUPPORT OUR ORGANIZATION: In-Restaurant or Online
In-Restaurant: Bring in this flyer or show it on your phone before paying.
Online Orders: Orders must be placed online via the Blaze Pizza App or blazepizza.com. Enter code 1065A into the ‘Promo Code’ field at checkout to have your transaction count toward the fundraiser.
VALID FOR PICKUP, CURBSIDE & CARRYOUT ONLY.
Save the date for our Winter Dance!
February 21st, after school until 4pm. More information coming soon!
PTSA needs some help for the winter dance! Thank you for your consideration.
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!
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.
-Mr. Stivers, Clubs Coordinator, joseph.stivers@jefferson.kyschools.us
Do you love to read and share ideas? Project Lit might be for you! Check out the interest form for more information.
Our third League Day is Friday, February 14th! Reminder that bowlers are to meet in the Band Room (Rm 132) after school for attendance and a brief lesson. The activity bus will transport students from Echo Trail to Ten Pin Lanes. Reminder to pick up students by 4:30pm each League Day from Ten Pin Lanes. For questions/concerns, email Coach Stivers at joseph.stivers@jefferson.kyschools.us
Congratulations to our highest combined (2) game bowlers for Week 2
Highest Male Bowlers: Kaden L. 243 - Alex D. 180 -Jacob M. 172
Highest Female Bowlers: Alexis M. 173 - Mackenzie R. 128 - Rylee P. 123
Highest Staff Bowlers: Barnsfather 344 - Quinn 259 - Chesnut 242
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
Modern Music's website keeps you updated with the latest information and celebrations!
Check in with the Drama Club website for updates on the rehearsal schedule and more.
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
Monday 2/10
JCPS MS Indoor-Norton
4:30-7:30 PM
6th Grade Boys Basketball vs JCTMS @ Westport MS
6:30 PM
Wednesday 2/12
JV Girls Basketball vs Grace James @ Thomas Jefferson MS
5:30 PM
JV Boys Basketball vs DuBois @ Westport MS
6:30 PM
Weekly Wrap Up
Our season rolls on!! With early word that our JV girls were moving on after an illness based forfeit by Meyzeek, it set up a double header for the boys Thursday night.
First, the 6th grade boys took on Meyzeek, who they beat in a competitive game earlier in the season. After being tied at the half, the Wolves took control of the game on the forth quarter and finished with a 44-37 win.
It was then the JV Boys turn to take on a Newburg team that had been playing very good basketball. After a back and forth four quarters of basketball, and tensions high, the Wolfpack with their 1 point lead made one final stop as timed expired as they pulled out the 36-35 win.
Next up for our three teams:
2/10 6th Grade Boys vs JCTMS @ Westport MS 6:30 PM
The Wolves fell to JCTMS in the first game of the season and look to avenge that loss to get to the finals.
2/12 JV Girls vs Grace James @ Thomas Jefferson MS 5:30 PM
The Wolves and Grace James did not play during the regular season, but have been two of the most dominant teams of the season. Winner moves onto the JV Girls tournament final.
2/12 JV Boys vs DuBois MS @ Westport MS 6:30 PM
This will mark the first time Echo Trail and Dubois have met on the basketball court. The winner of this 2 seed vs 3 seed battle will move onto the JV Boys tournament final.
Echo Trail hosted both bullseye and 3D state qualifying tournaments this past weekend at Eastern HS. Special Thanks to coaches, parents, and all volunteers that helped make this all day event so successful.
With a full field of archers, Echo Trail finished 6th as a team in the Middle School divisionin bullseye and 3D shoots. Top Performers for the boys and girls were:
Reed Szymanski: Bullseye - 272 3D - 249
Haylie Ford: Bullseye - 259 3D - 259
Congratulations to all of our archers that participated this weekend.
Announcements
Hello Echo Trail Families,
Spring Sports are just around the corner! The Spring window for activity officially opens February 10th. Communication with coaches about the teams should start coming out soon as we get more information about the upcoming seasons. If you did not fill out the Spring Sport information form and you still have an athlete interested in competing on one of our spring sport teams, please contact the coaches below for information and to have your student listed when practices start. Please remember that some teams will require tryouts and cuts due to roster limitations. If your athlete misses the tryout period the teams list, they will not get an additional tryout period. Please communicate with the coaches if there are conflicts, and our coaches will be sure to do their best to accommodate. Winter sport athletes should NOT participate in spring sport tryouts or practices until their seasons are complete. Those athletes will get their tryout period at the conclusion of their seasons.
Baseball:
Head Coach - Austin Dukes
Email: austin.dukes@jefferson.kyschools.us
Teams/League: 6th grade (Private School League), JV (JCPS League)
Notes:
Important dates and information listed below
Thursday, February 13 (Weather Permitting)
Lyndon Recreation field 5
9310 Whipps Mill Rd, Louisville, KY 40242
Saturday, February 15
Eastern High School baseball indoor facility
3:00 mandatory parent meeting and sign-in. Please be prompt.
Tryouts will begin after our meeting and we sign everyone in, around 3:15 or 3:30, and will last for 1.5 to 2 hours. Parents not allowed inside once tryouts begin.
Softball:
Head Coach - Lacey Crawford
Email: laceyncrawford44@gmail.com
Teams/League: 1 team, JCPS League
Notes:
BOYS Soccer:
Head Coach - Kyle Fertig
Coaches - Cary Hearn, Jason Shearn
Email: kyle.fertig@jefferson.kyschools.us
Teams/League: JCPS League, will evaluate the team levels we will be providing
Notes: Team will require tryouts and cuts. Team may also be looking to add coaches. If interested please contact Mr. Carden, Coach Fertig, or Coach Hearn
GIRLS Soccer:
Head Coach - Tal Grau
Email: tgrau2809@yahoo.com
Team/League: JCPS League
Notes: Coach Grau is looking for an additional coach for assistance. Please contact Mr. Carden or Coach Grau if interested.
Girls Lacrosse:
Coach - Cassidy Clark
Email: cassidyyclarkk22@gmail.com
Team/League: TBA - We are seeking information about leagues in our area and are looking for the best fit to have an Echo Trail Girls Lacrosse team this season.
Notes: Anyone interested in trying lacrosse this season and you have not yet signed up, please contact Mr. Carden or Coach Clark.
Flag Football: Girls and Boys
Coach - Dexter Bowden
Email: dexter.bowden@jefferson.kyschools.us
Team/League: JCPS League
Notes: The flag football teams could require a tryout if numbers are high. Coach D will provide that information ahead of the tryout/practices beginning.
Volleyball: 6th grade Girls Spring League
Coach - Rachael Johnson (Johnston)
Email: rachael.johnson@jefferson.kyscholls.us
Team/League: 1 Team, JCPS Spring League
Notes: Team will require tryouts and cuts
Volleyball: BOYS
Coach - Aaron Roberson
Email: adrobe33@gmail.com
Team/League: 1 Team, JCPS Spring League
Notes: This is the first time having boys volleyball in JCPS. We are still looking for more players so contact Coach Roberson if interested.
Important Date and Information listed below:
Tuesday, February 11
Parent Meeting @ Echo Trail
6:00 PM
Track and Field:
Coach - William Jacoby
Email: william.jacoby@jefferson.kyschools.us
Team/League: Boys and Girls divisions, JCPS League
Boys Lacrosse:
Notes: Boys lacrosse is still very low on sign ups. I will be contacting Eastern High Schools coaching staff for more direction to see if we can provide an opportunity for those that are still interested.
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
Hey Wolf Pack Family!
Are you ready for an exciting and rewarding challenge? Start your 2025 off with a growth mindset and sign up for the Kentucky Derby miniMarathon or Marathon!
Use the code Echo2025 and save 10% on race registration.
Contact Ms. Boone, kristen.boone@jefferson.kyschools.us, with any questions you may have.
Register here: derbyfestivalmarathon.com
Please remind your student to return their library books by placing them in the book drop or returning them to Ms. Ward.
If you have updated immunization forms, please send those to the nurse's office. You may email them to the school at echotrailmiddle_reginfo@jefferson.kyschools.us, text or fax them to 502-485-8398.
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.
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
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.
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.