Echo Trail Middle School Weekly Newsletter

Welcome!

March 17, 2025

Hello Wolf Pack Families!

We have 2 weeks until Spring Break and I am passionate about not "counting down the days" but making the days count. I encourage you to push your students to have the same mindset and self talk. How are they going to make the most out of our 9 days together?

Just around the corner is the 2nd birthday of our beloved mascot, grEaTie! Her birthday is March 24 but we will be celebrating on March 21 with the help of our PTSA and a possible appearance during lunch! It may sound silly but these little moments took so much effort to create when establishing our school. I hope the students enjoy these traditions.

March 27th, we will be hosting our annual staff versus students competition including Quick Recall and a basketball game!

As we are preparing for our last round of MAP Testing, students will be setting goals on March 24 and 25. Take an opportunity and ask your students what their goals will be for the Reading and Math sections. Students will take the Reading section on April 8th and the Math section on April 10th. Our PTSA will be offering a reward to all students who grow from the winter to spring MAP!

Save the Date for our 2nd Annual PTSA Spring Festival on April 11th from 5:00 pm-8:00 pm. There will be music, games, auction items, and plenty of fun to be had! Detailed information is in the PTSA section below.

Recent Highlights:

Straight Distinguished scores from ALL judges for both 6th & 7th grade choirs at their annual Performance Assessment. Congratulations to Mrs. Alexander and our Choir Students.
Congratulations to our 12 6th grade students who made the JCPS All-County Band! Thank you, Mr. Stivers, for encouraging our students to audition!
Mrs. Moore and MathCounts Club hosting an AWESOME WINN time experience for 6th graders, 7th grade up next!
Latest Issue of the The Greatness Gazette
Our Men of Quality group took a Field Trip to their annual conference. Thank you, Ms. Abell and Mr. Goodin, for making this happen.

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
- Dressdown Guidelines

#ExpectgreaTness

Dr. Ammerman, Principal

Twitter: @KaraJo_Ammerman

Counselor's Corner

HERO Student and Teacher Leaders

Check out our HERO point leaders for last week!

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.

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

EXPLORE

👀 Check out what's Happening in Explore this week...

6th Grade

Business & Communication Consumer Science Engineering & Design - All 6th Graders will begin the last term rotating through all 3 Explore Classes. Each Rotation will be 2 weeks long, culminating with a 3 week period where students will complete their Pathway Selection and their Pathway Defense. Students will start the process of selecting their Explore Pathway. The Explore Pathway is a two year commitment and will consist of a year-long course in each of their 7th and 8th grade years. It is important that students select their pathway based on interest and not on friends or teachers. Schedule changes will not be possible once the selections happen. We have been talking with students about this but wanted to also make sure we communicated with families as we begin this process. More information will be coming soon. Thank you for your partnership in supporting your students in making the best decision for them!

7th Grade

Business & Communication, Consumer Science, Engineering & Design

We have Charger Day on March 18th. During this time our feeder High School, Jeffersontown, will be here to showcase all the things that make them grEaT. The day will consist of JTown Teaching and Learning students doing observations, JTown Ambassadors will be in the Cafe during lunch for "Lunch & Learn" and Academies will visit Explore classrooms. During Explore classes, Each JTown Academy will spend time in Explore classes showcasing what they offer. Each Academy has planned exciting opportunities for students to see what they can expect from an Academy class at JTown High School.

Important Information & Upcoming Events

Give Back Night @ Drakes, March 18

Join us for lunch or dinner on Tuesday, March 18, between 11am-11pm at Drake’s Hurstbourne. 10% of all proceeds will come back to our ET PTSA. Just show this flyer when dining in or carrying out. Good eats and great support for our students - come on out and join us!

Echo Trail Middle School Spring Sports Apparel

Get your Echo Trail Spring Sport apparel here! Store closes at 11:59pm EST on March 23.

Spring Picture Day

Picture Day is coming up on 03/27/2025! You must pre-order for your child's photograph to be taken. Flyers will be handed out to students in 1st period Monday, March 17th. You can pre-order on the website at

Online ordering closes at 11:59 p.m. the night before Picture Day.
Pre-order here: https://inter-state.com/FlyerEntry/93587RF

Order code is: 93587RF

Dental Screenings

The dentist is coming to school April 10th and 11th. You may sign your child up by visiting www.myschooldentist.com.

Please submit your request by April 1st.

Upcoming MAP Testing

Spring MAP Testing will be after Spring Break. Please encourage your student to do their best on these tests.

Tuesday, April 8 - MAP Reading
Thursday, April 10 - MAP Math

Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon Discount

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.

Celebrations

STLP Moves on to State Competition

Congratulations to Pawan C!
His 3D Design of the Taj Majal moved on to the next round of judging for the STLP State Competition in late April!

We had 6 other students who submitted Creative Digital Artwork that all received high scores and positive feedback, but had some very stiff competition in their judging groups.
Good work to Srivi T, Anuhya K, Rehgan B, Kysen G, Sreshta A, and Aadi V!
You can check out everyone's submissions here!

In addition to Pawan's CDA, we have three groups that will be presenting Projects at State, as well as several Robotics teams and individuals competing in Live Events. Stay tuned for more STLP updates!

Weekly Student Spotlight

Congratulations on demonstrating what it means to be G.R.E.A.T. at Echo Trail!

[SECTION WILL BE UPDATED LATER MONDAY. PLEASE VISIT AGAIN LATER]

2025 6th Grade All-County Band

Echo Trail on Facebook

Follow Echo Trail Middle on Facebook for updates and celebrations!

Echo Trail on X

Follow Echo Trail Middle on X for updates and celebrations!

Echo Trail PTSA

Echo Trail SBDM

Echo Trail Parents:

Our school has a SBDM (School-Based Decision Making) council that is made up of our principal, Dr. Ammerman and a variety of elected teachers and parents. This council is in charge of making important decisions about how the school operates and supports student achievement.

The council is a wonderful chance to learn about our school, work closely with teachers, and help make our school even more successful than it is now.

One of the duties of the PTSA each year is to run SBDM elections for the two parent representatives for next school year. The two parent members of the council who will receive training and serve from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.

Parents can, but are not required to, serve two consecutive, one-year terms but do have to be re-elected each school year.

Elected parents should be available to attend a monthly meeting. These meetings are held the third Wednesday of each month at 3:00pm at school (no meeting in December or June).

The election will be held this week, the week of March 17.

If you will have a student at Echo Trail next year, you are eligible to be nominated and to vote in this election. This includes parents, stepparents, and foster parents. Legal guardians are also eligible to vote if the child lives in their home. I urge every parent to participate in this important decision about the future of our children’s school.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email echotrailptsa@gmail.com

Thank you

Courtney Buckman – PTA President

PTSA Spring Festival Updates

Volunteers Needed

We need your help to make the 2nd Annual Spring Festival a success! Please sign up if you can!
Use this SignUp Genius to volunteer!

Know Before You Go

The Spring Festival is going to be an absolute blast, but to make it the very best it can be for all students, check out this valuable information before heading to the party!

Slides below not loading? Click here to view.

ETMS Spring Festival, Know Before You Go

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!

Echo Trail Clubs

New to Clubs?

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

Reminders for Picking Up Students After Clubs

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!

Echo Trail Bowling

Our Final League Day is Friday, March 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

Students v Staff Final Score

Students - 3,467 Staff - 1,924

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

Modern Music Updates

Modern Music's website keeps you updated with the latest information and celebrations!

Willy Wonka Kids Updates

Check in with the Drama Club website for updates on the rehearsal schedule and more.

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:

Mon 3/17

4:30p T&F Middletown Invitational (Eastern HS)

5:50p JV BSB vs Highland @ Germantown (Visitor)

6:30p SB vs Westport @ Fern Creek HS (Visitor)

Tue 3/18

7:50p SB vs Johson @ St. Rita (Home)

Wed 3/19

5:50p JV BSB vs Johnson @ Fairdale (Home)

Thur 3/20

4:30p T&F JCPS Week 1 @ PRP HS

7:30p 6th BSB vs JCTMS @ Crosby Park #4 (Visitor)

Sat 3/22

10:00a T&F Middletown MS Classic (EHS HS)

Sun 3/23

2:00p Girls Lax vs KCD Gold @ Sacred Heart

Weekly Wrap Up

Girls Lacrosse On the Field

Echo Trail Girls Lacrosse took the field in the Sacred Heart 7v7 league. They took on North Oldham MS. They Continue to look to build on their experience this year each time they take the field.

Archery takes on State

Echo Trail archery took on the State Tournamnet in 3D targets. Congratulations to the team, as they had a great showing and also qualified for Nationals!

Announcements

Spring Sports Information

Coaches & Contacts

Baseball

Contact: austin.dukes@jefferson.kyschools.us

Head Coaches: Austin Dukes and Jonathan Moore

Softball

Contact: laceyncrawford44@gmail.com

Head Coach: Lacey Crawford

6th Grade Girls Volleyball

Contact: rachael.johnson@jefferson.kyschools.us

Head Coach: Rachael Johnston

Boys Volleyball

Contact: adrobe33@gmail.com

Coach - Aaron Roberson

Boys Soccer (JV/V)

Contacts: kylefertig@bellsouth.net or coachclhbanker@gmail.com

Head Coach: Kyle Fertig

JV Head Coach: Jason Shearn

Girls Soccer

Contacts: tgrau2809@yahoo.com

Head Coach: Tal Grau

Girls Lacrosse

Contact: cassidyyclarkk22@gmail.com

Head Coach: Cassidy Clark

Track & Field

Contact: william.jacoby@jefferson.kyschools.us

Head Coach: Wil Jacoby

Flag Football Boys & Girls

Contact: dexter.bowden@jefferson.kyschools.us

Head Coach: Dex Bowden

Boys Lacrosse

Coach Tank: vernon.williams@jefferson.kyschools.us

Contact: don.parr@jefferson.kyschools.us

Repeat Information

Absent Notes

Please send absence notes to echotrailmiddle_reginfo@jefferson.kyschools.us.

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

Immunization Forms

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.

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.

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.

JCPS is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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