Echo Trail Middle School Weekly Newsletter

Welcome!

August 3, 2026

Hello Wolf Pack Families!

Happy official week to start the 26-27 school year! We have been preparing all summer to welcome our students back and are extremely excited to start year four as a school. We are ExciTed to see all the accomplishments we will have together as a Wolf Pack!

First Day Reminders

Students only need the following the first two days of school: Folder, paper/notebook, writing utensil, lunch if they want to bring one, water bottle (with a secure lid and not glass), backpack/drawstring bag. LESS IS MORE. This will help with Weapons Detection and not having a locker right away.

Please be patient and work with us during arrival (car rider line) and dismissal. We planned and prepared based on what you selected as your students' transportation. We have 86% students as bus riders and 14% as car riders. Regardless, you are learning new systems and this is going to take time, but please follow our directions (see the images below) and we will get you in and out quickly.

Remind your students that we are more than happy for them to use the restrooms during the day, and we have systems in place for that to occur. Sometimes nerves take over and students forget.

Student schedules do not accommodate groupings based on friends or requests. Please know that this is not one of the data points looked at to schedule all of our students to balance grade level teams.

Cell phones, smart watches, smart glasses, and earbuds/headphones are to be off, not seen, or used while at ETMS from the time they enter until they are dismissed.

If you were unable to join us for orientation or would like to review the slides shown during the presentations, below are the links to those:
→ Echo Trail Orientation Slide Deck
→ Student Slide Deck

We at ETMS are committed to changing the narrative surrounding a student's experience in middle school. We value, believe, and want each student to be successful. We are excited to partner with you and your families to make this possible.

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 Policy 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

If your student rides a JCPS Bus, please follow the directions linked here to download the JCPS My Ride K-12 App for up to date information about Bus Transportation

#ExpectgreaTness

Dr. Ammerman, Principal

Twitter: @KaraJo_Ammerman

Important Information

⭐Please Fill out the EBF⭐

We are required to have an Eligibility Benefits Form (EBF) filled out for every family at Echo Trail Middle School to maintain our FREE breakfast and lunch status. The link to complete online is below. IT IS IMPERATIVE that we receive a completed form from every family. Only one form per household needs to be completed if you include all family member's names. All students should be listed in the student section.

If you prefer to not list your income, check the box that says, "Not eligible". If you are eligible to have your school fees waived, you will be notified by JCPS.

Thank you for your attention to this matter, we appreciate your assistance.

Complete online at jcps.me/ebf

School Fees

If you still need to pay your school fees, please do so now online at My School Bucks! Click the link below to review the School Fee Sheet. Price does include a 3.95% credit card processing fee.

26-27 School Fees

You may also send fees by cash and checks with your student starting Monday 8/10.

If we can offer any assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to us 485-8398.

WEAPON DETENTION REMINDERS

All BLUE items must be removed and passed around prior to walking through the weapons detection system. Staff will be at the pass around table to assist students.

Tables will be available for students and staff to use
Be patient while waiting
Walk through the system one person at a time, continue walking unless you are directed by a staff member to go to secondary screening.

There will be tables for students to place BLUE items back in their bags.

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.

Counselor Corner

Wolfpack Launch Mini-Conference

For the first two days of school, all students will participate in Wolfpack Launch, our mini-conference designed to help students build connections, learn school expectations, and prepare for a successful year.

Students will remain with their homeroom class throughout the mini-conference as they participate in a variety of engaging activities.

Because students will stay with their homeroom for the first two days, individual student schedules will not be distributed until Monday, August 10, when we return to our regular 6-period schedule. Families may view student schedules anytime through the Parent Portal.

How will students know where to go on the 1st and 2nd day of school?

Student rosters will be posted in the gym, cafeteria, and near the main office with each student's 1st period (homeroom) teacher and team listed. In addition, plenty of teachers and staff members will be available throughout the building to help students find their correct classroom and get where they need to go.

Need to Contact a Counselor?

Beginning Thursday, August 6th, students and families may submit a counseling request using our Counselor Google Form for academic questions or social-emotional support.

6th Grade: Ms. Thomas
7th Grade: Mr. Rullan
8th Grade: Ms. Wales
Mental Health Practitioner (MHP): Mrs. Sanders

Explore

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

Engagement Empowerment & Connection

Echo Trail PTSA

PTSA Flyer.pdf

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 Athletics

Welcome Back To Wolfpack Athletics

Welcome Back to Echo Trail Athletics! 🐾

Welcome back, Wolfpack family! We are beyond excited to kick off another incredible school year at Echo Trail Middle School.

The Athletics section of our newsletter will be your go-to hub all year long. Here, we’ll keep you up to date on all upcoming athletic events and highlights to keep you connected. Beyond game schedules, this section will also cover important updates on new sports programs, athletic department initiatives, and facility news as our Wolves programs continue to grow!

Quick Reminders for Families:

Fall Sports Schedules: Official schedules for our fall teams will be released very soon. Keep an eye out so you can mark your calendars and come support our athletes!
Final Forms Update: Please make sure your student-athlete’s Final Forms account is fully updated with current information, emergency contacts, and up-to-date sports physicals before tryouts, practices, and games begin.

We can't wait to see our stands full of blue and white this season. Let's make it a GREAT year — Expect Greatness!