Echo Trail Middle School Weekly Newsletter

Welcome!

Hello Wolf Pack Families!

As you are aware, KSA data was released last week and I am proud of where we are at as a school. We are the second largest middle school, and performing above the middle school average in every category (Reading, Math, Science, Soical Studies, and Writing) by 9%-20% higher. Overall we did fall into the "yellow" state designated rating. We were 5% points away from the "green" state designated rating. This is also our first set of scores that represents all three grade levels, serving as our true baseline data. ETMS is one of the only schools who does not have any sub-groups in the bottom 5%. This is a huge accomplishment. As always, we will be breaking down the data to better inform our instructional strategies and practices moving forward.

This week during lunch our PTSA will be selling Boo-Grams for $1 or $25 for a class (Cash Only). Boo-Grams will be deliverd by 10/29. This Friday, 10/23 Kona Ice will be here for our Nature Walk prize winner AND if your student would like to cash in HERO points (students cashing in HERO points will need cash and their school ID to participate).

We are extremely close with our EBF completion. Currently we are at 38.75% and we need to be at 40% in order to receive Title I funds. This is important to our school community at it will support our students in additional ways by having these funds. Please if you haven't already, complete the form as soon as possible for us to qualify for these funds.

A friendly reminder: students need to ensure their cell phones are turned off and placed in their locker or personal bag/belongings. Phones should not be visible throughout the school day. This includes hanging out of pockets or in students' hands being carried around. If a student’s phone is seen, it will be turned into the grade level AP. We have seen an increase in phones and want to reset the expectations. Thank you for your partnership in communicating with your student.

Looking ahead as we will be celebrating Red Ribbon Week October 26th-October 30th. Please review the Dress Down Guidelines with your student

Monday 10/26 - Peace Out to Bad Choices - Wear a Tie-Dye shirt or colorful top with uniform bottoms.
Tuesday 10/27 - Team Up Against Bad Choices - Wear your favorite sports jersey or Echo Trail spirit shirt with uniform bottoms.
Wednesday 10/28 - Head-to-Toe Good Choices - Wear crazy/wild socks, headband, or hat with uniform tops and bottoms.
Thursday 10/29 - Shine Bright and Dream Big - Wear a neon/bright colored top or a college shirt/sweatshirt with uniform bottoms.
Friday 10/30 - Superhero Day - Wear your favorite superhero shirt/sweatshirt with uniform bottoms.

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
& Upcoming Events

Know a Future Echo Trail Student? Spread the Word!

Our 5th Grade Welcome Night and Daytime Tours are coming up! Help us spread the word by sharing these opportunities with families of rising 6th graders. We can't wait to show our future families why we EXPECT grEaTness at Echo Trail!

ETMS Holiday Assistance Sponsors NEEDED!

The holiday season is a wonderful opportunity for our Echo Trail community to come together and support families in need. This year, we are seeking individuals, families, businesses, and community partners who would like to serve as sponsors for our Thanksgiving Assistance and Gifts for the Holidays programs.

Thanksgiving Assistance - Thanksgiving sponsors will provide a $50 gift card for each family they sponsor. Echo Trail will provide the food basket through our school wide food drive.

Gifts for the Holidays - Sponsors can also help make the holiday season special by sponsoring an Echo Trail student or family. Families requesting assistance will provide a holiday wish list. Sponsors will then be matched with a student or family and receive their wish list along with additional information about deadlines and gift drop-off.

Sponsors may choose to support Thanksgiving, Gifts for the Holidays, or both. Thank you for helping us make the holiday season a little brighter for our Echo Trail families!

👉 Complete the Holiday Sponsor Google Form

Sponsor Sign-Up Deadline: October 23rd

Thanksgiving Food Drive October 19th-30th!

We are excited to kick off our Thanksgiving Food Drive from October 19th–30th! All donations collected will directly benefit Echo Trail families in need during the holiday season.

To add a little friendly competition, the team that collects the most donations will win a PIZZA PARTY on Tuesday, November 24th! 🍕

Our Beta Club students will also help support the food drive by promoting the event, counting donations, and helping organize food baskets for our families.

Let's come together to support our Echo Trail families and make a difference this holiday season!

PTSA Reflections Competition

National PTA has a long-standing commitment to arts education. For over 50 years, Reflections has helped students explore their own thoughts, feelings and ideas, develop artistic literacy, increase confidence and find a love for learning. The Reflections program provides opportunities for recognition and access to the arts which boosts student confidence and success in the arts and in life. Use the flyer to the right and link below to find out more information and learn how to apply.

ETMS Slideshow

Deadline to apply November 6

8th Grade Open House

Attention, Rising Freshmen! 🦅

Eastern High School is hosting its annual Open House on Thursday, October 29, from 6:00–8:00 PM!

If you’re considering Eastern High School for your student’s freshman year, come out and explore all that EHS has to offer! This is a great opportunity to learn more about the school, discover available programs, and get excited about the next chapter.

📅 Date: Thursday, October 29
⏰ Time: 6:00–8:00 PM
📍 Location: Eastern High School

For more information, contact Jamie Finch, Eastern High School Freshman Counselor, at jaime.fitch@jefferson.kyschools.us.

We hope to see you there!

Calling All Veteran's

🇺🇸 Echo Trail Veterans Day Program 🇺🇸

Our annual Veterans Day Program will be held on Wednesday, November 11th, and we are honored to celebrate the Veterans who are part of our Echo Trail community!

We welcome all Echo Trail veterans to be recognized during this special event. Veterans may choose to attend our program as a Guest of Honor or be featured in our Veterans Day slideshow presentation.

Please [click here to complete the recognition form] by October 31st to be included in this year’s program.

We look forward to honoring the men and women who have served our country and making this a meaningful celebration for our entire Echo Trail community!

🇺🇸 We are grateful for your service! 🇺🇸

2026 Showcase of Schools

Join Us at the JCPS Showcase of Schools – Saturday, Oct. 24

Looking at school options for next year? Don't miss the JCPS Showcase of Schools on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 9 a.m.–2 p.m. at the Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center.

Free Bus Shuttles: Free shuttle service is available all day from select JCPS schools for families needing transportation. The final return shuttle leaves the Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center at 1 p.m. Please note: Children under age 3 and strollers are not permitted on JCPS buses transporting families to the event.
Application Help Room: Need help applying? Stop by The Fun Zone near the concession stand for "Let’s Talk JCPS Applications: Who, What, When & How." Hosted by the JCPS Office of School Choice Outreach, sessions start on the hour at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, and 1 p.m.

For shuttle schedules and event details, visit jefferson.kyschools.us/article/3155640.

Community Partner: Class Act

Partner with Class Act FCU.pdf

Class Act Information Flyer.pdf

Counselor Corner

OCTOBER IS NATIONAL BULLYING PREVENTION MONTH!

Academics Family Update

Check out this slideshow each month to see what your child is learning and how you can support them at home in ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies.

Academics Family Update: How to Help Your Student 26-27

HERO Student and Teacher Leaders

Check out our HERO point leaders for last week!

HERO Roll-Out

We are excited to officially roll out HERO at Echo Trail! HERO is our schoolwide positive behavior recognition program designed to recognize and reward students for the positive choices they make each day.

When we see greatness, we will RECOGNIZE and REWARD it!

How Do Students Earn HERO Points?

Students can earn HERO points from any staff member in the building by demonstrating our GREAT Pillars.

G – Growth Mindset
R – Ready and Responsible
E – Enthusiastic Attitude
A – Actively Participate
T – Treat Yourself and Others with Kindness

Students can also earn bonus points for accomplishments such as having no referrals for the month and making the Honor Roll.

ID + Lanyard = HERO Points!

Students must wear their school ID and lanyard each day to earn and redeem HERO points. Families can help by encouraging students to make their ID and lanyard part of their daily school routine.

No Lanyard = No Points!

What Can Students Earn?

Students will have opportunities for weekly recognition and monthly and quarterly incentives throughout the year. Rewards may include:

HERO Store items
Dress Down and PJ Days
Snack & a Movie
Gym and outside time
Pizza Socials
Silent Disco Dance
Kona Ice
Student vs. Staff games
And more!

The HERO Store will officially open after Fall Break, giving students another opportunity to use the points they have earned.

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
7th Grade - Mr. Rul-lan
8th Grade - Ms. Wales
Mental Health Practitioner (MHP) - Mrs. Sanders

8th Grade High School Resources

Attention 8th Grade Families- We now have a space in the 8th grade den that has all sorts of information about High School. Have your student check here for information about what events are happening at JCPS High Schools.

Student Spotlight

Clubs

Click here to view our Club page to see our current club sponsors and day/time meeting locations

Echoes of the Arts

Click here to read our October Newsletter!

8th Grade Howlapolooza Concert

Bravo to our 8th Grade Musicians on an outstanding Howlapolooza Concert! If you'd like to view/share, here is our recorded concert. Well done Wolfpack Musicians!

EXPLORE

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

Engagement, Empowerment, & Connection

8th Grade Resides Field Trips-Information will be coming out soon. Each year we arrange for our students to visit their Resides High School Feeders. Each school showcases the different opportunities that they offer. Both Eastern and JTown are a part of the Academies of Louisville. Each one offering multiple Pathways that are more focused on developing our students.

7th Grade Guest Speaker-October 22nd Our 7th Grade Students will be hearing from Mr. Pascal Boshamba from Waterstep. Our students just finished their novel A Long Walk to Water, ETMS 7th Graders are exposed to the world's water crisis. This experience is a grEaT artifact for Globally and Culturally Competent Citizen in the Defense of Learning for 8th Grade. Our school community will hear more about later this week. Check out the news Article from Last year about our student Experience

Athletics

This Week in Wolfpack Athletics...

October 19th - JCPS Varsity Golf Championship

Echo Trail vs Barret @ Nevel Meade GC

Wolfpack Look Back... Last Week In Athletics

Cross Country finishes strong at the Kentucky State Meet
FALL Sports wrap up for the 2026 season! Thank you to all teams and coaches for their hard work and time spent competing and representing our athletic department and school in GREAT ways.

Upcoming Tryouts

Winter Sports Sign Ups

2026/27 Echo Trail Winter Sports Tryouts: This form will indicate the Winter sports you intend on trying out for this coming 2026/27 Winter season. Please note that commitment to an Echo Trail team requires showing up to required practices and games.

Winter Sports Options:

Boys/Girls Basketball
Archery
Swim
Indoor Track and Field

*Click on the "Winter Sports Sign Ups" link above to get signed up, or the copied link below:

https://forms.gle/zmWsdAVy9jNzupbZ6

Announcements Coming Soon For...

Archery
Coach - Brandon Lewis (Echo Trail Teacher)
Indoor Track and Field
Coaches - Lauren Muir, Charlene Fishback, Beth Burbridge, Mike O'Neil

New Wolfpack coaching staffs are being finalized and preparing for the winter season. Tryout dates and/or Start dates coming soon!

PTSA

Get to Know Our PTSA Secretary

Ashley Dotson

Any questions about PTSA, feel free to email echotrailptsa@gmail.com

Repeat 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

Car Rider Morning Drop-Off & Bus reminders

If you are the first car with a student to unload, pull all the way around to the white line before unloading. Once the line has stopped, students can exit out the passenger side anywhere from the white line to the main entrance and enter through the gym.
All students MUST come through the car rider line and exit in the unloading zone. They cannot be let out in the parking lot, on Echo Trail, or in the bus parking lot.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Equal Opportunity Policy - Revised 06-26 (1) - Donna Pappe.pdf

Weekly Newsletter

Errors? Omissions? If something is missing or needs to be corrected, please email Courtney DeKeuster courtney.dekeuster@jefferson.kyschools.us.

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