Wolf Pack Weekly
Echo Trail Middle School Weekly Newsletter
Embedded Files
January 5, 2026
Hello Wolf Pack Families!
Welcome back and Happy New Year! We had an amazing 1st half of the school year as a Wolf Pack. I am confident we are going to start this second half of the school year strong, and accomplish even more in 2026!
Monday, January 5th, students will be participating in a “mini-conference” to get them back in the mindset of school, reminding them of our expectations, and what to expect as we start the second half of the school year. Below are the topics we will be covering:
Leadership
Horseplay vs. Belonging
Lunchroom Expectations
Habits of a Successful Students
Use of Technology
We are ExciTed to welcome our students back and have a grEaT week!
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
Technology Issues please click here for grade level work
#ExpectgreaTness
Dr. Ammerman, Principal
Twitter: @KaraJo_Ammerman
Important Information
& Upcoming Events
Important Information
& Upcoming Events
American Mathematics Competitions
American Mathematics Competitions
Between January 22 and January 28, 2026, your child is invited to participate in the 41st annual American Mathematics Competitions AMC 8 being offered at our school. The AMC 8 is one of the nation's leading mathematics competitions for middle school students and is designed to cultivate the mathematical capabilities of the next generation of problem-solvers.
For more details about the AMC 8, click here.
If you would like for your child to participate in the AMC 8 Mathematics Competition test, please complete this FORM by January 9, 2026. There are limited spots this year for this test, please respond by January 9 if you would like your student to participate. If you have questions, please contact Mr. Close, gabriel.close@jefferson.kyschools.us, Academic Coordinator.
Uniform Donations
Uniform Donations
Our students are growing up -- literally!
Does your student have spirit wear or school uniforms that no longer fit? Or maybe apparel from a previous grade-level team that your student is no longer on? PTSA is partnering with the FRC to replenish clothing for students and families in need. You can bring donations to the front office or email PTSA to make other arrangements.
Bookstore Volunteers Needed
Bookstore Volunteers Needed
Bookstore needs help during lunches!
Your Echo Trail Bookstore will be open on Tuesdays and Thursdays during lunches! Hours are 10am-noon.
Students may ask to stop by and purchase spirit wear items during these times. We accept card, check (made out to Echo Trail PTSA) and cash. Parents may sign in to the office for a visitors pass to shop as well during these hours.
If you'd like to volunteer during these times, the bookstore chair will walk you through how it works.
--> Click here to head to the SignUpGenius page
We will need volunteers throughout the school year. Please fill out this form so we can have you on our volunteer email list.
PTSA January Meeting, January 20, 6pm
PTSA January Meeting, January 20, 6pm
PTSA would like to invite you to our January meeting!
Come meet your board members and admin/staff as we help to support the needs of the school! All are welcome!
Counselor Corner
Counselor Corner
How to Help Your Student
How to Help Your Student
Click here for some simple ways to help your child in ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Be sure to check back each month for new ideas! Reach out to your child's teacher with questions.
HERO Student and Teacher Leaders
HERO Student and Teacher Leaders
Check out our HERO point leaders for last week!
HERO!
HERO!
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. 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:
November 20th - KONA ICE - Cash in 10 Points.
November 25th - Pizza social (pizza and music in the cafe’) - Cash in 30 points.
Counseling Request Form
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
Student Spotlight
Student Spotlight
Clubs
Clubs
Welcome to Echo Trail Clubs!
Needing information on club meet times, sponsor contact info, or new to clubs in general?
Visit our Club page here for all the information you need!
Our first League Day is this Friday! Students are to report to the Band Room (132) after school on Friday. Click here to view our roster and current team breakdown. These are still being updated. If your student is missing anything, this is due ASAP!
Email Mr. Stivers for more information joseph.stivers@jefferson.kyschools.us
Echoes of the Arts
Echoes of the Arts
Band Newsletter
Band Newsletter
JANUARY NEWSLETTER COMING SOON!
Modern Music Newsletter
Modern Music Newsletter
Click here to read our January Newsletter.
EXPLORE
EXPLORE
👀 Check out what's Happening in Explore this week...
👀 Check out what's Happening in Explore this week...
#chasEThecuriosity
ILP began in December. Students will continue to complete their ILP. Parents/Guardians below is informatoin about the ILP
ILP began in December. Students will continue to complete their ILP. Parents/Guardians below is informatoin about the ILP
What is the Individual Learning Plan (ILP)?
What is the Individual Learning Plan (ILP)?
The Individual Learning Plan (ILP) is not just a form—it's a fundamental part of our commitment to personalized student success.
The Purpose: It's an online portfolio that helps students reflect on their academic performance, career interests, post-secondary goals (college, career, or military), and track the progress of their high school transition.
The Benefit: By guiding students through their ILP, we are helping them connect their learning today with the exciting possibilities of their future tomorrow.
Each Grade level has different activities that they complete and a dfferent focus.
6th Grade: Focuses on initial exploration and goal-setting.
7th Grade: Focuses on connecting coursework to career pathways.
8th Grade: Focuses on finalizing high school transition readiness and future goals.
CHECK OUT OUR BUSINESS & COMMUNICATIONS STARBUCKS MARKETING CAMPAIGN and ENGINEERING & DESIGN ROLLER COASTER DESIGNS
Athletics
Athletics
Calling All Girls Interested Echo Trail Soccer...
Calling All Girls Interested Echo Trail Soccer...
If you are interested in prepping for the upcoming 2026 spring girls soccer season, there will be group conditioning and training sessions starting this coming week. If you are interested, contact Tal Grau (Girls Head Coach) for more information. These sessions are off campus and totally optional.
Coach Grau email - tgrau2809@yahoo.com
Get Ready for Spring Sports
Get Ready for Spring Sports
As we approach winter break, the Spring sports participation window quickly opens after we return in February. Please click the link and fill out the Spring Sports Season google form and indicate the spring sports options that we will be offering. Please note that all opportunities will be based on having enough participants to fill a roster in order to field a proper team for the sports. Based on the number of students that sign up and the given roster limits of JCPS Athletics, sports may require a tryout and therefore cuts may be made to abide by the roster limit rules. The spring season window will open in the middle of February.
Your spring sports options are:
Boys and Girls Soccer
Boys and Girls Flag Football
Boys and Girls Lacrosse
Track & Field (Outdoor)
Boys Volleyball
SPRING SPORTS SIGN UPS: CLICK HERE FOR LINK
This Week in Wolfpack Athletics...
Wednesday 1/7
Varsity BB vs Crosby @ Eastern HS
5:00p Girls
6:00p Boys
Thursday 1/8
6th/JV BB vs Crosby
5:00p 6th boys
6:00p JV Girls
7:00p JV Boys
Echo Trail Athletic Department
Echo Trail Athletic Department
Subject: Important Student Attendance and Supervision Policy for the 2025-2026 Basketball Season
Subject: Important Student Attendance and Supervision Policy for the 2025-2026 Basketball Season
Dear Echo Trail Parents and Guardians,
We are incredibly excited for the start of the 2025-2026 basketball season! This year is especially significant as we launch our first-ever Varsity seasons for the Echo Trail Wolfpack. We look forward to seeing our entire community come out to support our teams and celebrate this exciting milestone in our school's athletic history.
Mandatory Supervision Policy
Mandatory Supervision Policy
As we anticipate a high volume of student spectators at our games with our growing enrollment, we must reinforce clear expectations for safety and behavior.
Reminder - All Echo Trail students attending basketball games must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Please note that this adult does not necessarily have to be the student's specific parent or guardian, but it must be an individual who is capable of and committed to supervising the student throughout the event. This adult is responsible for the student in the event of any personal or safety-related incident.
This policy is in place to ensure the safety of all students in our building and to remind everyone that the high standards and behavioral expectations we maintain during the school day carry through to all of our extracurricular events. Our goal is to provide a fun, safe, and positive atmosphere for all attendees.
Behavior and Consequences
Behavior and Consequences
We expect all student spectators to show respect for the facility, the officials, the players, and all other attendees, abiding by all established school-based rules and codes of conduct.
Any student who fails to meet these expectations or violates school rules while attending a game will be subject to disciplinary action. Furthermore, they will be evaluated for access to future athletic events for the remainder of the season. We appreciate your support in communicating the seriousness of these expectations to your student-athlete.
We thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation in adhering to this important policy. We look forward to a successful and spirited season!
Sincerely,
Kyle Carden
Echo Trail Athletic Director
PTSA
PTSA
PTSA Needs You!
PTSA Needs You!
Big thanks to Kevin Gabbert, who has stepped up as Spring Festival Chair! 🥳 We now need committee members to help make the festival a success! Join us now and meet other parents and admin and have input and FUN with this annual spring event! The festival is set for March 27.
Additionally, we are still looking for Bookstore Co-chairs to spend some time with our awesome current chair, Aidan Brown, learning all things about how things operate. If we don't find someone willing to take over next year, we may end up without a Bookstore! PLEASE HELP!
To volunteer for either committee, or just to get more info, please email echotrailptsa@gmail.com. 💙💚
Thank you to our Sponsors!
Thank you to our Sponsors!
We want to take a moment to say a HUGE THANK YOU to all of our wonderful sponsors. We encourage our families to support the businesses that you see on the back of the Walkathon shirt!!
Thank you again for everything!!
Echo Trail PTSA
Shopping for the holidays? Link your Kroger Card to Help Echo Trail
Shopping for the holidays? Link your Kroger Card to Help Echo Trail
Shopping for holiday meals? Whenever you shop at Kroger and use your Kroger Card, you use can help Echo Trail!
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!
Repeat Information
Repeat Information
Jefferson County Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity
Jefferson County Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity
Weekly Newsletter
Weekly Newsletter
Errors? Omissions? If something is missing or needs to be corrected, please email Michael Etter, michael.etter@jefferson.kyschools.us.
Page updated
Report abuse