Charcter Strong Weekly Update 

Character Strong is our schoolwide curriculum used for social-emotional learning. Students complete lessons during Team Time on Monday's and Friday's of each week. Below are highlights of lessons along with their Character Dare.

Monday, March 4th: 

• • Lesson Title/Description: Listening Practice - This is the 2nd of 2 sessions focused on listening. Listening is a valuable skill that improves peer relationships and is important for perspective-taking, conflict resolution, and group work. In this session, students will practice identifying good versus bad listening.

  • Character Dare: Second hand compliment - Share a second hand compliment with a friend, teacher, staff, or family member. Thank them for being great in whatever they do or support you in being a wonderful human being.

Friday, March 8th:

• • Lesson Title/Description: Understanding Others' Perspectives - This is the 1st of 2 sessions on perspective-taking. Perspective-taking is important for peer relationships and supports friendship, respect, and conflict resolution, including across student differences. In this session, students work in groups to practice trying to understand the perspective of other people.

  • Character Dare: The Detective - Learn 1 thing about someone you have not met yet at our school to share on Monday, March 11th. This could be a classmate or an adult in the building. 

Upcoming School Wide HERO Incentives

Our primary objective is to acknowledge students for their exemplary behavior, and we are very  proud of their progress. To achieve this, we use HERO to record positive behavior and students receive points for exemplifying the GREAT pillars. Here are some exciting incentives we have in store to celebrate our students for the rest of the year. All incentives and dates are subject to change.

• March 29th - Staff vs Student Basketball and Quick Recall Game - 175 TOTAL points by March 22nd

• May 8th - Louisville BATS Game - 225 TOTAL points by May 2nd

Bullying Prevention Parent Night!

Thank you to the families who joined us for an awesome parent! Click the link below to view the information that was presented.

Bullying Prevention Presentation

We need your help! Cellphones and Peer Conflict 

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.

Counseling Request Form

If your student has an academic question or social-emotional need, you can reach our counselors (Mr. Rul-lan and/or Ms. Thomas) or our Mental Health Practioner (MHP) Mrs. Sanders by filling out the Counselor Google Form.

SBDM COUNCIL NOMINEE FOR THE VACANT POSITION

Please review the entry submitted. The election will take place next week. 

DeeDee Robinson

Hello, I am a PTSA board member who is interested in serving on the SBDM committee to get a better understanding of school procedures and the decision making process.  I would love to sit in and exchange ideas with others regarding school policies and help make informed decisions.

Comprehensive School Survey 

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.

https://www.jefferson.kyschools.us/annual-school-survey-now-open-jcps-families-employees

Spring Festival, April 12 - Save the Date!

We are excitedly planning a great event coming up soon! Make sure to mark your calendars. You won't want to miss this!

More details coming soon!

KDF Marathon / Mini Marathon Discount

Thinking about signing up for the Kentucky Derby Festival Mini Marathon or Marathon? 

Here is your sign! Head over to derbyfestivalmarathon.com and use code EchoTrail24 at checkout and receive 10% off race registration.
Code expires 4/22. Hope to see you out there!
-Ms. Boone

Donuts for FCA

Our Echo Trail FCA is back for all students and meets every Wednesday from 7:00-7:30AM in the Band Room (132).  As we anticipate large groups again, we are in need of families to help by signing up to bring in donuts.

Please click here to see our sign up genius which has all the information needed.

Thanks in advance for your generosity!

General PTSA Meeting - March 26, 7pm

The PTSA will be having our second general PTSA meeting of the year on Tuesday, March 26 at 7:00pm via Zoom.

All PTSA members are invited to attend.  We will catch everyone up on all things PTSA.

Zoom link to follow closer to the time.

Thanks!

PTSA Board

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!

Student Council

Student Council will be meeting this week on Thursday 3/7/24 from 2:30-3:30.

Fellowship of Christian Athletes

We will continue to meet every Wednesday in the Band Room (132) from 7:00-7:30am.  All students are welcome to attend!

If you have any questions, please email sponsors joseph.stivers@jefferson.kyschools.us or jordan.stout@jefferson.kyschools.us.

Echo Trail Bowling League

Our Echo Trail Bowling League had their fifth League Day last Friday!  Congratulations to the following bowlers and team for Week 5:

• Girls Highest Game--Erin Cox 63

• Boys Highest Game--Jett Smith 125

• Highest Team--Team 5: Charles Duffy, Liam Jacoby, Kaden Lane, and Blake Snipp

Our final week will resume this Friday, March 8th.  Reminder that students are to report to the band room after announcements.  If you have questions about game days, contact Mr. Stivers, joseph.stivers@jefferson.kyschools.us for more information.

Volleyball, Spring 6th Grade League

We have some exciting volleyball news to share with you!

Echo Trail will be participating in a 6th Grade Only Spring Girls Volleyball League in JCPS!

Games will run April 9th -May 2nd.
Practices will be on Mondays and Thursdays from 2:30-4:00 PM starting on March 4th.
Games will be on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and there will be a tournament the week of May 6th-10th.

We are allowed to enter only one team into the league so we will be having try outs to determine which 10 players will fill the team. 

Tryouts will be held at Echo Trail on February 28th and 29th from 2:30-4:00 PM.
There will be a $50 League Fee if your child makes the team. 

Fill out this link if your student is interested: ETMS Spring Volleyball Interest Form 

For any questions, you can contact:
Athletic Director: kyle.carden@jefferson.kyschools.us
Coach: rachael.johnson@jefferson.kyschools.us

Thank you so much and Let's go Wolfpack! 

Echo Trail Spring Sports

Practice Days

Reminder that all athletes must have an updated Sports Physical and Echo Trail athletics packet turned in and on file to participate in an Echo Trail athletics program. This includes getting your packet notarized, which can be done in our front office.

Baseball:

Head Coach -  Austin Dukes

Email: Linked to name

Practices: *Times and Locations Vary

F - @ Eastwood Cutoff Field 5:00 - 7:00 PM

Sa - @ Eastern HS Indoor 3:00 - 5:00 PM

Softball:

Head Coach - Elizabeth Conard

Email: Linked to name

Practices: 2:45 - 5:00 PM

M W - @ Eastwood Cutoff Rd Field

Th -  @ Echo Trail

**Transportation bus provided to practice from school.

Boys Soccer:

Head Coach - Cary Hearn

Email: clhbanker@bellsouth.net

Practices: *2:45 - 4:30 PM 

T Th - @ The Parklands Egg Lawn

**Transportation bus provided to practice from school.

Boys Lacrosse:

Coach - Phil Brock (Head Coach Eastern HS Lax)

Email: philbrock15@gmail.com

Practices: Contact Coach Brock as schedule and locations may vary

Flag Football:

Coach - Dexter Bowden

Email: Linked to name

TRYOUT Day 2: Wednesday (3/6) 3:00 - 5:00 PM @ Echo Trail (Both boys and girls interested in participating)

Practices: *3:00 - 5:00 PM 

M W -  @ Echo Trail

Volleyball (6th grade Spring League):

Coach - Rachael Johnston 

Email: Linked to name (email last name is "Johnson")

Practices: *2:30 - 4:00 PM 

M Th - @ Echo Trail

Track and Field:

Coach -  William Jacoby

Email: Linked to name

Information: Track and Field is still being developed for this season. Stay tuned for more information.

Go be grEaT this spring!

Mr. Carden

Echo Trail Athletic Director

Flag Football - Tryout Day 2

3/6 (Wednesday)

3:00 - 5:00 PM 

@ Echo Trail

*This includes both boys and girls interested in playing flag football this season

**For additional information, contact Coach Dex Bowden

Archery

3/8 (Fri)   

Seneca March Pre-State Warmup

@ Seneca HS

*Flights begin at 6:00 PM

Check for Overdue Library Books

Greetings Parents and Guardians! 

Please check with your student and remind them to return any library books to the library. We have quite a few overdue books; notices will be sent out via student email as well as through ELA teachers.

Camp Wallace Information

The Department of Fish and Wildlife came out to talk with our students about their summer camp, Camp Wallace. 

See this flyer for more information! 

KDE Parent Involvement Survey

If you are the parent/guardian of a student currently receiving Special Education Services, please fill out the KDE 2024 Parent Involvement Survey: www.kypso.org/parent/  

Quick Reference & Reminders

• NTI Communication - Families

• Technology Plan - NTI

• Bus App Directions

• Please reference this map for AM arrival and PM dismissal 

• Echo Trail MS School Number 502-485-8398

• Expectations Slide Deck 

• Technology Slide Deck 

• Gum/Candy/Food - we ask that students do not chew gum (it finds its way to new furniture or the floor, etc.) and that any candy/food remains put away unless in the cafeteria.  

• Please review the uniform guidance and slide deck linked below:

Uniform Written Guidance

Uniform Slide Deck (visuals)

Spirit Store Items and Uniform Approved Items

Common Items we are correcting:

• Full zip jackets will need to be removed (once we have assigned lockers students will store them there)

• Hoodies that are non-Echo Trail (Echo Trail hoodies with hoods down can be worn on Fridays) Nike women’s dry tempo short, AC women’s tempo luxe 5 in short, and general athletic shorts are not approved school items to be worn. 

• The only athletic shorts approved on Friday’s are BSN Sports Agility 2 pocket Short and Nike Flex Woven Short.

School Contacts

If you need to reach out to any of our administrators, front office staff, core content teachers or other staff, you can find their names, roles and emails on our school website: bit.ly/echotrailmiddle

Homework Reminder

As your child continues to settle into middle school, we wanted to take a moment to send out a reminder about the importance of completing homework assignments. 

Homework is used to reinforce the skills and concepts that your child is learning at home. It is important that you are checking in DAILY with your child about the homework that he/she may have to complete. 

We ask that you also check Infinite Campus regularly to stay up-to-date on your child’s progress and any missing assignments that he/she may have. Completing assignments in a timely manner and practicing outside of school will help your child be successful throughout the school year. 

As always, if you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher directly. We appreciate your continued support!

Agenda Use

Starting this week, we will be helping students consistently use their agendas in each class. All teachers will have their students write down the learning target and any homework they might have.

We want to assist our students with organization skills and also completing homework when assigned. We also want to increase communication with you as you support your student.

Wolfpack Weekly in Junk Mail

Teachers and parents both found the Weekly Newsletter in the Junk folder of their email recently.

If you missed a newsletter, you can always find previous weeks listed in the navigation window.

Here are things you can do to make sure you don't miss out next time:

• Periodically look in your Junk Folder to make sure you're not missing email from JCPS Teachers

• Whitelist our email addresses

  • For the Weekly, michael.etter@jefferson.kyschools.us and echotrailmiddle_reginfo@jefferson.kyschools.us

• Bookmark bit.ly/WolfPackWeekly and use the navigation bar for the latest week's newsletter

• Update Infinite Campus Parent Portal to include your phone number to receive SMS Notifications from us

We hope this helps. We never want you to miss out on important information. Please reach out to the school with any questions or assistance!

Weekly Newsletter

Errors? Omissions? If something is missing or needs to be corrected, please email Michael Etter, michael.etter@jefferson.kyschools.us.