Wolf Pack Weekly
Echo Trail Middle School Weekly Newsletter
Embedded Files
March 30, 2026
Hello Wolf Pack Families!
Thank you for another GREAT Spring Festival. I would like to recognize our amazing PTSA and all the volunteers that made it such a successful event. It was awesome seeing our school community having so much fun!
This week, we will be collecting chromebooks and chargers. This is also the last week for our student-led Toy Drive. Please see the details below.
We are looking forward to a GREAT 4 days together before Spring Break. We are committed to making each day count with our students.
Chromebook and Charger Details:
The JCPS chromebook and charger assigned to your student will be collected by their Team teacher beginning on Monday, March 30. All chromebooks and chargers must be returned prior to Spring Break. It is very important that we receive all devices and chargers as we end the school year and prepare for state testing.
To participate in end of the year activities, all students must turn in all school-issued items. If the items have been misplaced, a fine may also be issued to cover the cost of replacement in accordance with the JCPS Device Usage Agreement. If students have added stickers to their device please have them remove those prior to turning in so that the only labels remaining are the school issued student name and asset tag located on the bottom of the device.
We appreciate your time and attention and continuing partnership in your child's education.
Norton Children's Hospital Toy Drive Collection Details:
We are hosting a student-led fundraiser starting next week (March 23rd - April 1st)! The toy drive will support Norton’s Children’s Hospital. We are excited to witness the competition to give back to our community. Last year we donated 380 toys! This year our goal is 500 toys!
When - March 23rd - April 1st
What - We need your help collecting NEW toys and stuffed animals for kids at Norton Children's Hospital!
Teddy Bears
Puzzles
Dolls
Books
Coloring Books
Colored pencils and markers
Playing Cards
Board Games
ALL ITEMS MUST BE NEW!
One Winning class from each grade will win a dress down day!
The TOP HOMEROOM will win an ICE CREAM PARTY!
We are ExciTed for another grEaT week together!
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
Spring Break, April 3-12
Spring Break, April 3-12
Just a reminder that there is no school on Friday, April 3. We'll see you back on Monday, April 13!
1st Annual JCPS Talent Show
1st Annual JCPS Talent Show
Jefferson County Public Schools invites you to be a part of the 1st Annual JCPS Talent Show!
Saturday, April 25, 2026
Central High School Auditorium
Open for Kindergarten through Grade Twelve
All talents are welcome—singing, dancing, poetry, music, monologues, step, theatre, speech, comedy, and more!
To participate, click here to register! | Purchase tickets for the event here!
Save the Date: A Night Under the Stars!
Save the Date: A Night Under the Stars!
Our 8th grade-only dance will be on Friday, May 15, from 6-8:00pm. The $10 tickets will include dinner & a chocolate fountain. Dressy attire is suggested. More details to come after Spring Break!
Counselor Corner
Counselor Corner
8th Grade Defense of Learning
8th Grade Defense of Learning
Attention 8th Grade Families:
Our 8th graders are hard at work preparing for their Defense of Learning. Click this link to see details about the DoL process and how you can support your student. Students can begin signing up for defenses now!
Our first defense date is scheduled for 2/12.
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.
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
PTSA
PTSA
Thank you!
Thank you!
PTSA would like to thank everyone who helped make our 3rd Annual Spring Festival a success! THANK YOU to Kevin Gabbert for tackling spring festival for a 2nd year. Amazing work and we are so thankful for you! A big thank you to VP of Ways and Means Aidan Brown for helping coordinate festival. To Paul and Kelly Ditterline who handled silent auction, WOW! Thank you both for your hard work and helping grow our auction!
Please welcome your 2026-2027 PTSA Board! We are thankful you have agreed to step up to continue the legacy of this ever growing Wolfpack community! We do have open positions. If you are interested in learning more, please email us. EchoTrailPTSA@gmail.com
As we wind down the school year, we wanted to show case what the PTSA does throughout the school year! It is a wonderful community partnership between staff and volunteers!
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.
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!
Echoes of the Arts
Echoes of the Arts
Band Newsletter
Band Newsletter
Click here to read our March newsletter!
This months edition includes:
*Cover Page (Short message with Rolling Announcements)
*Vision/Mission/Motto
*February Students of the Week
*JCPS All-County Jazz Band Members celebration!
*JCPS All-County 6th Grade Band Members celebration!
*KMEA Solo & Ensemble Medalist celebration!
*Practice Log Tracking
*KMEA Field Trip Info for 7th/8th Grade
*8th Grade Gatlinburg Info
*Wolfstock Band Concert Flyer
*8th Grade Band Banquet RSVP
*2025/26 Rolling Calendar
EXPLORE
EXPLORE
👀 Check out what's Happening in Explore this week...
👀 Check out what's Happening in Explore this week...
#chasEThecuriosity
WHAT ARE THE STUDENTS SAYING ABOUT EXPLORE...
WHAT ARE THE STUDENTS SAYING ABOUT EXPLORE...
Click Here to view our Winter 2025 Explore Survey Data Results
📢 Important: Help Your 6th Grader "Defend" Their Future!
In Echo Trail Explore Pathways,we want our students to be more than just "assigned" to a class—we want them to own their learning. To prepare for 7th and 8th grade, every 6th grader will complete a Pathway Defense to help them select their yearlong Explore Pathway.
What is a "Defense"? Instead of just picking a favorite class, students must "defend" their choice by showing evidence. They will:
Rank their top three Pathway interests.
Share Artifacts: They will identify projects or assignments they’ve completed that prove they are ready for that pathway.
Connect to Success Skills: They will explain how their work shows they are becoming a Productive Collaborator, an Emerging Innovator, or an Effective Communicator.
How can you help? After Derby, your student will begin working on their Pathway Defense. Once complete they will bring it home for you to:
Look at their artifacts: Ask them why they are proud of the work they chose.
Discuss the commitment: Remind them that this pathway is a two-year journey (7th and 8th grade).
Sign the form: Your signature acknowledges that you’ve reviewed their plan and support their choice!
We are so proud of the "Success Skills" our students are showing. We can’t wait to see which paths they choose!
Athletics
Athletics
Dear Echo Trail Families,
At Echo Trail Middle School, we take great pride in our student-athletes and the community spirit that brings us together on game days. However, following recent reports from JCPS Athletics Officials and local law enforcement regarding student behavior and conduct at recent events, we find it necessary to reinforce our expectations to ensure a safe, positive environment for everyone.
To maintain the high standards of our school and the safety of our guests, the following policies are in effect for all games at Echo Trail and JCPS-sponsored events:
Attendance & Supervision Requirements
Attendance & Supervision Requirements
Mandatory Adult Supervision: All students attending athletic events must be accompanied by an acting supervising adult.
No Drop-Offs: There is strictly no student drop-off. Students will not be permitted to enter the event unless a supervising adult is present at the entrance to accompany them.
Unsupervised Students: Any student identified at an event without an adult guardian will be instructed to call their ride and must be picked up immediately.
Behavioral Expectations
Behavioral Expectations
We hold our students to the same code of conduct at a game as we do in the classroom.
Disciplinary Action: If a student is reported for disrespectful, unsafe, or inappropriate behavior toward staff, officials, or monitoring adults, they will be barred from attending future athletic events.
School Consequences: Inappropriate conduct at sporting events is subject to school-day disciplinary action if the behavior violates the JCPS Student Support and Behavior Intervention Handbook.
Our goal is to keep the focus where it belongs: on the hard work and sportsmanship of our students on the field and court. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us restore a respectful and family-friendly atmosphere at our events.
Thank you for your continued support of Echo Trail Athletics.
Sincerely,
Kyle Carden
Echo Trail Athletic Director
Spring Sports Coaches Contacts
Spring Sports Coaches Contacts
Spring Sports
Soccer:
Boys Soccer Coaches:
Kyle Fertig (Head Coach) - kfertig6@gmail.com
Jason Shearn
Girls Soccer Coaches:
Tal Grau (Head Coach) - tgrau2809@yahoo.com
Chad Randall
Flag Football:
Coaches:
Dex Bowden - dexter.bowden@jefferson.kyschools.us
Track & Field (Outdoor):
Coaches:
Wil Jacoby (Head Coach) - william.jacoby@jefferson.kyschools.us
Mike O’Neil
Boys Volleyball:
Coaches:
Aaron Roberson - adrobe33@gmail.com
Rebecca Dorwart
Rachael Johnston - rachael.johnson@jefferson.kyschools.us
6th Grade Boys Baseball:
Coaches:
Mike Carroll (Head Coach) - m.carroll@twc.com
Lacrosse:
Girls Lacrosse:
Coaches:
Cassidy Clark (Head Coach) - cassidyyclarkk22@gmail.com
Boys Lacrosse:
Braden Hafling - bhafling@hhunderwriters.com
The boys will be combining numbers with Crosby Middle School this year to make an efficient lacrosse roster. If you are still interested, please contact Mr. Carden at Echo Trail and he will forward your information to the staff at Crosby.
This Week in Wolfpack Athletics...
Monday 3/30
BVB vs Kammerer @ ET
5:00p JV
6:00p Varsity
4:00p T&F @ Moore
7:30p GLax vs North Teal @ CAL
6:00p 6th BSB vs HLS @ Crosby Park (Home)
5:00p BLax vs Titans @ Crosby
Tuesday 3/31
GSoc vs Westport @ Westport
5:30p Varsity
GFFB Varsity @ JTown HS
6:20p vs Highlands
8:00p vs Ramsey
April
Wednesday 4/1
BVB @ Carrithers
5:00p JV
6:00p Varsity
BSoc vs Newburg @ Newburg
5:30p JV
6:45p Varsity
Thursday 4/2
GSoc vs Noe @ Noe
5:30p JV
6:45p Varsity
BFFB Varsity @ JTown HS
5:30p vs Crosby
7:10p vs Meyzeek
Repeat Information
Repeat Information
Save the Date: 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony
Save the Date: 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony
Please join us for an evening celebrating the accomplishments of our inaugural Echo Trail eighth grade class as they prepare for the transition to high school.
Who: 8th Grade Echo Trail Students and Families
What: Promotion Ceremony
When: May 21, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Where: Eastern High School Large Gymnasium
Why: To recognize and honor the achievements of our first Echo Trail class
#ExpectGreatness
Damaged Devices
Damaged Devices
Dear ETMS Parents and Guardians,
We want to share an important update regarding student technology devices.
At this time, ETMS does not have sufficient inventory to provide loaner or replacement Chromebooks. If a student’s device becomes damaged and requires repair, the district requires it be sent into the IT department for servicing. While the device is away, teachers will provide paper-based materials or alternative assignments to ensure students are still able to participate fully in their learning.
Currently, the district is experiencing a high volume of devices needing repair. Because of this backlog, we are unable to provide an estimated timeline for when repaired devices will be returned to students once they leave the building.
We also want to remind families that, per JCPS policy, students may not bring personal devices (such as laptops or tablets) into the building to use as a replacement.
We appreciate your understanding and partnership as we work through these challenges.
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.
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