Wolf Pack Weekly
Echo Trail Middle School Weekly Newsletter
Welcome!
April 8, 2024
Hello Wolf Pack Families!
I hope everyone had a wonderful break! We are ExciTed to welcome back our Wolf Pack and finish our FIRST school year together strong.
Hopefully you heard about our awesome HERO event we held before spring break. We had a blast with our students competing in quick recall and basketball against them. We also had our dance and cheerleading teams perform during halftime (and so we could catch our breath!). I am sure our students are looking forward to a rematch as our staff won both quick recall and basketball games.
I would also like to take this opportunity to recognize Ms. Ward (for Librarian Media Specialist Day - April 4) and Mrs. Rickert and Mr. Goodin (for Assistant Principal’s Week - April 1-5). We are beyond grateful to have such wonderful people in these roles that support our school each and every day.
We went into our break with several celebrations!
Akanksha S. won the STLP State Website Design Challenge for Middle School.
Our Robotics Team also competed at the State STLP Championship and received 1st Place in the Design category and 2nd Place Overall (State Runners Up!) for the RCX Challenge.
Baseball, Softball, Soccer Teams all are performing at high levels and kicked off their seasons!
This Friday, April 12th, don’t forget to bring your family and friends to our inaugural Spring Festival from 6-8 at Echo Trail. It is going to be a wonderful evening and we cannot wait to see everyone!
Save the Date(s):
4/15-16 MAP Math Testing
4/12-4/18/24 Spring Book Fair
5/22/24 Explore Selection Ceremony
5/24/24 End of Fourth Grading Term/Last Student Day
#ExpectgreaTness
Dr. Ammerman, Principal
Twitter: @KaraJo_Ammerman
Counselor's Corner
Character 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.
Friday, April 12th:
Lesson Title/Description: Practicing Conflict Resolution - This is the 2nd of 2 sessions on conflict resolution. In this session, we continue to wrestle with everyday interpersonal conflict scenarios to share and gain insights into ways to think about and handle conflicts.
Character Dare: The Builder - Set a personal goal this week to improve a relationship in your life. Think about what 1 thing you could do each day that would help support or celebrate that person, then put your plan in action.
HERO Student and Teacher Leaders
Check out our HERO point leaders for last week!
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.
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.
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.
Important Information & Upcoming Events
General PTSA Meeting, Friday April 12
The third general meeting where we will have elections for next school year will be on Friday, April 12 at 5:30pm at Echo Trail just before the Spring Festival.
If you have any questions or would like to be involved in the PTSA, please email echotrailptsa@gmail.com
Thanks!
PTSA Board
Come out to the Spring Festival!
April 12th, 6-8 PM
April 12th, 6-8 PM
Bring the whole family out for a night of fun!
Games
Treats
Acme Chicken Food Truck
Silent Auction
All proceeds benefit the PTSA and athletic teams - which means directly supporting our Echo Trail students!
*PTSA will host a general meeting at 5:30 PM
MAP Testing
On April 15th-16th, your child will take the Math MAP test. The average goal for a 6th grade student in winter is 222. These average scores are a prediction that a student will answer 50% of given questions correctly at a specific difficulty level.
Please encourage your child to try his/her best on this test. Please also make sure your child is here on time each day for testing. We appreciate your continued support in ensuring your child is successful!
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
Parent and Community Volunteers
We love our parents and community members who volunteer for school functions and field trips. We couldn't do what we do without you!
All volunteers must have a background check cleared (once every 5 years) before they may volunteer or chaperone their event. If you are planning on volunteering for any upcoming field trips, please see the important info about the renewel process below:
All JCPS parent and community members whose School Volunteer Records Check were cleared prior to July 1, 2020, are required to submit a new background check.
Volunteers who submitted a School Volunteer Records Check after July 1, 2020, and were cleared will not need to resubmit a records check until July 1, 2025.
If you need to have a new background check, fill out the form here:
https://www.jefferson.kyschools.us/about/support/volunteer
Taking care of it now will ensure that you are cleared the entire time your student is in middle school!
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!
CELEBRATIONS
Student Spotlight
As we continue to celebrate our students and update the hallways with branding, we have created Student Spotlight posters! Each team of teachers will select only one student per week. These students have demonstrated what it means to be G.R.E.A.T. at Echo Trail based upon our school-wide expectations. Congratulations to the following students: Team Perseverance-Lily Schweitzer, Team Determination-Richard Walker, Team Endurance-Isaiah Barner
HERO Incentive Celebration
The Friday before Spring Break, our students and staff cashed in HERO points for a Student vs. Staff Quick Recall and Basketball Game! Watch our highlights video below as fun was had by all.
Comprehensive School Survey
A HUGE shout out and thank you to our Wolfpack families for completing the Comprehensive School Survey.
With your support and participation, we were able to achieve our goal of 1st place for Middle School.
PTSA
General PTSA Meetings - April 12
If you missed the announcement in the Upcoming Events section:
-> The third general meeting where we will have elections for next school year will be on Friday, April 12 at 5:30pm at Echo Trail just before the Spring Festival.
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!
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!
ClassAct Federal Credit Union's Heroes of Education
ClassAct FCU is giving money to local schools! For each "vote" schools' get, it moves them one step closer to a Heroes Grant Milestone! Visiting the Echo Trail Class Act page, signing up our ClassAct email, sharing on social media and signing up for a ClassAct account all get your school closer to their next Milestone.
Echo Trail is getting closer to the 2 Million Milestone and will receive $2000 more! "Vote" and share with friends and family!
Click here to "vote" for your school and to find out more about ClassAct's Heroes of Education!
Echo Trail Clubs
Science Olympiad
Science Club: Please check Google Classroom with an updated schedule for the remainder of the year.
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.
Wolf Pack Athletics
Tribe Elite Cheer Tryouts
Tribe Elite Cheer will be having tryouts soon. Click here for more information.
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
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
Practices: 2:45 - 5:00 PM
M W - @ Eastwood Cutoff Rd Field
Th - @ Echo Trail
**Transportation bus provided to practice from school.
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
Practices: *3:00 - 5:00 PM
M W - @ Echo Trail
Volleyball (6th grade Spring League):
Email: Linked to name (email last name is "Johnson")
Practices: *2:30 - 4:00 PM
M Th - @ Echo Trail
UPDATE: ET Track Team practices are held at 5:30pm on Wednesdays and Fridays at Eastern High School, weather permitting. If your child is interested in joining the team, please make sure they have a completed physical and Echo Trail athletics packet. You can contact Coach Jacoby.
Go be grEaT this spring!
Mr. Carden
Echo Trail Athletic Director
Upcoming Athletics Events
Games & Competitions
4/9 7:00p Volleyball vs. Carithers (Home) @ Carrithers
4/10 6:00p Volleyball vs. Crosby (Visitor) @ Highland
5:20p Flag Football Boys vs. Kammerer @ Westport
6:10p Flag Football Girls vs. Newburg @ Westport
4/11 5:30p Soccer vs. Newburg @ Petersburg Park (Home)
4/13 4:00p Archery - 2024 Top Shot Inv. @ Georgetown, KY
Repeat Information
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.
Quick Reference & Reminders
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:
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.