Wolf Pack Weekly
Echo Trail Middle School Weekly Newsletter
Embedded Files
May 4, 2026
Hello Wolf Pack Families!
I hope everyone had a wonderful Derby weekend! We are now officially in the home stretch of the school year. This week kicks off our KSA Testing. I have every confidence in our students as they try their best, and show all the hard work they have put in this school year academically.
This week, we will also be celebrating our teachers for Teacher Appreciation Week! Wednesday, May 6th is also School Nurse’s Appreciation Day! Encourage your child to write their teachers and our nurse a note or verbally tell them thank you. These small acts of kindness truly go a long way and are appreciated!
Rising 7th and 8th graders will begin to select their Elevate classes for the 26-27 school year starting this week using a google form that will be provided, click HERE for more information.
Echo Trail Middle School hosted their second annual Toy Drive in support of Norton Children’s Hospital. This is a student-led initiative by 7th grader Allie Morris. Allie was a patient at Norton Children's and remembers how important the toy cart was to her experience. This was a chance for her to give back and say thanks! Check out the footage HERE.
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
8th Grade Dance: Deadline to purchase tickets TODAY!
8th Grade Dance: Deadline to purchase tickets TODAY!
DEADLINE TO PURCHASE TICKETS: May 4th
Monday May 4th at 11:59pm is the deadline for 8th grade parents to buy their dance ticket. No tickets will be sold after this date!
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.
Students must have a signed permission slip before they can purchase a ticket. Click the Echo Trail 8th Grade Evening Dance Letter 2026 for permission slip and full details. Copies will be available during lunch as well.
Deadline to purchase tickets is today, Monday, May 4th. Purchase your tickets here!
SBDM Council Nomination Deadline TODAY
SBDM Council Nomination Deadline TODAY
Echo Trail Parents:
Our school has a SBDM (School-Based Decision Making) council that is made up of our principal, Dr. Ammerman, and a variety of elected teachers and parents. This council is in charge of making important decisions about how the school operates and supports student achievement.
The council is a wonderful chance to learn about our school, work closely with teachers, and help make our school even more successful than it is now. One of the duties of the PTSA each year is to run SBDM elections for the two parent representatives for next school year.
The two parent members of the council will receive training and serve from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Parents can, but are not required to, serve two consecutive, one-year terms but do have to be re-elected each school year. You are allowed to self-nominate.
Also, if you know someone who would be a good candidate, please encourage that person to run and nominate them.
Elected parents should be available to attend a monthly meeting. These meetings are held the third Wednesday of each month at 3:00pm at school (no meeting in December or June).
Nominations will be open until Monday, May 4 at 2:20pm EST. Nominations can be sent in email format to echotrailptsa@gmail.com. The election will be held on Wednesday, May 6.
If you will have a student at Echo Trail next year, you are eligible to be nominated and to vote in this election. This includes parents, stepparents, and foster parents. Legal guardians are also eligible to vote if the child lives in their home. I urge every parent to participate in this important decision about the future of our children’s school.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email echotrailptsa@gmail.com.
Thank you, Melissa Roe – PTA President
EF Tours Summer 2028
EF Tours Summer 2028
Can you find three clues to reveal our next location?! Come to a sneak peek meeting for a big reveal of where we will be traveling in Summer 2028! (Summer following 8th grade for our current 6th graders!)
Lock in early enrollment with a special discount and chance at lower monthly payments.
Tuesday, May 5, 6:30pm
Echo Trail Social Stairs
RSVP for the meeting here: https://bit.ly/4sFFOnj
Please note - this is NOT A school-sponsored trip.
Graduation Signs
Graduation Signs
The PTSA would like to surprise our graduates with a graduation sign! Please complete the form by May 10 to reserve your sign: 8th Grade Graduate Sign
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
Counselor Corner
Counselor Corner
Spring MAP Reports
Spring MAP Reports
Your child received their Spring MAP report home to share with you on Monday, April 27th. Please take time to review it with them, celebrate their successes, and help them set goals for the future. Click here for a breakdown of the report. If you have any questions, please reach out to their team leader.
8th Grade Defense of Learning
8th Grade Defense of Learning
Attention 8th Grade Families:
Our 8th graders are hard at work preparing for and presenting their Defenses of Learning. Click this link to see details about the DoL process and how you can support your student.
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!
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
2026-27 PTSA Board Positions Available
2026-27 PTSA Board Positions Available
We still have open positions that need to be filled. If you are interested in learning more, please email us. EchoTrailPTSA@gmail.com
PTSA Does That?
PTSA Does That?
As we wind down the school year, we wanted to show case what the PTSA does throughout the school year!
Look at the list of things the PTSA does for its school community. 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
May Newsletter Coming Soon!
Modern Music & Jazz Band Students "Hit the Road" to Tully to perform for 5th Graders!
Modern Music & Jazz Band Students "Hit the Road" to Tully to perform for 5th Graders!
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!
Ambassador Day of Service-Ambassadors prepared over 10,000 meals throughout our time at Love the Hungry. Lov the Hungry provides meals across the globe to help those who might need it. Interesting enough, they partner with Waterstep and work closely with them to coordinate meals and clean drinking water.
Ambassador Day of Service-Ambassadors prepared over 10,000 meals throughout our time at Love the Hungry. Lov the Hungry provides meals across the globe to help those who might need it. Interesting enough, they partner with Waterstep and work closely with them to coordinate meals and clean drinking water.
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
CALLING ALL ATHLETES WITH TEAM UNIFORMS... TURN THEM BACK INTO SCHOOL!!
CALLING ALL ATHLETES WITH TEAM UNIFORMS... TURN THEM BACK INTO SCHOOL!!
If you are still in possession of your team uniform that needs to be turned back in (and currently not still using it), please bring those to school and return them to the office. Please place your uniform in a bag that includes:
Student's name
Sport
Grade
If your uniform is found missing in our inventory, you will be sent a bill for the cost of the uniform and can be held out of end of the year activities until it is returned. If you have questions please contact your team coaches or Mr. Carden.
EHS Basketball Camp
EHS Basketball Camp
Eastern High School will be hosting a summer basketball camp for boys entering Grades 2-8 this summer.
June 1-4, 9am-12pm, Each Day
Boys Entering Grades 2-8 in the Fall
$80 per student includes T-Shirt
Other Eastern HS Athletic Opportunities
Other Eastern HS Athletic Opportunities
All other Eastern HS Summer Camp opportunities can be found on their website, and link below.
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 5/4
Boys VB Playoffs @ ET
5:00p JV vs Kammerer
6:00p Varsity vs Lassiter
Girls Soccer Playoffs @ JTown HS
6:15p Varsity vs Western
6th Bsb vs CAL @ Crosby Park 7:45p
Track @ Norton Sports Complex 4:00p
Tuesday 5/5
Girls Flag Football Playoffs @ Jtown HS
5:30p Game 1
6:20p *Game 2
7:10p *Champioship
*Win and move onto the next game
Thursday 5/7
Boys Flag Football Playoffs @ Jtown HS
5:30p Game 1
6:20p *Game 2
7:10p *Game 3
*Win and move onto the next game
*Playoff Announcements will be communicated when games and game times are released or once a team has advanced
Repeat Information
Repeat Information
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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