Wolf Pack Weekly
Echo Trail Middle School Weekly Newsletter
Welcome!
May 6, 2024
Hello Wolf Pack Families!
I hope everyone enjoyed the long Derby weekend! We are in the homestretch of finishing our first year as a school together. If you have not viewed our most recent video, please take a moment and check it out here. This truly captures the spirit of our school and all we have to offer our Wolf Pack. Thank you, Mr. Stivers, for making this outstanding video to showcase our school.
As a school community, I had to communicate some difficult news regarding Mrs. Salamon’s health. I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for all of your outpouring support and thoughts. It is truly appreciated.
Another week brings more celebrations!
Congratulations to all of our students who participated in the ELA Solution Symposium. I am proud of our students' focused work, clear presentations, and ownership in this project. Thank you to our wonderful teaching staff for making this possible.
Congratulations to our Archery Team who competed in 2 tournaments recently and had outstanding results!
Bullseye Tournament
Haylie F 1st place 273
Ryan T 2nd place 248
Alex D 3rd place 243
3D Tournament
Haylie F 1st place 262
Alex D 2nd place 237
Abigale F 3rd place 227
Our Track and Field Team continues to get better each meet. Check out the most recent results:
Jacob M 100m (8/18)
Logan R 200m PR (12/25) & Long Jump PR 4th place!
Anna S 100m PR (12/29) & 200m PR (11/26)
Ava N 100m PR (13/29) & Shot put 1st place!
Joe C 200m PR (7/25)
Jameson C Shot put PR 2nd place!
Liam J Shot put PR 3rd place!
This week KSA testing officially starts, it is extremely important that we do the small things we have been doing leading up to this week. Take a moment to encourage your students to simply do their best and show what they know just like they have done all year. I have all the confidence in our entire Wolf Pack!
Tuesday, May 7 - Quality of School Climate and Safety survey - 7:50AM
Thursday, May 9 - Reading - 7:50AM
Friday, May 10 - Math - 7:50AM
Reminders:
Please make sure that students arrive to school on time each day. Once a testing session begins, students are not able to enter the testing environment. Students who arrive late will remain in a holding area until the testing session is complete. Testing will begin each morning at 7:50AM.
Please make sure students eat a good breakfast. Breakfast is served in our cafeteria each morning.
Please avoid scheduling any appointments during the morning (i.e.--doctor appointments, dentist, etc.), if possible, on testing days
Students should leave cell phones and smartwatches in their lockers. They cannot have access to them during a testing session.
Offer your students words of encouragement and to try their best each day.
Save the Date(s):
5/7/24 Elevate 7th grade selections
5/13/24 Explore Presentation Selection (parent/guardian signature required)
5/16/24 Spring Arts Night (6:00 Drama Club presents Suessical, 6:30 Art Walk, Echo Effect, Jazz Band and Food Trucks, 7:30 Band/Choir concert)
5/17/24 Field Day, KONA Ice, Movies, Board Games, and Music Fun!
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
HERO Store Launch - Monday, April 22nd
We are excited to launch our HERO Store to celebrate students who are exemplifying the GREAT pillars. Students can select their items using the HERO Store Google Form that is located in their counseling google classroom. Items will be delivered during 6th period on Friday’s. Check out our HERO Store Launch Video!
![](https://www.google.com/images/icons/product/drive-32.png)
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
2024 KSA Testing Schedule
Our Kentucky Summative Assessments are right around the corner. Below you'll see our schedule for end-of-year testing:
6th Grade
Tuesday, May 7 - Quality of School Climate and Safety survey - 7:50AM
Thursday, May 9 - Reading - 7:50AM
Friday, May 10 - Math - 7:50AM
Reminders:
Please make sure that students arrive to school on time each day. Once a testing session begins, students are not able to enter the testing environment. Students who arrive late will remain in a holding area until the testing session is complete. Testing will begin each morning at 7:50AM.
Please make sure students eat a good breakfast. Breakfast is served in our cafeteria each morning.
Please avoid scheduling any appointments during the morning (i.e.--doctor appointments, dentist, etc.), if possible, on testing days
Students should leave cell phones and smartwatches in their lockers. They cannot have access to them during a testing session.
Offer your students words of encouragement and to try their best each day.
Library Updates
We have a lot of important information about our library and media services. Please read carefully below and contact our Library and Media Specialist, Ms. Ward, kari.ward@jefferson.kyschools.us, for any questions.
Return All Library Books
ALL library books will need to be returned by May 10th for students to be eligible for Field Day. If a book has been lost, invoices with the replacement cost will go out starting next week and will need to be paid by the 14th of May for Field Day participation. If you have any questions please reach out!
Arts Spring Fest - May 16th, 6-8 PM
All are invited to attend Spring Arts Fest on Thursday, May 16 from 6-8pm! It will be a wonderful evening, showcasing students from our drama, visual art, and music departments!
Uniform Donations
Has your child outgrown his/her uniform? Please consider donating gently used uniforms and Echo Trail gear to our Youth Service Center. Thank you so much for your kind generosity!
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
Echo Trail Promo Video
It has been an amazing year! Check out our 2023/24 Echo Trail Middle School Promotional Video! Feel free to share on social media and personalize with your own message about how grEaT our Wolf Pack is!
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-Malak Elasroui, Team Determination-Hudson Fertig, Team Endurance-Kadley Hawes
PTSA
Nominations for SBDM Parent Rep - Open until Next Monday, May 13
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 run SBDM elections for the two parent representatives for next school year.
The two parent members of the council who will receive training and serve from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025.
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 13 at 2:20pm EST. Nominations can be sent in email format to echotrailptsa@gmail.com.
The election will be held on Wednesday, May 15.
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,
Joe Hulsey – PTA President
This letter can be viewed as a Word Doc here. Feel free to share with other interested parents.
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
STLP Student Newscast Team
There will be NO STLP this week due to testing.
Our End-of-Year celebration will be NEXT Monday, May 13, from 2:30-3:30pm.
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
5/6 Monday
7:00p BSB vs. CAL @ Crosby Park
5/7 Tuesday
5:20p FFB vs. Westport @ Westport
5:20p FFG vs. Ramsey @ Westport
5:30p Soc vs. Newburg @ TJ (Home)
7:00p VB vs. Carrithers (Visitors) @ Highland
5/8 Wednesday
6:00p T&F Mini Meet @ Eastern HS
7:00p FFG vs. Meyzeek @ Westport
7:00p FFB vs. Carrithers @ Westport
5/9 Thursday
5:00p SB vs. WF @ J-Town HS
SB vs. PCS **Dbl Header**
5/9 - 5/11
10:15a Archery - 2024 NASP Nationals @ KY Expo Center (5/9)
Repeat Information
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.
Weekly Newsletter
Errors? Omissions? If something is missing or needs to be corrected, please email Michael Etter, michael.etter@jefferson.kyschools.us.