Echo Trail Middle School Weekly Newsletter

Welcome!

September 8 , 2025

Hello Wolf Pack Families!

Thank you to all the families who were able to join us for Open House. If you were not able to make it out, please see the link below for all the teacher presentations.

Open House Presentations

Thank you to the families and students who were able to attend the Middletown Parade. It was a fun afternoon walking the parade and representing our school!

This week, we have a full week of exciting things happening! Below is a “Week at a Glance”:

Monday- Friday - Safety Week

Monday, 9/8 - Student Launch HERO points

Tuesday, 9/9 - High Attendance Day

Tuesday, 9/9 - ETMS Club Launch

Thursday, 9/11 - MAP Math Assessment

Thursday, 9/11 - Explore Ambassador Applications Due (7th and 8th graders)

Thursday, 9/11 - Jtown Gaslight Parade

6 pm Parade time

4pm Staging Lot #: 3 & Unit # 33

(Jeffersontown Commons Shopping Center (9525 Taylorsville Road)

IMPORTANT: NEW PARADE DISPERSAL INFO – PLEASE READ & SHARE with all families and participants in your unit!!

· We have assigned your unit to the Tully Elementary (3300 College Drive) Dispersal area.

· NO PARKING/CAR PICK-UP at Tully this year. This area is for walk-up pick-up ONLY

· If you choose, you may disperse at Jtown High School, Galene Dr., but it is your responsibility to NOTIFY parents! There is ample parking space at Jtown High School, if you choose. NO parking is available at the Jtown Commons Staging Area.

Please all staff, students and families join us in your ETMS gear and walk to show our Wolfpack Pride!

Friday, 9/12 - Nature Walk Permission Slips are Due

Save the Date(s) and 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
- Dressdown Guidelines

#ExpectgreaTness

Dr. Ammerman, Principal

Twitter: @KaraJo_Ammerman

Important Information
& Upcoming Events

Lost & Found

We have had a large number of water bottles and lunch boxes left in the cafeteria. If you're missing one (or more!), please ask your student to check the Lost & Found at the entrance of the cafeteria.

Unclaimed items will eventually be donated.

Get the Latest from our ET Teachers on the JCPS App

Many of our Echo Trail teachers are using the JCPS Rooms feature in the JCPS app to keep our parents updated. We don’t want to overwhelm parents by doubling up info in multiple places. We encourage you to download the app for communication.

Whether you're on Apple or Android, the links to download the JCPS App can be found here:
https://www.jefferson.kyschools.us/o/jcps/page/mobile-application

KY Safe Schools Week (September 8–12, 2025)

We invite every parent, guardian, and community member to join us in taking the Focus on School Safety Pledge.

Here’s what we pledge to do:

Frame the positive – Show respect, kindness, and acceptance to others.
Zoom in on kindness – Stand against bullying in all forms.
Adjust our focus – Stay alert and report anything that doesn’t seem right.
Capture responsibility – Own our actions and follow school rules.
Develop the full picture – Work together to build a safe, supportive school community.

Take the pledge today at: kycss.org/safe-schools-week/safety-week-pledge

Together, we can create a safer, stronger future for our students. Let’s lead by example.
#SafeSchoolsWeek

https://kycss.org/safe-schools-week/safety-week-pledge/

Nature Walk

The 2025 Echo Trail Nature Walk is on Friday, September 19!

We are encouraging students to ask family, friends, and neighbors to donate to our largest PTSA fundraiser of the year. 100% of donations go directly to Echo Trail PTSA, and it is a tax deductible donation! Permission slips and donation envelopes are due Friday, September 12, to be eligible for incentives.

Don't forget to share on social media to reach more people. Register your kiddo in Givebacks to personalize their donation page, or donors can use the search feature to add your student's name for credit when donating.

As a reminder, any donations made online with kid’s name attached will be credited to their total incentive package at the end of collection. We cannot provide total updates to individuals until the donation period has ended.

--> https://www.givebacks.com/.../32f60e.../campaigns/9bbac14946

Nature Walk Canva Presentation : please take a moment to review the information included.

During kick-off yesterday, students received the following items:

Nature Walk Packet:
Prize List

*Donation Envelopes, permission slips and prize list were delivered to students Friday, August 22nd.

Academic Opportunity - EF Tours, England 2027

We are excited to announce an exciting academic opportunity. Through EF Tours, we are planning an international trip to England for Spring Break 2027!

We will have a family meeting at Echo Trail on September 18, 6 pm to share more details. Please RSVP at the following link if you are able to attend the interest meeting. You may also use this link to request more information if you are not able to attend.

--> https://rsvp.eftours.com/kjbnb8k

Counselor Corner

What's Happening: 1st Grading Period Academics

The Wolf Pack is hard at work in the first grading period! Check out what your student is learning in their ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies classes.

Click here to view!

Standards Based Grading

All teachers at Echo Trail use Standards Based Grading. This means that grades will be communicated as a 4, 3, 2, 1, or 0 and focus on what students know and can do in relation to specific state standards. Click this link to learn more and reach out to your child's teacher or counselor if you have questions.

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

2025 Mental Wellness Lesson

Click HERE to view the parent/guardian letter for the 2025 Mental Wellness Lesson.

Student Spotlight

Clubs

Echo Trail Middle School Clubs – Sign Up Week is Here!

Students will be learning about clubs on Tuesday during WINN time

Clubs are a great way for students to get involved, explore their interests, and make new friends. Participating in clubs helps students feel connected to our school community, build relationships with peers and staff, and develop a strong sense of belonging. Whether your child is interested in academics, the arts, service, or hobbies, there’s something for everyone!

CLICK HERE TO GO DIRECTLY TO OUR CLUB PAGE FOR ALL INFORMATION

Club Coordinator - joseph.stivers@jefferson.kyschools.us

Echoes of the Arts

Band Newsletter

Click here to read our September Newsletter.

Vision/Mission/Motto
August Students of the Week!
Rent to Own Instrument Information
Pictures from our Eastern High School Shadow Night
9/7 8th Grade National Anthem Performance at UofL Women's Volleyball Game Info
9/14 8th Grade Gatlinburg Parent Zoom Meeting
9/25 8th Grade Sound Connection Concert
10/9 8th Grade Howlapalooza Concert
10/23 7th/8th Grade JCPS All-County Auditions
10/29 Mark's Feed Store Proceeds Day

Modern Music Newsletter

Click here to read our September Newsletter.

Congratulations Echo Trail Band

This past Sunday, September 7th, the Echo Trail Band had the honor of performing the National Anthem at the University of Louisville Women’s Volleyball Game in the KFC Yum! Center.

Special thanks to Mr. Stivers for directing the band, to our amazing band parents for their continued support, and to the staff members who came out to cheer on our musicians!

Our students received enthusiastic praise from the entire Yum! Center and even a special shout-out from the UofL Pep Band!

We look forward to building more exciting partnerships across our wonderful city to showcase the incredible talents of our Wolfpack Musicians.

Go Band! 🎶🐺

EXPLORE

👀 Check out what's Happening in Explore this week...

Engagement Empowerment & Connection

Athletics

Cross Country Photo Day- After school on 9/11/25. Students need to bring their XC uniform to change into after school. Photos start at 2:30 pm. All 8th graders will have individual photos made. 6th and 7th graders will be included in the group photo but will only get individual photos taken if they have pre-purchased a package. See the sportsYou calendar invite for the link. All students will need a ride home from ETMS by 3pm.

Step Team Try-Outs: POSTPONED!

More information will shared at a later date.

This Week in Wolfpack Athletics...

9/8 Monday

VB vs Brown @ Echo Trail

5:00 6th grade

6:00 JV

7:00 Varsity

Varsity Baseball vs LYTJN @ Eastern - 7:45p

XC - JCPS Meet 4 @ Charlie Vettiner Park

JV/V Field Hockey

5:30p Varsity vs Highland MS @ Highland MS

7:30p JV vs Highland Latin @ Highland MS

JV Golf Woodhaven - 5:00 p

9/9 Tuesday

ET Tennis - Echo Trail vs Highland/Grace James @ Charlie Vettiner Park - 5:30p

Softball vs Grace James @ Shawnee Park - 5:30p

VB @ Johnson

5:00 JV

6:00 Varsity

Baseball @ Ballard

6:00p Varsity vs Kammerer

7:45p JV vs LYTJN

Varsity Golf vs Crosby/Westport @Quail Chase - 5:00p

9/10 Wednesday

VB vs Grace James (8th Grade Night)

5:00 6th grade

6:00 JV

7:00 Varsity

JV FH vs OCMS @ Highland MS - 6:30p

9/11 Thursday

Softball vs BRLTJ @ Eastern - 6:00p

Baseball JV vs Farnsley @ PRP - 7:45p

ET Tennis - Echo Trail vs Barrett @ Charlie Vettiner Park - 5:30p

JVFB vs Westport (Away) @ Westport - 5:00p

9/13 Saturday

FB vs Westport @ JTown (Away) - 10:30 AM

XC - Capitol View Classic @ Archives - Frankfort KY

Varsity FH vs KCD @ Kammerer - 10:00a

Winter Sports Signups

If you are interested in trying out for one of our winter sports teams, please fill out the form that is linked below. These sports will include:

Boys and Girls Basketball
Boys and Girls Swimming
Archery
Indoor Track & Field

Winter Sports Form

You may also click the link address that is provided. - https://forms.gle/3vsHqXLY8fUGhDCd8

These teams in most cases will have large volumes of student interest, resulting in these teams having to make cuts due to roster restrictions, spacial restrictions, equipment, safety, etc.

If you have a student athlete that is participating in a fall sport currently, they may not participate in any winter activities until the conclusion of their fall sports team. Coaches will send out further information as the winter participation windows begin to open.

Team Picture Days

Team Pictures with Red Bolt Design and Media will be beginning this week. Please contact your coaches for your team picture day and the link to order your student athletes images if you have not received information already.

These pictures will take place after school at Echo Trail, so please arrange rides for your students upon the conclusion of their team photo session.

PTSA

Volunteers Needed

Nature Walk help is needed Friday September 19th!
We have broken it down by teams for 7th & 8th grade if you want to be with your child.
--> https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0548ADA82EA5FDC34-58377806-nature

Bookstore needs help during lunches!
You'll work with the bookstore chair who will walk you through how it works.

--> https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0548ADA82EA5FDC34-58162520-etms

Meet your PTSA VP of Communications, Laura!

Laura is mom to 8th graders Maddie & Katie, and can’t wait to lead sideline cheers at field hockey this year, golf clap at tennis matches, and try to hold back her own singing at choir concerts.

Her personal and professional lives collided this past year when she carried a baby for another family as a gestational surrogate. She also works as a surrogacy program coordinator. Laura is most excited for the ET spring festival because she loves the community feel and fun it is each year.

Meet your PTSA VP of Ways & Means, Aidan!

Aidan is the mom of 8th grader Miles, who stays busy as with Ambassadors, Men of Quality, Beta Club, choir, baseball, golf, bowling, playing piano, & gaming.

Aidan may look familiar because she gives her entire life to ET - working in the Bookstore and volunteering at sports and PTSA events almost every night of the week! She loves to attend live music and sporting events, especially her KC Chiefs, Kansas Jayhawks, and Oklahoma Sooners! Aidan has an older son and recently became "Mini" to a sweet baby girl. She is most excited to be serving on the PTSA for a third year and to be a part of all the wonderful events and opportunities ahead. She says it's been such a joy to watch Miles grow over the years and she can't wait to see him thrive as an 8th grader!

Reminders

We would love for you to sign up for a PTSA Membership.

--> You can join the Echo Trail PTSA here!

We will need volunteers throughout the school year. Please fill out this form so we can have you on our volunteer email list.

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.

Any questions about PTSA, feel free to email echotrailptsa@gmail.com

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!

Repeat Information

Car Rider Morning Drop-Off Reminders

If you are the first car with a student to unload, pull all the way around to the white line before unloading. Once the line has stopped, students can exit out the passenger side anywhere from the white line to the main entrance and enter through the gym.
All students MUST come through the car rider line and exit in the unloading zone. They cannot be let out in the parking lot, on Echo Trail, or in the bus parking lot.

School Fees

If you still need to pay your school fees, please do so now online at My School Bucks! Click the link below to review the School Fee Sheet. Price does include a 3.95% credit card processing fee.

25-26 School Fees

You may also send fees by cash and checks with your student.

If we can offer any assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to us 485-8398.

Volunteer This School Year!

We'd love to have you participate in field trips and other volunteer opportunities. Head to the JCPS Volunteer page (Get Involved) and click Volunteer Talent Center to fill out a background check form. Background checks are kept on file with the district and are good for 5 years.

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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