Wolf Pack Weekly
Echo Trail Middle School Weekly Newsletter
Echo Trail Middle School Weekly Newsletter
Hello Wolf Pack Families!
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.
Remind your student to wear their HERO ID and laynard everyday. There will be "pop-up HERO incentives" that students can only participate in if they are wearing their HERO ID and laynard. They will not want to miss out.
The Middletown Parade is this Saturday, September 12th. We will send out a messenger where to meet us in Eastern High School's parking lot. We invite ALL ETMS families to come join the fun. Wear ETMS color or spirit wear.
We had our first Principal Advisory Meeting - students were selected to represent their grade level team and provide student voice. This team will meet monthly to highlight what is going well at our school, and be apart of the solution for areas we need to improve. I am looking forward to working with this great group of leaders!
A few items we need your support with. When students are wearing skirts it is important they are not rolled making them shorter. We want to ensure that skirts are providing the proper coverage. In addtion, we are seeing an increase in sprays and perfumes being sprayed in the hallways and classrooms. We are asking our students to refrain from using sprays during school hours as this can cause breathing issues for others. The last item is we have seen an increase in chewing gum, this is causing issues as it is starting to destroy our beautiful building finding it on our floors and furniture. Gum is not allowed during school hours.
Friday, August 21st, we kicked off our Nature Walk PTSA school-wide fundraiser!
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 (Click here to donate digitally now!)
*Donation Envelopes, permission slips and prize list were delivered to students Friday, August 21st.
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
If your student rides a JCPS Bus, please follow the directions linked here to download the JCPS My Ride K-12 App for up to date information about Bus Transportation
#ExpectgreaTness
Dr. Ammerman, Principal
Twitter: @KaraJo_Ammerman
PTSA Nature Walk
Let’s Get Fundraising!
We hope you’re raising money for our Nature Walk—our BIGGEST fundraiser of the year! Every donation helps support our studentsIII!
Ready to donate online? Use the link below!
Happy Fundraising, Wolf Pack!
Student council applications are due on September 8th!
Grab information and applications in grade level dens, cafe, and from Room 201.
Questions? Ask Mrs Dawson in room 201
ETMS students and families are headed to England, Peru, New York City, and Tokyo!
You don’t want to miss our upcoming meeting where we will share about these 4 unique travel opportunities with our partner travel company, Education First Tours. Door prizes are available to those who attend; and bonus entries are given to those who RSVP at this link- https://bit.ly/4qnAXaO
Thursday, September 10, 6 pm, ETMS Gym
Please note-this is not a school sponsored trip.
For questions, please contact patricia.slugantz@jefferson.kyschools.us
Super Saturdays Registration Opens September 8
Registration for our fall session of Super Saturdays opens Tuesday, September 8 at 5:00 p.m. CT. This three-week enrichment program will take place October 17, 24, and 31 and is open to students in grades 1–6 who demonstrate high ability or high interest.
Students spend three Saturdays exploring an area of interest through hands-on, minds-on learning alongside enthusiastic peers. Courses span areas including science, mathematics, art, history, writing, music, and performance. More than 1,000 students participate in Super Saturdays each year.
The three-week program is $120, and financial assistance is available. Courses are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage families to register early.
Middletown Family Fun Fest Parade is September 12!
All students and family members are encouraged to attend. We will meet at Eastern High School in the MAIN parking lot. We are unit #19 in the parade. Please arrive between 11 and 11:30. The parade kicks off promptly at noon, rain or shine!
We look forward to our 4th year participating in the Middletown parade!
Check out our HERO point leaders for last week!
We are excited to officially roll out HERO at Echo Trail! HERO is our schoolwide positive behavior recognition program designed to recognize and reward students for the positive choices they make each day.
When we see greatness, we will RECOGNIZE and REWARD it!
Students can earn HERO points from any staff member in the building by demonstrating our GREAT Pillars.
G – Growth Mindset
R – Ready and Responsible
E – Enthusiastic Attitude
A – Actively Participate
T – Treat Yourself and Others with Kindness
Students can also earn bonus points for accomplishments such as having no referrals for the month and making the Honor Roll.
Students must wear their school ID and lanyard each day to earn and redeem HERO points. Families can help by encouraging students to make their ID and lanyard part of their daily school routine.
No Lanyard = No Points!
Students will have opportunities for weekly recognition and monthly and quarterly incentives throughout the year. Rewards may include:
HERO Store items
Dress Down and PJ Days
Snack & a Movie
Gym and outside time
Pizza Socials
Silent Disco Dance
Kona Ice
Student vs. Staff games
And more!
The HERO Store will officially open after Fall Break, giving students another opportunity to use the points they have earned.
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
Missed our club sign ups?
You are welcome to reach out to the club sponsors of the club your student wants to join via email to see if they are still enrolling students. Our Club Page (click here) shows our current club offerings and sponsor emails.
Engagement, Empowerment, & Connection
All students will be completing their Fall 2026 Explore Survey by the end of the week. The Explore Survey directly ties to JCPS's Collective Commitments of Sense of Belonging.
Waterstep Campaign Update
In the 2025-2026 School year, Echo Trail Business & Communications, Engineerin & Design and Waterstep teamed up for a Fundraising Campaign. In this campaign, our students were able to work together across multiple pathways and 7th Grade ELA classes to raise money for creating safe drinking water and a building for latrines. Below is an update to or campaign and the building progress. This type of work aligns perfectly with JCPS Success Skill, Globally & Culturally Comptent Citizen. In 26-27 school year we are looking forward to building upon this solid foundation.
📢 Echo Trail Explore Student Ambassador Announcements
Applications are OPEN and available for students to complete and submit for Consideration. Applications close September 8th
It’s Completely Optional: Being an Ambassador is a fantastic opportunity to build leadership, public speaking, and event planning skills, but participation is 100% voluntary.
Official Online Application: The official digital application opens on August 24th in their Team Google Classroom and closes on September 8th. There are 4 components to an Application
Application
Video
Scavenger Hunt
Letter of Recommendation (Any teacher at ETMS EXCEPT for their Pathway Teacher, email to stephen.carter2@jefferson.kyschools.us)
Ambassadors Announced September 18th
Selection Process: Students must complete all application steps—including a short video component—to be considered. Please note that space is limited and not every student who applies will be selected.
We encourage you to talk with your student about whether this leadership role is a good fit for them this year! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out!
This Week in Wolfpack Athletics...
2026/27 Echo Trail Winter Sports Tryouts: This form will indicate the Winter sports you intend on trying out for this coming 2026/27 Winter season. Please note that commitment to an Echo Trail team requires showing up to required practices and games.
Winter Sports Options:
Boys/Girls Basketball
Archery
Swim
Indoor Track and Field
*Click on the "Winter Sports Sign Ups" link above to get signed up, or the copied link below:
https://forms.gle/zmWsdAVy9jNzupbZ6
Our Echo Trail Bookstore needs volunteers! Sign up using the link below and help keep our bookstore running for our Wolves.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0548ADA82EA5FDC34-58162520-etms
Student: https://kypta-12608072.givebacks.com/shop/items/860548
Parent/Guardian: https://kypta-12608072.givebacks.com/shop/items/860546
Grandparent: https://kypta-12608072.givebacks.com/shop/items/860547
Faculty/Staff: https://kypta-12608072.givebacks.com/shop/items/860549
Standard: https://kypta-12608072.givebacks.com/shop/items/860545
Any questions about PTSA, feel free to email echotrailptsa@gmail.com
We are required to have an Eligibility Benefits Form (EBF) filled out for every family at Echo Trail Middle School to maintain our FREE breakfast and lunch status. The link to complete online is below. IT IS IMPERATIVE that we receive a completed form from every family. Only one form per household needs to be completed if you include all family member's names. All students should be listed in the student section.
If you prefer to not list your income, check the box that says, "Not eligible". If you are eligible to have your school fees waived, you will be notified by JCPS.
Thank you for your attention to this matter, we appreciate your assistance.
Complete online at jcps.me/ebf
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.
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.
You may also send fees by cash and checks with your student starting Monday 8/10.
If we can offer any assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to us 485-8398.
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.
All BLUE items must be removed and passed around prior to walking through the weapons detection system. Staff will be at the pass around table to assist students.
Tables will be available for students and staff to use
Be patient while waiting
Walk through the system one person at a time, continue walking unless you are directed by a staff member to go to secondary screening.
There will be tables for students to place BLUE items back in their bags.
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!
Errors? Omissions? If something is missing or needs to be corrected, please email Courtney DeKeuster courtney.dekeuster@jefferson.kyschools.us.