Echo Trail Middle School Weekly Newsletter

Welcome!

Hello Wolf Pack Families!

Thank you again for all our families who participated in the Middletown Parade! We had a grEaT time showcasing our school and connecting with our communities.

This month is Deaf Awareness Month and I am extremely proud of our student body who has now learned our GREAT Pillars of Success in sign language. We have had several student leaders who have taught our students during our morning meeting! Tuesday, September 15th, we will kick off also recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month led by our HSU Sponsor, Mrs. Parker, and students.

You may have heard your students talk about earning HERO points. Below is the presentation that explains how students earn points and what they can use their points for throughout the school year:
HERO Student Roll-Out Slide Deck

Tardy to Class Update: Last Thursday and Friday, we did a reset with our students getting to class on time, especially when traveling off team to Explore and Elevate classes. Students have plenty of time to get to these classes if they follow the correct route. If students are tardy to class, Assistant Principals will be following up with them using the Student Support and Behavior Intervention Handbook.

Parent Teacher Conference is Wednesday, September 23rd. More specific information by team is listed below in our newsletter. Please feel free to come during PTC to set up/organize your students locker. This is a great time for your student to show off their locker opening skills.

Our PTSA Nature Walk is almost here! This Friday, September 18th, our students will participate in our Nature Walk. Students should wear their Nature Walk Shirt, Uniform Shirt, or ETMS Shirt with dressdown approved bottoms. Please review this presentation that explains details that will also be reviewed with students.

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

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

Important Information
& Upcoming Events

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!

It's not too late to help raise money for our School. Send this link to all your friends and family so they can donate online!

Donate Here

Happy Fundraising, Wolf Pack!

NATURE WALK VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Our students are hitting the trails! We’re looking for amazing parents, families, and community volunteers to help make our **Nature Walk** safe, fun, and memorable for our students!

**No hiking experience required — just bring your positive attitude, comfortable shoes, and love for our students!**

**Interested in volunteering? Use the LINK!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0548ADA82EA5FDC34-58377806-nature#/

Family Conference Day - Wednesday, September 23rd

Family Conference Day Sign-Ups Open Wednesday!

Beginning Wednesday, September 16th, families can sign up for our upcoming Family Conference Day. A sign-up link will be emailed to all families Wednesday morning. You’ll be able to choose the option that works best for your family: in-person, phone, or virtual.

Locker Set-Up Day

During Family Conference Day (September 23rd 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM), we are inviting families to come in and have some locker fun with your student. This is an informal event for families to help their student set up and/or decorate their lockers.

Students may bring items to decorate their lockers with - example, shelf, mirror, magnets. NO Stickers are allowed!

Yearbook Cover Contest

Yearbook Cover Contest Flyer 2627.pdf

Sports and General Physical Clinic

Does your student need a School Physical or Sports Physical? Nurse Megan and a district nurse practitioner will be offering physicals to studens on September 24th and 25th, free of charge. To register, please complete the google form below.

Gifted & Talented Opportunity: WKU

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.

Learn more about Super Saturdays

Echo Trail EF Tours Registration is OPEN!

Scan the QR code to the left to enroll in that trip! Enroll by September 18 for a $200 discount on each trip!

Questions? Email the sponsor for that particular trip.

Equal Opportunity Policy - Revised 06-26 (1) - Donna Pappe.pdf

Community Partner: Class Act

Partner with Class Act FCU.pdf

Class Act Information Flyer.pdf

Counselor Corner

HERO Student and Teacher Leaders

Check out our HERO point leaders for last week!

HERO Roll-Out

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!

How Do Students Earn HERO Points?

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.

ID + Lanyard = HERO Points!

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!

What Can Students Earn?

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.

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

Student Spotlight

Clubs

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.

Strategic Problem Solving (formerly known as Future Problem Solving) tryouts will be Thursday, September 17th in room 101 after school.

Echoes of the Arts

Click here to read our September Newsletter!

BUY 1 LARGE GET 1 LARGE FOR A YEAR?!?!

That's right! Our Band is selling BOGO Cards for $20 starting on Tuesday and running for two weeks only! Get double the large pizzas no matter how many you order! These cards can be purchased online while you also support any band student. For every card sold, our band earns $10 back. These cards pay for themselves the minute you use them so if your family orders Domino's Pizza, this fundraiser is a no brainer! Get your card today and help support our band program!

Click here to order your card on Tuesday, September 15th!

EXPLORE

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

Engagement, Empowerment, & Connection

📢 Echo Trail Explore Student Ambassador Announcements 📢

Applications have CLOSED. Applications are currently being reviewed and an Announcement will be made on Friday Sept. 18th.

Athletics

Wolfpack Look Back... Last Week In Athletics

Teams continue to fight the weather
Volleyball stays on a winning path
Baseball stays Undefeated with another strong week
Softball makes a statement with a big win
Golf gets back on the course and adds to their win column
XC Rumbles Through The Jungle with good showing

This Week in Wolfpack Athletics...

*Wednesday 9/16 - Volleyball 8th Grade Night: Prior to the start of the Varsity game

Upcoming Tryouts

Winter Sports Sign Ups

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

PTSA

Join the Pack & Lend a Paw!

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

Join The PTSA TODAY!!

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

Repeat Information

Please Fill out the EBF

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

Car Rider Morning Drop-Off & Bus 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.

26-27 School Fees

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.

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.

WEAPON DETENTION REMINDERS

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.

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!

Weekly Newsletter

Errors? Omissions? If something is missing or needs to be corrected, please email Courtney DeKeuster courtney.dekeuster@jefferson.kyschools.us.

Page updated

Report abuse

Wolf Pack Weekly