Elkhorn Middle School Newsletter
December 2022
MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
It’s hard to believe we are already coming to the end of the first semester. I am so proud of the hard work of students and staff since we came together in August. Thank you for your ongoing support and goodwill this school year.
We wrapped up another very successful canned food drive just before Thanksgiving break. Our focus; based on a request form the food bank, was to gather canned fruit. With your help, EMS will be donating 915 fruit items along with many, many other items to The Douglas County Food Pantry! What a success!
For the first time in several years, we were able to bring back a long standing EMS tradition of the Staff V. Students volleyball game assembly. It was great to come together as a community for some good spirited, friendly competition. Our Staff Team put on an impressive performance and gave the students a run for their money!
There are still 3 very important weeks left in this semester. Students will spend time MAP testing in reading and math during that time, and there will be countless opportunities to learn and grow. Please encourage your child to persist and stay positive as the year wraps up - no doubt the time will fly by! Attendance is key as we near the end of the semester.
As always, it is an honor to work with your children each day. I wish all in our EMS community a happy and healthy finish to 2022!
Focus on Testing - Thursday, December 8
Every December students complete MAP testing in the areas of Math and Reading.
The data from these assessments provide valuable information as we look to how best to challenge and support students in the remaining months of school. Students will take the Math MAP over the course of 2-3 math periods. On Thursday, December 8, we will adjust the schedule and all students will have an extended time to complete the Reading MAP. We will begin at 8:10 and close the testing session at 10:10. Breaks will be scheduled! If students need additional time, they will be given class time.
Math MAP Testing
Students will be taking the Math MAP test on the following dates:
12/1-12/2 7th grade Math
12/5-12/7 6th grade Math
12/6-12/7 8th grade Math
12/8 schoolwide Reading
We would appreciate your help in trying to avoid scheduling appointments on these days.
Notes and Reminders
Dress code - cooler weather brings jackets/coats and hats that must be stored in student lockers during the school day. Hats, hoods, coats, mittens, etc. are not allowed to be worn during the school day.
- Winter break will be December 22nd through January 3rd.
Antlers are safe, respectful, responsible, TRUSTWORTHY, and PROUD. Please talk with your student about intentionally being kind to others. It is common for people to consider middle school as a time when kids are not necessarily kind to one another. At EMS, we always expect our students to be trustworthy and proud of how they treat one another - it's the Antler Way! Thank you for extending this message with your children at home. Working together makes such a difference. Antlers UP!
Attendance Policy
Students that arrive to school after 8:10am bell will be counted as tardy.
All students must be excused verbally by a parent or guardian.
**Please remember to email the office at ems@epsne.org or call the office at 402-289-2428 when reporting a student tardy or absent (not the teachers).
Students that are absent for professional appointments must either provide documentation from the appointment or call the school office to inform the school why the student will be (or is) tardy in order to have the tardy excused.
Excessive tardies may result in disciplinary action and contact from the administration.
Booster Club News
The next EMS Booster Club Meeting is Monday, December 12th at 7:00 PM at EMS. New members are always welcome and appreciated!
Holiday Hurrah - We are getting closer to the holiday season. For those new to EMS, each year EMS Boosters recognize all the EMS staff with a special holiday gift. Each staff member will receive a card with a monetary gift from the students. This is a great way to show your support and thanks for the hard work and care the EMS staff is providing for your student(s). Be on the lookout for more information coming home with your student on December 1st. (Chairperson: Angie Ballard)
Concession Stand - We will be looking for new volunteers to help with basketball and wrestling concessions in January and February. Be on the lookout for a new signup genius posted on our Facebook page and sent out via email.
Thank you to all of the parents who have donated gift cards for Golden Sower Awards. We appreciate you!
If you would like to be added to our mailing list please complete our EMS Booster Interest Form.
Chromebooks
Please help your child develop a routine for charging Chromebooks each night. Too often students are coming to school without a a full charge on their device.
We suggest that students and their families identify a safe place at home to plug in the Chromebooks overnight, every night. Thank you for working with us on this issue.
Celebration of giving
The Elkhorn Schools are sponsoring a Gift Drive for families within our Elkhorn community. These Elkhorn families have been identified as needing some special assistance during this time of year. We welcome the opportunity to have parents and children help build a sense of Elkhorn community, with this Giving Project.
The wish lists have been collected from the families, and the items can be chosen from this list. If you would like to participate in this year's project, here's what you need to do:
1. Go to the signup genius and select an item(s) that you are comfortable purchasing. Link for the signup genius :
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080E4DAAAD22ABFC1-celebration1
2. Purchase the item(s).
3. Gift wrap the item(s) at home.
4. Firmly secure the item(s) number to the outside of the wrapped item. This is the only way we know what is inside of the gift and who the gift belongs to.
5. Return the wrapped item to your school by December 7th at 3:00pm.
Thank you so much for participating! If you have any questions please call 402.289.2428 or email Ginny Owens gowens@epsne.org
Band News
January 7th - 8th Grade All-State Band at Kearney High School – On Saturday, January 7th, Shelby Spitznagel (oboe), Ronna Tu (alto saxophone), and Presley Feuquay (French horn) will participate in the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association All-State Eighth Grade Band in Kearney, Nebraska. Gavin Vazquez (bassoon) was selected to be an alternate. Over 380 students auditioned for 111 spots in this prestigious ensemble! These students should be congratulated for this fine achievement and all EMS students who auditioned made great musical progress by preparing for their auditions.
📖 Mrs Wagner's Library Corner 📖
Library Reminder 2x2: two books out for up to two weeks at a time. One renewal allowed if it isn’t on hold for another patron.
Digital + Audiobooks: Want to listen to a good book or read one on your phone phone or Kindle? You can for free on the Libby app! All you need is an Omaha Public Libary card. Here are the steps to set up Libby:https://tinyurl.com/4tm6w8bx (also on your student’s Media Center Google Classroom).
Clear Cache + Cookies: sometimes cleaning up your browsing history can help solve various problems. Watch this video to learn how.
Athletics Information
Girls Basketball
8th Grade A Coach: Nick Schuster nschuster@epsne.org
8th Grade B Coach: Brad Beard bbeard@epsne.org
7th Grade A Coach: Brandon Hultman bhultman@epsne.org
7th Grade B coach: Nate Ritterbush nritterbush@epsne.org
C Team Coach: Maggie Gorman mgorman@epsne.org
Player Informational / Expectation Meeting: (Season starts after winter break)
8th Grade Meeting:
7th Grade Meeting: Thursday, Dec 15, 2022, 3:20-3:45
8th Grade First Day of Practice:
7th Grade First Day of Practice: Wednesday, Jan 4, 2022, 3:30-5:30
Practice info: Monday thru Friday 3:30pm-5:30pm, Tryouts are Day 1 & 2 of practice
Requirements: Athletic Registration, Uploaded Physical (dated after May 1, 2022), Activity Fee Payment (If completed for volleyball, not necessary) Registration Directions
Sign Up for the team: Join Google Classroom Code:
8th Grade Code:
7th Grade Code: cxbi56m
Joining Google Classroom simply allows the coaches to put together a roster and begin communication. ALL OTHER COMMUNICATION will be via the “Stack Team App”.
Competition Schedule:
7th Grade: 7th Grade Girls Basketball Schedule
8th Grade: 8th Grade Girls
Parents click here to join:
8th Grade Girls Basketball: Download Team Snapp & Search EMS 8th Girls Basketball
7th Grade Girls Basketball Team App: Download Team Snapp & Search EMS 7th Girls Basketball
Wrestling
Head Coach: Mason Rogers mrogers@epsne.org
Assistant Coach: Jeff Maas jmaas@epsne.org
Player Informational / Expectation Meeting: Wednesday, Dec 14, 2022, 3:20-3:45
First Day of Practice: Monday, Jan 17, 2023
Practice info: 3:30 pm - 5:15 pm
Requirements: Athletic Registration, Uploaded Physical (dated after May 1, 2022), Activity Fee Payment (If completed for a previous sport this school year, not necessary)
Sign Up for the team: Join Google Classroom Code: lr3tn2w
Joining Google Classroom simply allows the coaches to put together a roster and begin communication.
Competition Schedule: Wrestling Schedule
Online Safety for Parents, Guardians, and the Community.
In January, the Project Harmony Training Institute will be focusing on a new course Online Safety for Parents, Guardians, and the Community. We will be offering the course multiple times through the month of January including evening and zoom sessions. This course is FREE to the public due to the generosity of a benefactor.
This course helps adults identify and address the safety concerns that come when we provide our children and teens online access. The focus is on equipping adults to have conversations with their children and teens to establish structure and routines that focus on safety.
This training presents resources created by the National Center for Missing and Endangered Children. We highly some of the supports NCMEC can provide to families when or if their child shares too much information online. This course is suitable for anyone who cares for or works with young people.
You can register for this free training by going to the following link and following the registration instructions.
SAVE THE DATE
Important Registration Information from Elkhorn High School Counselors
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Elkhorn High school counselors will visit Elkhorn Middle School on Wednesday, February 22nd to distribute 9th grade registration materials. Students will receive a copy of their registration sheet outlining courses offered to prospective ninth graders and specific course recommendations. Recommendations are based upon advice from high school administration, counselors, grades, and test scores.
Parents will be emailed a copy of the curriculum guide and information about optional summer school classes at this time. Parents are encouraged to discuss the 9th grade course recommendations and elective courses with their students to help them select any elective options before March 1st.
EHS counselors will distribute registration paperwork for EMS students slated to go to Elkhorn North next year.
EMS students going to Elkhorn North are invited to Elkhorn North's 8th Grade Registration on March 1st at 6pm.
They will attend the middle school presentation with their EMS peers on February 22nd.
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
8th Grade Registration/Parent Night, 6:00 pm EHS Auditorium.
Please bring the registration sheet your student receives on February 22 to this meeting.
Parents and 8th graders are invited to Elkhorn High School on March 1st at 6:00 pm. Counselors will present a 9th grade orientation and curriculum PowerPoint in the high school auditorium. After the presentation, parents will be asked to complete course selections and sign the registration form to verify course selections. Registration forms will be collected at the end of the evening. Summer school contracts are due on Wednesday, March 8.
However, you are welcome to turn them in on March 1st.
Interested in Elkhorn music offerings? Please join us for a “Taste of Music” prior to the 8th grade night. Show Choir and Jazz Band will be performing from 5:25 - 6:00.
Desiree Merrihew (last names A – G) dmerrihew@epsne.org
Theresa Crnkovich (last names H-O) tcrnkovich@epsne.org
Megan Scobie (last names P-Z) mscobie@epsne.org
Helpful sports links
Athletic Schedule can be found here:
Middle school athletics admission fee for most schools:
$2 for students and $3 for adults.
2022-2023 YEARBOOKS
Order by January 20th to get the "Early Bird" price before it goes up!
You may order online with the link below:
TeamMates: Call for Mentors
Did you know there are currently 11 students awaiting a mentor in Elkhorn? Get inspired to help us match these students by checking out this video featuring some of our Elkhorn matches and then apply online at http://bit.ly/2vNtESK to join them!
We’re Hiring!
EPS is currently seeking to fill open teacher assistant positions, specifically in the following areas:
Secondary TAs: assist with general and special education students in grades 6-12 in the areas of small and large group academic work, academic interventions, student supervision, and basic clerical duties.
Starting Wage: $16.20/hour
Apply online at https://bit.ly/secondaryTA
High School English Learner TAs: assist students in grades 9-12 who have limited English proficiency by providing EL services under the direction of a certified regular education teacher.
Starting Wage: $16.75/hour
Apply online at https://bit.ly/EL-TA
EMS Daily Bulletin
You can access the Elkhorn Middle School daily bulletin board. Just head to our website and click on the red pin to see all the fun things happening at EMS daily.
Safe2Help
Contact Information Updates
Send changes to contact information to ems@epsne.org
2022-2023 Academic Calendar
The approved 2022-2023 academic calendar can be viewed here.
3200 North 207th Plaza, Elkhorn, NE 68022
Phone:402-289-2428
Fax: 402-289-1639