Elkhorn Middle School Newsletter
January 2024
Message from the Principal
Welcome 2024! There is a certain energy about getting back to school after winter break; it’s a fresh start, students have a full semester of learning under their belts, and we can hit the ground running!
As I watched students entering the building, getting to their lockers and classrooms this week, I couldn’t help but think about how far they’ve come from their first week of school. Middle School students do so much learning during these three quick years. It is truly an amazing time.
A few “nuts and bolts” as we start second semester:
Students may need to replenish their school supplies - pens and pencils in particular
Yearbook ordering information is below - deadline is January 20th for all orders!
8th Grade Tributes must be submitted ASAP!
Feb 13/14 = Conferences (1 hour early dismissal for students)
Ms. Allgood
The Antler Way
These are the Antler Essentials - the basics of what it looks like for students to be Safe, Respectful, Responsible, Trustworthy, and Proud. These are behavior expectations we've been teaching and reviewing at school.
Consistency is key for student growth and learning. We'd love your support from home using this language. These are Essentials for student success!
Booster Club News
The Booster Club wants to thank you for your support during the Holiday Hurrah. The teachers and staff at EMS were thankful for their holiday gift.
We are ready to start the winter sports season and will need people to help with concessions. Please check out the concession signup to see if you can volunteer for a shift.
The next Booster Club meetings will be the following dates at EMS:
January 22, 2024 at 7:00 PM
February 19, 2024 at 7:00 PM
January Library Corner
Golden Sower Competition: There are TWENTY amazing Golden Sower nominees this year. For every Golden Sower book a student reads, they can earn a prize (candy, ice cream party invites, gift card raffles, etc.). Encourage your student to try one out!
Lunch Book Club on Fridays: Join us for Book Club on Fridays! This month we are all picking our own book from a specific genre. We are also going to make this our AR book, so we will be sure to discuss/review every week to help connec to Reading class. See Mrs. Wagner with questions and/or join our Google Classroom : aokh2md
Winter Sports
Wrestling Season
Wrestling season is upon us here at Elkhorn Middle School and we look forward to having Elkhorn's largest middle school team back on the mats this season.
There will be a wrestling information meeting for participants Jan 16, 2024 after school in Mr. Maas' room. Practice will begin Jan 18, 2024 and run from after school until 5:15.
Wrestling shoes are recommended, and all athletic forms must be filled out prior to the first practice.
All are welcome and we look forward to continuing the success from years past in this 2024 season!
Coach Rogers
Band Department
New Practice Logs for 6th Graders
The 6th graders received new practice logs for 2nd semester. The expectation is still 100 minutes per week, and must be initialed by a parent or guardian.
8th Grade All State Jazz Band
Congratulations to Brie Beier on her selection and performance in the NSBA 8th Grade All State Band on January 6th!
Upcoming Concerts/Performances
February 8th 8th Grade Band Concert with EHS Band 7:00pm EHS
February 29th 7th Grade Band/Choir/Jazz Band Concert 6:30pm EMS
March 5th 6th Grade Band/Choir/Jazz Band Concert 6:30pm EMS
March 13th 7th & 8th Grade Band Festival During School ENHS
April 3rd Jazz Band Festival TBA EGMS
April 27th Northside Night of Jazz 5:30-9:00pm ENHS
May 2nd 6-8th Grade Band & Jazz Band Concert 6:30pm EMS
Yearbooks Now on Sale!
Yearbook Questions? Contact Mrs. Snoderly; csnoderly@epsne.org
From the Lunch Room
Note from the Nurse
We are now in cold/flu/Covid season, please continue to make sure that you and your children are practicing healthy habits like getting plenty of rest, drinking lots of water, hand washing/sanitizing, and staying up to date with your immunizations.
-Health Screens-
Health screens in the areas of height/weight, dental, hearing, and vision have been completed on all 7th grade students as well as students new to the district. Parents will only be notified with abnormal results by a referral letter.
If you receive a referral letter, please visit the applicable health care provider and return the bottom part of the form to the office.
Thank you!
Andrea Daniels, RN, BSN
Important Registration Information from Elkhorn High School Counselors
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Elkhorn High school counselors will visit Elkhorn Middle School on Wednesday morning, February 21st 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 February 28th.
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
8th Grade Registration/Parent Night, 6:00 pm EHS Auditorium
Please bring the registration sheet your student receives on February 21 to this meeting.
Parents and 8th graders are invited to Elkhorn High School on February 28 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 6th. However, you are welcome to turn them in on February 28th.
Interested in Elkhorn music offerings? Please join us for a “Taste of Music” prior to the 8th grade night. Instrumental and/or vocal music will be performing from 5:30 - 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
Antler Wrestling Club
What is The Antler Wrestling Club?
A club created to expose the youth in our community to the benefits of participating in
the sport of wrestling. As the world’s oldest competitive sport, it is important to help generate
continued interest in wrestling among our younger generations. We aim to provide an
environment where kids can learn about the sport and develop skills for wrestling as well as life
in general.
Our Goal
To allow kids an opportunity to engage in the sport at a younger age and build over time a
strong foundation for wrestling. While competition is a valuable component with valuable life
lessons in the sport, our emphasis will be on training and skill development to be well-rounded
wrestlers who would be prepared for competition should they so choose down the road. We hope
to foster situations that will allow children to challenge themselves physically and mentally, to
try and fail and then try again, to try new things, and to have FUN all while surrounding them
with other kids with who they can develop relationships and create a camaraderie that allows
them to support one another as wrestlers but more importantly as people.
What We Will Provide
This is the perfect place for a kid to come and try things out, with no stressors of winning
or losing, and no judgment of being a novice or experienced wrestler, we want to allow kids of
all levels within the Elkhorn High School program to gain exposure to wrestling and peers within
their community. Interested in participating or giving it a try, you can find more information on
the other side or send an email to bedwards@epsne.org.
Join #TheHerd
EPS Career Fair Business Registration Now Open
We are excited to announce that business registration for the inaugural Elkhorn Public Schools Career Fair, scheduled for March 27, 2024, from 5:00 - 8:00 PM, is now open.
This event will be an excellent opportunity for students to explore business industries and make meaningful career connections, while also showcasing the commitment of local organizations to community involvement.
If your business is interested in participating, please click here to register by Friday, December 15, 2023.
*Businesses are encouraged to join us to share information about their organization and/or information about current employment opportunities available to students.
Did you know?
You can access 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.
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.
Look for your student to charge their Chromebooks overnight every night. Please help establish a routine location for your student’s Chromebook and charger.
Keep an eye out for your student’s gym clothes! Students should bring them home regularly to be washed and then returned to school for gym class.
Students are expected to turn off their phones and keep phones in their lockers during the school day. If you need to contact your student during the day, the office is happy to help! We can easily get a message to your student. Students are welcome to use the phone in the office if they need to contact a family member.
As the weather cools, students should be prepared to wait outside if they arrive before 8:00. Jackets and coats are encouraged and will be stored in student lockers during the day. Hats must be stored in lockers and hoods must remain down during the school day.
- There is an admission fee at all athletic events at EMS and all of our opponent sites. All sites are cash only. Admission for middle school events held at EPS sites are: Adults $3, Students $2. EPS Athletic Passes are accepted at EPS sites only.
Drop off/Pick Up & Parking
We have several community members who regularly utilize the handicapped parking spaces in the North loop as well as the main, South parking lot. Please leave handicap spaces open for those community members with handicap placards.
Safe2Help
Contact Information Updates
Send changes to contact information to ems@epsne.org
2023-2024 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