The Panther Post
EHMS Weekly Update 12/11/23 - 12/15/23
Principals' Message
Just a reminder that next Friday December 22nd will be an early release for students. Students will be dismissed at 12:35. We are excited for spirit week next week! More information is within the post. We hope all of our families have a wonderful weekend.
Best,
Christina & Emily
Save the Dates
Fri. Dec 22nd - Early Release - Students dismissed at 12:35
Mon. Dec 25th - Jan 1st - Winter Recess Begins
Tues. Jan 2nd - Classes resume!
TEAM NEWSLETTERS
Team newsletters have been updated! Enjoy our latest editions from our teams including Unified Arts!
Unified Arts Welcome Newsletter!
EHMS Athletics
EAST HAMPTON MS ATHELTICS SCHEDULE DEC 18 - DEC 22 (subject to change)
MONDAY, DEC 18
Boys Basketball 2:35 until 4:30 pm
Girls Study Hall 2:35 until 4:15 pm
Girls Basketball 4:15 until 6 pm
Cheer practice 2:35 until 4:30 pm
TUESDAY, DEC 19
Boys Basketball 2:35 until 4:30 pm
Girls Study Hall 2:35 until 4:15 pm
Girls Basketball 4:15 until 6 pm
No Cheer practice.
WEDNESDAY, DEC 20
East Hampton boys basketball at Griswold MS (Rocky Hill), 2:20 dismissal, 2:30 bus, 3:30 pm game.
Griswold girls basketball at EHMS, 3:30 pm game.
Cheer attending
THURSDAY, DEC 21
Boys Basketball 2:35 until 4:30 pm
Girls Basketball Holiday Party 2:35 until 4:15 pm in commons
Girls Basketball 4:15 until 5:30 pm
No Cheer practice.
FRIDAY, DEC 22
No practices!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!
A Look Into Our Panther Community!
Grade 7 students continue to work towards publishing a companion book for their author study novels. One section of their companion book will be dedicated to exploring and reflecting on the author’s use of symbols and identifying symbols throughout their book. Students worked in book club groups to brainstorm possible symbols for their books. After discussing with peers, students drafted their thoughts in their writer’s notebooks and will work towards revising and editing for publication.
Students in 8th grade science classes were testing out their bird beak creations. Students have been learning about the evolution of animals and how mutations that cause trait differences are related to natural selection and the survival of individuals and their species. Students tested their beaks across different environments like rock and water.
Students in 7th grade are currently working with percent increase and decrease. They are applying their skills to find sales tax, tax rate, tips, commissions etc.
As part of a PBIS award, a group of students opted to join Mr. Searles, our Bike Club advisor, for an enjoyable bike ride! The weather was on the mild side, making it an excellent time outdoors.
Both SAVE Promise Clubs from EHMS and EHHS participated in the SAVE Promise Club Youth Leadership Training. A big thank you to the VFW for allowing us to host this event in their space. Clubs statewide were invited to convene to collaborate on school safety initiatives for their respective communities. Below are some pictures of the day and a thank you from our students to the VFW!
EarlyAct Opportunities
Looking for a way to give back? Want to help make the world a better place? Then please join the EarlyAct Club at any of our upcoming events and opportunities to spread compassion! ALL are welcome and no previous club experience is required. Check out our rolling monthly agenda to see where you can help us to make a difference!
East Hampton Public Library is running a teen winter reading challenge now through the end of February, for grades 6-12! Cards will be provided to each ELA teacher. If your child is interested, have them ask their ELA teacher!
Safe School Climate Plan
Take a Virtual Visit to our Library Media Center
Please welcome our new Nutrition Director, Kate Caselli. Kate, a local resident with two students enrolled in our elementary schools, is excited to continue the progress in our school cafeterias. She brings experience from leading the nearby Regional Schools at RHAM and additional years in managing prestigious commercial restaurant operations. If you have any questions about meals in our cafeterias, please reach out to Kate at kcaselli@easthamptonct.org.
Important reminders:
School breakfast is a great way for students to start their school day and its FREE to everyone!
Please review your student(s)’s available balance for any lunch purchases at our secure “e-Funds for Schools” portal: https://payments.efundsforschools.com/v3/districts/56523 Funds should be added on an as needed basis to ensure the account balance covers all purchases.
Communications to families about your meal account come directly from the payment portal. Please be alert to these emails and remove from your “junk” status the following addresses:
December Breakfast Menu
December Lunch Menu
Important Attendance Reminder
A phone call does not excuse an absence..
A phone call is appreciated, but only an email to our attendance inbox or written note can officially excuse absence 1 through 9. Below is our attendance email:
Note: Between the school name and the word Attendance is a underscore ( _ )
EHMS_Attendance@easthamptonct.org
If a student has four unexcused absences in one month or 10 unexcused absences in a year they are classified as truant. If a child misses 18 or more days in a school year – excused or unexcused absences – the student is classified as chronically absent.
Access to the East Hampton attendance policy is available HERE
Nurse's Corner - Importance of Sleep
More recently, I have been seeing many students in the Health Office with complaints of fatigue and not getting a good night’s sleep. Generally, most teens need 8-10 hours of sleep, but it is common for much less. Sleep is important to maintaining mood, relationships, and the ability to pay attention. Because of this, I thought it would be a good idea to share a few things that can be done during the day to aid in a good night’s sleep. Below are some tips to help.
1) Be active during the day – physical activity can help improve mood and decrease stress.
2) Avoid caffeine near bedtime – Caffeine is a stimulant and teens should be avoiding it anyways, but it is a good reminder for adults!
3) Say goodnight to electronics – allow your brain to rest. Turn off all electronics about an hour before bedtime.
4) Keep a sleep routine – going to bed the same time every night or sticking with a routine of reading, meditation, or listening to music before bed helps to aid in relaxation before sleep.
5) Expect a good night’s sleep – stress can affect sleep. Instead of worrying that you won’t get enough sleep, tell yourself that you will!
These are great tips for those of all ages, but it is a good reminder that teens are working hard mentally and physically. Sleep is so important and sometimes your students need some help to remember that. A good night’s sleep will help your student be more focused, productive, and willing to participate in school activities. Sleep well!
Regards,
Nurse Krystle
Krystle Hafele, BSN,RN
School Nurse
East Hampton Middle School
Office: 860-365-4060
Fax: 860-365-4064
Technology Support
If your child is having any Chromebook or technology issues please click on the link below to do some troubleshooting: EHMS TroubleShooting Tips
If the troubleshooting doesn't work click on the link below to submit an IT work ticket:
Please encourage your child to take pride and care in their device. Below is a video to review the proper care of Chromebooks with your child.
School Based Health
Helpful Resources
School Safety Statement
Board of Education Statement on School Safety: The East Hampton Board of Education is committed to a safe and secure learning environment that honors and celebrates the diversity of our students, our community, and our nation. The Board of Education in partnership with the school community will not tolerate any threat of violence in the schools or any hate speech that targets any race, religion, sexual orientation, or disability. Each student is held to the highest standards of responsible decision making within a culture that is expected to foster compassion, caring, and empathy.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement of the East Hampton Public Schools: The school community of East Hampton is committed to the mission of honoring and celebrating the diversity of our students, our community, and our nation. We strive to guide our students to conscious, deliberate, individual and collective actions that cultivate the respect of all races, religions, and social backgrounds. Our school community endeavors to produce graduates who are equipped with a greater understanding of the concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Nondiscrimination Statement of the East Hampton Public Schools: The East Hampton Board of Education, in compliance with federal and state law, affirms its policy of equal educational opportunity for all students and equal employment opportunity for all persons. It is the policy of the District to promote nondiscrimination and an environment free of harassment regardless of an individual’s race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, ancestry, disability (including but not limited to, intellectual disability, past or present history of mental disorder, physical disability, or learning disability), genetic information, marital status, or age or because of the race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, ancestry, disability, genetic information, marital status, or age of any persons with whom the individual associates. The District shall provide to all students without discrimination, course offerings, counseling, assistance, employment, athletics, and extracurricular activities. The District shall provide equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The District shall make reasonable accommodations for identified physical and mental impairments that constitute disabilities, consistent with federal and state statutes and regulations.
Contact
Email: camaral@easthamptonct.org
Website: https://www.easthamptonps.org/o/ehms
Location: 19 Childs Road, East Hampton, CT, USA
Phone: (860) 365 4060