October Elk Trax
2022-2023 National School to Watch
From The Principal:
Happy Fall! With the cooler weather, fall is truly in the air! I hope all parents feel their child is settled into the school year. It has been a GREAT start to the 2022-23 school year! I am so glad to have your child with us at EMS.
As we move through this month, I want to remind all parents that the end of the nine weeks will be approaching on October 27th. Reminder that report cards are not mailed home, but are available on Powerschool and will be accessible on November 9th. As you continue to monitor your child's progress this nine weeks, we do have parent conference day on November 8th from 12-7pm at EMS. We will be reaching out to you, but we also encourage parents to call the school to schedule conferences. Please call to schedule your conference after October 20 so we can have our schedules ready.
I am excited to announce we will kick off our first nine weeks PBIS "Positive Behavior and Supports" Activity on Wednesday, October 26 from 1-3pm. All students who have maintained positive behavior with NO discipline referrals to the main office will participate in an afternoon of activities and no classes. We will also recognize our Positive Attendance Students (students with no unexcused or unverified absences during the first nine weeks) during this time also with a pizza party to kick off the event. I am excited to bring these student events back to EMS this year as a way to celebrate our great students.
Lastly, reminder that our annual school fundraiser of cookie dough is in progress now. We appreciate your support as we try to raise money to make school-wide improvements to our school; a school we are proud to bring friends and family to!
I hope you have a great month and enjoy the cooler evenings with your family and friends. If you need anything from me, please come by to see me or call me - we are all part of the same team, TEAM EMS!
Emily Holloway, Principal
A Message From Michelle Campbell, Assistant Principal
Fall is officially here! It's so nice to see students back in the swing of the many things to get involved in at EMS. Congrats to our Cross Country and Volleyball athletes on a great season. They did a lovely job representing EMS. Now on to Fall sports. Included in this month's Elk Trax is the schedule for Fall Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, and Cheer. Come support our Elks at upcoming events! Also be on the lookout for the many clubs we offer. You can also support EMS students through our Fall fundraiser that is currently in progress.
Ms. Campbell will work with students whose Last Name begins with A-L
A Note From Krystal Muterspaugh, Assistant Principal
It's hard to believe that it is already fall! The end of the nine weeks is quickly approaching, make sure your child has turned in all assignments. This month we have lots of exciting things happening at Elkton Middle. Be sure to look at our calendar and join in all the fun!
Ms. Muterspaugh will work with students whose Last Name begins with M-Z
PTA's Elk of the Month
”PTA is implementing an ELK of the Month program. Students can nominate teachers or staff by filling out a nomination form and placing it in the nomination box located in the main office. Monthly winners will be recognized, receive a gift certificate and will have a special parking spot! Encourage your student to nominate someone who has made a positive impact on them.”
Nurse Clinic Information
Fall is here and one of my favorite times of the year. For this month, we will be having vision and hearing screens for 7th grade ONLY on Thursday October 6th. Our hope is to complete them that day and ONLY use Friday the 7th if we are unable to get to everyone on the 6th.
Please make sure to send your student with their glasses or contacts that day so they are prepared to be tested. If at all possible plan to have them here and not be absent. If for some reason your student is absent that day we will grab them on another day and get them screened.
I hope everyone is staying well as this school year seems to be moving right along. Remember to evaluate your child at home before sending to school. As always take time to eat well, keep hydrated and get plenty of rest. In doing those things it really helps at times when we do not feel good.
Lastly, attached is some information about a FREE CLINIC in Fishersville that has various things to offer for those in need of these services.
If you have any questions at all feel free to reach out to me @ 540-298-1228 from 8-4.
New Cell Phone Policy
Dear RCPS Community,
At Monday night's meeting, the RCPS school board approved an update to policy JZK (use of student-owned electronic devices) in order to decrease distractions during the school day. The board has appreciated the extensive community feedback, and the changes to the policy are in alignment with the preferences submitted by the community. Based on the updated policy, use of personally owned electronic devices, including but not limited to laptops, iPods, iPads, cell phones, wireless headphones, smart watches, and other devices that can be used to receive or transmit electronic information is only permitted under the following circumstances:
1. Middle school students may use personally owned electronic devices after school, at extracurricular events after school hours, and on buses. Middle school students may NOT use personally owned electronic devices during the school day.
2. High school students may use personally owned electronic devices during the following non-instructional times: during lunch, between classes, during study hall, during advisory periods with teacher permission and the principal having final authority, before and after school including extracurricular events, and on buses. When student-owned electronic devices are in use, students shall use headphones or earbuds to keep audio from being disruptive.
Use of personally owned electronic devices is not permitted for elementary school students.
Among other requirements, the following important rules apply:
1. Student-owned electronic device use on buses is subject to Transportation Department safety guidelines.
2. Alternative settings such as Rockingham Academy may implement more restrictive rules related to personally owned electronic devices with permission from the superintendent.
3. During times when use of the personally owned electronic device is not permitted, student-owned devices must be concealed in a separate container such as a book bag or purse, and muted.
4. Students may only use wired headphones to connect to RCPS issued electronic devices.
5. Exceptions for medical reasons must be approved by the building principal.
New and updated RCPS policies go into effect when they are approved by the board. As a result, the updated policy JZK is in effect immediately. Again, we appreciate your feedback, including the student feedback at the board meeting, and hope that this reasonable update of the policy will allow students to increase their focus on learning activities during the school day.
Please contact your school with any additional questions.
Sincerely,
Oskar Scheikl
RCPS Superintendent
To view the Administrative Guidelines, please go HERE.
To view the guidelines for Student-Owned Electronic Devices, please go HERE.
Farm to School Lunch Day
FFA Fruit Sales
We are also accepting online orders again this year. The website to order is https://floridafruitstore.com/ElktonFFA
Orders are due November 4th and the fruit will be delivered the first week of December.
Fall Athletic Update
The Fall season for Cheerleading, Boys Basketball, and Girls Basketball will run from October to mid November with games typically on Mondays and Thursdays at 4:30pm. Come support our Elks at these events!
Schedule
Oct 10 - Home vs. THMS
Oct 13 - Home vs. JFHMS
Oct 18 - Away @ MMS
Oct 20 - Away @ WSPMS
Oct 24 - Home vs. SKMS
Oct 27 - Away @ THMS
Oct 31 - Away @ JFHMS
Nov 3 - Home vs. MMS
Nov 9 - Home vs. WSPMS
Nov 10 - Away @ SKMS
Counselor's Corner
October is Bully Prevention and Awareness month. This year RCPS will focus on reducing bullying by highlighting positive friendships. We'll be helping students, staff, and community members share what they look for in a positive friend, ways they show up as a positive friend to others, and stories about a time when a positive friend has made a difference for them. When people identify what they look for in healthy friendships, it often helps them focus on the positive and grow in a strengths-based way.
*Laura Ogden, School Counselor (students with the last names of M-Z as well as scheduling needs for ALL students)
*Nicole Keys, Interim School Counselor (students with the last names A-L) as well as Restorative Practices Specialist for ALL students
For years, our culture justified bullying with expressions such as, “Bullying is a natural part of childhood,” “Some kids just deserve to be bullied,” or “Bullying is a rite of passage.”
For so long, those who were bullied felt that no one cared— the simple act of wearing orange shows them that they are not alone and will hopefully empower them to speak and reach out.
The goal of the day is to bring together youth, parents, educators, businesses, and community members across the nation to emphasize the message that bullying is not acceptable and that all students deserve to be safe in school, online, and in the community.
Each of us needs to do our part to Raise Awareness & Prevent Bullying!!
Principal Spotlight:
Each month, I will spotlight nominated students who are demonstrating great character at school and deserve some positive recognition from the Principal. I also want to share a little about these students with the families of EMS...
Eliza Hale
Eliza is a motivated and energetic eighth grader who loves band and plays the trumpet. She is involved in marching band, wrestling and track at EMS. She enjoys karate and likes whittling as a hobby. Eliza is a polite young lady who demonstrates positive character at EMS and beyond.
Daniel Chavez-Berumen
Daniel is a fun and respectful eighth grader who loves algebra. He is in band, recently joined JV soccer at ERHS and says his favorite hobby is gaming. Daniel is always polite to others and a respectful citizen at EMS.
Ava Sweeny
Ava is seventh grader at EMS who loves science and enjoys being with her friends. She comes from a family of five children and says she enjoys them all. Her family owns "Thirsty Craft Burgers" in McGaheysville and she enjoys spending time helping there on the weekends or any day of the week. In her spare time, she likes to practice tumbling.
Shae Armentrout
Shae is a seventh grader who has two sisters and her favorite subject is science with Mr. Benton. She likes middle school, but says it is sometimes hard. She recently made the fall basketball team and is enjoying practice and being part of the team with Coach Martin. In her spare time, she likes to play guitar, play with her sister, and her dog. When Shae grows up, she wants to be a hairstylist and do hair designs.
Caesar Valerio-Reyes
Caesar is 7th grade and smiles constantly while at school. He likes school, but his favorite thing to do is to play games with his friends online. His favorite subject in school is history with Ms. Aleknas. He says he likes 7th grade and has met some new friends this year. Caesar has five brothers and sisters and loves being part of a large family.
Brooks Baker
Brooks came from South River Elementary School and is enjoying Elkton Middle School. He feels the day goes by so fast and loves switching classes. He likes playing sports and has no favorite sport- he loves them all. His favorite subject in school is math and has always liked math. Brooks is a friend to many at school.
Brody Dean
Brody went to River Bend Elementary School and says middle school is a lot better than elementary school. He says school is not boring anymore. Brody enjoys riding his dirt bike, hunting, fishing, and playing football. Brody is always ready to be helpful or friendly to others at EMS. He says he doesn't really have a favorite subject in school, but does enjoy the times he can chat with his friends and relax.
Walker McCrady
Walker came to EMS from McGaheysville Elementary and he likes middle school, but he can't say it is better than elementary school yet. Walker is a sixth grader who is willing to help others, model great behaviors, and be a role model in the classroom. He shares his favorite subject in school is history and has always liked learning about the past. In his spare time, he loves sports- especially baseball and football.
School Safety Update
'
Stewards of the Land Club
If so, you need to get the Stewards of the Land Club paperwork from the main office and return it by October 4. Students attending the trip need to attend the after school meeting on October 4. Someone from Shenandoah National Park will be presenting at the meeting.
Students at EMS are invited to be a part of a new club at EMS. Our unique proximity to Shenandoah National Park offers a special opportunity to experience OUR National Park in a different way. This SERVICE Club will focus on the following:
*What it means to be a STEWARD of the land
*What opportunities (recreation and career) are at SNP.
*The social and emotional benefits of community SERVICE.
*Explore the idea of restorative practices through stewardship at SNP.
October
FFA Citrus Fruit Sales through October
01-12: Cookie Dough Fundraiser
02: School Custodian Day
03: Fall Parent Meeting
03: Digital Citizen Spirit Week: Wear your crazy socks to promote a healthy and safe digital footprint
04: Stewards of the Land Club Meeting
04: Digital Citizen Spirit Week: Wear your favorite sports attire to promote an end to cyberbullying
05: Digital Citizen Spirit Week: Farmer Day: "Plowing down Fake Information" Dress like a farmer, yes, you may wear a cowboy hat or any hat you wear on a farm
05: Open Auditions EMS Coffee House Jam
06: Digital Citizen Spirit Week: Wear your shades while we promote shining a light on using copyright
06: Vision & Hearing Screenings
06: Fall Sports Pictures
07: Digital Citizen Spirit Week: Wear tye die to promote balance in your digital life
10: School Board Meeting - Rockingham Co Administration 7:00
10: Shenandoah National Park/Big Meadows Dark Hollow Falls
11: Make Up Picture Day/Club Pictures
11: PTA Meeting-Conference Room 3:00
12: Stewards of the Land Club Field Trip to Shenandoah National Park
13: All County Chorus @ TAHS
14: No School for Students-PLC Day for Teachers
15-16: Elkton Autumn Days
15-16: FCCLA - Bake Potato Bar - Elkton Autumn Days Arts and Craft Festival
15-16: FFA Sales at Elkton Autumn Days
17-21: EMS Scholastic Book Fair
19: UNITY DAY...Wear Orange to Promote Unity at EMS
20: FFA Family Fall Festival 6:00
21: Elkton Creamery PTA Fundraiser Day
21: Coffeehouse JAM by Music Department
24: Shenandoah National Park Field Trip
24: School Board Meeting @ Wilbur S Pence Middle School 7:00
25-29: FFA National Convention
26: PBIS Activity 1:00-3:00
27: End of 1st Grading Period
27: Moxie Coffee PTA Fundraiser Day
28: No School for Students
31: Halloween
31: Elkton Halloween HooDoo 5:30-7:00
November
07-08: NO School for Students
08: PTA Meeting 3:00 Conference Room
08: Parent/Teacher Conference Day 12:00-7:00
09: Report Cards Issued
09: Spelling Bee
10-13: FCCLA National Fall Leadership Conference
11: Veterans Day (7th grade activity)
14: School Board Meeting - Rockingham Co Administration 7:00 pm
18: Elkton Creamery PTA Fundraiser Day
21: Combined Concert at ERHS
23-25: NO School for Students; Thanksgiving Holiday
28: School Board Meeting @ Spotswood High School 7:00 pm
Elkton Middle School
Assistant Principal: Michelle Campbell
Assistant Principal: Krystal Muterspaugh
Website: ems.rockingham.k12.va.us
Location: 21063 Blue and Gold Drive, Elkton, VA, USA
Phone: (540) 298-1228
Facebook: facebook.com/ElktonMiddle
Twitter: @ElktonMiddle