EPAMS Family Update
Most Recent Update: April 15, 2024
Special Calendar Dates
April 21 - 27: Administrative Professionals Week
April 23 - May 3: PSSA Testing Window
April 26: Early Dismissal for Students (12:50 PM)
April 26: Middle School Talent Show
May 5 - 11: Teacher Appreciation Week
May 9: EPAMS Band & Chorus Concert and Art Expo
May 17: EPAMS PTO Night at the Harrisburg Senators
8th Grade End-of-Year Events
8th Grade Recognition Night
Thursday, May 23 at 7 PM in the high school auditorium
- This night is set aside each year to honor 8th grade students who have been selected for various academic and community service awards. All 8th graders and their families are invited, but those who are slated to be recognized will receive a special invitation. The nature of the award will be held in secret until the ceremony.
8th Grade Farewell Dance
Friday, May 24 at 7:00 PM in the middle school cafeteria
- All currently enrolled 8th graders will gather together for one final time to celebrate and dance the night away. This event is reserved only for our 8th graders. Attendees should be dropped off and picked up at the rear entrance to the school, with no walkers. This dance is free of charge thanks to the generosity of our PTO and Student Council. Students who have earned a day of ISS or OSS after April 10th are not eligible to attend.
2nd Annual Band & Chorus Concert and Art Expo Night
On Thursday, May 9th at 6 PM, we'll once again return to the high school lobby, cafeteria, and auditorium to showcase the incredible talents of our EPAMS Panther musicians, singers, and artists.
The concert begins at 7 PM, but before that, the EPAMS Art Expo will begin at 6 PM in the lobby and cafeteria. Select pieces will be up for auction, with funds raised going right back into the art program.
Be sure to mark your calendar for this wonderful night!
Harrisburg Senators Night and Other PTO News
PTO Happenings
Social Media
Find us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/1710656122309902/
Teacher Appreciation Week Donations
As part of the teacher appreciation week, the PTO is putting on a breakfast for our teachers. Please donate breakfast items so we can thank, encourage, and retain our amazing teachers!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F044DABAE23A4FC1-48929046-teacher
EPAMS Night at the Harrisburg Senators
We had such a great time last year, we're doing it again!
When: Friday, May 17th at 7 PM
Who: Harrisburg Senators vs Erie SeaWolves
Tickets: $13 per ticket, with $4 going to support the EPAMS PTO
Added Bonus: The first 1000 fans age 13+ receive a free Camo Senators Bucket Hat!
Seats are limited, so get yours today!
Next Meeting
Tuesday, May 14 @ 5:15 PM
Middle School Talent Show
Middle school students and staff will take the stage on April 26th at 7 PM in a talent showcase sponsored by our PTO. Join your hosts Mr. Tom Denniston and Mr. Josh Shermeyer with a stellar line-up of talented Panthers who will sing, dance, and inspire!
Rumor has it a certain middle school administrator will also perform.
Life Skills Students Head to the Grocery Store!
Students of the Month - March
Please join us in congratulating our March students of the month. One student is selected by each team to be recognized for representing our school, their families, and themselves in a way we can all be proud of. Work ethic, kindness, integrity, respect for self and others, and focus on task are all considered by the team of teachers they work with every day.
Winners are presented with a certificate of recognition and a $10 gift card to 5Below.
March:
Jaguars: Tryvena Beshara
Panthers: Waylon Gearhart
Olympians: Charlotte Gillis
Titans: Jaclyn Kerrick
Griffin: Liz Freed
Phoenix: Morgan Woods
Central PA Spelling Bee 2024 Grand Championships
Congratulations to 8th grade student Derek Shaffer on his 10th place finish in the Central PA! Amongst the very best and brightest in Central Pennsylvania, with cameras rolling and bright lights shining, Derek represented his family and the East Pennsboro community with pride!
Well done, Derek!
Thank You, Stuie
In a bit of sad news, the middle school said farewell to long-time emotional support dog Stuie earlier this month, who passed away. Stuie was a fixture all over the district, and a valuable and much-loved member of the team in each building he worked.
He was a friend to many, and was even active in helping train his eventual replacement as he prepared for retirement.
Our staff and students will miss him dearly.
Kitten Supply Drive Continues...
7th grader Josh Davidheiser is putting his love of animals into action by partnering with the Harrisburg Area Rescue Team to collect old blankets, towels, food, and litter to be put to use in their animal rescue efforts. From now until the end of the year, collection bins will be remain at each entrance to the school and as they fill up, Josh will deliver the donations to HART.
PSSA High Scorers recognized by School Board
As we prepare for the 2024 PSSA exams, it was a great time to recognize the achievements of those students who earned the highest scores in last year's testing. The board of school directors at the April 4th meeting recognized students from across the district for attaining the highest score on each specific exam in their specific grade:
- Vivian Li: 5th Grade ELA
- Katheryn Gaston: 5th Grade Math
- Luke Kauffman: 6th Grade ELA
- Emma Smith: 6th Grade Math
- Jacek Patitsas: 7th Grade ELA
- Derek Shaffer: 7th Grade Math
PSSA Testing to Begin April 23
PSSAs are upon us, and our students are ready! The most important thing to remember about PSSA testing is the a student's best effort is all we ask. Best effort equates to valid data - data we use to make curricular decisions that put our kids in the best position for future success.
We've been reminding our students to get a good night's sleep and eat a healthy breakfast in order to be at their very best.
Please be aware of new rules from the Pennsylvania Department of Education that strictly prohibit all cell phones, smart watches, and computers in the pencil-and-paper testing environments. If students have them, we are required to collect them. We've shared this with the students - and will continue to make them aware - but we very much need and appreciate your support as we work to make PSSA testing as efficient as possible.
Testing Dates:
April 23 and 24: ELA Testing
April 29 and 30: Math Testing
May 1 and 2: Science Testing (8th Grade Only)
Yearbook Orders Now Being Accepted
Please use this link or the QR Code above to order your copy of the 2023-24 EPAMS Yearbook: https://www.balfour.com/pennsylvania/enola/east-pennsboro-middle-school
8th Grade Families: Please use this link to submit baby photos to be included in this year's edition: https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fstudio.balfour.com%2fezpix%2f%3fstudentId%3d30059866%26campaignId%3d21942%26grade%3dOther%26projectId%3d177455%26lastName%3dCommunity%26type%3dimages&c=E,1,TCWD4kIUQgXWjoLXC1j1eUf4Q2My3iAJCd6Wsj_PGMrKFcxTnEYeTvA82wnlZrxB42y4_BZ-U3AA2NBkdjTj6rk2-PtsIPkY8bls4Sboy-rQzA,,&typo=1
Student Drop-Off, Pick-Up, and Transportation
Getting kids to school and back home again is obviously a key part of our operation. Students will arrive to school one of three different ways: they walk, they get a ride from a family member or friend, or they ride district transportation like a bus or a school van.
Morning Drop-Off
DO NOT DRIVE AROUND THE BACK OF THE BUILDING UNLESS YOU'RE DRIVING A SCHOOL BUS OR VAN!
Students who walk to school or catch a ride in a personal vehicle will enter the building using the main entrance in the front of the building. Students who ride district transportation like a bus or a van, will enter via the cafeteria entrance in the rear of the building. Either way, the doors open at 7:45 AM.
School buses and vans will travel to the rear of the building, drop off their kids, and head back out for their next run.
Personal vehicles will do it a little differently – and it really depends on where the driver needs to go after they drop off their passengers. Drivers will have two places to drop off in the morning.
- If you plan to head out to Valley Road afterwards, you will drop off your students at the bottom of the ramp that connects the lower lot with the main entrance. If you drop off at the bottom of the ramp, you will not be able to make a right turn out of the lot.
- If you plan to head out to Enola Drive afterwards, you will drop off your students at the top of that connecting ramp. Please stick to one lane of traffic and do not try to pull around other vehicles. Remember, you will not be able to make left turn at the bottom of the hill.
By doing this, we can drastically reduce cross traffic and get you moving on to your next destination a bit sooner – and safer.
Afternoon Pick-Up
Our afternoon departure procedures will remain the same as last year. Buses will be split into two groups based on destination, with about half the buses leaving from the rear bus loop and half leaving from the front bus loop.
Personal vehicles are to park in a space in the lower lot and wait for students. Please do not idle in the travel lanes of the parking lot, blocking cars who may be trying to back or pull out. Pull into a spot and make this process safer and more efficient for everyone.
Bus Stop Information
The transportation department takes care of bus stops. If you have any concerns, they'll be happy to help.
Bus Behavior
It’s important to remember that safety is the most important consideration for our bus riders. If students are behaving in a way that makes the ride unsafe for anyone including other riders, the driver, or others outside the bus, they will be referred to the administration and consequences assigned. This can include removing students from the bus for a period of time.
Bus suspensions can be very difficult for families as they try to make alternative arrangements, so it is best to prevent the need for any of this by behaving properly right from the start.
Other Questions?
If you have any questions about arrivals and departures, give us a call at the middle school office. If you have questions about bus routes, bus stops, or pick-up/drop times, please reach out to the transportation department.
School Safety
Bus Evacuation Drills
For most bus riders, this isn't a new idea. Those who are new to the school bus were able to pick it up quickly and blended right in.
Fire Drills
Fire drills happen once per month, without warning our students.
Locks on Lockers
Last year we gave every student a combination lock to be used at all times on their lockers. Returning students must bring their locks back to start the year. new students will be given one. In order to be as safe as we can, we want to keep student belongings secure. However, we also want to make sure lockers aren't being used to hide anything that has no business being in a school.
In the past, this has made a number of students a little nervous about being late to class or forgetting their combination. We'll be reassuring the students all the time that they can do this!
Safe2Say Something
The state has partnered with Sandy Hook Promise to create an anonymous reporting system for students to notify school and law enforcement officials of any possible activity that puts our school community at risk of harm.
During the week of August 28th, our students will view a training video on how to use this system. This system has been in place for almost four years and the tips we have received over that time were invaluable when it comes to helping kids.
If you have questions about Safe2Say, please reach out to Mr. Wright or Mr. Atkinson at 717-732-0771.
Breakfast and Lunch Prices for 2023-24
This link will take you to our district dining services web page: https://www.epasd.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=2167820&type=d&pREC_ID=2176212
This link will take you to a full listing of middle school lunch menu items: https://4.files.edl.io/4866/08/01/23/131114-a6774024-2556-4adb-b3d0-4197122aec9a.pdf
To add funds to your student’s meal account, please visit: www.MySchoolBucks.com.
Middle School Dress Code
Pease keep in mind the middle school dress code. Enforcement of the dress code will continue be a point of emphasis this year.
An easy-reference guide has been attached below.
Attendance Email Address
Well, those days can be over. If your student is absent, you have the option of emailing a parent excuse directly to our attendance secretary - Mrs. Swope - at this address: epmsattendance@epasd.org.
Excuses must be turned in within 3 days of the absence in order to be excused.
Middle School Hours
Student Day: 8:00 AM - 2:55 PM
Office Business Hours: 7:45 AM - 3:45 PM