Elkhorn Middle School Newsletter
December 2023
Message from the Principal
December is about persistence! There is always great energy around an upcoming break. And there is always so much to do in December!
As we head to the semester finish line, students will MAP test, finish current rotation classes, and expand their learning in all content areas. It’s a busy time! Please help your student be prepared for semester success by encouraging good sleep habits, making sure Chromebooks are charged overnight and every night, and making sure your student has a supply of pens and pencils at school.
We continue to focus on positive, expected behavior of being Safe, Respectful, Trustworthy, and Proud. Throughout the month of December we will have surprise Antler Pride Blitz events. Students exhibiting The Antler Essentials will be recognized and rewarded. Hint: it all starts with RESPONSIBLE behavior! 🙂
Thank you for making our food drive such a success! With your help and support, Elkhorn Middle School donated 1573 pounds of food (1310 meals) to the Foodbank for the Heartland.
This is well over our goal and just what we mean when we say Antler Proud! EMS should be proud of their support of our community!
Lastly - but not least of all - I want to wish all our students, families, and staff a happy, restful, and energizing holiday season and winter break.
Ms. Allgood
News from Booster Club
Elkhorn Middle School Booster /PTO would like to draw your attention to the Pink Letter sent out to every student, via their homeroom teacher. The letter has a return envelope and information for those of you who would like to participate in this year's HOLIDAY HURRAH. Questions can be directed to Elkhorn Middle School Booster/PTO.
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.
Blood Drive
The Elkhorn High School National Honor Society is hosting our annual Blood Drive on Friday December 8th at EHS.
https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=EHSAntlers
Ronda Habrock & Diane Schieffer
NHS Co-Sponsors
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
Band News
7th and 8th Grade Scale/Rudiment Final
The 1st semester scale/rudiment final is due Wednesday, December 13th. This is a video submission. All information is on Google Classroom.
2nd Annual Elkhorn All City Band Festival
The Elkhorn All City Band Festival is on Tuesday, December 5th. Selected students will do a full day of rehearsals, and a 7pm concert at Elkhorn North High School. Call time is 6:30 p.m., and concert dress is the same as home concerts.
Congratulations to the following students on their selection for the Elkhorn All City Band Festival: Brie Beier, Jenna Bencker, Micheal Brackett, Jaxon Braughton, Quentin Bretey, Evan Carlson, Eli Cumerford, Grady Dangberg, Finn Fecke, Reagan Feuquay, Hailey Haberling, Logan Havran, Samantha Hemmingson, Camden Kieckhafer, Rhett Krivolavek, Natalie Madsen, Aryan Mansingh, Kaleb Polly, Adeline Powers, Shrivarshan Prabaharan, Eshaan Rai, Lilly Reiser, Ava Richardson.
Band DCA Testing
All band students are currently preparing for DCA testing. These will take place during regular classes on Monday, December 11th, and Tuesday, December 12th.
Winter Sports
Girls Basketball and Girls and Boys Wrestling
Both seasons will begin right after the winter break. There will be a player-coach informational meeting after school on December 13th for girls Basketball.
All "RSCHOOL Registrations", physicals turned in and payments must be completed by Jan 4th at 8am for GBB and Jan 17th at 8am for wrestling. Please consider doing this now so it is completed.
REMINDER: You do not have to pay if you already have purchased an activity pass, or paid the fee for another sport this year. Physicals must be dated on or after May 1, 2023. All other information can be found here: EMS Athletic Information 23-24
Yearbooks Now on Sale!
Lifetouch pictures retake day
It’s that time of year again. You may have kids that still need to be photographed that missed retake day. We can help!
Again this year we will have different locations where parents can bring their children to have a photo taken.
What: Lifetouch Studio Retake Day
Date: Thursday, December 7th
Time: 4:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Location: Omaha, Nebraska (address listed in signup)
How to sign up: (click the link of the location you will be attending)
Omaha
District Happenings
EPS Foundation News
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