October 2026

October 30, 2026

​EMS Families,

What a busy and fun week at EMS! From surviving the full moon to lunchtime trivia and movie fun, there was plenty of excitement throughout the building. Our 8th graders wrapped up the week with a day of fun and time together at Craig’s Cruisers! Along with all of the fun, students continued to show off their learning through informative essays, exploring the Articles of Confederation, and even getting their hands into a little chemistry. It was a great mix of learning, laughter, and making memories. We hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! Don't forget to FALL back this weekend and enjoy your extra hour of sleep!

The following FHPS transportation routes/bus numbers are canceled for next week, Monday, November 2 through Friday, November 6:

• Bus #32 - PM Only - Eastern High, Eastern Middle, Knapp Forest, Ada Vista, Goodwillie

• Bus #38 - PM Only - Eastern High, Eastern Middle, Orchard View, Ada Vista, Goodwillie

Calling all PRIDE Pup fans! Our PRIDE Pup sWAG sale is here, and it’s the paw-fect way to show some love for the four-footed friends who brighten our schools. Choose from cozy hoodies, crewnecks, tees, totes, and hats, with youth and adult sizes for the whole pack. Rep your favorite pup, or grab the design featuring the whole crew! Support LULA and the FHPS PRIDE Pup program! All proceeds go directly back to our school support dog program. Shop by Nov. 30 at grmifullypromoted.chipply.com/pridepupspopup. Have it shipped, or pick it up at your school. It also makes a great gift!

This week, we are highlighting our fifth and final response to an emergency situation according to our Standard Response Protocol.

SHELTER Using the announced hazard and strategy.

Shelter: Students are trained to go to their appropriate shelter areas. An example of when a Shelter may be called is in the event of a tornado warning.

For more details about our Standard Response Protocol and our other actions, please visit our website. There, you'll find an overview of these actions along with a link to a flyer with information for parents. Thanks for partnering with us to keep our schools safe.

Please click on Banner for upcoming Concerts and special events for the month of November.

If you haven't purchased a yearbook yet, there is still time! You can place your order using this link. The price will increase to $40 beginning on December 2nd.

We know students at EMS are involved in so many activities, but pictures from all these events can be difficult to capture. Right now, the yearbook is asking for the following pictures:

Cross Country

Boys Tennis

Crew
Outside of School Activities

Students Traveling

Students Celebrating Various Holidays
Students and their pets (including the pet's name)
Student baby photos
Childhood Friend Photos that the yearbook can recreate

Please use this link or flyer for directions on how to submit photos. You can also email your photos directly to Mrs. Balaskas, the yearbook advisor, at lbalaskas@fhps.net.

Saturday, November 7

9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Forest Hills Eastern High School

Shop local, Support our Senior Class, Raffles, Food and Free Admission!

All EMS students participated in a survery to indicate which clubs they would like to have at EMS. Based on that survey data, we are planning to provide the following clubs to ALL 6-8th Grade Students!

The FHE Athletic Department is excited to announce the start of FREE strength and conditioning sessions for all Eastern HS/MS students (Grades 6-8)! The weight room will be available to students every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 2:45-4:00pm.

Session Details:
Days: Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays
Time: 2:45-4pm.
Location: Eastern High School Weight Room
Cost: FREE
Who: Eastern High School and Middle School students, male and female athletes of all abilities

Our very own Coach Bryce Wilker will serve as our weight room coordinator, with assistance from our coaching staff. Coach Wilker brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in weight training and conditioning, and our goal is to provide a safe, positive, and productive environment for every student. No prior strength training experience or knowledge is required! Whether students are new to weight training or have previous experience, everyone is welcome to participate and work toward becoming stronger and healthier.

We are excited to offer this opportunity thanks to the FHE Athletic Booster club!

(NOTE: On days there is no school, there will be no weight training & conditioning sessions)

Parents can now report students absent using PowerSchool Parent Portal! This feature can be used to report an absence for the current day or to schedule future planned absences. Please click here for more information.

Please note: this feature cannot be used to report absences that occurred on previous school days.

If you are dropping and picking up your child from the main entrance, please have your ID with you when picking up your child and remind emergency contacts to as well. If you enter the HS office, they are going to politely ask you to drive around to our side.

As a reminder, please call ahead when your child is coming to school late from an appointment or will need to leave early. This will allow us to properly document his or her absence and make sure he or she is ready for your pick up.

If you are choosing to not use PowerSchool reporting, please direct all attendance matters to emsattendance@fhps.net or call 616-493-8856.

Each 6th Grade Team will be sharing academic updates weekly through their newsletter!

Our scheduled daily start time is now 7:50 AM and our end time is 2:45 PM. Please note: our building will not open until 7:20 AM and all students must be picked up by 3:15 PM. Students will not be able to be in the building before or after these scheduled times.

Forest Hills Public Schools is providing student medical insurance coverage for any student injured at school or during a school related activity including athletics. If a family wishes to improve upon the district’s plan, additional options are available for individual purchase. See attached letter.

Here is how we ensure all families have access to curricular information and updates from our staff:

• Academic Calendars: all classes, grades 6-8, have their weekly agendas, upcoming tests and quizzes listed. Academic Calendars are linked below each week in the weekly newsletter.
• Individual Staff Connection: if you are wanting or needing to connect with an individual staff member, we are always wanting and willing to connect. Here is a list of all staff members who directly support our students. If you are unsure of who to connect with, please call our main office and we are happy to assist you with this information and connection (616-493-8850).
• PowerSchool: Student attendance and 7th & 8th grades are housed in this system for both students and parents to access. If your child receives accommodations, those are indicated in the comment section next to the assignment or assessment.
• Canvas: all 7th and 8th grade teachers have a Canvas page that houses calendars, assignments, and important class information. Directions for parents/guardians to become Observers is below in the newsletter.

• Early Release: Monday 11/9
• Thanksgiving Break: Wednesday 11/25-Friday 11/27