The Panther Post

Good afternoon,

At the end of the day, students were given their quarter 3 report cards. The first page of the packet you will receive an explanation of our grading procedures coupled with a reference document on how to breakdown your child's overall grade in PowerSchool. The second page will include your child's report card with the back including a reference document to the rubrics for Habits of Success. As you look through your child's report card, please reach out to your child's specific teacher if you have any questions regarding a particular class.

We hope everyone has a well deserved break!

Best,

Christina & Emily

Friday, April 7th - April, 14th - Spring Break

Monday, April 17th - Students return to school, Jazz band

Tuesday, April 18th - Bible Club, Homework Club, Bike Club

Wednesday, April 19th - Art Club, PTO Meeting 5pm

Thursday, April 20th - Panther Chefs, Yearbook Club, Bike Club

Friday, April 21st - SBAC Pep Rally (during school)

Friday, April 21st - Bus Driver Appreciation Day

Each month Team Leaders will share an update on current happenings throughout the team. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to your child's Team Leader. Contact information is within each newsletter. Team Leaders should be sending April newsletters soon!

Below is access to team's March newsletters. Don't forget to check out Team Amethyst's newsletter. This is our specials and P.E. team. March newsletters should be sent soon by Team Leaders.

Enjoy!

We are proud to announce the recipients of this year’s Teacher Appreciation (TAP) awards! These teachers were recognized for their ongoing contributions to the school, exemplary motivation, practice and performance in education as recognized by their peers.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

6th Graders, Avery Cashin & Daniel Peterson

7th Graders: Elizabeth White & Brandon Coppolelli

8th Graders: Logan Supinski & Lillian D'Amore

We are so proud when our students exemplify our PBIS pillars. 8th grader Marlee Alston was highlighted for showing compassion by a staff member!

Students get to have fun for showcasing all of the EHMS values during the 3rd Quarter PBIS assembly! We had cupcake decorating, a chess tournament, music with friends, basketball, yard games, volleyball, arts and crafts and other activities. Students were able to participate in their choice of activity. Below are some pictures of the afternoon!

Students in Mr. Storrs’s classes finished their Oregon Trail unit with a trip down memory lane, revisiting the classic video game about the topic to see what life was like on the journey out west.

The ELA Department will be doing a Spring Break Scavenger Hunt with reading, writing, and Spring-themed activities during Spring Break! Return your Spring Break Scavenger Hunt form to the LMC by April 21 for a sweet treat!

Mrs. Garstka

6-8 Literacy Specialist

East Hampton Middle School

Grade 7 has finished their Essential Research Skills for Teens and the Art of Argument units! Their final product includes an eBook published by each research group to provide both information on their topic, as well as an argument piece in which students take a position on the topic. Topics chosen by students included immigration issues, citizen’s rights, environmental concerns, and racism.

We are eager to announce in partnership with East Hampton Parks & Rec, the Prevention Partnership and our EHMS Student Council, that we will be holding a 6th & 7th grade dance on Friday May 12th! Please see the flyer below!

The Nutmeg Game Show is coming! From now until the end of May, we will be running a fun reading initiative that will culminate with grade-level “Nutmeg Game Show” assemblies on June 6!

What Students Will Do:

• Read as many of the 3 Nutmeg titles selected for their grade level as they can. All books can be checked out in the LMC.
• Submit questions about the book(s) via Google Form linked on the library website here (These questions maybe used during the game show!)
• Form teams of 3-4 students to participate in a preliminary round within their ELA classroom in mid-May
• Winning teams from each ELA class will go on to complete at grade-level assemblies the end of May/June
• The winning team from each grade level will get to pick 1 friend to join them to watch a movie in the LMC during the last week of June…movie snacks will be provided!

With the start of spring comes planning for all our end of the year events. We have been honored with the opportunity to see your child grow over the last three years. Each student has become an integral part of our Panther community and has evolved into an individual with interests, passions, and goals. We look forward to partnering with you as we open the doors to your child’s high school experience and all the opportunities that await while celebrating and closing the door to all they have accomplished over the last three years at EHMS.

We are planning a culminating event for our 8th graders. On Thursday June 8th at 1:00, we will hold our 2nd annual 8th grade Step-Up ceremony in our gymnasium. We will continue to celebrate our students that evening (June 8th) with our 8th Grade Formal that will be held at EHMS from 7pm to 9pm. We encourage all families to come for pictures starting at 6:30pm. The next day, our students will be attending their 8th grade High Meadow class field trip on Friday June 9th. More specifics to these events will be communicated out, but we wanted to provide you the dates to save in your calendars! If there are any questions, please feel free to reach out to administration or our 8th grade co-advisors; Mrs. Donovan and Mrs. Mercaldi.

Our first event that will take place will be our students showcasing all their hard work around their Capstone projects. Our 8th Grade Capstone Convention will be held on Wednesday May 24th at EHMS from 6pm to 8pm.

As Spring and the end of the year approaches, we will reflect with our students on their growth both personally and academically. In the coming months, we will also measure student performance formally through the Smarter Balanced Assessment in Mathematics and English Language Arts.

Students have had regular exposure throughout the school year to the content and skills specific to grade level standards measured by the assessments, the critical-thinking and problem-solving skills embedded in the assessments, and the technology and assessment platform on which they will be assessed. Assessment schedules are structured to limit the amount of time students are assessed on any given day. Students are given all of the time they need to complete the assessment to their satisfaction. As a result, testing schedules are flexible and responsive to student needs.

Through our district assessments, we have been supporting students by cultivating a positive culture where students are encouraged to do their best and proudly show what they know. We will continue the same support as we prepare students for Smarter Balanced. The Smarter Balanced Assessments include the English Language Arts and Mathematics Computer Adaptive Tests and the Mathematics Performance Task. Students in grade 8 will also be administered the Next Generation Science Standards Test. The assessments will begin on Tuesday April 25th with the English Language Arts Computer Adaptive Test.

We anticipate that both the preparation for the assessment and the assessment schedule will help students feel comfortable and allow them to perform at their best. We encourage strong attendance during the testing days along with healthy habits, including appropriate rest and daily breakfast.

This assessment information is only one measure of our students and their impressive efforts this year. We consider multiple data points when considering student progress and planning for instruction. This is a critical tool for this ongoing work and we appreciate your partnership as we gather information about our students at the conclusion of such an incredible school year.

As always, please contact us if you have any questions regarding this process. We appreciate your continued support.

Every 2 years East Hampton youth in grades 6th through12th grade complete an anonymous and confidential survey that asks about positive things in your life, your beliefs and behaviors, as well as any substance use. This information helps the community better understand the perspectives of East Hampton youth and enables the East Hampton Prevention Partnership, a local coalition of organizations working together with youth, to provide relevant and meaningful programming. This survey is anonymous and confidential. We will provide students with the survey the week of May 15th. Please click the following link to see the survey yourself. Families may request to opt their child from not participating in the survey and students may wish not to take it.

If you would like to request that your child be opted from participating in the survey, please email Christina Amaral at camaral@easthamptonct.org. We will continue to share out this survey to you through Parentsquare as reminders.

The Class of 2025 is hosting another merchandise fundraiser; many of you may remember the long sleeve EHHS t-shirts we sold last year. This year, we are offering a CREWNECK SWEATSHIRT!

This sweatshirt is perfect to show off your Bellinger Pride! It is Gildan brand and comes in adult sizes S-5XL! Its is only $30 (plus shipping) and funds go to the Class of 2025! You will help support sophomores as they plan events for the rest of their high school careers, like prom and DC!

You have the option to order and it will be sent directly to your home by 4/25!

The link for this order will close on Friday, 4/7 so they can go into production!

Spread the word and link; this is a great piece of gear for students, alumni, parents, grandparents, and fans in general!

Here is the link to purchase: https://tinyurl.com/zr56enmp

Thank you for your continued support and GO BELLRINGERS!

Kind regards,

Lily Keegan & Monica Smith
Class of 2025 Advisors

We are happy to celebrate National School Library Month with our students! From pre-k through 12th grade, the libraries at Memorial, Center, E.H.M.S., and E.H.H.S. support academic growth, foster a sense of community, and inspire a love of reading. Please enjoy these pictures that show a sampling of the many great activities that happen in our school libraries throughout the year. Happy reading, everyone!

The Panther Prowl is coming to EHMS!!!

The EHMS PTO is organizing a FUNdraiser where all students will exercise for their own cause - raising funds for their school through pledge donations. The Panther Prowl will take place during the school day on Friday, May 12th. We are working with the PE department to create a great opportunity for ALL students to have fun with healthy activities outdoors while supporting their school. Think of it as a stepped-up version of a jog-a-thon or a mini field day and you’ll get the idea! Funds raised through pledges will be used to support the needs of our school. Students will be entered into raffles for great prizes at various total pledge levels - more details about prizes and registration to come after April break!

A reminder that the following email addresses can be used by parents to report and document their approval of an absence:

Memorial_Attendance@easthamptonct.org

Center_Attendance@easthamptonct.org

EHMS_Attendance@easthamptonct.org

EHHS_Attendance@easthamptonct.org

If you have successfully emailed the school, you will receive an autoreply that notifies you that the absence communication has been received and recorded. This process is effective for your child for the first 9 absences. After your student has more than 9 absences, additional documentation or communication is required to excuse the absence. However, please continue to use the email designated for your child's school to continue to notify the school that your child will be absent. You may call your child’s school at any time to report an absence but please make sure to follow up a phone call with a note or email to the attendance email.

The Health Office is still looking for students to bring in pictures of their pets! Unfortunately, the bulletin board that we were hoping to fill with cute pictures of animals from home, is looking quite empty. We would love to see all pets and I am especially excited about those reptiles! So, please, if you remember have your student bring in pictures to add to our space. All animals welcome!

Also, just a friendly reminder to have your child bring lip balm with them to school, if needed. This year has been tough for those lips!

Nutrition is so important for growth and development. Please be sure that your student is bringing enough snacks for themselves and remind them to eat breakfast and lunch. As a reminder, the school offers breakfast and lunch, free of charge for all families.

Is anyone else having Spring Fever?! If we aren’t going to be getting snow, then bring on Spring!

If at any point you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me at khafele@easthamptonct.org or call the school office at 860-365-4060.

Thank you!

Mrs. Hafele

EAST HAMPTON MS ATHLETICS SCHEDULE

APRIL 17 - APRIL 21

(subject to change)

MONDAY, APRIL 17

Baseball practice 2:35 until 5 pm

Softball practice 2:35 until 5 pm

TUESDAY, APRIL 18

Baseball practice 2:35 until 5 pm

Softball practice 2:35 until 5 pm

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19

East Hampton baseball/softball at RHAM MS. 2:20 dismissal, 2:30 bus, 3:30 pm game.

Note: Softball at Veterans field, located directly across the street from RHAM HS/MS.

Note: Baseball at RHAM MS.

THURSDAY, APRIL 20

No Baseball practices!

Softball practice 2:35 until 5 pm

FRIDAY, APRIL 21

Baseball practice 2:35 until 5 pm

Softball practice 2:35 until 5 pm

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:

Chromebook Trouble 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.

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.

Email: camaral@easthamptonct.org
Website: https://www.easthamptonps.org/o/ehms
Location: 19 Childs Road, East Hampton, CT, USA
Phone: (860) 365 4060