EMS Notes from "The Nest"

6/11/2025 “Goodbyes are not forever, goodbyes are not the end; they simply mean I’ll miss you until we meet again.” – Unknown

Summer has arrived, and we wish to say farewell to the Class of 2029. They have had a great 3-4 year stint here at the middle school, and we wish them the best of luck as they cross the parking lot to Eastwood High School. They have made a mark here and we know that they will do the same as they embark upon the next phase of their educational journey.

Congratualtions to the Class of 2029 on winning the PeP Points Award for the 24-25 School year.

Their banner will be on display for the 25-26 school year.

This is also a time of welcoming our incoming 5th grade Class of 2032. They officially enter the ranks of middle school students. We are excited to get to know them and help them transition to the next phase of their own journey. It is a time of tremendous growth and maturity. We are excited for them as it truly is an amazing metamorphosis into what we like to say is being "Stuck in the Middle".

Check out my first summer video in the Counselors Corner. There are ideas on developing0 Executive Functioning skills over the summer for parents and students. Enjoy.

Summer Office hours 7:30pm - 3:00 pm. Secretaries will return August 4.

You should have received report cards and end of the year information. Do not hesitate to contact the office with any questions.

Eastwood Middle School Office Opens August 4

District Special Schedules/Dates:

Thurs. June 26 - 8:00am-3:00 pm Sports Physical Day at EHS

Mon. Aug 18 - EMS Laptop, Schedule Pick-Up and School Pictures: 7:30 am - 6:00 pm

Tues. Aug 19 - EMS Laptop, Schedule Pick-Up and School Pictures: 7:30 am - 3:00 pm

• -5:45 pm 6th Grade Open House

Tues. Aug 26 - EMS Students' First Day of School

Also included in this newsletter:

-First Day of School Supplies

-Counselor Corner with Mr. Fertig

• Executive Functioning video ideas for summer

- Nurse Sutton in the House

7th grade Immunization Requirements for 25-26

-Things We Like to Brag About

*Student Awards

-Community News

-EMS important website links

-Athletics Update Schedule and Link (Fall Sports and activities info)

-Upcoming Events Calendar -

-Eastwood's Beliefs, Behaviors & Outcomes

Thank You

Peace,

Dwight Fertig

Principal

dfertig@eastwoodschools.net

Twitter: Emsdfertig (@DwightFertig)

419-833-6011 Ext. 301

Click on the picture or scan the QR Code to order a student-specific School Supply Kit and receive your school supplies at schedule pick-up. Here is a link you can click on as well:

Executive Functioning (EF) skills are vital to improved academic performance, better social skills, and a sense of success in completing tasks and overall growth. These skills include planning, organization, time management, and self-regulation. These skills are vital for students to teach them how to manage their daily activities, handle school assignments, and interact with others. Students can improve their ability to set goals, create good study schedules, and develop strategies to stay on task during the summer. All of these skills can lead to improved academic performance, better social relationships, and enhanced overall well-being.

Key academic executive function skills:

• Planning: Developing a roadmap to each objective

• Organization: Keeping track of materials and managing space effectively

• Time Management: Allocating time to tasks appropriately to meet deadlines

• Task initiation: Starting activities or tasks without undue procrastination

• Self-monitoring: Evaluating one's own performance and making necessary adjustments

During the summer, the transition from a structured school environment to the unstructured nature of summer break can pose challenges as students find it difficult to cope with the lack of routine, which leads to a decline in these skills. There are increased distractions and a more relaxed attitude towards schedules and responsibilities, which leads to a regression and a lack of development in executive functioning skills. This could lead to stress and frustration in the fall when students return to school. These feelings could be a cause for a student who dislikes or struggles to get started at the beginning of the school year.

Strategies for developing executive function skills during the summer:

• Encourage participation in structured activities

• summer camps, church camp, volunteer work, EF courses, some (but not all) athletic camps

• Assist in goal setting and progress monitoring:

• Set personal goals, a summer schedule, define clear objectives for goals, encourage creativity, and balance work and fun

• This fosters time management, organization, ownership, and independence

• Promote responsibility and personal projects:

• Everyday tasks, responsibilities at home, personal projects (gardening, planting, yard maintenance, model building, home projects, or tasks

• Teach Time management and organization through technology

• Home Google Calendar, Google Keep, Google Tasks, iCal, with daily chores, timelines, tasks, vacations, etc, helps with planning time management, and accountability to complete tasks.

• Balance work and play activities:

• Balance structured leisure time- monitor screen time and video games, encourage reading, physical activity outside, associate with family and friends to relax and unwind

In closing, there are many things to do to help students be successful in school, even over the summer. The best role you, as a parent or guardian, can play is to model these skills for them to emulate. Even during the middle school years, they will model and feed off of what they see. They are still sponges taking in all experiences from their surroundings, good and bad. By working on these skills over the summer, there is a relationship between promoting student personal success at home and at school.

I know these skills are skills that I continually try to develop year-round. I do some much better than others. Hopefully, we can continue to partner in leading your student to lifelong growth and success through executive skill development and an overall feeling of success and accomplishment for kids.

Thank you,

DF

IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS FOR 7TH GRADE 2025/26 SCHOOL YEAR

Students who are entering 7th grade are required to receive the immunization Tdap, Meningococcal (MCV4) vaccine, and all other age appropriate vaccines. This immunization must be received prior to the start of the 2025-2026 school-year.

As with other school immunizations requirements, Section 3313.671 of the Ohio revised Code states that students who do not provide documentation of this immunization are subject to exclusion from school. I strongly urge you to call your healthcare provider as soon as possible and get your child vaccinated. The physician’s offices and shot clinics get very busy in the summer and at the beginning of a new school year. I recommend that you have your child vaccinated before the end of this school year in order to avoid the “summer rush” and the “back to school” avalanche and possibility of exclusion at the beginning of next school year!

Any documentation showing proof of vaccination can be mailed to the address below or emailed to dsutton@eastwoodschools.org before August 22, 2025.

Eastwood Middle School 4800 Sugar Ridge Rd Pemberville, OH 43450

If you have questions or concerns regarding immunizations, please contact Dannelle Sutton RN, School Nurse at dsutton@eastwoodschools.org. For additional information you may call the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Immunization Program hotline at 800-282-0546, or visit the ODH website. Thank you for your cooperation with these mandates.

10:00 am - 2:00 pm

1960 Gypsy Lane Rd. Bowling Green

Join the fun for this Inaugural Car Show. There will be food trucks, music, free kid print ID's, and car category awards.

Congratulations to the following band and choir students for their outstanding performances at Middle School Solo & Ensemble.

For 6th grade adv. ELA, my.amplify.com

7th Grade Homework Document: 7th Grade Homework Link

Eastwood Band Home Page - band.eastwoodschools.org

6th Grade Band - band.eastwoodschools.org/6th-grade-band

7th Grade Band - band.eastwoodschools.org/7th-grade-band

8th Grade Band - band.eastwoodschools.org/8th-grade-band

Eastwood Schools Athletic's Physicals grades 7-12 **FREE**

Free for all students particiapting in any Eastwood Athletics in grades 7-12

June 26 from 8:00am - 3:00 pm at Eastwood Elementary School.

Physical Forms can be found in Final Forms

Upcoming Important Athletic Dates:

Game schedules can be found on the Eastwood website. Go to "Middle School", and you will see a tab for the MS Athletic Schedules.

• June 26 - Eastwood Athletic Physicals Day at Eatwoo Elementrary School 8:00am - 3:00pm
• Aug 18 - EMS Laptop, Schedule Pick-Up and School Pictures, 4:15 pm EMS Vball @ Genoa
• Aug 19 - EMS Laptop, Schedule Pick-Up and School Pictures, 5:45 pm 6th Grade Open House
• Aug 20 - Teacher Work Day, 4:15 pm EMS VBall vs Oak Harbor
• Aug 25 - Staff Opening Day, 4:15 EMS VBall vs Rossford
• Aug 26 - First Day of School
• Aug 27 - 4:15 pm EMS VBall vs Maumee
• Aug 28 - 4:30 pm EMS 7/8 FB @ Clyde

Community updates & announcements are sent out via email by Superintendent Brent Welker and can be found on the district website under the About Our District tab.

Email: dfertig@eastwoodschools.org
Website: http://www.eastwoodschools.org/
Location: 4800 Sugar Ridge Road, Pemberville, OH, USA
Phone: 419-833-6011
Twitter: @emsdfertig