EHMS Panther Newsletter

August 10 2025

Dear Panther Parents and Guardians,

I can’t believe it’s almost here — the first day of school is Wednesday, August 13, and I am so excited to welcome our Panthers back! To help make the first day smooth and successful, please take a moment to review these important reminders:

• Morning Arrival: Parents will not be able to walk students to class. All students should enter through Door 15 (bus loop entrance). For everyone’s safety, parents are not permitted to drive in the bus loop.

• Meeting Requests: Administrators will not be available for meetings during arrival, lunch, or dismissal so that we can focus fully on welcoming and supporting students.

• Dress Code: The district dress code will be in effect starting the first day.

• Immunizations: Students missing required immunizations will not be able to attend class until documentation is received. Parents/guardians will be contacted to pick up students if records are not on file. If records are not submitted by the first day, new registration paperwork may be required.

• Security Procedures: All students and parents entering the building must walk through a metal detector and complete a security check.

• Bus Information: Bus routes are posted on the Registration tab in Home Access. After 9th period, bus riders will report to the cafeteria and sit at their assigned tables.

• After-School Programs: Boys & Girls Club members will go to the library after school, then transition to the cafeteria after buses leave. Pick-up for Boys & Girls Club will be on the side of the building at Door 2 (cafeteria).

• Parent Pick-Up: Parent pick-up will be located at the front of the building.

• Yondr Pouch: If your student did not receive a Yondr Pouch on August 7, you may pick one up on August 12 from 1 PM – 3 PM.

• Student IDs: Student IDs will be issued on August 13. Students are required to wear their ID every day.

• Breakfast & Lunch: All EHMS students receive free breakfast and lunch. https://www.killeenisd.org/o/kisd/page/school-menus

We appreciate your partnership in keeping our campus safe, organized, and welcoming. Let’s make this school year our best yet — we can’t wait to see our Panthers back in action!

Go Panthers!

Jacqulyn Bridge
Principal, Eastern Hills Middle School

To help you and your family prepare for the upcoming school year, please visit our Back to School Information page. Here, you will find important details about schedules, supplies, and other essential information.

To support a focused learning environment, all student cell phones must be secured in a Yondr pouch during the school day.

• Students will lock their phones and apple watches in the pouch upon arrival and keep the pouch sealed until the end of the school day.
• Phones may only be unlocked at designated stations when dismissed.
• Emergency communication should be directed through the front office.

Failure to follow the Yondr policy may result in disciplinary action in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. Students will begin using Yondr Pouches on the first day of school.

To maintain a safe and secure environment for all students and visitors, everyone must pass through the Entry Shield system and present a valid ID upon entering the vestibule.

Before entering, individuals will be asked to “divest”—placing items such as backpacks, purses, or other belongings aside if they may trigger the system.

• Recommendation: To help the screening process move faster, leave unnecessary items in your car whenever possible.

• After divesting, individuals will walk through the Entry Shield system to confirm they are not carrying any prohibited items.

• If the system triggers an alert, the individual will be screened using a handheld metal detector before entry is permitted.

Dropping Off Food and Personal Items

To ensure safety and minimize interruptions to learning, all item drop-offs will be handled through the front vestibule:

1. Parents/guardians should push the intercom button upon arrival.

2. Show a valid ID for verification.

3. Label the item with the student’s name and grade.

4. Place the item on the designated table in the vestibule.

5. Once the vestibule is clear, the secretary will retrieve the item and ensure it is delivered to the student.

Additional Reminders:

• An ID is required for all visitors to enter the campus.

• Administrators are unavailable for parent meetings during arrival, dismissal, passing periods, and lunch to ensure safety and supervision duties.

• Parent Liaison, Ms. Malone, will be available to meet with parents during the school day as needed.

Eastern Hills Middle School will be piloting a new online communication tool, Rooms, designed to make it easier for families and teachers to stay connected and support student success.

What is Rooms?
Rooms is a two-way communication platform built to simplify how families and teachers connect. Parents can send and receive messages from teachers, view class announcements, and get important reminders. Teachers can share updates about assignments, classroom events and student progress, helping create a partnership that supports learning at home and at school.

Rooms includes automatic translation in more than 90 languages, allowing parents and teachers to communicate in the language they’re most comfortable using. Messages are automatically translated, so each person receives them in their preferred language, helping break down barriers and ensure clear, meaningful communication.

How will families access Rooms?
Families will log in to Rooms using the Killeen ISD mobile app. Once logged in, parents can easily see their child’s classes and communicate securely with their teachers.

For more information, visit www.killeenisd.org/rooms.

All schedule change requests must be submitted by August 22. No changes will be accepted after this date. Thank you for your understanding as we work to maintain balanced and effective class schedules for all students.

Athletic Event Tickets

All athletic event tickets will be electronic. $5 for Adults and $3 for students. No cash will be accepted.

https://www.killeenisd.org/o/kisd/page/tickets

PE Uniforms

PE Uniforms are avilable to be purchased for $20 cash in the front office or by visiting the EHMS webstore https://www.killeenisd.org/o/easternhills

Did you know that Boys & Girls Club is free? Students receive snacks and tutoring when they attend. It's also open until 6:00 PM. Click the link below to sign your student up.

Boys & Girls Club Members can be picked up after school at door 2.

• All students should be in dress code. Tights, crop tops, jeans with holes higher than 6 inches, shorts/skirts higher than 6 inches and sagging is not allowed.

Eastern Hills Middle School is a community of integrity and learning. Where teachers and administrators mentor and inspire students and each other, to embrace a growth mindset. Where students are challenged to act with humility and resilience as they develop skills that will prepare them to be lifelong learners and productive members of society. Where every individual feels safe and contributes to our culture of pride, competitiveness and belonging.

Email: jacqulyn.bridge@killeenisd.org

Website: https://schools.killeenisd.org/Page/75

Location: 300 Indian Trail, Harker Heights, TX, USA

Phone: (254) 336-1100

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EHMSPanthers

Twitter: @middle_hills