Dear Panther Parents and Guardians,

As part of Killeen ISD’s ongoing commitment to maintaining a safe and secure learning environment, updated backpack procedures and reinforced safety expectations will go into effect across all secondary campuses beginning May 1, 2025. These changes are designed to support safe and orderly school operations, particularly as we approach end-of-year events.

Backpack Procedures – Effective May 1:

• April 30 will be the last day students may bring traditional backpacks to school.
• Beginning May 1 through the end of the school year, each student may bring no more than two small bags to campus. These bags must not exceed 6x9 inches in size.
• Examples of permitted items include a lunch kit and a small purse.
• The Yondr pouch does not count as one of the two bags.
• Medically necessary items are excluded from the limit but must be approved by campus administration and the school clinic before May 1.

• Bags used for athletics or fine arts must be checked in or dropped off at the designated area assigned by the sponsor before the school day begins.
• Students who wish to carry a backpack after April 30 may continue to do so only if it is clear or mesh and of standard size.
• Clear/mesh backpack guidelines are available at: www.killeenisd.org/clearbags-secondary

We kindly ask that you help your panther prepare in advance for this change. Your support ensures a smooth transition and helps us maintain a secure environment for all students and staff.

Thank you for your continued partnership.

With Panther Pride,

Jacqulyn E. Bridge

Principal

This month's character trait at EHMS is Perseverance. Each month, we will focus on a different trait to help build a positive and supportive school culture.

What is Perseverance?

Perseverance is the willingness and ability to keep going when things are tough. People who persevere show steadfastness and give the extra effort needed to do something despite how hard it is or how long it takes to reach the goal.

Why focus on Perseverance?

• Perseverance encourages positive self-talk and thinking. When faced with difficult tasks, perseverance helps students reframe with positive thoughts, such as: "I'm not good at this YET!"
• Perseverance develops empathy. Students gain a better understanding of who they are and develop more empathy and compassion for others who may struggle to reach a goal.
• Perseverance sparks personal growth. Pushing through complex tasks builds resilience and helps students discover how capable they are.

Perseverance in Action:

• Share stories and challenging experiences. Be vulnerable and share personal experiences when you have struggled with a task or concept and had to work hard to push through.
• Praise effort and process, not intelligence or performance. Affirm students for the process they used to tackle tasks and point out how their abilities grow through their own hard work.
• Give your students the chance to struggle. Struggle builds self-confidence, independence, and perseverance. Resist the urge to intervene immediately and give students time to figure it out.

Teacher Appreciation Week kicks off on May 5th!

If you would like to send a special shoutout to a teacher, please use the link below:

🔗 Submit a Teacher Shoutout

Let’s show our teachers just how much they are appreciated!

Admission is free, but students must have fewer than 15 tardies and no referrals between April 28th -May 9th to attend.

• Academic Awards Ceremony - April 29th in Cafeteria @ 6PM (Dinner Provided)
• Killeen High School Shadow Day - April 30th 9am - 11 AM

Students are expected to keep their phones turned off and stored in their pouch.Please note that any violations will result in appropriate consequences as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct. Lost or damaged pouches cost $25.50 to be replaced. We appreciate your support in helping us maintain a focused and productive learning environment.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

ID badges are required at all times while on campus, riding the bus, and attending any school-sponsored event.

If a student has lost their ID, they may purchase a replacement for $5 or complete community service with Ms. Bridge to receive a new one.

Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and secure school environment!

Dear EHMS Parents and Guardians,

We want your student to start next school year with the right schedule, and we need your help to make that happen! Please take a few moments to complete course request verification for your student by April 30, 2025.

Why is this important?
Verifying course requests now helps us maximize instructional time and ensures students are placed in the correct classes from day one. This proactive step helps limit schedule changes at the start of the year and sets your student up for success.

This will be the only opportunity to review and update course requests for the 2025–2026 school year. The master schedule and staffing decisions are based on these requests, so schedule changes after verification will only be made for the following reasons:

• The student has already earned credit for a scheduled course.
• The student is missing a prerequisite for a course.
• The student does not have a full schedule.
• A data entry error occurred (e.g., duplicate classes, already-passed course).
• The student requires remedial coursework for STAAR or promotion.

How to Complete Course Request Verification:

• Please log in to Home Access Center (HAC) to review your student’s course requests. Instructions for accessing and confirming course requests are attached to this email.
• If you would like to request a change, please submit it through the Microsoft Form linked below: Submit Course Request Changes

Important Reminders:

• The list you see is not your student's daily schedule, just their selected courses.
• The deadline to submit course change requests is April 30, 2025.

Thank you for partnering with us to help your student have a smooth and successful start to next school year!

Best regards,
EHMS Counseling Team

Dear Panther Parents and Guardians,

We encourage all of our panthers to take advantage of i-Ready and IXL for additional practice at home! These programs are designed to help strengthen skills in both reading and math. By spending extra time on these platforms, students can reinforce what they are learning in the classroom and make even more progress.

Here are some key benefits of using i-Ready and IXL at home:

• Personalized learning that meets your specific needs.
• Extra practice to build confidence and improve understanding.
• The ability to work at your own pace, outside of school hours.

Students can easily log in to both programs through Clever by using their student account.

Go Panthers!

Dear Panther Parents and Guardians,

We want to remind you of the purpose and expectations for students attending the Panther Learning Academy. This program is designed to provide students with additional support in a focused learning environment, supplementing teacher-led tutoring sessions.

Expectations for Students Attending Panther Learning Academy

• Active Participation: Students are expected to engage in academic work while attending the Panther Learning Academy.
• Respectful Behavior: Students must respect their peers, staff, and the learning environment. Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.

Consequences for Rule Violations

Any student who fails to meet these expectations or disrupts the learning environment will face disciplinary action, which could include being removed from the Panther Learning Academy.

Please note that students removed from the Academy for disciplinary reasons can still attend their assigned teacher’s tutoring sessions on designated days.

Program Purpose

The Panther Learning Academy is a supplement to teacher tutoring and offers additional opportunities for students to receive academic assistance. However, teacher tutoring remains an essential component of student success, and students are encouraged to continue attending these sessions as assigned.

We appreciate your support in helping us maintain a productive and respectful environment for all students.

Thank you

I am excited to recognize Ms. Brandi Cummings, Ms. Boles and our EHMS AVID teacher, Ms. Holly Standeford, for their outstanding work in leading Eastern Hills to be recommended as an Emerging AVID Schoolwide Site. This achievement marks a significant advancement for our AVID program compared to last year. Congratulations on this well-deserved accomplishment!

• May 12th- Spring Concert 7:30 PM Killeen HS

• All Star Band - May 2-3 (EHS)
• Spring Concert - May 8th (KHS)

EHMS Orchestra Events

For ALL orchestra students:

• Tuesday May 13- Awards Concert (5:15 p.m. call time, 6 p.m. performance in the EHMS cafeteria)

Dear Parents/Guardians,

We’ve noticed that many students remain outside on campus after school dismissal until 5 PM or 6 PM. With the weather changing, we encourage you to consider enrolling your Panther in the Boys & Girls Club.

This program offers:

• Snacks
• Engaging activities
• Tutoring support
• Supervision until 6 PM

Please note that students are not permitted to remain inside the building after hours while waiting for a ride.

To sign your Panther up, please use the following link: https://mts.bgctx.org/onlinemembership.aspx

Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring a safe and supportive environment for all students.

Dear Parents,

As we continue to foster a positive and focused learning environment, we kindly ask for your support in ensuring that all students adhere to our dress code policy. Starting this Monday, if a student is not in compliance with the dress code, we will ask them to call home for a change of clothes or provide them with appropriate attire at school.

To help your child be prepared, please make sure they avoid the following items:

• Tights or leggings worn as pants
• Crop tops
• Jeans with holes higher than 6 inches above the knee
• Shorts or skirts higher than 6 inches above the knee
• Sagging pants

We appreciate your cooperation in helping us achieve this.

Thank you for your continued support

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