The Panther Post

Good afternoon,

It is hard to believe, but today marks the close of our first quarter. Report cards will be shared digitally ahead of parent conferences. Starting Monday, November 3rd, students will begin their second quarter specials rotation, following the sequence of Music, Art, Technology Education, and Family Consumer Science.

In addition, due to Professional Development, there will be no school for students on Tuesday November 4th.

Enjoy the weekend! Be safe!

Best,

Christina & Emily

Tues. Nov 4th - Staff Professional Development - No school

Wed. Nov 12th - Early Release for students due to Parent Conferences

Thurs. Nov 13th - Early Release for students due to Parent Conferences

Wed. Nov 26th - Early Release for students

Thurs Nov 27th - 28th - Thanksgiving Recess

Eighth-grade students are wrapping up their Dystopian unit with a creative and thoughtful journaling project. They’ve been exploring their novels to uncover important symbols, explain what those symbols represent, and use evidence from the text to support their ideas. Students have also discussed how the unique settings in dystopian stories affect the characters and plot, and learned about common character types, or archetypes, found in this genre.

Seventh graders are currently working in Unit 2: Proportional Relationships. Students have been learning how to determine whether an equation, table, or graph represents a proportional relationship. They are building strong connections between these representations and deepening their understanding of constant rates of change. Next, students will explore how to compare two related proportional relationships by analyzing and interpreting their graphs.

This week, sixth grade students participated in an exciting project where they explored ancient Chinese inventions and brought them to life in a modern way. Each group was assigned an invention to research, learning about its origins, purpose, and lasting impact on the world. Students then transformed their knowledge into creative “Shark Tank” style sales pitches, presenting their inventions as if they were new, innovative products being pitched to potential investors (teachers and staff in the building). The project encouraged collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity while helping students connect ancient history to modern-day ideas.

The Clue 2 adventure is a fun, lighthearted experience designed to build community and culture at EHMS. The game ran in the background of the school week with daily announcements where students and staff had the opportunity guess clues and win small prizes. It was an opportunity for everyone to enjoy an adventure together trying to solve the mystery of what was taken, who took it, and where it was taken from. At the end of the week students and staff had the opportunity to use their creativity to write what they deduced was the background story to earn the ultimate prize and solve the mystery.

The EarlyAct Club raised funds for UNICEF: an organization that helps improve the health and wellness of children in over 150 countries and territories. We raised $244! We will be announcing the winning homeroom next week! Here are some pictures from today:

The VFW's annual essay contest deadline has been extended to 11/03/2025. We are hoping for more entries by Monday at the end of the school day. The 2025-2026 theme is, “How Are You Showing Patriotism And Support For Our Country?” Click the links below to get entry information. There are some possible topics included below. Hand in the typed essay with the completed entry form to Mrs. Kalisz in room 30. Online entries with the completed forms can be emailed to mkalisz@easthamptonct.org.
Entry Form and Rules

This week, VOAG came to present to our 8h graders on the opportunities they have within their program. Below is more information and resources. If you have any further questions, you can also reach out to one of our Guidance Counselors, Mr. Mannes or Mrs. Mercaldi.

• View our program video here (5 minutes)
• Presentation from this morning is attached to this message
• Visit our website
• Find the AG Science application here
• Call the Ag Science Secretary Megan Nesci at 860-704-4594 if you wish to schedule a shadow day, make an appointment or have a private tour
• Contact Guidance Department 860-704-4520 for more information about MHS and our course offerings
• Take a Virtual Tour (created in 2020)
• Attend the Open House for 8th grade families on November 18th at 6:30 PM

Interested 8th graders attended this year’s ACM Aerospace Alley Future Workforce Opportunities Fair that took place on Thursday. 8th graders along with students from the high school will provide students the opportunity to speak with over 90 local aerospace firms to learn about the valuable career opportunities that exist and discuss the expectations employers have when hiring as well as see first-hand leading-edge manufacturing technologies used across Connecticut and Western Massachusetts.

Below are students who received Positive Office Referrals for their behaviors that have exemplified our PBIS pillars of Empathy, Honesty, Mindfulness and Safety. Students were able to choose a reward from our menu of options like eating outside with friends! Great job to our Panthers!

6th Graders

David Johnson & Quinn Gould

8th Graders

Richard Claude, Mia Ricciardelli, Ryan Riley and Junedi Salad

Nov 3-Nov 7 (subject to change)

Note: There are NO study halls during tryouts!

MONDAY, NOV 3

Boys Basketball 2:35 until 4:30 pm. Grade 8 only.

Girls Basketball 4:30 until 6 pm. Grades 6, 7 and 8

Arrive at 4:15 by gym doors.

No Cheer Leading

TUESDAY, NOV 4

No Athletics!

WEDNESDAY, NOV 5

Boys Basketball 2:35 until 4:30 pm. Grades 6 and 7 only.

Girls Basketball 4:30 until 6 pm. Grades 6, 7 and 8

Arrive at 4:15 by gym doors.

No Cheer Leading

THURSDAY, NOV 6

Boys Basketball 2:35 until 4:30 pm. Grades 6 and 7 only.

Girls Basketball 4:30 until 6 pm. Grades 6, 7 and 8

Arrive at 4:15 by gym doors.

No Cheer Leading

FRIDAY, NOV 7

Boys Basketball 2:35 until 4:30 pm. Grade 8, with invites to some in grade 6 and 7 (coach will inform those players)

Girls Basketball 4:30 until 6 pm. Grades 6, 7 and 8

Arrive at 4:15 by gym doors.

No Cheer Leading

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MONDAY, NOV 10

Boys Basketball 2:35 until 4:30 pm. Grades 6, 7 and 8

Girls Basketball 4:30 until 6 pm. Grades 6, 7 and 8

Arrive at 4:15 by gym doors.

Note: Boys and Girls teams to be announced via parentsquare

Cheer leading in commons 2:35 until 4:30 pm

📅 Mark Your Calendars!
All EHMS PTO meetings are held in the Middle School Library at 5:30 PM.

🗓️ Upcoming Meeting Dates:

• November 6
• December 11
• January 15
• February 3
• March 3
• April 7
• April 29
• May 14
• June 2

✨ All parents and guardians are welcome — join us to stay involved and help make a difference at EHMS!

🎉 FAMILY BINGO NIGHT! 🎉

📅 Wednesday December 3rd
🕕 6:00 PM
📍 EHMS Commons

The EHMS PTO is hosting a fun-filled Family Bingo Night — open to all! ​We’re currently seeking Bingo prize donations to make the night extra exciting.
🎁 Suggested prizes include:

• Gift cards (any amount!)
• Family-friendly items like board games, puzzles, movie night bundles, theme baskets or small treats

💡 Bonus: Each donation earns you an extra Bingo card at the event!

Donations can be mailed or dropped off at:
East Hampton Middle School
19 Childs Rd, East Hampton, CT
📦 Please mark items for “PTO.”

Let’s make this a super fun, family-friendly community event!
Thank you for supporting EHMS PTO 💙🐾

Per the East Hampton Board of Education’s Attendance Policy and Connecticut statute, parents and guardians may only approve the first 9 absences of the school year with a parent note. Absences 10 and above can only be excused with further documentation and under specific circumstances.

Just a reminder that when we do not hear from a parent, then our attendance line will send out a call that your child is absent. Even if your child is sent home by the nurse the day before, we still need a call or notice each day your child is out.

In addition, if a student has four unexcused absences in one month or 10 unexcused absences in a year they are classified as truant. If a child misses 18 or more days in a school year – excused or unexcused absences – the student is classified as chronically absent.

A phone call is appreciated, but only an email to our attendance inbox or written note can officially excuse absence 1 through 9. Below is our attendance email:

Note: Between the school name and the word Attendance is a underscore ( _ )

EHMS_Attendance@easthamptonct.org

If a student has four unexcused absences in one month or 10 unexcused absences in a year they are classified as truant. If a child misses 18 or more days in a school year – excused or unexcused absences – the student is classified as chronically absent.

As we are now half-way through September, I would like to send a friendly reminder for parents to check their student's lunch account balances. Weekly, emails are sent through Meal Magic with negative account balances. Please check your junk folder to ensure you are not missing crucial information!

The Cafeteria Staff and I love to see smiling faces daily and we are grateful to have your students dine with us!

Please use the link below to set up an online meal account for your child or apply for free or reduced meals.

https://easthampton.familyportal.cloud/

For questions or concerns, contact Kate Caselli, Director of Nutrition Services at kcaselli@easthamptonct.org or 860.316.7324

East Hampton High School hosts veterans for a breakfast and assembly. The Veterans Day Committee would like to spread news of our fundraiser and assembly to local veterans . Most of all proceeds will go to the VFW. Below is the flyer!

RSVP form for breakfast and assembly: https://forms.gle/vp2wCbtRhE2U8Due8

Field of Flags Purchase: https://forms.gle/DyzDASNUYtedQQZT8

Bellringers in Service Photo Gallery Submission: https://forms.gle/hJogbWUQK1hjqEDHA

The East Hampton Public Library is participating in the first annual Spooky CT writing contest! Submissions can be made to the Library via our website any time from Oct 1 through Oct 31. All entries will be published in the first edition of Spooky East Hampton, which will be made available on our website and in print at the Library. More information can be found in the flyer attached below.

Did you know?

Community Health Care, Inc. is a part of the East Hampton Middle School success team!

Enrollment is open NOW for mental health services through the School-Based Health Center. Our licensed clinical social worker can support youth by addressing issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, peer conflict, family conflict, grief and loss, emotional regulation, increasing school engagement and other childhood challenges.

Click here: https://www.sbhc1.com/enroll/

Why choose SBHC?

Convenient same day appointment

Removes barriers to care such as lack of transportation

Decreases time away from the classroom which improves academic success

Improves student's achievement by taking care of behavioral health needs that can make learning difficult

For more information, email DeFranL@ch1.com

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