The Panther Post

Good afternoon,

A reminder that our third quarter will close on Friday April 10th. Students will transition to their fourth quarter special on Monday April 20th. If you have any questions on your child's progress, please don't hesitate to reach out to your child's specific teacher.

Best,

Christina & Emily

Thu. April 2nd - 6th Grade Dance 5:30 - 7:00

Fri. April 3rd - No School for Students

Thu. April 9th - Empower Field Trip 6th Grade

Fri. April 10th - Pep Rally

Mon. April 13 - Fri. April 17th - Spring Break - No School

Fri. May 1st - 7th Grade Dance 6:00 - 7:30 flyer to come soon!

Online sale starts March 3, and ends April 10, 2026.

Yearbook Cost: $25

$5 for your child’s name printed on the front cover

$2 for each icon

Sales continue after 4/10/26 until all yearbooks are sold. Payment is cash or check ONLY. Personalization and icons are NOT available after 4/10/26.

Yearbook Cost: $30 after 4/10/26

Cash or checks accepted

Please make checks payable to: EHMS

Return form to Mrs. Buchan in the office.

Or

Order online

Mrs. Aiken’s seventh-grade students concluded their argument writing unit with a fishbowl-style debate. Students argued for an unsung hero to be honored with a memorial, holiday, or statue, using evidence to support their claims. Winners from the first round advanced to a final debate.

6th Grade Technology Education students were busy assembling their model rockets. One this day, they were working hard to attach the fins to the bottom of their rockets. This is the most difficult part of the build as it requires a lot of patience and a steady hand. Students have learned that the fins provide extra surface area to the bottom of the rocket which makes the rocket's flight much more stable.

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! Great job to our Panthers!

Positive Office Referrals

Abrianna Parente, Tristan Christensen, Colby Christensen, Will Muzzy, Alex Farrell, Caleb Pinaud, Nick Dudek, Tyler Roman, Madison Connors, Adriana Karas, Colin Trowbridge, Anabela Amarel

Congratulations to all of our students who were recognized in this year’s District Art Show! A special thank you to Mr. Pastor and our talented art teachers across the district for their dedication and hard work in making the event such a success. Below are a few highlights from the show

-Who? Club coach/advisor - Mr. Searles and Mr. Debowsky (assisted by members of the EHHS Bike Club) in collaboration with CCAP (Connecticut Cycling Advancement Program)

-When? PRACTICES on Tuesdays and Thursdays, April-May from 3PM - 4:30PM (weather permitting). Depending on how many join, we may have to split students into different days. Those who race will practice twice a week. Those not racing may be assigned either Tuesday or Thursday. The RACE schedule will be forthcoming.

-Where? PRACTICE mostly EHMS trails, sometimes offsite (Airline Trail, Hurd State Park) Bikes can be locked up at the bike rack during the day or dropped off after school in the back lot. RACES at various locations around the state. **Members are responsible for obtaining their own rides to offsite locations from family members or carpooling**

-What? Students will need a helmet, gloves, water bottle and mountain bike (not a BMX or road bike). If students do not have access to a mountain bike, contact me about borrowing a loaner.

-How much? No cost! Even race licenses and entry fees are covered by the Club.

-Why? To have fun together outside while getting exercise!
To improve bike skills, and compete and win races! (races optional)

-How do I sign up? To join the Parentsquare group from a browser: Bottom left corner click on "Participate" then click on "Groups", then click on "Explore" tab to find and join the Club. As you join the Parentsquare group, you will see the following information. Within the Parentsquare group, you will see a 2026 Bike Club Registration. Registration deadline: Tuesday March 31st.

Those families who were not able to make the Bike Club Parent night, below is the presentation attached.

Since September, EHMS has started introducing restorative practices by using basic restorative circles in advisory and focusing on positive, relationship-building conversations that help students respectfully resolve conflict. This work supports the Connecticut school climate law, effective July 1, 2025, which requires schools to adopt restorative practice response policies with the goal of improving school climate, strengthening relationships, and promoting positive student behavior and engagement. Please see the link for a parent-friendly infographic that provides more information about restorative practices and how they support a positive school community.

Congratulations to Charlie Montalbano and Michael Kauffman, this year's Unified Sports Partner & Athlete of the Year winners. They will be celebrated at this year's Unified Sports Banquet in May.

March 30 - April 3 (subject to change)

MONDAY, MARCH 30

Baseball & Softball practice 2:35 until 5 pm

Player/Parent and Coaches Meetings via livestream

Softball at 6 pm

Baseball at 6:45 pm

Note: These meetings are mandatory for all athletes and strongly request a parent/guardian attend. Meetings are livestreamed; Coach Mercaldi will send link out over the weekend.

TUESDAY, MARCH 31

Baseball & Softball practice 2:35 until 5 pm

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1

Baseball & Softball practice 2:35 until 5 pm

THURSDAY, APRIL 2

Baseball & Softball practice 2:35 until 5 pm

FRIDAY, APRIL 3

No Athletics!

Trivia Night at Rule of 3 Brewing!

Join us for a night of laughs, friendly competition, and great company — all for a great cause!

Friday, March 27

Rule of 3 Brewing

$15 per ticket

Form a team or join one when you arrive

Food trucks on site- Twin Beaks

Raffles & prizes

Everyone welcome

Grab your friends, test your trivia skills, and help support the Middle School PTO.

Buy tickets now:

https://square.link/u/CL1Qf6o6

Save up to 30% sitewide on all East Hampton spirit wear and get free shipping on orders over $85. Shop now before it’s gone: https://1stplace.sale/17567

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.

A message from the School Based Health Center:

School-based health centers help parents by getting their children help sooner, reducing transportation barriers, and working with families to get the care their children need.

Impact of Behavioral Health Services

Student Satisfaction Reports:

• Students report having a trusted adult makes them more likely to come to school.

• Improved peer relationships

• Improved communication with family members

• Increased ability to manage difficult situations

• Improved self-image

Clinical Observations:

• Improved relationships with peers

• Reduced self-harm

• Increased skills to manage difficult emotions

For more information - contact Lindsay DeFrancisco, LCSW

DeFranL@chc1.com

Enrollment form link:

https://www.sbhc1.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