Good afternoon,

We hope you’ve all had a wonderful week! Fourth quarter grades are now available in PowerSchool. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to connect with your child’s teacher.

Included in this post is a snapshot of our district calendar — it’s a busy time of year with many exciting events coming up! We hope this overview helps you stay informed and plan ahead.

Best,

Christina & Emily

Fri. April 25th - 27th - SAVE Promise Trip to Pennsylvania

Fri. May 2nd - 7th Grade Dance

Fri. May 9th - 7th Grade Field Trip to Mystic Aquarium

Wed. May 14th - EHMS Spring Concert at 6:30 EHHS Auditorium

Fri. May 16th - EHMS PTO Panther Prowl

Wed. May 21st - 8th Grade Capstone Convention

Fri. May 23rd - Early Release for Students

Student council is excited to announce that the 7th grade dance will take place on Friday, May 2nd from 6:00-7:30pm. The theme this year is Night in New York! In order to enter the dance, there is a $3 fee. We will be selling glow bands for $1 or glow bands can be obtained with a donation of a canned good. Donations will be given to our local food bank. We look forward to seeing everybody there! Any questions please reach out to our student council advisors (Taryn McCabe or Natalie Vickery).

A huge congratulations to this year’s EHEA TAP Award recipients: Mrs. Michalak, Mrs. Vasquez, and Mr. Shilansky!

These outstanding educators were chosen by their colleagues in recognition of their dedication, hard work, and daily impact on our students and the entire Panther community. We’re grateful for all they do!

At Monday night's Board of Education meeting we were excited to celebrate our CABE Student Leadership Award winners; Ethan Mortimer and Brooke Bellemare. We are so proud of them!

Sixth grade math students are currently exploring signed numbers in real-life contexts like temperature and elevation. They are learning terms such as positive, negative, rational numbers, opposites, absolute value, and inequalities. Students are plotting signed numbers on a number line and using their positions to compare values.

The quarter three 40 Book Challenge reading results are in….congratulations to Mrs. Gieras’s classes for reading the most books for this quarter! Top recommended books for this quarter included Normal by Magdalena and Nathaniel Newton and The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han.

Students in 7th grade have spent the last week learning about food chains and food webs in Science class. To prepare for our projects, we completed individual food chains and a class food web. Students used marine organisms including producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, apex predators, and decomposers to construct their own food webs in groups. Our ecosystems unit is an excellent connection to our upcoming Mystic Aquarium field trip, because students will be able to see their food webs in action as we travel through the amazing exhibits at the aquarium. Introducing food webs ahead of time allows the students to see the relationships among living and non-living organisms and how they interact with one another in real time!

It’s amazing how quickly spring has arrived, and with it comes so much to celebrate for our 8th graders! Below, you’ll find an overview of the important dates we have planned for our students this year. As each event approaches, we’ll be sharing more detailed information through ParentSquare.

Bracelets being sold at all lunch waves the week of April 18th to support the VFW - Bracelets $2, Stickers $1 and Patches $3

Online sales open.

Online sales close on April 18, 2025

Yearbook Cost: $25

$5 for your child’s name printed on the front cover (not available after 4/18/25)

$1 for each icon you add (not available after 4/18/25)

$30 after 4/18/25

Order online here

Cash or checks are also accepted

Please make checks payable to: EHMS

Paper forms are available in the main office.

There will be NO yearbook sales on the last day of school.

April 28 - May 2 (subject to change)

MONDAY, APRIL 28

Baseball 2:35 until 5 pm

Softball 2:35 until 5 pm

TUESDAY, APRIL 29

East Hampton baseball/softball at RHAM, 2:20 dismissal, 2:30 bus, 3:30 pm game.

Note: Baseball at RHAM middle school

Note: Softball at Veterans Park, across the street from RHAM MS.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30

Baseball 2:35 until 5 pm

Softball 2:35 until 5 pm

THURSDAY, MAY 1

McGee MS (Berlin) baseball/softball at East Hampton MS, 3:30 pm.

FRIDAY, MAY 2

No Practices!

Recently I have seen an increase in the number of students drinking energy drinks. Some come to see me after experiencing negative effects. I am providing some information related to consuming caffeine as a child/adolescent and some suggestions for healthier alternatives.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has stated that energy drinks are not appropriate for children and adolescents, due to the high levels of caffeine these drinks contain.

“While 400 milligrams of caffeine each day appears to be safe for most healthy adults, the amount of daily caffeine that would be considered safe in children is not known, and the AAP recommends limiting use in children,” says Green.

In addition, the AACAP recommends that children between the ages of 12 and 18 should not consume more than 100 milligrams of caffeine per day and should avoid energy drinks entirely.

Effects of Energy Drinks on Kids

Due to children’s developing brains, decreased impulse control (placing self-imposed limits) and smaller body sizes, they are more susceptible to the effects and risks of caffeine ingestion. Children who consume caffeine can have difficulty sleeping and may develop behavioral or mental health issues, such as increased aggression, anxiety, stress and depression. Energy drinks provide those same effects, along with the added negative effects of sugar.

Additional adverse outcomes — especially after too much consumption — may include:

Sleep disturbances

Agitation

Arrhythmias (abnormal heart beats)

Diarrhea

Feeling jittery

Seizures

Increased heart rate

High blood pressure

Rapid breathing

Dehydration

Anxiety and panic attacks

Healthy Alternatives

• Unsweetened coconut water
• Diluted 100% fruit juice
• Low-fat milk or milk alternatives

If your child needs electrolytes after sports practice, you can make your own sports drink. Mix 1/3 cup of 100% fruit juice with 2/3 cups of water and add a dash of salt. This offers a healthy dose of electrolytes without the added sugar.

Source: Johns Hopkins Hospital Stephanie Green MD, MS/ Raquel Hernandez MD, MPH

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Thank you!
Melanie King RN, BSN
East Hampton Middle School Nurse
mking@easthamptonct.org
860-365-4060 Ext 5

🎉 THE PANTHER PROWL is coming to EHMS! 🎉
FRIDAY, MAY 16 (Rain Date: May 23)
Fundraising started- get your student registered!!
Get ready for the most fun, inclusive, and exciting fundraiser of the year – and it’s so easy for families to participate!

✅ Nothing to sell.
✅ Nothing to buy.
✅ Just register, share, and collect pledges!

The EHMS PTO and PE Department are teaming up to bring students a fun-filled day of outdoor fitness and team-building activities — all while raising money to support our school!
Think Jog-a-thon meets Mini Field Day — it's going to be a blast!

💥 What Does the Panther Prowl Support?

Thanks to past fundraisers, we’ve been able to fund:

• School dances & field trips
• PE equipment
• PBIS programs (team building & morale boosters)
• Teacher mini-grants
• New courtyard benches & upgrades
• Programs for students and parents
• Field Day fun

This year, we’re aiming to raise $10,000 — and we need YOUR help!

🎁 PRIZES & RAFFLES GALORE!

• Every student who participates gets a prize!
• Top fundraising homeroom = class breakfast!
• Top student fundraiser = special free-time activity with friends!
• Raffles for awesome prizes at different pledge levels!

🎉 First Prize Alert:
This FRIDAY — the homeroom with the most registered students wins a classroom treat! Don’t wait — register today!

📲 HOW TO REGISTER & GET STARTED:

1. Visit: https://www.getmovinfundhub.com/register?school_uuid=6435ab27ddfe7
2. Use School Identifier: 6435ab27ddfe7
3. If you’re new to FundHub, register as a parent first, then add your student and choose their homeroom teacher.
4. Already have a FundHub account? Just log in, go to the Parent Dashboard, and “Add to New School.”
5. Share your student’s fundraising page via email & social media. Donors can choose to cover the fee so every dollar goes to EHMS!
6. Prefer to send in a check? Make it out to EHMS PTO and include your student’s name and homeroom.
7. Want a hand navigating the site? Click on Video Tutorial at the top of the Parent Dashboard.

🎯 Bonus Tip: Check if your employer matches donations — we can provide a donation letter and tax ID!

Let’s make this year’s Panther Prowl the best yet!
💙 THANK YOU for helping us reach our goal of $10,000!
Questions? Reach us anytime at ptoehms@gmail.com

Mrs. Gieras’ homeroom won the first Panther Prowl Fundraiser prize this morning for having the most students registered on the Donation Platform for the Prowl. They earned 20 points for grade 6 as well as chips and drinks during homeroom.

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.

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.

Below is a helpful handout for families as you engage in discussions around attendance with your children.

The East Hampton Board of Education and the school community as a whole promote a secure and productive school climate, conducive to teaching and learning that is free from threat, harassment, any type of bullying behavior, and teen dating violence. Therefore it shall be the policy of the Board that bullying and/or teen dating violence committed against a student by another student is prohibited. The Board believes that a school environment in which students feel safe, supported, engaged and helpfully challenged is optimal for learning and healthy development. The Board seeks an environment in which students and adults feel socially, emotionally, intellectually and physically safe; an environment that is free of harassment, intimidation, teen dating violence and bullying. Our website provides links to various policies and reporting forms including our Safe School Climate Plan. Hard copies are also available in our main office. If at any point you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to building administration for further assistance.

Happy New Year! Did you resolve to be more on top of your and your child’s health this year? Here’s an easy solution: Sign your child up for School-Based Health Care. Your child’s school works with Community Health Center, Inc.’s School-Based Health Care program to provide health services to your child during the school day. This means they won’t miss as much class and you don’t need to miss work to support their health care needs. Learn more about the services offered at your child’s school and enroll today at SBHC1.com!

All Sports Camp features several sports and recreation activities that campers can choose from, with both specific sports and team options as well as more relaxed, recreational options.
Our fees are more than reasonable, and our goal is to offer a summer camp that is affordable to any child that would like to attend and experience a fun and memorable summer camp. Families that have more than one child at camp always receive a discount.

The camp is directed by Coach Ruel (Memorial Elementary School PE Teacher), as well as local college graduates, local college student- athletes, and current high school student- athletes from area towns. Our Leadership Program also offers opportunities to Middle School and High School aged campers.

The camp runs July 21-25, 2025 at East Hampton High School from 8am- 5pm, with options to stay the whole day or parts of the day, there are 4 sessions daily with session 4 at Sears Park (bus transportation included in camp fee). The camp offers a great experience where all campers get personal attention, spend the whole day with their friends, and leave each day with great memories of fun, play, competition, and friendship! The camp director knows all the children that attend and whose goal is to make the week the best summer camp experience they have ever had!

Registration is through the East Hampton Park and Recreation Department and children from any town are more than welcome.

There is a 10% family discount for any additional children that register.
Contact Coach Ruel at Memorial Elementary School with any questions at all.
Location:
East Hampton High School and Sears Park
For:
Entering Grades 1 – 9
Cost:
1 session- $100
2 sessions- $150
3 sessions- $200
4 sessions- $225

Date:
Monday – Friday
July 21 – July 25
8:15AM – 5:00PM (8AM Early Drop Off)

SESSIONS
SESSION I
8:15AM--10:15AM- 1) Soccer, or 2) volleyball, badminton, and recreational games

SESSION II
10:30AM--12:30PM- 1) Basketball, or 2) Track & Field

LUNCH
12:30PM--1:00PM- (on school grounds)


SESSION III
1:00PM--3:00PM- 1) Baseball, or 2) Lacrosse, or 3) Tennis

SESSION IV
3:00PM--5PM- *Sears Park (swimming with Sears Park Lifeguards on duty), tennis, basketball, wiffleball, kickball, snack shack, etc.

*Campers are bused over to Sears Park after the completion of Session III. All campers going to session IV are picked up at Sears Park.

The attached bulletins below were developed through a collaborative effort among the Department of Children and Families, the Department Mental Health and Addiction Services, the Office of Child Advocate, the Department of Public Health, the State Department of Education, and the Governor's Office. The content includes information on suicide, helpful tips to support people of all ages, and where to go for additional support and resources.

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