December 1, 2024

Dear Panther Parents and Guardians,

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving break filled with joy, rest, and time with loved ones. As we return to campus, we’re focusing on resetting and refocusing for a strong finish to the semester. Starting tomorrow, December 2nd, through December 20th, the following procedures will be in place to support a positive and structured environment:

• Inside Day Schedule: Students should leave footballs, basketballs, and volleyballs at home during this time. Outside days can be earned based on positive student behavior after December 20th.
• Entry Points:
  • Students should enter through Door 15 (bus loop) or the front door.
  • Door 5 will remain for staff entry only.
• New Student IDs: IDs will be distributed during 2nd period this week. To promote safety and accountability, students and staff must wear their IDs above the waist at all times.
• Morning Checks: During 1st period, we will check for dress code compliance and ensure phones are secured in pouches.

We appreciate your ongoing support in creating a focused and welcoming campus for our students. If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact the front office.

Thank you, and here’s to a successful start to December!

Warm regards,

Jacqulyn E. Bridge

Principal

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

What is Responsibility?

Responsibility is the willingness and ability to take ownership of our thoughts, words, and actions. We have a responsibility to our school, family, and community to be accountable for our choices and how they impact ourselves and others.

Why focus on Responsibility?

• Responsibility teaches resilience. It is not possible to persevere and achieve our dreams without taking personal responsibility seriously.
  
• Responsibility empowers us to own our actions. There is great power in being able to make conscious, calculated choices to reach goals and manage those things in our control.
• Responsibility teaches us to manage our time and resources. Responsibly organizing and prioritizing needs is an executive function of the brain that improves with practice.

Responsibility in Action:

• Give students roles and responsibilities. When students have a leadership role in class, they are accountable for contributing positively to the classroom culture.
  
• Empower students with self-management tools. Provide students with tools to help manage stress and impulsivity while motivating them to meet goals.
• Clearly communicate consequences. Empower students to make choices and experience the consequences of their actions, both positive and negative.

This weekend, AVID students from EHMS gathered to honor those who served our country by volunteering at the veterans cemetery. These students placed wreaths at the gravesites of fallen heroes, showing respect and gratitude for their sacrifices.

Through their actions, our AVID students embodied the values of leadership, community service, and remembrance—making a lasting impact not only on the lives of others but also on their own.

We are proud of these young leaders for giving their time to honor those who gave everything for our freedom.

Please use the following link to nominate a teacher for Teacher of the Month:

https://forms.office.com/r/nrsBizQymx

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.

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!

• December 12th- Winter Concert 7:30 PM Killeen HS
• January 25th – Region Choir Auditions All Day Belton HS
• February 8th- Region Clinic and Concert All Day Midway PAC
• March 7th- 6th Grade Festival 6:30 PM Killeen HS
• March 11th- Pre-UIL 6:30 PM Killeen HS
• March 27th- UIL Evaluation Time TBD Shoemaker
• March 28th-UIL Evaluation Time TBD Shoemaker
• April 26th- Solo and Ensemble all Day Nolan MS
• May 12th- Spring Concert 7:30 PM Killeen HS

• Winter Concert - December 5th at 6pm (KHS)
• KHS Cluster Pre-UIL - February 11th (KHS)
• KISD Pre-UIL - February 19-20 (CHS)
• UIL C&SR - March 4-6 (CHS)
• Solo & Ensemble - April 26th (LHMS)
• All Star Band - May 2-3 (EHS)
• Spring Concert - May 8th (KHS)

You're invited to the upcoming EHMS Orchestra Winter Concert on Tuesday, Dec. 10! It will take place in the EHMS cafeteria with the performance starting at 6 p.m. The concert is free and open to everyone. Come start your holidays with some festive music! Hope to see you there!

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.

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

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