The Panther Post

Good afternoon,

Thank you to all our parents who showed support during Teacher Appreciation Week. A BIG shoutout to our amazing EHMS PTO who supported surprises throughout the week for our staff. We are so grateful for our partnership with you. Students have worked so hard over the last few weeks during our Smarter Balanced Assessments. Next week we will be facilitating the Mathematics Computer Adaptive Test and Performance Task.

We would like to make families aware that fidgets, including larger fidget items and toys, have recently become a distraction in some classrooms. While certain classroom tools can support focus and learning, many items being brought to school are being used in ways that interfere with instruction and student attention.

To help maintain a productive learning environment, students are expected to keep toys and non-essential fidgets in their lockers during the school day unless otherwise directed by a teacher or included as part of a student support plan. Teachers will be reviewing and reinforcing these expectations with students.

We appreciate your support in helping students come to school prepared to focus on learning and minimizing distractions during instructional time.

We hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and Mother's Day!

Best,

Christina & Emily

Wed. May 13th - EHMS Spring Concert

Wed. May 20th - Memorial Day Activity

Fri. May 22nd - Early Release for Staff Professional Development

Mon. May 25th - No School for Students - Memorial Day

Thurs. May 28th - Capstone Convention 5:30

Fri. May 29th - Grade 7 Field Trip Essex

June 4th - Festival of Flight for Grade 6

June 5th - Panther Prowl - Whole School Field Day!

Last week, eighth-grade students celebrated the conclusion of their contemporary fiction unit with a Literary Food Truck Festival! Drawing on their understanding and inferences from the novels they read, students designed themed food trucks and brought in food to share while discussing their books with peers.

Students in Mrs. Painchaud’s class have been hard at work running the “Bad to the Bone Bakery,” baking homemade dog treats for staff members to take home and share with their furry friends. Staff then share with students pictures of their pets enjoying the hand-made treats!

See the link below for the Hartford Yardgoats Reading Challenge! We encourage students to participate and win tickets to a game! If you win, please send us a picture of you at a game! Pictures can be sent to Mrs. Amaral.

We hope our 7th grade students who attended the dance had an enjoyable night filled with fun and memories. A special thank you to our Student Council for planning and decorating for the event, and to the EHMS PTO for sponsoring snacks for students throughout the evening.

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

Jaksin Sandquist, Charlie Montalbano, Chanuk Kulatunga, Whimsy Brand, Emilia Luparia, Ava Kosek, Hunter Supinski, Brayden Valli, Islay Danaher, Fiona Coyne, Sulekha Salad & Ben Foulis

Students in 8th grade have been continuing to work on their Capstone projects. This past week was a Capstone Check In week where advisors met with students on their reliable sources and next steps on their projects.

The Capstone Convention will be held here at EHMS on Thursday, May 28th from 5:30-7:00pm. As we are about a month away from students showcasing their final projects, here are some FAQs:

What should students be doing to finish their projects?

• Students should be uploading evidence of what they have done for their projects into their Capstone Portfolio Google slideshow which can be found on their homeroom Google classrooms. Evidence can include photos, videos, screenshots, emails, graphs, charts, etc. of the hands-on work they have completed, and students should share their slideshow presentations with their families.

When is the Capstone Convention and when should students arrive?

• The convention will be held at EHMS on May 28th from 5:30-7:00pm and students should plan to arrive at 5pm to set up.

What should students be preparing for the Capstone Convention?

• Students may bring their charged chromebooks to display their Capstone Portfolio Google slideshow. They may also choose to bring in additional items to display. In the past, students have brought in: trifold posters with photos of their work, pamphlets, samples, models/prototypes, materials for demonstrations, etc.

What if a student cannot attend the convention?

• Students who cannot attend the convention should notify their homeroom advisors and make arrangements with administrators to present on another day and scheduled time.

We will be having a Town Hall meeting with 8th graders soon so they are clear on expectations as they work through the final month of their capstone work. Any questions, please reach out to your child's homeroom teacher.

Note: dismissal forms can be found on Parentsquare under links (lower right-hand side when on a computer). Forms should be submitted 24 hours in advance. Please make sure your child knows they are getting picked up after a game, helps the process when leaving for an away game.

Game and practice schedules can be found on Parentsquare calendar.

https://ciac.fpsports.org/

MAY 11 - MAY 15 (subject to change)

MONDAY, MAY 11

Cromwell MS at East Hampton MS, 3:30 pm start.

TUESDAY, MAY 12

East Hampton MS at Beman MS (Middletown), 2:20 dismissal, 2:30 bus, 3:45 pm game.

Site: Pat Kidney Fields

WEDNESDAY, MAY 13

Softball 2:35 until 5 pm

Baseball No practice

THURSDAY, MAY 14

Baseball 2:35 until 5 pm

Softball No practice

FRIDAY, MAY 15

East Hampton softball at Hale Ray, bus at 5:10 pm at EHMS, game is 6:30 pm.

Site: Hale Ray High School

Note: There is NO return bus, players and families are to arrange pickup after the game!

No study hall, softball players are to take bus home and return for 5:05 pm.

Note: Dismissal forms do not need to be filled out, but we ask that parents please walk over to the team after the game and check in with coaches before we release players, thank you.

Hale Ray MS baseball at East Hampton MS, game is 6:30 pm.

Note: Boys should return to EHMS dressed at 5:30 pm.

🎉 THE PANTHER PROWL is coming to EHMS! 🎉
FRIDAY, June 5th
Fundraising starts TODAY- 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 Field Day of outdoor fitness and team-building activities — all while raising money to support our school!
Think Jog-a-thon meets 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 coming MONDAY — 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

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