EMS Gazette

Dear EMS Families,

It was truly heartwarming to see so many of our students and families at our EMS Open House! The energy, excitement, and sense of community throughout the building was wonderful to experience. There is something truly special about watching our hallways come alive as students reconnect with friends, meet their teachers, and families become part of our school community.

Thank you for taking the time to join us. Your presence sends a powerful message to your children that their education, their school, and their success matter. We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with you as we begin another school year.

As a school, we are committed to creating a place where every student feels seen, valued, safe, and cared for each day. We know that middle school is an important time of growth and change, and we are honored to walk alongside your children as they learn, discover who they are, build relationships, and find their strengths.

Please know that our doors are always open, and we value your partnership. Together, we can make this a year filled with connection, growth, joy, and success for every EMS student.

Thank you for sharing your children with us. We are so excited for the year ahead!

As always, if you have any questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to contact our office at 410-822-2910. We can't wait to start the 2026 school year!

Sincerely,

Principal Kelly Clausen

Instruction at Easton Middle School begins promptly at 7:45 a.m. Students are expected to be in their first-period classroom and ready to learn by 7:45 a.m. Students who are not in class by 7:45 a.m. will be marked tardy.

• School doors open: 7:30 a.m.
• Instruction begins: 7:45 a.m.
• Student dismissal: 2:26 p.m.

Students may be dropped off at the front of the school before 7:30 a.m.; however, school doors will remain closed until 7:30 a.m. School staff will be outside beginning at 7:30 a.m. to supervise students as they enter the building.

We encourage families to help their students develop strong routines that allow them to arrive at school on time and ready to learn each day. Being on time not only helps students avoid being marked tardy, but also ensures they do not miss important instruction and the start of their school day.

Good attendance and being on time are vital to student learning and success. Thank you for partnering with us to help your student make the most of every school day!

The TCPS Transportation Department has finalized bus routes for families who opted in for bus transportation by July 31.

If you did not opt in by the July 31 deadline, you may still request bus transportation for your student. However, please be aware that transportation will not be in place for the first week of school for newly submitted requests.

If you would like to request transportation or have questions about the process, please contact EMS for additional information. We will be happy to help you understand the next steps.

At Easton Middle School, student safety is always our top priority. We need everyone’s cooperation to make morning arrival safe, efficient, and smooth for all students and families.

🚗 Please Pull ALL the Way Forward

When you enter the car rider loop, please pull forward as far as possible before stopping to drop off your student.

Do not stop at the entrance of the loop if there is space available farther ahead. We need cars to use the entire length of the car rider loop so that as many students as possible can be dropped off at one time.

This is one of the most important ways families can help us keep traffic moving, prevent backups, and make arrival safer for everyone.

• Pull forward as far as possible.
• Drop students off only in the designated area in front of the school.
• Students should exit from the passenger side of the vehicle.
• Please have students ready to exit quickly and safely.

🚨 IMPORTANT: EXITING THE CAR RIDER LOOP

ALL VEHICLES MUST TURN RIGHT when leaving the car rider loop.

Please do not turn left when exiting the loop. Following this traffic pattern is essential to maintaining a safe and orderly flow of traffic.

We know that morning drop-off can be busy, and we sincerely appreciate your patience and cooperation. When every family follows these procedures—especially pulling all the way forward—we can move more cars through the loop, reduce traffic backups, and create a safer arrival for every EMS student.

Thank you for partnering with us and making student safety our shared priority!

Please have your students keep their large headphones (Beats) at home. They will not need them here at school.

Since we will begin school with warmer weather, please be mindful of appropriate attire for school.

Please review the student dress code AR 10.15 from the Board of Education Policies below:

https://tcpsk12.community.diligentoneplatform.com/home/public/document/9559

For safety reasons, tennis shoes/sneakers are required for all P.E. classes and Team Sports at Easton Middle School. Crocs, sandals, boots, and other non-athletic footwear are not allowed. They can cause slips, trips, and falls during physical activity and do not provide proper support.

Students are welcome to bring athletic shoes to change into before P.E. if they prefer to wear different shoes during the school day. Thank you for helping us keep students safe, active, and ready to participate!

TCPS has implemented a “no cell, bell to bell” regulation for 2026-2027. Students in all grade levels will not be permitted to use cell phones, smartwatches, headphones, earbuds, or other personal communication devices during the school day.

This change is in response to the Maryland Phone-Free Schools Act, which was passed during the 2026 Maryland General Assembly. Across the country, schools where phone-free policies have been implemented have noted many improved outcomes, including less distraction, less cyberbullying, fewer fights, increased engagement, improved attendance, and healthier school environments overall.

Please note that exceptions may be made, including for documented medical needs or approved accommodations. As is the case at Easton Middle and St. Michaels Middle schools, consequences for non-compliance without approved exceptions are as follows:

• First Offense- Phone is taken to the office, and the student can pick it up at the end of the day.

• Second Offense- Phone is taken to the office, and the parent has to pick it up.

• Third Offense- Office referral, and the parent has to pick the phone up.

• Fourth Offense- Office referral. Students are required to turn in their phones to the office daily for the remainder of the quarter.

This is aligned with the TCPS Student Code of Conduct. Parents/Guardians are encouraged to discuss digital device expectations and review the TCPS Student Code of Conduct with students before the start of the 2026-2027 school year. We appreciate your support and partnership with these expectations.

We are implementing revisions to our Student Attendance Administrative Regulation 10.2 to comply with Maryland Law.

1 - Since family vacations have always been unexcused absences, TCPS will no longer have an internal code or approval process for family vacations. In accordance with Maryland Law (COMAR 13A.08.01.03-.04), these absences can only be coded as unexcused.

2 - The state has instituted a new absence code for students participating in civic engagement. These absences will be excused with prior authorization by school administration.

3 - TCPS will no longer count six tardies as one unexcused absence.

4 - The state does not recognize tardies as excused or unexcused, so we will not code those as such. They will simply be coded as a tardy.

5 - If a student has a chronic illness, absences will no longer be classified as CHIPS (Chronic Health Impairment for Students). Families will need to talk to their school counselor and complete the Home/Hospital process for intermittent services. This will ensure that students suffering from chronic health issues continue to receive educational services.

Please carefully review the updated Student Attendance Administrative Regulation linked here: Policy Code 10.2 AR

Over the past year, TCPS has conducted a comprehensive review of its grading practices in collaboration with teachers, administrators, and families. Informed by district data, research, community feedback, and grading simulations, TCPS will implement the following new grading practices for the 2026-2027 school year.

Key Shifts in Grades 6-12

Grading Weight

• Formative weight: previously 30% of the reported grade, now 40% of the reported grade.

• Summative weight: previously 70% of the reported grade, now 60% of the reported grade.

Grading Scale (6-12)

Grades 6-12 use a hybrid model: traditional letter grades (A+ through F, including I and M for incomplete or missing), paired with a 4-point quality scale, with no artificial floor on individual assignment scores (minimum “50% as the floor grading” is eliminated).

For more information on the grading scale, please visit this additional resource.

Other Key Changes:

Every unit must include formative assessment(s) before the related summative, covering all the same learning outcomes, with adequate time for feedback and reteaching first.

Why: Ensures students have practiced and received feedback on a skill before being formally evaluated on a summative assessment.

Teachers must keep gradebooks current, entering grades within 5 school days of submission (up to 8 school days for lengthy summatives like major projects, labs, or essays, if communicated in advance).

Why: Keeps grade information current so students and families can respond quickly, and sets a consistent, predictable timeline for feedback across all teachers and schools.

Grades cannot be disproportionately entered near the end of a marking period in a way that significantly changes a student's grade, without prior documentation and communication with the family.

Why: Avoids last-minute grade surprises and keeps families informed early enough to provide support.

Missing or incomplete formative work can be submitted for full credit if completed before the related summative. Students present on a summative's due date must complete it that day or within 5 school days, unless the teacher approves an exception. However, tests must be completed on the day of administration if the student is present.

Why: Encourages students to complete practice while still holding a firm, fair line on summative timeliness so grades reflect actual mastery.

Reteaching/reassessment applies to formative work only: mandatory for a D+ or below, available upon request for a C- or above. It must happen before the related summative, within the same marking period. Summative assessments and final exams are not eligible for reassessment, except for verified extenuating circumstances or principal approval.

Why: Gives every student a path to mastery while a skill is still being built, without opening the door to endless retakes on final assessments — preserving the integrity of summative grades.

New Safety Screening at Fall Athletic Events

Beginning with the 2026 fall athletic season, Talbot County Public Schools will pilot a weapons detection screening system at all varsity football games at Easton High School and all varsity soccer games at St. Michaels Middle High School.

As part of this enhanced safety measure, all spectators will be subject to security screening prior to entering the venue. If additional screening is needed, a handheld security wand may also be used. Student spectators are not permitted to bring backpacks, book bags, or other large bags into the venue. Bags carried by adult spectators are permitted but are subject to security screening and inspection.

To help make entry quick and efficient, families and guests are encouraged to arrive early, limit personal items, and follow the directions of event staff and security personnel.

We appreciate the cooperation of our families and community as we implement this additional safety measure and work together to provide a safe, welcoming, and enjoyable environment for our students and spectators.

• 24th- First Day of School for Students
• 28th- House Sorting for 6th Grade and Pep Rallies

September:

• 7th- Labor Day (No School)

• 16th- Eighth Grade Assembly
• 18th- Early Dismissal for Students (11:15) Afternoon Teacher Inservice

• 25th- Quarter 1 Interim Ends

Students are invited to stay after school with staff on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2:25 to 2:55 PM for “Level Up” -a dedicated time to focus on academic support, catch up on assignments, or explore enrichment opportunities.

Whether your child needs help in a specific subject or is ready to extend their learning, this is a great time to get personalized support in a quiet, focused setting.

We encourage all students to take advantage of this opportunity!

To help teachers plan effectively, students are encouraged to communicate in advance if they intend to stay for Level Up.

To help keep you informed throughout the year, the EMS Gazette will continue to serve as our primary family newsletter. It will be distributed monthly via email and text message, so please make sure we have your most up-to-date contact information.

To receive text messages from Easton Middle School, simply opt in by opening your text messaging app, entering 67587 as the recipient, and texting "YES". This will ensure you receive important school updates and reminders throughout the year.

You can also stay connected by following Easton Middle School on Facebook for the latest announcements, reminders, celebrations, and school news.

One of the best ways to stay informed about your student’s grades and attendance is by regularly checking PowerSchool.

PowerSchool offers convenient notifications when a new grade is posted or when your student is late or absent.

If you're unsure how to access PowerSchool, just call the school and ask to speak with your child’s school counselor—they'll be happy to help you get started.

EMS will provide all classroom supplies for our students.

Optional Classroom Donations

If you would like to donate any of the supplies listed below for our classroom teachers, please feel free to drop them off at EMS or bring them with you to our Open House on August 20th.

• Pack of pencils
• Loose-leaf paper
• Boxes of tissues
• Disinfecting wipes (such as Clorox wipes)
• Dry-erase markers
• Hand sanitizer

As a Community School, EMS is more than just a place of learning—we’re a hub for support, connection, and growth. We partner with families and local organizations to offer resources that support your child’s academic success and overall well-being. From after-school programs to health services and family events, we’re here to walk alongside you every step of the way.

We’re excited to partner with you for a great school year ahead! Please reach out to Mrs. Shelby Parks if you are in need of specific support. 410-822-2910

Principal-

Mrs. Kelly Clausen

Administrator- Mrs. Ashley Quicke

Counselor- Mrs. Ann Nilsen

7th Grade-

Administrator- Mrs. Kierra Farrare

Counselor- Mrs. Kindel Kimball

8th Grade-

Administrator- Mr. Logan Kurtz

Counselor- Mrs. Rachael Kerr

Building Manager- Ms. Courtney Hurley

Community School Facilitator- Mrs. Shelby Parks

Community School Liaison- Ms. Eugenia Colon

Interpreter- Ms. Michele Palacios

Math Coach- Mrs. Crystal Wilson

Reading Coach- Mr. Greg Jones

Nurse- Mrs. Bernadette Golt

Assistant Principal- Ashley Quicke

Assistant Principal - Kierra Farrare

Assistant Principal - Logan Kurtz

Email: kelly.clausen@talbotschools.org
Website: www.tcps.k12.md.us/schools/EMS
Location: 201 Peachblossom Road, Easton, MD, USA
Phone: 410-822-2910
Facebook: www.facebook.com/EMSpantherpage