October 20, 2024

Dear Panther Parents and Guardians,

I hope you and your family had a restful and enjoyable fall break! We are thrilled to welcome our panthers back this week and continue the exciting journey of learning and growth.

As we dive into the rest of October, we are also eagerly looking forward to one of our favorite community events—our annual Trunk or Treat! This fun-filled event will take place on Friday, October 25th, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. It's a great opportunity for families to come together, dress up in costumes, and enjoy an evening of safe trick-or-treating right here at school.

We encourage you to join us. There will be candy, prizes, and plenty of fun for all!

Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing everyone back in school this week and at the Trunk or Treat!

Warm regards,

Jacqulyn E. Bridge

Principal

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

What does it mean to Self-Direct?

Self-Direction is the ability and learned skill to cast a vision of future goals and then take intentional steps toward who, where, and what we want to be. Instead of focusing on things to control or avoid, we emphasize our responsibility to make positive choices related to our emotions, attitudes, and actions.

Why focus on Self-direction?

• Self-direction strengthens relationships. Self-direction helps to grow social skills and develop meaningful, positive relationships with others.
• Self-direction teaches personal responsibility. Learning to self-direct teaches students to take responsibility for their own actions.
• Self-direction helps us to regulate emotions: Self-direction empowers students to regulate their impulses and emotional responses to situations and circumstances in their life.
  
  

Self-Direction in Action:

• Practice goal setting and action planning. When we establish goals and develop action plans, we learn to take intentional steps to successfully achieve goals.
• Monitor and adjust. Provide students with regular feedback and opportunities to self-assess progress toward goals to make adjustments and improvements in their behaviors.
• Reflect and evaluate. Facilitate discussions and reflection to prompt students to examine what they do, think, and say against their goals and vision for their life and learning.

KISD is hosting a bullying awareness/prevention event on October 23. The event includes a parent panel discussion (9 a.m.) and family engagement activities (5 p.m.). Doors open at 9 a.m. at JPLC in conference room D.

Impact Aid Surveys were sent out by email on September 13. Please complete the short survey ASAP. If you did not receive the email or have additional questions, please email impactaid@killeenisd.org.

Thank you for your prompt attention to these forms and for your continued support of our school community.

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 Mathia 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 Mathia 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!

• October 26th- Middle School Region Camp Girls 8 AM- 11 AM Boys 12 PM- 3 PM Nolan MS
• 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)

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