The Panther Post

Good afternoon,

During FLEX today, students participated in a Smarter Balanced “dress rehearsal” to help them understand expectations and feel prepared as we begin the ELA Smarter Balanced assessment next Tuesday. We encouraged students to get a good night’s rest, eat a healthy breakfast, and put forth their best effort each day. Students have worked hard this year and should feel proud to show what they know. As a reminder, students should bring wired headphones for the assessment. Since cell phones remain in lockers, smartwatches are also not permitted during testing and should be stored in lockers as well.

Additionally, third quarter report cards will be shared with families digitally next week. I will send a ParentSquare message once they have been released.

Best,

Christina & Emily

Fri. May 1st - 7th Grade Dance 6:00 - 7:30

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 - Festival of Flight for 6th Grade

Congratulations to this year’s Teacher Appreciation honorees—Mrs. Aiken, Mrs. DeLauro, and Mrs. Mannino. Each year, staff members recognize colleagues who exemplify dedication and commitment to our school community and the profession. Well done!

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

Abigail Tinney, Olivia Luparia, Juliana Aresco, Madison Connors, Clara Foulis, Danny Arndt, Brooke Hawes, Savannah Cardillo, Kenzy Lumbra, Natalie Dean, Issac Chase, Ashley Phillips, Connor Chretien & Hunter Ellis

Sixth grade math students are learning how exponents work and building a solid foundation with this concept. They are applying this understanding as they begin working with the order of operations, supporting their growth in solving more complex problems.

8th grade students completed a Graffiti Wall and Power Map project in which they analyzed symbols, themes, and characters from their contemporary fiction novels. Through this work, students demonstrated their ability to make connections between textual elements and broader ideas within the text. The project also provided an opportunity for students to visually represent their thinking and engage in deeper discussion with their peers.

Students in Mrs. Wosleger’s class supported Earth Day this week by cleaning up areas outside of the building. Their efforts not only helped beautify our school grounds, but also reinforced the importance of environmental stewardship and taking pride in our shared spaces. Students worked collaboratively, demonstrating responsibility and care for their community while making a positive impact.

SAVE Promise Club along with the advisors, Mrs. Mercaldi and Mrs. Vasquez, proudly participated in National Youth Violence Prevention Week, a student-led initiative focused on promoting safety and kindness in our schools and communities. Throughout the week, students engaged in daily activities that highlighted positive choices, inclusivity, and standing up against violence. Founded in 2001, this national campaign empowered youth to take an active role in creating safer, more supportive environments for everyone. Below is a picture of some of our Panther Ambassador members decorating our outdoor walkway entrances so students received positive messages when coming into school this week.

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.

APRIL 27-March 1 (subject to change)

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.

Also can be found on https://ciac.fpsports.org/

MONDAY, APRIL 27

Softball 2:35 until 5 pm

Baseball 2:35 until 5 pm

TUESDAY, APRIL 28

East Hampton at Cromwell, 2:20 dismissal, 2:30 bus, 3:30 pm game.

Note: Baseball at Cromwell middle school field

Note: Softball at Cromwell middle school field

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29

Softball 2:35 until 5 pm

Baseball 2:35 until 5 pm

THURSDAY, APRIL 30

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

Note: Baseball at RHAM middle school

Note: Softball at Veterans Park (across the street from schools)

FRIDAY, MARCH 1

Softball 2:35 until 5 pm

Baseball 2:35 until 5 pm

Please join at our next PTO meeting - Wednesday 4/29 @ 5:30 in Library

Below is information on our Restaurant Night at Po's - Thursday 4/30- eat in or take out all day

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