Good afternoon,

It is hard to believe we have already reached spring break! It’s been a busy few months, and we are so proud of everything our students have accomplished. Thank you, as always, for being partners as we support your children. We hope this break gives you and your family a chance to relax, recharge, and enjoy some time together—whether you’re heading out of town or staying close to home.

We’ll see everyone back on April 21st, ready to finish the school year strong! Take care and have a fantastic spring break!

Best,

Christina & Emily

Mon. April 14th - 18th - Spring Recess No School

Mon. April 21st - Return from spring recess

Fri. April 25th - 27th - SAVE Promise Trip to Pennsylvania

Fri. May 2nd - 7th Grade Dance

Fri. May 9th - 7th Grade Field Trip to Mystic Aquarium

Wed. May 14th - EHMS Spring Concert at 6:30 EHHS Auditorium

Fri. May 16th - EHMS PTO Panther Prowl

Wed. May 21st - 8th Grade Capstone Convention

Fri. May 23rd - Early Release for Students

As Spring and the end of the year approaches, we will reflect with our students on their growth both personally and academically. In the coming months, we will also measure student performance formally through the Smarter Balanced Assessment in Mathematics, English Language Arts & Science.

Students have had regular exposure throughout the school year to the content and skills specific to grade-level standards measured by the assessments, the critical-thinking and problem-solving skills embedded in the assessments, and the technology and assessment platform on which they will be assessed. Assessment schedules are structured to limit the amount of time students are assessed on any given day. Students are given all of the time they need to complete the assessment to their satisfaction. As a result, testing schedules are flexible and responsive to student needs.

Through our district assessments, we have been supporting students by cultivating a positive culture where students are encouraged to do their best and proudly show what they know. We will continue the same support as we prepare students for Smarter Balanced. The Smarter Balanced Assessments include the English Language Arts and Mathematics Computer Adaptive Tests and the Mathematics Performance Task. Students in grade 8 will also be administered the Next Generation Science Standards Test. The assessments will begin on Wednesday, April 23rd with the English Language Arts Computer Adaptive Test.

We anticipate that both the preparation for the assessment and the assessment schedule will help students feel comfortable and allow them to perform at their best. We encourage strong attendance during the testing days along with healthy habits, including appropriate rest and daily breakfast. Cell phone and smartwatches are not allowed to be in the testing locations. Students are to follow the school rules in keeping those devices in their lockers.

This assessment information is only one measure of our students and their impressive efforts this year. We consider multiple data points when considering student progress and planning for instruction. This is a critical tool for this ongoing work and we appreciate your partnership as we gather information about our students at the conclusion of another year.

As always, please contact us if you have any questions regarding this process.

Seventh graders are wrapping up their historical fiction unit with a creative project. Each student is writing a letter to the main character from their novel, reflecting on how the character has changed, what they’ve learned, and how the historical setting influenced their journey.

Student council is excited to announce that the 7th grade dance will take place on Friday, May 2nd from 6:00-7:30pm. The theme this year is Night in New York! In order to enter the dance, there is a $3 fee. We will be selling glow bands for $1 or glow bands can be obtained with a donation of a canned good. Donations will be given to our local food bank. We look forward to seeing everybody there! Any questions please reach out to our student council advisors (Taryn McCabe or Natalie Vickery).

Below are students who have received Positive Office Referrals for their behaviors that have exemplified our PBIS pillars of Respect, Responsibility, Compassion and Pride. Students were able to choose a reward from our menu of options like eating outside with friends! Great job!

7th Graders

Kayleigh Doll, Jenna Sandquist, Keegan King, Will Muzzy, Quinn Paiva

8th Graders

Bella Sypek and Emma Kissane

Our Student Council organized their very first student event—a 6th Grade Dance! With a fun Pajama Party theme, students enjoyed a night of music, laughter, and quality time with friends. We were lucky to have 7th grader Nick Dudek as our DJ, who kept the energy high all evening. Student Council members also took charge of decorating and led a canned food drive to support the East Hampton Food Bank

Our 6th graders had an exciting and energizing day out on their recent field trip! The adventure was held at Herd Park, where students enjoyed the fresh air, open space, and time to relax and play together. We partnered with Empower for team-building activities that challenged our students to communicate, collaborate, and think creatively.

Seventh grade math students are using vertical boards to practice and review their equation-solving skills.

It’s amazing how quickly spring has arrived, and with it comes so much to celebrate for our 8th graders! Below, you’ll find an overview of the important dates we have planned for our students this fall. As each event approaches, we’ll be sharing more detailed information through ParentSquare.

Online sales open.

Online sales close on April 18, 2025

Yearbook Cost: $25

$5 for your child’s name printed on the front cover (not available after 4/18/25)

$1 for each icon you add (not available after 4/18/25)

$30 after 4/18/25

Order online here

Cash or checks are also accepted

Please make checks payable to: EHMS

Paper forms are available in the main office.

There will be NO yearbook sales on the last day of school.

April 21 - April 25 (subject to change)

MONDAY, APRIL 21

Baseball 2:35 until 5 pm

Softball 2:35 until 5 pm

TUESDAY, APRIL 22

Beman MS (Middletown) baseball/softball at East Hampton MS, 4 pm game start.

Note: team picture, practice players show up in team shirts.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23

Baseball 2:35 until 5 pm

Softball 2:35 until 5 pm

THURSDAY, APRIL 24

East Hampton baseball/softball at Cromwell MS, 2:20 dismissal, 2:30 bus, 3:30 pm game.

Note: Softball at Woodside Elementary School.

FRIDAY, APRIL 25

Portland baseball at East Hampton MS, 3:30 pm game start.

Softball practice 2:35 until 5 pm

Recently I have seen an increase in the number of students drinking energy drinks. Some come to see me after experiencing negative effects. I am providing some information related to consuming caffeine as a child/adolescent and some suggestions for healthier alternatives.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has stated that energy drinks are not appropriate for children and adolescents, due to the high levels of caffeine these drinks contain.

“While 400 milligrams of caffeine each day appears to be safe for most healthy adults, the amount of daily caffeine that would be considered safe in children is not known, and the AAP recommends limiting use in children,” says Green.

In addition, the AACAP recommends that children between the ages of 12 and 18 should not consume more than 100 milligrams of caffeine per day and should avoid energy drinks entirely.

Effects of Energy Drinks on Kids

Due to children’s developing brains, decreased impulse control (placing self-imposed limits) and smaller body sizes, they are more susceptible to the effects and risks of caffeine ingestion. Children who consume caffeine can have difficulty sleeping and may develop behavioral or mental health issues, such as increased aggression, anxiety, stress and depression. Energy drinks provide those same effects, along with the added negative effects of sugar.

Additional adverse outcomes — especially after too much consumption — may include:

Sleep disturbances

Agitation

Arrhythmias (abnormal heart beats)

Diarrhea

Feeling jittery

Seizures

Increased heart rate

High blood pressure

Rapid breathing

Dehydration

Anxiety and panic attacks

Healthy Alternatives

• Unsweetened coconut water
• Diluted 100% fruit juice
• Low-fat milk or milk alternatives

If your child needs electrolytes after sports practice, you can make your own sports drink. Mix 1/3 cup of 100% fruit juice with 2/3 cups of water and add a dash of salt. This offers a healthy dose of electrolytes without the added sugar.

Source: Johns Hopkins Hospital Stephanie Green MD, MS/ Raquel Hernandez MD, MPH

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Thank you!
Melanie King RN, BSN
East Hampton Middle School Nurse
mking@easthamptonct.org
860-365-4060 Ext 5

The PANTHER PROWL is Coming Soon!

THE MOST FUN AND LARGEST FUNDRAISER OF THE YEAR
SO EASY FOR PARENTS - NOTHING TO BUY - JUST REGISTER, SHARE, PLEDGE

Be on the lookout for communication after spring break!

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.

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.

Below is a helpful handout for families as you engage in discussions around attendance with your children.

The East Hampton Board of Education and the school community as a whole promote a secure and productive school climate, conducive to teaching and learning that is free from threat, harassment, any type of bullying behavior, and teen dating violence. Therefore it shall be the policy of the Board that bullying and/or teen dating violence committed against a student by another student is prohibited. The Board believes that a school environment in which students feel safe, supported, engaged and helpfully challenged is optimal for learning and healthy development. The Board seeks an environment in which students and adults feel socially, emotionally, intellectually and physically safe; an environment that is free of harassment, intimidation, teen dating violence and bullying. Our website provides links to various policies and reporting forms including our Safe School Climate Plan. Hard copies are also available in our main office. If at any point you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to building administration for further assistance.

Happy New Year! Did you resolve to be more on top of your and your child’s health this year? Here’s an easy solution: Sign your child up for School-Based Health Care. Your child’s school works with Community Health Center, Inc.’s School-Based Health Care program to provide health services to your child during the school day. This means they won’t miss as much class and you don’t need to miss work to support their health care needs. Learn more about the services offered at your child’s school and enroll today at SBHC1.com!

All Sports Camp features several sports and recreation activities that campers can choose from, with both specific sports and team options as well as more relaxed, recreational options.
Our fees are more than reasonable, and our goal is to offer a summer camp that is affordable to any child that would like to attend and experience a fun and memorable summer camp. Families that have more than one child at camp always receive a discount.

The camp is directed by Coach Ruel (Memorial Elementary School PE Teacher), as well as local college graduates, local college student- athletes, and current high school student- athletes from area towns. Our Leadership Program also offers opportunities to Middle School and High School aged campers.

The camp runs July 21-25, 2025 at East Hampton High School from 8am- 5pm, with options to stay the whole day or parts of the day, there are 4 sessions daily with session 4 at Sears Park (bus transportation included in camp fee). The camp offers a great experience where all campers get personal attention, spend the whole day with their friends, and leave each day with great memories of fun, play, competition, and friendship! The camp director knows all the children that attend and whose goal is to make the week the best summer camp experience they have ever had!

Registration is through the East Hampton Park and Recreation Department and children from any town are more than welcome.

There is a 10% family discount for any additional children that register.
Contact Coach Ruel at Memorial Elementary School with any questions at all.
Location:
East Hampton High School and Sears Park
For:
Entering Grades 1 – 9
Cost:
1 session- $100
2 sessions- $150
3 sessions- $200
4 sessions- $225

Date:
Monday – Friday
July 21 – July 25
8:15AM – 5:00PM (8AM Early Drop Off)

SESSIONS
SESSION I
8:15AM--10:15AM- 1) Soccer, or 2) volleyball, badminton, and recreational games

SESSION II
10:30AM--12:30PM- 1) Basketball, or 2) Track & Field

LUNCH
12:30PM--1:00PM- (on school grounds)


SESSION III
1:00PM--3:00PM- 1) Baseball, or 2) Lacrosse, or 3) Tennis

SESSION IV
3:00PM--5PM- *Sears Park (swimming with Sears Park Lifeguards on duty), tennis, basketball, wiffleball, kickball, snack shack, etc.

*Campers are bused over to Sears Park after the completion of Session III. All campers going to session IV are picked up at Sears Park.

The attached bulletins below were developed through a collaborative effort among the Department of Children and Families, the Department Mental Health and Addiction Services, the Office of Child Advocate, the Department of Public Health, the State Department of Education, and the Governor's Office. The content includes information on suicide, helpful tips to support people of all ages, and where to go for additional support and resources.

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