The Panther Post

Good afternoon,

Wishing everyone a wonderful and relaxing long weekend! As we head into the final week of the third quarter, please feel free to contact teachers directly with any questions regarding your child’s progress. Looking ahead, students will jump into their final specials rotation on the Monday following Spring Recess.

Best,

Christina & Emily

Fri. April 3rd - No School for Students

Thu. April 9th - Empower Field Trip 6th Grade

Fri. April 10th - Student Council Meeting

Fri. April 10th - Pep Rally

Mon. April 13 - Fri. April 17th - Spring Break - No School

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

Online sale starts March 3, and ends April 10, 2026.

Yearbook Cost: $25

$5 for your child’s name printed on the front cover

$2 for each icon

Sales continue after 4/10/26 until all yearbooks are sold. Payment is cash or check ONLY. Personalization and icons are NOT available after 4/10/26.

Yearbook Cost: $30 after 4/10/26

Cash or checks accepted

Please make checks payable to: EHMS

Return form to Mrs. Buchan in the office.

Or

Order online

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 Tuesday, April 28th 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.

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 me if you have any questions regarding this process.

Sixth grade students have begun their final reading unit of the year, participating in book clubs centered on contemporary fiction that explores social issues such as bullying and poverty. Students have been especially engaged in their discussions, collaborating with peers to analyze character development and uncover emerging themes.

Our Grade 7 math students are currently working on solving equations using tape diagrams and have now begun exploring hanger diagrams. These visual models help students make sense of balancing equations by showing how quantities relate to one another in a clear, concrete way. This connects directly to real-life situations, such as figuring out how to split costs evenly, compare quantities, or determine unknown amounts when parts of a situation are known.

During advisory, students participated in a fun and engaging Ping Pong Team Challenge that focused on teamwork and creativity. Their goal was to move a ping pong ball around a circle as quickly as possible using only a piece of paper, which pushed them to communicate and solve problems together. Students experimented with different ways to fold and hold their paper to better control the ball and improve their time. The activity brought great energy to the room, and students had a lot of fun working together and celebrating their success.

Thank you to our Student Council Advisor Mrs. Vickery and our student representatives who helped to organize, decorate and run our 6th grade dance! Students had fun dancing and hanging out!

Since September, EHMS has started introducing restorative practices by using basic restorative circles in advisory and focusing on positive, relationship-building conversations that help students respectfully resolve conflict. This work supports the Connecticut school climate law, effective July 1, 2025, which requires schools to adopt restorative practice response policies with the goal of improving school climate, strengthening relationships, and promoting positive student behavior and engagement. Please see the link for a parent-friendly infographic that provides more information about restorative practices and how they support a positive school community.

APRIL 6 - APRIL 10 (Subject to change)

Note: uniforms to go out either Tuesday or Wednesday. If your son/daughter receives a uniform, then each family is required the pay-to-participate fee.

MONDAY, APRIL 6

Softball 2:35 until 5 pm

Baseball 2:35 until 5 pm

TUESDAY, APRIL 7

Softball 2:35 until 5 pm

Baseball 2:35 until 5 pm

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8

Softball 2:35 until 5 pm

Baseball 2:35 until 5 pm

THURSDAY, APRIL 9

Softball 2:35 until 5 pm

Baseball 2:35 until 5 pm

FRIDAY, APRIL 10 (pay to participate fee due)

Softball 2:35 until 5 pm

Baseball 2:35 until 5 pm

Save up to 30% sitewide on all East Hampton spirit wear and get free shipping on orders over $85. Shop now before it’s gone: https://1stplace.sale/17567

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.

All Sports Camp (ASC) 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, including some from area towns. Our Leadership Program also offers opportunities to Middle School and High School aged campers.

ASC camp runs from July 27-31, 2026 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 that are on staff, and whose goal is to make the week the best summer camp experience they've had!

Registration is through the East Hampton Park and Recreation Department, and children from any town are more than welcome to attend. There is a 10% family discount for any additional children that register.

For any Leadership Program information and registration, contact Coach Ruel directly at Memorial School.

Contact Coach Ruel at Memorial Elementary School with any questions at all.

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