Dear Students, Parents, Guardians and Friends:

Welcome to the Easton Middle School! We hope that you have enjoyed a safe and relaxing summer. We have been preparing for a safe and full return, after the disruption caused by Covid-19. As always, we are energized to begin a new school year and welcome both new and returning students to the wonderful school community we have established. I will continue to work with staff, parents, and students to create positive and productive learning experiences. The summer has been busy at EMS, with a successful summer enrichment program, specialized programs, committees working to hire some amazing new teachers, and the planning to provide the safest learning experience possible as we take additional steps towards providing students the best middle school experience, including a return of afterschool clubs and activities.

We are welcoming new faculty and staff in all grades. We continue to reorganize and implement new curriculum and create additional new opportunities for students. New opportunities this year include volleyball and wrestling. We are returning to our rotating schedule that embraces the teaming model and will help provide the best developmentally appropriate experience for our middle school students. There will be a strong emphasis placed on relationships and social/emotional well-being in the first month of school. Our priority in the first month of school is to give every student a sense of belonging in our school community. Student attendance will be a crucial component for helping to create this renewed sense of belonging.

Our mission at EMS is to recognize the unique needs of the middle

school student, while providing a safe and respectful learning environment that inspires students to “Make Their Mark.” Our core values encourage students to leave their “pawprint” of excellence within the school community, while emphasizing that the ability for all students to learn is not fixed; it can change through effort and perseverance. The first day of school for all students in grades 6, 7, and 8 is scheduled for Wednesday, September 1st. We look forward to greeting everyone and hope to make the transitions; from summer to fall, from grade to grade, and from school to school, as smooth as possible.

Students are expected to be present in their homeroom/period one class on the first day of school, and every day thereafter, by 7:55 AM. The seven-period school day ends with dismissal at 2:25 PM. Teachers and staff members will be present in the corridors before school, during passing times and after school to help students navigate the building.

Easton Middle School NewsletterA MESSAGE FROM MR. CARROLL

Volume 21 Issue 1 August 2021

All Students Will Have

Chromebook and Agenda

Books!

Schedules/Team placementsSchedules will be available for all students through the Aspen Family and Student Portal on Aug. 25th at 5:00 PM Please watch the US mail for your new usernames and passwords by Aug. 23rd.

We are committed to finding innovative ways to engage parents in their children’s education. EMS will keep you informed through the school website, the Aspen parent portal, google classroom, Twitter, and Instagram. Teacher web pages and academic information specific to your child is available through the Aspen student operating system.https://ma-easton.myfollett.com/aspen/logon.do https://twitter.com/eastonmiddle http://instagram.com/eastonmiddle/

The Parent Advisory Council (PAC) holds monthly meetings. The hour-long meetings are organized and informative; new members are always welcome! There are two important upcoming events to help you prepare for the new school year. First, EMS will be open for new student tours on Friday, August 27th. Peer Assistant Leaders will be available to answer questions and give tours of the building. This will be helpful to all students but most definitely designed to ease the grade six transition. The following are the suggested arrival times, to limit overcrowding.

Incoming Grade 6 Student Tour Arrival Times:● Stearns/Bogan Team 9:00 AM Arrival Time● Rizzi/MacLeod(Roh) Team 9:30 AM Arrival Time● Mladenoff/Davidner Team 10:00 AM Arrival Time● Whalen/Goldman Team 10:30 AM Arrival Time● Blais/Folan Team 11:00 AM Arrival Time● Sayer/Foote Team 11:30 AM Arrival Time

Incoming and New Grade 7 Student Arrival Time● All Grade 7 Teams 10:00 AM

Incoming and New Grade 8 Student Arrival Time● All Grade 8 Teams 11:00 AM

Secondly, a “Back to School Night” has been scheduled for each grade level. Parents are invited to meet teachers and to hear about their individual courses. ~ Grade 6: Wednesday, September 22nd from 6:30 to 8:30 PM ~ Grade 7: Tuesday, September 21st & Grade 8: Tuesday, September 28th from 6:30 to 8:30 PM

As we begin the 2021-2022 school year, we will continue the traditions that have long connected the community of Easton and the Middle School. We are ready to embrace these ever changing and new challenges, anticipate new possibilities and celebrate new achievements! As always, feel free to speak with me at 508-230-3222 or email me at lcarroll@easton.k12.ma.us, if you have any questions or concerns. I look forward to working with everyone this year as we continue to encourage students to “Make Their Mark” of excellence in the school community.

Thank You - Luke Carroll, Principal

Summer Reading

September Event Calendar

EASTON MIDDLE SCHOOL – SEPTEMBER, 2021

Tuesday, August 31st First Day for Faculty

Wednesday, September 1st School Opens ~ Grades 1-12

Monday, September 6th Holiday ~ Labor day

Tuesday, September 21st* Grade 7 ~ Back to School Night at 6:30 PM

Wednesday, September 22nd* Grade 6 ~ Back to School Night at 6:30 PM

Tuesday, September 28th* Grade 8 ~ Back to School Night at 6:30 PM*subject to change

● Breakfast and lunch will be available to all students. Children need healthy meals to learn. Easton Public Schools is providing free meals to all students under the USDA’s Child Nutrition Programs. Children enrolled in the district (or in the community) are eligible for these free meals regardless of eligibility through June 30, 2022.

● 2021-22 Activity Fee (Grade 6 Only) $45.00

Did You Know?

Each month faculty members select students who model EMS Core Values and demonstrate excellence within the school community. One boy and one girl are selected as Students of the Month from each sixth, seventh and eighth grade team. This is a special honor, as you can see by the makeup of the Easton Middle School Core Values:

Positive Attitude

Academic Excellence and Equity for All

Work Ethic and Perseverance

Promoting Community Engagement

Respecting and Valuing Diversity

Individuality

Non-discrimination

Teaming

Students of the Month Team Placement

Contact Information508-230-3222

Main Office #0Directions #1

Attendance #2Counseling Center #3Nurse #4Library #5Cafe #6Principal/Assistant #7Directory #8

● Team Placements are final

● Schedules are tentative

● Call guidance with questions

● Adjusted schedules will be distributed on Sept.1st

Attendance Policy

Great Attendance Produces

Great Results

Absences: If a student is absent, a parent/guardian should call the school (508-230-3222) and press Option #2 on the main menu. This should be done on the morning of the absence prior to 9:00 AM. Upon his/her return to school, the student should present a note to theoffice which includes the date(s) of and reason(s) for theabsence with a parent/guardian signature.

Extended Absences: Any student returning from an absence of five or more consecutive days should present a doctor’s note to their first block teacher.

Tardy Students: The school day begins at 7:55 AM.Students arriving to school or class later than that time must sign in tardy to school. Please make sure that you send them with a note excusing the tardiness. This note should include a reason for the tardiness, the date, the approximate arrival time, and a valid signature.

School safety is our #1 priority!

Aside from our dedication to providing an excellent education for your child, it is of utmost importance to us that he/she is comfortable here at school.

Please know that teachers, counselors, and administrators will always be available to help your child make a smooth adjustment to middle school.

.

Student Drop-Off/Pick-UpStudent Drop-Off/Pick-

School Safety Student Identification Cards

Students will be issued identification cards. Students are expected to wear those identification cards at all times during the school day. These ID cards will be necessary for checking out books, ordering lunch, and signing in tardy to school.

EMS will provide students with an ID and lanyard for displaying it at school. If an ID is lost or stolen, the replacement cost is $5.00. The replacement cost for a lanyard is $2.00

All students must have a student identification card

● All visitors must check in with the main office

● All visitors must have a valid photo ID

● Students may only be dismissed to contacts identified on the students emergency card

● All volunteers and chaperones must have a current CORI check

Visitors and Dismissal Arriving Before 7:40

Report to the CafeThe cafeteria is the only supervised location for students who arrive between 7:00 AM and 7:40 AM

Building Tours

EMS will be open on Friday, August 27th. Please arrive at your assigned times. New students are welcome to tour the building with peer assistant leaders.

Parents must accompany their children and should bring plenty of questions.

Team supply lists and schedule will be available.Incoming Grade 6 Student Tour Arrival Times:

● Stearns/Bogan Team 9:00 AM Arrival Time● Rizzi/MacLeod (Roh) Team 9:30 AM Arrival Time● Mladenoff/Davidner Team 10:00 AM Arrival Time● Whalen/Goldman Team 10:30 AM Arrival Time● Blais/Folan Team 11:00 AM Arrival Time● Sayer/Foote Team 11:30 AM Arrival Time

Incoming and New Grade 7 Student Arrival Time● All Grade 7 Teams 10:00 AM

Incoming and New Grade 8 Student Arrival Time● All Grade 8 Teams 11:00 AM

How do you get your student schedule and know what team you are on?

● Schedules will be available for all students through the Aspen Family and Student Portal on Aug. 25th at 5:00 PM

● Please watch the US mail for your new usernames and passwords by Aug.

23rd

Parents: Please help provide a great learning environment

❖ Phone calls for students should be placed through the main office on an emergency basis only.

❖ Students’ dress and personal appearance should not distract from, nor disrupt, the educational process. The student handbook sets forth some very specific dress code-guidelines. Students violating the policy will be asked to modify their clothing; we ask that parents support these guidelines. The EMS parent/student handbook can be found online. Please check out our website:

http://www.easton.k12.ma.us/our_schools/easton_middle_school/index.php

❖ All doors are locked when school is in session. Visitors must enter through the front door of the building after ringing the buzzer to the left of the door. Visitors must report directly to the main office to sign into the building. Visitor passes must be worn at all times within the building.

❖ Please send your children prepared for the school day. Calling students from class for food, books, homework, or messages is an interruption of valuable class time.

❖ We strongly suggest that your child's name be placed on items such as, sweatshirts, jackets, book bags and any other item that has the potential to end up in the Lost & Found.

❖ Students should always have their school identification card worn and visible at all times.

❖ Due to safety issues, the bus company does not allow students to ride any other bus aside from their own.

The Easton Middle School follows a drop-off and pick-up plan to maximize student safety. There are two designated drop-off/pick-up areas. The first provides access coming from behind the building on the one-way access road; the second drop-off area along the gym provides access from Spooner Street. The drop-off and pick-up plan is very detailed, so please be aware of the specifics.

● Do not live park in the parking lot; use the parking spaces if waiting

● Drop-off and pick-up is inside marked areas only

● Parents picking up students after school should arrive after 2:35 PM

● Spooner Street is the only access to the parking lot area during drop-off and pick-up

● Please do not drop off students in the back of the building- Busses only!

Student Drop-Off/Pick-Up

If you text your child during the school day, you are helping them

violate school rules!

Anyone with a child wishing to participate in fall sports at the Easton Middle School should be sure to read the information below.

Girls Field Hockey (7 & 8th grades) - Additional field hockey opportunities for 5th, 6th,7th & 8th graders will be offered through the Easton Recreation Department.

Volleyball (7 & 8th grades) - New Middle School sports offering.

For the most up-to-date Easton Middle School sports information click the link below Middle School Fall Sports Information

EligibilityAny student wishing to participate in fall sports must do the following prior to tryouts:

1) Parents must register athletes online (go to the Athletics section at oliverames.org and click the link to "Online Registration")

2) Athletes must have a valid physical on file with the school nurse (physicals are valid for 13 months from the date of the physical. Physicals must be conducted in-person - virtual visits will not be accepted.) The school nurse must review physicals before athletes are cleared to play. New or updated physicals must be submitted by Monday, August 23rd, not the first day of tryouts. The school nurse is not on duty during the summer, so new or updated physicals may be submitted to the Athletic Director, Mr. Matthews. Please turn them in early so he can prescreen and organize them for the nurse's review when she returns from summer break. Physicals can be scanned and emailed to him at bmatthews@easton.k12.ma.us or dropped off at the administrative offices at either EMS or OA to his attention.

3) Athletes must have taken the ImPACT concussion baseline test within the past 2 years if they wish to participate in school sports. ImPACT testing may be taken at home on a computer or Chromebook (but not a smartphone).

If you need to check to see if your child has a valid physical on file, or has taken the ImPACT test, please contact Bill Matthews (bmatthews@easton.k12.ma.us) or his secretary, Mary Flavin (mflavin@easton.k12.ma.us).

Fall Sports Information

All staff and families will be asked to conduct a DAILY screening for Covid-related symptoms including temperature each morning. It is expected that any individual experiencing any of these symptoms does not come into school and reports this to their school administration and Primary Care Provider.

● Students are teamed in all three grades, helping to create smaller schools within the school

● The mandatory wearing of masks is a policy decision to be discussed at the school committee meeting on August 17th at 5:00 PM

● Additional PPE has been ordered for staff members who will be in closer contact with students. This includes an increased number of masks, plexiglass dividers, face shields, disposable gowns, gloves, thermoscan thermometers, etc.

● Students will be social distanced to the best extent possible● Students lunches will have two optional outdoor spaces for students, in addition to

the cafeteria ● Special air filters are installed in all spaces throughout the school ● EMS has automated ventilation systems that can be electronically controlled to

provide better circulation of fresh air● Each classroom has an additional portable air purifier ● The water fountains have been turned into water refill stations and students are

encouraged to bring a refillable water bottle● All students will be issued a locker but the use of a locker is optional● Students may use a backpack instead of the locker● Guard shields are placed in the main office, nurse office, and guidance

Universal Precautions/Masks

Daily Medical Screenings/Medical Dismissals

Cleaning

● Custodians will clean each room everyday. All hard surfaces and high touch areas such as doorknobs, light switches, bathroom handles, etc. will also be cleaned every day by the custodial staff

● Custodians will deep clean between every Wednesday and Saturday.● Electrostatic sprayers will be used by custodial staff for disinfection● Each classroom will have their own cleaning and disinfectant supplies● Hand Sanitizer will be located throughout the building