EMS - Quarter 2 Kickoff!

Hello Falcon Families!

We hope your fall break was filled with fun, family time, and some well-deserved relaxation! As we gear up for the return to school, we’re excited to welcome everyone back on Monday. Whether you traveled or enjoyed a staycation, we're looking forward to seeing our students refreshed and ready to jump into Quarter 2!

This quarter is packed with exciting activities. Our Girls Basketball and boys/girls Cross Country seasons are getting started, so don’t forget to cheer on our Falcons! We also have our Halloween Concert on October 29th at 7 PM in the theater, where our talented students will show off their musical skills, followed by our Fall Social on October 30th from 12:30-2:30 PM. It’s a fun family event with games, food, and prizes, open to students and their families—more details coming soon!

Plus, students can look forward to our Halloween Costume Contest on October 31st at lunchtime, so start planning those creative outfits!

We’ll wrap up our first day back with our first Huddle of Quarter 2, where we’ll recognize student achievements, share more exciting upcoming events, and revisit our schoolwide expectations to ensure we’re kicking off the quarter strong.

If you have any questions, email me at jkeith@byron.k12.ca.us. Here’s to a fantastic start to the second quarter! Go Falcons!

Sincerely,

Ms. Jamie Keith

EMS Principal

• EMS Bell Schedule
• EMS Athletic Packet
• BUSD Academic Calendar (2024-2025)
  
• BUSD Volunteer Information Page
  
• BUSD Food & Nutrition Page (includes monthly menus)
• New Parent Info NIght Slide Deck from 7.25.24

• September 30th - October 11th - Fall Break
  
• October 14th - School resumes, Quarter 2 begins
• October 17th - BUSD Board Meeting, 5:30 pm in the Board Room; Q1 report cards go home with student
• October 18th - Pajama Day (school wide reward for good attendance). Clean pajamas only, no blankets or slippers.
• October 23rd - School Site Council, 3:15 PM on Zoom
• October 24th - Trick or Treat for Canned Goods: 5:30 - 7:30 PM (start at TPE or DBE)
• October 29th - EMS Halloween Concert at 7 pm in the theater
• October 30th - EMS Fall Social - 12:30 - 2:30 pm in the quad
• October 31st - Halloween Costume Contest at Lunch on the amphitheater
• November 1st - No school

Throughout the school year, we have various dress-up days, and Halloween is no exception! Students (and staff!) are welcome to wear costumes on Thursday, October 31st. However, please keep in mind that the school dress code will still apply. Here are a few important guidelines to consider when helping your student choose a costume:

• No full-face masks or full-face paint because we need to be able to identify students, even in costume.
• Costumes should not interfere with class participation or movement (inflatable costumes must be turned off during class time)
• Costumes that are provocative, revealing, or inappropriate (including questionable props) are not allowed.
• Costumes depicting violence, drugs, alcohol, or that include weapons (real or fake) are not permitted.
• Costumes should be respectful and not perpetuate stereotypes based on culture, gender, heritage, or religion.

Costumes are completely optional, but students wearing anything inappropriate will be asked to modify their outfit. If you’re unsure about a costume choice, feel free to ask Ms. Keith or Ms. Voqui.

Thank you for helping us ensure a fun and safe Halloween for all!

Our next PTSA Meeting is on Wednesday, November 6th at 7:00 pm. We are meeting in room B1 or you can join us on Zoom!

Interested in joining our PTSA? Please click HERE! The money collected through our PTSA memebership dues goes towards school activities and improvements!

Mark your calendars - EMS Dine Out on Wednesday, November 20th, at the Panda Express on Brentwood Blvd/Sand Creek Rd. Fliers will be sent out prior to the event!

EMS PTSA’s Reflections program runs through 10/18/24.

This year’s theme is Accepting Imperfection.

• Step 1 – Make Art.
• Step 2 – Write an Artist’s Statement.
• Step 3 – Submit your art. Turn in your artwork and entry form to the office, e-mail them to the Reflections e-mail address ExcelsiorReflections@gmail.com, or use https://tinyurl.com/EMSReflections24 to submit online by Friday, 10/18/24.
• Step 4 – Our judges will review your artwork.
• Step 5 – All entries will be recognized. The top entry in each category wins art supplies and moves on to represent EMS at Delta Council, competing against 20 other schools.

Be creative. You can write, draw, choreograph a dance, make a movie, compose music, or take a picture. You can only enter each category once, but you can enter more than one category. That means you can’t draw something and paint something. However, you can paint a picture and write a poem. Remember, this should be your own work, so no copywritten images or fan fic.

What is an artist’s statement? It’s a 10-100 word statement explaining your entry and how it relates to the theme. For example, “I accept imperfection when I __________, so I drew a picture of ______________.”

Our judges are not supposed to know who is submitting the entries, so please put your name on the BACK of the artwork. Use something to write with that won’t bleed through to the front. If you are submitting a video file, you can put your title in the video, but do not say your name.

• Videos should be in .mp4, .avi, or .mov and less than 5 minutes long.
• Audio files should be in .mp3 or .wav and less than 5 minutes long.
• Photographs should be at least 640x960 pixels and 300 dpi (resolution) and should print no smaller than a 3x5 and no bigger than an 8x10.

Have more questions? Look on Schoology for more information or ask an adult to e-mail us at ExcelsiorReflections@gmail.com.

Have fun! We can’t wait to see your submissions!!!

Dear Liberty Community,

To ensure a safe environment for our students and attendees at football games, I would like to remind you of our expectations and share a few additional safety measures we are incorporating.

• Student ID Requirement: Liberty High students and those from the visiting team must present their physical school ID upon entry.
• Supervision of Other Students: Students from other schools, including middle schools, must be accompanied by a parent or an adult aged 25 or older.

This form outlines the responsibilities of adults supervising children during the event, including:

• Actively supervising the child(ren) throughout the event.
• Ensuring the child(ren) remains in designated spectator areas.
• Assisting the child(ren) in following all school rules and guidelines while respecting the facility, staff, and other attendees.
• Acknowledging that Liberty High is not responsible for the supervision or safety of the child(ren) under your care during the event.
• Being reachable at the cell phone number provided and responding promptly if contacted by event staff in case of an emergency.

Thank you for your cooperation and for helping us ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all. Go Lions!

"Defend the Den - Play Hard, Study Harder, Win with Pride!"

Efa Huckaby, Principal - Liberty High School

Email: jkeith@byron.k12.ca.us
Website: https://www.excelsiormiddleschool.us/
Location: 14301 Byron Highway, Byron, CA, USA
Phone: 925-809-7530
Twitter: @EMSFalcons