The EMS Gazette

Attention students and families, please have your child check their PowerSchool account to make sure that all work has been completed and submitted. Teachers are willing to support students if they need additional help and have dedicated time after-school most days of the week.

Quarter 2 will begin on Thursday, October 31st. Students will attend their new related arts classes. Please make sure students check PowerSchool for their updated schedules.

Report cards will be emailed home Thursday, November 7, 2024.

Monday, Nov. 4th- Students have school.

Tuesday, Nov. 5th- School closed for students.

Wednesday, Nov. 6th- Students have school.

Thursday, Nov. 7th- Students have school. EARLY DISMISSAL

Friday, Nov. 8th- School closed for students and staff.

Please remember if your student is absent to send a note. The note can be a parent/ guardian note or a doctor's note. Students may turn the notes into the box in front of the main office, or you can email lisa.weaver@talbotschools.org. You have 5 days to get them in from the date of the absence.

At Easton Middle School we work to:

1. create a safe and empathetic environment through a culture of belonging.
2. ensure student academic success through a focus on academic rigor and engagement.

• Starting Monday, December 2, 2024, EMS will begin using the Yondr Pouches. This is approved by the TCPS Board of Education and will help with focus and engagement of our students.

• During school hours, students will be required to secure all personal electronic devices, including cell phones, smartwatches, and earbuds in locked Yondr pouches.

• Pouches will be numbered and assigned to all EMS students. Each student will be responsible for keeping their pouch in their possession (iPad case) throughout the day. At dismissal time, students will have access to unlocking magnets in order to unlock their pouches to retrieve their devices. Students will take their pouches home along with their iPads and cases.

• Students are only allowed to possess or use personal electronic devices on school property or at school-sponsored events according to the following guidelines:

• Before school until the beginning of the school day and/or building entry.

• After school, after the student has exited the building.

• For medical purposes, supported by appropriate documentation provided to the school nurse.

• In the event of a situation requiring communication from families to students or students to families, the school phones will be used. (410-822-2910) Our school staff will promptly assist students, parents, or other responsible adults with relaying important information.

• Our staff is trained to execute safety and emergency procedures. Students will follow the school’s emergency procedures in the case of an emergency. Schools will communicate with parents through the district’s mass notification and communication tools. Every classroom at EMS is equipped with a phone that can dial 911. Additionally, in the case of a school emergency, our school administration and selected staff will have the ability to unlock student pouches using handheld portable magnets.

• In an emergency, cell phones can be a distraction that may prevent students from focusing on the teacher or emergency personnel and the given directions.

• Sending and receiving calls and messages and/or posting to social media may compromise student safety during an emergency.

• Heavy cell phone activity may jam first responder and district lines of communication.

• Research suggests that students should not be on their phones during an active shooter situation because it can significantly distract them from vital safety instructions, potentially putting them at greater risk by diverting their attention away from crucial actions needed to protect themselves, and can even inadvertently alert a shooter to their location through phone noises or screen light; this is supported by experts in school safety and emergency response, who generally advise against cell phone usage during such critical situations.

• Progressive school discipline with consequences will be enforced if students do not follow the rules regarding the pouches and electronics.

• First Offense - Administration will collect the phone, smart watch, and/or earbuds and call home. Devices will be returned to the student at the end of the day.

• Second Offense - Administration will collect the phone, smart watch, and/or earbuds and call home. A parent will need to pick up the devices.




• Third Offense - Administration will assign Checkmate-In and a parent will need to pick up the devices.




• Fourth Offense- The student will need to turn the phone and devices into Administration each day for the remainder of the quarter. (If the remainder of the quarter is less than 15 days, students will turn their devices into administration on a daily basis through the end of the following quarter.)

• Students are responsible for lost or damaged pouches. A $30.00 fee will be charged to replace the pouch. Examples of damage include but are not limited to:
  
• Ripped
• Cut
• Torn
• Bent/cut pin
• Signs of force to black button on flap

Wednesday, October 30th: End of Quarter 1

Thursday, October 31st: Start of Quarter 2

Friday, November 1st: Early Dismissal

Tuesday, November 5th: Election Day- No School for Students

Thursday, November 7th: Early Dismissal; Report Cards Issued

Friday, November 8th: Waterfowl Festival- School closed for students and staff

Friday, November 15th: Fall Picture Day

6th Grade Assistant Principal - Todd Stoker

7th Grade Assistant Principal - Ashley Quicke

8th Grade Assistant Principal - Kierra Farrare

Email: kmurdoch@talbotschools.org
Website: www.tcps.k12.md.us/schools/EMS
Location: 201 Peachblossom Road, Easton, MD, USA
Phone: 410-822-2910
Facebook: www.facebook.com/EMSpantherpage