Trail Talk
Student Bulletin - December 8, 2024
UPCOMING EVENTS
12/16 - Bison Fan Day
12/18 - Concert / 8th & 5th Grade Orchestra
12/20 - Early Release Day
CHARACTER TRAIT FOR NOVEMBER
GENERAL INFORMATION & UPDATES
Math Homework Help
Math Homework Help will resume on Thursday, January 16th.
Thank you!
Bison Fan Day!
Any eligible 6th, 7th, and 8th grade student is invited to stay after school (on Monday 12/16) to watch Wrestling match. Please note that students will need to have a ride home at 5:45 pm. If you want your student to attend, please see the sign up link below. The sign up link will only be open until 12/16 at 11:00 am.
However, if we reach a capacity number of participants, the form will not accept any more students to sign up.
***Please note, if you are actively participating in another Winter sport (Basketball) or Activity that practices after school on 12/16, please do NOT sign up for Bison Fan Day. The expectation is that you fulfill your commitment to your athletic or activity practice. You may not join the Bison Fan day after your practice. If you want to attend the Wrestling after your practice, same expectations are followed to be with an adult for the event.
Lost & Found
Here are this week's lost and found items.
Students, please stop by the front office to see if your lost item might be there.
GET CONNECTED
Book of the Month
Our new book of the month will be, The Wild Robot. Students interested in reading the Book of the Month should stop by the library to sign up and check out a copy.
All who participate will be invited to the Discussion with Donuts (including a gluten free option) with Mrs. Brown, the school librarian, and any other staff who participate.
Discussion with Donuts will be held Wednesday, January 29th during TRAIL Time.
#iBELONG
Ways to get involved! We want every BISON to love being a part of our school!
See the 2024-25 Hub Link below for information about all clubs, athletics, and activities.
RECOGNITIONS & CELEBRATIONS
6th Grade Mixer!
6th Grade Mixer was a success! Students enjoyed snacks, games, dancing, and making new friends.
In House Field Trip
ETMS 7th and 8th grade Vocal, Orchestra, and Band students enjoyed an in house field trip from Lee’s Summit High School’s Sound of Summit Chorus group. Students learned what Sound of Summit is about and enjoyed listening to several vocal pieces performed.
ETMS Recognitions at LSR7 Board Meeting
East Trails Middle School Principal Dr. Whitney Morehead introduced the Mariachi Band, led by David Tourtellot, ETMS orchestra teacher. The Mariachi Band performed for the Board of Education. This band was made possible by a grant from the Lee's Summit Educational Foundation, to offer new musical opportunities to students.
Dr. Morehead, also introduced Joe Hollingsworth, East Trails sponsor for the Dungeons and Dragons after-school club, as he recognized Mr. David Doherty the school's Volunteer of the Year.
R7 Parent Academy
The third Parent Academy class consisted of dedicated parents representing more than 20 schools who gave their time and energy to participating in four fall sessions to engage with LSR7 leaders about district operations, academics and strategic planning.
Congratulations to the parents that represented East Trails Middle School.
STUCO STAFF MEMBER OF THE WEEK!
REMINDERS & REPEATED ITEMS
Robotics Event Volunteers Needed
ETMS Parents / Guardians,
My name is Robert Dumler and I am one of the Robotics Coaches for ETMS.
We are hosting a large 36 team Robotics event on Feb. 15, 2025 at East Trails Middle School and need volunteers in several areas. The teams will be coming from Western Missouri and Kansas areas.
Please see the list below of the areas that we need volunteers in.
Judges
The primary role of a judge is to interview teams, and to decide which teams deserve an award based on team interviews, the robot, match play, and the engineering portfolio. Judges are paired in groups of two -3 to interview a set number of teams before the competition begins as well as interviews in the pit area. • Interview and watch teams in the judging rooms, the pit, and on the playing field. • Take part on judge panel to decide team award recipients. Prerequisite: BlueVolt training courses. Minimum Age Requirement: 18 years of age or older and post high school or equivalent allowed to serve in this role with HQ approval, 21 preferred
Judge Match Observer
Most of the judges will be involved in the judge interviews and will not have much time to see the robots in action. Two or three judges should be asked to serve as judge match observers. • Watch the action on the field. • Collect data on the quality of the robot performance. Prerequisite: BlueVolt training course. Minimum Age Requirement: 18 years of age or older and post high school or equivalent.
Emcees
The emcee is the primary individual responsible for setting the tone of the competition and creating and sustaining an exciting and fun atmosphere throughout the event. Most visible presence at the event; embodies the spirit of FIRST and is the consummate FIRST ambassador. Plays a critical role in ensuring smooth flow of match play and keeping the pace of the event. • Hosts the opening and awards ceremonies. • Provide spectators and teams with an overview of the game and the basic rules throughout the event. • Announce teams taking part in matches. Prerequisite: BlueVolt training course. Minimum Age Requirement: 18 years of age or older and post high school or equivalent
Queuers
The queuer is responsible for managing team traffic to and from the playing field. Stage and position teams in preparation for the start of matches. Play a critical role in ensuring smooth flow of match play and keeping the pace of the event. • Escorts teams from the pit to the queuing area. • Stage and position teams for matches. • Ensures access to the field is limited to authorized individuals. • Maintain an uninterrupted flow of teams to the playing field. • Direct teams to fields, and from the field. Prerequisite: BlueVolt training course. Minimum Age Requirement: 15 years of age or older.
Field resetters
The field resetter is responsible for resetting the playing field after each match. Plays a critical role in ensuring smooth flow of match play and maintaining pace of the event. • Reset field after each match. • Check the field for debris after the match, remove. • Check field for damage; report damage to the Head Referee. Prerequisite: FIRST experience strongly preferred, but not required. Minimum Age Requirement: 13 years of age or older.
Practice Field Attendant
The practice field attendant is responsible for supervising the practice field area, including watching team use of the field and game elements. Prerequisite: FIRST experience preferred, but not required. Minimum Age Requirement: 15 years of age or older.
Scoring refs
Referees watch the status of the game and scoring elements during match play. There will be one referee assigned to the blue alliance side of the field, and the other to the red alliance side of the field. They may track the status of the field on paper or using scoresheets. Some tournaments may use live scoring, and the referee will use an application installed on either a phone or tablet to track the status of the field. • Watching matches helps teams to avoid rule violations. • "Call" rule violations when necessary; decide penalties. • Communicates penalties and rule violations to the penalty Referee throughout the match. • Take part in deliberations about contested calls. • Watch and promote safe practices on and around the playing field. Prerequisite: Previous FIRST experience. BlueVolt training course. Minimum Age Requirement: 18 years of age or older and post high school or equivalent.
Scorekeepers
The scorekeeper helps the flow of the event and provides information and match scores to the teams and to the audience. The lead scorekeeper is the person responsible for making sure the scoring system is set up correctly (including displays and user tablets for other volunteers) and that match scores are entered accurately. The volunteer should work closely with the FTA and head referee. Prerequisite: BlueVolt training course. Minimum Age Requirement: 21 years of age or older.
If you would be interested in helping, please let me know. We are trying to get all volunteers signed up by Jan. 15, 2025.
If you have any questions about any of the positions, please let me know.
ETMS Robotics Coaches,
Tom, Bill & Robert
Bison Spirit Wear
Looking to add to your Bison Spirit Wear Collection?!
Spirit wear can be purchased through the front office.
ETMS can only accept CASH or CHECK.
School Lunch/Breakfast Menu
- December lunch menu
- December grab & go menu
- January lunch menu
- January grab & go menu
- Breakfast is $2.00; Plate lunch is $3.20
- Free and reduced lunch application
Box Tops for Education
Help East Trails Middle School raise funds by submitting your Box Tops online at: https://boxtops4education.com/s/
Code: etmsybk
*Will accept photos until end of March 2025