EPAMS Family Update
Most Recent Update: May 13, 2024
Special Calendar Dates
May 17: EPAMS PTO Night at the Harrisburg Senators
May 23: 8th Grade Recognition Night
May 24: 8th Grade Farewell Dance
May 28: Chromebook Collection
May 29 & 30: Locker Clean-Out
May 31: Last Student Day
8th Grade End-of-Year Events
8th Grade Recognition Night
Thursday, May 23 at 7 PM in the high school auditorium
- This night is set aside each year to honor 8th grade students who have been selected for various academic and community service awards. All 8th graders and their families are invited, but those who are slated to be recognized will receive a special invitation. The nature of the award will be held in secret until the ceremony.
8th Grade Farewell Dance
Friday, May 24 at 7:00 PM in the middle school cafeteria
- All currently enrolled 8th graders will gather together for one final time to celebrate and dance the night away. This event is reserved only for our 8th graders. Attendees should be dropped off and picked up at the rear entrance to the school, with no walkers. This dance is free of charge thanks to the generosity of our PTO and Student Council. Students who have earned a day of ISS or OSS after April 10th are not eligible to attend.
2nd Annual Band & Chorus Concert and Art Expo Night
What an incredible night this was! On Thursday, May 9th at 6 PM, the high school cafeteria and auditorium was the setting used to showcase the incredible talents of our EPAMS Panther musicians, singers, and artists.
The concert began at 7 PM, but before that, the EPAMS Art Expo took place in the cafeteria. Painting, drawings, and collages were displayed for all to see, and judging by the smiles on the faces of the crowd, no one was disappointed.
And next year, our new kiln will give us the opportunity to do even more!
Harrisburg Senators Night and Other PTO News
PTO Happenings
Social Media
Find us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/1710656122309902/
EPAMS Night at the Harrisburg Senators
We had such a great time last year, we're doing it again!
When: Friday, May 17th at 7 PM
Who: Harrisburg Senators vs Erie SeaWolves
Tickets: $13 per ticket, with $4 going to support the EPAMS PTO
Added Bonus: The first 1000 fans age 13+ receive a free Camo Senators Bucket Hat!
Seats are limited, so get yours today!
Next Meeting (Changed from original date!)
Tuesday, May 14 @ 5:15 PM
Middle School Talent Show Cancelled
Unfortunately, our revival of the Middle School Talent Show had to be postponed and then cancelled due to a water main break just hours before the curtain was set to go up.
Rescheduling has proven first difficult and then impossible due to calendar conflicts and student availability.
WE WILL TRY AGAIN NEXT SPRING! Our kids have too much talent not to!
Final Week Information
Monday, May 27th: Memorial Day; All Schools and Offices Closed
Tuesday, May 28th: Chromebook Collection
- All students will turn in their Chromebooks and chargers.
- Students who are participating in summer school, extended school year, and/or core academy will have their devices re-issued after they have been inventoried, cleaned, and repaired as needed.
- Students will receive the same Chromebook and charger at the start of next school year.
Wednesday, May 29th & Thursday, May 30th: Locker Clean-Out Days
- Following a pre-planned schedule, students will empty their lockers of all trash and belongings.
- 6th and 7th graders will keep their school-issued combination locks for use next school year.
- Students will label their locks with the combination to aid their memory next fall.
- Please help your student store his/her lock over the summer so that they are prepared for the first day of the new year.
- 8th graders will return their locks to their WIN teachers after lockers are emptied.
Friday, May 31st: Last Day for Students
- Dismissal at 11:30 AM
- Students may receive a bagged lunch provided they return the required form by May 24th. Forms will be distributed this week.
Students of the Month - April
Please join us in congratulating our April students of the month. One student is selected by each team to be recognized for representing our school, their families, and themselves in a way we can all be proud of. Work ethic, kindness, integrity, respect for self and others, and focus on task are all considered by the team of teachers they work with every day.
Winners are presented with a certificate of recognition and a $10 gift card to 5Below.
April:
Jaguars: Jordan Case
Panthers: Eliangy Pena De La Cruz
Olympians: Luke Scheuch
Titans: Emilee Eaton
Griffin: Sylvia Mizak
Phoenix: Jacek Patitsas
All-Star Students Recognized at the Harrisburg Senators
On May 3, 2024, students from the Panther team were recognized as an ‘All-Star Student.’ These exceptional students were nominated by their teachers for showing great growth this academically or socially.
Following a pre-game ceremony, students and their families stayed and watched the Harrisburg Senators baseball game.
Front Row from left to right: Gamal Elsayed, Edward Walden, Merieme Khaoudi, Braelyn Heck, Marwa Smaili, Gianna Tuso, and Mariia Mubinova
Second Row from left to right: Wesley Hill, Amine Aouad, Scarlett Young, Vivian Li, Guiliana Mattucci, Isabella Doupe, Delaney Deibler, and Zoey Kuykendall
Students who earned the ‘All-Star Student’ recognition but are not pictured: Nickolas Downey, Wesley Huhnke, and Haydin Nguyen
Kitten Supply Drive Final Days
7th grader Josh Davidheiser is putting his love of animals into action by partnering with the Harrisburg Area Rescue Team to collect old blankets, towels, food, and litter to be put to use in their animal rescue efforts. From now until the end of the year, collection bins will be remain at each entrance to the school and as they fill up, Josh will deliver the donations to HART.
Cross Country Summer Runs
Substitute Teachers Needed
Student Drop-Off, Pick-Up, and Transportation
Getting kids to school and back home again is obviously a key part of our operation. Students will arrive to school one of three different ways: they walk, they get a ride from a family member or friend, or they ride district transportation like a bus or a school van.
Morning Drop-Off
DO NOT DRIVE AROUND THE BACK OF THE BUILDING UNLESS YOU'RE DRIVING A SCHOOL BUS OR VAN!
Students who walk to school or catch a ride in a personal vehicle will enter the building using the main entrance in the front of the building. Students who ride district transportation like a bus or a van, will enter via the cafeteria entrance in the rear of the building. Either way, the doors open at 7:45 AM.
School buses and vans will travel to the rear of the building, drop off their kids, and head back out for their next run.
Personal vehicles will do it a little differently – and it really depends on where the driver needs to go after they drop off their passengers. Drivers will have two places to drop off in the morning.
- If you plan to head out to Valley Road afterwards, you will drop off your students at the bottom of the ramp that connects the lower lot with the main entrance. If you drop off at the bottom of the ramp, you will not be able to make a right turn out of the lot.
- If you plan to head out to Enola Drive afterwards, you will drop off your students at the top of that connecting ramp. Please stick to one lane of traffic and do not try to pull around other vehicles. Remember, you will not be able to make left turn at the bottom of the hill.
By doing this, we can drastically reduce cross traffic and get you moving on to your next destination a bit sooner – and safer.
Afternoon Pick-Up
Our afternoon departure procedures will remain the same as last year. Buses will be split into two groups based on destination, with about half the buses leaving from the rear bus loop and half leaving from the front bus loop.
Personal vehicles are to park in a space in the lower lot and wait for students. Please do not idle in the travel lanes of the parking lot, blocking cars who may be trying to back or pull out. Pull into a spot and make this process safer and more efficient for everyone.
Bus Stop Information
The transportation department takes care of bus stops. If you have any concerns, they'll be happy to help.
Bus Behavior
It’s important to remember that safety is the most important consideration for our bus riders. If students are behaving in a way that makes the ride unsafe for anyone including other riders, the driver, or others outside the bus, they will be referred to the administration and consequences assigned. This can include removing students from the bus for a period of time.
Bus suspensions can be very difficult for families as they try to make alternative arrangements, so it is best to prevent the need for any of this by behaving properly right from the start.
Other Questions?
If you have any questions about arrivals and departures, give us a call at the middle school office. If you have questions about bus routes, bus stops, or pick-up/drop times, please reach out to the transportation department.
School Safety
Bus Evacuation Drills
For most bus riders, this isn't a new idea. Those who are new to the school bus were able to pick it up quickly and blended right in.
Fire Drills
Fire drills happen once per month, without warning our students.
Locks on Lockers
Last year we gave every student a combination lock to be used at all times on their lockers. Returning students must bring their locks back to start the year. new students will be given one. In order to be as safe as we can, we want to keep student belongings secure. However, we also want to make sure lockers aren't being used to hide anything that has no business being in a school.
In the past, this has made a number of students a little nervous about being late to class or forgetting their combination. We'll be reassuring the students all the time that they can do this!
Safe2Say Something
The state has partnered with Sandy Hook Promise to create an anonymous reporting system for students to notify school and law enforcement officials of any possible activity that puts our school community at risk of harm.
During the week of August 28th, our students will view a training video on how to use this system. This system has been in place for almost four years and the tips we have received over that time were invaluable when it comes to helping kids.
If you have questions about Safe2Say, please reach out to Mr. Wright or Mr. Atkinson at 717-732-0771.
Breakfast and Lunch Prices for 2023-24
This link will take you to our district dining services web page: https://www.epasd.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=2167820&type=d&pREC_ID=2176212
This link will take you to a full listing of middle school lunch menu items: https://4.files.edl.io/4866/08/01/23/131114-a6774024-2556-4adb-b3d0-4197122aec9a.pdf
To add funds to your student’s meal account, please visit: www.MySchoolBucks.com.
Middle School Dress Code
Pease keep in mind the middle school dress code. Enforcement of the dress code will continue be a point of emphasis this year.
An easy-reference guide has been attached below.
Attendance Email Address
Well, those days can be over. If your student is absent, you have the option of emailing a parent excuse directly to our attendance secretary - Mrs. Swope - at this address: epmsattendance@epasd.org.
Excuses must be turned in within 3 days of the absence in order to be excused.
Middle School Hours
Student Day: 8:00 AM - 2:55 PM
Office Business Hours: 7:45 AM - 3:45 PM