Monthly Cat Chronicles

Dear Parents and Guardians,

At El Dorado Middle School, we aspire to maintain a positive and productive educational environment, and as the warmer weather approaches, we want to remind you of our dress code guidelines. The dress code is in place to ensure that all students feel safe, respected, and ready to learn. Please review the following dress code guidelines with your child to ensure their attire is in compliance:

General Guidelines:

• Inappropriate attire may result in the student being required to change clothes.
• The dress code applies to all school activities, including concerts, field trips, and athletic events.

Unacceptable Apparel Items Include:

• Excessively short shorts, skirts, or dresses.
• Clothing that exposes undergarments or excessive skin.
• See-through or fishnet clothing.
• Clothing with gang-affiliated symbols or messages.
• Apparel promoting drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or offensive content.
• House slippers, Heelys, or bare feet.
• Hats, caps, hoods, bandanas, or bandana prints.
• Chains, sunglasses, trench coats, or blankets.
• Any other item deemed disruptive, counterproductive, or unsafe by the administration.

Proper Fit and Presentation:

• Shirts and pants/shorts/skirts should meet at the waist and provide appropriate coverage.

Cooperation is Key:

• We appreciate the cooperation of parents and students in adhering to the dress code.
• Failure to comply with the dress code may result in disciplinary action.
  
  

We understand that no set of guidelines can cover every possibility however, with your support and cooperation, we can ensure a positive and respectful learning environment for all students.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Mr. Simmons

Principal, El Dorado Middle School

We are excited to celebrate our 2025 Kansas Teacher of the Year nominees at the KTOY Regional Banquet today! CONGRATULATIONS again to EMS Science Teacher Dawn Rush and Blackmore Kindergarten Teacher Jessica Denner! Mrs. Denner was named a semi-finalist!

The El Dorado Middle School yearbooks are available. 🥳📸 Don't let the memories of this school year slip away – grab your very own beautifully crafted yearbook by our staff.

Seize the opportunity to relive all those special moments that make our middle school experience unforgettable. 🌟 Secure your copy now and ensure you have a keepsake to cherish for years to come!

Ready to order? 🛍️ 📞 Let's make this year's book one for the books! 📖

You should have received an email from Jostens or visit their website www.jostens.com today!

As we approach the end of the school year, the 8th-grade parents are excited to announce plans for an upcoming 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony.

This special event is a significant milestone for our students as they transition from middle school to high school, and we want to make it a memorable and meaningful experience for everyone involved. To ensure that this event reflects the spirit and diversity of our 8th-grade class, we are inviting parents who would like their students to participate in the promotion ceremony to join us in planning and organizing the event.

Whether you have ideas for the program, decorations, or logistical arrangements, your input and involvement are invaluable in making this ceremony a success. We believe that by working together, we can create a memorable celebration that honors the achievements and hard work of our students.

2028 Shirt will be provided, jeans with no holes/rips and no hats.

4 tickets per family

Please only sign up once. If you have already used the link sent to 8th grade parents you are signed up. Questions email tmsimmons@usd490.org

Being present at school affects your child’s ability to learn. Studies have shown a direct

correlation between attendance and academic achievement. The school day begins promptly at

8:00 a.m. and ends at 3:05 p.m. When possible, please schedule appointments for days when

school is not in session, or that will allow them to remain in school until after the end of the

school day. When that is not possible, please be aware that a difference of even five minutes

can affect whether they receive an absence or tardy for a specific class.

For example, if your child arrives at school at 8:15 a.m., they would receive an absence for their

first period class. Arriving just five minutes earlier at 8:10 a.m. would be considered a Tardy

instead of an absence for that period.

If you have an appointment scheduled that will require them arrive in the middle of the school

day, the time they arrive can make a big difference in their attendance calculations. For

example, if you they arrive at 11:50 a.m., they would receive a Tardy for 5 th Period. If they arrive

just five minutes later at 11:55 a.m., they would be considered Absent for the entire 5 th Period.

Also, please keep in mind that eight tardies equal one day of absence in attendance

calculations.

Hello, Allison from SparkWheel, March was a fantastic month of supporting EMS students' essential needs, and we are thrilled to share some amazing data with you all! A huge shoutout to our incredible EMS staff for their dedication to connecting students to the vital resources SparkWheel has to offer. Remember, if your students or family are in need, don't hesitate to reach out to SparkWheel via email, phone, or in person. (316)-322-4820 afanderson@usd490.org

📊 March Data Highlights

• 51 Active caseload students supported
• 459 essential needs provided
• 63 Students accessed the essential needs cabinet
• 3 students received athletic gear for their sport
• 6.5 hours spent helping students with school assignments
  
  

📅 Upcoming Events in April:

• Turning F's into Pizza: SparkWheel is rolling out an exciting incentive program! Students with an F at the beginning of April have the chance to turn it around. If they improve their grade by a letter grade or better, they'll be treated to pizza with me on April 16th! Let's motivate the students and ignite their drive for success!

• April 16th - 5th Grade Open House: SparkWheel will be at the forefront, engaging with families and recruiting students for the upcoming school year. Hope to see you there, and welcome to our future students!

Student Spring Fever? Tips to Stay Motivated at the End of the School Year

April 1, 2024 by Ann Dolin

Think of the last leg of a race. You’re exhausted, and you can see the end in sight. It is so tempting to slow down as student spring fever sets in and the motivation begins to dwindle. For kids, especially those with ADHD, the end of the third quarter and the entire fourth quarter feels a lot like this final leg.

Despite the fact that motivation naturally lessens in kids right after spring break, it’s the time of the year when they likely have the most on their plates. Cumulative exams, standardized testing, final projects, papers, and last-minute assignments: there is so much to get done!

Just like a race, the last quarter of the school year can completely impact the outcome. So how do you keep kids motivated when it seems like they’ve checked out?

We put together a few tips and strategies that parents can employ during the third and fourth quarters to keep kids motivated and finish the school year strong.

2. Keep things visual - Instead of nagging, use post it notes as reminders and reward when tasks are done.

3. Keep routines consistent - Don't slack off now, keep homework times, bed times consistent!

4. Incorporate exercise or play time into your afternoon routine - Go for a family walk, shoot some hoops, or ride bikes. Kids need to disconnect a not be on their phones or play games for at least 30 minutes after school. It is medically proven they also need Vitamin D!

Help to finish the school year strong

The fourth quarter is tough on students, teachers, and parents. There is so much to get done in such a short amount of time, and with summer just months away, it’s easy to lose focus and steam. But by implementing just a few of the tips above, we promise you will see a real boost in motivation and, in turn, your child’s fourth-quarter grades.

Email: tmsimmons@usd490.org
Website: https://www.usd490.org/o/ems
Location: 440 E Wildcat Way, El Dorado, KS, USA
Phone: 316-322-4820
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElDoMSCATS
Twitter: @eldoradocats