Edgewood Middle School

Are you a creative 7th or 8th grade student? Consider joining art club!! See Ms. Paulson for applications and details!

Mrs. Salyers and Mrs. Wiggins’ Community Services Edges made “Kindness Starts With Me” wall to celebrate.

In honor of September 11th and Constitution Day, 7th grade Social Studies classes created flag ribbons to hang up at EMS.

These 7th grade kiddos in Mrs. Roberts' Science Class are exploring factors of surface currents and deep ocean currents in their Duck Race experiment.

2023-2024 Yearbooks Available in Ms. Paulson's Room. Visit Ms. Pauson during your Edge period with $48 cash or check to purchase one. Make sure you write your name in your book once purchased!

Seventh graders in Mrs. Roberts' science class are learning about the water cycle. Students created their own water cycle in a bag to demonstrate the continuous process that takes place.

Mrs. Spinelli's class helped our EMS custodian Jamie Berry for their Life Skills class! Great job Alvin, Ariel, Carmen, Waylon, and Brantlee!!

Mrs. Blair's 8th grade art classes headed outside last week to draw elements of nature around our school!

The EMS Yearbook Staff needs your help! We are on the hunt for students that are walking,"The EMS Way". We want your photos featured in our yearbook! Please see the attached scavenger hunt for details!

EMS 6th grader Gabe Crawford looking sharp for picture day and helping Mr. Philpot monitor the hallways! Great job Gabe!!

Greetings EMS parents/guardians. First up, I am happy to report that the first day of school was absolutely wonderful yesterday! Students seemed happy and excited to be back in the building. It takes a few weeks for students to settle into their routines, especially the 6th graders, but overall, I am optimistic about our school year! I do need your help, however. This school year, we are opening and starting school 10 minutes later than last year. Our student start time is 7:20 am. Students should not be dropped off any earlier than 6:50 am and those early drop offs must occur in the rear (auditorium) drop off area. The main front drop off area does not open until 7:00 am. Please do not arrive on school grounds until 6:50 am. This will ensure that the drop off lines are open and moving and not backing up traffic onto Busenbark and SR 73. Please share this information with all drivers that transport your child. Thank you, EMS staff!

First day of school at EMS is tomorrow, Thursday, August 15! There is no staggered start at EMS. All students should report. Doors open at 7:00 a.m. First period begins at 7:20 a.m. Please review the drop off map if you are going to be bringing your student to school (or share with those that will be dropping them).

Greetings EMS parents/guardians! Attached is the fee schedule for the 2024-25 school year. Any student who owes delinquent fees, fines and charges will be subject to the following restrictions: • Transcripts and school credits will be withheld until student fees are paid in full. • Participation in non-curricular field trips/activities (8th grade DC trip, Cougar Pride quarterly incentives, etc..) will be prohibited until student fees are paid in full. • Students will not be permitted to participate in any extracurricular activity until all fees, past and present, are paid in full . These fees must be paid before the first contest or performance. All fees may be paid with cash, check, money order or credit card when paying through PaySchoolsCentral. School Meals Program Below you will find meal prices for the year. Students may pay with cash or money may be added to their account through PaySchools Central. Applications for free and reduced lunch can be found on the district website or picked up in the main office. Please see the food services section of the district website for more details: click here Only those families who complete the applications will be eligible for free and reduced lunch. For the 2024-2025 school year meal prices are as follows: Breakfast - $1.85 Lunch - $3.60 Milk - $0.60 Transportation For bus routes and schedules, click here, or visit the transportation page on the website. BUS SAFETY All school rules apply on the school bus. Directions from the bus driver must be followed promptly and respectfully. Students with medical needs should provide the driver with a note providing any information that would be relevant to the driver. Drivers will report student misconduct to the Principal. ENTERING THE BUS • Students are to arrive at the stop before the bus is scheduled to arrive • Students are to wait in a location clear of traffic • Students are to stand clear of where the bus stops • School rules are in effect at the bus stops • Students are to go directly to an available seat or assigned seat • Students are to remain seated keeping aisles and exits clear EXITING THE BUS • After exiting the bus, immediately step away at least ten (10) feet • Stop movement, look at the bus driver’s face • Do not move toward the bus to cross the road until the driver signals • Stop at the left headlight of the bus and look before crossing the street PROHIBITED BEHAVIORS • Students may not eat or drink while on the bus • Students may not use profane language on the bus • Students may not use tobacco or alcohol products on the bus • Students may not put their head or arms outside the bus windows • Students may not throw or pass items on, from or into the bus • Students may not enter or exit at someone else’s stop unless they have written approval from their parents and the school administration • Students may not ride a bus which they were not assigned unless they have written approval from their parents and the school administration Students not following bus rules or behaving in a manner which distracts the driver or does anything to create an unsafe condition will be removed from the bus and transportation to and from school will become the responsibility of the family. Respectfully, Curtis Philpot, Principal Edgewood Middle School curtis.philpot@edgewoodschools.net

Greetings EMS parents/guardians! As we embark on a new school year, I wanted to take a moment and provide you with some important information to share with your student on how to be successful at EMS. While I will be meeting with each class separately to review school rules and expectations, here are a few tips you can share with your student as they prepare for the new year! Come to school each day and try your hardest! Attendance and effort are the two single biggest factors in determining a student's success or their challenges. Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe, and Be Kind! These are the core beliefs at EMS! We understand that every student is different and each of these attributes might present differently from one student to the next, but know that any action whether intentional or not, which contradicts these core beliefs will not be tolerated. Come to school prepared to learn! Bring necessary materials to class, leave unnecessary materials at home or in your locker (cell phones, earbuds, etc..). Be familiar with the classroom expectation and be prepared to follow them! Stay away from drama. Keep your focus on your studies, your friends, and your activities. DO NOT get caught up in the drama cycle. If you are hanging around others who want to talk about others, make fun of others, start trouble with others, or put their nose into other people's business, etc... Do yourself a favor and remove yourself from this person or group and stay away. In life, you reap what you sow....if you give away kindness and respect, you will get kindness and respect in return. This applies at school and on social media outside of school. Please choose kindness! Take pride in your school! Edgewood Middle School is your home for nearly 8 hours a day. Thousands of students and staff members have gone to school or worked in this building since 1970! As a member of the class of 1984, I cherish the memories of this school building and my time at Edgewood. Please show the respect to the building that it deserves! Many of your siblings, parents, grandparents, great grandparents, uncles, aunts, and neighbors attended this school and this building is a special place to them. My sincere hope is that you will have a great experience at EMS and you too will join the thousands and thousands of students with fond memories of this school. With that said, please treat the building with respect and encourage those around you to do the same. My gratitude goes to the custodial and maintenance staff for keeping this building in such great shape and expect our students to demonstrate their gratitude by being respectful to the building and not tolerating those that are not! I am very excited to start the new school year and hope that your students are excited as well. EMS is a great place to go to school and our staff is working hard every day to make it better. While the focus the past few years has been on culture and climate, this year's focus will be on teaching and learning. Students are aware of the expectations of EMS and now it is time to roll up our sleeves and get to work to improve our academic achievement! Students will be expected to come to class prepared and to participate fully in the curriculum!   Disruptive or disengaged behaviors will not be tolerated! Thank you for taking the time to read this message and please share with your students. I look forward to getting to know you and your students and look forward to a great school year at EMS! Sincerely, Curtis Philpot, Principal Edgewood Middle School curtis.philpot@edgewoodschools.net (513)867-3450

Please welcome new staff to EMS! Alex Ahlers - Assistant Principal Kris Barnes - Social Studies Jenny Roberts - Math Tyler Hines - Math Theodora Kuhn - Spanish Jimmy Cassidy - Science April Craft - Intervention Specialist

Greetings EMS parents/guardians/students! All EMS students are assigned a locker. Lockers are located in close proximity to the grade level's classrooms with a few exceptions. Students are expected to utilize their lockers to store their backpacks, coats, school supplies, and any other personal items students elect to bring to school. School lockers do not have built in locks so it is suggested that students bring their own lock from home or you may purchase a lock from the school. School locks are $7 and feature a control key so that if a student forgets their combination, they may be accessed without having to cut them off. School locks are also numbered and registered and can be returned to their rightful owner in the event they become misplaced. Because we buy them in bulk, you will be hard pressed to find a master lock at a cheaper price. Locks can be purchased for $7 during office hours or at Open House. Backpacks are permitted to be carried to and from school, but are not permitted to be carried to classes. Students must stow their backpacks in their lockers upon arrival to school and may retrieve them at dismissal time. Cell Phones/ELECTRONIC DEVICES Student use of cell phones/earbuds are considered a distraction/disruption which interferes with the educational environment and are prohibited during the school day. Because students are not allowed to use or carry cell phones/earbuds during the school day, it is recommended that they remain at home. If a student brings a cell phone/earbuds to school for after school use, it must remain powered off and stored in their locker during the school day. Expectations for Storage of Cell Phones/earbuds: Devices are REQUIRED to be powered off and stored inside the locker upon arrival to school and must remain powered off and inside the locker until school dismissal. The school assumes no responsibility for any theft or damage to a student’s cell phone, electronic devices, or earbuds. Students are NOT allowed to carry cell phones/earbuds in their pocket and/or use the cell phone/earbuds during the school day. Students violating the cell phone policy will have their cell phone/earbuds confiscated and face disciplinary action. Parents/Guardians are advised that the best way to get in touch with their child during the school day is by calling the school office. Additionally, phones are available in our office should a student need to contact their parent/guardian.

Greetings EMS parents/guardians/students! A sure sign that summer is coming to an end are the back to school commercials and back to school displays at all of the stores! I wanted to get dress code information to you before you embark on your back to school shopping trips. Ohio's tax free holiday is coming up soon (July 30 - August 8)! I am copying the dress code straight out of the student handbook below. Some important things to consider about the EMS dress code are: Our building is air conditioned and tends to be more on the cooler than warmer side. Often referred to as the "Philpot freeze-out", I advise students to wear appropriate clothes to not only avoid dress code issues, but to stay warm and comfortable! School is a formal environment and a workplace for students and staff alike. Students are expected to dress in a respectful manner (no pajamas, slang or derogatory clothing, or excessively revealing clothing). EMS Dress Code The primary purpose of the school is education, and all matters of dress and grooming must be weighed against that single objective. To that end, students should avoid styles of dress and grooming (including hair styling and makeup) which are bizarre and flamboyant, distract attention from the orderly pursuit of knowledge, disrupt the educational process or constitute a threat to individual safety or the safety of the group. In addition, students are expected to maintain high standards of personal cleanliness and hygiene by making sure they are neither offensive to others nor a threat to the health of the school community. The administration will make final judgment on the appropriateness of any mode of student dress. The following guidelines are to be adhered to: Students should not wear any article of clothing that is distasteful by language or sign. Students should not wear clothing that is overly distracting. Students should not wear shorts that are overly revealing. Because school age students vary greatly in height and weight, it is difficult to establish an absolute standard length for shorts/skirts/dresses. The recommended length for shorts, skirts, and dresses will be 4” from the top of the kneecap. Please refer to the dress code ruler on the back of this planner. Students should not wear clothing or hats advertising alcohol, tobacco, or drugs, or look-alike labels. Students must wear shoes to school and to class. Clothing must be modest, not skimpy or over-revealing, and must adequately cover the shoulders, back, midriff, and undergarments. Tank tops or sleeveless shirts are not appropriate attire for school. Midriffs are not to be exposed. All shirts should be long enough to be “tucked in”, although they are not required to be tucked in. Pants must be worn at the waist. No undergarments should be seen. Jeans with excessively large holes or holes above the thigh are not acceptable. No pajamas or sleepwear (including blankets) may be worn to school (unless part of a school-sanctioned spirit or incentive day). No headgear may be worn in the building. This includes, but is not limited to hats, toboggans, bandanas, headbands with protruding ears, hoodies, or any other type of head covering (unless part of a school-sanctioned spirit or incentive day). No costumes may be worn in the building. This includes, but is not limited to halloween costumes, animal costumes, face painting, flags, or any other type of costume (unless part of a school-sanctioned spirit or incentive day). Consequences First offense: Warning and correct the infraction Second offense: Lunch detention and correct the infraction Third and subsequent offenses: After school detention and correct the infraction If a student fails to follow the aforementioned dress code and it is brought to the attention of the school administration and/or staff, they will be required to correct the infraction prior to returning to class. Each violation will be documented and will result in an incident report as part of the progressive discipline plan.

Greetings EMS parents/guardians/students! EMS Open House is less than 3 weeks away! For our incoming 6th graders, Open House is such an important event, I wanted to make sure you mark the date on your calendars and plan to attend! Open House for 6th graders is Monday, August 12 from 6:30pm until 8:00pm. Due to the expected crowd please limit attendance to students and parents/guardians. Students will first check the main entrance doors to determine their homeroom teacher. Students will either attend a Welcome session or report to their homeroom and pick up their schedules. Students may visit their classrooms, lockers, etc. to become familiar with the building. 6th graders and parents are asked to attend one Welcome Session. All sessions will be in the auditorium. Session 1: 6:00-6:30pm (please enter the building through the auditorium doors if you are attending the early session) Session 2: 6:30-7:00 pm Session 3: 7:00-7:30 pm Session 4: 7:30 - 8:00 pm Open House for 7th and 8th graders is Tuesday, August 13 from 6:30pm until 8:00pm. Due to the expected crowd please limit attendance to students and parents/guardians. Students will first check the main entrance doors to determine their homeroom teacher. Students may attend an optional Welcome session or report to their homeroom and pick up their schedules. Students may visit their classrooms, lockers, etc. to become familiar with the building. 7th and 8th graders and parents new to the building or with questions may attend one of the Welcome Sessions in the auditorium. Session 1: 7:00-7:30 pm Session 2: 7:30-8:00 pm In addition to the activities listed above, families may put lunch money on student's lunch accounts, pay school fees, review bus schedules and pickup/drop-off times, purchase a school approved lock for their locker ($7), and much more!! Students unable to attend open house will receive their schedules from their first period teacher on the first day of school. First period teachers will be posted on the doors and throughout the building for the first day of school on August 15.

Attention EMS families!! I sent the first of many emails regarding important back to school information to you today. If you did not get this email, please make sure your email address is updated and correct in Final Forms. I will be sending topic specific emails every few days as we get closer to the start of new school year!

Please join us for our 17th Annual Art Show at Edgewood Middle School. This is the collection of our students' hard work this year and is a great event to showcase their talents. We look forward to seeing you there!