Edgewood City Schools

Hi Edgewood families! Our preschool and kindergarten screening times will take place on Thursday, August 15th & Friday, August 16th. We will be calling families over the next few days to make sure that all families who have registered for preschool (and those returning) and kindergarten have scheduled a screening time. We know some of our families have questions on when our start days. Edgewood Early Childhood Center (EECC) preschool and kindergarten staggered start dates are as followed: Kindergarteners with the last name starting with A-M start on Monday, August 19th Kindergarteners with the last name starting with N-Z start on Tuesday, August 20th All kindergarteners will be together on Wednesday, August 21st. Preschoolers with the last name starting with A-M start on Thursday, August 22nd Preschoolers with the last name starting with N-Z start on Friday, August 23rd All preschoolers & kindergarteners will be together on Monday, August, 26th We can't wait to see all of our little cougars at screenings and on their first days of school! If you have any questions, please call 513-867-3420

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.

Incoming KINDERGARTEN families! This is a reminder that this Thursday, August 1st from 6:00 pm-7:00 pm at Edgewood Early Childhood Center, will be the last opportunity to meet our Kindergarten staff on the playground before our screening days and the start of the school year! We can't wait to see you there!

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!

School supply lists for Grades PreK-5th and Grades 6th-8th have been posted in the Parent section of the website. Quick links to each can be found below: PreK-5th- https://5il.co/2r9dg 6th-8th- https://5il.co/2r9df

EIS Welcomes Mrs. Merz to the Principal Role! Read the full announcement here: https://5il.co/2qvmn

Did you know?! Ohio has a tax free weekend before school starts to help families prepare with back to school shopping. This year Ohio's tax free weekend has been extended from past the traditional 3 days. It is running from July 30-August 8. Families are able to buy school supplies, clothing, items that may benefit their child throughout the school year, as well as other items that fall under certain categories according to the state of Ohio. Visit: www.ohio.gov to learn more information about the tax free weekend.

Back to school shopping is just around the corner! Our 2024-2025 Edgewood Early Childhood Center Preschool & Kindergarten Supply Lists have been posted to our website as well as the links shared right below! Preschool Supply List: https://5il.co/2nzp7 Kindergarten Supply List: https://5il.co/2nzp6

Incoming KINDERGARTEN families! This is a reminder that next Tuesday, July 16 from 6:00 pm-7:00 pm at Edgewood Primary School, will be the first of two opportunities to join some of our Kindergarten staff on the playground! We can't wait to see you there!

Our local ministerial association is hosting a benefit on Saturday, June 22 from 12:30-2:30 to help our Local Emergency Assistance Funds. These funds help local residents and homeless families with utility disconnect notices, eviction notices, etc. All proceeds will go to EMA LEAF.

Future Kindergarten Families! Did you know summer is the perfect time to get your child ready for kindergarten?! Sometimes you may have already been working with your child or doing certain activities with them that you may not have realized were helping them develop a new important skill. Here are a few simple ideas:

Mark your calendars for the 2nd Annual School Supply Benefit and Backpack Drive to support students in the community. See the attached flyers for more information!

Don't forget to mark your calendars future kindergarteners! Come enjoy popsicles on the playground with our kindergarten teachers over the summer with two dates! Join us on Tuesday July 16th (at EPS) and Thursday August 1st (at EECC) from 6-7 pm on both nights! We can't wait to see our little cougars over the summer!

Summer School begins this Monday, June 3rd at EHS for students in need of credits for the Class of 25, 26, and 27. Please read your email for details and how to apply.

EHS Class of 2024 - LifeTouch Graduation Photos are Ready for Viewing.

Please see the links below for the May 20, 2024, Board of Education Meeting Video and Meeting Highlights. May 20, 2024, Board of Education Meeting Video Link: https://youtu.be/glooWLWNdVE May 20, 2024, Board of Education Meeting Highlights Link: https://5il.co/2mi6o