Dear East Hills School Community:

M-Step testing is nearly complete for another year. We just have a few remaining tests and make-up tests at this point, and I would like to thank you for supporting us in our efforts to meet this state mandate. A special thank you goes out to Mr. Thompson, Mrs. Young, Mrs. Eason, Mrs. Bridges, Mr. Southward, Mr. Kalanquin, Mrs. Konzen and truly all of our teachers and students for leading our efforts in this important endeavor.

Spring was certainly in the air this week - and as a result, there are a number of important events planned in the days ahead.  With an eye toward next week, we have some of our final concerts of the year - our 6th/7th/8th Grade Band and Orchestra Concert is Tuesday, May 22, in the East Hills Gym with a start time of 7:00 p.m., and our 4th and 5th Grade General Music Concert is Thursday, May 24 in the East Hills Gym with a start time of 6:30 p.m.

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE

Friday, May 25, is a half day. Students in grades 4 through 7 will be dismissed at 11:35 AM. 8th grade students should NOT report to East Hills on that day.  Instead, they will be visiting the high school. See additional information below on when and where your 8th grader should report on May 25 along with other Move-Up Day information.

It is hard to believe that our spring sports season will be wrapping up soon, and that next Friday, May 25 marks the beginning of the traditional start to summer, Memorial Day Weekend.  Along with the Move-Up Day and the half day on this coming Friday, please remember that Monday, May 28, is a holiday and there will be no school.

Please take a moment to check out this week's broadcast as there are a number of new articles highlighting important upcoming events!

"Spring is nature's way of saying, 'Let's party!'"
-Robin Williams

Jason

Jason Rubel
Principal
East Hills Middle School
Bloomfield Hills Schools
(248) 341-6205
Twitter: @EastHills4_8
East Hills Website
"Enabling learners to become architects of their futures. . ."

A/B Schedule for the Week:
Mon., May 21 - B Day
Tues., May 22 - A Day
Wed., May 23 - B Day
Thurs., May 24 - A Day
Fri., May 25 - B Day (11:35 a.m. Dismissal)

KEY DATES:
The following are upcoming key dates for the school year, and our full calendar for the year can be accessed on our website:
Tues., May 22 6th-8th Grade Band and Orchestra Concert (7:00 p.m.)
Thurs., May 24 4th and 5th General Music Concert (6:30 p.m.) - NEW DATE
Fri., May 25 ½ Day - Move Up Day  (11:35 a.m.Dismissal)
Mon. May 28 No School
Wed., May 30 5th Grade Band/Orchestra Concert (7:00 p.m.)
Thurs., May 31 6th/7th/8th Grade Choir Concert (7:00 p.m.) - NEW DATE
Tues., June 5 8th Grade Musical In-School Performance (TBD)
Wed., June 6 Volunteer Breakfast (9:00 a.m.)
Wed., June 6 PTO Meeting (9:30 a.m.)
Wed., June 6 8th Grade Musical In-School Performance (TBD)
Wed., June 6 8th Grade Musical Community Performance (7:00 p.m.)
Fri., June 8 Field Day
Wed., June 13 8th Grade Farewell Party (7:00-10:00 p.m.)
Thurs., June 14 8th Grade Recognition Program (1:00 p.m.)
Fri., June 15 Last Day of School - ½ Day (11:35 a.m. Dismissal)  

The Muslim families of the Bloomfield Hills Schools are happy to announce the results of the 2018 Media and Me Competition. The winning students will tour the WDET radio station in midtown Detroit with a possible chance to be a part of a live show! Congratulations to the following students:
 
7th Grade:

• Silver Level ($50 Gift Card) - Alexandria Balde (EHMS)
• Bronze Level (Honorable Mention) - Zeid Abou Shaar (EHMS)

8th Grade:

• Gold Level ($100 Gift Card) - Leah Watson (EHMS) and Isabella Ashtari (WHMS)
• Silver Level ($50 Gift Card) - Samantha Cellar (EHMS) and Samuel Curcuru (EHMS)
• Bronze Level (Honorable Mention) - Sydney Harker (WHMS)

Thank you to all the teachers who guided and encouraged the students participation!

Each year there is a district-wide Move Up Day, when students who will be moving to a different building next school year spend time at that building. For current eighth through third graders, Move-Up Day is Friday, May 25, which is also a 1/2 day of school. Here is how the Move Up Day experience will work for East Hills' students:

8th graders should NOT report to East Hills at all on May 25. Instead, follow these instructions. There is no need to call their absence in to the EHMS attendance line.

• 8th Graders Who WILL Attend BH High School: Students should go directly to the high school campus at the times indicated in this letter from BH High School Principal, Charlie Hollerith. This letter provides instructions for your 8th grader on that day. It's important that you keep this for reference, as it indicates the location, schedule, drop-off and pick-up instructions for your 8th grader on May 25. Here is the BH High School Bus Schedule for those 8th graders who wish to utilize morning (only) transportation. Mr. Hollerith's letter refers to high school bus transportation to the high school.

• 8th graders who WILL NOT attend BH High School: These students do not need to report to school on that day. You do NOT have to call in their absence from East Hills.

• 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th Graders: On Move-Up Day, students in these grades will participate in some activities with the teachers from the grades that they will be in next year. The morning start time does not change, and the 1/2 day ends at 11:35 a.m.

3rd Graders from Eastover: East Hills will host incoming 4th graders on Move-Up Day. Those students should report to Eastover at the regular time, and they will be brought by bus to East Hills as a group. 3rd grade families are responsible for arranging pick-up of their children at East Hills at 11:00 a.m. CLICK HERE for a letter from East Hills Principal, Jason Rubel, for details regarding Move-Up Day for current 3rd graders.

The annual Step Up to High School day for current 8th graders is Friday, May 25, 2018. Please read this letter for specific information and this document for bus routes.

As part of the transition to fourth grade, third-grade students will visit East Hills on Friday, May 25.  On May 25th, Eastover students should report directly to Eastover in the morning. Shortly after 9:00 a.m., the students will be transported by bus to East Hills.  May 25th is a half-day for all district students.

The East Hills transition program for the third graders will end at 11:00 a.m.  Students will not return to Eastover at the end of the day. Families will need to arrange rides home directly from East Hills.  In order to lessen traffic congestion at East Hills, car pooling is encouraged. Prompt student pick-up at 11:00 a.m. will be appreciated.  Students will not be permitted to walk home after the program. If you plan to park your car and come inside the building to pick up your child, there is no parking in the traffic loops . . . they are for pick up only.  We will be using the front loop (not the steps entrance) as our pick up point for all third-grade students participating in the program.

The entire East Hills staff is looking forward to this event for our new students. We have an informative morning planned for your child(ren) and we know they will enjoy their "first day" at East Hills.

Letter from Mr. Rubel to Third-Grade Families

It is time to apply for the East Hills Student Leadership Council for the 2018-2019 school year! We are once again, looking for highly motivated students who will provide leadership and dedication to improve our school's environment. This is a year-long commitment, similar to being a member of a sports team for the entire school year.

5th grade applications will be passed out to interested students, by their classroom teacher, the week of May 21st.  Completed applications are to be returned to the classroom teacher on or before Monday, June 4th.

6th and 7th grade applications are available for pick up in the main office. Completed applications are to be turned in, on or before Monday, June 4th, to the main office.

Applicants are chosen based on a scoring system, which includes feedback from the Teacher Reference forms.

The EHMS Student Leadership Council is an important and responsible position. It is an opportunity to demonstrate leadership within our school. We are looking forward to reading applications from motivated and dedicated students!

Applicants are chosen based on a scoring system, which includes feedback from the Teacher Reference forms.

Newspaper students have been working hard all semester creating the 2nd edition of the "East Hills Press."  They have worked with Mrs. Beattie after-school to brainstorm, investigate and draft articles highlighting topics from our local community.  This year's newspaper staff was primarily ​grades 4, 5 and 6; however, we are looking to expand our program to the middle school grades as well next year.  Look for a printed edition out next week!

East Hills Press Volume 2

Yes, it is that time of year!  The 8th Grade Year End Celebration!  The party is scheduled for June 13 from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at East Hills.  The ticket price is $20, which will include a t-shirt, food, games, DJ, and some very special surprises.  We will also have a party program so please include your special hashtag messages for an additional $5.  We will need your 8th grader's t-shirt size and ticket money turned in by May 25 to the front office.  Information is included on the attached flyer.  Please look out for volunteer opportunities and in-kind donation requests coming out shortly. 

Thank you!

Your 8th Grade Party Committee

8th Grade Party Flyer

The 8th Grade Recognition Assembly is Thursday, June 14 in the East Hills gymnasium, and it is for all eighth-grade students and their adult family members.  Students should arrive at the regular school start time. The assembly begins at 1:00 p.m. and will run until around 2:30 p.m. Eighth graders will be dismissed immediately following the assembly. Dismissal for all other students is 3:05 p.m.  The assembly is more formal in nature - boys should wear long pants and a nice shirt, shirt/tie or sport coat. Girls usually wear a dress or a nice skirt or slacks.  The event will follow the school dress code. 

Dear East Hills Families:

We have nearly an entire school year under our belts and it seems a fitting time to exclaim that the transition to a 4-8 building (grades 4th-8th, that is), has been a successful one.  Though, that’s not to say we haven’t learned a few things along the way, nor that there isn’t room for improvement.  In fact, one thing we’re re-evaluating is our PTO fundraising.

As you know, our PTO supports many programs throughout the year, including assemblies, several clubs, media center resources, staff appreciation week, 4th/5th activity afternoon, Middle School Groove & Game, Ice Cream Social, and many more.  We count on your help to make these things happen, both financially and from a volunteer standpoint.  We couldn’t run these programs without you so, from the bottom of our hearts, we thank you!

This year we brought the Fun Run to East Hills for our elementary students and it was a huge hit for our 4th and 5th graders!  It was also a substantial avenue of revenue for our PTO budget.  However, two things became evident with the Fall Fun Run: 1) it coincided with the 5th Grade Camp fundraising effort and 2) being an elementary based event, it didn’t incorporate middle school families.  

So, we’re going to try something new . . . Each Spring, East Hills hosts Field Day - a fun, team based, interactive day filled with lots of different activities including a BBQ lunch.  Until now, this day has been organized and staffed entirely by teachers and staff and it is a huge undertaking.  This year, the PTO will be partnering with the staff by providing volunteers to help with the event.  Additionally, we are going to incorporate a fundraiser into the event.  Given the team based, friendly competition aspect of Field Day, we will be asking families to donate to either the Red team or the White team (based on which team your student is assigned to).  We will then be awarding points to the Red and White teams for Field Day based on the total money raised by the team as well as the percentage of each team that participated - so every bit will count in some way.  Two separate online accounts will be set up for financial support and students will also have the opportunity to bring in cash/checks — more details to come on this!  Please note, the fundraising challenge will start after Memorial Day 


FAQs:

Q: Will we still do the Fun Run next year?
A: Yes!  Again, this event is a huge success and loved by all!  It will still be organized/staffed by the PTO. The difference will be that the funds raised by the 4th and 5th graders during the Fun Run will stay with their class to help offset costs for 5th grade camp, the 7th grade World Religions field trip and the 8th grade trip to Washington DC, to name a few.  

Q: Are we asking 8th grade families to fundraise this year when they won’t reap the benefits next year?
A: Good question. The answer is no . . . and yes.  Let me explain.  Field Day always coincides with the 8th grade field trip to Oakland Yard so they don’t participate in Field Day and hence won’t be asked to give for the sake of the Field Day competition.  However, the 8th grade families are asked to consider a Legacy Donation — similar to a graduation gift back to East Hills — should they feel so inclined.

Q:  I already gave in the fall.  So, if I understand correctly, I’m being asked to give again?
A:  The answer: a humble yes.  We are attempting to transition to a Spring campaign so that come fall, we have our finances in order and know where we stand for the year.  The PTO season starts before school starts and doesn’t slow until June so it will be a big help to get ahead of the spending!  And if this effort if successful, we won’t have to ask again in the fall.

Thank you again for your contributions of time and funding to East Hills and the PTO!