Frequently Asked Questions
Eastern Middle School
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does Eastern Middle School open each morning?
The building opens at 7:45AM each day and may report to their first period class.
For students who arrive to school during the hours of 7:15 AM – 7:45 AM they will report to the small cafeteria. After 7:45 AM, students will have full access to the school building, as well as have the opportunity to attend extra help sessions from their teachers (before 7:45 AM must be arranged with their teacher). Students will be able to use this time to get organized in order to be prepared for the start of the school day.
Are students allowed to bring their cell phones to school?
Yes, students may bring their phones to school and may use them to call home before school begins (8:15AM) and after school ends (3:00PM). Phones should be turned off and stored in their backpacks during the school day. If a student uses their phone without permission during the day it will be confiscated and sent to the main office. Confiscated electronic communication devices will be held in the main office until the end of the day or retrieved by a parent or legal guardian as determined by administration.
What should I do if my child is going to be absent?
Parents are asked to call/email the school at (203) 637-1744 / ems_attendance@greenwich.k12.ct.us prior to 8:15AM to report an absence. If EMS does not receive a call and the student is marked absent the school will email home.
What should I do if my child is going to be tardy?
Parents are asked to call the school at (203) 637-1744 prior to 8:15AM to report a tardy. The student will be marked absent/excused until they arrive to school. Parents do not have to come into the school with their child. The child should report to the main office to receive a late pass.
What should I do if my child forgets something he/she needs for the school day?
Parents are encouraged to help their child to pack up the night before. However, parents may drop off materials to the drop off table outside of the main entrance. Parents should buzz the front, inform what's being dropped off.
What should I do if my child forgets their lunch?
Our cafeteria will provide our students with a basic lunch for the day, but parents are encouraged to put some money into their lunch account for snacks or as a backup in case they leave their lunch at home. The website for electronic payments is www.myschoolbucks.com, you may also pay by check.
Parents and students are not allowed to order and have food delivered to the school.
What should I do if my child needs to leave during the school day?
Parents are asked to send their child in with a note and have them report to the main office before school starts for an early dismissal pass. The student will then meet their parent in the office and they will sign them out. If they are returning to school, you may send them to the office for a pass back to class. You don’t need to come in to school with them.
Who is allowed to take the late bus (4:15pm)?
The late bus runs on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. There is no late bus on Wednesday or Friday afternoons. Anyone who stays after school with a teacher, at a club, intramurals or any supervised activity may take the late bus home. Students need a pass from the adult that they stayed with or who organized the activity. No students will be allowed to ride the bus if they do not arrive at the bus circle with a pass.
There are three late bus routes and they cover the entire attendance area. Please check the website for each of these three routes.
Does the Boys & Girls Club pick up students at Eastern Middle School?
The Boys & Girls Club offers a van to the club each day of the week at approximately 3:15 pm and again at 4:15PM. Families need to be a member of this organization in order to access this service. The Boys & Girls Club is open until 6:00PM each day.
When will we receive information on the Clubs and Activities offered at EMS?
The Club and Activities Handbook will be distributed to all students in late September/early October. This book will also be posted on our website. Included in the booklet will be times that our instructional staff is available for extra help.
Can a student start his or her own club at EMS?
Students that want to start a club at Eastern should meet with their grade level counselor. The counselor will help the students see if other students are interested in starting a club and find a faculty advisor. The club can start quickly if the student finds friends that are interested and a faculty member to be an advisor. All clubs must be approved by administration.
Are students able to bring a visitor/guest to school?
EMS STUDENT VISITOR PROCEDURE
Only potential students may visit. A current student wishing to sponsor a visitor to Eastern Middle school must apply to his/her Administrator, in writing, signed by a parent or guardian at least TWO days in advance of the visit.
ONLY PROSPECTIVE EMS students are permitted a ONE DAY visitor’s pass.
Visitors are not permitted during a testing period, on the day preceding a vacation, or during the first two weeks of the start of the school year or the month of June. The administration reserves the right to deny visitor access at any time.
- The student sponsor must have each classroom teacher sign the pass, thereby agreeing to have the visitor attend classes with the sponsoring student.
- Return the pass to your Administrator for signature, which would indicate approval.
- On the day of the visit you must have your visitor sign in at the Main Office for a visitor’s pass.
- The sponsoring student will carry the visitor’s pass and return it to the Main Office at the end of the day.
- The guest must remain with the student sponsor and attend classes for the entire day.
What is the procedure for an extended absence from school?
If a student will be missing school for three or more days , they should schedule a meeting with their school counselor in order to notify their teachers in a systematic manner. Documentations from parents must be provided in order to facilitate this process. Extended absences are not considered excused unless they meet the district’s criteria.
What time does the nurse arrive at school each day?
8:15AM
What forms do I need in order for my child to play a sport and when are they due?
All students who wish to try out MUST have a current physical uploaded to Final Forms. The only form accepted is the CT-HAR. If you have an account already and have registered for past sports seasons in Final Forms, you MUST log in and SELECT A SPORT for the fall season. Also, make sure that your student(s) are in the "Green" status. If they are not "Green," this means that you or your student(s) are missing something and will not be eligible for tryouts. Due dates for the parent permission forms are the following:
Fall Session – 2nd week of school
Winter Session – End of November
Spring Session – Mid-March
How does the pattern schedule work at Eastern Middle School?
The pattern schedule at EMS runs as follows:
Pattern one days are on Tuesdays, Thursdays and alternate Mondays. Pattern two days fall on Wednesdays, Fridays and alternate Mondays. All academic classes meet every day and each elective class meets on a pattern.
Does EMS serve lunch on an early release day and what time does school end on those days?
Yes, lunch is served on an early release day.
Does EMS serve breakfast?
Eastern does not serve breakfast.
What is Homeroom and what activities take place there?
All students will have a homeroom every day towards the end of the day. Students should arrive to homeroom prepared with their planner, pencils, books, binder, Chromebook and other necessary study materials. Homeroom will be an opportunity for students to complete homework assignments, study for tests and quizzes, organize school materials, and complete Math IXL. Students are expected to use their Chromebooks appropriately to support their learning tasks and expectations.
Students that participate in band, chorus and/or orchestra will have time to participate in weekly ensembles with peers that are also involved with the music program. With a pass, students may meet with a counselor, meet with a teacher, or go to the media center to check out a book, if open.
How much passing time is there between classes?
Four minutes.
What is the difference between Grade Level Chorus Class and the Grade Ensemble that meets during Homeroom?
Chorus class rehearsals take place twice in a student’s schedule. Full ensemble rehearsals take place once a week year-round during Homeroom. Chorus students also meet as a scheduled class during the school day for small group instruction on a pattern basis. Students are required to attend the advisor base rehearsals and take the class unless there is an unresolvable scheduling conflict or if special permission is granted by the director.
How do I have my child tested for Advanced Mathematics, ALP English and Advanced Science?
Please refer to the following website for information regard the advanced placement process:
https://www.greenwichschools.org/teaching-learning/academics/advanced-learning-program-alp
How do I access the Aspen Family Portal?
Below is the Aspen Family Portal website:
https://ct-greenwich.myfollett.com/aspen/logon.do
Username: Primary parent email address on file
Password: neednew1
If you have difficulty with logging onto the Aspen Family Portal, please email the Parent Portal Help Desk at parent_portal@greenwich.k12.ct.us