EMS Back to School Letter

Dear EMS Parents and Students, 

It is with great excitement that we welcome you to the 2026-2027 academic year! As we prepare for the start of another school year, we look forward to welcoming our students back and continuing our commitment to supporting their growth, success, and well-being.

At Eastchester Middle School, we remain dedicated to our mission and values by fostering a learning community that is both nurturing and challenging. We strive to create an environment where students are encouraged to take risks, embrace new opportunities, and learn from their experiences within a supportive and caring school climate.

Our faculty and staff have been working diligently to prepare for a successful start to the year, and we are excited to partner with our families in making the transition back to school a positive one. The following information has been compiled to help ensure a smooth and successful start to the 2026-2027 school year:

Student Schedules via Infinite Campus

Student schedules will be available through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal beginning Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. We encourage all families to create their Parent Portal account in advance so they can access their child’s schedule as soon as it is released.

The Infinite Campus Parent Portal provides families with convenient access to important student information throughout the school year, including grades, schedules, report cards, attendance, transportation, and more.

Infinite Campus invitations were emailed to all families during the week of August 4. If you have not yet created your account, please use the link provided in the email or the link above to set up your account for the first time. Please complete your account setup by August 19 to ensure you are able to access your child’s information when schedules are released.

Morning Arrival 

• Our first day of instruction will be Wednesday, September 2nd.
• Breakfast and lunch will be available to students beginning on the first day of school.
• All students are required to wear their ID cards to enter the building. Returning students should wear ID cards from the previous school year. 
• EMS students can arrive starting at 7:15 a.m. and enter through the EHS main entrance or through the rear EMS gym lobby entrance (located on Lincoln Ave). Please do not drop off students in the staff parking lot located by the main EMS entrance.
• Students arriving via school bus will be dropped off at the front EHS entrance.
• Upon entry, students will be directed to specific waiting areas until being able to go to their period 1 class. 
• We expect increased traffic on campus during the opening weeks of school. Please allow extra time for morning drop-off and follow the directions of our security personnel, who will be assisting with traffic flow to help ensure a safe and efficient arrival for all students. Please review the traffic pattern visual below to familiarize yourself with the designated drop-off areas and traffic flow.

Pattern Visual

School Counselor Assignments for 2026-2027

Grade 6 - Mrs. Danielle Fiore: dfiore@eufsdk12.org

Grade 7 - Mrs. Christine Mejia: crodriguezmejia@eufsdk12.org

Grade 8 - Mrs. Carly O’Shea: cOShea@eufsdk12.org

School-wide Counselor - Ms. Anahia Williams: awilliams@eufsdk12.org

 

Please note that Ms. Williams will serve as the 8th grade counselor at the start of the school year while Mrs. O’Shea is on maternity leave. 

 

Locks/Lockers

• Incoming students will receive a school-issued Master Lock.
• Returning students are encouraged to use the same locks.
• Replacement locks will be available for purchase ($10 cash) after school on September 2nd & 3rd in the EMS main office and during locker setup time on September 2nd. 
• All students will receive locker assignments on September 2nd.
• Students are expected to keep all personal items including backpacks, cell phones and coats secured in lockers during the school day.

 

Optional Locker Setup Night – Wednesday, September 2, 2026, 3:30-6:30 p.m. (All Teams)

• Students may be accompanied by a parent/guardian. 
• We kindly ask that students and parents leave the building once lockers are organized. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

 

Classes

• Classrooms have been set up to allow our teachers to teach at full capacity.
• Students should plan on bringing their District-issued Chromebook to school on the first day of class. Individual teachers will discuss their expectations regarding regular use.
• On the first day of school, students should only bring a notebook, a folder, their device and a pen or pencil with them. 

Schedule Adjustments for ENL Students
If your child took the NYSESLAT, please note that our school counselors are still making schedule adjustments based on NYSESLAT results. The schedule currently shown in Infinite Campus may change as these adjustments are made. Counselors will contact families directly once your child’s updated schedule has been finalized and is available.

 

School Supplies & Summer Reading Lists

Our supply list and summer reading lists can be found on our website.

 

Media Opt Out Form

Please sign and return this form to the main office by September 15, 2026, only if you wish to opt your child out of being photographed or videotaped. This form is valid only for the 2026-2027 school year. 

 

Safe Swimming Tips

As we enjoy the final weeks of summer break, we encourage families to review New York State’s Safe Swimming Tips for Everyone to learn more about important water safety practices and strategies that help keep everyone safe while enjoying time in and around the water.

 

Food Services & Cafeteria Information 

• Our food service provider will once again offer a full assortment of breakfast, lunch, snacks, and beverages. Breakfast, beginning at 7:15 a.m., and lunch will continue to be provided free of charge for all students. A variety of snacks and beverages will also be available for purchase. 
• Please review the linked letter from the Business Office for important information regarding cafeteria payment options and procedures. 
• Due to security and management concerns, local vendors, in addition to food delivery services via Uber Eats, DoorDash, etc. will not be allowed to make deliveries to the campus.
• All food must be consumed in the cafeteria. 

Parent & Student Handbook
As we prepare for a successful school year, we encourage all students and families to review the Eastchester Middle School Student and Parent Handbook. The handbook contains important information about school policies, procedures, expectations, attendance, student conduct, and available resources. Reviewing it together will help ensure a smooth and positive start to the school year. We appreciate your partnership and look forward to a wonderful year ahead. 

School Photo Days
School pictures will be taken on the following dates:

• Wednesday, September 16, 2026: Blue Teams
• Thursday, September 17, 2026: Red Teams
• Wednesday, September 23, 2026: Eighth Grade Class Photo

Additional information regarding picture ordering will be shared as the dates approach.

As we embark on this new school year together, we are grateful for your partnership and trust as we work to ensure the success of our students. 

 

Our dedicated faculty and staff are here to guide and support each student throughout their middle school journey, and we look forward to watching them grow and achieve great things. Your enthusiasm and unique contributions make EMS a truly special place where friendships are formed, talents are discovered, and futures begin to take shape.

Here’s to a wonderful school year filled with learning, kindness, and success. As always, please feel free to reach out if you have any questions. 

With great anticipation and a heartfelt welcome,

Sincerely,

Madelin LoBue, Principal & Ryan Carroll, Assistant Principal