Eagle Express, Week of January 12th - January 16th, 2026

Posted Date: 01/09/26 (03:00 PM)

Dear Esperero Canyon Families

Welcome back! It has been an incredible first week of the new semester. Walking through the halls, there is a palpable sense of purpose and excitement.

In Eagle Territory, we often say that every minute matters, and our students have truly taken that to heart this week. From the second the first bell rang, our classrooms were transformed into hubs of deep learning and discovery. We aren't just easing back in, we are hitting the ground running to ensure our students get the most out of their time here.

Here is a glimpse of the incredible work happening across our grade levels during this first week:

Planning for the Future - Our 8th graders are already looking toward their next big adventure. This week, our School Counselors met with all 8th-grade students to discuss CTE (Career and Technical Education) opportunities at the high school level. It’s an exciting time as they begin to see how their current interests can lead to specialized paths in high school and beyond.
Robotics & Coding - In Hall’s science classes, the 8th graders have been diving into the world of technology. Students worked on programming robots to draw intricate pictures. This required them to write and test their own code, blending creativity with high-level logic and troubleshooting.
Visualizing Biology - In Goldman’s 7th-grade science class, students are using creative strategies to master complex concepts. To help solidify their understanding of cell functions, students have been busy drawing and creating detailed flip charts. By pairing visual art with scientific vocabulary, students are building stronger mental associations that will help them retain this foundational knowledge throughout the year.
Predict & Analyze - 6th graders are sharpening their inquiry skills. They began the week by analyzing various historical and cultural images to predict their next focus of study in Grobe's social studies class. This detective work helps them develop the critical thinking skills necessary to understand the world around them.

We are so proud of the focus and maturity our students have shown this week. It is clear that this is going to be a productive and inspiring semester!

Report cards have been posted in Parent/StudentVUE. They can be found in the “Documents” section of Parent/StudentVUE.

Thank you for your continued partnership and for choosing Esperero Canyon.

Stacey Gist

Principal

Esperero Canyon Middle School

Never miss another important ECMS calendar event: click the subscribe button on the calendar on ParentSquare, and link the EC school calendar to your personal digital calendar.

Reminder: All ECMS Important Dates to Remember are in the ECMS Family Info file.

Esperero Teachers & Staff Amazon Wish List Update

Thank you to all the parents who have already supported our teachers and staff through the Amazon Wish List — 66 items have been purchased so far!

There’s still time to help! 36 items remain on the list, including cups and crackers for the health office and general classroom supplies like paper, Sharpies, dry erase markers, pencils, soap, and tissue.

All items ship directly to the school, making it quick and easy to support our staff.

Wish List Link:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/7YDPSTIK42C6?ref_=wl_share

Every item makes a difference — thank you for your continued generosity!

Happening This Week at Esperero

Wednesday Jan 14th - CFHS CTE Showcase (8th Gr. Families) @CFHS 5:30-6:45 PM
Thursday Jan 15th - FFO General Meeting 1:30 PM @ ECMS Library.
Thursday Jan 15th - FFO Dine Out at Costa Vida (Broadway/ Wilmot) All Day.
Thursday Jan 15th - Open House for Prospective Families @ EC 6:00 PM.

Upcoming at Esperero

Monday Jan. 19th - No School.
Wednesday Jan. 21st - Eagle Forum 2:45 PM.
Thursday Jan. 22nd - Falcon Fly-In (8th gr. only)

FAMILY FACULTY ORGANIZATION

Supporting ECMS Students, Staff, and School

Volunteer Opportunity: Teacher & Staff Appreciation

The FFO is looking for a volunteer to help coordinate Teacher & Staff Appreciation for the remainder of the school year. This role includes organizing monthly appreciation events, such as lunches, snack days, and a coffee cart in May, to show our amazing teachers and staff how much they’re appreciated.

-All purchases are reimbursable
-FFO debit card available when possible
-Limited budget (with guidance, ideas, and support from FFO)

Interested or want more information?

- Please email ecmsffopresident@gmail.com

Your time and support make a big difference in our school community, thank you!

- NEW YEAR SPIRIT WEAR SALE! -

Even though we only earn about $4 profit per spirit wear item, our goal is to build school spirit and support our students — not make large profits.

We’re excited to offer a $2 OFF New Year Sale through January 30th!

Every purchase still helps fund ECMS programs and teacher support.

Shop here: wamiswag.com/shops/ecms

Buy Spirit Wear Here

FFO General Meeting — You’re Invited!

-Thursday, Jan 15

-1:30 PM

-ECMS Library | Also on Zoom

Join us for our January Esperero FFO General Meeting!

What’s on the agenda?

Guest Speaker: School Resource Officer (SRO) presenting on drug awareness
Principal’s Report from Ms. Gist with important ECMS updates
Budget updates — how FFO funds are being used
Community Schools & CFSD Foundation reports
News and updates from our school, district, and community

Can’t attend in person? Join us on Zoom:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87826870274?pwd=M3RKRW9oVmJra2wwelNlL294V1BhZz09

We’d Love Your Input!

Please take a moment to complete our short survey:

Improving FFO Meeting Attendance

Your involvement makes a difference — we hope to see you there!

LUNCHTIME GAME VOLUNTEERS

More Lunchtime Fun — Now with TWO Air Hockey Tables! We’re excited to share that a second air hockey table has been added for students to enjoy during lunch!

However, students can only play when an adult volunteer is present, so we need your help to keep the fun going!

Volunteers:

Have the kids sign up to play.
Make sure that the kids who sign up are playing at the right time.
Be sure students place their Student ID in the pouches while they play.
Have fun watching the kiddos!

Lunch Times

Mon, Tu, Th, Fri - Lunch A: 11:15-11:45 and Lunch B: 12:10-12:40

Late Start Wed - Lunch A: 12:18-12:48 and Lunch B: 12:52 - 1:22

Lunch A - all 6th gr. and half of 7th gr.

Lunch B - all 8th gr. and half of 7th gr.

BASHAS' GIFT CARDS THANK YOU!

A big thank you to the families who have already purchased a Bashas’ gift card! If you haven’t grabbed one yet, it’s not too late. Each $10 reloadable card works like a prepaid debit card, and every time you reload it, Esperero earns 6% back to support our school. Cards can be purchased by sending payment via Zelle to ecmsffotreasurer@gmail.com or by dropping off cash or a check (ECMS FFO) at the front office.

Thank you for your support!

8th grade Promotion

Let’s Celebrate the Class of 2026!

We Need Your Support! The FFO is excited to assist the ECMS Administration to help plan a number of promotion festivities to honor our students' hard work and success. To make these celebrations memorable, we are asking each family to contribute to the promotion expenses. A donation of $40 per 8th grade student is suggested, but any amount you can offer will be greatly appreciated and will directly support the events.

How You Can Help:

Donation of $40 per student helps cover ceremony expenses, promotion party, dinner, entertainment, and an ice cream social.

Payment Options:

ONLINE: www.ecmsffo.org/promotion
ZELLE: Send to ecmsffotreasurer@gmail.com or scan QR Code in your banking app
CHECK: Payable to ECMS FFO, Mail or drop off to office

NOTE: “8th Grade Promotion & student’s name.”

Additional Contributions: Because not all families have the financial ability to contribute, consider helping our efforts by contributing an additional amount.

Additional contributions of any amount are welcome.