ElDo Middle School

Starting Strong at EMS: A Message from the Principal

Dear EMS Students, Families, Faculty, and Staff,

Welcome back to another exciting year at El Dorado Springs Middle School! I hope each of you had a wonderful summer filled with rest, fun, and meaningful time with family and friends. As we begin the 2026–2027 school year, our staff is energized and ready to make this year one filled with growth, achievement, and memorable experiences for every student.

We are thrilled to welcome both our returning students and the many new students and families joining the EMS community this year. Whether this is your first year at EMS or you are returning for another great year, we are proud to have you as part of our school family.

At El Dorado Springs Middle School, we believe middle school is a time for students to discover who they are, build confidence, and prepare for future success. Our goal is to create a positive and supportive learning environment where students feel safe, respected, challenged, and encouraged every single day. We are committed to helping students grow not only academically, but also socially and emotionally as they develop into responsible leaders and productive citizens.

Throughout the summer, our teachers and staff have spent countless hours preparing classrooms, planning engaging lessons, reviewing student data, and finding new ways to meet the needs of all learners. EMS teachers care deeply about student success and work hard to provide meaningful learning experiences that challenge students to think critically, collaborate with others, and strive for excellence.

This year, we will continue emphasizing elevated expectations, strong relationships, student leadership, and school pride. We want every student to understand that success comes from effort, perseverance, respect, and a willingness to grow. At EMS, we encourage students to take ownership of their learning, support one another, and always represent themselves and our school in a positive way.

To our students: This is your year to get involved, try new things, and make the most of every opportunity. Join a club, participate in athletics, or fine arts, attend school events, and step outside your comfort zone. Middle school is about learning, growing, and creating memories that will last a lifetime. We believe in you and cannot wait to see all that you accomplish this year.

To our parents and guardians: Thank you for the support, encouragement, and trust you provide each day. A strong partnership between home and school is one of the greatest factors in student success. We encourage you to stay involved throughout the school year by attending events, communicating with teachers, monitoring student progress, and staying connected through our website and social media pages. Together, we can help every student succeed.

As we begin this new school year, let us work together to make EMS a place where students feel connected, supported, and inspired to achieve their best. Our doors are always open, and we are committed to helping every student succeed both inside and outside the classroom.

I look forward to seeing everyone on August 26th and beginning another outstanding year together. Let’s make 2026–2027 the best year yet!

Sincerely,

Jay Martin

Middle School Principal

El Dorado Springs R-II Middle School

 

Middle School parents invited

The El Dorado Springs Middle School Principal, Jay Martin has scheduled a meeting for parents of 6th grade students and parents of any new 7th and 8th grade students. The meeting will be at 6:00 pm, on Monday, August 24th, in the small gym.

 

New 2026-2027 Middle School teachers

Please join us in welcoming Amber Austin to El Dorado Springs Middle School as our new Girls Physical Education teacher! Amber brings five years of classroom experience and is enthusiastic about helping students develop healthy habits, teamwork skills, and a love for physical activity. She graduated from North Central Missouri College and Missouri Valley College, where she played collegiate softball, and holds degrees in Early Childhood Education, Agricultural Education and also, being certified in Physical Education. In addition to teaching middle school PE, Amber will serve as the high school softball assistant coach and middle school girls basketball coach. We are excited to have Amber join our Bulldog family and look forward to the positive impact she will make on our students and school community!

We are proud to welcome Jana Cossins to El Dorado Springs Middle School as our new 6th Grade Math teacher! Jana brings four years of classroom experience and a passion for helping students grow both academically and personally. She graduated from Southwest Baptist University with a degree in Elementary Education and later earned her master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Jana loves teaching math and is dedicated to building meaningful relationships with students while making learning engaging, enjoyable, and relevant. We are excited to have Jana join our middle school family and cannot wait to see the positive impact she will have on the lives of our students!

We are excited to welcome Alan Koca to El Dorado Springs Middle School as our new 8th Grade Science teacher! Alan brings two years of classroom experience and a passion for helping students explore and understand the world around them through science. He is currently completing his Science Education degree through Western Governors University (WGU) and is committed to continuing his growth as an educator. As a proud member of the El Dorado Springs community, Alan has a deep love for his hometown and is excited to invest in the students who make it special. We are thrilled to have Alan join our middle school team and look forward to the positive impact he will have on our students!

Please help us welcome Faye Koger to the middle school staff, where she will inspire and educate our 7th Grade Science students. Faye brings an incredible 29 years of educational experience to our team and has already become a familiar face in our district through her work as a substitute teacher for the last four years. She earned her degree in K-8 Elementary Education from Missouri Southern State University and later completed her master’s degree at Missouri State University. With a wealth of knowledge, experience, and a passion for working with students, Faye is well-prepared to make science engaging and meaningful for our seventh graders. We are thrilled to have her join our middle school family and cannot wait to see the positive impact she will have on our students and staff!

We are thrilled to have Brittany Lukenbill join the El Dorado Springs Middle School team as our 7th Grade Social Studies teacher! Brittany has one year of classroom experience and recently graduated from Western Governors University (WGU) with a degree in Elementary Education. She joined us from elementary school, where she built strong relationships with students and developed a passion for helping young learners succeed. Brittany has a genuine love for social studies and is excited to share that enthusiasm while helping students connect with history, geography, and the world around them. We are thrilled to have Brittany as part of our middle school team and look forward to all the remarkable things she will accomplish with our students!

 

R-II Middle School Staff

Mr. Jay Martin – 6th – 8th Principal

Mrs. Jana Cossins – 6th – Math

Mr. Malcolm Robertson – 6th – Science

Miss Jamee Barnes – 6th – Social Studies

Mrs. Alexa Mays – 6th – Communication Arts

Mrs. Faye Koger – 7th – Science

Mrs. Amber Francis – 7th – Communication Arts

Mrs. Brittany Lukenbill – 7th – Geography

Mrs. Amanda Obert – 7th – Math

Mr. Travis Payne – 8th – American History

Ms. Kim Cox – 8th – Communication Arts

Mrs. Tonya Hooper – 8th – Math

Mr. Brian Goatley – 8th – Algebra

Mr. Alan Koca – 8th – Science

Miss Amber Austin – 6th – 8th – PE/Health

Mr. Noah Pafford – 6th – 8th – PE/Health

Mr. David Rogers – 6th – 8th – Outdoor Living/I.S.D.

Miss Bailee Fleming – 6th – 8th – Choir

Mr. Nicholas Vick – 6th – 8th – Band/Music

Ms Emily Clark – 6th – 8th – Art

Mrs. Stephanie Steward – 6th – 8th – F.A.C.S./P.L.T.W.

Mr. Bill Gray – 7th – 8th – P.L.T.W./I.S.D.

Mrs. Karen Rogers – 6th – 8th – Special Education

Mrs. Melanie Martin – 6th – 8th – Special Education

6th – 8th – Special Education

Ms. Melanie Steward – 6th – 8th – Reading

Mr. Walt Anderson – 6th – 8th – I.S.D.

Mrs. Tandi Leonard – 6th – 8th – Speech/Debate & Drama

Mrs. Amy Green – 8th – AG

Mr. Cameron Hargrove – 7th – AG

Mrs. Bentley Matthews – 7th – 8th – Yearbook/Newspaper/I.C.R.

Mrs. Cindy Carpenter – 7th – 8th – Technology

Mrs. Morgan Engleman – 6th – 8th – Counselor

Deputy Garrett Lukenbill – SRO Officer

Mrs. Kandi Rotert – Secretary

 

Middle School activities 2026-27 school year

August 24 6th Grade Orientation 6:00 – 7:00 PM Elementary Gym

September 3 Skating Party 6:00 – 8:00 PM Skate Town

September 10 MS Showcase 5:30 – 7:00 PM MS Building

September 25 School picture 8:00 – ?? TBA

October 27 School picture retakes 8:00 – ?? TBA

November 6 Fall/Winter Dance 7:00 – 9:00 PM HS/MS Cafeteria

February 11 Valentine Dance 7:00 – 9:00 PM HS/MS Cafeteria

March 4 S.T.E.A.M Night 5:30 -7:00 P.M. MS Building

May 4 M.A.P. Great Escapes 5:30 -7:00 P.M. Lower Gym

May 5-14 M.A.P. Testing TBA MS Classrooms

May 14 Lock-In 3:00 – 9:00 PM MS Gym/Elementary Gym

May 18 6th/7th Grade Awards 9:00 AM HS Gym

May 18 8th Grade Recognition 6:00 PM HS Gym

 

Schedules/fees/new student enrollment

Middle School official schedules for the upcoming school year may be picked up starting August 19, 2026, from 8 am to 12 (noon) and from 1 to 3:30 pm. Students need to pay their $10 non-refundable technology usage fee at this time and any other outstanding charges. The technology fee helps with printer paper and toner. Any damage to the classroom computers or to the Chromebooks is the responsibility of the student.

Several forms will be sent home with the students when they pick up their schedules. Please fill out and return these forms on the first day of school. Please keep the school updated with a change of address and phone number so we can keep your child’s records current.

The first day of classes will begin Wednesday, August 26.

 

Write student’s name on everything

The Kleenex will need be given to your English teacher for student use throughout the year.

Students are not to bring liquid glue, white out, scissors, compasses, or permanent or sharpie markers. Glue sticks are permitted.

Large athletic bags are not permitted. We recommend that your students use a regular-sized backpack that will fit in a locker. Students are not required to have bags or backpacks.

The middle school dress code does not allow students to wear any of the following: tank tops, sleeveless shirts with large arm holes, spaghetti strap tops, shirts which expose the midriff or back, scarves worn as headgear, underwear worn as outer clothing, bandannas or any type of hat.  Shorts and skirts should be modest lengths, so as not to draw undue attention. Jeans, slacks, pants, shorts, leggings, etc. must not have any holes in them from the waist to the knee. Also, due to so many students having allergies it is recommended that there be NO SPRAY deodorant, perfume, or spray hair products (there are a lot of alternatives, besides spray). For more dress code no, no’s, see Dress Code in the student handbook.

 

Middle School 8th hours policy

Failure to serve an 8th hour will result in ISD with the following consequences:

A.1st offense1 day of ISD

B. 2nd offense 2 days of ISD

C. 3rd offense 3 days of ISD

D. 4th offense 4 days of ISD

E. 5th offense and thereafter – the principal will determine consequence

 

MIDDLE SCHOOL BELL SCHEDULE

7:35……………………………………………………………Breakfast

8:00 – 8:51……………………………………………….First Period

8:55 – 9:46……………………………………………Second Period

9:50 – 10:41……………………………………………Third Period

10:45 – 11:36………………………………………..Fourth Period

11:40 – 12:55……………………………………………Fifth Period

12:59 – 1:49…………………………………………….Sixth Period

1:53 – 2:43…………………………………………..Seventh Period

2:47 – 3:07…………………………………………….Bulldog Time

 

ElDo 6th, 7th and 8th grade supply list

6th Grade

1 – Yellow single subject spiral notebook   

2 – Composition books

1 – Blue plastic folder with prongs

1 – Red plastic folder with prongs

1 – Green plastic folder with prongs

1 – Yellow plastic folder with prongs

1 – Purple plastic folder with prongs

Pencils (4 packs)

Pens (black, blue, red, green)

Colored pencils

4 highlighters (pink, green, yellow, blue)

4 – Dry erase markers (no cleaner needed)   

Earbuds for computers (not wireless or Bluetooth)

2 Glue sticks   

Girls: Kleenex/Clorox wipes

Boys: Kleenex/Clorox wipes

7th Grade

2 – Composition books (college ruled-100pages)

2 – One-subject notebook

1- 2.5-inch binder

2 – 1 inch binder

1 – Pkgs loose notebook paper

1 – pkg sheet protectors (optional)

Pencils

Colored Pencils

4 – Glue sticks

1 – box of Kleenex

Girls: Hand sanitizer

Boys: Disinfectant Wipes

8th Grade

1 Pkg. loose leaf notebook paper

2 – Composition books (college ruled-100pages)

1 – 2-inch binder

2 – Pocket folder

1 – Pkg. Dividers (5-tab)

3 – Pkgs. of pencils

1 – 10 pack markers

1 – 12 pack-colored pencils

1 – package of red pens

1 – package of blue pens

1 – roll of scotch tape

Cap erasers or 1 big eraser

4 – Glue sticks

2 boxes of Kleenex

Earbuds for computers

(not wireless)

Quarter or Semester electives may require other supplies or small fees for projects. The teacher will

inform the students of other supplies or fees they may need at the beginning of school.