AMS Principal's Weekly Update 9-10-21

Dear AMS Students and Families, 
I hope everyone enjoyed the extended time off.  While we have only had 6 days of school within the first 2 weeks, students are beginning to settle into a routine.  As is typically the case for our 6th graders, the anxiousness of transitioning to middle school is fading by the day.  While next week is only a 4 day week, we are inching closer to our first full week of school. 

Last week, I shared a Donors Choose initiative on behalf of Mr, Morris, our science and technology teacher, who was seeking funds to purchase flexible seating for his classroom.  Once again, our school community stepped up to the plate to donate and I am happy to share that the goal of raising roughly $1900 has been reached.  To those who donated, we thank you for your support of this initiative.  Our students will greatly benefit from your generosity!

Tomorrow marks the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that took place on September 11, 2001. While this was a dark day in the history of the United States, it is nonetheless part of our history and understanding our past is crucial to not letting history repeat itself.  At 8:45, I read the following message over the PA to our students and staff:

Tomorrow, September 11, 2021 marks the 20-year anniversary of a dark moment in American history when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center Towers in New York City, the Pentagon in Arlington Virginia, and United Airlines Flight 93 which crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. September 11 is now known as 'Patriot Day.'  It is a day of remembrance for the 2,977 innocent lives lost on September 11, 2001, which included civilians, firefighters, police officers, and other first responders.  September 11 is considered a National Day of Service and Remembrance. Memorial ceremonies and candlelight vigils are held across the United States and flags fly at half-staff on this day to remember that morning and to acknowledge the heroic Americans who responded with courage, charity, and sacrifice.  While today is September 10, since we will not be in school tomorrow, I would ask that we all please remove any hats and stand, now at 8:46, the time the first plane hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center, for a moment of silence in honor of the innocent lives lost on 9/11.  

Our social studies teachers also presented lessons on the events of 9/11 to help students learn more about that day and understand why many of our current safety measures are in place.  While the attacks that took place on 9/11 evoke many emotions, Ms. Combs, Mrs. Saltsman, Mrs. Sutherland, and Ms. Post all presented lessons in a manner that was reflective and thought provoking as students learned more about the tragic events that took place on that dark day in 2001.

Upcoming Dates

Monday 9-13-21 
No Scheduled Events

Tuesday 9-14-21
PTSA Meeting 7:00 p.m. in the Media Center

Wednesday 9-15-21
Picture Make-Up Day

Thursday 9-16-21
No School

Friday 9-17-21
Constitution Day

Additional General School Information and Reminders

• There are bike racks located at each grade level door.  If your child is riding their bike to school, please remind them to put their bike in the bike rack and lock-up their bike.  This is the best preventative measure to avoid having a bike stolen. 
• Doors open at 8:05 and students should be in their first period class by 8:15.  We had a few students entering the building this week just prior to 8:15 which does not allow enough time for students to get to their 1st period class by 8:15.  Please plan accordingly in the morning.  
• The 6th Grade entrance door is the far east door by the tennis courts facing Catalpa, the 7th Grade entrance door is the main rear entrance, and the 8th grade entrance door is the main front entrance.  Students may exit out any door at the end of the day.  
• 6th and 8th Grade families are encouraged to drop off by the tennis courts and 7th grade families are encouraged to drop off in the rear parking lot.  Any students dropped off north of Catalpa should cross at the corner of Gardner and Catalpa where there is a crossing guard.  DROP OFF ON CATALPA IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED AND MAY RESULT IN A TICKET FROM BERKLEY PUBLIC SAFETY FOR IMPEDING TRAFFIC! 
• Beginning September 13, our media center will be open from 7:30-8:05.  Students will need to enter at the media center door located just left of the main front entrance (8th Grade entrance).  Capacity is limited to 30 students and students will be admitted on a first come, first served basis.  
• Students should bring a water bottle to school.  While we don't mind giving students cups, a refillable water bottle allows for students to refill water as often as needed at the dinking fountains which currently are only functioning as bottle fillers. 
• It is strongly recommended that lunch containers, water bottles, and other person items be labeled with students names.  Already in the first week we have had several items left around the building and outside.  When we find items that are labeled, we return them directly to students.  Items not labeled wind up in our lost and found which is located in the hallway just outside the gym. 
• All students and staff must wear a mask while indoors worn properly over the nose and mouth with the exception of the eating portion of lunch.  Masks do NOT need to be worn outside for any outside activity including morning line-up, lunch time, outdoor PE classes, and outdoor athletics.

8th Grade Washington DC Trip Informational Meeting

Picture Make-Up Day

Yearbook Orders

Football - For questions about Football, please contact Coach Steve Hanna or Coach Ron Fritz.  Below is the schedule for the upcoming season and all games start at 4:30:

September 29 - Away v. West Bloomfield
October 5 - Home v. Hazel Park
October 13 - Home v. East Hills 
October 20 - Home v. Farmington Power
October 28 - Away at Clarenceville
November 3 - Away at West Hills  

Cross Country - For more information about Cross Country, please contact Coach Beth Hanna or Coach Athena Troher.  Below is the schedule for the upcoming season and all meets begin at 4:30:

September 21 - Away at Hazel Park/Ferndale
September 23 - Away v. Detroit Country Day
September 30 - Away v. Farmington East
October 7 - Home v. Farmington Steam
October 14 - Home v. Farmington Power
October 21 - Home v. Farmington Warner
October 27 - League Meet at Cranbrook (Top 7 Compete)

Basketball (Girls) - Tryouts took place this week for 7th and 8th grade girls interested in basketball.  Should there not be enough girls who try out for 7th grade, tryouts will be offered to 6th grade girls interested in playing for the 7th grade team.  If there are open spots, Mr. Cowdrey will send a group email to notify 6th grade girls of any open spots.  If there are 6th grade girls who think they may want to try out, please make sure to complete a physical prior to September 13th.  For questions about 7th grade basketball, please contact Coach Chelsea Worlds.  For questions about 8th grade basketball, please contact Coach Scott Rowlett.  Below is the schedule for the upcoming season and all games start at 4:30.  

September 24 - Away v. Farmington Steam
September 27 -  Away. Farmington Power
September 30 - Away v. Clarenceville
October 7 - Home v. Norup
October 12 - Home v. Farmington Warner
October 14 - Home v. Farmington East
October 19 - Away v. Ferndale
October 21 - Home v. Oak Park
October 26 - Away v. Hazel Park
October 28 - Home v. Royal Oak

Tennis (Girls) - The girls tennis season began on August 23.  For more information about tennis, please contact Coach Robert Hall.  Below is the schedule for the upcoming season and all matches begin at 4:00:

September 20 - Away v. Bloomfield Hills
September 22 - Away v. Detroit Country Day
September 27 - Away v. Bloomfield Hills
September 29 - Home v. Derby MS
October 4 - Home v. West Hills
October 6 - Home v. Derby
October 7 - Home v. West Hills
October 11 - Home v. Detroit Country Day
October 13 - Away v. Berkshire (@ Birmingham Country Club)
October 18 - Away v. Cranbrook
October 20 - Away v. East Hills 
October 25 - Singles Tournament @ West Hills and Bloomfield Hills Locations
October 26 - Doubles Tournament @ West Hills and Bloomfield Hills Locations

For all athletic related questions, please contact AMS Assistant Principal and Middle School Athletic Coordinator Mr. Cowdrey (248) 837-8202.

Student Clubs and Activities

Over the next few weeks, we will begin rolling out club and extra-curricular opportunities for students.  Below are the first of many of our club and extra-curricular opportunities being offered to our students:

First Robotics Team - We are happy to announce that the AMS First Robotics Team will return this year. The first meeting will be on Monday September 13 at 4:00 p.m. in Room 113.  AMS parent Kevin Schokora is returning from our 2019/2020 season along with AMS parent Martin Wekerle as the coaches this season.  The First Robotics Team costs $100 for the season (financial assistance will be considered for families who may need assistance). If you have any questions about the First Robotics Team, please contact Kevin Schokora.

Art Club - There will be two Art Clubs offered this year; one 1st semester and one 2nd semester. Art Club will take place every Thursday after school from 3:20-4:10.  Each semester will be limited to 30 students.  The first semester Art Club will begin on September 23 and will end on December 23.  This year, Art Club will have a focus on drawing. All skill levels are welcome. Students should bring a sketchbook and their own drawing materials. Special papers and advanced drawing mediums will be available for those that want to explore. If you are interested in Art Club, please complete the Art Club Permission Form  prior to to attending on September 23.  For any questions related to Art Club, please contact Ms. Reid.  

General Information

Join the AMS PTSA!

Please consider joining the AMS PTSA.  The PTSA helps support programs, classroom needs, and opportunities for our students throughout the year.  While your assistance with PTSA sponsored events is always appreciated, your membership does not obligate you to volunteer for events.  Joining the PTSA has never been easier.  Join online by visiting the AMS PTSA membership page. 

Receiving Parent Notifications
Through Schoology

If you would like to receive email update notifications through Schoology, please follow the steps below:

1. Click the dropdown menu located in the upper right corner where your child's name is listed and choose settings.
2. Click on the Notifications tab
3. Change email summary to "On" and set your preference for frequency of receiving notifications
4. Change overdue submissions to "On" to get notified when assignments are late or missing.  

AMS Event Calendar

Please click here for a printable version of the AMS 2021-22 Event Calendar.  Please keep in mind that due to continued uncertain times, events are subject to change and events may be added or removed.    

Amazon Smile

Did you know that for every purchase you make on Amazon, a small percentage can go to benefit the AMS PTSA?  All you have to do is a quick setup on the Amazon phone app and any future purchases will automatically generate a small donation to the AMS PTSA.  To setup AmazonSmile on your existing Amazon phone app, please follow the directions below:

1) In the upper left hand corner select where you see the 3 horizontal lines
2) Scroll down and select settings
3) Select AmazonSmile
4) Add Anderson Middle School PTSA to your list of charities and make sure that the "generating donations" is turned on. 
5) Your app should now be defaulted to AmazonSmile and any purchases you make will automatically generate a donation to the AMS PTSA.

To set up on a computer, simply go to smile.amazon.com, go into the same settings above, and setup the AMS PTSA as your charitable donation.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram

Follow AMS on Facebook and Instagram.  To find us, click in the search and type andersonmiddleschoolvikings to access our page.  Both pages have a Viking as the profile picture. 

AMS Spiritwear

Anytime is a great time to purchase AMS spiritwear.  Ordering is simple through our online store with many options to choose from. To shop for AMS spiritwear, please visit the AMS Online Spiritwear Store. 

Berkley African American Parent Network Meet and Greet

The Berkley African American Parent Network (BAAPN), is a parent run organization that works in partnership with the Berkley School District and Oakland County Schools. Their network is a way for parents with African American children in Berkley Schools to connect with each other. They are committed to supporting student engagement, high academic achievement and increased parental involvement.  The first BAAPN General Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 16, 2021 at 7:00 PM at Norup International School.  Stay tuned for registration information for the 2021-2022 Saturdays for Success Program. The first session will meet on Saturday, October 9, 2021 - 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM.

Have a great weekend!  

Sincerely,
Michael Ross
AMS Principal