AMS Principal's Weekly Update: 9-3-21
Dear AMS Students and Families,
I hope it was a great first week for our Vikings! Unlike the start of last school year, students returned on Monday, in person, returning to a mostly "normal" school environment. Other than mask wearing indoors and shields on the lunch tables, everything else has essentially returned to a normal environment, which reflects our continued goal of getting back to our pre-covid normal. For the first day of 6th grade this year, we delayed students following their regular schedule by extending our middle school transition activities. I think this really helped to lower some of the anxiety that many of our 6th graders were experiencing. As always, lunch was a little chaotic the first couple of days, and to add to the chaos, on Wednesday, we began allowing students to eat outside in the bleachers at Hurley Field. We will continue to allow students to eat outside as long as the weather permits us to do so. Overall, I was very pleased with the first week of school, especially given our continued uncertain times. Returning to our regular daily schedule will serve to offer some routine and consistency for both our students and staff. In case you missed it, AMS was featured in this week's Detroit Free Press highlighting the experience of students (and parents) transitioning to middle school. To read this week's feature article, please click on The First Day of Middle School: Parents, Students Experience the Milestone in Berkley
In addition to the new staff members I introduced last week, we have a few additional new staff members that have joined the AMS Viking staff:
Diana Post - Please join me in welcoming Diana Post as our new social studies teacher. Last year, Ms. Post was a student teacher at Norup for 6th grade social studies and she comes to us with rave reviews from former colleagues and even some of her former students. We are thrilled to have Ms. Post join our exceptional social studies team.
Victor Bonds - Please join me in welcoming Victor Bonds as a new para-educator. Mr. Bonds has been a para-educator at Berkley High School for close to a decade and has done great work in supporting students. We are thrilled to have him join our staff and know that he will continue to do great work in supporting our students at AMS.
Vinnie Tenaglia - Please join me in welcoming Vinnie Tenaglia as a new para-educator. Mr. Tenaglia is a graduate of BHS and previously worked with our students as a sub para-educator just prior to the school closure in March of 2020. He is very excited to return to AMS to support our students and we are equally excited to have him permanently join our staff. He will officially start at AMS on September 13.
Upcoming Dates
Monday 9-6-21
No School
Tuesday 9-7-21
No School
Wednesday 9-8-21
No School
Thursday 9-9-21
No Scheduled Events
Friday 9-10-21
No Scheduled Events
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
There will be an informational parent meeting on September 20 at 6:00 p.m. in the AMS gym for 8th grade students interested in attending the 8th Grade trip to Washington DC scheduled to take place April 28-May 1. More detailed information will be provided at the meeting.
AMS School Rules and Expectations
This year's school rules and expectations were shared with students during 6th Grade Orientation. These rules will also be shared with 7th and 8th grade students next week. In particular, please review our dress code expectations which are in place to ensure that students are comfortable, but dressed in a manner that is in good taste for school. Click to review this year's school rules and expectations.
Construction Update
For those new to AMS, the construction taking place in the rear of the building will be a new cafeteria/multi-purpose space thanks to the support from our community in passing the 2018 Sinking Fund Bond. While we had hoped it would be completed by the start of school, there have been several delays for a variety of reasons. Our new projected timeline for opening this new space is around the beginning of November. Below is a rendering of what the new space will look like.
Support Mr. Morris' Donors Choose Initiative
For those who do not know Mel Morris, Mr. Morris is our exceptional science and technology teacher at AMS. To help enhance his students' experience in his classroom, he currently has a Donors Choose initiative to purchase flexible seating. He has currently raised just over $1100 of the roughly $1900 goal. If you would like to help him reach his goal to enhance the learning experience for our students, please click on Mr. Morris' Donors Choose Initiative to make a donation to this worthy cause! Donations will be doubled for those who donate by September 6, 2021 thanks to Donors Choose. Just enter the code LIFTOFF during checkout and you'll be matched dollar for dollar (up to $50).
Yearbook Orders
Families can order yearbooks for the 2021-22 school year for $35.00. To order a yearbook online, please visit the Jostens AMS Yearbook Order Page. On the first page fill out the required fields but leave the homeroom field blank as students do not have a homeroom at AMS. Yearbooks will arrive around the first week of June and will be distributed to students before the end of the year.
School Lunch Program
School lunches will be offered again free of charge this year to any students who wish to get a school lunch. To view the school lunch menu for the first month of school, please click on the AMS August/September Lunch Menu.
Clear to Go Daily Health Screener
As part of our Return To School safety protocols to keep everyone safe, healthy and in school, parents will be asked to monitor their child’s health and keep them home if they are not feeling well or showing COVID-19 symptoms. To assist with this, Berkley School District will continue to offer Clear To Go as a tool for parents. Please review the Clear to Go Parent Information. Parents will receive a daily reminder to complete the screening. This year, it is not required for students to show a badge at the door as we will verify screenings daily in the office.
7th Grade Immunization Records
Up-to-date immunizations or waivers are required for students entering Kindergarten, 7th Grade, and any newly enrolled students in the Berkley School District per the Public Health Code. Nonmedical waivers must be obtained from the County Health Department. Medical waivers are obtained from a doctor. 7th Grade and new students who do not have completed immunizations or a waiver by October 8 will begin to be excluded from school on October 12 until records are up to date or a waiver has been obtained. It is not necessary for parents to provide us a copy of immunization records as we verify immunizations through the MCIR state vaccination database. If you need to make an appointment for vaccinations or to obtain a waiver, please visit the Oakland County Health Department website or call the numbers listed below to schedule an appointment:
North Oakland Health Center (Pontiac): 248-858-1280
South Oakland Health Center (Southfield): 248-424-7000
Fall Athletic Information
Football - Football practice began this week. 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 - Cross Country practice began this week. 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) - There was an informational meeting held this week for girls in 7th and 8th grade interested in basketball. Tryouts will take place next Thursday and Friday from 3:30-5:00. 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 sports, 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. Berklshire (@ 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.
Clubs and Extra-Curricular Opportunities
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 3:30 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 3:20-4:20. 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.
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:
- Click the dropdown menu located in the upper right corner where your child's name is listed and choose settings.
- Click on the Notifications tab
- Change email summary to "On" and set your preference for frequency of receiving notifications
- 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.
We hope everyone has a great weekend and Labor Day. To our families who celebrate Rosh Hashanah, we wish them good health and prosperity in the Jewish New Year. We look forward to seeing our students again next Thursday, September 9!!
Sincerely,
Michael Ross
AMS Principal
