AMS Principal's Weekly Update August 27, 2021

AMS Principal's Weekly Update August 27, 2021

Dear AMS Students and Families, 

I hope you are enjoying the last week of summer break!  On Tuesday, staff from AMS and across the district returned from summer break.  It was great to reconnect with each other to share our summer experiences.  Our day started with a re-energizing staff meeting led by Ms. Majeski, Mrs. Milia, and Mrs. Saltsman. Our primary focus for this meeting and other staff meetings throughout the year will be continuing to cultivate a positive school culture that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion so that all members of our school community feel respected, connected, and valued.  Ultimately, we continue to work hard to provide the most positive middle school experience to our students.

As is often the case each year, we have a few staff changes for the upcoming year.  Please join me in wishing our former staff well as they embark on new opportunities while welcoming our newest members to the Viking Staff.

Staff Not Returning for the 2021-22 School Year:

Cheyenne Diadiun - Mrs. Diadiun has accepted a science teacher position in another district much closer to her home and family.  We thank Mrs. Diadiun for her time at AMS and wish her much success in her new position.  

Chris Young - Mr. Young is not returning to his teaching position as a social studies and media production teacher to pursue other career opportunities.  We thank him for his time at AMS and wish him much success in his future endeavors.

Anne de la Vega - Mrs. de la Vega accepted a Spanish position in a district closer to home in the middle of last year.  We thank her for her time with us and wish her much success in her new position.

Judi Walters - Mrs. Walters retired from her secretarial position at the end of last year after being with the Berkley School District for over two decades.  We wish Mrs. Walters well in her retirement.

Jennifer Griffith - Mrs. Griffith recently accepted a position as a literacy coach in the district.  While she will no longer be at AMS, she will continue to use her talents to support Berkley teachers and students.  We thank Mrs. Griffith for her time with us and wish her much success in her new position.

Heidi Bishop - Mrs. Bishop has left her para-educator position at AMS and has accepted a teaching position at an elementary school in another district.  We thank Mrs. Bishop for her time at AMS and wish her much success in her new position.

Maryann VanCleave - Mrs. VanCleave has left her para-educator position and moved out of state to be closer to family.  We thank Mrs. VanCleave for her time at AMS and wish her much success in her future endeavors.

Mike Tucker - Mr. Tucker has left his night custodian position and accepted a maintenance position within the district.  We thank Mr. Tucker for his time at AMS and wish him well in his new role within the district.  

Newest Members of the 2021-22 AMS Viking staff:

Ari Alderman - Please join me in welcoming Ari Alderman as our new ELA teacher.  Mrs. Alderman previously served as a para educator at AMS and for most of last year served as the long term sub for Spanish where she proved to be an outstanding teacher and asset to AMS.    

Cheryl Revenis-Glavas - Please join me in welcoming Cheryl Revenis-Glavas as our new Spanish teacher.  Mrs. Revenis-Glavas comes to us with several years of teaching and cultural experiences, most recently teaching Spanish at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs.  

Melissa Velazquez - Please join me in welcoming Melissa Velazquez as our new science teacher.  Mrs. Velazquez come to us with several years of teaching experience, most recently at Avondale Middle School.  Mrs. Velazquez will officially start with us on September 9.  There will be a sub in her classroom for the first week of school.  

Lauren Moroney - Please join me in welcoming Lauren Moroney as our new secretary.  Mrs. Moroney comes to us with a wealth of administrative assistant experience.  She has already hit the ground running and has been a great addition to our office staff.

Brian Ball - Please join me in welcoming Brian Ball as a new para-educator to AMS.  Mr. Ball has a wealth of previous experience working with children and will be a great support to students in the classroom.

Diane Miszewski - Please join me in welcoming Diane Miszewski as our new night custodian.  Diane was previously a custodian at Norup and has already done a great job helping to get the building ready for our students' return to school next week.

Social Studies Vacancy - This morning we conducted interviews to fill Mr. Young's former social studies position.  We expect to have that position filled by early next week.  In the interim, we will have a sub in Mr, Young's former classroom.   

School News

Upcoming Dates

Monday 8-30-21

• First Day of School - Doors open at 8:05
• Football Meeting at 3:20 in the AMS Gym

Tuesday 8-31-21

• Devices issued to students who did not receive one on August 17

Wednesday 9-1-21

• Cross Country Meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Hurley Field

Thursday 9-2-21

• No Scheduled Events

Friday 9-3-21

• No School

First Day of School Information and General Reminders

• There will be a "First Day of Middle School" photo prop outside of the 6th grade door for parents and students to take pictures prior to students entering at 8:05. 
• Don't forget to tag any 1st day of school social media posts with #BSD1stDay. 
• 6th Graders will report to their 1st period class, but will follow an abbreviated schedule to continue transition activities.  6th Graders will begin following their actual schedule on Tuesday, August 31.  First period teachers will share the plans with students during first period on Monday.
• Doors open at 8:05 and students should be in their first period class by 8:15.
• 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.  
• All students should bring a lock on the first day of school as lockers will be assigned on the first day of school.
• Students should bring general school supplies (pens, pencils, notebooks, folders/binder) and a fully charged device (if they have already been issued one) on the first day of school.
• Devices will be distributed on August 31 to those students who did not receive a device on August 17.
• All students and staff must wear a mask while indoors 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.
• Students should remember to bring a copy of their schedule.  If students did not pick-up their schedule yet, we will have a copy available upon entering the building.  Schedules are now visible on the MISTAR parent and student portals and can be printed right online.   

AMS School Rules and Expectations

Free School Lunch

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.  Students who do not have completed immunizations or a waiver by October 11 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 - There will be an informational meeting right after school on Monday, August 30, in the AMS gym for any 7th and 8th grade students interested in joining the football team.  Practice is expected to begin on Tuesday, August 31.  All students will need a current physical (dated 4/15/2021 or after) to begin practice.  For more information, please contact Coach Steve Hanna or Coach Ron Fritz.  

Cross Country - There will be an informational meeting on Wednesday, September 1, at 4:00 p.m. on Hurley Field for any 6th, 7th and 8th grade students interested in participating in Cross Country.  Practice is expected to begin sometime next week.  All students will need a current physical (dated 4/15/2021 or after) to begin practice.  For more information about Cross Country, please contact Coach Beth Hanna or Coach Athena Troher.  

Basketball (Girls) - The fall basketball team is open to 7th and 8th grade girls.   There will be an after school meeting during the first week of school with practice to begin shortly thereafter.  All students will need a current physical (dated 4/15/2021 or after) to begin practice.  For questions about 7th grade basketball, please contact Coach Chelsea Worlds.  For questions about 8th grade basketball, please contact Coach Scott Rowlett.  More information will be forthcoming.

Tennis (Girls) - Fall tennis is open to girls in 6-8th grade.  Practices began this week.  All students will need a current physical (dated 4/15/2021 or after) to begin practice.  For more information about tennis, please contact Coach Robert Hall.

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

General Information

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.  Note for 8th Graders:  We are in the process of establishing dates for the annual Washington DC trip so that trip is not currently listed on the event calendar.  I will provide more information as it becomes available.   

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 look forward to our students return on Monday, August 30.  Have a great weekend!!

Sincerely,
Michael Ross
AMS Principal
Direct Line: (248) 837-8201
Email: michael.ross@berkleyschools.org