AMS Principal's Weekly Update 11-19-21
Dear AMS Students and Families,
As Thanksgiving is upon us, I want to thank our families for placing their trust in us to shape their child's academics, social skills, and positive character. We continuously work to provide an engaging, safe, and orderly environment where all students feel included and inspired to reach their full potential. I am thankful for the outstanding teachers, support staff, para-professionals, secretaries, custodians, and lunch staff who routinely go above and beyond the call of duty to make AMS a great place to learn and grow. While we still have our challenges related to the pandemic, I am extremely thankful that we have been able to return to school in person and provide a mostly normal school experience for our students thus far this year. At this time of year, we should all be thankful for the blessings that surround us, big and small. During the Thanksgiving break, I hope our families spend some quality time together and take time to reflect on those things for which to be thankful.
Last week as part of our Veterans Day lessons and activities, our social studies classes took on the initiative to help support Operation Gratitude, an initiative that helps provide care packages for Veterans. While we had a goal of raising enough money to support 10 care packages, I am pleased to share that we surpassed that goal and were able to raise $665; enough to support 44 care packages. We are so appreciative and thankful to our students and our school community for their generosity towards this worthy cause! Special thanks to AMS Social Studies Teacher, Noelle Sutherland, for being the driving force behind this initiative!
Upcoming Dates
Monday 11-22-21
First Robotics Team 4:00-6:00 in Room 114
Gaming Club 3:20-4:10 in room 113
Anime Club 3:20-4:10 in room 100
Homework Club 3:20-4:10 in the Media Center
Boys Basketball @ Norup at 4:30.
Tuesday 11-23-21
Girls Swimming @ Berkshire MS
Wednesday 11-24-21
1/2 Day - Dismissal at 11:30 a.m.
Thursday 11-25-21
NO SCHOOL
Friday 11-26-21
NO SCHOOL
7th Grade Upper Peninsula Trip
This year, AMS is offering an optional trip for 7th graders, June 1-3, 2022 to visit the Upper Peninsula and Mackinac Island. If you missed the informational parent meeting that took place on November 15, you can still learn more about this trip opportunity, including registration information, by visiting the AMS UP Trip website. For any questions related to the U.P. trip, please contact Mrs. Sutherland.
Greece Trip 2023
Additional spots have been added for the Greece trip scheduled for spring break 2023. If you are interested in learning more about this great travel opportunity, please click on Greece 2023. If you choose to register for the trip, the registration link is on the last slide of the presentation. For any questions about the Greece trip, please contact Athena Troher.
Caring and Sharing
Caring & Sharing is a Berkley Area PTSA Community annual event that provides holiday meals to families in the Berkley School District and local veterans. Due to both the continuing Covid situation and the extremely positive feedback received last year, this event will continue to run virtually. There will be no food collection & distribution of any kind. Instead, Caring & Sharing will consist of a direct donation drive and funds donated from school PTA's. Those funds will be used to purchase Hollywood Market grocery gift cards for families in need.
To make a donation between now and December 4, please click on
Caring and Sharing 2021.
Lastly, if you know of a family in need, or your family is in need this holiday season, please complete the Caring and Sharing referral form. All referral information will be used confidentially to provide families in need with a gift card to purchase food this holiday season. If you have any questions, please contact Anderson Middle School Assistant Principal Jim Cowdrey
Morning Media Center
In case you were not aware, our media center is open every morning from 7:30-8:05 a.m. Capacity is limited to 30 students on a first come, first served basis and admission ends at 7:55. Students must enter through the Catalpa doors by the main entrance and should plan on working on school work or read during the morning media center time.
Inclement Weather and Morning Entry
When there are inclement weather conditions such as rain, falling snow, and/or actual temperatures below 20 degrees, students are allowed to enter the building upon their arrival to school. Once students enter through their designated grade level door, they must wait in the hallway until 8:05.
Homework Club
Did you know that students can get assistance with homework 3 days a week at Homework Club? Homework Club is held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 3:20-4:10 in the media center. During this time, students can work independently on homework or can receive assistance from staff. Currently, very few students are taking advantage of this opportunity so we are hoping to see more students attend to receive any additional support that they may need.
November Lunch Menu
As a reminder, school lunches are being offered this year free of charge to any student who wishes to get a school lunch. To view the school lunch menu for November, please click on the November Lunch Menu
Athletics
Girls Swimming - For any questions related to girls swimming, please contact Coach Erin Roddis. Below is the schedule for the season.
11/23 @ Berkshire Silver
11/30 Home v. Birmingham Derby Red
12/1 @ Birmingham Covington
12/6 Home v. Bloomfield Hills MS
12/7Home v. West Hills MS
12/13 Home v. Cranbrook
12/16 Home v. Birmingham Berkshire Black
1/4 Home v. East Hills
1/6 @ Birmingham Derby White
1/11 League Meet @ Birmingham Groves
Boys Basketball - For questions about boys basketball, please contact 7th grade Coach Andre Price or 8th Grade Coach Scott Rowlett . Below is the schedule for the season and all games start at 4:30 unless otherwise noted.
11/22 @ Norup
11/29 @ Farmington Power
12/1 Home v. Hazel Park
12/6 Home v. Farmington Warner
12/8 @ Oak Park
12/13 @ Royal Oak
12/15 Home v. Norup
1/5 @ Detroit Country Day
1/10 Home v. Oak Park
1/12 @ Farmington East
1/20 Home v. Royal Oak
1/24 @ Ferndale
For all athletic related questions, please contact AMS Assistant Principal and Middle School Athletic Coordinator Mr. Cowdrey (248) 837-8202.
Student Clubs and Activities
Below are club and extra-curricular opportunities being offered to our students throughout the year. Clubs are continuously added throughout the year, so make sure to check the updates each week:
Yoga/Mindfulness - AMS will be offering a 10 session Yoga/Mindfulness class after school starting on Tuesday, November 30 and will take place on Tuesdays in room 114 from 3:30-4:30. This class will focus on yoga, breathing techniques, and meditation. Participation is limited to 20 students and will be granted on a first come, first served basis. Participation is free, however participants will need to purchase a yoga mat (which can be purchased at Five Below for $5.00). At this time, all 20 spots have been filled and a waiting list has been generated. If you would like your child's name added to the waiting list, please email me directly.
Ski Club - Ski Club is expected to begin on Friday January 8 after school from 3:30-10:00 p.m. at Mt, Holly and will take place every Friday through the end of February. If you missed the parent information meeting, or still have questions, please email club sponsor, Jim Cowdrey or call 248-928-4925. Ski club will again be offering ski edge tuning and waxing for $20. If you would like to take advantage of this service please bring your skis or boards, clearly marked with your name and phone number to AMS along with a $20 payment.
First Robotics Team (not affiliated with the Robotics class at AMS) - First Robotics Team meetings take place every Monday from 4:00-6:00 p.m. and Thursday from 4:00-5:00 in room 114. AMS parents Kevin Schokora and Martin Wekerle will serve as the coaches this season. If you have any questions about the First Robotics Team, please contact Kevin Schokora.
Art Club - There are two Art Clubs offered this year; one 1st semester and one 2nd semester. Currently, the first semester Art Club is full. Art Club takes place every Thursday after school from 3:20-4:10 in room 110. Each semester will be limited to 30 students. There will be another opportunity around the middle of January to sign-up for the second semester art club. 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. For any questions related to Art Club, please contact Ms. Reid.
Rainbow Room - The Rainbow Room is an inclusive after school club offering for LGBTQ+ students and LGTBQ+ allies. All students are welcome to attend. The Rainbow Room Club takes place every Wednesday from 3:20-4:10 in room 110. For any questions about the Rainbow Room, please contact Ms. Reid.
Gaming Club - The Gaming Club takes place every Monday from 3:20-4:10 in room 113. Students will have the option to play video games, board games, card games, or any other game related activities. If you have any questions about the Gaming Club, please contact Mr. Morris.
Dungeons and Dragons Club - The Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) Club takes place every Wednesday from 3:20-4:10 in room 113. Students with previous experience and those wishing to learn are welcome to attend. If you have any questions about the D&D Club, please contact Mr. Morris.
Anime Club - The Anime Club takes place on Mondays from 3:20-4:10 in room 100. Anime is a style of animation originating in Japan that is characterized by stark colorful graphics depicting vibrant characters in action-filled plots often with fantastic or futuristic themes. If you have any questions about the Anime Club, please contact Mr. Stoia.
Homework Club - Homework club takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 3:20-4:10 in the media center. Students have the opportunity to work independently or receive extra help with homework. Students who choose to attend homework club must be working on school work or school related work.
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.
Berkley African American Parent Network
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. The BAAPN network is a way for parents with African American children in Berkley Schools to connect with each other. BAAPN is committed to supporting student engagement, high academic achievement, and increased parental involvement. For more information, please visit the BAAPN Website.
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.
Berkley High School National Honor Society Free Peer Tutoring
Did you know that students from the BHS National Honor Society offer free peer tutoring? If you child is in need of tutoring, please email me and I will email you the list of tutors. It is as simple as looking through the list, identifying a tutor that meets your child's needs, and contacting them.
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.
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.
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 spirit wear. Ordering is simple through our online store with many options to choose from. To shop for AMS spirit wear, please visit the AMS Online Spirit Wear Store. Currently, there is a promotion to receive 25% off all orders through the month of November.
With a short week next week, this will be my last update before we head off for the Thanksgiving break. On behalf of all of us at AMS, I hope all of our students and their families have a great weekend and a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Sincerely,
Michael Ross
AMS Principal
Direct Line: (248) 837-8201
Email: michael.ross@berkleyschools.org
