May 20, 2022

AMS Principal's Weekly Update 5-20-22

School News

Dear AMS Students and Families,

It was a great week at AMS! Many of our students participated in the March Miracle basketball tournament. While March Miracle was intended to be a fun competition among students, the main goal was to raise money for Camp Casey whose mission is to provide safe, fun experiences for children and families affected by childhood cancer, rare blood disorders, and other life-threatening illnesses through accessible horseback riding programs.  We had a few special guests for today's final rounds played in front of the entire student body.  Nolan Givan, BHS Class of 2016 (AMS Class of 2012) was in the house to help kick off our event.  A college standout at Ball State University, Nolan was recently signed as an undrafted tight end by the Detroit Lions.  We also had appearances from Hooper, the mascot for the Detroit Pistons, and Vik the Viking.  For our first ever March Miracle tournament, I am happy to share that AMS was able to donate $8000 to Camp Casey.  Special thanks goes out to Mrs. Saltsman and her supporting crew of staff for helping to coordinate this spectacular charitable event.  

This morning, we celebrated 208 AMS students in grades 6-8 who made the AMS Honor Roll.  To earn honor roll, students must earn all A's and B's for the first 3 terms of the school year.  With a student enrollment of just over 500 students, these students represent about 40% of our student population.  In a year that still posed some challenges, these students should be commended for their perseverance and dedication to high achievement. All of us at AMS are very proud of their accomplishments!

As we get closer to the end of the school year, we have been seeing a steady increase in the number of students who are not following our rules, in particular our dress code expectations and our away for the day cell phone policy.  As a result, starting on Monday, May 23, we will be strictly enforcing all rules that have been in place since the beginning of the year.  Students have been made aware of this both on Wednesday and Thursday this week.  To review our current building expectations, please click on AMS Rules and Expectations.  

Here are some main things students and parents should be aware of:

  • Students MUST put their cell phones in their locker from 8:15-3:15, including lunch.  Phones in pockets is not good enough.  Students were advised to make sure they have a lock on their locker to help ensure that their belongings are secured throughout the day. Exceptions are for students who use their phone for medical reasons.  
  • Students need to make sure they are following our dress code expectations.  While I know there are varying opinions on dress codes, at this time, we are not changing our dress code expectations and students must follow them for the remainder of the year.  Students who fail to meet the dress code expectations will be asked to change.  If they do not have a change of clothes, they will be asked to call home.  To avoid the inconvenience of having to bring clothes up to school for your child, I strongly recommend making sure that your child's attire meets our dress code on Monday and for the remainder of the year. 
  • Earbuds/Headphones need to be put away unless they are being used in class for work that requires headphones.

School News

Upcoming Dates

Monday 5-23-22 
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

Tuesday 5-24-22
Student Council Meeting 3:20 in room 200
Tennis @.Bloomfield Hills @ 4:30
Spring Orchestra Concert 7:00 p.m. in the BHS Auditorium

Wednesday 5-25-22
8th Grade College Tour 8:45-11:45 @ UDM
Dungeons and Dragons Club 3:20-4:10 in Room 113
Homework Club 3:20-4:10 in the Media Center
Rainbow Room 3:20-4:10 in room 110

Thursday 5-26-22
Homework Club
Art Club 3:20-4:10 in Room 110
Tennis @ Berkshire @ 4:30
Spring Choir Concert 7:00 p.m. in the BHS Auditorium
 
Friday 5-27-22
No Scheduled Events

NO SCHOOL MONDAY, MAY 30 for MEMORIAL DAY

The Alliance Of Coalitions Community Survey

The Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities along with our local organization, The Tri-Community Coalition, is working to reduce substance use among youth and adults in Oakland County. Your completion of a survey will help create a better understanding of the problems happening in our community. The Alliance will use this survey information to inform the planning of future coalition efforts.  The survey is anonymous and will take approximately 5 - 10 minutes to complete.   As a thank you for completing the survey, you will receive a link at the end to register for a chance to win a $100 gift card.  To take the survey, please click on The Alliance of Coalitions Survey. Your participation is greatly appreciated!

8th Grade College Visit - May 25

We are excited to be able to offer our 8th grade students the opportunity to visit The University of Detroit Mercy  on May 25. Buses will depart from AMS around 8:45 and we will be at U of D Mercy from 9:15-11:30 for a college presentation and campus tour.  We will arrive back to AMS around 12:00.  Masks will be required on the bus and may be required at U of D depending on their current requirements for visitors.  

Bus transportation, a pizza lunch, a backpack, and a water bottle will be provided to all participants at no cost thanks to the sponsorship and generosity of the Berkley Education Foundation.  Students have been given a permission slip from their ELA teacher, but in case they have misplaced it, I have included the 8th Grade College Visit Consent Form  for you to print and sign consent   Please have your child return the parent consent form to his or her ELA teacher by Monday, May 23.  Lastly, we are in need of about 3 parent chaperones for the trip in addition to the AMS staff that will be attending.  If you are interested in being a chaperone, and have already completed the district volunteer form, please respond to this email by Monday, May 23 to express your interest.  

8th Grade Speech Contest

AMS is holding its third annual 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony Speech Contest! One eighth grade student will be chosen to deliver such an honorable speech to the AMS Class of 2022. The speaker will be addressing families of the Berkley community, principals, teachers, staff, and, of course, the 8th grade on the day of the promotion ceremony. To learn more about what is entailed, please click on AMS 8th Grade Speech Contest.  If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Russell or Mrs. Cabalum.   

Spring NWEA Testing

Spring NWEA testing continues next week for math.  While this should happen everyday, please make sure your child charges their device next week to make sure they have adequate battery life to take the test.  

Summer Learning Opportunities

Students who are completing their 6th - 8th grade school year can participate in the Berkley Summer Difference program. All classes will be free and offered in-person. Students have the option to take three types of classes: Math, English Language Arts and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). Availability of sections will be determined based upon registration.

The middle school summer English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics school programs are intended for students currently in Grades 6-8 who need to maintain or grow in their achievement.

The middle school summer STEM program is intended for any students interested in exploring STEM topics which could include Coding/Robotics or Fossils & Rocks.

Classes will be taught by certified, highly-qualified middle school teachers. Depending on enrollment, multi-grade sections may be organized to better meet staffing needs.

Program Details for Math & English Language Arts Classes

Program Details for the STEM Class

Registration - Now Open!

9th Grade BHS Choir Auditions

Choir auditions are coming up for current 8th graders who will be taking Choir in 9th grade at BHS next year.  For more information about dates and audition times, please click on BHS Choir Auditions.  

BHS PTSA Families Wanted

Incoming 9th grade BHS families, as your child prepares to complete their middle school years and move up to the high school, the BHS PTSA would like to welcome you to BHS. Parenting a high schooler is far different than parenting a middle schooler and you’ll find that PTSA at the high school level is just as different. The BHS PTSA still supports students and families, as you might expect, but the ways in which they do so varies greatly. There are several committee and leadership positions open for the next school year with varying levels of time commitment. Check out the google volunteer form below to see what is needed. Please consider joining as your schedule allows.
Welcome Incoming 9th Grade Families! 
Berkley High School PTSA Volunteer 2022-23

Lunch Options

Students have the option to bring their own lunch or get a school lunch.  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 May, please click AMS May Lunch Menu.

Athletics

Track, Baseball, and Softball have all concluded their scheduled games/matches/meets for the season (Any make-up games will be communicated by coaches)

Boys Tennis - The schedule for the season is listed below and all matches start at 4:30.  If you have any questions about boys tennis, please contact Coach Robert Hall.  

April 20 Home v. Covington
April 26 @ Cranbrook
April 27 Home v. West Hills
May 2 @ Detroit Country Day
May 4 Home v. East Hills
May 10 Home v. Bloomfield Hills
May 12 Home v. Derby
May 17 Home v. Berkshire
May 19 Home v. Cranbrook
May 24 @ Bloomfield Hills
May 26 @ Berkshire
 

Golf - You can find detailed information about the middle school golf team, by clicking on Middle School Golf 2022.  If you have any questions, please contact the girls Coach Sue Ciaravino, or the boys Coach Brett Grier.  To access the golf practice and match schedule, please click on Middle School Golf Schedule 2022.

Open Wrestling - Berkley Wrestling will be hosting open practice in the BHS wrestling room every Tuesday evening from 6:00-8:00 pm. This opportunity is open to all students grades 6-12.  No experience necessary.  For questions, please contact BHS Wrestling Coach Ron Fritz.  

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:

Student Council - Below are the dates pertaining to Student Council for the remainder of the year.  Meetings take place in room 200 at 3:20 and will last approximately 30 minutes.  For questions, please contact Student Council sponsor Mrs. Alderman.

May 24 - Meeting
June 7 Last Meeting 
June 10 Decorate 8th grade hallway for Clap Out

National Junior Honor Society - All NJHS meeting for the 2021-22 school year are complete.  For questions about NJHS, please contact NJHS sponsor Mr. Johnson.

Art Club - Art Club takes place every Thursday from 3:20-4:10 in room 110 through May 26. There will be a 25 student limit with participants established within the first week.  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:

  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.    

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.   

Local Happenings

Walk to Cure Arthritis 2022

On June 5, there will be a fundraising walk organized by the Arthritis Foundation. It will be held at Jimmy Johns field and provides complimentary concessions and tickets to a ballpark game after the walk. We have a number of students in the district who experience Juvenile Arthritis. We also have a number of educators who live with arthritis. Your support funds research and education to hopefully find a cure for Arthritis.  Support one of AMS's very own students, Guiliana Pietraszewski's team at https://events.arthritis.org/team/27420 or grab a group of friends and create your own team. For more information, please click on 2022 Walk to Cure Arthritis .  

Berkley Parks and Rec Summer Volleyball Camp

 

Volleyball Camp 2022, July 18th - 22nd
Girls - 9:00 am - 11:30 am; Boys - 12:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Camp Directors Theresa Stanicuk Cabalum and her staff with over 25 years of coaching experience
Cost - $70 - includes t-shirt, fun competitions, building fundamental skills, and game strategies.

Register at Berkley Parks & Rec Website

Next week's weekly update will likely be delayed as I will be with our 8th Graders in Washington DC through Sunday morning. 

Have a great weekend!

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

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