AMS Principal's Weekly Update 11-4-22
Dear AMS Students and Families,
There were many great costumes on display this past Monday on Halloween and staff and students had a great time attending our annual Halloween assembly. Each first hour class voted on their top costume. With all of the great costumes on display, in some classes, it was difficult to narrow it down to just one winner. At the Halloween assembly, all of the winners from each 1st period class were presented to the entire student body and 1 winner from each grade was chosen. The top costumes chosen in each grade were Tolan Cassey (6th Grade), Bella Jordan (7th Grade), and Anastasia Sanders (8th Grade). Special thanks goes out to Mrs. Bajorek for coordinating the Halloween assembly along with Mrs. Alderman and members of student council for helping to make the assembly a success.
This week, fall sports officially wrapped up with the final football game of the season. The team finished with a respectable 3-3 record. Girls basketball concluded their season the previous week with 8th Grade finishing with a 6-5 record, placing 4th out of 12 teams, and 7th grade finishing with an impressive 10-1 record to take first place. Lastly, girls tennis wrapped up the previous week as well with notable finishes from the following AMS participants at the COMSAC tennis tournament:
Piper Coon - 4th Place 2 Singles
Audrey Duggan - 6th Place 3 Singles
Sadie Dajenais - 9th Place 4 Singles
Lily Pearson - 5th Place 2 Doubles
Grace Burnam and Byrdie Norton - 5th Place 3 Doubles
Saya Stoll 5th Place 4 Double
We are proud of ALL our fall athletes. While finishing with a winning season certainly makes the season a little sweeter, the most important aspect of participating in sports is having fun, learning teamwork, personal growth, and having a positive experience.
Lastly, at the end of each term, students are nominated by teachers for the AMS Breakfast Club. Criteria for nomination includes any combination of regularly completing work, maintaining grades, showing kindness and respect towards others, and positively contributing to class. This morning, we recognized 30 students, 10 from each grade, as members of the first group for the 2022-23 AMS Breakfast Club. The names of each student were read over the PA at the end of 2nd period and during 3rd period, Mr. Smith and I personally delivered goodie bags along with personalized notes from teachers to the classrooms of the 30 students. With 3 terms remaining in the school year, there will be an additional 90 students recognized throughout the remainder of the year for a total of 120 students recognized for the school year. Special thanks goes out to Mrs. Saltsman and Mrs. Aytes for helping to coordinate the Breakfast Club.
Upcoming Dates
Monday - November 7
No School / Staff Professional Development
Tuesday - November 8
No School / Staff Professional Development
Wednesday - November 9
Rainbow Room 3:20-4:20 Room 217
Dungeons and Dragons Club 3:20-4:20 Room 113
Homework Club 3:20-4:20 Room 115
Boys Basketball Tryouts
7th Grade 3:30-5:00
8th Grade 3:30-5:30
PTSA Meeting 7:00 p.m. in the Media Center
(Moved from Tuesday due to No School/Election Day)
Thursday - November 10
NJHS Meeting 12:45 in the Media Center
Art Club 3:20-4:20 Room 110
First Robotics 4:00 in Room 114
Boys Basketball Tryouts
7th Grade 3:30-5:00
8th Grade 3:30-5:30
Friday - November 11
Drama Club 3:20-4:20 in the Media Center
Yoga 3:30-4:15 Room 114
Boys Basketball Tryouts
7th Grade 3:30-5:00
8th Grade 3:30-5:30
School News
Welcome New AMS Staff Members!
We have two new staff members who will join our staff starting on Monday, November 7. Please join me in welcoming Ms. Ky'Ronda Tate as our new School Social Worker. Ms. Tate comes to AMS working previously in the Detroit Public Schools Community District. Also, please join me in welcoming Ms. Melissa Ng as our new second Counselor. Ms. Ng comes to AMS previously working in the Madison School District. Both Ms. Tate and Ms. Ng look forward to getting to know the students, families, and staff at AMS!
PTSA Fall Fundraiser
The Anderson PTSA is excited to kick off their Anderson Viking Fall Fundraiser! The fall fundraiser is a simple donation type of fundraiser; no products to sell or laps to run, just straight donations! The top prize is a set of Air Pod Pros for the student with the most donations as well as other fun prize options along the way. The PTSA helps to help support school activities, 8th grade graduation fun, teacher stipends, Media Center purchases, and more. They would also like to add some assemblies on Social Media/Online Safety and help the school purchase social emotional inspirational items. The fall fundraiser will run November 1-11, 2022 with just 10 days to reach the goal of $15,000!
To make a donation please visit the donation page
Anderson Vikings Fall Fundraiser
Once on the page, click "students" on the left hand side and choose the student for whom you wish to associate your donation.
8th Grade Washington DC Trip Update
There are still a few spots remaining for the 8th grade Gettysburg/Washington DC trip. Please register soon if you are considering attending the trip. The roster is now open for both students and adult chaperones. To register, please click on Washington DC Trip 2023. If you have any questions, please contact the DC trip coordinator, Abby Combs.
Drama Day Opportunity #2
The BHS Drama Department will be hosting a second Saturday Drama Day for Berkley middle school students tomorrow, November 5 from 10:30 am-3:00 pm on the BHS Auditorium stage!. This fun workshop is free of charge and will dive into the theatrical arts to help middle school students make their way on to the stage! Please register in advance to attend so that there is an adequate number of materials made for the day. Students should plan on being at BHS from 10:30 - 3:00 p.m. and should come with a bag lunch.
Free After School Yoga Class
There are still openings for students to participate in Yoga. AMS is offering a free 10 session Yoga/Mindfulness class after school taught by instructors from the Born Yoga Studio in Birmingham. Yoga will take place on the following 10 Fridays starting at 3:30 in room 114: November 4, 11, and 18, December 2, 9, and 16, January 20 and 27, and February 3 and 10. Participation is free thanks to the support from the Berkley Education Foundation, however participants will need to purchase a yoga mat. If your child is interested in participating, please complete the Yoga Sign-Up Form to have your child added to the participation list.
Pre-Order Your 2022-23 AMS Yearbook
Pre-order your yearbook for the 2022-23 school year. Families can save $10 off the regular price by ordering by November 11. To order a yearbook 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.
Ski Club Information
An informational meeting was held this week for 6-8th Graders interested in skiing or snowboarding on Friday evenings at Mt. Holly from the beginning of January through the end of February. If you missed the meeting, please click for Ski Club information and click on the Ski Club Registration Form. All forms and payments (checks made out to the Berkley School District) can be turned into the AMS office. For any questions about Ski Club, please contact former AMS Assistant Principal, Jim Cowdrey, at 248-928-4925 or by email at jimcowdrey@yahoo.com
Athletics Information
Below is the latest middle school sports information:
* Students trying out for Girls Swimming or Boys Basketball must have a completed physical on or after April 15, 2022 to participate in tryouts. Students who participated in a fall sport do not need to resubmit their physical since we already have fall sport physical information on file.
Girls Swimming - For any questions about the middle school swim team, please contact Coach Erin Roddis. The schedule is in the process of being finalized and will be forthcoming next week.
Basketball (Boys) - Tryouts will take place November 9, 10, and 11th after school in the gym.
7th Grade will take place from 3:30-5:00
8th Grade will take place from 3:30-5:30
For questions about 7th grade basketball, please contact Coach Andre Price. For questions about 8th grade basketball, please contact Coach Scott Rowlett. Below is the schedule for the season. All games start at 4:30 p.m. for 7th grade and 5:30 p.m. for 8th Grade.
11/21/22 Home v. Norup
11/30/22 Home v. Farmington Power
12/1/22 @ Hazel Park
12/5/22 Home v. Ferndale
12/7/22 Home v. Farmington East
12/12/22 Home v. Farmington Warner
12/14/22 @ Norup
12/19/22 @ Bloomfield Hills MS
1/9/23 @ Royal Oak
1/11/23 Home v. Berkshire
1/18/23 Home v. Farmington STEAM
1/19/23 Home v. Oak Park
For athletic related questions, please contact AMS Assistant Principal, Carman Smith.
Student Clubs and Organizations
Below are club and extra-curricular opportunities being offered to our students throughout the year. Check back each week for additional club information and updates.
National Junior Honor Society - Students are eligible to be inducted into NJHS in the spring of 7th Grade by earning a cumulative GPA of 3.7 through 6 terms (Terms 1-4 from 6th Grade and terms 1 and 2 of 7th Grade) and earning citizenship marks no less than a 2. Students who meet these requirements will receive a notification in the spring of their eligibility to be inducted. For those 8th grade students currently in NJHS, meetings will be starting next week. All meetings will take place during 8th grade lunch starting at 12:45 in the Media Center. The dates for meetings through December are:
Thursday, November 10
Tuesday, December 13.
For questions about NJHS, please contact NJHS sponsor, Mrs. McDermott
Student Council - Student Council is open to any 6-8th grade students interested in helping to organize and promote school events throughout the year. The next Student Council meeting will take place on Wednesday, November 16 after school in room 200. If you have any questions about Student Council, please contact Student Council sponsor, Mrs. Alderman
First Robotics Team - First Robotics Team meetings will continue on a flexible schedule between Mondays and Thursdays at 4:00 p.m. in room 114 If you have any questions about the First Robotics Team, please contact AMS parents and team sponsors, Martin Wekerle and Rob Calvano.
Drama Club - Drama Club is open to any students interested in learning more about acting and drama productions. Meetings will take place every Friday from 3:20-4:20 in the Media Center. For any questions about Drama Club, please reach out to Mrs. Aytes.
Art Club - 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. Art Club will take place on Thursdays from 3:20-4:20 through the end of the semester. At this time, all 25 spots have been filled. We will have an additional signup for second semester in January. For questions about Art Club, please contact Ms. Reid.
Rainbow Room - The Rainbow Room is an inclusive after school club offering for LGBTQ+ students and LGTBQ+ allies. The Rainbow Club will take place every Wednesday from 3:20-4:20 in room 217. For questions about Rainbow Room, please contact Ms. Reid.
Gaming Club - The Gaming Club will take place every Monday from 3:20-4:20 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 will take place every Wednesday from 3:20-4:20 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 will take place on Mondays from 3:20-4:20 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 - 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. Homework Club will take place on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:20-4:20 in room 115.
Ski Club - Ski Club takes place every Friday from 3:30-10:00 at Mt. Holly from early January through the end of February. Students in grades 6-12 can snowboard or ski. Mr. Cowdrey, former AMS Assistant Principal, will continue as the sponsor for Ski Club. More specific information will be shared in November.
General Information
Breakfast and Lunch Information
For the 2022-23 school year, a middle school lunch will cost $3.25 full pay and $.40 reduced price. Please click November Lunch Menu to view the lunch menu for November. Additionally, AMS offers a breakfast program this year with mostly cold breakfast items being served. The cafeteria will be open from 7:30-8:05 a.m. (entry cut off at 7:55) and students must enter through the cafeteria door off the parking lot. The breakfast cost will be $1.50 full pay and $.30 reduced price.
AMS 2022-23 Event Calendar
To view the AMS event calendar for 2022-23, please click on AMS Event Calendar 2022-23 Please keep in mind that due to various circumstances, events times and dates are subject to change and events maybe added or removed.
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. The next PTSA meeting will take place on November 9 at 7:00 p.m. in the AMS Media Center.
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. The next BAAPN meeting will take place January 19, at 7:00 p.m. at AMS. Berkley High
BHS 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 to arrange tutoring.
Parent Volunteer Information
All parents, guardians, or family members interested in volunteering for school-sponsored functions or field trips must complete the Parent Volunteer Form prior to any activities. If you have interest in volunteering during the school year, it is recommended to complete the volunteer form early to avoid delays in processing the form. Please return completed forms to the AMS office.
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, Instagram, and Twitter
Follow AMS on social media! To find us on Facebook and Instagram, click in the search and type andersonmiddleschoolvikings to access our page. To follow us on Twitter, search @AMSViking. All social media pages have the AMS 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.
Remember, there is no school for students on Monday or Tuesday. We look forward to seeing our students when they return on Wednesday.
Have a great weekend!
Sincerely,
Michael Ross
AMS Principal
