News from Auburn Middle School
August 24, 2021
Message from Mr. Desto
As you may know by now, the Auburn School Committee recently decided that students in grades K-12 will be required to wear masks in school for at least the first month of the school year. Further, the State Board of Education today voted to give the Commissioner of Education the power to mandate masks in all schools, K-12, until October 1. The plan is to revisit this on a regular basis as new COVID information becomes available. I realize that having students wear masks is a decision that is met with mixed reactions, not just in Auburn, Massachusetts, but across the entire nation.
As the principal of the school, though, my primary responsibility is to ensure that the school is safe, supportive and cohesive for over 650 children – 650 of other people’s children. I know that every single one of our kids is the most important thing in the world to somebody, and I take that very seriously.
Therefore, I just want to mention as respectfully as I can - and I truly do respect all the opinions that are out there - that our kids do better when the adults in their lives are able to put personal feeling aside and work together. The 1,500 plus adults in this school community will likely never agree on masks (or too many other things for that matter), but we definitely agree that we want our kids to be successful. Part of that is giving our kids the message that we are all pulling in the same direction (even when inwardly we may disagree).
Please know how clearly I understand the negative effects that this pandemic has had on our kids. Like most people, I am incredibly frustrated that it just won’t go away. I assure you that here at AMS, our staff is committed to providing as much return to normalcy as possible. We expect everyone to be in school every day, we plan to have our regular classes and our regular rotating schedule, lunch period and extracurricular activities.
We will continue to use common sense when it comes to hand hygiene and distancing, but it will not be nearly as restrictive as it was a year ago. All of us who work here, even as we personally feel the toll of the pandemic ourselves, stand ready to give our students the most positive, enthusiastic, and uplifting atmosphere possible in which to go to school. In short, we will make sure that COVID will not dictate the attitude in our building.
I am looking forward to seeing all of our students on September 1. And I am choosing to focus on how much better a position we are in than we were a year ago!
Frequently Asked Questions, Part 2
Q: Will the students be using lockers this year?
A: We know the students are excited to have a locker, and we will be assigning a locker to each student. Students will receive a padlock from the school the first day and will be given some time during the day to practice with it. This year, students will only go to their lockers at the very beginning and very end of the day. They can store any valuables they do not need for classes (jackets, cell phones, wallets, etc.) in their locker. They will be allowed to carry all necessities for classes and lunch in their backpack during the day (Please remember each student receives an iPad, so they will not have to carry a lot of books with them during the day).
Q: Are the students allowed to have cell phones with them at the middle school this year?
A: Yes and no. Of course, we understand what a valuable tool the cell phone is for family communication, etc., so students are allowed to bring them to school. However, we have also seen what a powerful distraction cell phones are to a student's education. So, our expectation this year is that students will have their cell phones turned off and stored in their locker during the school day.
As noted again below, if there is any emergency reason for which you need to reach your child, please call the school office at (508) 832-7722.
Q: When is School Picture Day?
A: September 8 - more info forthcoming
Q: What is the school time schedule?
A: The official school day at AMS runs from 7:40-2:15.
Q: When will I find out my child's bus route/schedule?
A: Bus routes are posted on the school district website. Please see the button below.
Q: I want to drive my child to and from school. What time are Drop off and Pick up?
A: Students should be dropped off between 7:25-7:38 (Homeroom begins at 7:40). Pick up is between 2:15-2:25 - students are dismissed at 2:15.
Drop off and pick up are always in the back of the building.
Please see the graphic below.
Q: Will there be Breakfast available to students this year?
A: Yes. Students will be able to enjoy a "grab and go" breakfast at no cost upon entering the building.
Q: How much is school Lunch this year?
A: Once again this year, lunch will be free for all students.
Q: How do I dismiss my child from school?
A: All dismissals need to go through the main office. Please contact the school nurse (If a health issue) or call or email the school secretary, and we will call to the student's classroom to dismiss him/her. It is imperative to the safety of the students that parents/guardians do not call/text students' cell phones to make dismissal plans. Please contact the school. We need to account for all our students, as I'm sure you can understand.
Q: What school supplies will my child need?
A: To start the year, just some of the more basic supplies will suffice. We utilize school issued iPads a great deal of the time, but the following will still be helpful: pens, pencils, earbuds (very important!), notebooks, two-pocket folders, a highlighter, colored pencils and, optionally, a binder and loose leaf paper.
It is important to know that your child will not need all of these supplies right away, but they may come in handy throughout the year. Also, if finances are tight, the school can always provide basic supplies for any child. If there are any more specific needs, the teachers will share that will the students at the necessary time.
Q: When will my child receive his / her school iPad?
A: Returning 7th and 8th graders already have their iPads and should bring them, along with their chargers, to school the first day and every day thereafter. New students and incoming 6th graders will be issued an iPad within the first three days of school.
Q: Will there be extracurricular activities and sports this year? If so, how does my child sign up?
A: We are planning to have all our extracurricular activities and sports this year. In order to participate in sports, students will need to have a completed "Blue Card," signed by parents and school nurse and containing proof of a physical exam. These "Blue Cards" are available in the school office. Once school begins, announcements will be made as to where and when students may sign up for activities and sports.
Drop Off / Pick Up Graphic
COVID Document from Central Office
How to Access Your Child's Schedule
1. Power School - those who have an active Power School account from last year should be able to view the schedule online.
2. Email - Please email Sabrina Heiniluoma (sheiniluoma@auburn.k12.ma.us) and request that a copy be sent to you electronically.
3. In Person - Please feel free to stop by the main office of the school to pick up a paper copy.
Helpful Notes for First Days of School
Extended Homeroom - The first day, all students will have an extended homeroom period during which they will go over their schedules, be assigned a locker and padlock, have time to practice lock combinations, tour the building, etc. 6th graders may have extended homeroom on the second day as well.
Schedule - During the first two weeks of school, students will follow the regular time schedule (we want them to get used to it), but will have some special programs mixed in on certain days. Among the topics we will be covering are:
1. Team Building in Classes - getting to know one another and their teachers and having a little fun.
2. Assemblies with Mr. Desto and Mr. Carlson - to learn such things as school safety requirements and behavioral expectations.
3. Class/Team Meetings with Guidance Staff - to learn who is whom among our mental health staff, how they can access supports and what types of things we can do to support them.