AMS Weekly News
April 14, 2023
Amherst Middle School
Email: ams@sau39.org
Website: https://ams.sau39.org
Location: 14 Cross Road, Amherst, NH, USA
Phone: 603-673-8944
Principal's Note
Dear AMS Families,
The weather seems to be tricking us all into thinking it's June on the calendar, but we still have several weeks to go, many goals to reach, and many achievements to celebrate. Once the weather gets warm (and our classrooms, too!) it may be tough for students to maintain focus on habits that build academic success. Please encourage your students to continue being prepared for class, completing assignments, and advocating for themselves. These habits will assist students in having a strong end to their 2022-2023 school year.
As a reminder, the 7th/8th Grade Semi Formal takes place tonight from 7:00-9:00PM at AMS. Admission is $5 and concessions are available for $1. Pickup is at 9:00PM. Please use both outside pickup lanes when picking up your student. Students are not permitted to walk off campus or to the parking lot--they must be picked up in the pickup line or met by an adult in front of the school. Parents/guardians may park in the side lot and walk on the sidewalk to meet their students. Thank you for helping us keep our students safe!
Be well,
Kristen
Calendar
April 17-21: Spirit Week
April 24-28: NO SCHOOL, Spring Recess
May 2 (Tues): Transition Night for 4th gr families, 6pm
May 2-4: NH SAS Testing, Grade 6
May 3 (Wed): 8th Grade STEM Day at Fisher Cats
May 3 (Wed): Transition Night for MV 6th gr families, 6pm
May 8-12: 6th grade Dustin/Robinson and Mosby/Miller at Ecology School
May 9 (Tues): Late Start Day, School begins at 10:30am
May 10, 11, 16: NH SAS Testing, Grades 5, 7, 8
May 17: NH SAS Testing, Grades 5 & 8
May 15-19: 6th grade Rogers/Estabrook, Manor/Argeropoulos and MV teams at Ecology School
May 22 (Mon): Spring Chorus Concerts
May 23 (Tues): Spring Band Concerts
May 24-25: Grade 7 at Battleship Cove
May 29 (Mon): NO SCHOOL, Memorial Day
May 30 (Tues): Museum of Science, grade 5
Link to District Calendar for 22-23 School Year
New News
End of School Year
8th Grade Graduation will take place on Wednesday, June 7th at 6:00PM. A dance for 8th graders will follow from 7:00-9:00PM. More info will be shared about these events in May.
Spirit Week: April 17-21
Spring Sports Schedules
Parent Partnership
Happy National School Library Month!
April is a celebratory month in the world of libraries! Not only do we celebrate School Library Month but we also recognize National Poetry Month! Earth Day! And so much more…like VACAY Pleasure Reading! This is done via displays and activities with our wide variety of books. We also have some interesting library fun facts and student artwork on display!
VOICE YOUR VOTE! The 22-23 Great Stone Face Book Award voting is underway! Fifth and Sixth graders at AMS your opinion matters!. The Google Form Book Ballot can be found under the “GSF” tab on the AMS Library website, as well as in AMS Grade Level Library Google Classrooms. This ballot will be open until April 30th. If you’ve not yet read two or more of these nominees, we encourage you to do so.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Great Stone Face voting has taken place since the its inception in 2007. This vote is for 4th through 6th graders in the state of NH. As long as you’ve read or audio listened to two or more of these nominees, you will be able to cast a ballot. The Children's Librarians New Hampshire (CLNH) and the New Hampshire School Library Media Association sponsors this opportunity, which is strictly voluntary.
Sixth graders WRAPPED up their Research Like an Ancient Egyptian research in the Library! Students were actively engaged in their in-depth learning using our print books, as well as our digital library resources such as GALE and FactCite. How CLEVER of you to use your NOODLETOOLS to ensure your works were cited properly! Check out one of our fictional Ancient Egypt reads!
Look! Library Leader, Jacob, at work supporting our Ancient Egypt Researchers.
Next visit grade 6, in addition to ELA CORE CHOICE Book selection book checkouts, will do a ‘Have you Read?’ title share out of our NEW, highly recommended, award nominated and poetry themed BOOKS!
We had fifth graders come for tastings of our GSF nominees, Books in Verse, as well as our NEW to AMS Library Top Shelf Reads! Next visit we will explore more of our Subject and Topic Organized Nonfiction resources, in process of resetting as we DEWEY away with the decimal system) with a highlight on Economics! The students continue circulating through our nonfiction collection, as well as our digital databases GALE and FactCite, for their Passion Project! It is so intriguing to learn more about their passions!
Thank you to our Book Clubbers presenting their insightful book talks!
Grades 7 and 8 continue to make great use of our library space during their CORE class and EAGLE visits, as well as during their committee and community work sessions. We appreciate your positive greetings, support and energy in the AMS Library!
With all the NEW Novel purchases displayed on our TOP SHELF section, print books are SOAR’n off the shelves. Remember, spotlighted, new, award winners, and nominees have a one week check out term. Be mindful of other patron’s desire to read! Always check in with us if you need more time!
Congratulations to our March “No Overdues” team winner, Argeropoulos and Manor, as well as our Chick Coloring Challenge winner. All entries were rewarded with a lollipop courtesy of Trader Joe’s, and an AMS Library raffle ticket! Veronica is the Chick Challenge raffle winner! Veronica is a student on the Menning and Murray team. Remember, raffle tickets are given for a variety of reasons to our library visitors!
Special Shout out to our Library Helper Abby, 6th Graders Rory and Ellie for helping with our NF Restructor, and 8th grader Zyon for helping to reset and refresh our furniture placement!
Book IN! to prep for APRIL VACATION!
Ms Maher, Librarian
Ms. Marini, Library Assistant
Reminders
YRBS - Youth Risk Behavior Survey - 7th and 8th Grade Only
This is an anonymous survey and survey results will also be pooled with other Southern NH middle schools. The results from the survey will allow our school, district, and community organizations to better support the development of our youth through education and programing.
If you'd prefer that your child does not participate in the survey, please complete this opt-out form by Friday, April 14th.
NH-SAS State Assessment Notification
Students in grades 3-8 and 11 will be taking NHSAS, our state assessment, throughout the month of May. Each school is currently developing their testing schedule and will be sharing testing dates in principal newsletters and posting to our website.
NHSAS is an important assessment that helps provide information on whether students are meeting grade level expectations. We receive test results quickly and teachers are able to use this information to target instruction through the end of the school year.
While parents can opt students out of testing, we are required to have a 95% participation rate. Any students who opt out of the 2023 assessment below the 95% district and school participation requirement, will be counted as zero scores for accountability. Zero scores for students will significantly impact our school and district level test results.
While RSA 193-C:6 permits parents to exempt their student from taking the statewide assessment, your student’s participation is appreciated as we strive to accurately represent the achievements of our students. If you would like to opt your child out of NHSAS testing, please complete this opt out form by Friday, April 21st: https://forms.gle/PmN2ZkQUK4KukXsL9
Amherst Middle School - NH-SAS Schedule
Grade 5: May 10, 11, 16, 17
Grade 6: May 2, 3, 4
Grade 7: May 10, 11, 16
Grade 8: May 10, 11, 16, 17
Spring Clubs and Activities
Afterschool Clubs and Activities:
- Maker Club: Interested in the 3D printer or CNC Laser? We meet after school on Wednesdays. We are using the TAZ 3D printers and the 80 Watt Laser. Open to all students. See Mr. Opre (sopre@sau39.org) for more information. Start date: 3/22
- Wizards & Warriors Club: Interested in playing Dungeons and Dragons? We meet after school on Thursdays. We are using the 5th Edition rules to start a new campaign. Open to students in grades 7 & 8. See Mr. Opre (sopre@sau39.org) for more information. Start date: 3/23
- Disc Golf Club: Open to all students! Meets on Mondays afterschool beginning April 3. Have you ever wondered what disc golf is or wanted to try and play? Come join Mr. Tighe and learn the fundamentals and have some fun. Questions to Mr. Tighe at atighe@sau39.org. Start date: 4/3
- Mountain Biking Club: Open to all students but a signed waiver is required. Meets on Wednesdays. We vary the ride depending on the skill level of the group. Most rides will be 6+ miles in total, with a "fun and comfortable" pace. Please contact Mr. Tighe (atighe@sau39.org) or Mr. White (cwhite@sau39.org) with your questions and to obtain the waiver. Start date: 4/5 (weather dependent)
- Envirothon Club: NH Envirothon is a yearly competition where student show their strength is science. Students will have the opportunity to learn more about aquatic ecology, forestry, soils and wildlife. Every year, the competition poses a different problem. Questions? contact Ms. Penney (bpenney@sau39.org) or Mr. Griffiths (ggriffiths@sau39.org) For more info on NH Envirothon, check their website at: https://www.nhenvirothon.org/competition Meets on Wednesdays. Start date: 3/22.
Amherst PTA April Newsletter
YMCA Before the Bell - Before School Program 2023-2024 School Year
Planning for the 2023-24 School Year
In addition, we have opened the PowerSchool Class Registration link for current 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th grade students so that parents and students can select their Integrated Arts classes for next year. We do recommend that parents and students work together to identify classes that meet student interest and provide a range of experiences.
Parents who have difficulty accessing their PowerSchool portal should email us at ams@sau39.org so that we can assist you.
NHDES Lead Testing Results Notification
We are writing to let you know that Amherst Middle School recently completed testing for lead in drinking water. This is part of an ongoing effort related to New Hampshire’s House Bill 1421, which requires school and child care facilities to test for lead in drinking water and to act when lead is found at levels at or above 5 parts per billion (ppb). Please read THIS LETTER for more information about the areas tested and the steps taken toward remediation at Amherst Middle School.
Please remind your students that they should only be drinking water that comes from water fountains and fill stations and NOT from other sinks throughout the building.
Help Wanted: Bathroom Beautification Project
Hannaford Helps Schools
Bus Pass Information
- Student's name
- Destination
- Bus number
Students drop their notes in a bus pass box here in the AMS office and retrieve their bus pass from the same spot at lunch time. Bus passes are handed to the driver as students enter the bus. We will take an email (to ams@sau39.org) with the required information in an emergency, but prefer a note from home with a signature.