Dear AMS Cougar Families,

Here we are at the last Sunday of the school year for students. As I have grown older, the years seem to go by faster and faster, and this school year is no exception. While students and teachers are wrapping up 2022-2023, as administrators we are firmly entrenched in laying the foundation for 2023-2024, which will be here in two months. Summer is one of the busiest times in the life of a school as there is so much to get done in preparation for the next year- from deep cleaning the building to ordering supplies to scheduling students. I do want to share that from the week of June 19 through July 28, all Asheville City Schools buildings will be on a modified schedule. We will be open Monday through Thursday from 7-5 and the buildings will be closed on Fridays.

There are things that families can do to prepare for the next school year, also. Here are my asks:

1. Please read the message from the PTO about a shift in the structure of PTO and new ways to support the work of AMS. Please consider being a part of one of these teams.

2. If you have a rising seventh grade student, please check to see that they are in compliance with the 7th grade entry vaccine requirements. I have included an image of the requirements below. If you can get these vaccines taken care of over the summer, then it makes for a much smoother transition when we return to school. According to NC law (NC statutes G.S. 130A-155 and G.S 130A-440), you have 30 calendar days from the first day of school to turn in an up-to-date immunization record and Physical Health Assessment for your

student. At the end of the 30 calendar day period, your student will not be able to attend school until you provide proof that they have received the required immunizations and/or health assessment. The Buncombe County Health Department holds a vaccine clinic Monday through Friday fromm 8-5 at 40 Coxe Avenue. They schedule appointments and take walk-ins. You can also schedule an appointment with your health care provider.

3. As you go shopping for school clothes for the fall, please purchase items that meet the dress code with some room to grow. This includes having midriffs covered, making sure that underwear is not visible, no pajamas, and no bedroom slippers. The complete dress code is listed below.

4. Consider creating a family technology plan for next year. Data from our monitoring software indicates that many students are using their Chromebooks throughout the night time at literally all hours. This overnight screen time is hindering restful sleep, which in turn results in exhausted students coming to school who have difficult paying attention and staying awake. Making a plan in advance and discussing it throughout the summer, will make for a smoother transition. One suggestion would be to have a location in your home where Chromebooks must charge overnight away from the area where students are supposed to sleep.

5. Encourage your student to read over the summer. If you do not already have one, please consider signing up for a Buncombe County library card. Children ages birth through 17 can get a library card with a parent or guardian who has a photo ID and proof of local residence. Teens ages 14 through 17 do not need a parent or guardian to get a library card — they can be issued a library card by providing a photo ID and proof of local residence. A school ID with a photo may be used as photo ID. You can even apply for a library card via email.

Now that we have looked toward the 2023-2024 school year, here are a few bits of information to wrap up this school year:

1. Thank you to everyone (i.e., staff, students, families, and community members) for supporting Asheville Middle School this year. It takes all of us to have a successful school, and while we always have room to make the school even better, I am proud of the work that everyone has done this year in support of our students. For those of you who are moving on to 9-12, best of luck on your next journey!

2. We have one more day of free breakfast- tomorrow, Monday 5 as some students are taking their Math I EOC. All staff and students, even if they are not testing, may get free breakfast. Also, please check your student's meal account as $7000 is currently owed.

3. Laptops and chargers must be turned in on Wednesday, June 7. Students who do not turn in chargers will not receive chargers at the beginning of next eyar unless they purchased a replacement.

4. The Elective Department is hosting Field Day for 6th, 7th and 8th grade on Wednesday, 6/7, during the respective elective times. There will be several activities indoor and outdoor and some activities that include fun with water. Students should bring a change of clothes if they plan to get wet. They can bring their own snacks and hammocks as desired. No bathing suits as they will still need to abide by dress code. We are excited to celebrate the end of a great school year with everyone!

5. Eighth-grade families, please make note that the 8th-grade Promotion Ceremony will be on June 9 at 9:30 in the gym. We will open the doors for parents at 9:00. Please try to carpool as parking will be tight. Please arrive early as you will need to sign in at a table outside of the gymnasium. After a brief visit with family, students will transition to their picnic. There will be parking ushers to guide you to additional parking on the track. Please pay attention to their instructions and follow their visual cues. It will be critical that you leave promoptly after briefly visiting with your student after the ceremony, as we have about fifteen minutes to transition the track from a parking area to the picnic area.

6. Friday, June 9 is an early release day. Students will dismiss at 1 PM. We will be distributing report cards, EOG results, and other documents that day. If your student is absent on Friday, please stop by the school the following week between 8-4 to pick up these materials.

Over the summer, I will not send a weekly newsletter, but I will send one on occasion when I have important information to share. Please take the time to read them.

Here is to another great week at Asheville Middle School and to a fabulous summer break for our students.

Jo Landreth

Principal

Asheville Middle School