AMS Cougar News

Sunday, April 23, 2023

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Principal's Message

Dear AMS Cougar Families,


AMS runneth over in lost and found items! The photo above is one of nearly forty photos we took this week documenting the massive collection of hoodies, jackets, water bottles, school supplies, shoes, pants, tops, and other items that have lost their owners. We began displaying them under the stairs in the Cougar Den early last week. I have been reminding folks on announcements each day to peruse the piles for their items. While I have seen a few folks find their things, overwhelmingly the display is not shrinking. I asked Mrs. Noblitt to photo document them so that we could share with families in the hopes that you may recognize them.(See pictures below.) After Wednesday we will find other purposes for these items, so please act fast!


So the danger in trying to be so communicative far in advance with upcoming dates is that when dates shift and move I have a lot of corrections that I have to make. Last week I mentioned some upcoming changes, and I have a few corrections even to those. Here is the most up to date information:


  • This week our Community Night will be on Thursday, April 27 at 5 PM. All ACS families are welcome. It has been moved to this date so that families involved in the National Junior Honor Society Induction that night at 7 PM can enjoy a meal before the event.
  • The Community Night on Tuesday, May 2 will feature a presentation on Parenting in the Digital Age.
  • There will be a Community Night on Tuesday, May 9. Stay tuned for more details.
  • The Strings and Chorus Concert will be on Tuesday, May 23 not Thursday May 11 as I stated last week.
  • Math I End of Course (EOC) Test will be on Monday, June 5.


The combined Asheville Middle School and Montford North Star Battle of the Books team took first place at the regional tournament. They are heading to the state champtionship next week!


Our track and field teams ended their seasons this past Tuesday at the Conference Meet. Our girls' team came in third and our boys' team came in first. Congratulations on terrific seasons!


Sign your student up for Afternoon Academy on Monday, Wednesday, and/or Thursday here.


Please check your student's meal account balance. Currently, meal debt at AMS is approaching $6000.


Finally, there are definite middle school signs that spring has arrived. They are universal across time and place. Two of them are that the halls start to smell like sweaty middle schoolers and that students try to push the boundaries with the rules that they have known about all year. It can be exhausting to educators to spend their time addressing issues that we quelled back in the first week of school. Here are ways that you can lend support:


  • Make sure that your student is coming to school wearing shoes and not bedroom slippers.
  • Make sure that any outside food/beverage is consumed before students are dropped off in carline or before they get on the bus. There is a no eating/drinking policy on all buses.
  • Make sure that your student's cell phone stays home if you are not confident that they can keep them in their locker from 8:30-3:30.
  • Check out what your student is wearing to school. If there are pants that show underwear or tops that show midriff lurking under jackets and hoodies, be assured that as soon as the students are out of eyesight, that their outfit may transform into not what you think you are sending them to school in. The dress code is included later in the newsletter for reference.
  • Encourage your student to charge their laptop each evening and get that laptop back to school each day.
If families can assist with these items, than our educators can focus on faciliating learning. I appreciate your support!



Here's to another great week at Asheville Middle School!


Jo Landreth

Principal

Asheville Middle School

Gallery of Lost and Found Items

Delta House LEAAP family night and student showcase this past Thursday

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Delta House L.E.A.A.P. for Success After School Program & Summer Enrichment

If you have students that need academic support on a consistent regular schedule after school, Delta House's L.E.A.A.P. for Success 21st Century Community Learning Centers program is here to help. Our program aims to offer FREE year-round after-school program services for students who need help with reading and math, homework assistance, S.E.L., and enrichment activities. We want to ensure students' growth is made on the End-of-Grade Test and promoted to the next grade level.
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ACS Middle School Athletic Eligibility Guidelines -Spring 2023


To determine Middle School athletic eligibility for spring sports 2023, certain academic, attendance, and behavioral criteria must be met.


Academic:

  • The 2nd Quarter report card will be used to determine initial eligibility in the spring sport.

  • The student must have passed (60% or greater) all 4 core courses (math, English, science, social studies) as evidenced by the 2nd Quarter report card.

  • If the student failed one or more core courses as evidenced by the 2nd Quarter report card, they will be on probation. They must attend Afternoon Academy at least two times per week. As long as they are attending Afternoon Academy, they may still play. For the 3rd Quarter Midterm on February 24, grades will be reviewed on this date to determine if probation continues. If students are passing all 4 core classes, they will be removed from probationary status. Coaches will monitor progress from week to week. If the student is not passing all 4 core classes, probation continues and students must attend two Afternoon Academies a week.

  • For the 3rd Quarter Midterm on February 24, grades will be reviewed on this date to determine if students are passing all 4 core courses. If not, the student will be placed on probation. They must attend Afternoon Academy at least two times per week. As long as they are attending Afternoon Academy, they may still play. At the 3rd Quarter Report Card on April 12, grades will be reviewed on this date to determine if probation continues. If students are passing all 4 core classes, they will be removed from probationary status. Coaches will monitor progress from week to week. If the student is not passing all 4 core classes, probation continues and students must attend two Afternoon Academies a week.

  • For the 3rd Quarter Report Card on April 12, grades will be reviewed on this date to determine if students are passing all 4 core courses. If not the student will be placed on probation for the rest of the season. They must attend Afternoon Academy at least two times per week. As long as they are attending Afternoon Academy, they may still play.


Attendance:

  • A student must be present more than ½ the school day (over 3.5 hours) in order to practice or participate in a game for that day.

  • Students must have been in attendance at least 85% of the previous semester.


Behavior:

  • If a student receives either an ISS or OSS on or for any given day, the student is not allowed to practice or participate in a game for that day(s). They may not dress out or sit with the team.


Coaches are expected to:

  • Share updated rosters with both AMS and MNSA principals and the Athletic Director upon formation of the team so that eligibility can be determined.

  • Monitor student athlete academic, attendance, and behavioral progress weekly.

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Student Grief Support Groups

We are fortunate to partner with Four Seasons Hospice grief services. The program, "Compass," offers free grief support for students and their families. At Asheville Middle School there is an opportunity for students to participate in small grief support groups or individual counseling related specifically to grief. These services are provided at no cost.


Grief counseling provided by Four Seasons is time-limited for the purpose of addressing grief that is related to the loss of a person by death. Professionally trained counseling staff utilize well-established, proven techniques. Students and their grief counselor will devise a plan to address their specific needs.


If you think this is a great fit for your student, please complete this form.


If you are interested in learning more, please let the AMS Counseling staff know!

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Applying for Educational Leave

Just a reminder from the AMS Family and Student Handbook:

Requests for educational leave should be completed and submitted to the principal at least two weeks in advance of the planned travel. No more than five days will be approved, and families must submit this form and students must submit the assigned work to have the absence coded as educational leave.


In order for an absence to be considered educational, the student must meet educational goals and standards as outlined in the Standard Course of Study. All standards are available here on the NC Department of Public Instruction website. These standards must be listed out on the form.


Educational Leave Form

COVID Reporting Form

Please complete this form if your student tests positive for COVID-19. Once this is completed, our COVID Coordinator, Josh Rigsby, will reach out to you about next steps.

School Exclusion Criteria

School Health Program

A Division of the MAHEC Family Health Center

When to Keep Your Student Home from School

There are times when your student should not attend school. Keeping your student home at these times will prevent the spread of illness to other students at school. If you have questions, please contact your School Nurse, Lina Lam at 828-708-5328.



ILLNESS WHAT TO DO?


Difficulty breathing or other signs of serious illness - Keep student home. See Healthcare Provider.

**See COVID-19


Chickenpox

Keep student home until they have no new sores for 24 hours AND all sores are dried and crusted.

**During an outbreak of chickenpox, students who are NOT vaccinated for chickenpox (Varicella) and have been in close contact with someone sick with the infection will not be allowed at school for 21 days after they were last exposed to chickenpox, even if not sick.


COVID-19 (positive antigen or PCR/molecular test)

Keep student home until:

• It has been at least 5 days after the first day of symptoms (or specimen collection date if asymptomatic); AND

• It has been at least 24 hours since the student had a fever (without using fever reducing medicine); AND

• Other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving

**Student should wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days after the first day of symptoms to minimize the risk of infecting others, unless an exemption to mask use applies. The student may remove their mask sooner following 2 sequential negative tests 48 hours apart.


COVID-19 symptoms, including: • Fever or chills • Cough • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing • Fatigue • Muscle or body aches • Headache • New loss of taste or smell • Sore throat • Congestion or runny nose • Nausea or vomiting • Diarrhea

Keep student home until:


  • Student has received a negative PCR/molecular test for COVID 19 OR an alternate diagnosis from a healthcare provider AND: o It has been at least 24 hours since the student had a fever (without using fever reducing medicine); AND
  • They have felt well for at least 24 hours


OR


  • It has been at least 5 days after the first day of symptoms AND It has been at least 24 hours since the student had a fever (without using fever reducing medicine); AND Other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving


**Unless student has received a negative PCR/molecular test or alternate diagnosis, they should wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days after the first day of symptoms to minimize the risk of infecting others, unless an exemption to mask use applies. The student may remove their mask sooner following 2 sequential negative tests 48 hours apart.


Diarrhea that cannot be controlled and/or has blood/mucus in it or with a fever

Keep student home. See Healthcare Provider.

**See COVID-19


Fever with oral temperature 100.4 F or higher and not feeling well enough to participate in class. Keep student home until fever-free for 24 hours without using fever- reducing medicine such as Motrin or Tylenol

**See COVID-19


Head lice

If lice are first found at school, student may stay until end of the day but may not return until treatment has been started and all live lice are gone.


Illness that prevents the student from taking part in class activities easily - Student may return to school when able to take part in activities.


Impetigo

Keep student home until 24 hours after antibiotics have been started.


MRSA

Keep student home if sore is draining and cannot be covered with a clean, dry bandage. Keep student home if they cannot keep from picking at sore.


Pink eye with white or yellow discharge or eye pain - Keep student home until seen by a healthcare provider and 24 hours after 1st dose of medicine, if prescribed.


Rash with fever or behavior change - Keep student home until seen by a healthcare provider and treated if needed.


Ringworm

If ringworm is first found at school, student may stay until end of the day if it can be covered. Student may not return until treatment has been started. Area must remain covered until completely healed.


Scabies

Student must stay home until after treatment is complete.


Strep throat

Keep student home until 24 hours after antibiotics have been started.


Vomiting 2 or more times within 24 hours- Keep student home until able to tolerate regular diet.

**See COVID-19

Dress Code



  • Clothing depicting offensive, violent, graphic images, or references to illegal activities are prohibited.

  • Outfits must not show stomach.

  • Tops must have fabric on the sides (under the arms) and front side (midriff) unless a student is wearing a tank top underneath.

  • Pajamas, slippers, blankets, onesies, and nighttime attire are prohibited unless for a special event (i.e. pajama day).

  • Specialized courses may require specialized attire, such as sports uniforms or safety gear.

  • Shorts and skirts must entirely cover the student’s bottom

  • Clothing must be opaque (not see-through) AND must cover undergarments and the torso. Waistbands and bra straps may be visible.

  • Students’ faces, including eyes must be visible; no full face coverings or sunglasses are allowed. Students with a medical or religious need to wear a face covering or sunglasses must turn in documentation to the principal’s office in order to be excluded from this policy. Students may wear medical masks for illness prevention without a doctor’s order.

Two Weeks at a Glance


Monday, April 24: Afternoon Academy (3:30-5 PM)


Monday, April 24: Baseball & Softball v. Owen @ home (4:30 PM)


Monday, April 24: Girls Soccer @ Owen (5 PM)


Tuesday, April 25: NO COMMUNITY NIGHT FEATURING HW DINER


Wednesday, April 26: Administrative Professionals Day


Wednesday, April 26: Afternoon Academy (3:30-5 PM)


Wednesday, April 26: Golf @Kenmure Country Club (4 PM)


Wednesday, April 26: Baseball & Softball v. Cane Creek @ home (4:30 PM)


Thursday, April 27: Afternoon Academy (3:30-5 PM)


Thursday, April 27: Community Night featuring HW Diner (5-6:30 PM)


Thursday, April 27: National Junior Honor Society Induction (7 PM)


Friday, April 28: IRL Commmunity Celebration Event (4 PM)



Monday, May 1-5: AMS Educator Appreciation Week sponsored by PTO


Monday, May 1: Baseball/Softball v. Enka @ Home (4:30 PM)


Monday, May 1: Girls' Soccer @ Enka (5 PM)


Tuesday, May 2: United Way Community Night featuring HW Diner (5 PM)


Tuesday, May 2: Parenting in the Digital Age Workshop (5:30 PM)


Tuesday, May 2: AVID Celebration & Banquet @ AHS/SILSA Auditorium (6 PM)


Wednesday, May 3: Two Hour Late Start


Wednesday, May 3: Baseball/Softball @ Enka (5 PM)


Thursday, May 4: Girls' Soccer vs. Enka @ Home (4:30 PM)


Friday, May 5: School Lunch Hero Day




Beyond two weeks, but worth looking ahead at:


May 26-June 9: End of Grade and End of Course Testing window


Friday, May 26: NC Reading End of Grade (EOG) Test (6-8)


Monday, May 29: Memorial Day Holiday (No School for Staff or Students)


Wednesday, May 31: NC Math End of Grade (EOG)


Thursday, June 1: NC Science End of Grade (EOG) Test (8th grade only)


Monday, June 5: NC Math I End of Course (EOC) Test (students enrolled in Math I)