AMBOY MIDDLE SCHOOL
December 2017
Dear Parent/Guardians,
This year, Amboy Middle School is making a special effort to ensure that all students fully benefit from their education by attending school regularly and being supported here at school. Having positive interactions at school helps children feel better about school—and themselves. Consistent attendance will help children do well in high school, college, and at work.
School policy and state law:
It is important that you understand our school policies and procedures, as well as Washington State Law, to ensure your child is successful in school. State law for mandatory attendance, called the Becca Bill, requires children from age 8 to 17 to attend a public school, private school, or a district-approved home school program (see Washington State Compulsory School Attendance and Admission). We, the school, are required to take daily attendance and notify you when your student has an unexcused absence.
Did you know?
- Missing 10 percent (or about 18 days) of the school year increases the chance that your student will not read or master math at the same level as their peers.
- Students can still fall behind if they miss just a day or two days every few weeks.
- By 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that a student may drop out of high school.
- By being present at school, your child learns valuable social skills and has the opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with other students and school staff.
Valid reasons for excused absences include:
Participation in school approved activities or instructional program
Illness, health conditions, or medical appointment
Family emergencies
Principal or designee and parent/legal guardian, or emancipated youth mutually agreed upon approved activity
Observance of religious or cultural holidays
Court, judicial proceeding or serving on a jury
Post-secondary, technical school or apprenticeship program visitation or scholarship interview
Absences directly related to the students homeless status
Absence related to deployment activities of a parent or legal guardian
State-recognized search and rescue activities consistent with RCW 28A.225.055
Absences resulting from a disciplinary/corrective action
What you can do:
- Set a regular bedtime and morning routine.
- Prepare for school the night before, finishing homework and getting a good night’s sleep.
- Don’t let your student stay home unless they are truly sick. Keep in mind complaints of a stomach ache or headache can be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home.
- Avoid appointments and extended trips when school is in session.
- Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
- Keep track of your student’s attendance. Missing more than 9 days could put your student at risk of falling behind.
- Talk to your student about the importance of attendance.
- Talk to your student’s teachers if you notice sudden changes in behavior. These could be tied to something going on at school.
- Encourage meaningful after school activities, including sports and clubs.
What we need from you:
We miss your student when they are gone, and we value their contributions to our school. We would like you to help ensure that your student attends regularly and is successful in school. If your student is going to be absent, please contact the school attendance line at 360-433-3488.
Our promise to you:
We know that there are a wide variety of reasons that students are absent from school, from health concerns to transportation challenges. There are many people in our building prepared to help you if you or your student face challenges in getting to school regularly or on time. We promise to track attendance daily, to notice when your student is missing from class, communicate with you to understand why they were absent, and to identify barriers and supports available to overcome challenges you may face in helping your student attend school. If you are in need of added support please contact April Vonderharr, assistant principal or Jordan Kalliainen, school counselor.
We wish you all a happy holiday season!
Mike Maloney, Principal
Apri Vonderharr, Assistant Principal
MEET OUR NEW PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION SPECIALIST
My name is Spencer Meyer, and I started at Amboy Middle School in October of 2017 as the Prevention and Intervention Specialist. I have previously worked in Amboy, Yacolt, and Battle Ground for Catholic Community Services of Southwest Washington providing mental health counseling in the home, school, and community.
Amboy is continuing to implement a program called Project SUCCESS. This program is part of the Project AWARE grant being implemented in the Battle Ground School District. The goals of this program are to help prevent and reduce alcohol, tobacco and other drug use among students, to promote positive mental health, and to provide activities that help improve overall school climate. To accomplish these goals, students will have the opportunity to participate in school-wide prevention activities, classroom lessons, and small group support meetings. Students have the option of referring themselves to meet with me to participate in any activities or one-on-one support around anxiety, alcohol/tobacco/substance use challenges, or any other school-related mental health challenges.
I will be present Monday through Wednesday, as I am at Battle Ground High School on Thursdays and Fridays.
I am a Mental Health Professional (MHP) and have my Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology. I specialize in working with adolescents with trauma and co-occurring disorders (mental health and alcohol/drug challenges). I can be reached at (360) 433-3412 or by email at meyer.spencer@battlegroundps.org.
I look forward to helping your children and working with you to help them succeed.
Thank you,
Spencer Meyer
FIFTH GRADE FOCUS
Math:
Students recently finished working on the numbers and base ten standards in math. Next, students will be learning about measurement. This includes both standard and metric units and their conversions within the given system.
Reading:
Students just completed their projects on the theme of "thankful". In December, we will continue to work with our Storyworks magazines and integrate a couple of holiday-themed projects.
Social Studies:
In Social Studies students are learning about "Colonial America". In this unit, we learn about how the 13 original colonies were shaped by the people, economy, land, and relations with the Native Americans.
Reminder that missing assignment sheets (or Congratulations! No missing assignments) go home with students every Friday. These need to be returned to the homeroom teacher with a parent/guardian signature. Also, please make sure students have pencils and other supplies as they run out.
Fifth grade donated over 1200 pairs of socks for Socktober. Way to go, fifth grade!
SIXTH GRADE SUMMARY
7TH GRADE SCOOP
In Science, we are starting Chemistry - yay! We are looking at mixtures vs. pure substances, physical properties vs. chemical properties. There is a huge amount of vocabulary in this unit - elements, atoms, molecules, compounds...Many fun labs. Did we mention - Yay Chemistry?!
In History/ELA Gatz and Wood we are finishing up our "The Outsiders" reading and writing assignments, as well as watching the movie. The history/science research paper students have been writing will be due before winter break. Finally, we will finish off the year with "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens and a study of the Industrial Revolution.
Mrs. E's History is working on Maya/Inca timelines with a gallery walk for 5th grade classes. Her ELA classes are learning about text evidence and informational writing.
8TH GRADE INPUT
Thanksgiving is done, but we are all still stuffed like a turkey. The winter break is coming and the weather is very unpredictable, so please be ready for anything. Please have your child keeping up with their work for the second term has ended, and next thing we know your child is in high school.
The end of January is the end of the first semester, and these grades can influence your child’s selections of classes for high school. How, you ask? If a student fails history, they will have to make the class up in high school. In turn, that will mean one less elective class the student will select. Also, the habits they have now in middle school are very hard to break and will usually follow them to high school. Make sure your child is checking for missing work, getting it turned in, and advocating for themselves by asking what they have to do for help in class if they are having problems.
Science Input:
We are continuing to work on our Environmental Science/Human Impact unit. Students will be presenting their research projects on invasive species/minerals in early December. We are on-going with watershed/macro studies. Students will be heading down to the creek to take measurements on stream qualities—both physical and chemical. Other students will have the opportunity to investigate the macroinvertebrate life in our creek. They are gathering data to support a conclusion as to the overall quality of Chelatchie Creek. This is a great opportunity for our students to take part in real world field science. See your student for volunteer opportunities.
Math Input:
Is your 8th grade child having problems in math? Do you have access to the Internet?
If you have access to the internet and your child is in the Holt Mathematics course, your child has access to tutorial and interactive practices for math. Your child does not need to take the book home because he or she can access the material at home. How, you ask? Go to: my.hrw.com. Each child has been issued a Username and a Password by their math teacher .
Our math department recommends just trying it out for 10 to 15 minutes, three times a week. If you would like, have the child review the tutorial each day. REMEMBER: my.hrw.com.
This year the district has adopted a new algebra book and, like the math book, it has online access. So, if your child is in algebra have them go to : Pearsonrealize.com.
Language Arts Input:
Like last year, we have Chromebooks and are using them almost everyday in most of their classes. In Language Arts we are doing a novel study focusing on the Revolutionary War. The Language Arts section works with the History department, and we are expecting the child to use information from both classes.
MR. BONG'S BAND BEATS
Our Holiday Concert will be on Thursday, December 14. This is for all band members and will give our 5th grade student their first opportunity to show off the progress they have made since starting band in September. Students need to be at the band room by 6:30, and the concert begins at 7:00.
Learning a new instrument can be a challenge, and young musicians can go through a lot of reeds while perfecting their art. Our office staff keeps reeds and other band supplies on hand for students to purchase. Students often purchase items with promises to bring the money later but then forget to do so. In order to better track this, band supplies will now be added to the students account and will become a fine if not paid. Instrument rental invoices will be sent home in January.
MS. GREENWOOD'S GALLERY
PARENTS! LEARN ABOUT GOOGLE DRIVE
Hi, Parents and Guardians!
Now that we will be getting Chromebooks for each student in the coming years, would you like to learn the basics of Google Drive, including creating Documents, Sheets, Slides, and more?
If so, please take this quick Learning How to Google Survey to show your interest. Please leave your name and number/email so that I can contact you back. I was thinking of offering a class during After-School Activities on Tuesdays from 2:20 to 3:20 starting near the end of January. Please indicate another day or time for me to consider if that is not convenient. Include your student's name so I can look up their Chromebook sign-in information. We will supply the Chromebooks.
If you know other parents who are interested in learning about Google, please pass this message along!
Call me at 360-885-6050 x 3454 with any questions.
Thank you,
Melissa Theis
Reading Intervention Teacher