Dear AMS Cougar Families,

This week the journalism students in Ms. Gruen's class spread a little love by decorating the school with hearts as a Valentine's Day surprise (see photo). We all showed love to not only our yellow bus drivers, but also to the folks in our building who drive activity buses for us, and we celebrated our School Resource Officer this week for School Resource Officer Appreciation Week. SRO Travis Jones provides a valuable resource to our staff and fosters positive relationships with the youth in our buidling.

This upcoming week progress reports will go home. There are several items that will accompany the progress reports to be on the lookout for. First, we will be sending home Star Assessment parent reports from our middle of the year assessments to all grade levels. Second, all seventh and eighth grade students will have a passive consent form in preparation for our vision screening. You only need to sign and return this form is you do not want your student's vision to be screened. Finally, there is another passive consent form coming home to students in all grade levels from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and the Centers for Disease Control. Asheville Middle School is one of 300 middle and high schools in North Carolina to be randomly selected to participate in a NC Youth Risk Behavior Survey. It will ask questions about the health behaviors our students, including nutrition, physical activity, injuries, tobacco/alcohol/drug use, abstinence, AIDS, and STD education. Again, you only need to return this form if you do not your student to participate in this online survey.

I am also super excited that this Tuesday we will have our first United Way Community Night featuring Homework Diner of the semester. It will be on Tuesday, February 21 at 5:00 in the AMS cafeteria. All ACS students and families are welcome to attend. There will be a delicious catered meal for all. Do you have to need homework help to attend? No! We are working hard to build relationships as a school community and would love to see lots of families at each event. At 5:30, in the media center, the ACS School Board will be hosting a Superintendent Search Forum where they are hoping to hear what families want in a new superintendent.

Speaking of this Tuesday's United Way Community Night featuring Homework Diner, we will continue to have them each Tuesday night this semester. This is exciting news and I hope that you will mark your family calendars and plan on attending each week. There is more exciting news to come, though. Our new Community School Coordinator, Steve Martinez, will be starting this week. Next weekend I will include a formal introduction in the newsletter, but if you come to this Tuesday's Community Night you will be able to give him a hearty welcome from our community.

If you have a student attending the AMS Capstone Trip to Washington, DC, and they take any sort of medication, they need to have the appropriate form completed by their doctor. These forms are required for: asthma inhalers, any medicines, epipens, ibuprofen, motion sickness pills, and even sunscreen. Without a signed consent form, a student can not take any of these medicines on the trip. If you no longer have the one that was sent home last month, please contact your student's teachers for a new one or print one from our website.

This week we will add bus transportation to certain locations for Afternoon Academy. Sessions take place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Students should report to the cafeteria at dismissal. Tutoring will end right before 5:00 and students will be escorted to the front loop for pickup or go to the bus at 5:00 PM. Please submit this form if your student will attend any of the days this week. The form will be updated each week, but the link will stay the same. Locations available for bus transportation are listed on the form.

I am also including a summary of the Athletic Eligibility guidelines for Spring 2023. Please take a look at them if you have a student who is playing a spring 2023 sport.

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

Jo Landreth

Principal

Asheville Middle School

-Monday, February 20th - Virtual Option (google meet info will be shared later) - 4:00 PM

-Tuesday, February 21st @ Asheville Middle School - 5:30 PM

-Wednesday, February 22nd @ Hall Fletcher Elementary - 10:30 AM

-Thursday, February 23rd @ The Arthur R. Edington Center - 6:00 PM

-Monday, February 27th @ Isaac Dickson Elementary - 8:15 AM

-Wednesday, March 1st @ Asheville High/SILSA - 6:00 PM

We have some exciting happenings for our students who menstruate! I have been working with a group of 7th graders, the Asheville City Schools Foundation, and Planned Parenthood to get period products freely available in all of our girls restrooms and the staff/student bathroom on each hall starting the first week in March.

There are two upcoming events next week our menstruators (or people who will menstruate) are invited to attend:

Period Product Kickoff

Wednesday, February 22 3:30-5:00 in the media center

Planned Parenthood is hosting an education event about anatomy, different period products, and we'll make donation bins to set at businesses and posters for the drive thru.

*Wrapping paper donations needed*

Period Product donation drive thru

Saturday, February 25 2:00-4:00 at Pack Square

(old Vance Monument circle)

Need students to hold up posters and collect donations from cars.

Donation Drive

The following businesses have agreed to host donation bins for the weekend of February 24-26.

Citizen Vinyl

Wrong Way Campground

Empyrean Arts

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.

Field trip chaperones in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades

End of Grade Test proctoring

Please complete the volunteer training process (see below) so that you are ready when we need you! Then let your student's teachers know that you are ready and willing!

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!

ACS Volunteer Training Schedule for 2022-2023

All level II volunteer training will be held virtually for the 2022-2023 school year. There are 20 slots available for each session. The sessions last 30 minutes. Please register at the Sign-up Genius link below

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F4BA5A92BABFB6-acsvolunteer1

You will need to attend the entire session in order to receive credit for the training. Once the training session starts, you will not be allowed into the Zoom session. Attendance will be taken at the end of each session.

Tuesday, February 21, at 12:00 PM (@Boardroom at 85 Mountain St.)

Tuesday, March 14, at 12:00 PM (@Boardroom at 85 Mountain St.)

Thursday, April 13, at 12:00 PM (@Boardroom at 85 Mountain St.)

Link to the Background Check form: https://bib.com/secure-volunteer/ASHEVILLE-CITY-SCHOOLS/home

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

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

February 20-24: Progress Reports Go Home

Monday, February 20: NC Check-In Science (8th only)

Monday, February 20: Track and Field Tryouts (3:30-5:15)

Tuesday, February 21: Track and Field Tryouts (3:30-5:15)

Tuesday, February 21: Baseball, Softball, & Girls' Soccer Scrimmages @ Flat Rock (4:30 PM)

Tuesday, February 21: Community Night Featuring HW Diner & Superintendent Search Forum (5 PM)

Wednesday, February 22: Two Hour Delay schedule

Wednesday, February 22: Track and Field Tryouts (3:30-5:15)

Thursday, February 23: Track and Field Tryouts (3:30-5:15)

Monday, February 27: NC Check-In Math (6th-8th)

Tuesday, February 28: Community Night Featuring HW Diner

Wednesday, March 1: Baseball & Softball v. Erwin @ home (4:30 PM)

Wednesday, March 1: Girls' Soccer @ Erwin (4:30 PM)

Thursday, March 2: Baseball & Softball v. Cane Creek @ home (4:30 PM)

Thursday, March 2: Girls' Soccer @ Cane Creek (4:30 PM)

Beyond two weeks, but worth looking ahead at:

Monday, February 27: NC Check-In Math (6th-8th)

Tuesday, March 7: Washington, DC Field Trip Parent Meeting (6 PM)

Wednesday, March 8: Two Hour Late Start

Monday, March 20: Required Workday

Friday, March 31: Early Release Day; End of Quarter 3 (No School for Students)

Saturday, April 1- Sunday, April 9: Spring Break (No School for Students)

Wednesday, April 19: Two Hour Late Start

Wednesday, May 3: Two Hour Late Start

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

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