AMS Weekly News
March 31, 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,
As the snow melts, we are noticing a large amount of litter on our property. This is obviously bad for our local ecosystem, but it also shows a lack of care for our school. We will be communicating with students about the need to respect our school property by limiting litter and using waste receptacles. This is especially important as we head into the spring sports season--it is important to pick up disposable water bottles after practices and competitions. Thank you for your help in reinforcing respect for our school property and helping to keep our local environment safe for all inhabitants.
Be well,
Kristen
Calendar
April 3 (Mon): Q4 begins
April 4 (Tues): NH ICAC Task Force Parent Presentation, 7pm
April 7 (Fri): Q3 Progress Reports available in Empower and sent home
April 11 (Tues): Late Start Day, School begins at 10:30am
April 14 (Fri): Semi-Formal Dance for 7th and 8th graders, 7-9pm
April 24-28: NO SCHOOL, Spring Recess
May 2 (Tues): Transition Night for 4th gr families, 6pm
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 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
AMS Student Places Second at State Spelling Bee
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, 15, 16
Q3 Progress Reports
Parent Partnership
With the recent events in our country, your children may have questions about it all. Below is a link by Newport Academy with some tips on how to talk to kids about tragic events.
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
Reminders
Planning for the 2023-24 School Year
In addition, we have opened the PowerSchool Class Registration link for current 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.
NH ICAC Task Force Presentation
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.