Amherst Middle School

Dear AMS Families,

This week was certainly eventful for our staff as we wrapped up quarter 1 progress reports, hosted parent conferences, took part in an early release day training, and gathered for Thanksgiving lunch (aka Turkey Day), which is a 35+ year tradition at Amherst Middle School.

During the early release day, teachers and staff participated in an annual two-hour Suicide Prevention training. Schools across the state are mandated by state law to provide this very important training to educators. We are grateful to work with Connor's Climb Foundation who facilitated the training. Please check out the Connor's Climb website for parent resources and more.

Be well,

Kristen Gauthier

Principal, Amherst Middle School

John Schuttinger

Assistant Principal (Grades 7/8)

Carol Scionti

Assistant Principal (Grades 5/6)

November 22 - November 24: Thanksgiving Break (NO SCHOOL)

December 1 (Fri): 5th Grade Fall Social

December 6 & 7 (Wed & Thurs): Author Visit - Adi Rule

December 11 (Mon): 5th Grade Band Concert 6:00 PM

December 11 (Mon): 6th Grade Chorus & 6th Grade Band Concert 7:00 PM

December 12 (Tues): 7th & 8th Grade Chorus Concert 6:00 PM

December 12 (Tues): 7th & 8th Grade Jazz Band Concert 7:00 PM

December 13 (Wed): Early Release 12:50 PM

December 22 - January 1: Holiday Break (NO SCHOOL)

January 15 (Mon.): MLK Jr. Day (NO SCHOOL)

January 24 (Wed): Early Release 12:50 PM

When to Keep Your Child Home from School

Nursing is Available 8:05-3:39 every school day, if you aren’t sure on when to send your child to school, please call 603-673-8922 dial 2 for nursing to discuss

Colds

~If the cough is interferes with ability to complete tasks, stay home

~Stay home for a fever greater than 100.0 in the last 24 hours or fever reducing medication in the last 24 hours

~Encourage student to bring a water bottle and refill as needed, cough drops, or tissues

GI Concerns

~If student has had diarrhea or vomiting in the past 24 hours without a known medical

cause- stay home

~If the student cannot eat or drink enough to stay hydrated-stay home

~Student’s with known dietary discrepancies such as lactose intolerance who develop symptoms can come to school

~Students with known indigestion can bring Tums to school to keep in the health office with a parent/guardian permission note for the nurse to administer

~Students with known GI issues can come to school and are welcome to utilize the nurse’s restroom if/when needed

Sore Throat

~If it’s part of a cold, we can support at school with cough drops, Tylenol, Motrin, or water

~If it’s strep, the student must stay home for the first 24 hours on Antibiotics then may come to school with cough drops, water, or Tylenol/Motrin

Headache

~Can take Motrin or IBU profen and come to school as long as no fever

~Encourage water, adequate sleep, and eating a healthy diet

Mental Health

~Counselors and nursing are available to support any mental health related symptoms

Please come join us for our first 5th grade social of the 2023/2024 school year.

On Wednesday, December 6th and Thursday, December 7th, Amherst Middle School Library has the honor of hosting NH Author, Adi Rule! She will present to all grades, as well as speak with small groups about the art and craft of writing!

If you are interested in purchasing her book(s) before the event, please submit this order form, as well as check or cash by Monday, November 27th. This will ensure the book is here in time for Adi Rule's presentation, and offering of individualized book signing!

Checks should be made out to AMS Library with the student's name in the memo line, cash is also acceptable. Please include payment in a sealed envelope with the student's full name, grade level, and "Attn. Tiffany Maher," and have them deliver to me in the library.

If you have any questions or wonders, email Ms. Maher at tmaher@sau39.org.

We look forward to this opportunity for our AMS community of learners to meet a local author!

This year, we are recognizing students with the Best of the Nest Award. Staff members nominate students each week who demonstrate a commitment to upholding the Courage to CARE model and the values of Amherst Middle School.

This week, we are celebrating:

Ashley Q. (Grade 6)

This student showed compassion and caring when a peer fell in gym class and was injured. This student willingly brought her belongings to the health office. She made 3 trips back and forth to the gym and another to the student's locker to get her belongings. She also checked in on the peer in the health office making sure the student was well and comfortable. She wished the student well and made comforting comments to her peer. She even offered to be on the lookout for a missing sweatshirt and let the student know when it is found. Ashli showed care and compassion for her classmate.

Marin M. (Grade 8)

Bella S. (Grade 8)

These two students were nominated for their strong academic EFFORT and COMPASSION toward others. They are thoughtfully engaged in course material and make positive contributions to class discussion. It has been observed countless times that they go out of there way to make sure other students in the class feel included.

We are continuing the focus on gratitude for the month of November. It is a time that many celebrate and give thanks. Reflecting on what we are grateful for can have a positive impact on our emotional well-being. Here is a resource you can use with your student to generate conversation on gratitude. Gratitude Conversation Starters

SHS/AMS Athletic Director, Kelli Braley, will be sending out weekly schedules directly to families and we will also share the weekly schedule in our Friday updates.

Full season schedules can be found here.

You can find the latest schedule here.

Schedule for the week of November 20, 2023 - November 24, 2023

Monthly Newsletter

The PTA November Newsletter is live! Click here.

Join the PTA

For more information about the PTA and to join this year, please visit their website, http://www.amherstnhpta.org/index.html.

Matilda the Musical

The Amherst PTA Play is BACK in 2024 with Matilda! You can get information about auditioning here: https://sites.google.com/view/amherstptamatilda/home

A former AMS graduate is hosting the monthly Graphic Novel Book Club at the Amherst Town Library;

Tuesday, November 28th 4:00—4:30 PM

Lower Level - Johnson Meeting Room

Amherst Town Library - 14 Main Street, Amherst, NH, 03031

Head on over as they read a graphic novel, then meet at the library to discuss the book as a group and have some snacks!

Since 1987, the Holiday Toy Store has been committed to assisting local families in need by providing them with holiday gifts (free of charge) for their children (ages newborn through 15). This year, the Holiday Toy Store will provide gifts for over 500 children. We are financially supported through the generosity of local businesses and individuals. We know there are many incredible organizations that have similar efforts during the holiday season. What makes us different? We provide services to families in Amherst, Brookline, Milford, Mont Vernon, and Wilton only. Those who benefit from the Holiday Toy Store could be your neighbors, your friends, your children’s classmates. As you begin to think about your charitable donations this season, we ask that you consider the Holiday Toy Store. We are a 501(c)3, so your donation would be tax deductible.

Ways to donate: Donation boxes for new, unwrapped toys will be at several locations in towns starting November 9th - December 13th. Amherst: Black Forest, Spinal Corrective Center (SCC), Library, Wilkins, AMS, Ponemah Crossing Dental Milford: Black Forest, Spinal Corrective Center (SCC), Library, Wilkins, AMS, Ponemah Crossing Dental Mont Vernon: Library and school Wilton: Library

Online monetary donations can be made at: https://givebutter.com/HolidayToyStore

Checks can be made payable to Holiday Toy Store and mailed to Holiday Toy Store, PO Box 6, Amherst, NH 03031.

If your student will be late to school or absent, please call us directly at 603.673.8944 and leave a message on the attendance line or email ams@sau39.org. While it is helpful for teachers to also know about tardies and absences, contacting the front office is the best way to ensure your student is accounted for in our daily attendance process. Automatic notification calls go to families at 11:00am for absent students that we have not received an absence notification for.

Make sure you check back frequently as the calendar can (and likely will) still be modified.