I am so excited to see students and families come out for the 2022-2023 Meet the Teacher event at AMS on Wednesday, August 24 from 3-6. For any of you who have ever attended an after school event at AMS, you know that parking is always tight. If it is possible for all family members to come in only one car, or better yet, for families to carpool, then we would appreciate these efforts. We also recognize that this is not feasible for everyone, so here is our parking plan:

1. Our staff will be parking on the track so that the front parking lot will be available for families. As long as there is a spot available in this space, please park here.

2. If the parking lot is full, we will have parking attendants to guide you to parking in the right hand lane of our drop-off/pick-up lane. Please follow their guidance as to where you should park. Also, park as close to the curb as possible, as we must have room for emergency vehicles to use the left-hand lane. It will also be important not to block the entrance/exit to the track.

3. If both the parking lot and the right hand lane is full, the parking attendants will open up the track for additional cars. Drivers will move around the track in a counter-clockwise direction. It will be critical that folks follow the directions of the parking attendants.

I appreciate everyone's patience with this process.

Once you arrive, please go into the first door of the gym, and follow signs and greeters to the first station where you will pick up a folder of critical forms. In the folder will also be a calendar of events, a copy of your student's schedule, carline placards, and other critical documents. ( If your family is unable to make this event, your student will bring home the folder on the first day of school; it is critical that these forms are returned by the end of the first week of school.) After this initial stop, you will continue through a series of tables where you will be able to ask questions about a variety of topics (e.g., bus transportation, athletics, after school options, etc.). Then you will be on to your student's classrooms for a quick visit to check out the space and to meet the teacher.

Sincerely,

Jo Peterson Gibbs Landreth

Asheville Middle School Principal

We would like every student to return a completed Health History Form at the beginning of each year. These will be available at the Meet the Teacher event. If you have a student who will need to take medication at school or needs to self-carry a medication such as an inhaler or epipen there are forms for these scenarios that must be completed by the student's physician. These will also be available at the Meet the Teacher event.

It is critical that all families please take a moment to complete the Free and Reduced Lunch Application so our schools can continue to receive important federal funding!

The total number of students eligible for the program is what determines our annual allotment for Asheville City Schools. Students may be eligible but chose not to receive the meals. Funding is based on the total number of qualifying students.

Having all families complete the Lunch Application allows us to receive funding for: -Additional classroom teachers -Academic facilitators and instructional coaches -Additional funding for supplies and materials -Professional development for teachers -Eligibility for discounts at field trip destination -Participation in community-enrichment events -Qualifying for many grants -Potential loan forgiveness for college loans -Access to district services

Please complete the Free and Reduced Lunch Application as soon as possible. Also, please know that families can apply or reapply at any point in time if they incur a change in family income. Thank you for your continued support of Asheville City Schools. If you have any questions please contact the School Nutrition office at 828-350-6110.

You can get a Free and Reduced Lunch Application at your child's school or online at: https://www.lunchapplication.com/ These forms will also be available at the Meet the Teacher event.