AMS Parent Peek
November 5, 2023
REMINDER
There will be NO SCHOOL on Friday, November 10th in observance of Veterans’ Day
Pumpkin Run on Thursday, November 2nd.
Winners for the 2023 Pumpkin Run
Israel Muzuela and Sienna Cifelli placed first among all the 7th graders competing. Both set new course records in the process.
Logan Stout and Emelia Vincent each finished a very close second.
TEAM CHAMPIONS: TEAM KINEO.
With a combined time of 25 minutes and 57 seconds Israel Muzela, Anika Salazar-Perez, Logan Stout, Nolan Smith and Jaymien Palmer brought home the team trophy for Kineo!
Thank you PTO
Thanks to the PTO, other parents, and staff who donated items for our staff on Wednesday, November 1st. We appreciate your kindness and support.
Dance
- The dance on Friday helped our school raise $985 for our PTO! Thanks to our parents and PTO members who donated concession items, worked the concession table, and chaperoned. We can’t do it without you!
- Student pick-up for the dance went extremely well. Thank you for your patience as we had all 268 students safely on their way within 20 minutes.
WINTER SPORTS SIGN UP
SIGN UPS ARE NOW OPEN FOR WINTER ATHLETICS. PLEASE GO TO THE ATHLETIC SECTION OF OUR WEBSITE TO FIND THE LINK. YOU NEED AN UPDATED PHYSICAL TO PARTICIPATE.
BASKETBALL EVALUATIONS BEGIN ON MONDAY NOVEMBER 6TH, 2023.
ALPINE SKI EVALUATIONS BEGIN ON MONDAY NOVEMBER 27TH, 2023.
AUBURN MIDDLE SCHOOL WEEKLY ATHLETIC UPDATE
Week 1: November 6th -November 12th
Monday, November 6th:
BASKETBALL EVALUATIONS:
8TH GRADE GIRLS: 2:15-3:45
7th GRADE GIRLS: 3:45-5:15
7th GRADE BOYS: 5:15-6:45
8th GRADE BOYS: 6:45-8:15
Tuesday, November 7th:
BASKETBALL EVALUATIONS:*NO 8TH GRADE GIRLS*
7th GRADE GIRLS: 3:45-5:15
7th GRADE BOYS: 5:15-6:45
8th GRADE BOYS: 6:45-8:15
Wednesday, November 8th:
BASKETBALL PRACTICE:
7th GRADE GIRLS: 3:45-5:15
7th GRADE BOYS: 5:15-6:45
8th GRADE BOYS: 6:45-8:15
BASKETBALL EVALUATIONS:
8TH GRADE GIRLS: 2:15-3:45
Thursday, November 9th:
BASKETBALL PRACTICE:
8TH GRADE GIRLS: 2:15-3:45
7th GRADE GIRLS: 3:45-5:15
7th GRADE BOYS: 5:15-6:45
8th GRADE BOYS: 6:45-8:15
The Pumpkin Contest:
There were 32 out of 40 CORES that participated in our annual pumpkin decorating contest. The creativity was OUTSTANDING, and having the pumpkins set up in the cafeteria made it easier for our students to appreciate their hard work, and see others’ great work, too! The top three winners and honorable mentions for each category will be announced during Monday morning announcements. ALL winners will receive ribbons on their CORE posters, and the top winners in each CORE will receive popsicles during lunch on Monday. Congratulations to all COREs! A new CORE competition is coming soon.
WAYS WE KEEP STUDENTS SAFE AT AMS
Safety is our first priority. This is why we have high expectations for student behaviors. It is why we train to evacuate and we train for intruders. Every staff member has multiple ways to access administration and are capable of making emergency calls as needed.
All the doors are locked all the time, external and internal
Hard wired phones in each room
Cameras that are observed
Secure front entrance
Badged staff
Practice safety measures
Staff members every 10 feet in the building
We do not have unannounced visitors
Bates mentors are trained and have background checks
Staff have multiple communication devices to contact others for immediate assistance
Reminder of rules around personal technology at school (Cell Phones)
AMS Geology Trip to Mt. Apatite
AMS 8th graders from Team Sugarloaf journeyed to Mt. Apatite to learn about our local Geology. Local Geologist Keith Taylor was on hand to teach about the importance of Mt. Apatite and our surrounding Geology. A big AMS thank you to Keith Taylor and Mike Burke, who arranged this trip as part of his curriculum.
We always want to incorporate the local landscape and interests into our curriculum. If you have a specialty in our area, please reach out.
CORE Kindess Project
KINDNESS PROJECT FOR CORES:
The presence of helpers offers us hope in moments of chaos. The world might feel terrible right now, but somehow, people still care for others. Mr Rogers has that famous line, "When I was a boy and saw bad things on the news, my mother always told me to look for the helpers."
As we talk with our children about the tragic circumstances of these past few days, speaking of those who have helped is essential. The police, nurses, emergency crews and bystanders care for and help others. Their actions remind us that we will remain strong. Doing good for others can boost our spirits and unite us as a community.
As adults who care for children, we strive to impart valuable and hopeful lessons to our children during these scary and uncertain times. At AMS, we are making a concerted effort to teach students what it is to be Safe, Responsible, Respectful, and Kind. Helping shouldn't only be something that we admire from a distance. If and when we can help, there are several good reasons for all of us to try it.
We are asking that your core students start to process the events of the last two days by writing a letter to a helper or to a loved one and sharing it with you. We will deliver the “Dear Community Member Letters” to the helpers. We all are helpers right now.
CORE Kindness project choices could be:
Write a letter expressing your feelings about the past few days' events.
In a new Document shared with your core teacher, please start,
“Dear Community Member,”
In the same letter, express your thoughts about the people who choose to help
Write a letter to someone for whom you care deeply. Examples can be a family member, friend, teacher, or someone you haven’t seen in a long time. (You DO NOT have to use the person’s name in the letter.)
Create a thank you card expressing your thoughts to a front-line worker.
Sign and send a birthday card to Maine WWII veterans turning 100+ in November.
Create a mandala coloring page
Thank you note to a teacher or adult in the building
Odyssey of the Mind Team at AMS
Odyssey of the Mind Information Night for parents and students
Thursday, November 14th
5:30-6:30 PM
AMS Technology Lab with Mr. Rowe
Notice: We cannot add new students without parent volunteers for coaching
Watch this video for an overview.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWHP64kUhWc
Teams are formed of up to seven students and a coach. Each problem solution requires an 8-minute performance, with specific requirements and limitations unique to each problem type. From writing scripts and acting, to building structures and designing vehicles – there is a problem that appeals to all types of interests.
There are 3 scoring elements for each team. The Longterm Problem can earn the team up to 200 points. The spontaneous Problem can earn up to 100 points. The Style category can earn up to 50 points. A perfect score, therefore , is 350 points.
Once your team knows the problem limitations, it’s time to create a solution! This can be done any way the team wishes, but usually takes place over a few months during team practices and work sessions.
Ideas become reality as the team builds sets, creates props, makes costumes, writes scripts, and more. Then it’s all about practice, practice, practice!
There are two levels of competition – State Finals, and World Finals.
To learn more about OM:
National Association:
https://www.odysseyofthemind.com
Maine Association:
IMPORTANT DATES
- Thanksgiving Turkey Trot: Friday, November 17th. Raises funds to send students to summer camp and we collect Food to support out families for Thanksgiving.
- Please remember to call or email the main office at AMS when your child/student is going to be out of school or tardy to school. Email us at: AMSattendance@auburnschl.edu or call 207-333-6655
AMS Parent Teacher Organization
This year, we are:
- Organizing Dances: 1/19/24 and 3/29 then the 8th Grade Semi Formal near 6/9/24
- Thanksgiving Turkey Trop: Friday, November 17th. Raises funds to send students to summer camp.
- Teacher Appreciation each Month but focusing on May 8th - 12th.
- Various CORE competitions
Communication
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