Welcome Back 2023
AMS Back to School Information!
Dear Avon Families:
I am so excited for the start of another school year. I am beginning my 21st year in education, although it seems like yesterday I was getting ready to begin my first year of teaching. I still get the same excited feeling for the start of a school year! I hope everyone has enjoyed their summer with family and friends. I know I enjoyed time with my husband and two children, Riley and Jimmer. Riley will be a freshman this school year and Jimmer will be a sixth grader.
I look forward to working with your children as well as developing a partnership with all families. My goal is to ensure that all of our students are healthy, happy, and safe in order to create a positive learning experience. I will encourage our students each day and let them know that they are valued and have a special place in our school community.
Our Assistant Principal Team members are: Emily Russ who will be working with families that have a Last Name L-Z. Mrs. Russ is starting her 12 year in education. Mike Ryan will be working with families that have a Last Name A-K. Mr. Ryan is starting his 15th year in education.
Please reach out at any time via email (davissonk@avoneagles.org) or phone (440-934-3800 ext. 5005). I look forward to meeting you all soon on our Open House night on Tuesday, August 15th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM We split the alphabet to help with parking and crowds that evening. We ask that Last Names A-K attend from 6-7:00 PM and Last Names L-Z attend from 7-8:00 PM. If you are not able to attend that night we will have a schedule pick up available on Monday, August 14th from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM. Students can grab their schedules, walk and find their locker and drop off any items at that time in their locker. Please understand that classrooms and teachers will not be available on 8/14 during this time.
Warm Regards,
Kelli Davisson
Avon Middle School Principal
Important Links
These clickable links provide information on School Fees, School Supplies, School / District Calendar and Student Handbook for your reference. Also, these documents can be found on the district website at www.avonlocalschools.org under Avon Middle School.
School Fees (Fees will not be assessed to accounts until October 2023.)
Important Dates and Deadlines
REMINDER: Returning Student Registration information update (sent in a previous email) needs to be completed immediately. This includes emergency contact and other important information needed by the school prior to Thursday, August 17, 2023 . If you have any questions, please call the AMS Main Office at (440) 934-3800.
Tuesday, August 8: Student schedules will go “live” on PowerSchool beginning at 4:00 PM
Thursday, August 10: New Student Orientation is for incoming 6th graders and new-to-the-district 7th and 8th graders. We recommend arriving about 15 minutes before your session to receive your student schedule. Principals and School Counselors will review goals, expectations, procedures, schedules, etc. Our 8th grade volleyball team will be in uniform and available to assist new students with navigating the building and opening lockers.
6th Graders and new 7th/8th Graders (last name A-K): 8:30 - 9:30 AM
6th Graders and new 7th/8th Graders (last name L-Z): 10:30 - 11:30 AM
Monday, August 14th: Open Campus Day for Parents and Students: 1:00 - 2:30 PM. Schedules will be available for pick up and you can walk around with your child to follow their schedule, find their locker, and explore the school. Teachers and classrooms will not be available during these times.
Tuesday, August 15: The AMS Open House is from 6:00 to 8:00 PM 6:00-7:00 PM (Last names A-K) and 7:00-8:00 PM (Last names L-Z). Our 8th grade volleyball team will be in uniform and available to assist students.
Last Names A-K 6:00-7:00 PM
Last Names L-Z 7:00-8:00 PM
Thursday, August 17: First Day of School (The school day is 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM)
Wednesday, September 27: School Picture Day by Ripcho Studio (packet will be sent home).
Mid-October: School fees can be paid online through your PaySchools Central account.
NOTE: For other dates/times of school activities, please visit the Avon Middle School website under Announcements and Calendar at: www.avonlocalschools.org/buildings/middle-school.
Student Schedules & Lockers
Schedules: Student schedules with assigned lockers and locker combinations can be viewed on August 8 after 4:00 PM by logging into PowerSchool, but must be done on a computer (not a mobile device). Also, students can pick up schedules at Open House on Tuesday, August 15 or can pick up schedules on the First Day in first period classes. In case students forget their schedules, student names will be alphabetically posted in the AMS Commons area with their first period class next to their respective names (Thursday, August 17).
Lockers: Students are required to use only their assigned hallway locker. Details on gymnasium locker room lockers and combination locks will be explained by the physical education teachers. More information about locker usage and care is provided in the Student Handbook. Students will be required to use their locker this school year. Bookbags/backpacks will be stored in lockers and are not permitted to be carried around the building during the school day.
Transportation
Carefully review Bus Routes and Safety Rules prior to the start of the school year.
Bus Routes for the 2023-24 school year will be posted on the school website on August 2nd.
If you have moved, please note that all address changes must go through the building the student is attending. Transportation will not change an address or re-route a student from a parent phone call/email. Both the proof of residency affidavit, linked here, and the change of address form, linked here need to be submitted with two items of documentation from the list provided on the form.
Click here for vehicle morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up procedures.
Early Dismissals/Attendance Procedures
To be dismissed early, students need to present a written request to the AMS Main Office upon arrival; they will receive an Early Dismissal Slip. All written requests for early dismissal must be signed by the parent / guardian, including a reason and a telephone number to verify the appointment. The voicemail number for absences is not to request an early dismissal. Telephone call requests to dismiss students early are discouraged.
Should a call become necessary for an emergency or last minute appointment, photo IDs will need to be presented by the parent / guardian at the time of student pick up.
The attendance line, 440-934-3838, is accessible 24 hours a day.
Lunch Time Changes for 2023-2024 School Year
For the upcoming school year we will be having 6 different lunch times in order to maximize the eating time for students and this allows more students to visit the Media Center for our Maker Space activities. One half of students will be eating while the other half of students will be in their FLEX time. Your child's lunch time can be found in their student schedule, once posted on PowerSchool. Thank you!
Period 3A 10:00-10:26 - 8th Grade Lunch (1/2 of students)
Period 3B 10:30-10:56 - 8th Grade Lunch (1/2 of students)
Period 4A 11:00-11:26 - 7th Grade Lunch (1/2 of students)
Period 4B 11:30-11:56 - 7th Grade Lunch (1/2 of students)
Period 5A 12:00-12:26 - 6th Grade Lunch (1/2 of students)
Period 5B 12:30-12:56 - 6th Grade Lunch (1/2 of students)
Free and Reduced Lunch Applications, Lunch Menus & Payments
Please note that the COVID relief funds that allowed for EVERY student to get a free breakfast/lunch are NO longer available. We will operate on our normal school lunch options of pay and reduced/free based on application.
It is extremely important that families register for the free and reduced lunch program to qualify for fee waivers and for reporting purposes. If you believe you will qualify for free/reduced school fees and free/reduced lunch, please click here to login to PaySchools Central and access this on a computer. Please contact Nancy Mazzeo for any food service questions at mazzeon@avoneagles.org or 440-937-3049.
If you need to create a new account, click on “register” on the log-in page. Follow the prompts to create an account and add student(s) to your account. NOTE: If you want to fill out a free/reduced application, after creating your account, you must log out and log back in to access this feature.
Follow this link to view the PaySchools Central Parent User Guide.
Auto-replenishments in PaySchools Central will need to be reset for the school year. Any settings you had last school year will not carry over to this school year.
PaySchools Central allows you to load lunch money, manage lunch auto-replenishment, pay school fees, make before and after school care payments, setup notification and access the free and reduced meal application. You can also see more than one child’s account at a time.
View Lunch Menus : Available the week of August 14th.
Lunch Costs: $3.25
Reduced: $0.40
Breakfast: $1.50
Reduced: $0.30
Milk: $0.50
Communication & News
Twitter: To receive news updates on what’s happening at AMS, follow Avon Middle School on Twitter @AMSEagle.
Website: www.avoneagles.org
Monthly Parent Newsletters: Sent each month via email.
PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports)
At AMS we will be utilizing the PBIS Rewards App to reward positive behaviors that students exhibit throughout the year. We will discuss expectations with our students that follow the S.O.A.R. attributes: SAY IT, OWN IT, ACT IT, RESPECT IT. Students earn different point amounts for displaying different positive behaviors. Students can then redeem their points through our online store. Our students access this store though their Clever app on the their computer. At the end of each quarter we will have SOAR events! Please check out our monthly newsletters for more information regarding PBIS! We look forward to an awesome school year!
AMS Boosters Information
AMS Booster information regarding days/times will be sent out via the monthly parent newsletters. Parent newsletters are sent out at the beginning of each month through School Messenger.
PowerSchool & Report Cards
Please be sure you can access PowerSchool so that you can monitor your child's assignments and grades throughout the school year.
Report Cards will be available online at the end of each quarter. Please note these various dates that are on the school’s website calendar.
Medication & Drug Policy Information
Click here for important information regarding drug testing, vaccinations and the “Teen Home Alone Program.”
Pursuant of the Avon Board of Education policy, no student will be permitted to possess prescription medication on school grounds. The AMS Main Office will be responsible for the dispensing of prescribed medication. Below is a link for administering medication at school that must be completed and returned with the prescription in the original container. Details on these policies can be found in the Student Handbook.
First Day of School & Reminders
School resumes on Thursday, August 17, 2023. Students that are car riders can arrive at school between 7:25 AM and 7:45 AM and will report to the Commons and sit around the tables to wait for the opening bell.
Building Hours: 7:40 AM - 3:10 PM
Early Bird Classes: Arrive no earlier than 6:45 AM for Early Bird-Spanish, French, and Mandarin (7:05 - 7:55 AM)
Regular School Day: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Opportunities & Support Information
Principal Contact Information
The entire Avon Middle School professional and support staff extend to you and your family a cordial, enthusiastic welcome! With the home, community, and school working together, we can have a significant and lasting impact on our youth. If you have any questions, please call the AMS Main Office at (440) 934-3800.
Kelli A. Davisson, M.Ed., Principal (ext. 5005)
Michael P. Ryan, M.Ed., Assistant Principal (A-K) (ext. 5006)
Emily S. Russ, M.Ed., Assistant Principal (L-Z) (ext. 5007)