THE HAWK
AMS Newsletter - April 2022
Hello AMS Families! It’s beginning to look a lot like Springtime! There are just a few things we’d like to mention as we get ready for our Spring Break next week.
A HUGE thank you needs to go out to the AMS PTSA, Volunteers, ASB Student Leadership, and all students and families for a phenomenal March Madness event last Friday night. It was well attended and the students were very well-behaved! It felt like we were coming back to a “normal” school setting with students engaging and acting as a school community! Families, please continue to have those conversations at home about appropriate behaviors and expectations at school. We really appreciate the team effort!
When we come back to school in April, we have state testing scheduled for ELA, Science and Math. The schedule is listed below. We request that you not schedule appointments or activities that would prevent kids from being in a test environment. Please have them come to school each day with a charged Chromebook, charger, and headphones that work with their Chromebook. Students will be assessed in their content classes, there will not be a different schedule for the state testing, however, the week of MAP testing, we will be having an advisory schedule each day in order to build in time that does not impact classroom instructional time, students will be taking both the ELA and Math MAP tests in their advisory classes.
We also have some spring sports starting up – Track/Field, Golf and Boys Soccer! Track had an informational meeting and their first practices this past week while Boys Soccer will begin after the break. Stay tuned for more information regarding that. We are also looking to hire a Golf Coach! If you or someone you know is interested, please contact Mr. Harrington!
Advisory, or “Hawks Nest,” has been a new experience for us this year and we will be starting to give participation grades starting April 15th. Student engagement and participation is critical for our system social emotional learning implementation and building a school culture and we are finding that students are electing to disengage because they are not being graded for this time. We are hopeful that students will increase their engagement with this adjustment. Students will be receiving 7 grades for quarter 4 now to include advisory.
As Spring approaches, we ask parents and students to be reminded of the school dress code. Your students have a copy of that in their planners. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Mr. Harrington or Ms. duNann.
As always, thank you for your support and cooperation during these last few months!
THE COLLEGE BOUND SCHOLARSHIP
AMS Students and Families - You may receive some information on this scholarship program in the mail. This scholarship can help cover a significant cost of college for your child.
The College Bound Scholarship is an early commitment of state financial aid to eligible students who enroll in middle school and meet the pledge requirements. The College Bound Scholarship covers average tuition at public college rates, some fees, and a small book allowance at over 65 colleges, universities, and technical schools in Washington.
Auto-enrollment
Students who meet one of the following requirements are automatically enrolled in College Bound:
Students who are in public school and eligible for free-and-reduced price lunch in 7th, 8th, or newly eligible in 9th grade.
Students who are in state foster care, or a dependent of the state between 7th grade and high school graduation.
More information can be found online at https://wsac.wa.gov/college-bound
HOW TO HELP KIDS WITH BULLYING
Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Kids who bully use their power—such as physical strength, access to embarrassing information, or popularity—to control or harm others. Power imbalances can change over time and in different situations, even if they involve the same people.
Encourage kids to speak to a trusted adult if they are bullied or see others being bullied. The adult can give comfort, support, and advice, even if they can’t solve the problem directly. Talk about how to stand up to kids who bully. Give Tips, like humor and saying “stop” directly and confidently. Talk about what to do if those actions don’t work, like walking away or bringing it to the attention of an adult.
Talking about bullying directly is an important step in understanding how the issue might be affecting kids. There are no right or wrong answers to these questions, but it is important to encourage kids to answer them honestly. Assure kids that they are not alone in addressing any problems that arise.
Here is a resource to help you talk to your child(ren) about bullying; www.stopbullying.gov
Go Hawks! Defeat Bullying!
Ofc. Travis Dotzauer
School Resource Officer
DAILY ANNOUNCEMENTS
UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES!
April 21 @ 6:30pm- AMS PTSA hosting "ANGST" screening at Brodniak-6:30pm-8pm
April 22 (during school lunch periods) - First PTSA "Cookie Friday" of 2021-22 school year!
April 22-24 - April's PTSA Community Connections with Johnson Manor- Support local business and save 20% if you mention "AMS" when making your purchase.
May 2-6-TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK (PTSA will host numerous activities to spoil our AMS staff)
May 10th @ 7pm-Last PTSA General Meeting of this school year
May 20 (during school lunch periods) - May PTSA "Cookie Friday" of 2021-22 school year
If you are interested in serving on the PTSA Board for next school year or being more involved please reach out to Deedee Henniger @ d2henniger@gmail.com.
ANGST SCREENING
Parents and students please join us for a screening of the documentary
Angst, Raising Awareness around Anxiety
Thursday, April 21st at 6:30PM
@ Anacortes High School (Brodniak Hall)
(Film will last about 1 hour)
Screening hosted by your Anacortes Middle School PTSA
On top of academic and social stress, the uncertainty and fears of this past pandemic year have brought all of us a lot more anxiety than before. Angst helps break this down, explaining what’s going on, and what we can do about it to help both ourselves and others. It features World Champion Swimmer Michael Phelps, experts in the field, and regular teenagers
Register to join us here.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Contact Us
Email: information@asd103.org
Website: ams.asd103.org
Location: 2202 M Avenue, Anacortes, WA, USA
Phone: (360) 503-1230