Mustang News
November 18, 2022
About Us
Respect the HERD.
Be Helpful. Be Empathetic.
Be Responsible. Be Driven!
Email: elizabeth.schmeisl@avondaleschools.org
Website: Avondaleschools.org
Location: 1445 West Auburn Road, Rochester Hills, MI, USA
Phone: 248-537-6300
Greetings, Mustangs!
As we near the Thanksgiving holiday, there are many things for which to be thankful at Avondale Middle School. I know many students and staff are looking forward to our week off next week. We are hopeful that the time spent in fellowship with family and friends during the holiday will refill our bellies and our souls.
We also are aware, during this season, of those among us who are struggling. Avondale Gift of Giving is in full swing and is one of my favorite things about Avondale. Through Gift of Giving AMS provides winter coats, boots, hats, and gloves, gifts, food and support for over 150 Avondale students. We need support from as many people as possible. Please see the section in the newsletter to make a cash donation.
This week we began slowly implementing tardy sweeps. Being in class, on time, and ready to learn is important. Being Responsible is one of our HERD values. Some students are showing up to class late too frequently. In an effort to encourage on time behavior, we have held several random tardy sweeps. In our first sweep, over 30 students were briefly spoken to in the Media Center about the importance of being on time before they were sent back to class to learn. By the third sweep we were down to seven students. We sent an email home to families for students who were involved in the tardy sweeps this week. After Thanksgiving, we will include some accountability measures for students who are involved in tardy sweeps multiple times. Students will receive a lunch detention on their second involvement and an in-school suspension for their third involvement. Please encourage students to be on time.
We are also beginning our “Need to Read” initiative. We are asking all students to have some type of reading material with them throughout the school day. We would like to encourage literacy and reading. Students are asked to speak with their ELA or Intervention teacher about novels, magazines, or other materials that would be appropriate and interesting. For this initiative, students may not read off their chromebooks.
Our after school tutoring program will begin on December 5th. The tutoring program will provide homework assistance, snacks, enrichment activities, targeted tutoring, and mentoring after school Monday through Friday from 3:00pm-6:00pm. More information about registration will be communicated when we return from Thanksgiving Break.
Finally, we would like to congratulate several staff members who will be transitioning to and from AMS. We wish them the best of luck in their new positions in the district. Jackie Zaremba, our main office secretary for the last five years will be moving up to the HR Department at the Board Office. Chelsea James, our teacher consultant, is moving up to the high school. Kenny O’Shaughnessy has been a wonderful asset to AMS during the leadership transition. He will return to his full time Athletic Director position at the High School after Thanksgiving. Robin Bovensiep will be our new main office secretary. We also welcome the addition of our clerk, Beth Schmeisl. After break we will also welcome Mrs. Arryn Schneider as our Assistant Principal and Deputy Nagy as our SRO. I am so grateful for all of these wonderful people and for our entire community. Thank you all for your patience during a time of many transitions.
I am so excited to eat my family’s traditional turkey dressing on Thanksgiving and take my three children to their many basketball tournament games over break. I hope your break is filled with food, family, and cheer.
Respectfully,
Katie Gómez
What's New in the Stable
*Welcome Deputy Nagy
*HERD Awards
*6th Grade Honor Roll Update
*AMS Cookie Exchange
*GOG Activity Night
*NWEA Winter Testing
*Mustang Boosters
*AMS Theatre Auditions
*Drama Club Production
*Blessings in a Backpack - Please Vote!
*Art Club Fundraiser
*Gift of Giving
*DC Pics
*AMS Ski Club
*Band Fundraisers
*Order a Yearbook Now!
*Mobile Dentist Info
*GO card/ID info
*Bus Procedures for Friends
*Students leaving early
*Drop Off/Pick Up Map
*Drop Off/Pick Up Procedures
*Birthdays Next Week
*Important Dates
*Blessings in a Backpack
*Food Service/Lunch Menu
*AMS Athletics/Calendars
*2022-2023 AMS Bus Schedule
*2022-2023 Half Days/ Early Dismissal Days
*2022-2023 Avondale School Calendar
*District News
Welcome Deputy Nagy!
On December 1st Oakland County Sheriff’s Officer John Nagy will join our team as a School Resource Officer serving Avondale Middle School, Avondale GATE School, and Deerfield Elementary. Officer Nagy has been with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office for 19 years, first as a Corrections Deputy, then working road patrol, and then as a Detective assigned to Oakland Township.
While serving in Oakland township, Officer Nagy was awarded “Investigator of the Year” by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office. He has also received the Distinguished Service Award from the Oakland County Prosecutors Office for Dedication to Service, Professionalism, and Unwavering Pursuit of Justice. In addition, in 2021 he was presented the Clarkston Area Optimist Club Award for Dedicated Service to the Community.
Officer Nagy supports the community through involvement in such events as “Shop with a Cop”, and “The Benefit for the Disabled” which gives hundreds of disabled men, women, and children an opportunity to spend the day out on a lake on boats fishing, capped off with a barbeque.
He holds a BA from Eastern Michigan University in Criminology/Criminal Justice with a concentration in Law Enforcement. About his career choice, he shared “I have always known I wanted to do this as a career choice. I wanted to be in law enforcement to make a difference in the community that I work in and to build relationships with citizens. I also wanted to help people and give back.”
Officer Nagy will also be joined by a comfort dog in the next several weeks. We will introduce his canine companion as soon as we have more information. Students and staff are excited to welcome our very own comfort dog to the AMS campus.
Please join us in welcoming Officer John Nagy to the HERD.
Congratulations!
6th Grade Principal/A-B Honor Roll Update
AMS Cookie Exchange
Greetings AMS Families!!
We are organizing a cookie exchange for the staff at AMS as a Thank You to our staff. This is a great opportunity to show our collective appreciation to the staff of Avondale Middle School as they prepare for the holiday break.
If you would like to help us and donate cookies, please sign up and deliver your cookies to the Middle school office on December 19th. December 20th, they will have the opportunity to make a container of assorted cookies to take home and enjoy over break.
Thank you for your participation.
Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080948ADAE29A02-amscookie
NWEA Winter Testing Schedule
Parents, Guardians, and Students, the NWEA is an important measure of student growth. Please make sure your student is in school on these days. We recommend a healthy breakfast on testing days and will serve breakfast at school as well. Students should be well rested and ready to "show what they know". All students who attend Avondale High School in the morning need to plan on coming to the middle school for testing in the morning on these days.
Mustang Boosters
Introducing the MUSTANG BOOSTERS!!!!
AMS has been very fortunate to have had some outstanding PTO groups. In the spirit of that tradition we are rebranding our PTO to the MUSTANG BOOSTERS! This will be a group of volunteer parents and teachers collaboratively working to promote and support the outstanding groups, teams, clubs and school initiatives we have.
The first booster meeting will be December 7th at 7pm via Zoom.
Please email Mrs. Robin Bovensiep at rrbovensiep@gmail.com to have your name added to the list. We hope to see you there!
AMS Theatre Auditions Monday, Dec. 5!
Do you like to be the center of attention? Are you outgoing?
Do you like acting? If you answered yes to ANY of these questions you should consider trying out for the school play!
Audition Packets for the AMS Theatre Company Spring production, “Transyl-Mania” are now available!
ANYONE can audition.
Rehearsals will be every Monday and Tuesday from 3:00 – 5:00 during the months of January, February, and March. The show will be performed in March.
Pick up an audition packet at the Student Information Center in the Auditeria or download one at https://amstheatre.my-free.website/current-show
You must register for your audition here: https://bit.ly/amstryout22
Auditions begin Monday Dec. 5. Don’t forget to bring your permission slip!
If you are interested in working on the backstage crew for the show, helping with costumes, set design, and advertising, pick up an application sheet in the Auditeria. Applications for backstage crew are due Friday, Dec. 7 and are turned in online.
Drama Club Production Dec. 2
Blessings in a Backpack - Please Vote!
Avondale Blessings in a Backpack has been selected as one of the finalists in the 2022 Banksgiving Campaign. But we need your help to make sure we win! Please vote starting today thru November 25 at this link: https://fsb.bank/promotion/banksgiving
- Click "Vote Now".
- Scroll down to #3 and click Blessings in a Backpack.
- Click Submit
Art Club Fundraiser
Dont forget, if you would like to support the AMS art club, Painting with a Twist is coming to AMS December 1st. Please sign up online at https://www.paintingwithatwist.com/studio/shelby-township/
Click Events, then select "AMS Art Club Fundraiser - OFFSITE EVENT" on Dec. 1
Ages 10+ can do the painting and it is a lot of fun!
8th Grade DC Trip Pics
AMS Ski Club
SKI AND SNOWBOARD CLUB 22/23
Deadline is November 30 to sign up!
Student Ski & Snowboard Club for all levels age 7 & Up
Membership Card and six lift tickets (No rentals or lessons included) $210.00
Option 1: Six Student Group Lessons (First week Jan.-second week Feb.) $180.00
Option 2: Rental package Skis, boots, and poles or snowboard and boots. $180.00
Option 3: Helmet rental package $ 90.00
Parents & Guardian Membership $30
- $30 Lift Tickets on Club Nights
- 10 $5 off coupons for Non-Club nights
MEMBERSHIP CARDS VALID ALL SEASON FOR DISCOUNTED LIFT TICKETS
Questions? Please contact Savanna
Call or text: 248-462-1467
Email: Savanna.Brooks@gmail.com
Promotional Links:
COOL VIDEO!! Little ski kids do HUGE jumps and tricks in terrain park
CHARGE 2 w/ Leah Evans, Stan Rey, Alexi Godbout, Josh Daiek & Drew Petersen | Salomon TV
You Won't Believe What This 11-Year-Old Can Do On Skis at Jackson Hole
Band Fundraisers
Poinsettia and Wreath Sales
Our annual poinsettia sale is in full swing - be sure to order yours! They are $25 for a 2-stem plant in a wrapped 7” pot and are available in a variety of colors. We also have beautiful wreaths available as a 12-inch center for $35 or 18-inch center for $45. Purchases can be made on the Avondale Bands Square site until Tuesday, November 22. Items will be available for pick-up after the Annual Band-O-Rama holiday concert on December 8. Please see the attached flyer or visit the Avondale Bands Square site for further information. Questions can be directed to Sheila Denstaedt at sheiladenstaedt@gmail.com.
Buff City Soap Sale
The holidays are right around the corner and the Avondale Bands are partnering with Buff City Soap to make your holiday gift giving easier than ever! We’re offering a variety of gifts in fantastic scents (plus unscented) including our signature scent, Yellow Jacket Fever! It’s aloe, clove, and spearmint and smells amazing! Prices range from $7-$15. Check out the details and place your order on the Avondale Bands Square site by Friday, December 9. If needed, paper order forms can be provided by the band directors and are due by Monday, December 5. Order pick-up will be Thursday, December 15 from 4-6 pm in the Avondale High School drop-off loop. Please contact Brandy Benford at brandybenford@gmail.com with any questions.
Panda Express Restaurant Fundraiser
The Band Boosters will be holding a fundraiser at Panda Express at 3110 Rochester Road in Troy (near Big Beaver) on Tuesday, November 29 from 10:30 am to 9 pm. Please get some great food and support our students! The attached flier must be presented upon ordering, either as a paper copy or on your smartphone. You can also order online at pandaexpress.com and use the code 346602 in the fundraiser box. 20% of your order will be donated to the band!
Order a Yearbook NOW!
Staff, Parents, & Students --
Please use this form to submit ANY and ALL photos from events at AMS during the 2022-2023 school year. The best part about the Yearbook is having a variety of pictures to look back on to create an authentic, memorable publication. Please include any after-school activity, sporting event, in-class project or assignment, field trip, etc.
MOBILE DENTIST-THURS. DEC 8TH
Sign up online: www.MySchoolDentist.com
Please consider participating!
If we do not have enough families interested, they may cancel the visit.
Thank you!
GO Card/ID Information
GO Cards
All students have received GO Cards at this time, however We have found many students have already misplaced them. When a student misplaces their GO Card they may purchase a replacement. The costs are as follows.
Replacement ID $3.00
Replacement GO Card, $3.00
Replacement break away lanyard is $1.00
Students will fill a form out to request the replacement and pay at that time, they will receive the replacement within 3 school days. (see below slide)
Riding the Bus with Friends
-THE STUDENT TAKING THE FRIEND HOME NEEDS A NOTE FROM THEIR PARENT SAYING THEIR FRIENDS NAME, BUS NUMBER, APPROVAL OF THE VISIT, AND A PARENT SIGNATURE.
-BOTH NOTES NEED TO BE TAKEN TO MRS. ZAREMBA IN THE MAIN OFFICE AND SHE WILL CALL THE BUS GARAGE TO GET PERMISSION FOR THE EXTRA STUDENT.
OR AN EMAIL TO robin.bovensiep@avondaleschools.org
WITH BOTH PARENTS ON IT, THE NAME OF BOTH STUDENTS AND BUS NUMBER
-ONCE APPROVED, THE NOTE(S) WILL BE SHOWN TO THE BUS DRIVER TO SHOW THE RIDE HAS BEEN APPROVED BY ALL PARTIES.
-NO ONE IS TO BE ON A BUS THEY ARE NOT ASSIGNED OR ON A DIFFERENT BUS WITHOUT PERMISSION
THESE PROCEDURES ARE FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL.
Students Leaving Early
We will not be dismissing students past 2:15 pm unless prearranged absence at least a day in advance.
All other early releases, Please give the office at least ONE HOUR to process your request.
Thank you!
Drop Off/Pick Up Map
Drop-Off/Pick-Up Protocols
Birthdays the Next Two Weeks
11/20- Raphael, Kylah
11/22- Jayden
11/23- Jonathon
11/24- Ian, Jacob, Logan
11/25- Emmalynn
11/26- Kloee
11/27- Trinity, Sasha
11/28- Tre'mari
11/29- Donovan, Ivan
11/30- William, Nathan
12/1- Nadine
12/2- Vance, Peighton
IMPORTANT DATES
No School
Thanksgiving Break
November 21-25, 2022
No School
Winter Recess
December 22, 2022-January 3, 2023
Blessings in a BackPack
Considering the tough economic times and the rising food costs facing our area, we are attempting to help Avondale families by making sure all our children have enough food. “Blessings in a Backpack” is a program designed to provide students on the free and reduced lunch program with enough food for three meals a day during the weekends. This program is a community-based program sponsored by Blessings in a Backpack-Michigan, Community Foundation of Greater Rochester, the Meijer Corporation, the Avondale Community and will continue for children attending schools in the Avondale School District.
If you agree to take part in this program, during the school year, your child will receive a bag filled with purchased food for the weekend. Bags will be dispensed in a discreet and caring manner. The simple meals may include food like macaroni and cheese, beef ravioli, canned chicken, canned tuna, granola bars, peanut butter, soups, fruit, and other items. For you there is no cost associated with this program.
To ensure, as to the best of our ability, to provide for a safe packing environment all volunteers will follow the guidelines established by the Avondale School District. All food will be sent home in disposable plastic bags.
If you would like to have your child participate in this program, fill out the form below and return it to your child’s school AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. If you have more than one child attending the school, list the names of all children in this school.
Please be sure to indicate on the form if your child has any food allergies. If your child has a food allergy, you as the parent are responsible for checking all food labels when the food arrives home. Avondale School District as well as Blessings in a Backpack-Michigan, Community Foundation of Greater Rochester and Meijer will not be held responsible for any accidental food allergen exposure.
Return the below form to your child’s school OR, sign your child(ren) up to receive Blessings in a Backpack online at: https://forms.gle/PenBsXw6fhZ7opKz5.
Food Service
We are also transitioning from MiStar Parent Portal to Meal Magic Family Portal for all food service-related management including viewing your student’s meal purchases and making deposits into their meal account. Set up your student’s Meal Magic account and learn more at https://avondale.familyportal.cloud/. Note that if your student had an unspent balance in their MiStar meal account, that amount will be carried over into the new Meal Magic system.
Learn more about these changes to our food services here.
An additional note regarding Avondale Food Services is a reminder of the importance of sharing any allergies that your student may have with our Food Service Department. If your student has any food allergies, please fill out the form here and email it to megan.haase@avondaleschools.org.
Lunch Menu for Nov 28- Dec 2
AMS Athletics
ALL ATHLETES MUST HAVE A CURRENT PHYSICAL ON FILE!
YOUR STUDENT CANNOT PARTICIPATE WITHOUT A CURRENT PHYSICAL ON FILE
In order to participate there is a $100 participation fee,
unless you have been approved for free or reduced lunch
All student spectators must go home and return for sporting events.
All student spectators must be accompanied by an adult.
MHSAA Sports Physical
Competitive and Sideline Cheer
Amanda Mulka: amanda.mulka@avondaleschools.org
Sideline Cheer
Sarah Gilbert: sarah.gilbert@avondaleschools.org
Boys Basketball Calendar
See below for Free Sports Physicals at Avondale High School
AMS 2022-2023 Bus Schedule
2022-2023 Half Day/Early Dismissal Days
2022-2023 School Calendar
TEXT the word "YES" to 67587
District News
OU Cares Winter Program
Programs are available from ages 4 through adults.
Register today to secure your spot!
- Programs available both in-person and virtually
- Limited Scholarships are available for all programs
- Basketball (3 Groups: Ages 4-9, 10-15, and 16+)
- Bowling Oakland (Ages 16+)
- NEW Bowling Troy Location (Ages 16+)
- Gaming Club (Ages 10-14)
- Individual Social Coaching (Ages 12+)
- Indoor Soccer (Ages 4-9)
- Judo (Ages 7-13 and 14+)
- Movie Club (Ages 14+)
- Robotics (Ages 10-14)
- Social Connections for Adults (Ages 18+)
- Structured Social and Communication Training (Ages 18+)
- Teen Social Club (Ages 11-14 and 15-18)
- Uniquely Me: Women on the Spectrum Connect (Ages 18+)
Limited scholarships are available for all programs:
To apply for a scholarship:
1. Complete a Winter 2023 Scholarship Packet
2. Email completed form to oucares@oakland.edu
Hiring ParaEducators
Avondale African American Family Network
Caregivers Back-to-School Series Tools to Support Youth Well-Being
Reminder to register and share with local caregivers. We’re a week out from our first session!
More details and active links: https://www.smore.com/94he0