Amherst Middle School

Dear AMS Families,

A big thank you to our AMS families for participating in last week’s town election! Your engagement in the voting process helps shape our schools and community, and we appreciate your support.

We’re also excited to share the results of our AMS Student Vote on cafeteria improvements. Students overwhelmingly voted for a mural design project, and we’re thrilled to bring their vision to life! In the coming months, we will begin working with students and a local artist to develop a design that reflects our school community and makes our cafeteria a more vibrant and welcoming space.

Stay tuned for updates as we embark on this creative project—we can’t wait to see what our students come up with!

Be well,

Kristen Gauthier

Principal

Mike Cuddyer

Assistant Principal, 7/8

Matt Lane

Assistant Principal, 5/6

March 18 (Tue): PTA Meeting at Black Forest Cafe, 9:00AM

March 19 (Wed): Red Robin Fundraiser - see Reminder below

March 28 (Fri): AMS Spring Musical - Elf, Jr. 7:00PM (AMS Cafeteria)

March 29 (Sat): AMS Spring Musical - Elf, Jr. 7:00PM (AMS Cafeteria)

March 30 (Sun): AMS Spring Musical - Elf, Jr. 2:00PM (AMS Cafeteria)

March 31 (Mon): Spring Sports Practices Begin

April 2 (Wed): Internet Safety Night w/ ICAC, 6:30PM

April 9 (Wed): Early Release Day, 12:50PM Dismissal

April 10 (Thurs): Author Visit - Natalie D. Richard (more info to come!)

The 6th, 7th, and 8th grade dance is tonight at Amherst Middle School! This fun, casual dance supports scholarships for the 6th Grade Ecology School experience.

• Time: 7:00–9:00 PM (Drop-off begins at 6:45 PM)
• Tickets: $5 presale (at lunch) or $7 at the door. Financial assistance is available—contact an administrator or counselor.
• Concessions: Snacks available for purchase (bring small bills).
• Pick-Up: Please arrive on time and follow the designated lanes for safety. Students cannot walk to other parking areas.

Thank you for helping make this a safe and fun event!

Join us on March 19th at Red Robin for a delicious way to give back! Dine in or take out, and a portion of your purchase will support scholarships for The Ecology School. Enjoy a great meal while making a difference!

On Tuesday, March 19, our 7th and 8th-grade students will have the opportunity to hear from Brandon Saho, founder of The Mental Game. Brandon is a former sports journalist who now shares his powerful story to help young people navigate mental health challenges, build resilience, and prioritize their well-being.

We recognize that conversations around mental health can be personal and impactful. If you have any concerns about your child attending this presentation, please reach out to our Upper School Counseling Team, Chris Beede or Deb Dionne, to discuss further. Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting our students.

Dear Families,

We are pleased to announce that Art To Remember order forms are being given to the students in their AMS101 classes over the next several days. Students created personalized art in AMS101 classes as part of their lessons, and these art pieces were sent off to be digitized. Each brochure has a unique QR code that families can scan to see their students' artwork on over 60 different products.

This activity is a fundraiser through the PTA, and proceeds benefit Amherst Middle School.

Keep an eye out for the brochures and place your orders online by April 4, 2025. Orders are scheduled to arrive at school around May 5th, just in time for your special Spring days.

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Pettus at bpettus@sau39.org.

Thank you for your support!

Amherst Middle School is excited to present this year's spring musical Elf Jr.

Ticket information and show details can be found below.

Each week, members of our staff nominate students who go above and beyond to carry out our CARE behavior expectations (Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Effort). These students help to make our school a better place to learn.

Stay tuned for next week's Best of the Nest award winners!

This year, we will be featuring book reviews written by our very own AMS readers! Many thanks to Ms. Maher in the library for putting these together each and every week. If your student would like to participate in The Book Buzz have them see Ms. Maher in the library.

March 14th, 2025

The Leprechauns are Marching in for our Great Stone Face Book Bracket MONDAY, March 17th! Students, stay tuned for more details through Google Classroom!

This week, the library hosted 7th grade ELA classes for a showing of The Giver after finishing their novel student.

Many 5th graders rolled in to book look and read during their EAGLE blocks and Library Literacy classes!

6th Grade science students began their Plate-tectonics research journey using the library’s book-in print, as well as our digital database resources to support this study! Check out how their CLEVER fact searching unfolds! Soon 6th graders will ‘Walk Like an Ancient Egyptian” into their next research project with resources found in the Library.

In addition, 8th grade students booked in to record their To Kill a Mockingbird podcasts. Such great culminating activities creating a BUZZ in our library!

Speaking of buzz… Check out this week’s winning Book Buzz submission in our AMS Newsletter.

As a reminder, check in with your child about the Fisher Cats 2025 Reading Challenge status! With warmer temperatures arriving, students will certainly have a ball with this rewarding reading event! All our readers have an opportunity to receive TWO FREE game tickets for submitting their list of 5 books read through the Fisher Cats Reading Challenge. If your child needs a hardcopy, please send them to the Library.

Happy Reading and Researching, Ms. Maher

Earlier this week, you received an email from Superintendent Mike Berry sharing the SAU 39 Framework for Success. Please check out his message below and click on the link to take a look at the Framework and what is means for the communities of Amherst and Mont Vernon:

In SAU 39, we have committed ourselves to Engage, Challenge, and Support all learners. We are committed to fulfilling the promise of public education. We are working towards transforming every school into a reliable vehicle for continuous instructional improvement, providing students with the highest quality experience.

The Framework for Success is the guiding document for the success and progress of SAU 39. This Framework provides clear expectations and actionable steps our schools will use to align their work. This tool serves to operationalize our vision and to ensure that our daily operations, instructional practices, and collaborations effectively support our students, staff, and community.

This Framework is a dynamic structure that evolves with our district's needs. It fosters collaboration and continuous improvement. The outcome is a cohesive and efficient system that maximizes student achievement and staff development while promoting a culture of care, accountability, and excellence throughout the district. This document and the SAU 39 data dashboard will be the north star guiding the SAU's high-leverage work.

I am excited and optimistic about the future of SAU 39. It has become clear that the Amherst, Mont Vernon, and Souhegan school communities are devoted to and expect excellence for students. Excellence in these communities includes striving for high academic achievement and care for the whole child. Fulfilling that vision for public education fuels me every day.

Please click here to view the full SAU 39 Framework for Success.

The New Hampshire Association of Middle Level Education's mission is to articulate and to promote the philosophy of middle level education at the state and local level. The association's primary goal is to promote great middle level education and their teachers and students. It is our goal to celebrate all the wonderful qualities, achievements and strengths of middle schools.

Partnering with the NH Fisher Cats for our Teacher Appreciation Fundraising Contest, the funds raised will go toward prizes for the winning schools who have participated at the highest level.

Participation is based on the number of tickets purchased throughout contest.

Prizes Include:

• Check to support student activities at the winning school
• A first pitch for the chosen teacher of the winning school
• Shoutout from the on field coordinator during the game

Mark your calendar and buy tickets here: https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/Nhamleteacher2

Mark your calendars!

Amherst Middle School is partnering with Amherst PTA to invite all parents and guardians to an Internet and Social Media Safety Night, featuring a presentation by members of the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children (NH-ICAC) Task Force.

Date: Tuesday, April 2nd

Time: 6:30 PM

Location: AMS Cafeteria

Gain valuable insights and practical tips on protecting your children online, recognizing potential risks, and fostering safe digital habits.

This is a must-attend event for families navigating today’s digital world. Bring your questions and leave with tools to help keep your kids safe online. Together, let’s ensure a safer internet for our children.

To order yours go to www.jostensyearbooks.com, prices starting at $27.

One of the best ways to be successful in middle school is to get involved. We have so many seasonal and year-long clubs available for students of all grades. Students can stay on top of schedules through our daily announcements in Launchpad/Morning Meeting. Refer to these images below for more specific information.

Get ready to hit the trails! The Mountain Biking Club will be starting back up in April, with an official start date to be announced in the coming weeks once the trails are dry enough to ride. This spring, we’ll primarily be riding on Mondays. The club is open to all students, but all participants must have a signed liability waiver before riding. If you were in the club this past fall, you do not need to submit a new waiver.
Have questions? See Mr. White or Mr. Tighe for more information. Stay tuned for updates, and we’ll see you on the trails soon!

After School Clubs and Activities

• Monday - Book in the Library
• Tuesday - NO SCHOOL - VOTING
• Wednesday - Board Game Club - Clay Club - Pickle Ball
• Thursday - Homework Club - Robotics - Art Club - Jazz Band - Student Leadership
• Friday - ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND!

Many students in the Upper School and some in the Lower School at AMS are regularly using some form of social media–apps such as TikTok, Instagram, Discord or Snapchat. While apps like these certainly have positive uses, there has also been much written in recent years about the potential downsides of social media, especially for young developing brains. This article outlines some of those concerns and offers some helpful tips for parents on how to help their kids stay safe and healthy while using social media.

https://www.apa.org/topics/social-media-internet/social-media-parent-tips

For those students who are just starting to independently communicate with friends online and aren’t ready for social media apps (which typically have a minimum age of 13) text messaging group chats are a common starting point. While text groups with friends can be a fun and efficient way to communicate with several friends, we’ve seen that some of these groups contain dozens of members, not all of whom might be known to your child. As this article says, some children who are starting to text may be too young to fully understand the impact and consequences of their words. Check it out for some important factors that parents must consider as they help their children learn how to use group chats appropriately.

https://www.reconnect-families.com/blog/group-chat-dos-and-donts

Please consider donating the following items to the health office:

• Plastic bags for ice packs
• Small plastic/ paper cups for drinking water
• Liquid or chewable children's ibuprofen
• Disinfectant wipes
• Variety of feminine hygiene products
• Small snacks (crackers, cheese sticks, beef jerky, saltines)
• Individual deodorants

Due to the increase in respiratory illnesses and the harsh cough associated with it, many students are being prescribed rescue inhalers (Albuterol) for their cough. This is considered a prescription medication and it requires parent permission and a doctors order on file (Rescue Med Form) with the school nurse for them to be allowed to have it in school. Also, students should not be carrying over-the-counter (OTC) medications on them. If they require an ibuprofen or acetaminophen during the school day, the health office with parent permission can administer them when appropriate. If the student requires an OTC medication the health office does not have, please bring in the medication with this completed form and the medication will be given as directed. Lastly, if your student was excused from physical education for an injury and was seen by a doctor, they will need a doctors note to clear them to participate in PE once they have recovered. If you have any questions regarding these policies, please feel free to call the health office for assistance. They can also be found on the SAU 39 website under Section J- students. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter and keeping all students safe.

Please send in most recent physical and immunizations. In order to be compliant for school (per state of NH) your student needs their 7th grade Tdap vaccine. This is typically completed at their annual wellness visit in 6th or 7th grade and will be documented on their physical. Please help us keep all students safe and healthy by keeping up with all required vaccinations.

NH School Immunization Requirements 24/25

Becoming a member of the PTA doesn't mean signing your life away volunteering, although we can always use more volunteers. If you are interested in chairing an event/committee, are looking to get more involved or you want to meet some new people, log on to https://amherstnhpta.membershiptoolkit.com/ to complete your registration today!

You can also reach out to the PTA via email if you have any questions or concerns that need to be addressed before our first meeting, amherstptanh@gmail.com.

As you complete the PowerSchool Registration forms for school this year, please make sure to opt into the PTA Directory (it is the last form)! This will allow Clark Wilkins and AMS to share contact info directly with the PTA, making it easier for you to stay up-to-date with all PTA communications, including room parent emails.

PTA's Newsletter

📖The library is warm! Come in & check out our new selection!📖

Colonial Day Costume Exchange April 1-30

Do you have a Colonial-era costume from your child's days at Wilkins?

We’re hosting a Colonial Clothing Costume Exchange and would love for you to be a part of it!

Parents can donate, swap, or pick up gently used Colonial-style clothing and accessories for their children. It’s a great way to help their child dress in historical style without the hassle of buying new!

Peeps Show April 7-16

The Children’s Room will once again be hosting the Amherst Town Library Peeps Diorama Show. We will begin accepting dioramas in the Children’s Room on April 7th with the last day for entries on April 16.

Our Peeps Diorama Show is for all ages! Children and families are encouraged to work on their dioramas independently or together using a box no larger than 14"L x 10"W x 5"H to create a scene of their choosing using Peeps candy, whatever craft materials you might have on hand, and your imaginations.

Stay tuned for more information!

The Friends of the Amherst Town Library invite you to an exciting Trivia Night at LaBelle Winery on Tuesday, May 7! Gather your friends, test your knowledge, and enjoy a fun-filled evening of trivia, laughter, and great company—all while supporting the library.

📅 Date: Tuesday, May 7
📍 Location: LaBelle Winery, Amherst, NH
🕖 Time: 7PM-9:30PM
🎟️ Tickets: $60.00

Bring your best team (or join one there!) and compete for prizes while savoring LaBelle’s fantastic food and drinks. Whether you're a trivia pro or just in it for the fun, this is an event you won’t want to miss!

Check out our flyer for more details!

Stay tuned for more details, and be sure to mark your calendar. We can’t wait to see you there!

For more information, contact amherstlibrarytrivia@gmail.com.

The Amherst Rec Department is offering some great programming during April Vacation. To find out more check out the flyer below.

The Amherst Rec Department is offering their Safe Sitter Babysitting Training Course again this spring!

Who: Anyone 11 to 15 yrs old

When: April 30th, 2025 9:30a - 3:00p

Where: 66 Brook Rd, Amherst NH

For more information go to: https://www.amherstrec.org

The 10-week program runs from June 16 through August 22, 2025 at the Club in Milford, NH. The Camp will be closed on Friday, July 4th. Sign up by the week or by the day. Early Bird rates ($225 a week) are available until March 31, 2025. After that, the rates are $275 a week. The daily rate is $65 a day. See svbgc.org for information about available financial aid or to register.

Each week of Camp Souhegan has a special theme, and a wide variety of field trips are offered, including a Fisher Cats game, Cheshire Children's Museum, Stone Zoo, Boston Museum of Science, Squam Lake, Wallis Sands State Park and more! Drop off begins at 7:00 am, structured camp programming runs from 9:00 am until 3:30 pm and pick up time is 6:00 pm. Campers have lots of nature-inspired, outdoor play opportunities, and free swim and swim lessons are available through our partnership with Keyes Pool.

Camp Souhegan is designed for youth in K-10th grades. All rising kindergarteners who wish to attend Camp Souhegan must be at least 4 years and 8 months old at their start date.

To learn more, drop by an Open House on Saturday, March 15, 2025 or Saturday, May 3rd, from 9:00 am until 12:00 pm, at 56 Mont Vernon Street, Milford, NH.

For specific questions, please reach out to Alex Craven, Program Director at acraven@svbgc.org.

Mark your calendars for a morning of food, fun, and community at the Amherst Lions Club’s 51st Annual Pancake Breakfast! Join us on Saturday, April 13th, from 8 AM to 12 PM at the Wilkins School for a delicious all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast.

This year’s event promises something for everyone:

• All-You-Can-Eat Pancakes: Enjoy a hearty breakfast with plenty of pancakes, syrup, sausage, and more!
• Spring Raffle: Don’t miss your chance to win exciting prizes in our Spring Raffle.
• Coloring Contest: Calling all young artists! Enter our fun Coloring Contest for a chance to win prizes and showcase your creativity.

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction for Teens (MBSR-T) is a research-based, skill building opportunity for young people to come together in a safe, small group learning environment. This therapeutic, educational support group will focus on building skills to help teens manage the myriad of demands they face today, including but not limited to: school, familial demands, peer relationships, self-imposed pressure, and much more.
Benefits for participating in these group sessions include:

Who: Teens entering 8-11th grade
When: Alternating Tuesdays from 5:00PM-6:15PM
Where: Buckmeadow

When: Jan. 28, 2025-May 6, 2025

CLICK HERE for more information and to register.

2024-2025: Check out this link for the 2024-2025 approved Amherst School District calendar.