Amherst Middle School

Dear AMS Families,

We have officially entered the busy spring season here at Amherst Middle School. It's the time of year when everything is in full swing -- concerts, sporting events, field trips, and end-of-year celebrations. Our sixth-grade students and teachers from the Olympians team, along with students from Mont Vernon Village School took part in their Ecology School experience this week. Next week, the Titans and Spartans will head up to Saco, Maine for their week-long experience.

Please keep your eye on the list of dates below (and mark your calendars!). If you have any questions, please contact the AMS office at ams@sau39.org or 603.673.8944.

Be well,

Kristen Gauthier

Principal

John Schuttinger

Assistant Principal

May 11 (Saturday): NHMEA Southwest Band Festival at SHS

May 13 - May 17 (Mon - Fri): Grade 6 Team Spartans & Team Titans at Ecology School in Saco, ME

May 15 (Wed): Early Release 12:50 PM

May 16 (Thurs): 8th Grade Field Trip to Strawbery Banke

May 17 (Fri): Talent Show Rehearsal 3:30 -5 PM

May 18 (Sat): Mont Vernon Spring Gala Parade - Band

May 22 (Wed): Grade 7&8 Band/Chorus/Jazz Band 6:00 PM

May 23 (Thurs): 7th Grade Field Trip Battleship Cove

May 23 (Thurs): AMS Got Talent 3:30 - 5 PM

May 27 (Mon): NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day

May 28 (Tues): 5th & 6th Grade Chorus Concert 6:00 PM

May 29 (Wed) : 5th & 6th Grade Band Concert 6:00 PM

May 30 (Thurs): Chorus Tour, SAU/Elementary Schools - All Day

May 31 (Fri): Jazz Band Field Day @ Wilkins - All Day

June 3 - June 7: AMS 50th Anniversary Celebration Week

June 4 (Tues): 7th Grade Field Trip Crotched Mountain

June 5 (Wed): Early Release 12:50 PM

June 10 (Mon): 7th Grade Trip to Crotched Mountain (Rain Date)

June 11 (Tues): 8th Grade Step Up Day

June 11 (Tues): 8th Grade Graduation 6:00 PM (Dance to follow from 7-9 PM)

June 12 (Wed): Last Day of School - STEP UP DAY

Come join us and cheer on our amazing students as the showcase their many unique talents!

One of the missions of NJHS (National Junior Honor Society)

Is to support the school with a variety of community service projects. We are currently collecting shoes for Got Sneakers. We will donate all the shoes we collect to raise money to help stimulate our upcoming projects.

May 13 - May 17, 2024: There will be a labeled box in the front entryway of AMS if you can support us by donating used shoes to our cause. We kindly ask that you not send any non-athletic footwear such as dress shoes, heels, rain boots, sandals, slip-ons, water socks, wedges, and work boots of any kind.

Have You Heard?!

Every 125–200 days, people discard their worn-out sneakers without giving recycling a second thought. Because shoes are made of non-biodegradable materials, they end up in landfills or are burned, which releases hazardous chemicals into the atmosphere and soil. Large volumes of CO2 are formed producing shoes, and contributing to climate change and global warming. Reusing and recycling sneakers helps the circular economy by preventing them from ending up in landfills and by lowering the need for new shoes and sneakers.

The environmental benefits of recycling and reusing sneakers are significant. Recycling Shoes have Stopped 75 million pounds of CO2 from entering the atmosphere. Recycled and reused 2.5 million pairs of shoes (and counting!)

Our Health Office always appreciates donations of simple supplies like tissues and snacks (crackers - Ritz, Saltines, Goldfish, etc.) These items can be dropped off in the Front Office and labeled "Health Office." Thank you in advance for your support!

This year, we are recognizing students with the Best of the Nest Award. Staff members nominate students each week who demonstrate a commitment to upholding the Courage to CARE model and the values of Amherst Middle School.

May is Mental Health Awareness month. According to the CDC, in 2021, more than 4 in 10 (42%) students felt persistently sad or hopeless and nearly one-third (29%) experienced poor mental health. Mental health is an important part of our overall well-being. The Mental Health Fitness campaign through Child Mind Institute shares several videos and interviews from athletes who share their own stories and challenges with mental health. The campaign works to help reinforce how important it is to prioritize mental health, in addition to physical well-being. Below is a great graphic that provides information on understanding thoughts, feelings, and managing emotions for middle school aged kids. Here is the link if you want to print it out! For additional resources, check out the Mental Health Awareness Month resources that Child Mind Institute offers.

Monthly Newsletter

The PTA Monthly Newsletter is live! Click here.

Join the PTA

For more information about the PTA and to join this year, please visit their website, http://www.amherstnhpta.org/index.html.

Please see the flyer below for dates and times of our spring concerts. All concerts take place in the AMS Cafeteria.

The ever popular Adventure Teen Camp (ATC) is back for its 5th year, and this summer we are upholding the tradition of adventure for rising 7th, 8th & 9th graders. Campers will have fun with friends while enhancing their community service skills, building interpersonal skills, and being a part of a rewarding camp experience.

Teen Adventure Camp-Details

Who: Rising 7th - 9th graders
Where: Pick Up/ Drop off at PMEC.
When: July 15 - July 26 (Mondays-Fridays). 9:00am-4:00pm

All are welcome!

Please see this letter from Mrs. Gauthier regarding 8th Grade graduation on June 11th.

Local artist Eric Escobar will be painting the concrete barriers that line the blacktop play area during the week of May 13th. Thanks to the generosity of our school community through our recent fundraisers, the Amherst PTA is sponsoring this opportunity. Eric will be available to demonstrate and encourage students to participate in this project with their classes, but we need parent/guardian volunteers to help staff the work site!

If you can be available on May 13, 14, or 15, from 8:30-10:30AM, please contact Lindsay Harrison directly at amherstptanh@gmail.com or lindsaybharrison2017@gmail.com.

2023-2024: Make sure you check back frequently as the calendar can still be modified.

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