Oriole's Nest
April 26, 2024
![Oriole's Nest April 26, 2024](https://cdn.smore.com/u/50c2/e6f728a32b946f2b0d3d576c80721320.jpg)
Avon Middle School South
Email: msattendance@avon-schools.org
Website: https://www.avon-schools.org/mssouth
Location: 7199 East US Highway 36, Avon, IN, USA
Phone: 317-544-5700
Twitter: @avonsouth
ACSC 2023 - 2024 School Calendar
ACSC 2024 - 2025 School Calendar
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES
May 7 - Orchestra Concert - more information below
May 9 - Band Concert - more information below
May 13 - 8th Grade Job Shadowing/College Visits - Student forms due to the Guidance Office by 4/30
May 14 - Choir Concert - more information to come!
May 15 - Blood Drive - more information below
May 16 - School Dance - more information to come!
May 17 - Oriole Flight - more information to come!
May 24 - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!!
Upcoming Parent Volunteer Opportunities
We are excited about several fun opportunities that are students will have as we near the end of the school year. Attached is a document with two volunteer opportunities for parents. Please visit the document for more information and instructions to sign-up if interested.
Thank you!
Summer Engineering Programs
Is your child interested in a career in Engineering? Use the link below to look into Summer Engineering camp opportunities at Purdue University.
ILEARN Testing Schedule
Math
Computer Adaptive Test (CAT)
- Tuesday, April 30 & Wednesday, May 1
Performance Task (PT)
- Thursday, May 2
Biology
Computer Adaptive Test (CAT)
- Thursday, May 9
UPCOMING ATHLETIC EVENTS AND INFORMATION
Mr. Will Mahan, Athletic Director/Dean of Students
Ms. Joni Johnson, Athletic Trainer
Girls Tennis
4/29 - HOME vs. Zionsville West MS 5:30PM
5/1 - HOME vs. Tri-West MS 5:30PM
Good luck!
Boys Golf
5/1 - AWAY vs. Tri-West MS 5:15PM
5/2 - AWAY vs. Zionsville Middle School 5:30PM
5/4 - HOME vs. Conference Tournament 10:00AM
Good luck!
Softball
4/30 - HOME vs. Brownsburg West MS 5:30PM
5/2 - HOME vs. North Putnam MS 5:30PM
Good luck!
Baseball
4/30 - AWAY vs. Brownsburg West MS 5:30PM
5/2 - HOME vs. North Putnam MS 6:00PM
Good luck!
Track & Field
5/1 - AWAY vs. Hendricks County Track Meet 5:30PM
5/2 - AWAY vs. Eagle Relays 5:30PM
Good luck!
Track & Field School Records Broken
Mr. Williams & Mrs. Williams are very proud of their track & field kids this week breaking several school records! Congratulations students and coaches!
Below Daniel Norwalt, Dylan Williams, Damien Eberle, & Simon Gerber - breaking last years school record in the 4x800.
Aly Conners also broke the school record in her event!
Congratulations all!
Athletic Physicals 2024/2025 School Year Important Information
In an effort to help prepare for the 2024-2025 school year, Hendricks Regional Health has set up physical days to provide high quality, low-cost pre-participation physical exams.
Who
2024-2025 middle school and high school students from Hendricks Regional Health-partnering schools needing a pre-participation physical.
When/Where
- Sunday, April 21 at HRH YMCA Avon – 301 Satori Parkway, Avon {Enter Door 15 on East side of the building}
- Sunday, April 28 at DePauw University (Indoor Tennis and Track) – 100 W Hanna St, Greencastle {Enter off of W. Hill Street}
- Sunday, April 28 at Wabash College Knowling Field House {Enter off Jennison Street Parking Lot}
- Sunday, May 5 at Hendricks Regional Health Danville Hospital –1000 E. Main Street, Danville {Enter through East Entrance}
Sign-Up Here!
https://www.hendricks.org/sportsphysicals
Cost
$25.00 A portion of the fee goes back to the schools.
What to Bring
- Physical Form — Completed printed paper copy of the IHSAA Pre-Participation History Form (updated form link to come after April 1st from IHSAA)
- Glasses/Contacts for vision testing (if necessary)
Middle School Strength & Speed Camp
Click below to view the Middle School Strength & Speed Camp flyer
Student Season Passes - South Hosted Athletic Events
The season pass for students is offered through EventLink. EventLink is the online ticket platform that we use for athletic events at South. The student will simply need to show the barcode via cellphone to the ticket taker when entering a game.
The link to purchase this ticket is below:
https://websites.eventlink.com/s/avon-middle-school-south/Tickets/Passes/2900/276
STUDENT INFORMATION
Celebrating Birthday's This Week!
Happy Birthday
to our students celebrating a birthday this week:
Sharon Adewunmi
JJ Aceves
Jackson Beck
Addy Thompson
Goodluck Okanlawon
Lealah Garcia
Arrabella Wolfe
Michelle Odedina
Haylie Keisker
Derin Ayantoye
Angela Glaser
Simran Mander
Zane Probus
Endia Reynolds
Ethan Hemphill
Azaryas Kinde
Alex Gray
Tina Mersha
Study Tables
National Junior Honor Society will offer after school study help sessions on Wednesday’s after school from 4:10 - 5:00PM. Students will then go to the front commons area and wait for the late bus or parent pick-up. During this time, there will be a supervisor with the students while they wait for the late bus to arrive. Students that will be a car rider home on these days can be picked up at door 1 at 5:00PM.
If your student will be staying for the study session and they need bus transportation home they must sign up for the late bus in the Guidance Office at lunch that day. For those students taking the late bus home, the bus will leave AMS South at 5:10pm.
TEAM NEWS
Each week your child's team will give an update about the current week or week ahead. Please find your child's team below for that information. In addition, you will find news from our Encore teachers, Media Center, and PE/Wellness teachers.
Cardinals News
Mrs. Dugan, Mrs. Williams, Mr. Schubert & Mr. Uhl
In Language Arts, students will read "The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan Poe. This riveting tale will be the focus of their analysis and writing this week. In Science, we will investigate how resources are distributed around the world and how humans impact the availability of coal, water, and other natural resources. In Social Studies, we will begin learning about the Koreas. In Math7, we will be continuing with probability of simple events. In Pre-Algebra, we will be finishing up our unit on algebraic functions, reviewing, and testing on Friday.
Grizzlies News
Mrs. Barnes, Mr. Blackmore, Mrs. Boroff & Ms. Weinstein
Social Studies students will continue the unit on Japan and the Koreas. Focusing on Japan’s imperialism and role in WW2 We will then transition to learning about the Korean Peninsula. The Korean War, modern governments, and conflicts in the region. The test for this unit will be May 10th. In Language Arts, students will be continuing their work studying poetry and short stories by reading Edgar Allan Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado". In Science, we will be finishing up our unit on minerals, rocks, and the rock cycle. Our next unit will look at natural resources and the impact humans have on these resources. We also wrapped our “March” Mammal Madness this past week. Congratulations to the winners of the coveted MMM 2024 trophies for having the highest points for their brackets in each class period! 1st period – Derin Ayantoye 3rd period – Aiden Hoff 4th period – Ethan Hemphill 5th period – Khloe McGrath 6th period – Madalynn Younghouse.
MATH ILEARN WEEK! Math students will be continuing their unit on probability. The test is scheduled for Friday, May 10. The last day for ALL math missing work will be Friday, May 3. Pre-Algebra will be continuing their unit on algebraic functions. The test is scheduled for Monday, May 13. The last day for ALL math missing work will be Friday, May 3.
Jaguars News
Mr. Leach, Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Ringham & Mrs. Schaffer
Mr. McDonald, Ms. Schaber, Mrs. Shambaugh & Mr. Thoennes
Language Arts
Mrs. Ringham - In Language Arts, students will analyze character development and elements of writing as they read Edgar Allan Poe’s Cask of Amontillado. They will also compare the similarities and differences between the written version and an animated version of the story.
Mr. Thoennes - Students will be reading Edgar Allan Poe’s “Cask of Amontillado” and comparing it to a video interpretation of the story.
Math & Pre-Algebra
Mrs. Schaffer - In Math 7, students will continue to practice with experimental and theoretical probability. We plan to finish up the unit by May 10th with our last unit test! Pre-Algebra students will be writing, graphing, and making tables of linear functions and focusing on determining initial values and rates of change.
Mrs. Shambaugh - Students will review 7th grade standards as we prepare for math ILEARN next week. We will also continue our probability unit. The unit test will be Friday, May 10.
Science
Mrs. Miller - Science students will be finishing up our Rock Cycle Project on Monday. Then we will be discussing resources from the Earth and the impact that humans have on these resources.
Ms. Schaber - Students will be starting a new unit on natural resources. We will be kicking the week off by learning about renewable and non-renewable energy and the distribution of minerals.
Social Studies
Mr. Leach - Social Studies students are finishing up learning about the Meiji Restoration and Japan during WWII. We will start learning about the Koreas and have a Japan Quiz this upcoming week.
Mr. McDonald - Students will learn about Korea and Vietnam.
Foresters News
Mrs. DeBow, Mr. Goson, Mrs. Mellen & Mrs. Zimmerman
Mr. McDonald, Ms. Schaber, Mrs. Shambaugh & Mr. Thoennes
Language Arts
Mrs. Zimmerman - Students will continue reading Frankenstein.
Mr. Thoennes - Students will be reading Volume III of Frankenstein and choosing if they are on team Victor or team Creature.
Pre-Algebra & Algebra
Mrs. DeBow - Math ILEARN is Tuesday-Thursday of next week!
Mrs. Shambaugh - Students will review 8th grade standards as we prepare for math ILEARN next week.
Science
Mr. Goson - Next week, students will continue learning about balancing chemical equations.
Ms. Schaber - Students will be continuing our chemical reaction unit. We will continue to practice how to balance equations.
Mrs. Hood - Biology students finalize all presentations over “Human Genetic Disorder Projects.” They will then begin their natural selection studies.
Social Studies
Mrs. Mellen - Next week, we will be looking at the major events of the 1850s and major battles of the Civil War.
Mr. McDonald - Students will learn about the Abolition Movement and the Civil War.
Greyhounds News
Mrs. Warthan, Ms. Kegley, Mr. Casey & Mr. Osen
In Science, students will be mastering the fine art of balancing chemical equations. Biology students will be reviewing for their I-Learn exam. In Pre-Algebra, students will be solving equations, linear functions, and probability of compound events. Algebra students will be studying misleading data and statistics. In Social Studies, students will understand the causes of the Civil War. In Language Arts, students will be reading Volume 3 of Frankenstein.
Panthers News
Mrs. Hood, Mr. Rodgers, Mrs. Taylor & Mr. Williams
In Language Arts, students will continue their reading and activities related to Gris Grimly’s Frankenstein Volume III. Science students will continue working on identifying if equations are balanced or not. They will then balance all equations that are unbalanced. A balancing act review will also be given. Biology students finalize all presentations over “Human Genetic Disorder Projects.” They will then begin their natural selection studies. Pre-Algebra will be reviewing the concepts we have learned this year. Students will practice writing in math and will have an IXL assignment. Algebra students will be looking at bias and how to identify bias in questions and graphs and how to create surveys and graphs that are unbiased. We will also be reviewing the 8th grade standards and will have an IXL assignment. In Social Studies, we have started Unit 10, which covers the causes of the Civil War and the war itself. We will also look at the aftermath of the war as we review the period of history called Reconstruction.
Encore News & World Languages
Señora Barker (Spanish), Mrs. Hauptmann (Japanese), Mr. Parr (Computer Science),
Mrs. Leonard (Art), Mr. McFarlin (Engineering and Technology), Mr. Wolf (Robotics),
Mrs. Snyder (Flight & Space and Medical Detectives),
and Mr. Tarnowski (Digital Literacy & Communication)
Spanish
Students continue to practice Ir (to go) verb usage and conjugation. Students will also take notes over question words and practice asking and answering questions. Students will practice asking questions about where they are going (ir) and what they are going to see (ver).
Japanese
The Japanese class topics will be Golden Week, recognizing kanji characters, and drawing katakana from memory.
Computer Science
7th graders will be moving into complex sprite movements
8th graders will be tearing down their safe projects and moving onto wireless and their final project.
Art
Next week we will finish up our sculptural pinch pot and begin a one-point perspective drawing.
7th grade Engineering and Design & 8th grade Gateway to Technology
7th grade- Students will be starting project 2 "Airblaster car" this week. We will be learning about aerodynamic design and how we can turn a block of wood into a race car.
8th grade- Students will be starting project 2 "Light boxes" this week. Students will be learning how to use precision tools to cut designs out of wood and turn them into boxes of light.
Digital Literacy & Communication
This week in Digital Literacy, we started learning about different forms of visual and audio media, like comics and podcasts, and investigated how they use narrative techniques we learned previously.
Robotics
Robotics 1 – Students will begin building a testbed to learn how to code motors and various sensors and switches.
Robotics 2 – Students will begin designing and constructing a 3-level elevator.
Flight & Space
Flight and Space will begin their space unit! Students love learning about space and I absolutely love teaching it. We will learn how large the universe actually is, how propulsion works, how astronauts survive in space, and so much more.
Medical Detectives
Medical Detectives will begin their nervous system unit. We will learn how the nervous system works, what issues it can have, how the brain works, and so much more. This is the unit students will also dissect a sheep's brain!
Below are pictures from Medical Detectives' project. They had the opportunity to play doctor. Their patient had a mysterious disease they had to diagnosis based on their patient's vitals and interview.
PE/Wellness News
Mrs. Fair, Mrs. Lucas & Mr. Jackson
PE students will continue their current units and will have a unit test on Thursday. We will then rotate to our final units and will continue to prepare for fitness tests at the end of the quarter.
Music Department News
Mr. Basso (Band), Ms. Szymkow (Band), Mr. Miller (Orchestra) & Mr. Nelson (Choir)
Band
All band classes are working on their 3 songs for the spring concert slated for Thursday, May 9th. Please get this date added to your family calendar if it isn't already.
The 7th grade will have a quick 30 minute practice from 5:45-6:15 and their concert will start at 6:30pm.
The 8th grade will have a quick 30 minute practice from 7:15-7:45 and their concert will start at 8:00pm.
Choir
In choir we have introduced all of our pieces we are performing for the Spring Concert, so now we have a few weeks to make these pieces as impactful as we can. The Spring Concert will have a different format and program, which we are excited to unveil!
Orchestra
Students are hard at work on their new music! We only have a short time before our May concert. Keep encouraging these students to play for you at home, even if it is only a couple of measures. All recordings are on Schoology for the students to be listening at home as well.
8th Grade/Chamber King's Island Trip: Money/Permission slip past due. Trip is on Saturday, May 18th. Students need to report to South at 7:45am. More info to come.
Spring Concert: Tuesday, May 7th @ 6:30pm. Students report at 5:45pm. All students are required to stay for the entirety of the program. 7th Grade students will wear their all black concert polos, pants and shoes. 8th grade students are encouraged to wear their own version of nice concert clothing. In the past, students have worn nice dresses, khakis with a shirt and tie, etc. This is their last concert at the MS, and we want to have them look their own personal best!
8th Grade HS Audition/Playing Test Final: Mr. Powell has visited our classes to hand out high school audition and final information. This information on Schoology as well. This is a required part of students' grades, and it is due May 8th by midnight. Students should have completed the 3 scales already and should be focusing on the "General Etude" or "Symphony" excerpt, and should primarily be working on this on their own. There are practice videos to go along with the materials to help students that were created by the HS orchestra students. This is not an option playing test. This is every 8th grade student's final playing test as well. A "0" grade will weigh heavily on student grades.
Paige's Music Step-Up Night: Paige's Music is hosting an Instrument Step-Up night here at South on Monday, April 29th from 5 - 7pm in the Library for those interested in a nicer instrument.
SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION: Avon MS Summer Camp is June 24-28 at AMS North from 9-11:45am. Registration forms have been passed out to students. Camp Fee is $115, and the form is due by May 17th.
Chamber Orchestra End-of-Year Party: We will have a combined Chamber Orchestra party at North on Tuesday, May 21st from 5:45 - 7:15pm. We will play our instruments altogether as one big chamber orchestra, play some games and then we will be providing students with pizza, cake and ice cream. Check ParentSquare for more updates.
Thank you!
-Mr. Miller
Media Moments with Ms. Sever
Media Center
Ms. Sever
As we end April and transition into May, the AMS South library will begin our celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month! In the library and on Sora, we have a variety of books written by AAPI authors and featuring AAPI characters and cultures. In honor of this celebration, I wanted to highlight a few of our graphic novel selections including Squished by Megan Wagner Lloyd, Parachute Kids by Betty C. Tang, and The Tryout by Christina Soontornvat.
Squished: Eleven-year-old Avery Lee loves her family, but sometimes she wishes she could have a little bit of space from her six siblings. They're noisy and chaotic, and her younger siblings love her a little too much. So when her grumpy older brother Theo gets his own room and her baby brother, Max, moves into the room she already shares with her clingy sister Pearl, Avery has had enough.
Parachute Kids: After their two-week family tour of Los Angeles, ten-year-old Feng Li Lin and her older brother and sister learn they will remain in California while their parents return to Taiwan, forcing them to navigate a new school, a new language, bullies, racism, and the pressures of running a household.
The Tryout: As one of the only Asian Americans in her school, Christina confronts both well-meaning ignorance and cruel racism, but in middle school fitting in is important, which is why she and her best friend Megan are both excited and nervous to try out for the popular cheerleading squad.
Encourage your student to give one of these a try and check them out from Sora or the AMS South library before the end of the school year!
OFFICE PROCEDURES
AMS South's Attendance Policy
ABSENCE PROCEDURE
If a student is absent from school, the PARENT must call the school by 10:00 A.M. to report the absence. If no call is received, the automated school system will make an effort to contact the parent, but if NO PARENT CALL has been received by 3:00 P.M. the day following the absence, the student will be charged with an unexcused absence. You may also send an email to us to notify us of your child's absence at msattendance@avon-schools.org.
EARLY DISMISSAL INFORMATION
** Please be advised that we cannot take early dismissal information over the telephone. **
If your child needs to leave school early during the school day please send a note in with your child to bring to the office first thing in the morning or email us at
msattendance@avon-schools.org with all the necessary information: students name, date and time picking up, and the name of the person picking your child up if someone other than a parent or guardian will be picking up. This email will go directly to the front office secretaries and they will be able to get your child an early dismissal pass so that they can be in the front office when you are ready to pick them up. If you are unable to email us we will need you to come into the office with your valid ID, once we verify it is a parent/guardian picking up we will be able to call the student down for dismissal.
If someone other than a parent or guardian will be picking up your child we MUST have this information in writing from a parent/guardian. Please include his or her name on the note or email. Once we verify their photo ID then the student can sign out and leave.
If leaving early for a doctor/dentist/orthodontist appointment, please provide verification note from the appointment to the main office to ensure that the absence is excused.
Using this email will ensure your child will get a pass out of class to be in the office. Please do not use Parent Square to send a message to your child's teachers as we cannot guarantee that this message will get to the front office to get your child a pass. Our teachers are very busy throughout the day and may not be able to check Parent Square often, or if the teacher is out that day we would not get that message in the front office in time to get your child an early dismissal pass.
We want to make sure that your information is getting to the right person in a timely manner, and hopefully prevent any miscommunication or missed messages.
Pre-Arranged Absence Form
• I-Learn
• During semester exams
• When the requested absence would push the student’s attendance record into excessive absence status or if the student has surpassed the allowable number of absences.
Below is our Pre-Arranged Absence form.
AMS South Visitors Policy
For Visitors to our Building
Avon Schools require all visitors to check-in at the front office using our visitor management system, Safe Visitor. This system requires visitors to scan their driver's license or state identification card for a check of their record. A temporary badge is provided to all visitors to wear while in our buildings. As our visitors leave school, they scan and return that badge to front office staff.
Entering the Building
Anyone entering our building beyond the front office will need to have a valid photo ID with them so that they can be checked in through our Safe Visitor Solutions system. You will be given a badge to wear while in the building so that you are identified as a visitor. When leaving you will return to the front office so that we can check you out of Safe Visitor Solutions and take your badge.
Visiting Students during Lunch
At this time, we are allowing parents/guardians to have lunch with their child during their specified lunch time in our commons area outside of the cafeteria. Parents must follow our policy for entering our building listed above; present a valid photo ID and be checked into our Safe Visitor system. Please take note that this process may take a few minutes to get you checked into our system so please allow for a few extra minutes for that process.
**If someone other than a parent/guardian would like to have lunch with your student, we MUST have that information in writing in advance from a parent/guardian. You can either send a note in with your student to bring to the office when they arrive at school in the morning, or you can email our attendance line with the information at msattendance@avon-schools.org
GUIDANCE OFFICE NEWS
21st CENTURY SCHOLARS
7th and 8th grade parents: Your children may be eligible for a college scholarship!
If your child qualifies for free and reduced lunch they are automatically enrolled in the 21st Century Scholars Program.
View the form below for more information.
STUDENT LAPTOP RENTAL INSURANCE
Worth Ave. Group Laptop Insurance
Avon Community Schools has chosen Worth Ave. Group as the vendor of choice to insure school-issued laptops. Insurance with Worth Ave. Group will protect the device against: Accidental Damage, Theft, Fire, Flood, Natural Disasters, Power Surge and Vandalism. This insurance policy will provide full replacement cost coverage and will protect the item worldwide (on and off school grounds). The policy is also transferable to a replacement unit. Insurance plans may be purchased online. Please note this insurance does not cover accidental loss of the laptop, and families will be charged the full replacement cost for a lost device.
- Coverage Term: July 18, 2023 - July 18, 2024
- It is up to you to renew yearly.
STUDENT HANDBOOK
COMMUNITY NEWS
Homework Hotline
Need help with Math and Science homework?
Call the Homework Hotline
1-877-ASK-ROSE
Click below to visit their website
Mary Lee Maier Community Pantry Information
The Mary Lee Maier Community Pantry is available to Avon school families and employees.
Every Thursday from 5:00 - 6:00PM (when school is in session)
at Avon Intermediate School East
Please do not arrive before 4:30PM due to AIS bus/school traffic
Enrollment is simple. Please complete your 2023 - 2024 enrollment before you shop. Below you will find more information for enrollment, please click the link below.