Mustang News

Hopefully everyone had a restful Thanksgiving! It is wonderful to have all the students back to school! It was COLD this week. Please make sure your student leaves the house with a warm coat. We are asking all parents to complete our Capturing Kids Hearts mid-year survey. We are hoping to be a National Showcase School! Please take a moment to complete that survey which is linked below.

Review:

We had some awesome band concerts and basketball games this week. Our bands did an excellent job at the high school. We really enjoyed seeing the growth of our band students, whether it is the beginning band going from being unable to make a sound from an instrument to playing five songs to our intermediate, advanced and jazz bands totally rocking out!

Our basketball teams won 3 out of 4 games this week. More importantly, our students exemplified great sportsmanship, perseverance, and a positive attitudes.

Preview

We are enjoying our last 10 days together as we near Winter Break. Students (and staff) will have spirit days and fun things planned to make the most of our time together before our break.

One of these fun things is our Second Annual Polar Bear Stroll! Please make sure you have made a contribution if you are able. All proceeds from the Polar Bear Stroll go to support Avondale Gift of Giving. Gift of Giving supports Avondale families with coats, gloves, food, and gifts for the holiday season.

We also have some important PTO sponsored activities during the next two weeks. Please consider participating in the Poppin' Popcorn Fundraiser to support our PTO efforts. The popcorn is delicious and delivered right to the door of whoever purchases it. Family from all around the country can support! PTO is also hosting staff breakfast on December 18th and our annual cookie exchange on December 19th. Please sign up on the Sign-Up Genius to support.

The Best Things:

The best thing this week was coming back to school from a week-long break to so many smiling (tired) faces.

December

• Dec. 4 AMS Basketball @ Hart
• Dec. 5 AMS Basketball @ Home
• Dec. 9 AMS Basketball @Reuther
• Dec. 9 Snow White Winter- Wear White today for Spirit Days!
• Dec. 10 Twinkle Tuesday- Wear something with tinsel, or shiny or lights up for Spirit Days!
• Dec. 11 Ugly Sweater Day! Wear your Ugly Sweater for Spirit Days!

• Dec. 12 AMS & AHS Combined Winter Concert * Students report at 5:00pm

• Dec. 12 Holly Jolly Hat Day- Wear Holiday Hats, Santa Hays, Reindeer Antlers for Spirit Days!

• Dec. 12 AMS Basketball @ Home

• Dec. 13 Polar Bear Stroll

• Dec. 16 Wear Green or Dress like a Grinch today for Spirit Days!

• Dec. 16 AMS Basketball @ Van Housen

• Dec. 17 Candy Cane Stripes day! Wear you Red & White today for Spirit Days!

• Dec. 18 Wear your vacation clothes today for Christmas vacation today for Spirit Days!

• Dec. 18 AMS Basketball @ Home

• Dec. 19 Festive Thursday. Wear your favorite Holliday gear today for Spirit Days!

• Dec. 19th & 20th Squirrel Girl goes to College- Avondale Performing Arts Center

• Dec. 20 Flannel Friday, wear your comfy & warm flannel today for Spirit Days!

• Dec. 20 Last day of school before Holiday Break

• Dec. 21 Winter Solstice

• Dec. 25 Christmas & Hanukkah Begins
• Dec. 26-Jan. 1 Kwanzaa

January

• Jan. 1 New Years Day

• Jan. 2 Hanukkah Ends
• Jan. 6 School Resumes
• Jan. 7 AMS Basketball @ Larson
• Jan. 8 AMS Basketball @ Home
• Jan. 13 Korean American Day
• Jan. 13 AMS Basketball @ Baker
• Jan. 14 AMS Basketball @ Home
• Jan 20 MLK Jr. Day

Please complete this parent survery from Capturing Kids' Hearts. We are hoping to become a National Showcase School. We are collecting these data in an effort to achieve that goal.

Thank you!

We are kicking off our PTO fundraiser today with Poppin' Popcorn. Funds raised from this fundraiser go to support events and activities sponsored by our AMS PTO. PTO provides funding for assemblies, fieldtrips, student and staff celebrations, and other activities at AMS. Our goal is to raise $10,000 to support these activities.

This is a great time for this fundraiser which is 100% online. Poppin' Popcorn offers a variety of gourmet popcorn, snacks, candy, and cookies that make great gifts for yourself and others. There is also an option to just make a donation to this fundraiser if you do not want to sell items.

Please join our fundraiser by clicking the link below:

https://poppinpopcornonline.com/participant/register.php?g=LKAXWX

All students should have completed registration in their Roundup Class today using their school email.

Parents and Guardians--There is no need to create a new registration.

Parents and Guardians, once your student is registered, we ask you to log in with them and start selling. The easiest way is to by simply a link to your Facebook page. Ask family to share the link on their Facebook as well. If you or your student log in from a mobile device, send text messages to close family & friends. Or, you can also send your fundraiser link via email. Since this email is 100% and items ship directly to the buyer's home, you can send it to everyone. You won't need to deliver the items.

Our Second Annual Polar Bear Stroll is coming soon! Students will seek pledges to participate in the Polar Bear Stroll. Any amount is helpful. Proceeds go to support Avondale Gift of Giving!

Please sign up to bring some cookies for our annual teacher cookie exchange as part of the 10 Days Before Break!

Please mark your calendar fort our Annual Choir Winter Concert which is next Thursday, December 12th at 7:00pm in the high school auditorium! Great way to kick off the holidays with the entire family!

Get your spirit wear here! Please order AMS spirit wear for yourself or your students. This is just in time for basketball/cheer season and wintertime! Your kids definitely want some AMS PJ pants!

The Accelerated Pathway application will be opening December 9th. If you have an 8th grader interested in applying or just would like to learn more about what the Accelerated Pathway entails, please visit the following link.

Huge congratulations to our own Gabryeliz for winning second place at the Avondale got Talent show for singing. This is the 3rd yr that she participated and won a 2nd place prize!

We have a wonderful combined cast from both Avondale Middle School and GATE Magnet students who have been spending their Saturday mornings getting ready for their play December 19th & 20th. Don't miss this special event! Great for the whole family!

🎂 Celebrating Birthdays this week and last week are:

11/27

Jaiden H

ArMani T

11/29

Valery D

Demetrius R

Jania G

Kayden M

11/30

William M

Kovae H

12/1

Xavien M

Zaden W

12/2

Sharon M

Sebastian

Kaleb N

12/3

Draydon K

12/4

Serenity M

Trinidy M

12/5

Kahill A

Laila B

Kamaurie M

John I

Daniel M

Aniyah B

12/6

Kylie M

Olivia T

Please see the video below, demonstrating how you can view your child's assignments and grades in PowerSchool.

Next week marks the beginning of Quarter 2. All students will have a fresh start on our daily expectations. Students are expected to have their ID/Lanyards and Yondr pouches (if they have a phone) every morning when they come in the door. Students who forget these items three times will be assigned a detention. Consequences will increase each time they forget after that. The same discipline progression is in place for tardies. Students who have three tardies to class will be assigned a lunch detention. Parents will be contacted via email for lunch detentions and via phone for additional consequences. Students will also lose their GO cards when they earn consequences.

The discipline progression is as follows:

3rd offense (ID/Lanyard, Yondr Pouch, or Tardy) = lunch detention

4th offense: 60 minute after school detention

5th offense: Parent meeting

6th offense: 90 minute after school detention

7th offense: In-school suspension

Students who continue to struggle with being responsible for bringing their required items each day will be referred for additional support and check-ins.

To help your student be successful, they should make it a habit to put their Yondr Pouch and lanyard with ID, and Go Cards in their backpack everyday after school. This can help so they are not left at home or in the car and to avoid added replacement fees, miss out on special events or even possible detention.

The fee to replace IDs is $5. The fee to replace GO cards is $5. Students may only replace a lost GO card once per quarter. Students may only replace LOST GO cards, they may not purchase a replacement GO card if their GO card was taken for disciplinary reasons. The fee to replace lanyards is $1. The fee to replace Yondr pouches is $30.

AMS is thrilled to be offering a variety of clubs this year! We have some favorites from years past and some new ones. There is a student activities fee to join a club. This is a one time fee that allows you to participate in as many clubs as you'd like. The cost is $50 ($25 if your family qualifies for reduced lunch or $10 if you family qualifies for free lunch). Even though all lunches are free currently in Michigan, families must complete the Free and Reduced Lunch. This form can be found here (Apply for benefits).

Students need to register for clubs prior to attending to ensure there is space in the club or get put on a waiting list. If your student is interested, s/he may get a form in the cafeteria or by speaking to the sponsoring teacher. Flyers are also published closer to the bottom of the newsletter.

Monday

Art Club (3-4)

Rainbow Club (Ms. Vishnubhotla 3-4)--Newly added

Tuesday

Random Acts of Kindness (Mrs. Childers 3-4)

No Place for Hate (Dr. Spinks 3-4)

Girl Talk is Tuesday-Friday from 7:15-7:45 am and every other Friday from 3-4:30

Wednesday

Anime & Gaming Club (Ms. Vishnubhotla 3-4)

Green Team (Mrs. Kochajda 2:50-4)

Spanish Club (Mrs. Valle 3-4:30)

Student Council (Mrs. Gilbert during lunch)

NJHS by invitation (Mrs. Nofs & Mr. Masen

Ski Club (see below)*Additional costs for lift tickets

Thursday

Pickleball (Fall)

Tennis (Spring)

Youth in Government (Mr. Masen 3-4)

Social Media Club (Mrs. Wyatt 3-4:30)

Science Club (Dr. Spinks 3-4)

Friday

Diamond Painting Club (Ms. McGee 3-4:30)

Girl Talk is Tuesday-Friday from 7:15-7:45 am and every other Friday from 3-4:30

Coming soon...Jazz Band (Day and time to be determined)

The 2024-2025 yearbook is for sale! The theme this year is "Let Your Light Shine". Make sure to get your student's yearbook before the price increases! Please follow this LINK to order, call or scan the QR code below.

Students worked on logging in to PowerSchool this week in their Social Studies classes. Directions are linked below if you would like them to practice logging in at home.

The attendance line phone number is (248)537-6310.

You may call this number at any time. Leave a message with your student's first and last name, the date of the absence, and reason for absence.

“Blessings in a Backpack” is a program designed to provide students with food for three meals a day during the weekends. 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 cups, beef ravioli cups, tuna, granola bars, fruit cups and cheese and crackers among 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.

Lanyards and IDs: Students are expected to wear their lanyards on their necks every day. Please help your student come up with a helpful routine to remember their lanyard every day. Students who forget their lanyards will sign in and be given a name sticker for the day. Students who forget their lanyard three times will earn a lunch detention. Please communicate with us if there is an issue with a lost lanyard. We did provide temporary IDs for students who did not attend orientation. We will print replacements after picture retakes. We are still working on getting our office team access to print IDs. Once that happens, replacement IDs and lanyards will be $5.

Yondr Pouches: Students who bring a phone to school must use a Yondr pouch. Please make sure they have their pouch every day, if they are bringing a phone. If a student loses their Yondr pouch, they can purchase a replacement in the office for $30.

Clear Backpacks: Now that students have their lockers, any non-clear backpack must be stored in their locker during the day. We have clear backpacks for sale and in the office. See below.

Snacks: Students may bring a snack to eat during Roundup. Please do not send full sized bags of candy or chips. Students may only have water.

In an effort to create continuity between elementary and high school in Avondale, the middle school will move to a standards based grading model this fall. Here is what you need to know:

• Students will earn two grades for each class.
• Academic proficiency - this grade will communicate progress toward state standards for learning.
• Skills for successful learners - this grade will communicate development of key habits of learning needed for continued school and life success.
• All grades in the gradebook and on report cards will be on a 1-4 scale. If there is no evidence for the standard, an NE will be in the gradebook.
• 1 = Beginning (Student is able to demonstrate minimal knowledge of the standard with significant support and scaffolding)
• 2 = Developing (Student is able to demonstrate some knowledge of the standard with support and scaffolding)
• 3 = Approaching (Student is able to demonstrate knowledge of the standard independently with minimal support and scaffolding most of the time)
• 4 = Proficient (Student is able to demonstrate knowledge of the standard independently and consistently)
• Students will have multiple opportunities to demonstrate knowledge of the standard through different activities.
• Grades will be entered in Powerschool throughout the semester to communicate regular progress to parents.

Our goal is that all students get to school safely and on time. As Dr. Gomez has shared, students should be dropped off by 7:40 to allow time to get to their locker and get breakfast. Below is a reminder of our parking lot directions and expectations.

1. Car Drop Off Line

• All drop-offs and pickups are in this first (North) loop in the drop-off/pick up zone only. Cars are NOT allowed in the bus loop.
• Pull all the way forward to the drop-off/pick-up zone to drop students off. Do NOT drop-off/pick-up students outside of the zone marked identified by the yellow and orange safety cones .
• Students should be ready to get out of the car. Give kisses and hugs in the waiting line before reaching the drop-off/pick-up zone.

• Please do not pass other drivers or buses.

• All students must exit the vehicle from the curb side.

• Please pull into a parking space if you need to exit your vehicle or come into the building.

• Please be safe and courteous by driving slowly and refraining from listening to loud or profane music. Please remember that AMS is a drug-free/smoke-free campus.

• Watch for students walking to a car.

2. Bus Loop

• The Bus Loop is directly in front of the building around our staff parking lot.
• Only students riding a school bus may be dropped off in this loop.
• Do not drop students off in this loop from 7:15-8:00.

3. Walkers

• Walkers need to cross at the light or at the crosswalks along Mustang Drive.
• Walkers should walk on the school sidewalk and not in the parking lot.

Do NOT drop-off or pick-up students in the neighborhood along Cone Avenue or in the parking lot by the football field.

Additionally, please do not park or wait in the GATE entrance to pick up students at the end of the day.

AVONDALE DISTRICT UPDATES

FREE Meals for All Students!

Website: https://www.avondaleschools.org/food-services

Menu Link: https://avondale.nutrislice.com

Menu Notes

Supply chain issues may affect our online menus. We will do our best to communicate any changes to keep you informed of our menu choices.

Menu Prices

Every student is able to receive one free breakfast and one free lunch daily. Extra items such as drinks, extra entrees, and snacks are available for purchase.

Adding Funds

Funds can be added to your child’s account through our serving lines via cash or check made out to Avondale School District Nutrition. Elementary buildings will not have the ability to provide change so any additional funds will be added to that student’s account. You may also add funds online by clicking https://a

For Avondale School District, it is important to note that families should still complete the CEP Education Benefits application at https://avondale.familyportal.cloud, which helps ensure ongoing state funding and can qualify your child’s school or community for other special programs. CEP offers a great opportunity for everyone to eat together in the cafeteria and hopefully make it easier for students and families to confidently check breakfast and lunch off their list. We’re excited to serve even more students in the Avondale community this year, helping to fuel busy days with favorite menu items and a variety of delicious new recipes!

Breakfast is available every school day this year (including half days) and will be served before and up to the first bell. Breakfast will include grab and go items, fresh fruits, milk, and a variety of other sides.

Lunch is available each full day of school. Each building level has a unique menu which is available on https://avondale.nutrislice.com. Nutrislice delivers all ASD menus through smartphones, email, and the web. You can also download Nutrislice from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android) and search Avondale to start viewing menus.

Please contact our office with any questions and we look forward to serving your students this school year!

Director of Dining Services: Megan Haase
Assistant Director of Dining Services: Kyle Cooper
Administrative Assistant: Amanda Paul

Complete Application Here

If you missed purchasing items at parent orientation, we have the following items for sale in the main office. At this time, we are only able to accept cash. We will also be selling replacement ID's with lanyards in the office when school begins. The cost for a replacement ID and lanyard is $5.

Please take a moment to review our AMS Student Handbook. The revised Code of Conduct is coming soon!

Middle School is a tumultuous time for students and parents. This may lead to a classroom or building concern. We ask that you please follow the protocol outlined in the document below. We want to partner with families to create a postitive learning environment. Please make sure you are respectful in your communications and allow time to investigate and follow-up with you. We hope that having a system in place provides more clarity and allows us to help you resolve any concerns you may have.

If you're unable to connect with your child's teacher directly, we've provided a convenient link below to submit a parent concern form. Our main office will review these forms daily and reach out to you with next steps within 72 hours, initiating an investigation and ensuring resolution.

Thank you!

Email: kathryn.gomez@avondaleschools.org
Website: https://www.avondaleschools.org/avondale-middle-school
Location: 1445 West Auburn Road, Rochester Hills, MI, USA
Phone: (248)537-6300