AMSO Principal's Weekly Newsletter

We have been making changes to our school and district websites since the summer to create a more intuitive and user-friendly experience for visitors to the sites, and this afternoon we are unveiling major changes to the site that will make finding the information you need simpler.

One of the most important updates is that our Parent and Student tabs have been replaced with a Student Life tab which collects some of the most frequently accessed information in one easy-to-access location.

• October 14, 2024 - Columbus / Indigenous Peoples Day - No School
  
  
• October 17, 2024 - Early Dismissal, Professional Development
  
  
• October 18, 2024 - PTSO Halloween Dance - More Info
  
  
• October 23, 2024 - 8th Grade Boston Tour Field Trip - More Info
  
  
• October 25, 2024 - 8th Grade Visit to ARHS, Music in Motion - More Info
  
  
• November 1, 2024 - School Photo Retake Day - More Info
  
  
• November 6 - 8, 2024 - ARHS Dance Team Fall Clinic for Grades 3 - 8 - More Info
  

Picture retakes are scheduled for Nov. 1st. Students should bring the photo package taken at the start of the yearbook if they want a retake. The retakes are also available for students who were absent on Picture Day.

The Amity High School Dance Team is running a clinic for 3 - 8th grade students.

Day 1: Wednesday, November 6, 2024 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Day 2: Thursday, November 7, 2024 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Day 3: Friday, November 8, 2024 6:00 arrival for 7:00 game

As a way of honoring all of our veterans, AMSO will be making a donation to the Disabled Veterans of America this year. During the month of October, we will be collecting donations to support our Field of Flags that will be on display on the school's front lawn. Names of veterans will also be on display throughout the school during the month of November. Our goal is to raise at least $250.00 Please consider making a donation on our AMSO Page by Oct 28th.

Cash donations will also be accepted in Mrs. Marganski's room. Please help us make a beautiful display for Veterans Day and to support our veterans as well.

Any student who makes a donation in cash or on the page is invited to take a ticket from Mrs. Marganski and then fill out a flag to honor a veteran. Student Council members will be sitting in the cafeteria in both lunch waves with paper flags to fill out. We hope to fill the cafeteria with our Veterans Day display by November. It will accompany the flags we will stage outside.

Thank you in advance for your support!

If you are considering alternative high school options for your student, please take note of the following:

Open Houses for Alternative High School Options:

• Platt Technical High School - Open House for New Haven County families will be held on, October 24th from 5-7pm.
  
  
• Nonnewaug High School Agriscience Program -Open House will be held on October 17th from 6-8pm
  
  
• The Sound School - Aquaculture and Agriculture Programs Open House will be held on October 24th - 5-7:30pm

• Absence Notes - If your child is absent from school, for safety reasons, please email attendanceamso@amityregion5.org to report the absence. If you do not email or send in a note, we are required to mark the absence as unexcused. Thank you for your cooperation.
  
  
• Late Buses - The late bus allows students to stay after school till 3:30 for extra help or to attend after-school clubs. Late buses are available on most Tuesdays and Thursdays
  

• October 15 - PTSO Meeting 6 pm
  
  
• October 16 - Panera night - 4-8 pm - Use the following code when ordering in person, drive-thru online, or delivery: FUND4U
  
  
• November 4- Chipotle night(Milford by the Mall) - Use the following code: RJGAJNF
  
  
• November 6 - Pie/Cookie Dough Pick up/Conferences
  
  
• November 7 - Book Fair and Spiritwear Sale
  
  
• November 8 - Book Fair and Spiritwear Sale
  
  
• November 19 - PTSO Meeting 6 pm
  

The AMSO Halloween Dance is right around the corner on Friday October 18th from 5:30-7:30 at AMSO. Tickets are $10 and all of the details about the dance are located in the link below.

The PTSO needs support from you to keep costs down for this event. Please consider signing up to donate an item to drop off at the school, we would appreciate your help! Also in this link you will see many items are needed for the 8th graders field trip, so 8th grade families, please help us help you.

Sign up for items here: Please drop off all items to the security office at AMSO by October 17th: (Your child can bring them also if they are willing)

Our Lyman Pie fundraiser is happening now. PLEASE consider purchasing at least one pie or cookie dough, this is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and it benefits our children and our children's school.

PTSO uses Remind to keep everyone up to date. For those of you not on remind but would like to get on Remind, they are helpful texts I will send you throughout the year to remind you of these little things, and other school related helpful reminders.

7th Grade Families:

Text: 81010

Send this message: @amso-7

8th Grade Families:

Text: 81010

Send this message: @amso-8

Please consider joining as your support truly helps the PTSO run many great events and activities for the school community.

If you have any questions regarding anything PTSO related, or if you just have a question you’d like to ask a fellow parent without it being on social media, please feel free to email us at: ptsoamso@gmail.com

Please join us for the Fall Fall Board of Education Community Forum on the topic of “Technology in Schools,” where we will discuss three important topics that are shaping the future of our schools: cell phone use, artificial intelligence (AI) in education, and the use of PowerSchool and the Schoology platforms.

Date: Monday, October 21, 2024 - More Info

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Location: Amity Regional High School Library Media Center

Questions may be anonymously HERE prior to the evening. Questions will also be taken live on the night of the event and will be answered as time permits.

For more information about cell phones in school, please see The Connecticut State Board of Education recently adopted new guidance here.

If you are interested in how AI is changing student learning and schools, please watch this 10-minute video that highlights the impact AI is already having on education.

The Connecticut State Department of Education is presenting a three-part webinar series for parents and families titled: Supporting Your Child’s Health and Well-being During the School Year. The flyer contains descriptions of each of the webinars as well as registration links.