Greetings Mustang Families-

We have a big rivalry weekend on Saturday in the AMS office. Dr. Gomez is a Michigan grad and Mrs. Schneider is a State grad. We will see who prevails!

Review:

We hosted the Avondale School District Board of Education meeting at AMS on Monday. It was an awesome opportunity to share the glows and grows at AMS. We also welcomed our new district athletic director, Melissa Tucinni who was board approved at this meeting. We loved sharing all of the good things going on at Avondale Middle School!

This week we also had the pink out for ladies basketball at Avondale High School. It is always fun for our middle schoolers to play at the high school and see what it will be like in their futures.

Preview

This week will be a super fun week leading up to a nice fall break.

We have our Golden Ticket Day this week on Tuesday. Each staff member was given a Golden Ticket and selected one student who exemplifies the HERD values of being Helpful, Empathetic, Responsible, and Driven. These students will be the VIPs for the day on Tuesday with a pancake breakfast, ice cream floats at lunch, and a movie and popcorn in the afternoon. We have three Golden Tickets planned for this school year to celebrate all of the awesome kids we have at AMS!

In the afternoon on October 29th we will have our Halloween Party after school from 3-5. Students will buy wristbands at lunch for $5 and may change into costumes after school. We will have costume contests with cash prizes! Students must have their GO cards to attend the party.

Our 8th grade Washington DC parent meeting will also be on October 29th at 5pm. Please plan to attend to pick up sweatshirts and get valuable information about the trip.

On October 30th, AMS will host Halls of Halloween. This is an awesome event for our community. We welcome our elementary families to come trick or treat in the halls of AMS. If your family or organization would like to host a table for the event, please reach out to Mrs. Gibbs at penny.gibbs@avondaleschools.org.

There is a half-day on Halloween, October 31st. This marks the end of the first quarter. Grades will be updated next week for the quarter. Students may wear their Halloween costumes to school on the half day. Here are some expectations:

-No masks

-No facepaint

-No inflatable costumes

-No "sexy" or inappropriate costumes

-No weapons

-No blood or gore

Also on Thursday we will have our first "Free Your Phone" Day. Students who have their GO Cards may pay $5 to use their phones to listen to music. Phones may be used for music only. No calls, texts, videos, photos, recording, social media, etc. If phones are being used for other purposes, the phone will be confiscated for parent pickup and students will lose their GO cards and the ability to participate in the next Free Your Phone Day. The money raised from this event goes toward supporting fun activities like Golden Ticket Days and PBIS Prize Drawings.

The Best Things:

One of The Best Things this week was watching Mrs. Ivezaj pull small groups on the floor with the 6th grade math students. Students were getting the support they needed while other students were able to complete their work independently.

Another one of The Best Things was in a French 6 class and students were playing a review game. They were on teams, but one person was chosen to give an answer. However, Mme. Coon encouraged teammates to help if the person requested it. I saw students giving their teammate time to answer, but ready to jump in if help was requested. What a great way to support each other without judgement and only encouragement!

Another one of The Best Things this week was when a sixth grade student, JJ MacMillan, saw another student sitting alone in the lunchroom. He asked to be able to move lunch tables to make sure the student wasn't alone. This was an amazing example of our HERD values in action!

October

• Oct. 28 Gifted & Talented Program Tour (see flier below)
• Oct. 29: Halloween Party after school, 3:00-5:00
• Oct. 29: Washington DC Parent Meeting, 5:00
• Oct. 30: Apple Tasting;
• Oct. 30: Halls of Halloween- ages 0-10

• Oct. 31: Half Day - End of Quarter 1 - Dismissal at 11:07am - Costumes - $5 free your phone

November

• Nov. 1-4 Diwali & Fall Break
• Nov. 5 No school for Students-Staff Professional Learning day
• Nov. 11 Gifted & Talented Program Tour (see flier below)
• Nov. 18 Gifted & Talented Program Tour (see flier below)

• Nov. 20: Parent Teacher Conference (Date Change)
• Nov. 25-29 No School- Fall Break

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

For those of you who are new to AMS, Halls of Halloween is like a Trunk or Treat inside the building. It is a safe environment for trick or treating without having to worry about the weather. Families, student groups, Avondale community groups, and others decorate tables and pass out candy or other small "treat" items to children age 0-10ish. We invite our elementary students and others in the community. In addition to Trick or Treating, there will be bounce houses and basket raffles. It tends to be busiest from 6-7 which may create a short wait to enter. We want everyone to have an enjoyable time.

When: October 30th from 6:00-8:00

Cost: $10/family (cash at the door)

You may also purchase raffle tickets at the door.

If you'd like to come host a table or donate a raffle basket, please sign up on the Sign Up Genius below. If you sign up to host a table, set up is between 5-6 prior to the doors opening. Baskets should be dropped off the day before.

Halls of Halloween Sign Up

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)

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 Avondale Theatre Company has been working hard on the upcoming production of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit on Nov 7, 8, & 9th at 7:05pm and Nov 10th at 2:05.

• Performances will all take place at the Avondale Performing Arts Center at 2800 Waukegan St. Auburn Hills, MI.
• Tickets available at avondaletheatrecompany.ludus.com
• General Admission $10
• Students $5
• Avondale staff is Free!

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.

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.

Thank you to everyone who placed an order from our Little Caesars fundraiser. The proceeds will help fund scholarships for current and future students who wish to go on their 8th grade class trip to Washington DC.

The top seller was: Diya Patel who sold 31 items!

We also wish to thank the following students/families who sold many items as well:

Micah Mitchell, Zachary Brooks, Owen Scrase and Brooklyn Woods

Pick up date is: Thursday, October 25th from 11am-4pm.

Please call/email ahead with your approximate pick up time so we can have your order ready and waiting for you at the security entrance.

(248) 537-6313 or jill.amico@avondaleschools.org

“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.

THIS WEEKS BIRTHDAY'S:

10/26 Cinsere H

10/27 Kalab C

10/27 Sebastian R

10/28 Noah K

10/29 Madison S

10/29 Skye Smith

10/29 Noah K

10/29 Roderick E

10/31 Carter G

10/31 Vaibhavi S

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 Cheer - Cheer began on September 3rd. if your student made the Cheer team, here is the calendar of events. Middle School Cheer Calendar

Middle School Cross Country has begun! Here is a copy of the calendar for those who may still be interested in joining. Middle School Cross Country Calendar

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