AMS Weekly Update
Monday, December 16-Friday, December 20, 2024
Dear Adams Families,
As we approach the final week of school before Winter Break, we want to take a moment to reflect on the year so far and extend our warmest wishes to all of our students and families for a joyful holiday season and a Happy New Year. It’s hard to believe we’re already nearing the halfway point of the school year!
We are excited to celebrate our students' hard work and positive behavior with the upcoming PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) reward party on Friday, December 20th. This special celebration will include a pancake breakfast for all students who meet the criteria. To participate, students must have no more than 3 tardies during the month of December and must not have any suspensions. We encourage everyone to finish the month strong and demonstrate their commitment to being responsible and respectful members of our school community.
Warmest wishes,
Mrs. Bukosky and Mrs. Abbott
Resolving Conflict
At Adams, our top priority is creating a safe and supportive environment where every student feels valued and respected. Verbal or physical altercations don’t align with our values, and we’re grateful that these incidents have been rare this year.
However, we often hear from parents who believe their child shouldn’t face consequences if they were “defending themselves.” When addressing any student altercation, our goal is to ensure safety, teach accountability, and help students develop constructive conflict-resolution skills. While it’s natural to ask, “Who started it?” our focus is on understanding the situation, resolving it fairly, and supporting students in making better choices moving forward.
Here’s what we’re asking:
If a student feels they’re in a conflict, they should come to an adult immediately. Our staff is trained in restorative practices, which allow us to help students work through their issues without letting things escalate. We know from experience that many conflicts are based on misunderstandings, and with the right support, students can resolve these situations in a positive way. These moments also help students develop crucial life skills like communication, empathy, and problem-solving.
We’re asking for your help in reinforcing this message at home. Please talk with your child about the importance of seeking help from an adult rather than responding with physical or verbal confrontation. Together, we can keep Adams a safe and welcoming place for everyone.
Our Schedule This Week
- Dress like a Candy Cane
- Boys Basketball Home vs. McBride 4:00 PM
Tuesday, December 17:
- Holiday Hair, Don't Care! Wear a Festive Hat or Accessory!
Wednesday, December 18:
- Wear Your Holiday Best! Dress to Impress
Thursday, December 19:
- Wear Your Festive Jammies
Friday, December 20:
- Ugly Sweater Friday
- PBIS Pancake Breakfast
- Have a WONDERFUL HOLIDAY BREAK!!!!!!
December Spirit Month
Winter Break Activities
Here is a list of activties to do that are free and fun while you're at home!
1. Winter Nature Walk
- Explore local parks or nature trails and enjoy the winter scenery. Look for signs of wildlife, or collect interesting natural items like pinecones, leaves, and rocks.
2. DIY Winter Crafts
- Create homemade holiday decorations, such as paper snowflakes, pom-pom snowmen, or winter-themed bookmarks using craft supplies you already have at home.
3. Indoor Movie Marathon
- Have a movie day with friends or family, featuring winter-themed or holiday movies. Use a projector for a "home theater" experience.
4. Baking or Cooking Challenge
- Try making simple recipes at home like cookies, hot chocolate, or winter-inspired snacks. Compete in a "holiday bake-off" or try to create the best snack using ingredients on hand.
5. Winter Photography
- Go outside and capture the beauty of winter landscapes, snowy streets, or frosty windows with your phone or camera. Experiment with different angles and lighting.
6. DIY Winter Games
- Create your own indoor scavenger hunt or trivia quiz with a winter or holiday theme. You can also make a "snowball" fight using soft white socks if you don't have snow!
7. Winter Story Writing
- Start a winter-themed writing project. Whether it's a short story, poem, or comic, this can be a great way to use creativity while relaxing indoors.
8. Volunteer
- Help out at a local food pantry, homeless shelter, or animal rescue. Volunteering during the holidays is a rewarding way to spend time and give back to your community.
9. Build a Blanket Fort
- Transform your living room into a cozy winter fort using blankets and pillows. It’s a great spot for reading, watching movies, or playing games.
10. DIY Spa Day
- Use common household ingredients to create homemade face masks, scrubs, or bath bombs. Have a relaxing day of self-care and pampering.
11. Try a New Skill
- Learn something new such as origami, knitting, or juggling using online tutorials. Practicing a new skill can be both fun and rewarding.
12. Reading Challenge
- Set a goal to read a certain number of books during the break, or join a library’s winter reading program. You could even start a virtual book club with friends.
13. Game Night
- Host a game night with family or friends using board games, card games, or online multiplayer games. Have some snacks ready for added fun!
14. DIY Snow Globes
- Make your own snow globe using jars, glitter, and small toys or figurines. You can easily find tutorials online.
15. Create a Vision Board
- Use magazines, newspapers, or printed images to make a vision board for your goals, dreams, or interests for the coming year.
16. Snowball Toss or Target Games (If There’s Snow)
- If you live where it snows, have fun building snowballs and playing target games or tossing snowballs into containers like buckets or hula hoops.
17. Outdoor Winter Sports
- If conditions allow, go ice skating, sledding, or skiing (some places offer free or discounted rental days during winter break).
18. Make Holiday Cards
- Create holiday cards for friends, family, or neighbors. You can also make thank-you cards to send out after the holiday season.
19. Upcycle Crafting
- Turn old or unused items into something new, like creating jewelry from old buttons or making a sculpture out of cardboard.
20. Host a Virtual Hangout
- Connect with friends via Zoom, Skype, or Google Meet for a virtual hangout. Play games like Pictionary, trivia, or just chat about the break.
Drama, Choir, Band and Art!
We are so excited to share just how incredible our Drama, Choir, Band, and Art students were in their recent performances and displays. Each group really showcased their talents in such a powerful way, and we couldn’t be prouder of them!
Our Drama students truly brought their characters to life with such passion and depth. The energy they poured into every scene was contagious, and it was clear how much effort went into each moment on stage. Their performances left everyone in awe, and it was a joy to see them shine.
Our Band students also wowed us with their incredible musicianship. They played with precision and energy, and you could feel the excitement in the air as they performed. The way they worked together as a team was impressive, and their performance was nothing short of spectacular.
The Choir students were equally remarkable. Their voices blended so beautifully, and they conveyed so much emotion through their songs. The harmony and enthusiasm they brought to the stage really moved the audience, and it was clear that every note was sung from the heart.
Finally, our Art students had their work displayed in the most inspiring way. Their creativity and attention to detail were on full display, and it was wonderful to see how their unique visions came to life through their art. It’s clear that so much thought and heart went into each piece.
Each of these groups demonstrated not only their individual talents but also the power of collaboration, hard work, and creativity. We are so proud of everything they’ve accomplished, and none of this would have been possible without your support at home.
Thank you for encouraging and inspiring your children to explore their passions. We can’t wait to see what they’ll do next!
Attendance
If your child’s bus is canceled, please make sure to inform the school by calling the attendance line or speaking with a secretary. Let them know that the absence is due to a bus cancellation. The secretary will mark your child’s attendance with a “B” for bus cancellation, which will not count against them for truancy purposes.
If your child is sick and visits a doctor, please make sure to send in the doctor’s note or contact us with that information. This will allow us to mark the absence as documented, which is important for accurate attendance records.
Please note that simply calling to excuse your child without a doctor’s note will count as an excused absence, not a documented one. Documented absences are essential in certain cases to avoid any potential attendance issues.
Thank you for helping us keep our records accurate and supporting your child’s attendance!
Attendance Line: 734-419-2399
Holiday Assistance
Special Education
Happy Holidays! With the new year comes a sense of renewal: an opportunity to bring out the best in ourselves, moving forward with positivity and purpose. In our Special Education department we have some of the most positive and supporting individuals who have purpose with everything they plan with their students' needs in mind. I’d like to introduce two more of those individuals to you. Ms. Kristen Moskal, one of our Postsecondary Teachers and her Para, Treasa Johnson.
My name is Kristen Moskal and I'm a teacher in the Adult Transition Program here at Adams. I've been working as a special educator in our district for nearly 9 years where I've had the privilege of supporting our students as they transition into adulthood.
I'm a proud graduate of Eastern Michigan University that believes in creating an inclusive, supportive environment where every student feels encouraged to reach their full potential.
My name is Treasa Johnson.I have been a Paraprofessional for 23 years,I have 2 children that graduated from Wayne-Westland schools.
I am a Grandma to five beautiful grandchildren.
Social Studies
School counselors recently visited social studies classrooms to complete Xello’s digital platform with students. The exercise provided possible college and career choices for students based on their interests.
In the spirit of the holiday season. 6th grade students are exploring cultural celebrations from around the world with a focus on Latin and South America.
Students in 7th grade are beginning to study the fascinating topic of Ancient Egypt. This unit will take students on a journey through time exploring the cultural achievements, and daily life of the Ancient Egyptians.
Students in the 8th grade are studying the emergence of the first political parties. This era of American history was marked by intense political rivalries, and conflicting ideas on how to govern the nation. Students have been encouraged to compare the political climate of the early 19th century with modern day American politics.
Early College Alliance
Did you know that students attending Wayne-Westland Community Schools can earn college credit, up to an associates degree, for free while still in high school?
WWCSD has partnered with Madonna University to combine the high-school and college experience - Wayne-Westland Early Middle College. Upon completing this program, students will graduate with their high school diploma and up to 60 college credit hours, potentially earning an associates degree.
Current 8th, 9th, and 10th grade WWCSD students are eligible to apply. The application will be open October 31, 2024 - February 14, 2025. Information sessions will be held to support families in exploring this opportunity and answer questions.
Thursday, November 14th - 6:30pm - via Zoom
Thursday, January 16 - 6:30pm in person at WWIA - 5400 Fourth Street, Wayne
Wednesday, January 22 - 6:30pm - via Zoom
For more information, please visit www.wwcsd.net/earlycollege
Adams Middle School Gear
Show your school spirit and support our amazing community with some brand-new Adams Eagles gear! Visit our online store through AKA Sports to browse a fantastic selection of apparel and accessories. Whether you’re looking for t-shirts, hoodies, and long-sleeve tees, there’s something for everyone!
Check out the store here: Adams Eagles Online Store
Get your gear today and show off your Eagle pride!
Resources for Grievers During the Holidays
Moving through the holiday season and into the New Year while grieving can feel isolating. Navigating emotions and newness is tricky, but we have some reasons to help you through it and give you some holiday joy.
- The SandCastles Holiday Support Packet includes supportive resources, tips, ideas, a holiday planner, and activities (that you can do from home) to support you and your family throughout the holiday season.
- The National Alliance for Children’s Grief (NACG) Holiday Toolkit includes supportive resources, tips, ideas, and activities (that you can do from home) to support you and your family throughout the holiday season.