AMS Weekly Update
Monday, September 16 - Friday, September 20, 2024
Dear Adams Middle School Families,
It’s hard to believe we’re entering week four of the school year! Our students have settled into their routines, learning is happening in classrooms, and our student-athletes are working hard. Some teams have even started competing, and we’re proud to share some great news:
- Our boys' soccer team won against Franklin!
- The girls' cross-country team took first place, while the boys’ team earned a close second.
- Volleyball tryouts had an incredible turnout! While we would have loved to keep all the athletes, we had to make some tough cuts. We appreciate everyone's interest and effort.
A few important reminders:
- Chromebook Usage: We’ve noticed an increase in students researching inappropriate content on school Chromebooks. We ask that you please speak with your students about responsible internet usage and remind them of the importance of staying focused on their studies.
- Tardiness: There’s been a rise in students arriving late to class. Please remind your students about the importance of getting to class on time to maximize their learning.
- NWEA Testing Next Week:
Next week, students will be taking the NWEA assessment during their ELA classes. This test is an important tool that helps us understand each student’s academic growth and areas of strength. The results provide teachers with valuable insights, allowing us to tailor instruction to meet the needs of all learners. Please encourage your child to do their best, as this assessment plays a key role in guiding their educational journey.
Thank you for your continued support! Let’s make this a great week ahead.
Warm regards,
Mrs. Bukosky
Principal, Adams Middle School
Our Schedule This Week
- NWEA Reading and Language Test
- Volleyball Away vs. Stevenson at 3:30 PM
Tuesday, September 17:
- NWEA Reading and Language Test
- Constitution Day for 7th and 8th graders only
Wednesday, September 18:
- NWEA Reading and Language Test
- Cross Country Home vs. Stevenson at 3:30 pm
- Boys Soccer Away vs. Stevenson at 3:30
- Volleyball Home vs. Franklin at 3:30 pm
Thursday, September 19:
- NWEA Reading and Language Test
Friday, September 20:
- Have a Happy Weekend!
New Staff: Ms. Jackson 6th grade
New Staff: Ms. Epps
Hello, my name is Angel Epps. Throughout most of my career, I’ve gone by Ms. Angel (although I’m working on embracing Ms. Epps—lol!). I know last names can sometimes be preferred, so feel free to use whichever you're comfortable with. I’ve been a School Social Worker for 27 years, starting my journey in Pontiac Schools (10 years), then spending 16 years in Ypsilanti Community Schools, before joining the amazing Wayne Westland Community School District last school year.
I worked at the elementary level for 20 years and have been at the middle school level for the last 7. I love working with students of all ages, supporting them to be the best they can be. My passions include anything Prince (the musician), the color purple, and collecting purple items. I’m also an EMU and U of M alum and a big Maize and Blue fan—Go Blue!
On a personal note, I have two beautiful daughters who are my world, and our best friend, a 15-year-old dog named Prince. I’m honored to be a part of the Adams team and am excited to collaborate with the staff, students, and families. Please feel free to stop by anytime—I look forward to meeting you all!
Celebrating Constitution Day
7th and 8th grade students only
The Social Studies Department will be hosting the 18th District Court on Tuesday, September 17th in celebration of Constitution Day. This unique event will give students the chance to witness a live court session, offering them a firsthand look at the judicial branch of the Constitution in action. Students will also have the opportunity to interact with the judges and ask questions about the law.
Please note that bags, purses, and cell phones are prohibited by the court and must be stored in students' lockers before the event begins. Additionally, the dress code for the day is business casual, so students should dress accordingly.
Due to the logistics of the event, both breakfast and lunch will be served in the gym on Tuesday. If you or your child have any further questions, please contact their Social Studies teacher for more information.
Thank you!
FALL PBIS PARTY
Perfect Attendance Winners and Pizza Lunch
Kennedy Conover
Genesis Hayes
Karielle Ramirez
Brielle Fallows
Nehemiah Rutherford
AMS PEP CLUB
Vaccination Clinic
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We are pleased to inform you that Adams Middle School, in collaboration with the Wayne County Health Department, will be hosting an immunization clinic on September 26, 2024 from 9:30-11:30 am. This is a great opportunity for your child to receive necessary vaccinations conveniently at school.
The State of Michigan requires children to be age-appropriately vaccinated to attend school, unless a valid waiver applies. Children entering 7th grade are required to have documentation of the following vaccinations:
All 7th Graders and 7-18 year old transfer students:
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTP, DTaP, Tdap)4 doses diphtheria and tetanus or 3 doses if 1st dose given on or after 1 year of age
1 dose Tdap at 11 years of age or older upon entry into 7th grade or higher
Polio4 doses or 3 doses if dose 3 was given on at or after 4 years of age
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)*2 doses at or after 12 months of age
Hepatitis B3 doses
Meningococcal Conjugate (MenACWY)1 dose at 11 years or age or older upon entry into 7th grade or higher Varicella (Chickenpox)*2 doses at or after 12 months of age or current lab immunity or history of varicella disease
** If your student is not fully immunized by October 11, 2024 per the State of Michigan, they may not be able to attend school.
How to Get Required Vaccines:
Physician offices- contact your doctor’s office
Wayne County Health Department Immunization Clinic 33330 Van Born Rd Wayne, MI 48184 call 734-727-7100 for appointments
Beaumont Child & Adolescent Health Center Adams 33475 Palmer rd. Westland, MI 48186 (located inside Adams Middle School) Call 734-728-2423 for appointments.
Stop in for Stevenson Middle School’s vaccination clinic during our Fall Open House.
For vaccine waivers contact the Wayne County Health Department for appointments 734-727-7125.
LUNCH MENU
Free Breakfast and Lunch for ALL students
Am I eligible to play sports?
Academic Requirements:
Students must pass at least 4 out of 6 classes to be eligible for sports.
Ineligibility Period:
Students who fail to meet the academic requirements at the end of a marking period cannot play sports for the next marking period.
Regular Checks:
Academic performance is checked every week.
If a student is not passing at least four classes during a check, they are ineligible to play until the next check, at a minimum, for the next week.
Credit Records:
Students must have grades in the school's official records to participate in sports.
6th Graders:
New 6th graders can compete in sports without their 5th-grade records being checked.
Don't be Late to Class
The tardy list will be pulled every morning. Tardies reset every week, and first hour will count towards tardies.
1st Tardy-Students are issued a verbal warning
2nd Tardy- Students are issued lunch detention, and parent/guardian is contacted via phone.
3rd Tardy- No lunch basketball and excluded from after-school activities for the week. If you are an athlete, your coach will be made aware that getting to class on time is an issue.
4th Tardy-Passing time revoked for the week.
5 or more tardies-Admin intervention (An Admin will contact parents of students who are chronically tardy and create a plan for the student.)
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!
Mobile Dentist
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We are pleased to inform you that the mobile dentist will be visiting Adams Middle School on September 25 and 26. This is a great opportunity for your child to receive dental care without having to leave school.
If you are interested in having your child seen by the dentist, please complete the attached form and return it to the main office as soon as possible.
Thank you for helping us keep our students healthy!
Bright Futures
Adams Middle School Bright Futures After School Program Interest Form:
https://form.jotform.com/242073366843156
Please fill out this form if you have a student interested in joining the program!
*Space is limited, so please fill this out ASAP!
We begin on September 16th, 2024. Bright Futures runs Monday-Thursday 2:40-5:30pm.
The Site-Coordinator will reach out to you once the form is complete to go over the registration process!
ELA
Both seventh and eighth grade ELA classes will be focusing on how elements such as setting, characters, and plot contribute to the theme and overall impact of a short story. Students will be reading a variety of grade level fictional texts to achieve this.
NWEA for ELA coming up the week of September 16th! Sixth through eighth grade students take two tests in ELA, Language and Reading. Please remind your child to do their best. Scores are used for teachers to drive their instruction. The scores are also used for course selections throughout the school year.
The instructional focus that ELA will be focusing on this month is using content-appropriate language to use and reference throughout class discussions and assignments.
Students in Mrs. Dobry’s ELA class practiced plot by making “Cootie Catchers” with the parts of a plot and definitions on them. They then played a game to practice with them. Meet our newest ELA teacher at Adams!
You can support your child’s at home learning by asking them what the plot of the television show or movie is that you may be watching together. Being able to retell the plot is an aid to comprehension.
Hi, I’m Jenna Lowry, and I’m beyond excited to start my journey as a first-year teacher at Adams Middle School, where I’ll be teaching seventh grade English Language Arts. My enthusiasm for literature and storytelling fuels my desire to create an engaging and dynamic classroom experience. I’m dedicated to helping students develop their reading and writing skills while fostering a love for learning. I look forward to inspiring creativity, encouraging critical thinking, and building a supportive classroom community. Outside of teaching, I enjoy reading, exploring new educational tools, and finding innovative ways to make learning fun. I can’t wait to get to know my students and make this year an unforgettable adventure in learning and growth!
Welcome Ms. Lowry!
MATH
September 2024
Coming up, 7th and 8th grade students will be learning about:
-Fixed vs Growth Mindsets in Math
-Review previously learned content (for example, decimal addition and single digit multiplication)
An upcoming event is that all students will be taking their NWEA Math Test the week of September 23rd.
This month, 7th and 8th grade teachers will be focusing on Student Engagement as our instructional focus. We're excited to highlight how student engagement is driving our approach to peer-to-peer learning in math. By incorporating collaborative activities and real-world problem-solving tasks, we're not only making math more relevant but also fostering a dynamic learning environment where students learn from and support one another.
Towards the end of this month 7th graders will be learning about rates and ratios. They will engage in activities involving real world examples using unit rates (for example, the speed of a car or being able to double a recipe)
Towards the end of this month 8th graders will be learning about exponents. They will dig deeper into the exponent rules and be able to recognize patterns between the base and exponent of a number.
Below are pictures showing students working in groups to accomplish a task. This was a race against time to find numbers in sequential order. Students practiced working together and communicating appropriately with each other to complete a task.
Here are some ways parents can connect what we’re learning in school to their home life.
1. Emphasize Effort Over Results:
Praise the Process: Focus on the effort, strategies, and perseverance your child shows rather than just the final answer. For example, commend them for sticking with a challenging problem or trying different methods to find a solution.
Encourage Resilience: Reinforce the idea that making mistakes is a natural part of learning. Share stories of how you or others have overcome difficulties through persistence.
2. Create a Positive Attitude Toward Challenges:
Celebrate Challenges: Frame difficult math problems as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles. Encourage your child to view these challenges as exciting chances to learn and improve.
Model Problem-Solving: When you encounter a problem, demonstrate a positive attitude and problem-solving strategies. Let your child see that persistence and a positive mindset are key to overcoming difficulties.