AMS Principal's Weekly Update

Dear AMS Students and Families,

On Tuesday, AMS 6th Graders had the opportunity to take a field trip to the Meadowbrook Theater to see a live performance of A Christmas Carol. The students studied the classic tale in their ELA class leading up to the live performance. Attending the field trip allowed students to compare the live performance to the text with attention to the directors adaptations. When the students returned, they were treated to a luncheon in the cafeteria provided by parent volunteers. Thank you to Mrs. Cabalum for organizing this great opportunity and thank you to all of the parents who served as chaperones, provided food or drink items, and helped set up the luncheon for our students.

Over the last few weeks, I have had the privilege of attending concerts for band, orchestra and choir. I am always impressed at how much progress our music students make leading up to their first concert, especially our 6th graders. In 5th grade, students learn music in unison, which means that everyone is playing or singing the same parts, whereas in 6th grade, students advance to performing pieces in parts where different groups of instrumentation play or sing in different parts. The performances I attended were simply outstanding and exemplify why Berkley is a best community for music education for over a decade.

As it pertains specifically to Orchestra, last week's Orchestra concert was Mrs. Kilbride's final concert as she heads off to retirement (today was her last day). I want to give a huge shoutout to Mrs. Kilbride who, over her 27 years in Berkley, has inspired thousands of students who have gone through her program, many who continued to play their instrument well beyond middle school and high school. Mrs. Kilbride is a true professional in every way and her departure leaves some pretty big shoes to fill for whomever takes over her program. With that said, on behalf of our entire staff and school community, please join me in thanking Mrs. Kilbride for all of her years of service to our school and district. We wish her all the best in her retirement and whatever comes next for her.

Lastly, I would thank the AMS PTSA for providing our staff with a wonderful holiday lunch catered from El Patio in Berkley as a warm send off to winter break. As always, we are so appreciative of the support we receive from the AMS PTSA and our families who support their initiatives.

Monday - January 6

Dungeons and Dragons Club 3:20-4:15 pm in Room 111

Eco Club 3:20-4:15 pm in Room 210

Homework Club 3:20-4:15 pm in Room 115

Girls Swimming Home v. South Hills at 5:00 pm

Tuesday - January 7

Drama Club After School at BHS

Wednesday - January 8

Chess Club 3:20-4:15 pm in Room 100

Homework Club 3:20-4:15 pm in Room 115

Rainbow Room Club 3:20-4:15 pm in Room 109

Yoga 3:30-4:30 pm in Room 114

Open Gym for Girls Volleyball 3:25-4:30 pm in the AMS Gym

Boys Basketball at Country Day at 4:30 pm (7th Grade) / 5:30 pm (8th Grade)

Thursday - January 9

Art Club 3:20-4:15 pm in Room 110

Boys Basketball Home v. Royal Oak at 4:15 pm (7th Grade) / 5:15 pm (8th Grade)

Friday - January 10

Ski Club 3:30-10:00 pm at Mt. Holly

Girls Swim League Meet at Covington at 4:30 pm

As the district administrator who helps coordinate with the District Area PTSA for Caring and Sharing, I am pleased to share that this year, as a district, we raised just over $26,000 which allowed us to provide Hollywood Market grocery cards for approximately 130 families in the Berkley School District. The amount raised speaks to the generosity of our community and the ongoing willingness to help out those in need. On behalf of the entire district, I would like to thank those who were able to donate to enable us to provide assistance to our families in need this holiday season.

I am pleased to share that upon our return on Monday, January 6, AMS will be expanding our lunch options to include a la carte snack items for purchase. Items will include soft pretzels, cookies, chips, and drink options. Purchases can be made by either adding money to a student's MISTAR account or with cash. Cash purchases receiving change will have change applied to their MISTAR account for future purchases. Other payment options such as debit cards, Venmo, Apple Pay, or Google Pay Will NOT be accepted.

Two Anderson Middle School Band students have been recognized by the Michigan State Band & Orchestra Association for their outstanding audition for the MSBOA All-State Band. Hundreds of students from all over the state audition for a coveted spot in this ensemble, which will perform at the state-wide Michigan Music Conference in Grand Rapids in January 2025. Congratulations to Hayden McClure (trumpet) who has earned an Honorable Mention, and Bea Verriest (trombone) who has been selected to perform with the ensemble in January.

On Tuesday, the RDJ group traveled to Mata Tripta Ji Gurdwara to learn about Sikhism. One of the first things learned was that Sikhs cover their hair to protect it from damage and exposure, as one of their practices is that they leave their hair unshorn. Out of respect, AMS RDJ participants covered their own hair once they entered the Gurdwara, the name of their temple. From there, participants learned about their other practices, from their prayers to their martial arts. Some of our students even held traditional Sikh weapons! As per usual, the day ended with some delicious, traditional food, served as participants were seated to demonstrate that we are all equals.

The AMS Yearbook Class is planning a spread in this year's yearbook dedicated to the winter break. The Yearbook Class is seeking photos of students doing any fun activities with family and/or friends over winter break. If you would like to share your fun experiences, please email your photos to Ms. Reid.

AMS will be offering a Winter Book Club, hosted by Mrs. Aytes and sponsored by Berkley Huntington Woods Youth Assistance. To sign up, please click on the informational flyer below.

On Friday, December 13, students from NJHS visited the Judson Center in Royal Oak to help with their Holiday Wish Program. Students helped unpack, organize, sort, and inventory donated items to be distributed to local families in need. As you can see from the image below, there were quite a few items to go through so our students' assistance was greatly appreciated by the staff at the Judson Center.

Community members are welcome to join a community coffee conversation with Superintendent Francis on Wednesday, January 22 at 8:30 am at Tyndall. This is an opportunity to hear about bond work and other initiatives across the district along with the opportunity to ask questions.

Currently, we are about 18 registrations short of meeting the minimum number of registrations for the 8th Grade end of year Day in the D trip. This trip is open to all AMS 8th Graders and any parents who would like to attend. If you have been waiting to register, please consider registering ASAP so that we can ensure we have the necessary minimum number of participants for this trip. For more information, including itinerary and registration information, please click on AMS Day in the D Trip Information and Registration.

There are currently 4 remaining spots open for the Washington DC- Gettysburg trip. Registration is now open to all 8th grade students and parents. For more information including the itinerary and registration link, please click on Washington DC 2025

Please consider joining the AMS PTSA to help support initiatives like Teacher Classroom Stipends, BHWYA, March Miracles, Assemblies, Social Emotional Initiatives, Staff Appreciation and much more! To join, simply click on the AMS PTSA Membership Page.

2024-25 Officers:

President - Dawn Banks
Vice President - Kary Pasanen
Treasurer - Melissa Foreman-Lovell

Secretary - Nicole Hollman

2024-25 Remaining Meeting Dates: All Meetings will be held in the Media Center and via Zoom

February 11 @ 8:30 am and via Zoom

April 8 @ 7:00 pm and Via Zoom

May 13 @ 8:30 am and via Zoom

To access meetings via Zoom, please use the following Zoom Link

Follow the AMS PTSA on Social Media

For all athletic related questions, please contact
AMS Assistant Principal / Athletic Coordinator, Carman Smith

Berkley District Middle School Athletic Coordinator, Lori Stone

Berkley High School Athletic Director, Matt Rawlik

SPORTS OFFERED AT AMS

Fall Season (September - October)

Football (Grades 7-8 Only)

Girls Basketball (Grades 7-8 Only) *

Co-Ed Cross Country (Grades 6-8)

Girls Tennis (Grades 6-8)

Winter 1 Season (November - Mid January)

Girls Swimming (Grades 6-8)

Boys Basketball (Grades 7-8 Only) *

Winter 2 Season (Mid January - March)

Wrestling (Grades 6-8)

Girls Volleyball (Grades 7-8 Only) *

Boys Swimming (Grades 6-8)

Spring Season (April - May)

Co-Ed Track (Grades 6-8)

Boys Tennis (Grades 6-8)

Baseball (Grades 7-8 Only) *

Softball (Grades 7-8 Only) *

* These sports are intended for 7th and 8th grade only, however if there are not enough 7th and 8th grade students to field a team, spots will be opened up for 6th Graders to tryout.

AMS has athletic eligibility guidelines and expectations. To view the guidelines and expectations for student-athletes, please click on Middle School Athletic Eligibility

The first step in participating in any sport is registering on Final Forms! Final Forms is the registration platform used for athletics where families must submit student physicals, as well as sign all the necessary forms required to be eligible to play a school sport. For directions on how to navigate Final Forms, please click on Final Forms Registration Information. All documents must be signed and submitted before the first day of tryouts. Failure to do so results in your child not being able to try out for any sport.

TEAM INFORMATION

For questions about the Girls Middle School Swim Team, please contact Coach Derek Samuelson. Below is the remaining schedule for the season with home meets starting at 5:00 pm and away meets starting at 4:30 pm. Home games are in bold below.

1/6/25 Home v. South Hills

1/10/25 League Meet at Birmingham Covington

For questions about basketball, please contact 7th Grade Coach Andre Price or 8th Grade Coach Joel Lewis. Below is the remaining schedule for the season with home games starting at 4:15 (7th Grade) and 5:15 (8th Grade) and away games starting at 4:30 (7th Grade) and 5:30 (8th Grade). Home games are in bold below.

1/8/25 Away v. Detroit Country Day

1/9/25 Home v. Royal Oak

1/13/25 Home v. West Bloomfield

1/15/25 Away v. Clarenceville

1/16/25 Home v. Cranbrook

Below are club and extra-curricular opportunities offered to students throughout the year. Check back each week for additional club information and updates.

Students are eligible to be inducted into NJHS in the spring of 7th Grade by earning a cumulative GPA of 3.7 through 6 terms (Terms 1-4 from 6th Grade and terms 1 and 2 of 7th Grade) and earning citizenship marks no less than a 2. For questions about NJHS, please contact NJHS sponsor, Ms. Ng. Meeting dates for current 8th Grade NJHS members take place once a month during 8th grade lunch and will take place on the following dates:

REMAINING MEETING DATES

1/23/25

2/27/25

3/13/25

4/17/25

5/22/25

The AMS Peer to Peer Program is a school-wide program designed to increase academic, independence, and social engagement opportunities for students with autism and other disabilities. This is achieved by inviting multiple peers without disabilities to pair up with students with disabilities during a variety of school activities. Peers model typical academic and social behavior while students with disabilities can practice and use skills in natural settings by learning from peers in a positive and dignified manner. Authentic relationships form as students actively participate in activities together.

To learn more about Peer2Peer, please watch this Peer2Peer Informational Video. Students interested in becoming a peer for the 2024-2025 school year should reach out to any of the following staff members: Mrs. Gershonowicz (Room 112), Mrs. Roesner (Room 103), or Mrs. Black (Room 223).

AMS is offering a free 10 session Yoga/Mindfulness class after school for students taught by certified Yoga instructor Natalie Fons-Welke. The free classes will take place on Wednesdays in room 114 from 3:30-4:30 pm on the following dates: November 6, 13, and 20, December 4, 11, and 18, January 8, 15, 22, and 29. Participation is free, however participants will need to purchase a yoga mat. If your child is interested in participating, they may simply show up on any of the dates offered. To learn more about the after school yoga class, click on the Yoga Mindfulness Overview.

Ski Club is available to Berkley School District students in grades 6-12 who ski or snowboard or are interested in learning. Starting on January 10 through the end of February, students in Ski Club will go to Mt. Holly, leaving AMS around 3:30 pm and getting back around 10:00 pm. For more information, please click on Ski Club 2025 and to access the registration form, please click on Ski Club Registration Form 2025. For questions about Ski Club, please contact Ski Club sponsor, Jim Cowdrey.

First Robotics Club has completed the FIRST Tech Challenge for this year. Meetings have temporarily paused and will resume on Monday, January 13. Meetings will continue on Mondays at 4:00 pm in Room 114 through 2nd semester. If you have any questions about the First Robotics Club, please contact AMS parents and team sponsors, Martin Wekerle and Rob Calvano.

Drama Club is open to any students interested in learning more about acting and drama productions. Meetings will take place every Tuesday from 3:20-4:15 pm in the Media Center. For questions about Drama Club, please contact Zach Guerra

Chess Club is open to students with previous experience and those wishing to learn the game of Chess. Meetings will take place on Wednesdays from 3:20-4:15 in Room 100. For questions about Chess Club, please contact Mr. Mustonen.

The Dungeons and Dragons Club is for students who have previous experience playing Dungeons and Dragons and those who wish to learn. Meetings will take place every Monday from 3:20-4:15 pm in Room 111. For questions about the D&D Club, please contact Mr. Stoia.

The Eco Club is offered to students who have an interest preserving the environment and being part of environmentally friendly activities. Meetings will take place every Monday from 3:20-4:15 pm in Room 210. For questions about Eco Club, please contact Ms. Maimes.

Art Club will have a focus on drawing. All skill levels are welcome. Students should bring a sketchbook and their own drawing materials. Special papers and advanced drawing mediums will be available for those that want to explore. Meetings will take place every Thursday from 3:20-4:15 pm in the Art room (Room 110). For questions about Art Club, please contact Ms. Reid.

The Rainbow Room is Club is an inclusive after school club offering for LGBTQ+ students and LGTBQ+ allies. Meetings will take place every Wednesday from 3:20-4:15 pm in room 109. For questions about Rainbow Room, please contact Ms. Reid.

Homework Club provides students the opportunity to work independently or receive extra help with homework. Students who choose to attend homework club must be working on school work or school related work. Homework Club will take place every Monday and Wednesday from 3:20-4:15 in Room 115. For questions about Homework Club, please contact Mrs. McChesney or Mr. Stoia.

For the 2024-25 school year, school breakfast and lunch will be free for ALL students. The cafeteria will be open from 7:30-8:05 a.m. for breakfast and early drop-off (entry cut off at 7:55) and students must enter through the cafeteria door off the parking lot.

Please click to access the

January Lunch Menu

To view nutritional and food ingredient information for school breakfast and lunches served at AMS, please click on the Nutrislice Informational Page for AMS

PLEASE NOTE: AMS does not allow food delivery services such as GrubHub or DoorDash. Any order that is attempted to be delivered to AMS will be refused.

Please take the time to review the designated pick up and drop-off zones below. Some things to highlight include:

• CATALPA: No stopping, standing, parking, drop-off or pickup
• ROBINA: Drop-off and pickup zone; no parking on the street
• BUS PARKING ONLY: Buses may drop students in the designated bus parking
• AMS PARKING LOT: Drop-off and pickup zone; parking in parking lot spaces only
• Berkley Public Safety will be enforcing the traffic rules

When there are inclement weather conditions such as temperatures below 20 degrees, rain, or falling snow, students may enter the building upon their arrival through their designated grade level door and wait in the hallway until 8:05. As a reminder, our cafeteria is open everyday from 7:30-8:05 (entry cutoff at 7:55) for any students who wish to get breakfast or need to be dropped off early.

The Berkley African American Parent Network (BAAPN) is a parent run organization that works in partnership with the Berkley School District and Oakland County Schools. The BAAPN network is a way for parents with African American children in Berkley Schools to connect with each other. BAAPN is committed to supporting student engagement, high academic achievement, and increased parental involvement. For more information, please visit the BAAPN Facebook Page. Click to access the BAAPN membership form. Below are the remaining meeting dates for the 2024-25 school year with meetings taking place in the Norup Media Center at 7:00 pm:

February 27

March 13

May 15

Did you know that students from the BHS National Honor Society offer free peer tutoring? If you child is in need of tutoring, please click on NHS Middle School Tutors for the list of available tutors. It is as simple as looking through the list, identifying a tutor that meets your child's needs, and contacting them to arrange tutoring.

Berkley Schools has partnered with Varsity Tutors for Schools, an online platform with access to free learning tools. The Varsity Tutors Platform gives students more opportunities to learn at their own pace, to get support on subjects they might be struggling with, to explore subjects they are learning in class and to support their curiosities.

The platform includes the following:

• 24/7 on-demand chat tutoring and on-demand essay review to help students with any questions about homework, classwork or test prep.
• Live group classes, recorded classes and celebrity-led StarCourses allow students to learn more about the subjects they’re interested in and add a touch of fun.
• Assessments and self study practice problems provide opportunities to drill skills towards mastery.
• College prep & admissions resources ensure that students have the best resources available.

How to Access Varsity Tutors

Sign into the Varsity Tutors platform through the student Clever portal. To learn how to log into Clever with your child’s Berkley Schools Google account, follow these directions.

Learn More & Get Started!

• Varsity Tutors Berkley Schools Launchpad
• Frequently Asked Questions

All parents, guardians, or family members interested in volunteering, chaperoning, and/or driving other students for school-sponsored functions or field trips must complete the following forms prior to the event or activity:

Parent Volunteer Form (Includes Chaperone form)

*The Volunteer Form must be accompanied with a copy of your valid driver's license or state-issued ID.

Parent Driver Form (To be turned into the AMS Office)

For both MISTAR and Schoology, there is a specific site for the Berkley School District. To ensure that you are logging into the correct sites, please use the following links below:

Schoology

MISTAR Parent Portal

For any tech related issues, parents and students should put in a tech ticket and it will be routed to the appropriate department to get resolved ASAP.

Order your AMS Yearbook (prices starting at $40.00). To order your yearbook, click on the AMS 2024-25 Online Ordering Link

To view the AMS event calendar for 2024-25, please click on AMS Event Calendar 2024-25. Please keep in mind that due to various circumstances, event times and dates are subject to change and events may be added or removed.

Anytime is a great time to purchase AMS spirit wear. Ordering is simple through our online store with many options to choose from. AMS recently changed to Hype Gear Sports, a local vendor, for spirit wear with new designs and an additional modern viking logo to choose from. To shop for AMS spirit wear, please visit the NEW AMS Online Spirit Wear Store.

Wishing everyone Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year. We look forward to our students' return on Monday, January 6. Enjoy the break!

Sincerely,

Michael Ross

AMS Principal

Email: michael.ross@berkleyschools.org
Website: https://www.berkleyschools.org/schools/anderson/
Location: 3205 Catalpa Drive, Berkley, MI, USA
Phone: 248-837-8200