The Cougar News
May 3, 2024
Greetings from Principal Bame
Dear AMS Families,
As we prepare to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week next week, I am reminded of the incredible dedication and passion our teachers bring to our school every day. They go above and beyond to support and educate our students, often making a significant impact that extends far beyond the classroom.
Teacher Appreciation Week is not just a chance to recognize their hard work; it's an opportunity for us, as a community, to come together and show our gratitude for the tireless efforts of these remarkable individuals. A simple thank you, a kind note, or a small gesture can mean the world to a teacher and serve as a reminder of the profound impact they have on our children's lives.
Let's make Teacher Appreciation Week at AMS a memorable and meaningful celebration of the incredible educators who shape the future of our young people.
Dress Code Reminder
We kindly request your assistance in ensuring that your child adheres to our dress code policy, We are seeing an uptick in clothing not appropriate for the school environment, now that we are entering the warmer months. Students are required to wear clothing that covers their skin from chest to mid-thigh with opaque (non-see-through) fabric in front, back, and on the sides. For more information, please review the WCPSS Policy on Dress Code.
AMS PTA is Seeking a PTA President for 2024-25
Our AMS PTA Board has several positions vacating due to either their kid(s) moving on to high school or reaching their two year term limit, and the most pressing of these positions is the PRESIDENT. According to PTA Bylaws, our AMS PTA is not allowed to function without a named President. Our current President is an 8th grade parent headed out of AMS, and we have not had anyone step up to take on this role for next school year. Ideally, we would love an adult (males welcome & encouraged) who will be around for the full two year term to provide some consistency, but even one year works. If you are at all interested, please reach out via email and/or attend our May 3rd Board meeting to ask any questions with zero obligations.
A few of the people currently in roles eligible for return next year are willing to shift to other positions, so any position of interest warrants letting us know! Email apexmiddleschoolpta@gmail.com with questions &/or interest.
Events for the Week: Staff Appreciation Week
- Monday, 5/6: Nurse Appreciation Day
Tuesday, 5/7: Boys Soccer home vs WLMS
- Wednesday, 5/8: Softball Away vs FVMS
Thursday, 5/9: Softball home vs LRMS
Friday, 5/10: PTA Dodgeball Event after school
For the most up to date athletic schedule, please click HERE
Thank you for supporting Apex Middle School!
Kind regards,
Mrs. Raleigh Bame
WCPSS Annual Student Survey Memo
WCPSS Parents and Guardians,
In the spring, students in grades 5th - 12th will be asked to complete the annual WCPSS Student Engagement Survey. Your child will be given an opportunity to complete this survey during the school day. The survey includes questions about teacher-student relationships, relevance of school work, and future aspirations and goals.
The results of this survey help schools monitor their School Improvement Plans, and help the district track student perceptions about their educational experiences.
You can click here to review the questions included on this survey and click here to review results of the survey from previous years.
If you have any questions about when the survey will be completed, or if you would prefer your child not complete the survey, please contact your student's Assistant Principal by May 10th (email).
If you have any questions concerning the content of the survey, please contact the Wake County Public School’s Data, Research, and Accountability Department at wcpssdataaccountab@wcpss.net
Thank you for your continued partnership.
Estimados Padres y Tutores Legales de WCPSS:
Se les pedirá a los estudiantes de los grados 5 a 12 que completen la encuesta anual de participación estudiantil de WCPSS. Su estudiante tendrá la oportunidad de completar esta encuesta durante el dÃa escolar.
La encuesta incluye preguntas sobre las relaciones entre maestros y estudiantes, la importancia del trabajo escolar, las aspiraciones y metas futuras y el compromiso cÃvico.
Los resultados de esta encuesta ayudan a las escuelas a monitorear sus Planes de Mejoramiento de la Escuela y ayudan al distrito escolar a dar seguimiento al progreso en las metas del plan estratégico.
Revise las preguntas incluidas en esta encuesta.
Si usted tiene alguna pregunta sobre cuándo se completará la encuesta o si prefiere que su estudiante no complete la encuesta, comunÃquese con la escuela de su estudiante antes 10 de Mayo.
Si usted tiene alguna pregunta sobre el contenido de la encuesta, comunÃquese con el Departamento de Data, Research and Accountability de las Escuelas Públicas del Condado Wake en wcpssdataaccountab@wcpss.net
Gracias por su colaboración continua.
Summer Program: EOG Remediation and Re-administration
Apex Middle School is committed to providing all students with an excellent education. At the end of the school year, your child will participate in the regular administration of North Carolina End-of-Grade (EOG) tests. Students who score Level 3 or higher on these assessments are considered proficient. Students who do not score a Level 3 or higher on the regular administration and have passed the course/subject have the option to participate in a Remediation and Readministration opportunity in the summer.
Should your child meet the criteria for this opportunity and you choose for your child to participate, the Remediation and Readministration will take place on Thursday, June 13th and Friday, June 14th. Transportation will be provided to those that indicate below that they would be interested. Breakfast and lunch will be available for all students.
At this time, we are providing families with information about this opportunity. After students complete their EOGs we will determine which students are eligible and those families will receive an invitation for the summer program. Completing the form below will help us determine how many students might be interested in the summer program should they qualify. This is an opt-in opportunity and responses must be received by Friday, May 17th. If you would like for your child to participate, if eligible, please click on the link HERE.
Our school will provide remediation and a readministration of tests on the following dates:
Reading EOG: Thursday, June 13th
Math EOG: Friday, June 14th
NOTE: The last day of school is June 12, 2024
Grade Level Updates
6th Grade Message
Student of the Month: We would like to congratulate the following students for being chosen for Arpils Student of the Month for the 6th grade. These students exude what it means to be Kind.
Islander: Emilia Ortolani
Explorers: Zak Usman
Pirates: Ishaan Bhargava
Field Day: Just as a heads up, Field Day is Monday, June 10th. Each Homeroom class has been given a color. In previous years, students have gone all out dressing in their color (shirts, shorts, tutus, headbands, etc)
Veeder: Blue
Dewar: Red
Grz: Lime Green
Ganzel: Turquoise
Maynard: Orange
Schroeder: Purple
Tate: Kelly Green
Paxton: Dark Green
Simpson: Pink
DePerno: Gray
Need Supplies: Tissues, Ticonderoga Pencils (specific, yes, but they erase the best 🙂)
7th Grade Message
Field Day: Just as a heads up, Field Day is Monday, June 10th. Each Homeroom class has been given a color. In previous years, students have gone all out dressing in their color (shirts, shorts, tutus, headbands, etc)
Hayes: Hot Pink
Collar: Black
Dube: TBD
Bonham: Red
Francis: Purple
Robinson: Orange
Telke: Green
Garbarino: Royal Blue
Dunphey: Light Blue
Stanisclaus: Yellow
As the weather heats up, please remind your student to adhere to the dress code policy. Their clothing should cover their skin from chest to mid-thigh with opaque fabric in the front, back, and sides. It is also important that students prioritize personal hygiene (regular use of deodorant, etc.) to maintain a pleasant learning environment.
The 7th-grade teachers have created an Amazon wishlist for the hallway. While you are always welcome to send donations for your student’s teachers, the items purchased from this list will be dispersed as needed among the 7th-grade hall. All donations will be shipped directly to AMS. No obligation; all donations are greatly appreciated. Click HERE to see our wishlist! Thank you for your support!
Students should check PowerSchool and Canvas daily. Please keep up with your student’s schoolwork by looking at the checklist and asking to see your student’s planner.
8th Grade Message
As we welcome the warmer temperatures, it's essential to address a few reminders regarding our school's dress code and personal hygiene practices.
Firstly, we kindly request your assistance in ensuring that your child adheres to our dress code policy, particularly during the warmer months. Students are required to wear clothing that covers their skin from chest to mid-thigh with opaque (non-see-through) fabric in front, back, and on the sides.
Additionally, we want to emphasize the importance of personal hygiene, especially as the weather heats up. It's imperative that students prioritize regular use of deodorant to maintain a pleasant environment for themselves and their peers.
Lastly, a gentle reminder that clothing depicting the use or abuse of alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs is strictly prohibited on campus. We appreciate your support in guiding your child to make responsible choices regarding their attire.
By working together, we can ensure that our school remains a safe, respectful, and conducive environment for all students to thrive academically and socially.
Rising 9th Grade: 3 Year Graduate Process
Dear 8th grade students and families,
North Carolina House Bill 259 requires us to notify our current enrolled 8th grade
students of a new opportunity once they go to high school. This legislation allows
students to apply to be a 3-Year Graduate once they are in high school. Wake County Schools values the high school experience and believes that high school provides students with an opportunity to expand their academic pursuits and interests. However, we also realize that this opportunity may be of interest to some of our families.
A presentation to provide you with additional information about the 3-Year Graduate option is posted on our website under "Apex Middle News". Additional information and opportunities to ask questions will be provided by your students' high school at the start of the 24-25 school year.
Community News
PTA Updates
I am the proud principal of Apex Middle School, home of the Cougars!