AMSB Principal's Weekly Newsletter

Our 8th graders had a busy week at AMSB!! Our 8th graders all gathered for a presentation from Platt Tech and Nonnewaug VoAg schools. They learned about the programs and started thinking about their post-8th grade plans. On October 25th they will all travel to Amity High School and learn more about the program of studies that we offer in here at Amity. On Wednesday the 8th grade all went to NYC on our first field trip of the year and they spent the day site seeing, enjoying lunch, and watching Hamilton on Broadway!

We are still in need of volunteers for our upcoming Career Day. This yearly event helps our students to make connections between their studies at AMSB and the world of work. The lessons learned on Career Day help them to make decisions about their learning and course selections ahead. If you are interested in volunteering as a presenter, please complete this form ASAP.

We have been making changes to our school and district websites since the summer to create a more intuitive and user-friendly experience for visitors to the sites, and this afternoon we are unveiling major changes to the site that will make finding the information you need simpler. One of the most important updates is that our Parent and Student tabs have been replaced with a Student Life tab which collects some of the most frequently accessed information in one easy-to-access location.

Jason F. Tracy, Ed.D.

Principal - AMSB

• October 14, 2024 - Columbus/Indigenous Peoples Day - No School
  
  
• October 17th, 2024 - Early Dismissal (12:12PM), Professional Learning
  
  
• October 19, 2024 - AMSB PTSO's Color Fun Run - More Info
  
  
• October 21, 2024 - 7th Grade Signs of Suicide Training
  
  
• October 25, 2024 - 8th Grade Music in Motion Trip to ARHS - More Info
  
  
• October 29, 2024 - End of Q1
  
  
• November 4, 2024 - School Photo Retake Day - More Info
  
  
• November 6 - 8, 2024 - ARHS Dance Team Fall Clinic for Grades 3 - 8 - More Info
  
  
• November 7, 2024 - 7th Grade Adventure Park Field Trip - More Info

The Amity High School Dance Team is running a clinic for 3 - 8th grade students.

Day 1: Wednesday, November 6, 2024 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Day 2: Thursday, November 7, 2024 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Day 3: Friday, November 8, 2024 6:00 arrival for 7:00 game

We are thrilled to share that the annual AMSB Career Day will be held on November 21, 2024, from 8:00am- 10:15am! We are seeking volunteers to share their occupation with our students to help get them to think about future career possibilities. Participating volunteers will present the same half hour presentation to 3 different groups of students (approximately 20 in each session) and we will need you to be here from 8:00 am - 10:15 am.

Last Call! If you are interested in volunteering as a presenter, please complete this form. If you have any questions, please contact the Counseling Department.

Picture Re-Take Day is November 4th for anyone who missed Picture Day or needs a re-take!

To order, log in to your account on mylifetouch.com or create an account using your student's student ID number. All families can also log on and order a FREE Digital SmileSafe card. More about the Smilesafe program here. Thank you!

If your child will be absent for any reason, please be sure to contact the attendance line to report the absence. Each absence must be followed up by a note from a parent or guardian.

We are now accepting e-mails for follow-up notes as well.

Please send email notes to: Kristin.mcnamara@amityregion5.org. That note or e-mail will suffice to excuse absences 1-9 and subsequent absences will require documentation from a doctor or medical provider to be excused.

Meetings are Wednesdays 7-8 PM over Zoom

Debate club is a low stakes environment for students to improve public speaking skills, critical thinking, research, & confidence through prep-ahead debate motions. This club is a hybrid between in-person and online: coaching is through zoom, but there will be in-person field trips, competitions, and parties!

Debaters will prepare for debate competitions hosted by the CT Middle School Debate League with the help from state and nationally awarded debaters. Past students have gotten awards and competed in the championships! This club is welcome to ANY middle school student and we will walk you through the process (new debaters, don't be shy!)

Call 203-389-3429 or email npfund@woodbridgect.org for information or to sign up for programs

Sign up for Youth Services Notifications of our programs: www.woodbridgect.org/list.aspx

• Community Game Night - October 17th - More Info
  
  
• Families In Need -
  Woodbridge resident families in need should contact Human Services to apply for food, holiday baskets, fuel assistance, and holiday toys. Call 203-389-3429 for more information.
  
  
• Halloween Spooktacular! - More Info
  Adult and mature high school volunteers needed! Call 203-389-3429. Sponsored by Youth Services and the Town of Bethany.
  

  
  

• Job Banks Seeks Woodbridge & Bethany Teens who Want Paid Work
  The Job Bank guides teens ages 13-18 as they apply, interview, and earn money doing odd jobs for Woodbridge residents. Teens are needed now. Contact the Job Bank to schedule your interview. Jobs include leaf raking, yard work, snow shoveling, babysitting, housework, animal care, tutoring and tech assistance. Woodbridge residents may call 203-389-3429 to hire a student.
  
  

• Volunteers Needed!
  Adults, college students, and high school juniors and seniors may call or email to help. We need volunteers to assist with registration, food tables, chaperoning, and games. We approve community service hours for mature high school students. Woodbridge Youth Services and the Town of Bethany sponsor the Youth Evening Programs.
  
  

• Vaccine Clinics Offered by Woodbridge Human Services - More Info
  
  

• Trainings Offered:
  by BRIDGES, Milford- Youth Mental Health First Aid – Register Here
  Narcan (Naloxone) Administration for Opioid Overdose Training – Register Here

Upcoming Events & Fundraisers:

• October 19th, 2024 - Color Fun Run: More Info
  
• Lyman Orchard Pies & Classic Cookie Dough Orders - More Info, Due October 15th, Delivered November 26th
  
  

Please join us for the Fall Fall Board of Education Community Forum on the topic of “Technology in Schools,” where we will discuss three important topics that are shaping the future of our schools: cell phone use, artificial intelligence (AI) in education, and the use of PowerSchool and the Schoology platforms.

Date: Monday, October 21, 2024 - More Info

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Location: Amity Regional High School Library Media Center

Questions may be anonymously HERE prior to the evening. Questions will also be taken live on the night of the event and will be answered as time permits.

For more information about cell phones in school, please see The Connecticut State Board of Education recently adopted new guidance here.

If you are interested in how AI is changing student learning and schools, please watch this 10-minute video that highlights the impact AI is already having on education.

The Connecticut State Department of Education is presenting a three-part webinar series for parents and families titled: Supporting Your Child’s Health and Well-being During the School Year. The flyer contains descriptions of each of the webinars as well as registration links.