AMS Weekly Update

We want to take a moment to wish you all a joyous and peaceful time with your loved ones. May your holidays be filled with warmth, laughter, and cherished memories.

Please note that there will be no school from December 24, 2024, through January 3, 2025. We look forward to welcoming our students back on Monday, January 6, 2025, refreshed and ready to start the new year together.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Have a safe and wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year!

Warmest wishes,

Mrs. Bukosky and Mrs. Abbott

Monday, December 23- Friday, January 3, 2025-NO SCHOOL

🦅🦅🦅 Several AMS students in our instrumental music program were selected to take part in the DSO's Middle School Honor Band/Orchestra in the Spring. This is an awesome privilege for these students. They will get to play with other highly talented students from around the state while receiving instruction from some top conductors in the field right now. GO EAGLES!!!! 🦅🦅🦅

Honor Band:

Treazur Snyder (Saxophone)

Logan Jendrusik (Trumpet)

Aubrey Wrenn (Trombone)

Honor Orchestra:

Lilyann Chiles (Viola)

Aubrey Wrenn (Viola)

Richmon Sarita (Violin)

Daphne Post (Cello)

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.

This year, like any, has its fair share of challenges and achievements. The Special Education department has worked hard this year to overcome challenges and better our systems to best meet the needs of the students. Now, it’s time to relax a bit and enjoy the holidays! This month Mr. Bumford is our spotlighted special educator. He is one of our Resource Room teachers who also co-teaches in ELA.

I have been a middle school resource teacher in WWCSD since August of 2019 but my first involvement in the district was during a teaching practicum during the 2005 school year. Since that time, I have loved every school community and opportunity that I’ve been afforded here.

I received my bachelor's degree in elementary education from the University of Michigan-Dearborn (after stints at Central Michigan & Schoolcraft), in 2007. After some formative experiences, I returned to U of M to add on a major in learning disabilities so I could eventually work in special education. Now I am currently working on a Masters Degree in Special Education through Eastern Michigan and plan to have that completed by December of 2025.

Since graduating, I have worked with students in kindergarten through 8th grade in a wide variety of instructional & support roles (parapro, interventionist, substitute, and middle school teacher [social studies, science, & resource]. I’ve enjoyed each role but my absolute favorite has been working as a resource teacher. I love helping students get clarity on what they do well, so they can leverage their strengths to offset areas where they may have academic or behavioral difficulties.

In my non-work life I am a dad, husband, brother, friend, son, and uncle. I love spending time with my people and doing everything possible to stay outside (hiking, camping, swimming, kayaking, etc). I also LOVE Michigan Football and the Lions, along with all of the other Detroit sports teams.

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

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!

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.