Amherst Middle School

Dear AMS Families,

As we reach the midpoint of Quarter 2, we want to keep you informed about your child’s academic progress. On Monday, February 3rd, Quarter 2 progress reports will be sent home with students. These reports provide a snapshot of their performance at this half year benchmark. The Y1 grade tells you the overall score for the course so far, while the individual quarter grades can give you information about student progress during specific time periods.

In addition to the paper progress report, families can check student grades at any time through the PowerSchool Parent Portal. You can download a progress report once they are finalized on Monday. This online tool allows you to view up-to-date grades, assignments, and teacher comments. If you need assistance accessing your account, please reach out to ams@sau39.org and we will help get you access.

Additionally, AMS students recently participated in the winter NWEA administration this week, an important benchmark assessment that helps us measure academic growth in reading and math. These results provide valuable insight into student progress and allow us to tailor instruction to meet their needs. While we are still reviewing the full data, we are already seeing incredible growth from our students! We are so proud of their hard work and effort, and we encourage them to keep the momentum going as we move into the second half of the school year.

We appreciate your partnership in supporting student success, and we encourage families to review progress reports together. As always, please reach out to teachers with any questions or concerns.

Be well,

Kristen Gauthier

Principal

Mike Cuddyer

Assistant Principal, 7/8

Matt Lane

Assistant Principal, 5/6

February 3 (Mon): Amherst School District Deliberative Session, 6:00PM, SHS Theater

February 5 (Wed): 5th Grade to Currier Museum of Art - Adventurers

February 6 (Thurs): 5th Grade to Currier Museum of Art - Explorers

February 6 (Thurs): 8th to 9th Grade SHS Information Night - 6:00-8:00PM

February 7 (Fri): 5th Grade to Currier Museum of Art - Trailblazers

February 7 (Fri): 7th & 8th Grade Semi Formal Dance, 7:00-9:00PM

February 11 (Tues): PTA Budget Information Night, 6:00PM (Wilkins Library)

February 12 (Wed): EARLY RELEASE 12:50 PM Dismissal

February 13 (Thurs): Listening Session - Souhegan School District, Souhegan High School - 6:30PM

February 17 (Mon) - February 21 Fri): AMS Kindness Spirit Week

February 18 (Tues) - Listening Session - Amherst School District, Amherst Town Library - 6:30PM

February 24 - February 28: NO SCHOOL - Winter Break

March 5 (Wed): Listening Session - Mont Vernon School District, Daland Memorial Library - 6:30PM

March 11 (Tues): NO SCHOOL - Town Voting Day

SAU 39 hopes you will join Superintendent Mike Berry in a conversation about the budget process, the direction of SAU 39, and the goals for each school building. Your feedback and thoughts are welcomed and encouraged at these sessions.

Souhegan School District: Thursday, February 13th, 6:30PM, Souhegan High School

Amherst School District: Tuesday, February 18th, 6:30PM, Amherst Town Library

Mont Vernon School District: Wednesday, March 5th, 6:30PM, Daland Memorial Library

Join Us for the Annual School and Town Budget Information Night!

The Amherst PTA and Souhegan PTSA invite you to attend the Annual School and Town Budget Information Night on Tuesday, February 11th, at 6:00 PM in the Wilkins Library.

This important event will feature representatives from the Amherst School Board, the Souhegan Cooperative School Board, and the Town of Amherst. They will discuss upcoming budget plans and how they impact our schools and community.

Highlights of the event include:

• Learning about goals and plans for the community and school district.
• Discussing key budget details.
• A Q&A session to get your questions answered.

Your voice matters—your input and engagement are vital to the process!

Attention 8th Grade Families! 🎓 Join us for High School Info Night on Thursday, February 6th, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Discover everything our school has to offer, including a presentation with administration, a student panel, academic Q&As, and an activities and athletics fair. Plus, visit the school store starting at 5:30 PM to stock up on Saber Gear! 🖤💛 Snow Date: Tuesday, February 11th. See you there!

• Monday - DREAM BIG, BE BRAVE, CHOOSE KINDNESS - PJ Day
• Tuesday - KINDNESS THROUGH THE DECADES - Decades Day (Pick one - 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, 00’s)
• Wednesday - ROCK’N KINDNESS - Dress like a rockstar or wear your favorite concert t-shirt
• Thursday - GIVE WAVES OF KINDNESS - Tropical Day
• Friday - DOUBLE YOUR KINDNESS - Twin Day

Mark your calendars!

Amherst Middle School is partnering with Amherst PTA to invite all parents and guardians to an Internet and Social Media Safety Night, featuring a presentation by members of the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children (NH-ICAC) Task Force.

Date: Tuesday, April 2nd

Time: 6:30 PM

Location: AMS Cafeteria

Gain valuable insights and practical tips on protecting your children online, recognizing potential risks, and fostering safe digital habits.

This is a must-attend event for families navigating today’s digital world. Bring your questions and leave with tools to help keep your kids safe online. Together, let’s ensure a safer internet for our children.

This year, we will be featuring book reviews written by our very own AMS readers! Many thanks to Ms. Maher in the library for putting these together each and every week. If your student would like to participate in The Book Buzz have them see Ms. Maher in the library.

Each week, members of our staff nominate students who go above and beyond to carry out our CARE behavior expectations (Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Effort). These students help to make our school a better place to learn.

Stay tuned for next week's Best of the Nest award winners!

Please click HERE to learn more about upcoming dates for the SAU39 school budget process.

The chilly weather has arrived, and while our students are full of energy, their outfits aren’t always ready for the frosty air. We’re asking for your help to ensure your students are bundled up for morning and lunch recesses. Hats, gloves, coats, and warm shoes are highly recommended—otherwise, they might turn into ice sculptures before class! ❄️

Consider it a chance to dig out those gloves from the depths of the closet or finally reunite that missing mitten with its partner. Thanks for keeping our AMS community both stylish and warm this winter season!

If you student is going to be absent for an extended period of time please reach out to their team of teachers as well as our general office email ams@sau39.org so our office staff can be sure our attendance is accurate. Please know that teachers are not able to provide all work ahead of time, but will support the student to complete essential assignments when they return.

To order yours go to www.jostensyearbooks.com, prices starting at $27.

One of the best ways to be successful in middle school is to get involved. We have so many seasonal and year-long clubs available for students of all grades. Students can stay on top of schedules through our daily announcements in Launchpad/Morning Meeting. Refer to these images below for more specific information.

Pickleball club will only be offered on the following dates:

THUR 2/13

WED 2/19

WED 3/5

WED 3/12

WED 3/19

WED 3/26

WED 4/2

Next week we are beginning Kindness Month at AMS! We have a variety of activities planned for this month, including daily kindness challenges, stories of kindness, a kindness chain, spirit week, and collecting donations all month to give to SHARE to support those in need. Each grade level will be contributing different items to support the SHARE organization in Milford, NH.

• 5th Grade: Please donate new socks and underwear.

• 6th Grade: Please contribute toiletries (ie. soap, shampoo, toothpaste, feminine products).

• 7th & 8th Grade: Please bring in non-perishable food items.

These donations will go a long way in supporting local families in need in our community and our surrounding neighboring communities, and we are grateful for your participation. Below is the daily kindness calendar that we are encouraging our students to participate in. Ask your student(s) how they have shown kindness not only to others but also themselves! We appreciate your support and help in spreading kindness this month!

Due to the increase in respiratory illnesses and the harsh cough associated with it, many students are being prescribed rescue inhalers (Albuterol) for their cough. This is considered a prescription medication and it requires parent permission and a doctors order on file (Rescue Med Form) with the school nurse for them to be allowed to have it in school. Also, students should not be carrying over-the-counter (OTC) medications on them. If they require an ibuprofen or acetaminophen during the school day, the health office with parent permission can administer them when appropriate. If the student requires an OTC medication the health office does not have, please bring in the medication with this completed form and the medication will be given as directed. Lastly, if your student was excused from physical education for an injury and was seen by a doctor, they will need a doctors note to clear them to participate in PE once they have recovered. If you have any questions regarding these policies, please feel free to call the health office for assistance. They can also be found on the SAU 39 website under Section J- students. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter and keeping all students safe.

Please send in most recent physical and immunizations. In order to be compliant for school (per state of NH) your student needs their 7th grade Tdap vaccine. This is typically completed at their annual wellness visit in 6th or 7th grade and will be documented on their physical. Please help us keep all students safe and healthy by keeping up with all required vaccinations.

NH School Immunization Requirements 24/25

Becoming a member of the PTA doesn't mean signing your life away volunteering, although we can always use more volunteers. If you are interested in chairing an event/committee, are looking to get more involved or you want to meet some new people, log on to https://amherstnhpta.membershiptoolkit.com/ to complete your registration today!

You can also reach out to the PTA via email if you have any questions or concerns that need to be addressed before our first meeting, amherstptanh@gmail.com.

As you complete the PowerSchool Registration forms for school this year, please make sure to opt into the PTA Directory (it is the last form)! This will allow Clark Wilkins and AMS to share contact info directly with the PTA, making it easier for you to stay up-to-date with all PTA communications, including room parent emails.

PTA's Newsletter

📖The library is warm! Come in and check out our new selection!📖

SUMMER READING PROGRAM PIN DESIGN CONTEST

Get ready to unlock your creativity! Our Summer Reading Program is all about leveling up, and we want YOU to help design our weekly pins that celebrate the fun of reading and the excitement of reaching new milestones.

The theme is “Level Up!” Readers are empowered to challenge themselves, discover new worlds, and grow with every book completed. Pick up an entry form from the library and create a design (details are listed on the entry form).

Submission Deadline is March 3rd.

ATL Kids & Teens Newsletter

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Click here to Sign up

Girls Empowerment GREWP is a 6-session group of tween and teen girls learning to embrace their bodies, hearts, and minds. Individuals will obtain the skills to independently maneuver through the unique obstacles that arise in their lives and learn to build a sense of resilience both physically and mentally. Activities include games, hiking, mindfulness exercises, creative art expression, group discussions, and more with a central focus on developing self-esteem, self compassion, and confidence.
Who: Girls entering 7-11th grade
When: Alternating Tuesdays from 5:00PM-6:15PM
Where: Buckmeadow

CLICK HERE for more information and to register.

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction for Teens (MBSR-T) is a research-based, skill building opportunity for young people to come together in a safe, small group learning environment. This therapeutic, educational support group will focus on building skills to help teens manage the myriad of demands they face today, including but not limited to: school, familial demands, peer relationships, self-imposed pressure, and much more.
Benefits for participating in these group sessions include:

Who: Teens entering 8-11th grade
When: Alternating Tuesdays from 5:00PM-6:15PM
Where: Buckmeadow

CLICK HERE for more information and to register.

2024-2025: Check out this link for the 2024-2025 approved Amherst School District calendar.