The Cougar News
March 15, 2024
A Message from Principal Bame
Dear AMS Families,
As this newsletter finds its way to your inboxes, our 8th graders are returning from their trip to Washington, D.C. I had the privilege of accompanying our students on an exciting tour of many of our nation's historic sites. We're eagerly anticipating sharing photos with our community once we've returned and had a chance to sort through them all! A huge thank you goes out to our 8th grade teachers for orchestrating this trip (Special shout-out to Mrs. Ruppert and Mrs. Beavers for spearheading the main planning efforts). We're also grateful to our parent chaperones and the entire community for their support in supervising our students over the past few days.😍
Culture Night Reminder
On April 25, 2024, we will be having a culture night to give families the opportunity to share their culture with the AMS community. If your family or a cultural organization that you're apart of is interested in participating in any of the following ways, please indicate your interest in participating HERE. We will contact you with more information soon. Thank you and we look forward to seeing lots of different expressions of culture from within our community!
Lost and Found
Our Lost and Found will be emptied soon! Lost and Found Trackers of AMS needs some help from our students and parents. We are at full capacity with lost items located in the elective building! Because there are little to no claimed items, we are going to have to donate items before the quarter is over. We not only have items lost during the school day but also left behind from after school events, little siblings and parents of students of AMS should consider taking a peek. Please encourage students to drop by and claim their belongings before 3/8/24. We have jackets, sweatshirts, water bottles, sneakers, lunch boxes and more! Please help add the "and found" to "the lost"!
From our Single Subject Acceleration Coordinator, Mrs. Pilkington
Students who meet qualifying criteria in grades K-7 can take advanced academic content in mathematics or English Language Arts through Single Subject Acceleration (SSA). This ensures opportunities for appropriate levels of academic challenge. Parents can learn more about the Single Subject Acceleration process with this SSA Parent Information Session as well as accessing the FAQ document for SSA. (FAQ document in Spanish)
Test requests for SSA must be submitted in the SSA Test Request Google Form.
The SSA Test Request form for Traditional will open April 1, 2024 at 8:00 am. Please check the form at that time. It will close at 5:00 pm on April 12, 2024.
Events for the Week: Book Fair All Week in Media Center
Monday, 3/18: Softball @ Holly Ridge
Tuesday, 3/19: Boys Soccer Home vs Holly Grove
Wednesday, 3/20: Track and Field Home vs Herbert Akins
Thursday, 3/21: 7th Grade Cultural Arts Event, Softball Home vs AFMS
Friday, 3/22: Peep Gram Distribution
Thank you for supporting Apex Middle School!
Kind regards,
Mrs. Raleigh Bame
AMS Book Fair Information
It's a Book Fair Fiesta at AMS from March 18-22. Use this link to set up an eWallet account. Students will be attending the fair with their language arts teachers.
SAVE THE DATE!
From the Desk of Ms. Roche (Career Development Coordinator)
Youth Career Exploration Opportunities. Sign up TODAY!
Visit our Career Development Website to find out more about the Pathways and Academies at our local high schools.
Grade Level Updates
6th Grade Message
Spring is in the Air: With the temperatures rising, it is important to ensure that our students are dressed appropriately and are adhering to the school's standards. The dress code is in place to maintain a positive and focused learning environment while promoting a sense of unity and respect among our students. Your cooperation in reinforcing these guidelines is greatly appreciated. By working together, we can ensure that our students are dressed comfortably, appropriately, and ready to focus on their education. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the dress code, please refer to the student handbook or contact administration.
Book Fair: Sixth grade students will be attending the Book Fair on Monday, March 18th during ELA. If they intend to purchase books, students will need money, cash or card, that day or parents can set up an eWallet ahead of time. Hoodies and jackets will not be allowed in the fair.
Rising 6th Graders: AMS will be hosting an Open House for incoming 6th graders. If you know one, or have one, please join us Thursday, April 18th from 6-7pm. We look forward to meeting some of our new Cougars.
7th Grade Message
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.
Fun dinner conversation topic featuring Social Studies: What happened during the 1936 Olympics in Berlin? How did Jesse Owens, as a winning athlete, go against the Nazi’s ideal vision of Arayan supremacy.
Baba Bomani is Coming to AMS
Our school will host Baba Bomani for a performance through the county wide Artists in Schools program. Bomani will be on campus March 21st to share his Baba Got BARS with our 7th Grade Students. Please join me in recognizing this program is supported by United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County in collaboration with our PTA.
Read more about Mr. Bomani's creative writing program HERE.
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.
Fun dinner conversation topic featuring Social Studies: What happened during the 1936 Olympics in Berlin? How did Jesse Owens, as a winning athlete, go against the Nazi’s ideal vision of Arayan supremacy.
A Note from the Counselor
Hi families,
The 8th-grade elective registration window is open! I met with science classes on Wednesday (3/13) to help your student register. I invite you to have conversations with your student about their choices. Changes can be made until the window closes on March 22nd. Elective descriptions can be found on the AMS website under the 'Student' tab.
Please send any questions to Hdabagian@wcpss.net
Thanks!
Harper Dabagian
7th Grade School Counselor
Apex Middle School
8th Grade Message
As we embrace the energy of spring, let's also use this season's momentum to inspire our children to finish the school year strong! Just like nature's renewal around us, it's a perfect time for our kids to refresh their focus, recommit to their goals, and bloom academically. Let's encourage them to embrace each day with enthusiasm, stay organized, seek help when needed, and celebrate their progress. 📚💪 #SpringIntoSuccess
Book Fair: Eighth grade students will be attending the Book Fair on Wednesday, March 20th during ELA. If they intend to purchase books, students will need money, cash or card, that day or parents can set up an eWallet ahead of time. Hoodies and jackets will not be allowed in the fair.
High School Registration Update
Ms. Mueller visited 8th grade math classes this week to assist students with registration. All students practiced completing registration in PowerSchool, and some even completed their course requests!
The final due date for high school registration is Monday, March 18th. I have encouraged our students attending the D.C. trip next week to complete their registration prior to the trip.
Thank you for your support in helping your students register! If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Mueller via Talking Points or at kmueller@wcpss.net.
2023-2024 Yearbook Information - Updated 1/19/24
2024 AMS YEARBOOK ORDERS: Guarantee your child's copy of the 2024 yearbook by purchasing online by March 29, 2024! Order your child's copy through the Herff Jones Online Yearbook Center (www.yearbookordercenter.com) and use school code: 10708. Ordering online is the only way to guarantee your child's copy of the yearbook!
**8TH GRADE DEDICATION ADS FOR YEARBOOK: DEADLINE FOR 8th GRADE AD/MEMORY PAGES IS MARCH 22, 2024! The online design center is open! Start creating your dedication ad for your 8th Grade child. The personal ads/dedication pages are devoted to our 8th Grade students and are featured at the end of the 2024 Yearbook. Advertisements must be designed through the Herff Jones Online Yearbook Center (www.yearbookordercenter.com and enter school code 10708). 1/4 page and 1/8-page advertisement sizes are available with many font and image layouts. If you have questions, please email Mrs. Jones (rjones14@wcpss.net).
Community News
PTA Updates
I am the proud principal of Apex Middle School, home of the Cougars!