Amherst Middle School

Dear AMS Families,

As we approach the Thanksgiving break, we can’t help but feel grateful for this incredible community. Our students, families, and staff make AMS such a special place, and we’re so thankful for the energy, care, and support you bring to our school every day.

We also want to take a moment to thank the people who work behind the scenes to support our students and schools. From the dedicated staff at the SAU office and our colleagues in the other SAU39 schools, to the Amherst School Board members and the amazing Amherst PTA, we’re so lucky to have such a strong team working together to make a difference.

We hope this break gives you a chance to rest, recharge, and enjoy time with loved ones. Whether you’re traveling or staying close to home, we wish you a safe, warm, and relaxing holiday.

Please note that our next weekly newsletter will be sent on December 6th. We’ll have lots to share as we head into the winter holidays.

Thank you for all you do to make AMS such an incredible place. Wishing you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Be well,

Kristen Gauthier

Principal

Mike Cuddyer

Assistant Principal, 7/8

Matt Lane

Assistant Principal, 5/6

November 27 - November 29 (Wed - Fri): NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break

December 9 (Mon): Band & Chorus Winter Concert (5th & 6th gr.) 6:00PM

December 10 (Tues): Band & Chorus Winter Concert (7th & 8th gr.) 6:00PM

December 11 (Wed): Early Dismissal 12:50PM

December 11 (Wed): PTA Meeting 9:00AM, Black Forest Cafe

December 23 - January 1 (Mon - Wed): NO SCHOOL - Holiday Break

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.

Check out the AMS/SHS athletic website for information about winter sports at AMS.

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.

Parents of 7th–12th Grade Amherst/Mont Vernon Baseball Players,

We are excited to announce that winter baseball workouts are open for registration! These workouts are an excellent opportunity for players to prepare for the upcoming spring season and to keep their skills sharp through the winter months.

Program Details:

• Location: Westwood Park YMCA, 90 Northwest Boulevard, Nashua, NH

• Dates: Sundays, December 8 through March 23, Excluding 12/22, 12/29
• Time:
• 7th & 8th Graders: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
• 9th – 12th Graders: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
• Cost:
• 7th & 8th Graders: $150
• 9th – 12th Graders: $250

Registration closes on Friday, November 8. To secure your player’s spot, please complete the registration form at the link below.

Register Here

This is a fantastic opportunity to build strength, refine skills, and ensure players are prepared for a successful spring season. We look forward to seeing your athlete on the field!

Play Ball,

Souhegan Baseball Boosters Board

Souhegan Baseball Boosters
baseballboosterssouhegan@gmail.com

We'd like to thank everyone that was able to log on and participate in our Grading and Reporting Info Session on October 29th. We had a lot of great questions and feel we were able to provide answers and greater detail about our new Grading and Reporting process.

If you were not able to attend our info session we are including a recording of it below along with an informative document you can view HERE.

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.

We will be back next week with more Best of the Nest award winners!

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.

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

7th grade parents please send in most recent physical and immunizations. To be State compliant for school 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. This is a state law. 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

Since 1987, the Holiday Toy Store has been committed to assisting local families in need by providing them with holiday gifts (free of charge) for their children (ages newborn through 15). This year, the Holiday Toy Store will provide gifts for over 300 children. We are financially supported through the generosity of local businesses and individuals. We know there are many incredible organizations that have similar efforts during the holiday season. What makes us different? We provide services to families in Amherst, Brookline, Milford, Mont Vernon, and Wilton only. Those who benefit from the Holiday Toy Store could be your neighbors, your friends, your children’s classmates. As you begin to think about your charitable donations this season, we ask that you consider the Holiday Toy Store. We are a 501(c)3, so your donation would be tax deductible.

Ways to donate: Donation boxes for new, unwrapped toys will be at several locations in towns starting November 1st - December 5th.

Amherst: Black Forest Cafe, Spinal Corrective Center (SCC), Library, Wilkins, AMS, Ponemah Crossing Dental, Post Office on 101, and Parkhurst Senior Living Community
Milford: Hampshire Hills, Town Library and AIRMAR
Mont Vernon: MVVS
Wilton: Town Library

Online monetary donations can be made at: https://givebutter.com/HolidayToyStore

Checks can be made payable to Holiday Toy Store and mailed to Holiday Toy Store, PO Box 6, Amherst, NH 03031

Book Burp

What is a book burp? A video or written review of a book you've read and want to share with your friends. Come in and chat about a book with your friends and make a book burp!

Comic Club

Comic Club! Inspired by all the great graphic novels, we will help young fans of graphic novels to read, write, draw, and share their own stories! We will focus on different authors and create drawing and writing challenges. Ages 9-12

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