Amherst Middle School

Dear AMS Families,

This week, we celebrated Educator Appreciation Week, and we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to the incredible team of teachers, specialists, and support staff who make AMS such a special place to learn and grow. Their dedication, creativity, and care truly inspire.

We also want to recognize our school nurse and our amazing cafeteria staff, whose efforts keep our students healthy, nourished, and supported every day.

A special thank you to all families who donated treats through the PTA—your generosity helped make our staff feel seen, celebrated, and appreciated!

Lastly, we want to give a huge shout-out to our students for their hard work and resilience during this week’s state assessments. We know testing can be challenging, and we are incredibly proud of the focus, effort, and perseverance you showed each day. From arriving prepared and on time, to staying positive and doing your best—we see you, and we appreciate you. You've shown great responsibility and pride in your learning, and that deserves celebration.

Thank you for helping make AMS a place where teamwork, support, and care are at the heart of everything we do.

Be well,

Kristen Gauthier

Principal

Mike Cuddyer

Assistant Principal, 7/8

Matt Lane

Assistant Principal, 5/6

May 10 - Sat - NHMEA SW District Festival

May 12 - 16 (Mon - Fri): Grade 6 Ecology School - Spartans & Olympians

May 13 - Tues - NH-SAS ELA Writing (Grades 5-8)

May 14 - Wed - EARLY RELEASE 12:50PM

May 19 - 23 (Mon - Fri): Grade 6 Ecology School - Titans & MVVS

May 20 - Tues - NH-SAS Science (Grades 5 & 8)

May 20 - Tues - NH-SAS ELA Writing (Grade 6)

May 21 - Wed - 7/8 Jazz Band/Band & Chorus Spring Concert 6:00PM

May 26 - Mon - NO SCHOOL, Memorial Day

May 27 - Tues - AMS Talent Show 3:45PM-4:45PM

May 28 - Wed - 5/6 Band & Chorus Spring Concert 6:00PM

We want to make you aware of a disturbing new trend that has been circulating on social media platforms and is impacting schools across multiple states, including middle schools like ours.

The trend, known as the #ChromebookChallenge, #ChromebookDurabilityTest, and #FStudent, encourages students to intentionally damage their school-issued or personal electronic devices. Social media clips show individuals inserting objects such as pencils, paper clips, and pushpins into charging ports, causing the devices to short circuit, spark, smoke, and in some cases, catch fire.

Unfortunately, these actions have led to serious consequences in other schools:

• Schools have had to evacuate due to smoke or small fires caused by damaged devices.

• Several devices have been rendered unusable, resulting in costly replacements.

• Students involved in these acts have faced disciplinary action, including suspension.

This trend not only results in the destruction of school property but also poses significant safety risks to our students and staff.

At AMS, we take student safety and responsible digital citizenship very seriously. We are asking for your partnership in speaking with your child about the dangers and consequences of engaging in or encouraging this behavior. Please remind them that damaging school property is a serious offense and that their choices—especially those influenced by online trends—have real-world implications.

We will continue to closely monitor the use of school-issued devices and educate students about digital responsibility and safe behaviors. If you have any questions or concerns, or if your child becomes aware of this trend at AMS, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Dear Families,

I am sure it is hard to believe your 8th grader is heading off to high school in the fall. This year, the PTA is selling yard signs for 10.00 each. We are asking you to purchase them no later than 5/23. Once they are ordered we will have a pick up window for you to pick them up. It will be SUNDAY, JUNE 1 from 12:30-1:30 AT AMS! IF YOU CANNOT MAKE THAT TIME YOU CAN ARRANGE A PICK UP AT MY HOME.

Thank you so much!

Lindsay Harrison

PTA President

Registration is now open for the 2025-2026 Y Academy program, please go to HERE to register your student(s) for the upcoming school year.

🎤✨ AMS Talent Show – Show Us What You’ve Got! ✨🎭

It's time to let your star shine! 🌟
Join us for the AMS Talent Show, where YOU take center stage. Whether you sing, dance, juggle, tell jokes, play an instrument, or have a one-of-a-kind talent—this is your moment to shine! 💫

Auditions are being help May 5 - May 9

We can't wait to see you there!

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.

Check back next week for more Best of the Nest News!

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.

This May, AMS students will have the opportunity to showcase their learning and growth through the NH-SAS assessments. These assessments provide valuable insights into student progress and help us continue to support their academic success. To learn more about NH-SAS, visit the state website [here].

To help fuel our students for success, the Amherst PTA will soon be reaching out for donations of snacks for testing days. Your generosity ensures that students stay energized and ready to do their best. Thank you for your support in making this a positive and successful experience for all!

May 13, 2025 - Tues - ELA Writing (Grades 5-8)

May 20, 2025 - Tues - Science (Grades 5 & 8)

May 20, 2025 - Tues - ELA Writing (Grade 6)

The New Hampshire Association of Middle Level Education's mission is to articulate and to promote the philosophy of middle level education at the state and local level. The association's primary goal is to promote great middle level education and their teachers and students. It is our goal to celebrate all the wonderful qualities, achievements and strengths of middle schools.

Partnering with the NH Fisher Cats for our Teacher Appreciation Fundraising Contest, the funds raised will go toward prizes for the winning schools who have participated at the highest level.

Participation is based on the number of tickets purchased throughout contest.

Prizes Include:

• Check to support student activities at the winning school
• A first pitch for the chosen teacher of the winning school
• Shoutout from the on field coordinator during the game

Mark your calendar and buy tickets here: https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/Nhamleteacher2

Have you ordered your student's yearbook? Order now to guarantee a book on distribution day - limited quantities are still available. Order Here: http://jostensyearbooks.com?ref=A05014300 Not sure if you've purchased? Confirm your purchase here: https://www.jostens.com/customer-service/yearbook-order-tracking. Questions?: Email Jess Oltman at Joltman@sau39.org

Please notes that these dates and times are subject to change due to weather and field conditions. Please ensure you have signed up for SportsYou to ensure you are receiving updates from the coaches.

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.

After School Clubs and Activities

Below is a list of our clubs and the days that they meet, make sure your student is checking the announcements any time, day or other meeting changes.

• Mondays - Book in the Library
• Tuesdays - Homework Club - Chess Club - Stone Soup Club - Archery
• Wednesdays - Disc Golf - Chess Club
• Thursdays - Homework Club - Robotics - Jazz Band - Student Leadership - Stone Soup Club
• Fridays - ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND!

May is Mental Health Awareness month. We often don’t think of mental health as something to practice and take care of, but it is just as important as our physical health. What are some ways you can practice better mental health care for yourself and your student? For more information visit https://www.naminh.org/

I wanted to thank the AMS community for their many donations in the last few weeks. Myself and the students greatly appreciate it. If anyone still feels the need to contribute items the following would come in handy with the wet spring approaching.

• Boys pants/ shorts size Med- XL
• Socks of all kinds and sizes

Thank you again for your generous donations. I feel supported and appreciated.

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 cool! Come in & check out our new selection!📖

Author Visit - Mary Ann Cocca-Leffler & Janine Leffler

Tuesday, May 13th at 6:30pm | Please Register

Maryann Cocca-Leffler is an award-winning author and illustrator of over 70 books for children. Her newest book is “Marabella’s Moment” about a girl who inspires others to live in the moment and notice the world around them. Books will be available for purchase and signing.

Comic Club

Wednesday, May 14 at 2:00pm | Ages 9-12

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

Thank you all who entered and voted! We are already excited to see your marshmallow masterpieces next year!

The 10-week program runs from June 16 through August 22, 2025 at the Club in Milford, NH. The Camp will be closed on Friday, July 4th. Sign up by the week or by the day. Early Bird rates ($225 a week) are available until March 31, 2025. After that, the rates are $275 a week. The daily rate is $65 a day. See svbgc.org for information about available financial aid or to register.

Each week of Camp Souhegan has a special theme, and a wide variety of field trips are offered, including a Fisher Cats game, Cheshire Children's Museum, Stone Zoo, Boston Museum of Science, Squam Lake, Wallis Sands State Park and more! Drop off begins at 7:00 am, structured camp programming runs from 9:00 am until 3:30 pm and pick up time is 6:00 pm. Campers have lots of nature-inspired, outdoor play opportunities, and free swim and swim lessons are available through our partnership with Keyes Pool.

Camp Souhegan is designed for youth in K-10th grades. All rising kindergarteners who wish to attend Camp Souhegan must be at least 4 years and 8 months old at their start date.

To learn more, drop by an Open House on Saturday, March 15, 2025 or Saturday, May 3rd, from 9:00 am until 12:00 pm, at 56 Mont Vernon Street, Milford, NH.

For specific questions, please reach out to Alex Craven, Program Director at acraven@svbgc.org.

2025-2026: Check out this link for the 2025-2026 approved Amherst School District calendar.