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Mustang News
Apr. 19, 2024
Avondale Middle School
A Message from Dr. Gomez
April Showers bring April Snow Days! Thank you for your patience this week with PSAT testing on Monday and a power outage on Thursday. We are enjoying the warmer and sunnier weather. As Spring approaches we are seeing an uptick in disruptive social media behavior that is impacting the school day even with phones in Yondr pouches during the day. These issues are occurring on Instagram, Snapchat, and in group messaging and calls. The issues we are seeing are mean, degrading, and bullying behavior. We are collaborating with the Oakland County Sheriff's Department and META to shut down what students are calling "bop" pages. These pages feature unauthorized photos of other students with incredibly mean captions and comments ala "Burn Books" from Mean Girls, if you are of a certain generation. Students who create one of these pages, create content for these pages, or like/comment on posts may be included in strong disciplinary consequences. We tell you all of this to encourage you to check you child's phone and social media presence. Please be aware that many middle school students have multiple accounts and post differing levels of content on various accounts. Thank you for partnering with us to limit the instructional disruption caused by these pages. Your support helps us keep all students physically and emotionally safe in school, at home, and online.
Review:
This week we kicked off testing season when our 8th grade students took the PSAT. This test was offered online for the first time and we had a great turnout of students. Students worked hard and we are hoping for great results.
Track kicked off this week with a huge turnout. We are excited to see our young athletes exceed expectations.
Preview:
We are kicking off our Spring Spirit Week this week! Please see a list below of Spirit Days. We will also have a 6th and 7th grade after-school celebration on Wednesday. The cost to attend is $5 and students must have their GO Cards to participate. Wrist bands will be sold at lunch on Wednesday. Money collected from this event will help support our Teacher Appreciation Week Activities.
Our PTO Meeting has been rescheduled for Monday, April 22nd at 7pm via Google Meet. We will be planning Teacher Appreciation Week activities, sharing GO Card incentives, and beginning to plan for the 8th Grade Bridging Ceremony. Here is the link to join. See you there!
We continue our testing season with Testing Tuesdays for the next four weeks. This week, 6th and 7th grade students will be taking the MStep Reading test. 8th grade students will take the MStep Science test. We test in the mornings but Testing Tuesday are full days of school. Please help support your student by making sure they are well rested and are on time to school.
On Wednesday, we are celebrating some of our students who were nominated for Avondale Youth Assistance Awards. These awards are given in the areas of Leadership and Growth. This year, Avondale Middle School had a record number of nominees and award winners. Congratulations to all students who were nominated and won AYA Awards.
The Best Thing!
Our 8th grade students were focused and serious on Wednesday morning for PSAT. We had over 95% of students in attendance and students were patient and kind throughout the day.
Important Updates
Mark Your Calendar
April 22 - PTO
April 24 - 6th and 7th grade after-school celebration
May 3 - No School for Students
May 24-27 - No School - Memorial Day
Reporting Absences
Reminder
AMS School Procedures
Team Communications
District Curriculum Newsletter
Sneaker Ball Photos
Our 8th Grade Sneaker Ball last week was a blast! See more photos on our Facebook Page.
PTO Meeting Update!
Please join us for a PTO Meeting on Monday, April 22nd via Google Meet. We will discuss Teacher Appreciation, GO Card Incentives, and 8th Grade Bridging. We look forward to seeing you!
PTO
Monday, April 22 · 7:00 – 8:30pm
Time zone: America/New_York
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/amx-hbiq-ubn
Or dial: (US) +1 414-909-7622 PIN: 331 529 005#
From the Mustang PTO
We will be celebrating our amazing AMS teachers and support staff during Teacher Appreciation Week from May 6th-10th. We will be creating a yummy snack bar for the staff by stocking our staff lounge with a variety of snacks and drinks for them to enjoy. Individual servings work best for a grab-and-go snack!
We will be accepting donations at school until Friday, May 3rd. All donations can be dropped off in the Main Office. Thank you for supporting our AMAZING AMS teachers and support staff!!
Sign up for items to bring here: https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/20F0D4AABAF29A0FA7-49047440-amsstaff
Spirit Week Next Week!
Spirit week is an opportunity for all of us to show our MUSTANG PRIDE! We will have themed dress up days and a spirit assembly next week Monday April 22-Monday April 29! We will have an After School Celebration for 6th and 7th Grade Wednesday April 24th 3-5
Congratulations Q3 Herd Award Recipients
Lift Field Trip Update
Last week, a group of AMS students had the opportunity to visit the LIFT manufacturing training center in Detroit. At LIFT, they were immersed in a realm of state of the art manufacturing equipment including robotics, metal 3D printers, linear friction welders, and more. The students toured the manufacturing floor, learning about the machines and various job opportunities. Then they were able to try their hand at robotics programming and welding using both handheld simulators and an augmented reality welding station used to train welders. Congratulations to Leah LeDuc who got an impressive score of 97 on the AR welding machine! Overall, it was a great day for our students!
Legally Blonde at AHS This Weekend!
DON'T MISS THIS! Avondale Theatre Company presents Legally Blonde - The Musical including some of our students from AMS!
The performances are on April 18, 19, 20, and 21 at the Avondale Performing Arts Centre (2800 Waukegan, Auburn Hills) Tickets are available at avondaletheatrecompany.ludus.com or at the door 1/2 hour prior to curtain) - $15 (General Admission) / $10 (Students) / and STAFF MEMBERS ARE FREE.
Springfest Carnival April 26 at Avondale High School!
Springfest is NEXT WEEK at the high school and our main event is FRIDAY NIGHT, the SPRINGFEST CARNIVAL! There will be a plethora of FREE fun games and treats such as:
- Mario Kart-themed bounce house
- Wacky castle
- Putt golf
- Bowling
- Basketball
- An atomic slide
- Hungry Hippos
- 65-foot Obstacle course
There will be snacks included with your ticket like snow cones, popcorn, and cotton candy. There will be food trucks on site such as tacos and Kona ice, but these will not be included with your ticket so please bring extra cash for them!
This year's Springfest will be on April 26th from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Avondale High School and is open to all of the Avondale School District staff, students, families, and community members! Tickets are being sold at the door. Tickets are $10.00 and there is a ticket Deal of 3 tickets for $25.00 and will include participation in all the booths, inflatables, and leadership-sponsored treats!
Please reach out to Samantha.Bolton@avondaleschools.org or Kathleen.Osborn@avondaleschools.org if you have any questions!
Track Parent Meeting Rescheduled
The Track Parent Meeting is rescheduled for Tuesday, April 23 at 4:00 pm. Please see the updated track calendar below, and view the Mustang Athletic News for more track information!
Spring Sports
AMS Spiritwear!
Field Trip Information
8th Grade Cedar Point Field Trip
This year we will be taking a field trip to Cedar Point to celebrate our 8th graders who exemplify our HERD values!
Students must have kept their GO Card for all of semester 2 in order to attend. On Monday, we will present a redemption opportunity for students who lost their GO Cards due to a having detention. Students will be allowed to submit a written paper to make up for the loss of their GO Card. Students who have been suspended in the Second Semester will not be eligible to attend and will not be eligible for the redemption paper.
Students received permission slips prior to Spring Break. Payments can be made through the Avondale School District website (Efunds). Cash will also be accepted (NO CHECKS).
Permission slips and payments are due by April 17 ( cost $105) or by May 1 ($110). If you would like to chaperone for the trip you will need to complete a volunteer application form.
Please contact Mrs. Correll madeline.correll@avondaleschools.org with any questions about the trip. Any questions about eligibility to attend should be directed to Dr. Gomez or Mrs. Schneider.
D.C. Trip Meeting and Registration for Current 7th Graders!
Parent Meeting Info
We will be leading a group of interested eighth grade students to our nation’s capital, Washington, DC, departing at 12am on Wednesday, Nov. 6 and returning home early Saturday morning, Nov. 9, 2024.
Registration is open and information is available at this link (or by scanning the QR code above): Registration and Info
View the slideshow from the parent meeting on 1/29 here: Slideshow
If you have questions after viewing the slideshow and the links above, email Sarah Gilbert at sarah.gilbert@avondaleschools.org
Any parents who are interested in chaperoning on the trip, please reach out to Dr. Gomez at kathryn.gomez@avondaleschools.org
Birthdays This Week!
4/22- Cameron
4/23- Braylen, Elias
4/25- Tyquan
4/26- John, Raina
Health Resources for Students and Families
Honor Community Health is Available for our Students and Families
- We are located in Avondale High School on the back side of the building at 2800 Waukegan Street, Auburn Hills, MI 48309. Please call 248-537-6235 to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome!
- The Teen Health Center accepts Oakland County residents ages 5-21 years old, regardless of insurance, and ability to pay. Payment is determined by a sliding scale (dependent on student income).
Free COVID Tests Available
AMS is hiring paraprofessionals!
Come join the team at AMS! See job postings on the Avondale Schools Website or email Mrs. Schneider @ arryn.schneider@avondaleschools.org if you have questions!
Click the image for more details.
Important Lunch Information
All Avondale School District families should still complete the CEP Education Benefits application https://avondale.familyportal.cloud which helps ensure ongoing state funding and can qualify your child’s school or community for other special programs.
Blessings in a Backpack
“Blessings in a Backpack” is a program designed to provide students on the free and reduced lunch program with enough food for three meals a day during the weekends.
Sign your child(ren) up to receive Blessings in a Backpack online at: https://forms.gle/LxVwGscBmHBsQZ7SA
More Information:
**If you would like to contribute food or snacks to help with Blessings in a Backpack, there is an Amazon Wish List set up to purchase from. Thank you so much for your help and please feel free to share this list with others who may wish to donate!
Bond Proposal Town Hall Announcement
Avondale School District
No Tax Rate Increase Bond Proposal
on the August 6, 2024 Ballot
Plan to attend a TOWN HALL on MAY 2, 2024 from 6:30-8:00pm at Avondale High School or on ZOOM to learn about this important election. Get the facts about the benefits and financial impacts and learn about the projects that a successful bond will fund. All schools, athletics, and Arts programs will benefit from the bond passage and there will be no tax rate increase to the community.
Come in person or join on ZOOM: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7832497459?omn=86264229227.
Avondale Hosting Gifted Children Conference
Avondale is hosting this year's MAGC (Michigan Association for Gifted Children conference at Avondale High School on April 20th. Open to all Avondale families and staff. To register click this link: http://migiftedchild.org/conference
Golf Fundraiser for Blessings in a Backpack
Avondale Blessings in a Backpack is teaming with SFL Companies to host a Golf Scramble Fundraiser on May 6, 2024. Please consider participating in this great (and fun) event that supports our Avondale students!
$800 / foursome
$200 / single golfer (will be paired with other singles or to complete a team)
Includes: 18 holes of golf, cart, practice facility, lunch, dinner, and non-alcoholic beverages
Learn about sponsorship opportunities here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OdMEpclvzpYkOmJ9sguk91VJYDZi3c3c/view?usp=sharing
You can register for the outing at this link: https://blessingsinabackpackmi.org/events/.
Avondale Bands Fundraiser at Blaze Pizza April 19
4-H Discovery Day 2024
Summer Programs and Camps
OSTC Summer Camp
Is your child interested in careers in automotive technology, construction, health science, culinary, machining or collision repair?
Give them the opportunity to explore at Oakland Schools Technical Campus summer camp! Find out more info here. A flyer is also posted in students’ Grad Class Google Classroom and on the school website under Career Development.
Early Learning Center Summer Camp Now Enrolling
Enrollment for Summer Camp and the 2024-2025 school year is open! Click on one of the following links to start the enrollment process for your student:
- If you want to enroll your student in the ELC Summer Camp, please fill out this form.
- If you want to enroll your student in a 3 Year Old classroom, please fill out this form.
- If you want to enroll your student in a 4 Year Old classroom, please fill out this form.
All current ELC students are only eligible to attend the ELC Summer Camp, not the Busy Bee Summer Camp. Busy Bee Summer Camp is for students who have completed a year of TK/Kindergarten.
Summer Drama Camp
Open to students who will complete grades K-8 in June, 2024.
Singing, Costuming, Acting, Dancing, Painting, Storytelling, Construction, and Lighting - lots to learn and lots of FUN!
Learn more and register HERE.
Gleaner's Mobile Food Pantry
Gleaners Mobile Food Pantry delivery pickup is at The River Church, 255 S. Squirrel Road, Auburn Hills. If you are in need and would like food, please come anytime between 1:30-2:30 p.m. See the full food distribution schedule below.
Free Workshops - Community Substance Use Disorder
Board of Education Meetings
2023-2024 Avondale District Calendar
Please note - there has been a small update to the Avondale District Calendar as of 9/5/2023. The testing, day off, and half day that were originally scheduled for April 18 have been moved to April 11. Changes have been made on the calendar below. Please disregard any previous versions of the calendar.
Staying Connected
Please see the the Avondale Middle School website and the Avondale School District website as resources for valuable information.
For the latest Avondale updates and photos, make sure you follow AMS on Facebook! Please like us to stay connected with AMS and the community.
TEXT the word "YES" to 67587
If you are not receiving text messages from Avondale Middle School or Avondale School District and would like to, text the word "YES" to 67587.