The Hawk Connection

Hello, AMS Students and families,

As we approach Thanksgiving Break, I want to express my gratitude for our amazing AMS community—students, families, and staff. Your support and dedication make our school a special place where growth and learning thrive.

To our staff, thank you for your hard work and unwavering commitment to our students. To our students and families, I hope this break offers time to rest, reflect, and enjoy moments with loved ones.

Something I am deeply grateful for: This past week we had a transformation inside our hallways with our beautiful 2024 Sign Of Support Posters that were all hung up. I want to express my sincere appreciation to our PTSA board who coordinate adult and MS/HS student volunteers to come in and take down the 2023 posters and immediately hang up the 2024 ones. The exchange of new posters is one of my favorite times of the year as our hallways come to life in a new way celebrating our current students, their family members, local businesses, community supporters, and many furry pets. Thank you to those of you who supported our fundraiser with an SOS board and to those of you who helped to hang them up this past week!

If you purchased a board in the 2023 SOS campaign and would like to pick yours up, please stop by between 8:00 and 3:30 on school days starting this week until Winter break.

As a reminder, we have a short week this week due to the upcoming Holiday. We have an early dismissal at 11:15 on Wednesday and no school on Thursday or Friday. We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Monday, ready to finish the 2024 year strong. Have a safe and joyful Thanksgiving!

Best,

Kia duNann

Principal

We’re excited to share that we have a couple of dedicated volunteers offering after-school academic support! If your child could benefit from help with assignments or academic concepts (please note, math support is limited) and is available to meet one day per week for an hour with assignments ready, this is a fantastic opportunity. If you’re interested or would like more details, please reach out to Monica Frost at mfrost@asd103.org. Availability is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Grace Weinrich is the AmeriCorps VISTA Grief Support Development Coordinator with United General District 304. Their youth bereavement program, Rooted, is a free program that offers a safe space for children and teens to spend time together with others who understand what it is like to have someone in their life die. Previously known as The Landing, Rooted participants have the option to take part in discussions, play, art, learning, and activities for expressing grief in a supportive environment with trained staff and volunteers. They are providing drop-in sessions for youth aged 6-18 and their caregivers/families starting January - March 2025. To learn more about their drop-in sessions, please visit their website here.

If you have questions about Rooted’s services the best way to reach Grace is by email, at grace.weinrich@unitedgeneral.org.

Please bring all food to AMS by November 27th. The grade with the most donations will win a prize!

With winter right around the corner, we want to make sure you are prepared for any weather-related disruptions that may affect school schedules and transportation. The Adverse Weather Routes are now available on the My Ride K-12 app. Please review your student’s stop location and pick-up time, as both may differ from their regular schedule in the event of adverse weather.

If you have any questions regarding transportation or weather-related changes, please contact our transportation team at (360) 503-1155 or email Karen Garrison, Transportation Supervisor at kgarrison@asd103.org or Becky Sitton, Dispatcher at bsitton@asd103.org.

For information about adverse weather closures, delays, or transportation, please visit our Adverse Weather Closures & Delays page.

Sarah Burrus:

These last few months I have had the great honor of filling in for the fabulous Claire Gelrich (better known to the students as Ms. G)! As a social worker who has served families and children in many different capacities over the last 20 years, this was my first time serving in the role of a school social worker.

I always like to say that social workers are creative problem solvers! But, even if we can’t solve every problem, we can always make sure you aren’t alone on the journey to finding the answer! If I had to sum up my role at AMS these past few months I would say that I was a coach, mentor, tutor, advocate, liaison, and maybe even a fairy godmother to some pretty awesome kiddos. And, without question, I certainly received more than I could have asked for or imagined in the process.

Thank you Sarah for you service and leadership at AMS this Fall. Our school has become a better place because of you! We have been very fortunate to have you on board while Ms. G has been out. You will always have a home at AMS!

Ms. G returns to AMS starting Dec. 2nd, until then, if you or your student need anything at all, please reach out to our school counselors.

-Ms. duNann

Girls' Volleyball is starting on December 2nd! Get your forms signed and your physicals in before tryouts start!

Clubs are in full swing at AMS! Check out the options here and sign up on FinalForms if something catches your eye. Have an idea for a new club? Stop by the front office to get a "Starting a New Club" form.

Please encourage your student to check out the lost and found located in the main area when you enter AMS through the front doors. There are tons of coats, sweatshirts, water bottles and more! Anything not claimed by November 20th will be donated.

Happy Holiday Season! See below for updates from your PTSA:

Chaperone at Candy Cane Chaos! ASB students need 16 adults to supervise at their next event 12/13. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4CA9A822A7FCC52-52997661-asbwinter

Holiday gift cards for AMS staff!! Help us acknowledge the tremendous AMS staff with gifts cards to local stores, Starbucks, Target, etc.). https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4CA9A822A7FCC52-52997085-staff#/

Join the PTSA! (https://anacortesmsptsa.givebacks.com/store/items/1066638)

Buy Cookie Cards (https://anacortesmsptsa.givebacks.com/store/items/1055128) Upcoming Cookie Friday is December 13th.

Thank you to everyone who supported the Community Connections at Bastion Brewery. Thank you, Bastion Brewery for supporting AMS!!

Thank you to all who helped hang the new Signs of Support. The hallways look amazing!

Contact us!

anacortesms.ptsa@gmail.com

https://anacortesmsptsa.givebacks.com/

https://www.facebook.com/AnacortesMiddleSchoolPTSA/

https://www.instagram.com/anacortesms.ptsa/

Parents/Guardians have several ways to notify the school of an absence, tardy or early release need.

-Call: 360-503-1248

-Email: amsattend@asd103.org

-Use Skyward Family Access

Pre-Planned absence forms are required for any absence that will be longer than three days. Students can stop by the office for one or can email to request one be sent to them.

Students that are just arriving or leaving early from school must come and sign in/out.

Here is a link directly to the attendance tab on our website as well: AMS attendance website

Please see our graphic below for information regarding our process for reporting activity restrictions or student injuries. You can also click the graphic to download it as a PDF and access it's links.

Welcome to the Anacortes Community Connect our new online community bulletin board. This platform is designed to connect local organizations with the Anacortes School District Community.

If you are a local organization and would like to request electronic flyer distribution to the Anacortes School District Community, you may do so through our online request form. Please note that programs, activities, or events must be appropriate for school-aged children and their families.

We hope that this platform will help foster a stronger sense of community and provide a space for local organizations to share their events and activities with the wider community reach. Each event is clickable that takes you directly to the event signup and website!

Check it out and upload your events here:

https://www.asd103.org/District/1589-Anacortes-Community-Connect.htmlhttps://www.asd103.org/District/1589-Anacortes-Community-Connect.html

Do you need help or assistance? If so, the following people are available to assist:

Attendance:

Mrs. Tarleton- amsattend@asd103.org or 360-503-1248

Counseling:

Last name A-K Mr. Flynn- Sflynn@asd103.org or last name L-Z Mrs. Newall Rnewall@asd103.org

If you have concerns about your student's grade or classroom experience, please contact their teacher directly:

Staff Contact Directory Linked Here

If you need to speak to an administrator please contact Mrs. King at Aking@asd103.org or 360-503-1232.

Monica Frost, Assistant Principal

Website: https://ams.asd103.org/

Location: 2202 M Avenue, Anacortes, WA, USA
Phone: 360-503-1230

The Anacortes School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination, or you may mail complaints to the address below.

Kristen Koehler Section 504/ADA Coordinator

(360) 503-1216

Connie Sheridan, Civil Rights/RCW/Title IX Coordinator

(360) 503-1221

csheridan@asd103.org

Written Complaints

2200 M Avenue, Anacortes, WA 98221

The Anacortes School District provides interpretation and translation services upon request as needed. Please contact the Student Support Services Department for more information: (360) 503-1216.