2023-2024 AMP Happenings

Howdy AMP families and students,

We had a fantastic start to the 2023 - 2024 school year!

Now that school is underway, we want to share with our students a formula to having a successful school year:

1. Take initiative - Get involved in one of the many opportunities that the AMP offers through the student leadership organization, the FFA.
   
   Just some of the options are Supervised Agricultural Experiences, Leadership Development Events, Agriscience Fair, Public Speaking, Career Development Events, Internships, BBQ Cook-off, Community Service, Archery, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Chapter Officer, Membership Degrees, Proficiency Awards, and more.
   
   The key to opening the door to these opportunities is to pay your FFA dues (more information on how to pay can be found below) and then seek out any one of the opportunities that interest you.
   
   
2. Give your best - Take advantage of your academic studies and the education that you are being provided in the AMP and at James Madison High School. Your teachers, counselor, support staff, and administration want you to be a successful learner and earn credits towards graduation in all of your coursework.
   
   The emphasis is that students should earn a "C" or better grade in all of their academic and elective courses, and a "B" or better grade in AMP courses every time a report card is issued.
   
   
3. Show up everyday - This is the foundation to the formula for success. Students cannot get involved or take advantage of their academic studies if they are not showing up to school, on time, everyday.
   
   Attendance matters in high school. Students must be present for 90% of the class days each semester in order to earn credits in their courses.
   
   
4. Be a person of good character - Remember to do the following on a daily basis:

• Be mindful of the things you say, text, message, and post on social media. The tongue has no bones, but is strong enough to break a heart. So be careful with your words.
• Look out for each other. Be kind, be generous, be supportive.
  
• Think about your future before you act. Your choices have both positive and negative consequences that will impact your future.
  

Now onto the important events and happenings for the week of August 21st.

• Wednesday, August 23, 2023 - JM FFA Greenhand Leadership Camp (1st Year Students) @ 4:20PM to 5:45PM in AMP Commons
  
• Thursday, August 24, 2023 - JM FFA Greenhand Leadership Camp (1st Year Students) @ 4:20PM to 5:45PM in AMP Commons
• Tuesday, August 29, 2023 - High School Early Release @ 2:00PM
• Monday, September 4, 2023 - School Holiday (Labor Day)
• Tuesday, September 5, 2023 - JM FFA Chapter Meeting from 4:30PM to 6:00PM in the AMP Complex
• Tuesday, September 5, 2023 - FFA Burger Bash from 6:00PM to 6:30PM in the AMP Complex
• Tuesday, September 5, 2023 - JM FFA Booster Club General Meeting @ 6:30PM in the AMP Complex

The Madison Way was on display this past Wednesday evening as the community gathered to cheer on the start of the 2023-2024 school year and show support for our incredible students and all of the clubs, groups, organizations, and sports on campus.

• Use the following link to request a schedule change: 2023-2024 Request to See Counselor Form
• Deadline to request is a schedule change is Friday, September 8th
• Mrs. Purcell, AMP Counselor, is located in the AMP Administration Office.
  
• Contact information for Mrs. Purcell:
  Email - jpurce@neisd.net
  Phone - (210) 356-1493

One of the expectations for every AMP student is to be an active participant in the AMP. Active participation can be achieved by becoming a member of the James Madison FFA (the student leadership organization for AMP students) and participating in any of the literally 100+ FFA activities that will be offered this school year.

FFA dues are $20.00 for the entire school year, and we will begin accepting dues payments the first week of school in the AMP Administration office.

With membership in the FFA, AMP students will have access to outstanding leadership and career development opportunities, supervised agricultural experiences, degrees, awards, and scholarships. FFA members will also receive a James Madison FFA commemorative t-shirt which will be available in October.

The two-day James Madison FFA Greenhand Leadership Camp is designed for first time students in the AMP. The goal of the leadership camp is to provide students with specifics on how to become an active FFA member, information on the variety of opportunities to compete and serve, leadership and team building experiences, and details regarding scholarship potential. While attending both days is most beneficial for students, students can attend only one day.

Day #1 - Wednesday, August 23rd from 4:20PM to 5:45PM
Day #2 - Thursday, August 24th from 4:20PM to 5:45PM

Location - AMP Commons

Join us for our huge kick-off event for the 2023-2024 school year in the AMP with our annual Burger Bash on Tuesday, September 5th.

• FFA Carnival Fair events for current AMP students will begin at 4:30pm in the AMPhitheater. Students may dress comfortably for the FFA Carnival Fair events but must adhere to the student dress code.
• Burger Bash for parents, students, and their families will begin at 6:00pm in the AMPhitheater. Burgers and drinks will be provided free of charge by the James Madison FFA Booster Club.
• FFA Booster Club Meeting is for all parents/guardians of students in the AMP and will begin at 6:30pm in the AMPhitheater. All parents/guardians are highly encouraged to attend.

Leadership Development Events (LDE) and Career Development Events (CDE) are excellent opportunities for students to engage in competitive contests through the FFA. The following interest meetings are being held in the coming weeks to give students information about specific events and to establish practice times for this semester.

The James Madison FFA Booster Club is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a membership of parents/guardians whose student(s) are actively attending the NEISD Agriscience Magnet Program (AMP). Membership for families is FREE.

The FFA Booster Club exists to organize and conduct fundraising activities to provide financial support to all students of the AMP in order to enhance the educational and agricultural experiences of the students. Parents/guardians can support the James Madison FFA Booster Club by making the AMP a family experience. This can be done through a variety of means such as volunteering of your time and talents, introducing the FFA Booster Club to corporate sponsors, or financially supporting the FFA Booster Club with donations or purchasing merchandise.

The first general meeting of the James Madison FFA Booster Club will be held on Tuesday, September 5th at 6:30PM at the AMP Complex.

All parents/guardians are highly encouraged to sign up for the FFA Booster Club email distribution list by clicking HERE. (Please note, the James Madison FFA Booster Club does NOT share contact information and will communicate with its members only in regards to matters pertaining to the James Madison FFA Booster Club, the James Madison FFA Chapter, and the Agriscience Magnet Program.)

The primary communication tool used by the Agriscience Magnet Program and NEISD is using email and information posted on the AMP website (www.JamesMadisonFFA.com). It is essential that families and students stay informed. Here are some reminders that will help you in your effort to stay informed:

• Make sure you have access to Skyward Family Access.
• Verify that you have a VALID email address and phone number entered in your parent and student contact information in Skyward Family Access.
• Monitor student grades using Skyward Family Access. You can also set alerts in Skyward Family Access to notify you if grades drop below a specific threshold that you determine.
• An email will be sent weekly on Sunday at 12:00 noon notifying you that the weekly AMP Happenings has been posted to our website. You can bookmark this page directly by going to: https://agrisciencemagnetprogram.weebly.com/amp-happenings. The AMP Happenings will have timely information about upcoming events, deadlines, counseling updates, FFA opportunities, scholarship applications, and many other important announcements.
• Familiarize yourself with the AMP website which includes information about the AMP staff, courses, FFA opportunities, Booster Club events, etc. The website is JamesMadisonFFA.com.
• Information and updates will be posted on our social media channels, so make sure you follow us on the following platforms to receive notifications:
  Facebook (facebook.com/MadisonFFA),
  Instagram (www.instagram.com/jamesmadisonffa)

Beginning in this school year, James Madison High School will participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which will provide free breakfast and lunch to all students. You do not need to sign up for this program. It will automatically be provided as long as your student is enrolled on the James Madison High School campus.

This program is only offered at designated NEISD schools that are eligible to participate in this initiative funded by the US Department of Agriculture. So, if your student transfers to a non-CEP campus, you will need to fill out a free meal application and be approved in order to receive similar meal benefits.

The AMP office will be open from 8:15AM to 4:30PM daily with Mrs. Cooper being on lunch break from 12:00 noon to 12:45PM. If you wish to make an appointment, we can be reached at (210) 356-1517.

AMP students have the privilege of using the AMP Commons for their scheduled lunch time. Students may bring their own lunch (no food deliveries) and microwaves are provided to heat lunches.

Find us online at www.JamesMadisonFFA.com or follow us on
YouTube (Agriscience Magnet Program),
Facebook (www.facebook.com/MadisonFFA),
and on Instagram (www.instagram.com/jamesmadisonffa)

Email: dstewa1@neisd.net
Website: www.JamesMadisonFFA.com
Location: 5005 Stahl Road, San Antonio, TX, USA
Phone: (210) 356-1517