REMOTE LEARNING PROGRAM
Parents/Guardians:
Thank you for all that you are doing to support our students during this period of remote learning.
We hope that you have noticed a few important program enhancements to our remote learning program in comparison to the spring school closure.
First, our structured schedule provides definition to the school day.
With students attending our Morning Meeting program, our goal is to have our staff connect with each child at 9am to answer any questions they may have, problem solve and get oriented to their school day.
The daily morning announcements serve as an anchor to that day and with the goal of continuing our spirit of connection and community.
Additionally the later school start time for students has been implemented to follow what we know to be a more developmentally appropriate sleep pattern for adolescents.
We know that remote learning does not, and cannot, replace all of the functions and benefits of in-person education.
However, we hope that the program developed by the district and being implemented by our outstanding staff is supporting your child and is more effective than our spring closure.
A few things to remind your child about:
- We have a built in Access Period available every other day for students to check in with teachers. Students can check in on assignments, ask questions, get extra help – All of the things that typically would happen during our regular in-person Access Period.
- Each afternoon there is a flexible Study Hall period from 1:50-2:30pm. This is an important time as all students will have some independent work to do for their courses in addition to their regular class sessions.
A few things for parents to monitor:
- Please continue to monitor your child’s attendance in SchoolTool. SchoolTool’s attendance tab has a course attendance button that will allow you to see if your child has missed any virtual class sessions.
- Also please continue to occasionally check their grades in SchoolTool – This is a great thing to do together with your child to have a discussion on their progress and assignments
If your child needs assistance during this period of remote learning, please do not hesitate to reach out to the school.
Main Office and Counseling Center staff are here in the building to support your child and your family. You can call us at 518-674-7100.
Thank you again for all of your continued support.
Sincerely,
Rob Messia
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TECH ASSISTANCE DURING REMOTE LEARNING
If your child has any Chromebook or software issues during our period of remote learning, please contact the APCSD Technology Department at the following via the form found on this website: https://www.averillpark.k12.ny.us/techcontact
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APO PIE SALE
Thank you to all families that ordered pies to support the APO! Pie pick up will still be taking place at AMS on Monday, November 23rd from 2:30-6pm. Please be reminded that all ordered must be picked up during this time, or arrangements must be made with Haley Scribner, hmscribner@gmail.com ahead of time.
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BUILDERS CLUB COLLECTION
The AMS Kiwanis Builders Club is conducting a Mitten Tree Drive! Students are encouraged to donate hats, gloves, scarves, mittens, “hot hands” warmers and this year masks. Donations are currently being accepted in the marked boxes on the table under the AMS Main Entrance Awning. The collection will continue through Fri. December 12. Thank you for helping young people in our community stay warm this winter.
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RESCHEDULED LIFETOUCH SCHOOL PICTURES
Due to our switch as district to virtual learning we needed to reschedule our dates for taking student pictures. NEW Picture day dates: Mon, Jan. 25th, 2021; Tues, Jan. 26th, 2021; Wed, Jan. 27th, 2021; Thurs, Jan. 28th, 2021.
Hybrid/In Person students will have their pictures taken on their in-person day during their PE class.
Virtual students can have their pictures taken here at AMS anytime between 2:30pm and 4:30pm on Mon, Jan. 25th, 2021 or Tues, Jan. 26th, 2021. Virtual students should enter from outside at the Blue Gym entrance to get their picture taken in the Blue Gym.
All AMS students need to have their school photo taken for our school records and to be included in the school yearbook.
Updated flyers will be sent home with students at the beginning of January, 2021.
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APO “WARRIORS” GEAR – WINTER SALE
Looking for “Warrior” Gear for the holidays? Check out the APO apparel sale. Orders are due by December 6th by 11:59pm. Check out our special 2020 Shirt, Quarantine edition. Click on the following link for more information. Thank you for supporting the APO with this apparel sale. You will be contacted for order pick up when they arrive. Any questions please contact Lexi Lane at lexi.lane@gmail.com or call/text at 518-859-6878.
Click here for the online store:
https://algonquinmiddleschool2020.itemorder.com/sale
Click here to see the flyer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nHz_8N79HzIcHC6GDRKL–32qXBJgMo6/view?usp=sharing
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FROM THE LIBRARY
Coding Club will be on Thursday from 3:30-4:15. If your child would like to come, they need to email Mrs. Ekstrom for the Meet code. Students can see Mrs. Ekstrom or email her if they have any questions. ekstromr@apcsd.org
Special Contest!
The New York State Office of Information Technology Services’ is once again hosting the “NYS K-12 Kids Safe Online Poster Contest.” The contest is open to all students in New York State public, private and home-schools. As students learn to navigate the classroom in a more virtual setting during the COVID-19 pandemic, they need a strong cyber education to accompany it. Learning to be a good digital citizen has become a skill that even our youngest students must develop to get the most out of their online education.
This is a great opportunity for teachers to talk to students about being safe while on the Internet and while using computers and mobile devices. The contest has five entry categories: Kindergarten–Grade 2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12 and Special Education. New York State winners will be displayed in the 2022 NYS Kids Safe Online Calendar and entered into the MS-ISAC National Computer Security Poster Contest.
More information on the “NYS K-12 Kids Safe Online Poster Contest” can be found on the contest web page at https://its.ny.gov/ciso/2020-2021-kids-safe-online-poster-contest
Questions regarding the contest may be submitted to cyber.outreach@its.ny.gov.
Don’t miss out! The contest entry deadline is December 18, 2020.
We have parenting books that you are free to borrow. Two of our latest books are listed below. If you’d like to borrow a book or have any library questions, please email Mrs. Ekstrom at ekstromr@apcsd.org
Nature Play at Home: Creating Outdoor Spaces That Connect Children With the Natural World by Nancy Striniste ; illustrations by Jen Ren
“Gives you the tools you need to make outdoor adventures possible in your own backyard. With hundreds of inspiring ideas and illustrated, step-by-step projects, this hardworking book details how to create playspaces that use natural materials–like logs, boulders, sand, water, and plants of all kinds. Projects include hillside slides, seating circles, sand pits, and more”–Publisher.
Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls by Lisa Damour, Ph.D.
“A guide to the increase in anxiety and stress experienced by girls of all ages. Damour addresses the facts about psychological pressure and explains the underappreciated value of stress and anxiety–that stress can stretch us beyond our comfort zones and anxiety can play a key role in keeping us safe. Damour discusses where tension takes hold–interactions at home, pressures at school, social anxiety among other girls and among boys, and on social media–and provides steps to take to shield girls from the toxic pressures to which our culture–including we, as parents–subjects them.” –Publisher.