AMS SPELLING BEE – DEC 10-17
The annual APO Spelling Bee will be virtual this year and take place beginning on December 10 and running through December 17. Interested students and families should see the letter linked below from Ms. Reese, our spelling bee coordinator. Thank you!
Click here for more information:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DmiGFSSrdGnrgtUtIdLdcIh_mM_62vmXb8HGGr6vEoA/edit?usp=sharing
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REMINDER FROM THE AMS HEALTH OFFICE
Per district and DOH policy, students who experience ANY symptoms associated with Covid-19 infections (sore throat, cough, headache, runny nose/congestion, chills/fever, muscle/body aches, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, fatigue, shortness of breath or new loss of taste/smell) should stay home until a negative Covid test result or a medical provider’s note allowing them to return to school (listing an alternative diagnosis as the reason for his/her symptoms) is provided to the health office.
Students should remain home until their symptoms are improving and they are able to maintain proper mask wearing and hand hygiene throughout the school day.
Rapid tests are accepted! However, results that we CANNOT accept include rapid antigen tests and at-home tests. Please call the main office or health office prior to scheduling a Covid test for your child if you have questions.
AMS health office phone: (518)674-7103
AMS health office fax: (518)674-8426
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GIRL SCOUT COLLECTION FOR HUMANE SOCIETY
The Girl Scout Troop 1580 will be collecting items for the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society. We are taking donations of dog treats, dog food, lick pads (for anxiety), training treats, dog leashes, flea blankets, doggie waste bags, chewing bones, safety harnesses, organic food and dog treats, nail clips, and brushes. There will be a collection box in the lobby starting this week. We will be accepting donations through December 16 at the 6th Grade Concert.
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TOYS FOR TOTS
The AMS Student Council is sponsoring our Annual Toys for Tots drive once again! We are collecting new and unwrapped toys to be distributed to needy families in our local area. Collection boxes are located in the main lobby, the gym lobby, and at the end of the 7th grade hall by room 713. We will be accepting toys from now until the week of December 13-17. Thank you in advance for your generosity!
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GRADE 8 FAMILIES: TECH VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL INFORMATION
Are you interested in hands-on project based learning? If so, Tech Valley might be the school for you! Tech Valley is a small school that offers a unique STEM focused high school experience. If you are interested in applying, please reach out to Mrs. Baker for information on how to apply. Students are selected through a lottery system. Please check out www.techvalleyhigh.org for more information about the school and a schedule of virtual/in person informational sessions.
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ALGONQUIN PARENT ORGANIZATION (APO)
Did you know you can support the Algonquin Parent Organization (APO) at no extra cost to you when you shop at smile.Amazon.com?
When you enable this feature on a desktop it does not transfer to your Amazon Shopping phone app so you will need to make the selection there in a couple of simple steps. Android devices need version 7.0+ and iOS devices need version 12+
1. Open the Amazon app and click menu (3 horizontal lines bottom right corner):
2. Scroll your shortcuts and select “Amazon Smile”
3. Select Algonquin Parent Organization, turn on Amazon Smile button and follow the prompts to confirm.
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AMS KIWANIS BUILDERS CLUB
Algonquin Kiwanis Builders Club is collecting hats, mittens, masks, scarves to donate to Joseph’s House in Troy. If you would like to contribute please place items in the box near the holiday tree outside the cafeteria anytime between November 30th and December 20th.
Thank you from Builder’s Club!
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1FMwar_2g_F-7_a6aoPO3clc2t8-2Af1rvboWqvQpQ0E/edit?usp=sharing
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FROM THE LIBRARY
Coding Club will meet on Tuesday, December 14th from 2nd dismissal until 3:20. Students can take the late bus home or get a ride. Students need to sign up in the library or email me to sign up each time we meet. Please email Mrs. Ekstrom with questions or to sign up your child: ekstromr@apcsd.org
Check out these books that make great gifts!
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Big Shot
by Jeff Kinney (the brand new next installment)
Greg tries his hand at basketball and realizes perhaps he’s better off cheering from the sidelines.
Kid in the Kitchen
by Melissa Clark and Daniel Gercke
If you know a chef-in-the-making, this is the perfect book for them! Kid in the Kitchen includes 100 fun recipes and lots of tips, tricks, and substitutions. With fun names like Fluffy Buttermilk Biscuits Put a Spell on You, Buttery Mashed Potato Cloud, and Fast Pho, bite-sized chefs will be eager to get in the kitchen — and dig into their creations!
from: https://www.readbrightly.com/book-gifts-for-big-kids/
Food Network Magazine: The Big, Fun Kids Baking Book
foreword by Maile Carpenter, edited by Food Network Magazine
Novice bakers will think this book is sweet! Featuring 110+ super simple recipes that the Food Network Kitchen has tested, this cookbook includes tips, fun facts, and colorful photos of each recipe. Recipes include everything from muffins and bars to cookies and fake cakes (think sweet, yummy cakes that look like grilled cheese or spaghetti and meatballs). There are even edible crafts and games included in a special section at the end.
from: https://www.readbrightly.com/book-gifts-for-big-kids/
COLD WAR CORRESPONDENT (NATHAN HALE’S HAZARDOUS TALES #11): A KOREAN WAR TALE, by Nathan Hale, Harry N. Abrams
In 1950, Marguerite Higgins (1920–1966) was made bureau chief of the Far East Asia desk for the New York Herald Tribune. Tensions were high on the Korean peninsula, where a border drawn after WWII split the country into North and South. When the North Korean army crossed the border with Soviet tanks, it was war. Marguerite was there when the Communists captured Seoul. She fled with the refugees heading south, but when the bridges were blown over the Han River, she was trapped in enemy territory. Her eyewitness account of the invasion was a newspaper smash hit. She risked her life in one dangerous situation after another — all for the sake of good story. Then she was told that women didn’t belong on the frontlines. The United States Army officially ordered her out of Korea. She appealed to General Douglas MacArthur, and he personally lifted the ban on female war correspondents, which allowed her the chance to report on many of the major events of the Korean War. —Synopsis provided by Harry N. Abrams
from: https://www.crackingthecover.com/18925/2021-gift-guide-middle-grade-books/
I Survived the Galveston Hurricane, 1900, by Lauren Tarshis
I Survived: The Galveston Hurricane, 1900, by Lauren Tarshis, follows a child through America’s deadliest disaster.
Back matter provided by Lauren Tarshis not only explains why the author wrote about the Galveston hurricane, but provides facts about hurricanes and life in 1900. The historical photographs really helped my daughter visualize the time and place.
Tarshis’ writing is clear and exciting. She doesn’t overcomplicate things, and illustrations sprinkled throughout add interest. At 115 pages (plus approximately 20 pages of back matter) I Survived: The Galveston Hurricane, 1900 is a great length for readers of all abilities. This engaging read will appeal to readers ages 7-10.
from: https://www.readbrightly.com/book-gifts-for-big-kids/
Let’s Make Comics!
by Jess Smart Smiley
This fun, low-pressure activity book teaches readers how to draw comics while pulling them into one. Each (silly!) page guides readers through a simple skill like creating facial expressions or brainstorming ideas for characters and story plots. On their own, the pages are a fun, creative exercise, but when you put them all together, you can create your very own comic.
from: https://www.crackingthecover.com/18925/2021-gift-guide-middle-grade-books/
Sora Ebooks and Audiobooks: All Averill Park students have access to thousands of free and amazing ebooks and audiobooks through Sora. https://soraapp.com/welcome Students log in through their Google account. They select Questar III Boces and then APCSD and then can begin searching for books. Please email Mrs. Ekstrom if you have questions: ekstromr@apcsd.org These e-books are available through the generous support of the Questar III School Library System.