MID-POINT IN SECOND MARKING PERIOD
This week will mark the midpoint of the second marking period here at AMS. Families are encouraged to sit with their AMS students this weekend for a few minutes to review their child’s progress on their “Current Marking Period Average” in SchoolTool. The Current Marking Period Average is a reflection of teachers’ live grade book calculations for the current quarter. Please use this opportunity to help your child set academic goals for the rest of the second marking period.
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GRADE LEVEL ACTIVITIES NEXT WEEK
The coming week is a busy one here at AMS!
Grade 6 – On Thursday 12/22 Grade 6 students will participate in an afternoon movie event as part of their ELA instruction involving Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief. Students will have an abbreviated schedule on Thursday morning so they can see all of their classes in addition to viewing the movie after lunch.
Grade 7 – On Wednesday 12/21 Grade 7 students will participate in an assembly with Gabriel Bol Deng. Gabriel is a survivor of the Sudanese Civil War and immigrated to the United States as one the “Lost Boys of Sudan.” Gabriel has visited AMS many times in the past and has a powerful message of overcoming obstacles and service to others. This presentation helps Grade 7 ELA capstone its unit on the Sudanese Civil War and the text A Long Walk to Water.
Grade 8 – On Tuesday 12/20 Grade 8 students will have an assembly to watch the film Flyboys which is the true story of Americans who joined the French military to train as pilots, before America entered World War I. This film will help kick off our next Grade 8 ELA unit on the text Unbroken.
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OPTIONAL GRADE 8 ASSEMBLY – MONDAY
Dr. Paul McKee, an Averill Park graduate, will be visiting Algonquin on Monday, December 19 to offer an optional assembly for interested grade 8 students on the topic of rocketry. The assembly will take place during Period E and Access and will include a presentation on Dr. McKee’s personal journey in science and engineering as well as an activity and outside demonstration with rocketry. Interested students should complete the Google Form that was emailed on Wednesday to participate. Thank you to Mr. Ross, grade 8 technology teacher, for organizing this outstanding opportunity!
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AMS MODIFIED SPORTS GAME OF THE WEEK
Each week during the winter season students will be allowed to attend our “Algonquin’s Modified Game of the Week.” The games listed below are the only modified sporting events that student spectators may attend without a parent. How it works:
2:40-3:20 – Students stay with a teacher to do homework or participate in a club.
3:20-4:00 – Students attend a quiet study hall to get work done or read a book.
4:00-5:30 – Students cheer AP on to victory!
In advance, students must find a teacher to stay after school with until 3:20 pm on the day of the game.
They then sign up to attend with a Google Form that was previously shared with students. All entries must be in by the end of Access on the day of the game to stay.
Students must have a ride home at 5:30 pm.
|
Date |
Team |
|
Wednesday, Dec 21, 2022 |
Wrestling |
|
Thursday, Jan 5, 2022 |
Boys Basketball |
|
Thursday, Jan 12, 2022 |
Boys Basketball |
|
Tuesday, Jan 17, 2022 |
Girls Basketball |
|
Wednesday, Jan 25, 2022 |
Wrestling |
|
Thursday, Feb 2, 2022 |
Girls Basketball |
|
Wednesday, Feb 8, 2022 |
Wrestling |
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GRADE 8 REWARD ACCESS – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16
On Friday, December 16, 2022, grade 8 teachers will host Reward Access, an opportunity for students to participate in activities and games as a reward for their hard work in Quarter 2. Teachers will be offering board games, arts & crafts activities, phys ed-style games, and more!
In order to participate, students must be in good academic and behavioral standing. Any student who is failing more than 2 classes or has received 2 or more referrals during quarter 2 will attend a teacher-supported study hall instead.
We encourage families to check SchoolTool Current Marking Period Averages to ensure their student is able to participate in this fun event!
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GRADE 8 FAMILIES: TECHVALLEY HIGH SCHOOL APPLICATION PROCESS
TechValley High School has begun its admissions process for next school year.
More information can be found on their Admissions Website.
Averill Park plans to offer two seats to the TechValley program next year.
Please note that interested students must attend an information session provided by TechValley in order to be considered for the admissions lottery.
All applications are due to the AMS Counseling Center by Friday, February 17.
AMS families with questions can reach out to Grade 8 Counselor Ann McAvoy at mcavoya@apcsd.org.
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AMERICAN RED CROSS BABYSITTING TRAINING COURSE
This course is open to anyone who is 11 years or older. It is a hands-on class with video training, practicing on manikins, and group work.
The cost of the class is $30, which includes the completion certificate.
The classes will be held in the AMS Library on Saturday, February 4, the first group is 8:00am-12:00pm and the second group is 12:30pm-4:30pm. Class size is limited, so register early! Registration must be received by 1/29/23.
Registration forms are in the AMS Main Office.
If you have questions, you can contact the class instructor, Brenda Vermilya, at brendaleigh7@gmail.com.
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SL@MS CANDY CANE GRAM SALE
SL@MS Club is hosting a Candy Cane Gram sale to support the AMS food pantry. Students are able to buy a heart shaped gram, or a reindeer gram. The purchaser fills out the gram with a special message that they would like their recipient to receive! These can be sent by teachers, parents, or students, and the recipients will receive them in morning meeting on December 21. The purchaser can also keep the gram anonymous if they chose to!
The grams are $1.00 each, and will be sold during lunch this week. If parents or guardians are interested in purchasing please contact Katelyn Baker at bakerk@apcsd.org.
The SL@AMS club greatly appreciates any assistance towards their goal to support the AMS Food Pantry!
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From the North Greenbush Public Library:
Tween Book Club: Our next Tween Book Club meeting will be held Thursday, December 29 at 5:00 PM. They will be discussing the book “The Thing About Jellyfish” by Ali Benjamin, creating a fun jellyfish craft and enjoying snacks! All tweens (ages 10-12) are welcome!
CHROMEBOOK REMINDER: Please help your child be ready for school by reminding them to charge their Chromebook each night and to be sure to pack it in their backpack for the next school day. If the battery life falls below 20%, the laptop can go into a deep sleep and die. It then has to be sent to our Technology Department to be revived. If students are charging their Chromebooks every day, this should ensure that their school day and learning is not interrupted.