The Howler Newsletter

Happy Friday! Students have a 4-day weekend and will return to school on Wednesday, September 9th. Our school year is off to a great start! We did want to review our “Medications at school” policy with everyone, as the policy does change from elementary to middle to high school. Below you will see the middle school policy that is laid out in our Student Handbook.

Medications at school - During our handbook talks a few weeks ago, the principals reviewed the following district policy with students. Please review this with your student and ensure that they know they can’t carry medications at school in their pockets, backpacks, etc. To see detailed information regarding this policy, click here for our Student Handbook.

Possession of Medications (Middle School Level). Possession of prescribed or non-prescribed medications, or possession of prescribed medications on school grounds during transportation to and from school, is prohibited. Middle school students may transport non-prescribed medications to and from school but must turn it into the nurse upon arrival at school. Middle school students may possess and use glucose tablets and inhalers according to the provisions of Rule 5600.2.

Important Dates and Links:

• Yearbook ordering information - Search for ‘Andersen Middle School’

• September 7 and 8 - No School (Labor Day and Teacher Professional Development Day)

• September 9 - Don & Millie’s Night - 144th & Harrison - 20% of your purchase comes back to AMS!

Please reach out if you have any questions!

Heather Spessard-Schroer

AMS Principal

During Primetime, students discussed how they are each “super” in their own way and created a superhero mask to represent their unique strengths. Everyone had fun with it and did a great job!

A student-led Rubik's Cube Club has just started at AMS! We had a great turnout to our first meeting, and everyone had a great time! Thanks, Mrs. Schutte, for volunteering your time to supervise this student-led club!

MPS/AMS Cares Suicide Prevention and Depression Awareness Information

Over the next several weeks, counseling staff throughout the MPS district will be working with students to recognize the warning signs of depression and suicidal thinking. Youth who feel suicidal are not likely to seek help directly; however, peers can recognize the warning signs and take immediate action to keep each other safe. The goal is to encourage our students to take action. We will discuss what steps to take when one starts to see these signs in themselves or a peer. According to the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), when a student gives signs that they may be considering suicide, the following actions should be taken:

• Remain calm.

• Ask the youth directly if he or she is thinking about suicide.

• Focus on your concern for their wellbeing and avoid being accusatory.

• Listen.

• Reassure them that there is help and they will not feel like this forever.

• Do not judge.

• Provide constant supervision. Do not leave the youth alone.

• Remove means for self-harm.

• Get help: Peers should not agree to keep the suicidal thoughts a secret but instead should tell an adult such as a parent, teacher, counselor, school psychologist or social worker. Parents should seek help from their school or community mental health resources as soon as possible.

If you prefer your child not receive this information please contact your school counselor by phone or e-mail.

6th grade - Susan Knox - 402-715-8456 - seknox@mpsomaha.org

7th grade - Melissa Sedlak - 402-715-8446 - masedlak@mpsomaha.org

8th grade - Spencer Hawkins - 402-715-8447 - srhawkins@mpsomaha.org

6th Grade Cross Country Club: First practice will be Wednesday, September 9th, 3:00-3:40.

YOU MUST HAVE PHYSICAL TURNED IN TO PARTICIPATE.

Calling all 6th, 7th, and 8th grade READERS! Are you interested in joining the Battle of the Books Club? You will read five books and then compete against other Millard middle schools in May. Are you up for it and not already in the google classroom? Email Randa Hazzard (rlhazzard@mpsomaha.org) and let me know.

Find the entire AMS Staff Directory here

Office Hours: Monday through Friday 7am - 4pm

Website: https://ams.mpsomaha.org/
Location: 15404 Adams Street, Omaha, NE, USA
Phone: 402-715-8440
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MPSAndersenMS/
Twitter: @MPSAndersenMS

Andersen Middle School, a collaborative family of Wolverines, guarantees each student will be inspired to achieve academic excellence and exemplify positive character traits through supportive relationships and engaging learning environments.