AMS Principal's Weekly Update

Dear AMS Students and Families,

To close out the first half of the year, our 8th Graders tested their book knowledge by participating in our annual 8th Grade Battle of the Books competition. Using a tournament style bracket, students competed in teams and were asked detailed questions about books they have read so far this year to which they had to name the title of the book and author. After multiple earlier rounds, Team Shine Bright Like a Diamond (Riley Durany, Maddy King, and Lola Young) squared off against Team Fluffy Rainbow Unicorns (Lucy Showler and Bea Verriest) for the final round in the media center. After a tough final round, Team Shine Bright Like a Diamond pulled out the victory! The winning team members each received candy and a cash prize while the runner-up team members each received candy. Thank you to all of the 8th graders who participated, Mrs. Burke, Mrs. Cabalum, and Mrs. Troher for organizing the event, and Mrs. Aytes, Mrs. Stone, Ms. Ng, and Mrs. Vanderwall for serving as question readers in the earlier rounds.

As a few reminders, with the start of the new semester on Tuesday, January 21, 7th and 8th grade students who have half year electives and 6th grade students who have the elective rotation will begin their new electives on Tuesday. New elective classes should appear in Schoology. Additionally, there is no school on Monday, January 20, in observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday.

REPORT CARDS WILL BE POSTED TO VIEW IN MISTAR ON JANUARY 31

Monday - January 20

No School - MLK Holiday

MLK Program in the BHS Auditorium 9:00-11:30 am

Tuesday - January 21 (Semester 2 Begins)

Girls Volleyball Tryouts 7th Grade 3:30-5:00 pm / 8th Grade 4:00-5:30 pm

Drama Club After School at BHS

Boys Swimming Parent Meeting 6:00 pm at BHS

Wednesday - January 22

Chess Club 3:20-4:15 pm in Room 100

Homework Club 3:20-4:15 pm in Room 115

Rainbow Room Club 3:20-4:15 pm in Room 109

Yoga 3:30-4:30 pm in Room 114

Girls Volleyball Tryouts 7th Grade 3:30-5:00 pm / 8th Grade 4:00-5:30 pm

Thursday - January 23

NJHS Meeting 12:55 pm in the Media Center

Art Club 3:20-4:15 pm in Room 110

Girls Volleyball Tryouts 7th Grade 3:30-5:00 pm / 8th Grade 4:00-5:30 pm

Wrestling Parent Information meeting via Zoom 6:00 pm

Choir Scholarship Auditions 7:00 pm in the Choir Room

Friday - January 24

Girls Volleyball Tryouts 7th Grade 3:30-5:00 pm / 8th Grade 4:00-5:30 pm

Ski Club 3:30-10:00 pm at Mt. Holly

Middle School Musical Crazy for You 7:00 pm in the BHS Auditorium

Saturday - January 25

Middle School Musical Crazy for You 7:00 pm in the BHS Auditorium

NWEA winter testing will take place January 21-31. Math testing will take place the week of January 20 and ELA testing will take place the week of January 27.

UMatter Week is a student-led, school-wide initiative that began at AMS in 2023. The goal is to reinforce with all students the idea that everyone has value and matters. UMatter Week will take place February 3-7 with a variety of activities taking place that week during Advisory Period and at lunch. A UMatter t-shirt, designed by a fellow AMS student, is available for purchase through our spirit wear website through January 24.

The cities and school districts of Berkley, Clawson and Royal Oak announce their joint MLK Day event for the entire community to remember, participate, and honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

On Monday, January 20th, 2025, the community is invited to celebrate A Day On, Not a Day Off, with the three school districts and municipalities. Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy breakfast together, participate in a Freedom Walk, complete volunteer activities such as donation sorting and blanket making.

This year’s event takes place at Berkley High School, (2325 Catalpa, Berkley MI 48072) and begins at 9 am.

The event committee will also be collecting donations to support the following groups:

• Redford Brightmoor Initiative

• Cass Community Social Services

• Judson Center

• Royal Oak First United Methodist Church

• Welcome Inn

Guests are encouraged to bring donations with them to the event or order donations on the event’s Amazon Wishlist.

Requested Donations

• Non-perishable food: Canned goods, pasta, peanut butter, jelly, granola bars, boxed food items

• Home items: Toilet paper, dish soap, paper towels, laundry detergent

• Toiletries: Shampoo/conditioner (including the following brands: Shea moisture, As I Am, Curls, Aunt Jackie's), deodorant, shaving cream, feminine products

• Diapers and pull-ups: All sizes, no opened packages

• New children's books: Infant through middle school age

• Clothing: Socks (all sizes), underwear (men and children), winter hats (adult)

See a list of requested donations and additional event information on the City of Royal Oak website.

AMS will be offering a Winter Book Club, hosted by Mrs. Aytes and sponsored by Berkley Huntington Woods Youth Assistance. To sign up, please click on the informational flyer below.

Community members are welcome to join a community coffee conversation with Superintendent Francis on Wednesday, January 22 at 8:30 am at Tyndall. This is an opportunity to hear about bond work and other initiatives across the district along with the opportunity to ask questions.

Please consider joining the AMS PTSA to help support initiatives like Teacher Classroom Stipends, BHWYA, March Miracles, Assemblies, Social Emotional Initiatives, Staff Appreciation and much more! To join, simply click on the AMS PTSA Membership Page.

2024-25 Officers:

President - Dawn Banks
Vice President - Kary Pasanen
Treasurer - Melissa Foreman-Lovell

Secretary - Nicole Hollman

2024-25 Remaining Meeting Dates: All Meetings will be held in the Media Center and via Zoom

February 11 @ 8:30 am and via Zoom

April 8 @ 7:00 pm and Via Zoom

May 13 @ 8:30 am and via Zoom

To access meetings via Zoom, please use the following Zoom Link

Follow the AMS PTSA on Social Media

For all athletic related questions, please contact
AMS Assistant Principal / Athletic Coordinator, Carman Smith

Berkley District Middle School Athletic Coordinator, Lori Stone

Berkley High School Athletic Director, Matt Rawlik

SPORTS OFFERED AT AMS

Fall Season (September - October)

Football (Grades 7-8 Only)

Girls Basketball (Grades 7-8 Only) *

Co-Ed Cross Country (Grades 6-8)

Girls Tennis (Grades 6-8)

Winter 1 Season (November - Mid January)

Girls Swimming (Grades 6-8)

Boys Basketball (Grades 7-8 Only) *

Winter 2 Season (Mid January - March)

Wrestling (Grades 6-8)

Girls Volleyball (Grades 7-8 Only) *

Boys Swimming (Grades 6-8)

Spring Season (April - May)

Co-Ed Track (Grades 6-8)

Boys Tennis (Grades 6-8)

Baseball (Grades 7-8 Only) *

Softball (Grades 7-8 Only) *

* These sports are intended for 7th and 8th grade only, however if there are not enough 7th and 8th grade students to field a team, spots will be opened up for 6th Graders to tryout.

AMS has athletic eligibility guidelines and expectations. To view the guidelines and expectations for student-athletes, please click on Middle School Athletic Eligibility

The first step in participating in any sport is registering on Final Forms! Final Forms is the registration platform used for athletics where families must submit student physicals, as well as sign all the necessary forms required to be eligible to play a school sport. For directions on how to navigate Final Forms, please click on Final Forms Registration Information. All documents must be signed and submitted before the first day of tryouts. Failure to do so results in your child not being able to try out for any sport.

TEAM INFORMATION

Tryouts for 7th and 8th Grade Volleyball will take place January 21-24. 7th grade will take place from 3:30-5:00 pm and 8th Grade will take place from 4:00-5:30 pm. Students must have a physical completed on or after April 15, 2024 and all forms, including a physical, must be uploaded to Final Forms prior to trying out. For questions about 7th Grade Volleyball, please contact Coach Steve Hanna and for 8th Grade contact Coach Theresa Cabalum. Below is the schedule for the season with home games starting at 4:15 pm for 7th Grade and 5:15 pm for 8th Grade and away games starting at 4:30 pm and 5:30 pm respectively unless otherwise noted. Home games are denoted in bold below:

2/4 Home v. Norup

2/6 Away v. Royal Oak (4:15 start)

2/11 Away v. Farmington Warner

2/13 Away v. Farmington East

2/25 Home v. Farmington Power

2/27 Home v. Farmington Steam

3/4 Away v. Royal Oak (4:15 start)

3/6 Home v. Clarenceville

3/11 Home v. Ferndale (4:30 start)

3/13 at Royal Oak (4:15 start)

3/14 Home v. Birmingham Derby

3/20 Away v. Norup (4:15 start)

Tryouts for Boys Swimming will take place on January 21 from 6:00-7:00 pm at Berkley High School. Those trying out should come in a speedo or a jammer with goggles and a swim cap. Students must have a physical, completed on or after April 15, 2024 and all forms, including a physical must be uploaded to Final Forms prior to trying out. For questions about boys swimming, please contact Coach Teri Falcon. Below is the schedule for the season with home meets starting at 5:00 pm and away meets starting at 4:30 pm. Home meets are denoted in bold below:

2/4 Away v. North Hills

2/10 Home v. Birmingham Covington

2/12 Away v. Birmingham Derby

2/24 Home v. Cranbrook

3/3 Home v. Birmingham Berkshire

3/5 Away v. South Hills

3/14 League Meet at Seaholm

There will be a parent information meeting next Thursday, January 24 at 6:00 pm via Zoom. For those who wish to attend, please click here for the Zoom link. Practices for middle school Wrestling will begin on January 21 from 3:45-5:15 pm in the AMS Cafeteria. Students must have a physical completed on or after April 15, 2024 and all forms, including a physical, must be uploaded to Final Forms prior to trying out. For questions about Wrestling, please contact Coach Vinnie Tenaglia. Below is the schedule for the season with home meets starting at 4:15 pm and away meets starting at 4:30 pm. Home meets are denoted in bold below:

2/6 Home v. Farmington Power

2/10 Home v. Ferndale

2/12 Away v. Farmington Steam

2/26 Away v. Farmington Warner

3/3 Away v. Farmington East

3/5 Away v. Farmington Power

3/10 Away v. Ferndale

3/12 Home v. Farmington Steam

3/17 Home v. Farmington Warner

3/18 Home v. Farmington East

Below are club and extra-curricular opportunities offered to students throughout the year. Check back each week for additional club information and updates.

Students are eligible to be inducted into NJHS in the spring of 7th Grade by earning a cumulative GPA of 3.7 through 6 terms (Terms 1-4 from 6th Grade and terms 1 and 2 of 7th Grade) and earning citizenship marks no less than a 2. For questions about NJHS, please contact NJHS sponsor, Ms. Ng. Meeting dates for current 8th Grade NJHS members take place once a month during 8th grade lunch and will take place on the following dates:

REMAINING MEETING DATES

1/23/25

2/27/25

3/13/25

4/17/25

5/22/25

The AMS Peer to Peer Program is a school-wide program designed to increase academic, independence, and social engagement opportunities for students with autism and other disabilities. This is achieved by inviting multiple peers without disabilities to pair up with students with disabilities during a variety of school activities. Peers model typical academic and social behavior while students with disabilities can practice and use skills in natural settings by learning from peers in a positive and dignified manner. Authentic relationships form as students actively participate in activities together.

To learn more about Peer2Peer, please watch this Peer2Peer Informational Video. Students interested in becoming a peer for the 2024-2025 school year should reach out to any of the following staff members: Mrs. Gershonowicz (Room 112), Mrs. Roesner (Room 103), or Mrs. Black (Room 223).

AMS is offering a free 10 session Yoga/Mindfulness class after school for students taught by certified Yoga instructor Natalie Fons-Welke. The free classes will take place on Wednesdays in room 114 from 3:30-4:30 pm on the following dates: November 6, 13, and 20, December 4, 11, and 18, January 8, 15, 22, and 29. Participation is free, however participants will need to purchase a yoga mat. If your child is interested in participating, they may simply show up on any of the dates offered. To learn more about the after school yoga class, click on the Yoga Mindfulness Overview.

Ski Club is available to Berkley School District students in grades 6-12 who ski or snowboard or are interested in learning. Starting on January 10 through the end of February, students in Ski Club will go to Mt. Holly, leaving AMS around 3:30 pm and getting back around 10:00 pm. For more information, please click on Ski Club 2025 and to access the registration form, please click on Ski Club Registration Form 2025. For questions about Ski Club, please contact Ski Club sponsor, Jim Cowdrey.

First Robotics Club has completed the FIRST Tech Challenge for this year. Meetings have temporarily paused and will resume on Monday, January 13. Meetings will continue on Mondays at 4:00 pm in Room 114 through 2nd semester. If you have any questions about the First Robotics Club, please contact AMS parents and team sponsors, Martin Wekerle and Rob Calvano.

Drama Club is open to any students interested in learning more about acting and drama productions. Meetings will take place every Tuesday from 3:20-4:15 pm in the Media Center. For questions about Drama Club, please contact Zach Guerra

Chess Club is open to students with previous experience and those wishing to learn the game of Chess. Meetings will take place on Wednesdays from 3:20-4:15 in Room 100. For questions about Chess Club, please contact Mr. Mustonen.

The Dungeons and Dragons Club is for students who have previous experience playing Dungeons and Dragons and those who wish to learn. Meetings will take place every Monday from 3:20-4:15 pm in Room 111. For questions about the D&D Club, please contact Mr. Stoia.

The Eco Club is offered to students who have an interest preserving the environment and being part of environmentally friendly activities. Meetings will take place every Monday from 3:20-4:15 pm in Room 210. For questions about Eco Club, please contact Ms. Maimes.

Art Club will have a focus on drawing. All skill levels are welcome. Students should bring a sketchbook and their own drawing materials. Special papers and advanced drawing mediums will be available for those that want to explore. Meetings will take place every Thursday from 3:20-4:15 pm in the Art room (Room 110). For questions about Art Club, please contact Ms. Reid.

The Rainbow Room is Club is an inclusive after school club offering for LGBTQ+ students and LGTBQ+ allies. Meetings will take place every Wednesday from 3:20-4:15 pm in room 109. For questions about Rainbow Room, please contact Ms. Reid.

Homework Club provides students the opportunity to work independently or receive extra help with homework. Students who choose to attend homework club must be working on school work or school related work. Homework Club will take place every Monday and Wednesday from 3:20-4:15 in Room 115. For questions about Homework Club, please contact Mrs. McChesney or Mr. Stoia.

For the 2024-25 school year, school breakfast and lunch will be free for ALL students. The cafeteria will be open from 7:30-8:05 a.m. for breakfast and early drop-off (entry cut off at 7:55) and students must enter through the cafeteria door off the parking lot.

Please click to access the

January Lunch Menu

To view nutritional and food ingredient information for school breakfast and lunches served at AMS, please click on the Nutrislice Informational Page for AMS

PLEASE NOTE: AMS does not allow food delivery services such as GrubHub or DoorDash. Any order that is attempted to be delivered to AMS will be refused.

Additionally, AMS now offers A La Carte snack items which include soft pretzels, cookies, chips, and drink options. Purchases can be made by either adding money to a student's MISTAR account or with cash. Cash purchases receiving change will have change applied to their MISTAR account for future purchases. Other payment options such as debit cards, Venmo, Apple Pay, or Google Pay Will NOT be accepted.

Please take the time to review the designated pick up and drop-off zones below. Some things to highlight include:

• CATALPA: No stopping, standing, parking, drop-off or pickup
• ROBINA: Drop-off and pickup zone; no parking on the street
• BUS PARKING ONLY: Buses may drop students in the designated bus parking
• AMS PARKING LOT: Drop-off and pickup zone; parking in parking lot spaces only
• Berkley Public Safety will be enforcing the traffic rules

When there are inclement weather conditions such as temperatures below 20 degrees, rain, or falling snow, students may enter the building upon their arrival through their designated grade level door and wait in the hallway until 8:05. As a reminder, our cafeteria is open everyday from 7:30-8:05 (entry cutoff at 7:55) for any students who wish to get breakfast or need to be dropped off early.

The Berkley African American Parent Network (BAAPN) is a parent run organization that works in partnership with the Berkley School District and Oakland County Schools. The BAAPN network is a way for parents with African American children in Berkley Schools to connect with each other. BAAPN is committed to supporting student engagement, high academic achievement, and increased parental involvement. For more information, please visit the BAAPN Facebook Page. Click to access the BAAPN membership form. Below are the remaining meeting dates for the 2024-25 school year with meetings taking place in the Norup Media Center at 7:00 pm:

February 27

March 13

May 15

Did you know that students from the BHS National Honor Society offer free peer tutoring? If you child is in need of tutoring, please click on NHS Middle School Tutors for the list of available tutors. It is as simple as looking through the list, identifying a tutor that meets your child's needs, and contacting them to arrange tutoring.

Berkley Schools has partnered with Varsity Tutors for Schools, an online platform with access to free learning tools. The Varsity Tutors Platform gives students more opportunities to learn at their own pace, to get support on subjects they might be struggling with, to explore subjects they are learning in class and to support their curiosities.

The platform includes the following:

• 24/7 on-demand chat tutoring and on-demand essay review to help students with any questions about homework, classwork or test prep.
• Live group classes, recorded classes and celebrity-led StarCourses allow students to learn more about the subjects they’re interested in and add a touch of fun.
• Assessments and self study practice problems provide opportunities to drill skills towards mastery.
• College prep & admissions resources ensure that students have the best resources available.

How to Access Varsity Tutors

Sign into the Varsity Tutors platform through the student Clever portal. To learn how to log into Clever with your child’s Berkley Schools Google account, follow these directions.

Learn More & Get Started!

• Varsity Tutors Berkley Schools Launchpad
• Frequently Asked Questions

All parents, guardians, or family members interested in volunteering, chaperoning, and/or driving other students for school-sponsored functions or field trips must complete the following forms prior to the event or activity:

Parent Volunteer Form (Includes Chaperone form)

*The Volunteer Form must be accompanied with a copy of your valid driver's license or state-issued ID.

Parent Driver Form (To be turned into the AMS Office)

For both MISTAR and Schoology, there is a specific site for the Berkley School District. To ensure that you are logging into the correct sites, please use the following links below:

Schoology

MISTAR Parent Portal

For any tech related issues, parents and students should put in a tech ticket and it will be routed to the appropriate department to get resolved ASAP.

Order your AMS Yearbook (prices starting at $40.00). To order your yearbook, click on the AMS 2024-25 Online Ordering Link

To view the AMS event calendar for 2024-25, please click on AMS Event Calendar 2024-25. Please keep in mind that due to various circumstances, event times and dates are subject to change and events may be added or removed.

Anytime is a great time to purchase AMS spirit wear. Ordering is simple through our online store with many options to choose from. To shop for AMS spirit wear, please visit the AMS Online Spirit Wear Store.

Have a great weekend and GOOOOOO LIONS!!!!!!!!!!

Sincerely,

Michael Ross

AMS Principal

Email: michael.ross@berkleyschools.org
Website: https://www.berkleyschools.org/schools/anderson/
Location: 3205 Catalpa Drive, Berkley, MI, USA
Phone: 248-837-8200