The Howler Newsletter

Happy Friday, Wolverine Families!

We had a great first full week at AMS! It was great to see so many people visit us at Open House last night. Hopefully, it was easy to see that our teachers are excited for the new year and ready to help your student navigate this upcoming year of middle school and the challenges and triumphs that come along with adolescence!

This week, each administrator reviewed highlights from our Student Handbook with their grade levels to ensure that students understand the rules that are in that. To see the full student handbook, click here. We also had MAP testing in math classes this week, and our students worked really hard to show what they know!

Important Dates and Links:

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

• Spiritwear Order Form - Store open through August 24th!

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

Please reach out if you have any questions!

Heather Spessard-Schroer

AMS Principal

This year, we are starting a system for Positive Office Visits (POVs!) Each week, one team in each grade level will nominate a few students who are doing a great job to be “sent to the office” for a positive visit with the principals. Here are a few of the very first Positive Office Visits! Great job, kids! Keep up the great work! We are so proud you are Wolverines! And thank you to Mr. Burklund, Mr. Mosser, and Mrs. Schmidt for making these first nominations!

At AMS, we call ourselves “The Good Morning Building” because we want each student to feel seen and welcomed when they come to school each day. We want them to see lots of warm smiles and hear many good mornings! Mr. Mosser’s classes practiced their “Good Morning” routine - filled with fist bumps and good eye contact!

MAP Testing continues next week!

Reading during ELA Classes - August 25-27

Please help your students get excited to do their best and show us what they know!

To read more about the MPS Assessment System and access an assessment brochure, click here!

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

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.