Update from the Middle

February 16th: Presidents' Day (NO SCHOOL)

February 17th-18th: Staff In-Service Days (NO SCHOOL)

February 19th-20th: Parent/Teacher Conferences (NO SCHOOL)

Conference Schedule:

Conference sign-ups should be returned by February 6. Some teachers are using their own scheduling systems, so please watch for a separate email directly from your child’s homeroom teacher with specific instructions.

We are excited to announce that AMS will be hosting our very own Bear Cub Winter Olympics, featuring a variety of fun and engaging challenges throughout the school day.

Students can look forward to:

• Academic challenges in the classroom

• Athletic challenges during PE

• Lunchtime games

• And more surprises along the way!

We kick off the first two challenges this Monday—and everyone can participate.

🏅 AMS Bear Cub Winter Attendance Challenge

January 26 – February 26

• Earn 10 points for every day you are present

• Lose 1 point for each tardy

• Excused absences for school activities or scheduled appointments are neutral

• Unexcused absences earn no points for the day

Bonus Points:
🎿 Perfect Streak Slalom — Attend school 5 consecutive days and earn 3 bonus points

📚 AMS Bear Cub Winter Reading Olympics

“Read It. Review It. Go for GOLD!”

• Read books (including audiobooks)

• Submit a short book review for each completed book to qualify

• Book review forms are available in the library

• All appropriate genres are welcome: fiction, nonfiction, and graphic novels

• Earn 5 points for each book review submitted to Ms. Debbie in the library

Bonus Points:
⭐ Read a sports-themed book and earn 3 bonus points

🥇 Awards & Closing Ceremonies

Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards will be given for each grade level during our Closing Ceremonies Assembly at the end of February.

Let the reading begin, the streaks continue, and the points add up—every challenge brings you closer to the podium!

AMS students are invited to our Candy Gram Dance on Friday, February 13, from 3:30–5:00 PM.

Ticket prices:

• $5 presale (tickets can be purchased in the Main Office)

• $7 at the door

Important reminders:

• Cell phones are prohibited

• Students must bring their student ID for entry

Candy Grams will be available for purchase at the dance for $1 each—a fun way to send a sweet surprise to a friend.

Volunteers & Donations Needed:
We appreciate parent support to help make this event a success. Please use the link below to sign up to volunteer or donate: Feb. 13th, 2026 Candy-Gram Dance Volunteer & Donation Sign Up – Fill out form

We are grateful for the many parents and community members who support Ashland Middle School. If you are interested in volunteering on campus, chaperoning field trips, or helping with school activities, please be sure your volunteer application is complete.

All volunteers must complete the district volunteer process before participating. Directions and requirements can be found here:
👉 https://www.ashland.k12.or.us/page/volunteer-in-the-schools

Thank you for partnering with us to support our students and school community.

Survey Window: February 2nd - 27th

Ashland Middle School wants to hear from our students! We’re partnering with YouthTruth to hear what students have to say about their school experience. AMS students can help us understand how to improve our school climate!

Although we want to hear from all students, participation in this survey is voluntary.

Survey questions are available for review upon request, and opt-out forms are linked below. Please return opt-out forms to the AMS office before February.

English Opt-Out

Spanish Opt-Out

Ashland Middle School will participate in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) on Thursday, March 12, 2026. NAEP is the largest nationally representative assessment and provides a snapshot of what students across the country know and can do in various subject areas. It is administered by the National Center for Education Statistics within the U.S. Department of Education.

Unlike state assessments, NAEP is not used for individual student or school accountability. Instead, it serves as a common measure of achievement nationwide.

A random sample of 50 eighth-grade students has been selected to participate. Families of selected students have already received a separate email with additional details.

FACTS

• Regular attendance is correlated with higher achievement rates.
• Regular attendance allows students to stay on grade level, keep up with work, and understand assignments.
• Being at school opens up students to new opportunities to learn academic as well as social skills.
• Attendance helps kids feel connected to their school community.
• Regular attendance sends a message that education is important.

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT

It is important to take an active role in your kid’s lives. Checking homework, talking about school and making education seem important all lead to good attendance and school success.

Help your student get to school on time every single day by creating a morning routine.

ROUTINES THAT MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

WHAT YOU CAN DO - Set a regular bed time • Create a solid morning routine • Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before • Get an alarm clock for yourself and your child • Wake up with plenty of time to have a stress free morning • Don’t let your child stay home unless they are truly sick • Complaints of a stomach ache or headache can be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home • If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make him feel comfortable and excited about learning • Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent • Avoid medical appointments and extended trips when school is in session • Make school and education seem of utmost importance to your child

Southern Oregon PBS invites the community to a special screening of extended excerpts from The American Revolution, the acclaimed new documentary series from PBS. Join us at ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum for a curated preview and historical context shared by Southern Oregon PBS CEO Phil Meyer.

Friday, January 24 at 3:00 PM
Free admission

Flyer

1/28: Teen Trivia, 2:30 - 4:30

The various programs offered in this email newsletter are distributed to Ashland School District students as a courtesy to parents per board policy. Ashland School District does not endorse or sponsor community activities including any described in this newsletter. If you have questions regarding this policy, please contact your student’s principal.

Email: kerri.mallory@ashland.k12.or.us
Website: http://ashland.k12.or.us/ams/
Location: 100 Walker Avenue, Ashland, OR, USA
Phone: 541-482-1611
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ashland-Middle-School-143374639027500/

The school district does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in matters affecting employment or in providing access to programs and services and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated at our school to handle inquiries and complaints regarding nondiscrimination policies and to coordinate compliance efforts:

Name: Steve Retzlaff Title: Principal
Address: 100 Walker Ave
Telephone: 541-482-1611 ext. 3109
Email: steve.retzlaff@ashland.k12.or.us

Inquiries or complaints may also be directed to the Student Services Office at 885 Siskiyou Blvd, Ashland Oregon (phone: 541-482-2811)

Complaints may also be directed to: Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue S.W., Washington D.C. 20202, or by calling (800) 421-3481 or (877) 521-2172 (TTY).