News from the Nest

Dear Falcon Families,

I hope everyone enjoyed the long holiday weekend! We are looking forward to a short but busy week at Audie Murphy Middle School and we encourage our students to come back Tuesday ready to learn, work hard, and make the most of every day.

We will close out the week on Friday with our Freedom Walk, a special opportunity for our Falcons to come together in remembrance and reflection. Please note that we will follow an alternate bell schedule on Friday to accommodate the event and lunches are pushed back by 30 minutes.

As our fall athletics continue, we are proud to see our Falcons representing AMMS in football, volleyball, and cross country. Whether competing on the field, court, course, or working in the classroom, we want our students to continue demonstrating the Growth, Relationships, Integrity, and Teamwork that define our GRIT.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. Even in a four-day week, there is plenty of opportunity to learn, grow, and soar!

The application for free and reduced-price school meals is still open for the 2026-2027 school year.

Apply today through SchoolCafé: https://www.schoolcafe.com/Killeenisd

Completing an application is quick and secure. We encourage all Killeen ISD families to apply, even if you're not sure you qualify.

• All students should have received their ID cards. Please help to ensure that they have it and are wearing it appropriately every day. Having their IDs helps to improve the timing for riding the bus and for getting their lunch. If your student did not receive an ID, please have them stop by the AP office to let them know.
• All students have also been issued a YONDR pouch and should be placing their electronic devices inside the pouch during morning entry. Electronic devices should not be seen nor heard at any time during the school day.
• One of the most important habits we can help our students develop is being where they need to be, when they need to be there, and ready to learn. Please remind your student of the importance of arriving to class on time—every minute of instruction matters!
• Students are expected to be in dress code when they arrive on campus and remain in dress code throughout the school day.
• We can only accept food deliveries for students from a parent/guardian or contact listed on the student's account.

As always, we are here to help and support you and your student in every way possible. Please reach out to us with any concerns or use the online reporter method at the following link should you have a safety concern: https:/ /forms.killeenisd.org/Forms/BullyReporter

It is our pleasure to serve you and your student every day! Please understand if you come during

specific times of the day (ex: morning duty, lunch duty, passing periods, or after school duty), you may have to wait for a short time as supervision is a top priority, and our leadership team will be on duty in the halls/bus loop/etc. Every process and system we have in place focuses on providing the safest and most positive experience that we can for our students.

We greatly appreciate your support, and look forward to seeing you at many of our upcoming events!

Monday, September 7th –

Staff & Student Holiday

Tuesday, September 8th –

Math MAP testing (regular schedule--testing occurs in the math class)

Falcon Football vs. Liberty Hill MS (games start at 5:30PM)

• 8th grade @ LHMS
• 7th grade @ AMMS

Wednesday,September 9th –

RLA MAP testing (regular schedule--testing occurs in the ELA class)

Cross Country Meet @ JDA (starts at 5:30PM)

Thursday,September 10th –

Lady Falcon Volleyball vs. Liberty Hill MS (games start at 5:30PM)

• 8th grade @ LHMS
• 7th grade @ ECHS

Friday,September 11th –

9/11 Activity Bell Schedule

Freedom Walk

Dear Families,

Hard to believe we are already wrapping up our first month of school! As routines settle in, Week 4 brings both an important academic milestone and a meaningful campus tradition.

First Grade Check of the Year

This week marks our first official progress report and grade check. For many middle schoolers, adjusting to multiple classes, different teacher expectations, and increased independence takes time.

• Check Home Access Center together: Sit down with your student to review grades and attendance. Looking together opens the door for conversation rather than surprises.

  
  

• Focus on missing work: At this stage of the term, a single missing assignment can drastically skew an average. Identifying missing or incomplete tasks early prevents unnecessary panic later.

  
  

• Encourage self-advocacy: If your student is confused or struggling in a subject, help them compose an email to their teacher or practice asking for help or tutoring hours. All teachers can be emailed through Schoology.

  
  

• Celebrate effort and growth: Recognize where they’ve shown grit, even if the grades aren’t perfect yet. It's early, and there is ample time to build strong study habits.

  
  

Remembering & Honoring: 9/11 Freedom Walk this Friday

This Friday, September 11, our campus will participate in our annual Freedom Walk.

This event gives our school community a dedicated moment to reflect, honor the lives lost on September 11, 2001, and express our deep gratitude to our first responders, service members, and military families. Middle school students today were not alive in 2001, making events like this a vital bridge for teaching unity, resilience, and civic pride.

Attire: Students are encouraged to wear red, white, and blue or campus spirit wear on Friday.

Footwear: Please ensure your student wears comfortable walking shoes or sneakers.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support as we guide our students academically and socially. Please reach out to the counseling office anytime if you or your student need extra support!

Warmly,

The AMMS Counseling Department

We are excited to begin our after-school athletic events this week! Please remember that KISD’s clear bag policy will be in effect for all games, and tickets must be purchased online in advance. There will be no cash taken at the door/gate and there will not be devices for anyone to use to purchase at the gate. Please let grandparents, aunts, uncles and all other family members know this is the new process.

When attending, we ask that all families model the Texas Way by being positive and supportive of our student-athletes. Our role as fans is to encourage our team, not put down the other team or use inappropriate language or behavior. Texas passed a law last year that requires us to remove spectators immediately if a game official requires it--there will be no warnings. Please help us to make our events a positive experience for all!

Together, we can create a spirited and respectful environment that makes every game a great experience for students, families, and our community.

Expect transportation delays the first few days of the school year. However, Killeen ISD provides

the Smart Tag app to help you receive information about your student's bus ride. The app allows you to see real-time information about the location of your student's bus.

Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions. We are here to help!

Christina.Harris@killeenisd.org

Aimee.D.CastilloGriffin@killeenisd.org

Lusiana.Akech@killeenisd.org

Betty.Selvy@killeenisd.org

Keri.Luepke@killeenisd.org

Christine.NotestineDouglass@killeenisd.org

April.Reeves@killeenisd.org

Megan.Schneider@killeenisd.org