Stallion Monthly Spotlight
Principal Pallaria
💜November: Built to Achieve: One Team. One Mission. Every Student. Every Day.💜
Dear AMS Families,
November is here, and time is moving quickly! We are entering Week 13 of the school year and are already three weeks into Quarter 2. With only three weeks of school in November before Thanksgiving break, every day matters.
This is an important time for our students to stay focused, put forth their best effort, and continue working toward success. Students are continuing to learn grade-level standards while also working to close individual skill gaps through IXL. This month, students will take their fourth IXL Snapshot assessment in both ELA and Mathematics, and our goal is for students to demonstrate at least a 10-point gain.
We need your continued partnership at home. Please encourage your student to persevere when learning becomes challenging, push their thinking, and show what they know. Growth does not happen overnight, but with consistent effort, support, and a willingness to keep going, our Stallions can continue making progress.
How Families Can Help at Home
✅ Check FOCUS regularly to monitor grades, attendance, and missing assignments.
✅ Review your student's agenda and discuss upcoming assignments, tests, and projects.
✅ Encourage your student to complete IXL recommendations and work on identified skill gaps.
✅ Talk with your student about the importance of perseverance and giving their best effort, even when the work is challenging.
✅ Ensure your child arrives at school on time each day with a fully charged laptop and charger.
✅ Celebrate growth, effort, improvement, and progress, not just grades.
✅ Stay in communication with teachers whenever questions or concerns arise.
Something Special Is Coming to AMS for the second visit this year!
We are excited to welcome Mr. Wesco back to AMS on November 13th! He will work with each grade level individually to help our students build self-confidence, strengthen their self-esteem, and recognize that they are capable of being successful.
His message will also reinforce something we want every Stallion to understand: we have each other's backs. Success is not something we achieve alone. When students, staff, and families encourage one another, hold one another accountable, and work toward the same goal, we become stronger.
Our Commitment to Your Family
At AMS, our teachers and staff are committed to providing rigorous instruction, monitoring student progress, offering intervention and enrichment opportunities, and maintaining open communication with families. Together, we can ensure that every Stallion has the support needed to learn, grow, and succeed.
As we move through November, we encourage our students to ask themselves:
- Am I putting forth my best effort each day?
- Am I completing my assignments and staying on top of my responsibilities?
- Am I willing to keep going when something is difficult?
- Am I using feedback and IXL to strengthen the skills I still need to develop?
- Am I doing my part to help our school be
Success is not about being perfect. It is about showing up, putting forth effort, learning from challenges, and having the perseverance to keep moving forward.
Thank you for continuing to partner with us and encourage your student. These next three weeks are an important opportunity for our Stallions to stay focused, continue growing, and show what they are capable of achieving.
AMS is Built to Achieve: One Team. One Mission. Every Student. Every Day.
Thank you so much,
Principal Pallaria
🦃November Updates🦃
11/2: Boys and Girls Basketbll Tryouts for 6th and 7th grade
11/3: Boys and Girls Basketball Tryouts for 8th grade
11/4: Woman's Day Chorus for Mrs. Portinga
11/4: Speak Life Assembly for 6th grade only
11/4: Kona Ice in the Carline at 4:05 PM
11/10: Purple Up: Wear purple to support military families and students
11/10: PTSA Giveback Night at Salerno Pizza
11/11: No school for Veterans Day
11/12: Junior Achievement Inspire College and Career Field Trip for 8th graders at HOMS
11/13: Mr. Wesco Student Assemblies for 6th, 7th and 8th
11/13: World Kindness Day
11/16: Picture Retakes
11/17: PTSA Meeting at 5:00 PM in Main Media
11/18: Kona Ice in the carline at 4:05 PM
11/20: Stallion Fun Day
11/30: Basketball Game: TCCA at AMS from 5:30-7:00 PM
💻IXL💻
We’re using IXL to support our curriculum, and your student has access to this online program at home. IXL is a learning platform that lets students practice skills that they’re learning and guides them to material that will help them grow the most. With thousands of skills that match what we’re covering in class, as well as insights into student progress, IXL is a great resource to help your student excel.
🏇Please remind your Students Weekly🏇
Morning Arrival & Breakfast Procedures
School doors open daily at 9:00 AM, and breakfast is available for all students.
Students Arriving by Bus
- 6th-grade students eating breakfast should enter through the glass doors by the bus loop and report directly to the cafeteria.
- 7th- and 8th-grade students who are not eating breakfast should enter through the door near the picnic tables and report directly to the gymnasium.
Students Arriving by Car
- Students in grades 6-8 who are eating breakfast should enter through the front cafeteria glass doors and report directly to the cafeteria.
Breakfast Expectations
- Students should obtain breakfast immediately upon arrival.
- Students should focus on eating so they can report to class on time.
- Students arriving on late buses will still have time to eat breakfast if needed.
- At 9:15 AM, students are released from the cafeteria and gymnasium and should report directly to class.
- Instruction begins promptly at 9:20 AM.
Bus Delays
- Students arriving on a late bus will receive a bus pass and will not be marked tardy.
Car Line Reminders
To help us ensure a safe and efficient arrival process:
- Pull all the way forward before stopping.
- Follow safely behind the vehicle in front of you.
- Come to a complete stop before students exit the vehicle.
- Use cell phones only in hands-free mode while driving.
- Students may not be dropped off in the parking lot at any time.
Students who walk, ride bicycles, or use scooters should stay on designated sidewalks and store bicycles and scooters in the fenced area at the front of the school during the day.
Student IDs, Lanyards & Safety Wristbands
All AMS students are required to wear their school-issued ID badge and AMS lanyard every day while on campus.
Student IDs support campus safety, emergency accountability, bus transportation, cafeteria services, and daily school operations.
A great habit is to attach your student's ID to their backpack each afternoon so it is ready to go the next morning.
In addition:
- Students are required to obtain and wear their designated colored wristband each day.
- Wristbands may be picked up at one of two locations:
- Cafeteria
- Third door on the right after entering through the front entrance
Student IDs, lanyards, and wristbands are important safety measures and are expected to be worn daily by all students.
Food & Drink Expectations
Students may bring a sealed water bottle or hydrating beverage to school.
If you choose to treat your child to coffee, tea, a smoothie, breakfast sandwich, or another food item before school, please make sure it is finished before entering campus.
- Closed bottles of water and hydrating drinks are permitted.
- Coffee, specialty beverages, fountain drinks, and outside food items are not permitted in classrooms or school buildings.
Breakfast & Lunch
Students may purchase breakfast and lunch from the cafeteria or bring lunch from home. Snacks are also available for purchase in the cafeteria. Families are encouraged to apply for Free and Reduced Lunch benefits through MySchoolApps. Even if you are unsure whether you qualify, we encourage you to complete an application
Transportation
Bus route information is available through the district website and the myReaXium App.
Focus Parent Portal
Please take a few minutes to verify and update your contact information in Focus.
The Focus Parent Portal allows families to monitor grades, attendance, assignments, and important student information throughout the school year.
Regularly checking Focus is one of the best ways to stay informed about your child's academic progress.
Student Code of Conduct
We encourage every family to review the Student Code of Conduct with their child throughout the school year, not just at the beginning of the year. Reviewing expectations together helps students make positive choices and contribute to a safe, respectful, and productive learning environment.
The Student Code of Conduct outlines important expectations regarding:
- Student behavior and responsibility
- Dress code expectations
- Cell phone and electronic device procedures
- Attendance and tardy expectations
- School safety procedures
- Student rights and responsibilities
Taking a few minutes to review these expectations at home can help students have a successful school year and reinforce the partnership between home and school.
At AMS, we are committed to maintaining a positive learning environment where every student can learn, grow, and achieve. We appreciate your support in helping students demonstrate respect, responsibility, and Stallion pride each day.
What Students Should Have Daily
Students should bring:
- Their fully charged district laptop every day
Cellular Device Expectations
To maximize learning and minimize distractions, all cell phones and personal electronic devices must be turned off and stored in backpacks from 9:00 AM until 4:05 PM.
Students who need to contact home during the school day may do so through the Main Office.
Afternoon Dismissal
School dismisses daily at 4:05 PM.
To keep dismissal safe and efficient:
- Follow the designated car line.
- Pull all the way forward before stopping.
- Remind students to look for their vehicle and be ready to enter quickly and safely.
- Follow staff directions at all times.
If your child rides a bus, please make sure they know which bus they will be riding home.
Safety and Supervision at Morning Carline
Per Florida Statute 1003.31, Anderson Middle School provides student supervision beginning 30 minutes prior to the start of the school day. With school starting at 9:20 a.m., student supervision begins at 8:50 a.m. each morning. [leg.state.fl.us]
We understand that some families may need to drop off their students prior to 8:50 a.m. If your child arrives before supervision begins, please discuss with them the importance of making good choices and exhibiting appropriate behavior while waiting outside of the supervised time.
Additionally, students who arrive before 8:50 a.m. are not permitted to be anywhere beyond the pillars located just east of the gym doors. There have been incidents that have occurred beyond these pillars that have created concerns and make it extremely difficult for staff to determine what is taking place. Restricting students to the designated waiting area helps us maintain a safer environment for everyone.
We also ask that you speak with your child about demonstrating respectful and appropriate behavior while waiting before school. Students should remain in the designated area, follow school expectations, and avoid behaviors that could lead to conflicts or unsafe situations.
Finally, if your child is experiencing any problems or concerns involving other students, please encourage them to contact a member of the AMS administrative team. We are here to help and would much rather address concerns early before they escalate into larger issues.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership in helping us maintain a safe and positive environment for all Anderson Middle School students.
Parent FOCUS Portal
Parent FOCUS Portal
Focus Portal: https://martin.focusschoolsoftware.com/focus/
How do I access my students' information?
1. Go to Dr. David L. Anderson Middle School Website https://www.martinschools.org/o/ddlam
2. Click Menu
3. Click Focus Parent Portal and log in with your username and password
AMS Staff needs your help in reinforcing the importance of completing assignments, checking their weekly grades, and celebrating success with their grades. AMS staff are sending bi-weekly and/or monthly emails with your students' grades. Please check your emails!!!
Please log in to your parent FOCUS portal every week to check your students' grades and information. After logging in, you will see your student's name on the left side of your screen. If you click on your student. You will see a list of information about your student. I have included an image as a guide. Click on Grades and look at each of their 6 class periods for grades, test scores, quiz scores, and assignments.
Civics
Math
Language Arts
🤖Clubs, Athletics, Tutoring🏁
📚🤖🚀Robotics Club
📖📷Yearbook Club
📝📙Student Council
🧍🧍Chess Club
📝📙 NJHS
📚📖Tutoring 6th grade Math with Mrs. Stone, Algebra with Mrs. Andicoy
🪕🪕Band Practice
🏀🏀Basketball Boys and Girls
Attendance is crucial for middle schoolers because it directly impacts their academic success, social development, and overall growth. Regular attendance ensures that students keep up with lessons, participate in class discussions, and develop important learning habits that will benefit them in the future. Missing school can lead to gaps in understanding, making it harder to catch up and perform well on assignments and tests. Additionally, being present helps students build friendships, develop teamwork skills, and stay engaged in school activities. Good attendance also teaches responsibility and prepares students for high school and beyond, where consistent participation is key to success
8th Grade Promotion: SAVE the Date
8th grade promotion will be held at MCHS on May 25th from 6:00-7:00 PM. More Details to come in the Spring
Principal Pallaria
