The Howler Newsletter

Happy Friday!

We didn’t let the rain get us down this week, as we had another amazing week at school! The rain forced us indoors for lunch, but kids enjoyed playing 3 on 3 basketball, knock out, and 4-square. Hopefully we’ll be back outside into the fresh air soon!

School pictures were delivered to your student during Primetime on Thursday! If you haven’t seen them yet, please ask your student to grab them out of their backpacks this weekend. Picture Retake Day is on Thursday, September 24. In order to get retakes, students must return their original pictures. Anyone who did not get their picture taken on our first picture day will also get their picture taken on retake day.

Important Dates and Links:

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

• September 23 - End of Hexter 1

• September 24 - Picture Retake Day

• October 8 and 13 - Parent-Teacher Conferences: Information on signing up will be coming soon!

Please reach out if you have any questions!

Heather Spessard-Schroer

AMS Principal

Izzy was recognized by Millard South for demonstrating The Patriot Way at a football game. At the end of the game, she cleaned up trash that was left behind. Millard South sent her a Patriot Way coin, card, and Chipotle gift card. For being so SHARP and being a great example of a Wolverine, we also gave her an AMS sweatshirt. Great job, Izzy! Way to represent AMS as you go out into the world!

We had more Positive Office Visits this week, and here are a few of them! We are so proud of all of our Wolverines for working hard and being kind every day!

Teachers give PAWS Notes to students who are going above and beyond in the areas of SHARP (Safe, Honest, Achieving, Respectful, and Persevering.) Students can use their PAWS Notes to buy treats in the PAWS store. Each Thursday (starting this week), we randomly draw 9 students who have received PAWS Notes to get an extra treat. Here are our first PAWS Note drawing winners! Great work, kids! Keep being SHARP!

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

Boys basketball season will be starting next month! Please start working out now and getting shots up. Reach out to Coach Carder if you have any questions at blcarder@mpsomaha.org.

Practice Dates are Mondays & Wednesdays: 3:00-3:40

Sept: 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30

MUST HAVE PHYSICAL TURNED IN TO PARTICIPATE AND HAVE PAID THE $25 fee

Informational Meeting for those students that might be interested in Joining.

6th Grade Monday Sept. 21st after school Until around 3:20

7th/8th Grade Wednesday Sept. 23rd until Around 3:20

If these times don’t work, stop down to Room 806 and see Mr. V for an information sheet.

This week, WORLD LANGUAGE CLUB will be exploring Hispanic Heritage Month and Día de Muertos! Join us for our next meeting on THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 at 3:00-3:30pm in Room 606 (Sauer).

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.

The next meeting of All Pro Dad will be held on Thursday, September 24th,

in the AMS library from 7:15 - 8:00 am.

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.