AGS NEWS
September 12, 2025
AGS Office Staff
Eric Rettenmund, Principal
Zachary Bradley, Assistant Principal
Lisa Wissinger, Dean of Students
Melissa Welsh, Counselor, L.C.N.
Stephanie Miller, Counselor, M.S.W.
Barb Stinson, Secretary
Randi Thorp, Clerk
Important Dates
September
15 - 19 - Homecoming Spirit Week
19 - Homecoming (1/2 Day)
30 - Picture Retake Day
A Heartfelt Thanks: Back to School Pancake Breakfast
Thank you to all the families who joined us for our annual Back to School Pancake Breakfast last Sunday! It was a fantastic morning filled with laughter, great conversations, and, of course, delicious pancakes.
Your support made the event a huge success, and it was so wonderful to see everyone having so much fun. It's truly a great way to kick off the school year, and we're so glad you were a part of it!
Homecoming Activities
Calling all 4th-8th graders!!
The Fenton Varsity Dance Team is hosting our first Sideline Clinic! Come join your favorite FVDT dancers on the sideline for the first half of the football game on October 10th! Hope to see you there!
For more detailed information and registration, click the button below!
Picture Retake Day
September 30
Lifetouch will be at AGS during the school day on Tuesday, September 30 for school photo retakes. This is an opportunity for students to have their photo retaken and for those who were not able to attend schedule pick up. We encourage all students to have their photo taken so they can appear in the yearbook.
After-School Tutoring (AST) is Starting Soon!
We are excited to announce that our After-School Tutoring (AST) program will be starting the week of September 22nd.
This year, a completed permission slip is required for students to stay for AST. The permission slip is a Google Form that parents must fill out. We will share more information with students next week through morning announcements, and you can look for updates in next week's newsletter as well.
AST will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays directly after school in the media center and will end at 3:15 with bus pickup scheduled for 3:25 PM.
Please click the button below to access the Google Form permission slip!
Your Photos, Your Yearbook!
We are already hard at work on the yearbook and would love to include your photos! If you have any school-related pictures of AGS students only, please consider sharing them with us through THIS LINK or the Lifetouch Yearbook Community link below for a chance to be featured. Some examples include first day of school pictures, any school athletic pictures, school club pictures, field trips, etc.
We're hoping to capture a wide variety of moments, including school events, sports, and special activities. We look forward to seeing all the memories you've captured! Don't forget to choose a tag for your photos. Some examples include: Football, Basketball, Clubs, First Day of School, etc. Also, rename the photo with the student(s) name and grade please!
If you would like to pre-order your yearbook, please visit ybpay.com and use the yearbook code: 14635326. The order deadline is April 19, 2026.
Please reach out to Lisa Wissinger at lwissinger@fentonschools.org with an questions. Thank you for helping us create an amazing yearbook!
Volleyball Train & Play
Calling all 6th, 7th, and 8th grade girls! Join Shoebox Sports for a Train & Play volleyball session! Athletes will sharpen their skills with coaches through focused drills and technique work, then put it all into action with live scrimmage play. You can register for all 5 Sunday sessions, or you can pick and choose what fits your schedule. Sessions begin on Sunday, September 21 and end on Sunday, October 19. Visit the Shoebox Sports website or click the button below.
Scholastic Book Fair: Save-the-Date!
The Scholastic Book Fair is on its way, and we're so excited for our students to discover their next favorite read.
Mark your calendars for October 6-9 and get your reader psyched to pick out their own books!
You can start exploring and even set up a safe, cashless eWallet for your child by clicking this link: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/andrewgschmidtmiddleschool
Shopping will also be available during Parent/Teacher Conferences on the evening of October 8!
Counselors' Corner
Anyone interested in joining the Student Leadership Council - What is the Student Leadership Council? Anyone is welcome to join, so come & check it out! We are responsible for providing positive support & leadership for our AGS & Fenton communities.
Here are the meeting dates, per grade level -
- 7th grade - Tuesday, 9/16
- 6th grade - Thursday, 9/18
- 8th grade met during SRT on 9/11. It was great! Any 8th graders still interested in joining can reach out to Mrs. Welsh or Mrs. Miller.
Mrs. Welsh & Mrs. Miller will also provide SRT sessions that promote mental & emotional health awareness & support that students may sign up for.
This week, Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Millikin are facilitating groups on Self-esteem during SRT on the 16th and 17th.
Mrs. Melissa Welsh - last names A - M
Mrs. Stephanie Miller - last names N - Z
A Note From Your PTO
It was exciting to see so many new faces at AGS this year at the open house and schedule pick up! Thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello to this year’s PTO and offered their help throughout the year.
AGS PTO is run by parent volunteers to help support the students and staff. Offering your time, knowledge, helping hands, or monetary support is essential to building a successful school year full of exciting events and opportunities. We know that life is busy, especially with growing kids in tow. We do our best to hold fundraisers that are easy and fun, but even those require the help of many people to make them worthwhile.
What we are hoping to establish are parental representatives for each grade to help organize and be a contact point for other parents who would like to volunteer- especially for our new 6th graders. No experience necessary, just a willingness to learn, listen, and help out.
If you are interested in volunteering in any way, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/1y3CuJ96L4WCsx5o6
Thank you for your time and Let’s Go Tigers!
AGS Pick Up/Drop Off Information
DROP OFF / PICK UP LOOP
We realize that school drop off and pick up loop procedures are not the most convenient. However, please understand that the safety of AGS students will always be our first priority. The current procedure is considered to be the safest approach as endorsed by the Fenton Police Department and County Traffic Engineers. We appreciate your cooperation and patience during the morning and afternoon drop off/pick times.
Things to remember:
- The loop off of Shiawassee is for PARENT drop off / pick up
- Please pull all the way around the loop for a more efficient drop off
- Students may be dropped off across Donaldson Drive
- There is a crossing guard at Donaldson Drive during drop off and pick up
- There are over 2000 students arriving and departing in the same vicinity (AGS/FHS)
- The Donaldson (front) Loop and Entrance is for Bus Traffic Only
- After 7:30 AM, please drop students off at the New Main Entrance (off of Shiawassee)
Thank you again for keeping our AGS Students safe! It could be worse ... check out the school below! Crazy Loop!!
Middle School Health Curriculum
The middle school health curriculum is delivered by PE/Health teachers in SRT class throughout the school year. This will begin in mid-September and will continue until the end of the year. The teachers will teach approximately 4 lessons/units for 30 minutes during SRT. Attached below is a health letter that contains more information. Additionally, a health waiver form is attached. The waiver is only required for those who choose to OPT OUT of the district mandated health class. Students will receive a copy of the letter and waiver 2 weeks prior to taking health class. If you choose the OPT OUT option, please return the waiver before health class begins. You may print the form attached to this email and return it to the main office at any time or complete/return the form when your student receives it 2 weeks prior to class.
Please contact the main office (810 591 7700) with any questions. Thank you!
Attachments:
Tiger Paw Pantry
AGS Resources - Click the buttons below for easy access!
Andrew G. Schmidt Middle School
Email: erettenmund@fentonschools.org
Website: http://fentonschools.org/andrew-g-schmidt-middle-school/
Location: 3255 Donaldson Drive, Fenton, MI, USA
Phone: 810.591.7700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fenton-Area-Public-Schools-110556712352619/
Twitter: @fentonschools