AGS NEWS

Ben Malecki, Principal

Zachary Bradley, Assistant Principal

Lisa Wissinger, Dean of Students

Kristen Kinney, Counselor (Students Last Names A-M)

Melissa Welsh, Counselor (Students Last Names N-Z)

Barb Stinson, Office Secretary

Randi Thorp, Office Clerk

October

5-9 - AGS Book Fair

6 - School Board Meeting at 6 pm

7 - Count Day

12 & 13 - Parent/Teacher Conferences from 4 - 7 pm

13 - 8th Grade Washington DC Parent Meeting at 7 pm

Spirit Week offered us a great opportunity to celebrate our community. There's a lot of great things happening at AGS and a lot of great people who are fueling those endeavors. Spirit Week is about lots of gestures to remind us about how connected we really are!

Pep Assembly

As a great conclusion to our Spirit Week, we held an AGS Pep Assembly at the end of our half day on Friday! Mrs. Wissinger led our students through the event, which included student games, the recognition of our fall athletic teams, cheers from Tiger Cheer teams, and fantastic music from our band students! We were all impressed by the music that Mr. Perkins and his band students provided throughout the assembly! You can catch a glimpse of our assembly in the picture below!

Home Games Galore

Next week, our AGS teams take the field, court, and course at home. There's plenty of opportunities to support our student athletes and root for the black and orange. Here's the home games scheduled for next week:

• October 5 - Girls Basketball
• October 6 - Cross Country Meet
• October 7 - Girls Basketball
• October 7 - Middle School Football

Tiger Luck!

Since we started going outside, we've discovered that AGS has plenty of good luck! We've found TWO four leaf clovers already, and one student (a four leaf clover expert) informed us that, typically, when you find one four leaf clover, there are always more.

Washington DC Trip

We want to offer a fantastic learning opportunity to this year's 8th graders, with the hopes of bringing it back annually to future AGS students: we want to go on a Washington DC trip! We've already taken the most essential steps to get a trip off the ground this year and hope to provide lots of clarity around the trip in the coming weeks. Please see the announcement below for more information.

We're thrilled at how our Fenton Tigers continue to demonstrate KINDNESS and COURAGE everyday!

Our AGS PTO is asking for support from families as they support the work at AGS. If you are interested in contributing, there's always ways to become involved.

Conferences

Spirit Wear

Fenton Spirit Wear is available! Free local pick up if you select "Pick Up" at check out. Order now before the online store closes! Fenton Tiger Spiritwear

Book Fair - Coming This Week!

Book Fair is coming this week! Sign up to volunteer if you would like to help students find books, check out, and support our media center. Remember to set up an eWallet for your student if you don't want to send cash.

Book Fair Helpers

AST is free after school tutoring and it's available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30 to 3:15 pm. AGS teachers are present to help and provide support to students. Transportation is available for students residing within the district. A light sack will also be provided.

Please email Mrs. Seelbinder or Mrs. Killian for more information

Mrs. Seelbinder: jseelbinder@fentonschools.org

Mrs. Killian: jkillian@fentonschools.org

Please also complete the brief form linked below if your child will be attending AST:

AST Permission 2026-2027

Note: AST will not be held the week of October 12th due to conferences

We want to offer a learning opportunity to 8th graders at AGS! This spring, we'll take our inaugural group to Washington DC, with a visit to Gettysburg on the way to the nation's capital.

Over the next few weeks, you'll get a lot of specific information from World Strides, the company we are partnering with. Here are a few essential pieces of information that will help you as you determine if this is a potential opportunity that is right for your 8th grader:

• The DC Trip is scheduled for Thursday, April 22 - Monday, April 26
• Staff will chaperone the trip, but we plan to take parent chaperones as well
• A World Strides representative will be on hand for an informational DC Parent Meeting on Tuesday, October 13 at 7 pm in the Cafetorium. This is immediately following our second day of conferences. Students may accompany parents to this meeting
• Any 8th grade students interested in learning about the Washington DC Trip can sign up for an SRT Session to learn about the trip. Three sessions have already been created, and sessions have a capacity of 35 students. Additional sessions will be added if students have been unable to attend and there is interest

A Quick Check-In with Your Student

Middle school is a time of big changes—academically, socially, and emotionally. One of the best ways parents can support their students is by making time for regular, low-pressure check-ins.

Instead of simply asking, “How was your day?”, try questions like:

• What was something good that happened today?
• What was something that challenged you?
• Who did you spend time with today?
• Is there anything coming up at school that you're worried about?
• What's one thing you want to accomplish this week?
• Is there anything you need help with right now?

Encourage Problem-Solving

When students come to us with a problem, our goal isn't always to immediately solve it for them. We want to help students develop the skills to identify the problem, consider their options, ask for help when needed, and make responsible decisions.

You can support this at home by asking: “What do you think you could try?” or “What are some options you have?”

How the Counseling Office Can Help

School counselors are here to support students with more than just academic concerns. We can help with:

• Academic planning and organization
• School-related stress
• Friendships and peer concerns
• Goal setting and motivation
• Problem-solving and decision-making
• School transitions
• Connecting students and families with additional resources

As always, please don't hesitate to reach out for support.

Kristen Kinney, Counselor (Students Last Names A-M)

Melissa Welsh, Counselor (Students Last Names N-Z)

The Tiger Paw Pantry is here for anyone who may need a little extra support. We have all kinds of things - from bathroom and hygiene essentials to clothes, school supplies, bedroom items, kitchen supplies, and so much more! The Tiger Paw Pantry is located in the media center!

If you or yyour family could use anything, just click this link and fill out the form! Tiger Paw Pantry Request

And remember, you can ALWAYS email me if you have a question, concern, or something going on at home that you'd like help with, whether it feels big or small.

-Mrs. Underwood

All middle school students have a four-lesson state mandated health curriculum that our physical education teachers deliver during SRT. Those lessons will begin for some students toward the end of September. We rotate students in for these lessons, then rotate them out once they've had them. Lessons include units on Human Reproduction and HIV/AIDS. According to Public Act 226 of 1977, you have the right to review the materials used in these lessons. If you would like to review the materials, please email Mr. Malecki. You also have the right to excuse your student from participating. If you wish to excuse your student, please complete this Reproductive Health Opt Out Form. Paper copies of this form are available in our main office. If you wish to have your student participate, no action is required.

Please see the attached flyer and letter from Old Newsboys of Flint with assistance for area families.

Christmas Package Flyer

School Letter about Coats and Shoes

Email (Principal): bmalecki@fentonschools.org

Email (Assistant Principal): zbradley@fentonschools.org
Website: AGS 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