Stallion Monthly Spotlight

Dear AMS Families,

As we enter October, we are quickly approaching the end of the first quarter on October 9th. The first nine weeks have flown by, and our students have been busy learning new skills, building positive habits, and growing both academically and socially. If your child has any missing assignments or work that still needs to be completed, now is the time to take action. We encourage families to check FOCUS, talk with their child about their progress, and reach out to teachers if support is needed. Together, we can help every Stallion finish the first quarter with confidence and success.

This month, students will also participate in their third IXL Snapshot assessment in both ELA and Mathematics. These snapshots provide valuable information about each student's progress toward grade-level standards and help teachers identify areas of strength and opportunities for additional support. We encourage students to give their best effort and continue taking ownership of their learning journey.

At Anderson Middle School, we know that student success is strongest when schools and families work together. As we move through the remainder of the first quarter, there are several simple but powerful ways families can support student achievement:

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 child to complete IXL recommendations and practice skills consistently.

✅ Ensure your child arrives at school on time each day and attends school regularly.

✅ Remind your child to bring a fully charged laptop and charger daily.

✅ Celebrate growth, effort, and improvement, not just grades.

✅ Stay in communication with teachers whenever questions or concerns arise.

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 reflect on the first quarter, we encourage students to ask themselves:

1. Am I putting forth my best effort?

2. Am I completing assignments on time?

3. Am I using feedback to improve?

4. Am I taking advantage of opportunities to learn and grow?

Success is not about being perfect. Success comes from showing up, working hard, learning from challenges, and continuing to move forward.

Thank you for your partnership, support, and commitment to your child's education. We are proud of the progress our Stallions have made, and we look forward to an outstanding second quarter.

Together, we are Built to Achieve: One Team. One Mission. Every Student. Every Day.

Thank you so much

Principal Pallaria

This year, we are excited to partner with Mr. Caleb Wesco as we continue to strengthen the culture of Anderson Middle School. His message aligns closely with what we believe at AMS: every student is valuable, every student has potential, and every student deserves to feel connected, supported, and successful.

Our students recently experienced their first PEP Rally with Mr. Wesco, where they were reminded that they are smart, important, and that they matter. Our staff also began their professional learning journey with Mr. Wesco, focusing on how we can create an environment where every student feels seen, valued, and challenged to reach their fullest potential.

The next step in this work includes our most important partners...our families.

We invite you to join us on October 13th for an evening of connection, inspiration, and community as Mr. Wesco leads a Family Culture-Building Night designed to bring together students, families, and staff around a common purpose. The same messages students are hearing at school and staff are embracing in their professional learning will be extended to families so that, together, we can continue building a culture where every child knows they belong, they are capable, and their future matters.

Prior to the event, families will be able to enjoy dinner from local food trucks. Additional details regarding food trucks, times, and activities will be shared soon.

We believe our greatest impact happens when students receive the same message at school and at home: You are smart. You are important. You matter.

We hope you'll join us on October 13th as we continue building a strong AMS community where students, staff, and families work together to ensure every Stallion thrives. We will have a Food Truck at school for dinner from 4:45-5:30 PM and the event will be from 5:30-6:30 PM.

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.

• Transportation Information

Focus Parent Portal

Please take a few minutes to verify and update your contact information in Focus.

• Focus Parent Portal

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.

• Code of Student Conduct

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.

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.

https://canva.link/navigating-schoology-for-parents

https://www.martinschools.org/o/ddlam/page/back-to-school

Text START to 98900

Receive important alerts from:

• Anderson Middle School (AMS)
• Martin County School District (MCSD)

Stay informed about school events, reminders, announcements, and emergency notifications.

One Team. One Mission. Every Student. Every Day.

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.

As we move into the final months of the school year, regular attendance is especially important. From March through May, students are learning key skills, completing important projects, and preparing to finish the year strong. Being in school each day helps children stay connected, confident, and ready for the next grade level. We appreciate our families’ continued support in making sure students arrive on time and attend school every day whenever possible together, we can help every child end the year successfully.

Next Meeting: October 20, 2026 at 4:30 PM in Main Media

What is SAC?

SAC is a partnership of parents, staff, students, and community members who help shape the future of Anderson Middle School by providing input on school improvement efforts and student success. Your voice matters, and we invite you to attend our meetings and become involved in supporting AMS as we work together to help every student achieve success. 💜🖤🤍

Built to Achieve: One Team. One Mission. Every Student. Every Day.

Students will take their 3rd IXL snapshot for ELA and Math. Students practice their Skill plan and complete IXL lessons in ELA and Math. The snapshot will show their learning gaps closing if your student takes their time and puts forth 100% effort. Please encourage them to do their best.

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.

9/28 Volleyball Game AMS at MMS at 5:30

9/29: Science Fair Meeting with Mrs. Belvin from 4:00-5:00 PM

9/30: Volleyball Game AMS at SMS at 5:30

10/1: Stallion Fun Day

10/1: Science Fair Meeting with Mrs. Belvin from 4:00-5:00 PM

10/5-10/9: IXL Snapshot ELA and Math Week

10/5: Volleyball Game AMS at HOMS at 5:30

10/7: Wear Pink Wednesday

10/7: Kona Ice in the Carline at dismissal

10/7: Volleyball Game TCCA at AMS at 5:30

10/8: NJHS Induction Ceremony at 5:30 PM in the cafeteria

10/12: Volleyball Game AMS at IMS at 5:30

10/13: Family Culture Building Night with Mr. Wesco from 4:45-5:30 PM Food Truck and 5:30-6:30 PM in cafeteria for event.

10/14: Early Release Day

10/14: Wear Pink Wednesday

10/15: MCHS Homecoming- AMS Band and Cheer participate at 4:15

10/19: Volleyball Game MMS at AMS at 5:30

10/20: 6th Grade Honor Roll Celebration from 8:00-8:30 in cafeteria

10/20: SAC Meeting at 4:30 and PTSA Meeting at 5:15

10/21: 7th Grade Honor Roll Celebration from 8:00-8:30 in cafeteria

10/21: Wear Pink Wednesday

10/21: Kona Ice in the Car Line at Dismissal

10/21: Volleyball tournament Begins

10/22: 8th Grade Honor Roll Celebration from 8:00-8:30 in cafeteria

10/22: PTSA Giveback Night at Angelo's Pizza

10/23: PBIS Glow Dance from 6:00-8:00 PM

10/26: Volleyball tournament

10/26-10/30: Red Ribbon Week- See Flyer Below

10/28: Wear Pink Wednesday

10/29: Parent Conference Night at AMS from 5:00-8:00 PM

10/30: Cheer Give Back Night at Blaze Pizza

🤖🚀Robotics Club

📖📷Yearbook Club

📝📙Student Council

🧍🧍Chess Club

📝📙 NJHS

https://www.fldoe.org/academics/standards/subject-areas/math-science/mathematics/parent-resources.stml

https://www.fldoe.org/academics/standards/subject-areas/math-science/science/

https://www.fldoe.org/academics/standards/subject-areas/social-studies/civics-lei.stml

Each resource outlines key concepts and skills taught by grade level, defines important terms, and offers practical activities and questions to encourage learning beyond the classroom; all aligned to the B.E.S.T. Standards. Parent resources include:

https://www.fldoe.org/academics/standards/middle-grades-pr.stml

8th grade promotion will be held at MCHS on May 25th from 6:00-7:00 PM. More Details to come in the Spring

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

Martin County School District (MCSD) has launched a comprehensive back-to-school webpage with important information for the new academic year.

We encourage families and employees to visit the District's website to view details about bell schedules, bus routes, dress code information, meet the teacher/student orientation sessions, and more! The page is designed for seamless navigation - simply click the blue buttons located at the top of the page to quickly find the information you need.

https://www.martinschools.org/o/ddlam