Our Weekly Newsletter
August 20th, 2026
Our Weekly Newsletter
October 5th through October 9th
AMSA Families,
We are writing today to share an update regarding AMSA’s rule that 6th and 7th grade students use string bags during their school day. This rule has long existed in the lower school due to the small spaces of most of our classrooms and hallways. The goal has always been to ensure students are not bringing large bags to class, creating more space constraints and potential trip hazards.
AMSA is adjusting this rule to no longer regulate the style of bag, and instead provide a measurement of the size of the bag we can allow. 6th and 7th grade students may now use any school appropriate bag that is 23 liters (approx. 25 quarts) or smaller. Bags no longer must be a string bag, though string bags remain recommended and students remain strongly encouraged to make frequent use of their lockers throughout the school day.
We have linked one possible backpack below, though there are many others available that are an appropriate size. Most online retailers can filter bags by their storage volume. If buying in store please be sure to read tags to determine the bag’s storage volume.
Students who bring bags to class that exceed the clarified size limit will be addressed in accordance with school practices.
Weekly Athletic News
Click the Eagle
Homecoming Dance: Tickets are on sale for the "Welcome to Rio" Homecoming on October 24 from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM at the Maynard Elks for grades 9-12, featuring semi-formal and bright attire, guest permission slips available outside room 805, and ticket purchases through My School Bucks.
SAT Prep Course Offered at AMSA
It is not too late to reserve yourself a spot in the SAT Prep Course today!
The Fall 2026 course begins in October, just in time for the official SAT on December 5th.
This course is available to 10th-, 11th-, and 12th-grade students. Students must be enrolled in or have taken Pre-calculus before entering the math class. No English prerequisite is required.
Test preparation is an essential part of the college admissions process. Higher SAT scores can increase a student’s chance of acceptance at his/her institution of choice and are also a wise investment toward receiving scholarship awards. By enrolling in an SAT prep program, you are taking a significant step down the road to achieving success in the competitive world of higher education.
While not guaranteed, students in previous years have averaged over a 100-point increase in test scores (pretest to post-test). However, to achieve such a large increase, students must complete all assigned homework and act responsibly throughout all class sessions. Failure to act respectfully may result in termination from our program and forfeiture of tuition.
Schedule below:
Classes are offered after school from 3:00 - 5:00 pm for English with Mr. Hill in room 401 and Math with Mrs. Makovoz in room 610.
The full-length practice tests for both English and Math will take place on Wednesday, 10/7/2026, and Monday, 11/23/2026.
Please do not sign up your student if they cannot make classes or tests. There will be no retakes.
COST: $600 for full program (English and Math), $400 for half program (either English or Math)
TO SIGN UP: Please bring a check to Mrs. Makovoz in Room 610 before October 5, 2026.
Make checks out to AMSA with SAT Prep in the memo line with your student’s name
Sign up for TWO one-day field trips on October 14th and 15th!
Registration deadline: Thursday, October 8th.
Just a reminder: students NOT attending D.C. or any field trips are expected to attend school. If they
choose not to attend the field trip or school, it will be considered an unexcused absence.
11th Grade Minuteman National Park Field Trip on October 14th
Sign up for a one-day field trip to Minuteman National Park on Wednesday, October 14th . Join Ms.
Murphy to explore the battles of Lexington and Concord in-depth and retrace the path of the
Minutemen who chased the British soldiers back to Boston. Students will participate in a Battle Road, Trail Scavenger Hunt and enjoy a picnic lunch at the Old North Bridge.
Students will depart from AMSA at 8:30am and return in time for standard dismissal.
Date: Wednesday, October 14 th
Cost: $32
11 th Grade Museum of Worcester and Green Hill Park Field Trip on October 15 th
Sign up for a one-day field trip to the Museum of Worcester and Greenhill Park on Thursday, October
15th. Join Ms. Murphy in a hands-on exploration of local history at the Museum of Worcester, followed
by a picnic lunch at Green Hill Park.
Students will depart from AMSA at 8:30 am and return in time for standard dismissal.
Date: Friday, October 15th
Cost: $32
INFORMATION FOR BOTH FIELD TRIPS:
Food: Please bring your own lunch; students will not have an opportunity to buy food on the trips
Clothing: It is fall in New England; dress for the weather! Please make sure you have at least one outer layer in case it’s cold.
Meds: VERY IMPORTANT - Students with EpiPens and inhalers must have: 1. medical order, 2. Allergy and/or Asthma Action Plan from a medical provider, 3. AMSA parent paperwork for their specific med (this is on the website), and 4. the student must have an unexpired EpiPen or inhaler on them for us to do a contract to carry. All of this needs to be in place prior to the day of the field trip or they may not attend the field trip.
We’re creating 3 mobile book carts for our middle school students, filled with books they’ll actually want to read: fiction, graphic novels, mysteries, fantasy, sports, biographies, STEM, nonfiction, and more.
These carts will bring more books directly into Directed Study and give students a chance to browse, discover and simply enjoy reading.
Want to help us keep the momentum going? Give $10 and STEM Soaring Eagles Foundation will match it dollar-for-dollar!
PSAT Day - Important Reminder PSATs will be held during the school day Thursday, October 8, 2026 for all 9th, 10th, and 11th graders . Room locations will be posted in the Upper School main office the week of the test. Students should check their testing rooms earlier in the week and then report directly to their testing rooms on 10/8 at 7:55 AM .
Students may bring their bags, a pen/pencil, water bottle, and a calculator (there is one built into the testing app but they may bring their own). We will start testing promptly at 8:00AM. Once the testing administration begins, students will not be allowed to join the testing room late . We appreciate everyone’s support in making sure all students arrive on time.
Seniors should not report to AMSA on PSAT Day (10/8/26). All 12th graders are allowed a Post-Secondary Planning Day on 10/8 and can use this time to work on their applications, visit colleges and technical programs, etc.
Attention Seniors of the Class of 2027:
The yearbook staff is now collecting your formal portraits, baby/toddler photos, and quotes with quotee.
PORTRAITS: Please send a school-appropriate senior portrait by email. We use a portrait ratio of 3:2, meaning it stands vertical. Any horizontal photos that are submitted may have some parts cut off.
Our website takes .jpg, .png, .tiff, and .heic formats, with JPEG recommended for best results.
If you decide not to use an outside portrait company, the school will simply use your ID photo instead.
BABY/TODDLER PHOTOS: Show off your adorable or mischievous character from when you were very young! These can be any orientation, however, they must be a LARGE enough file size. A minimum of 300 dpi (dots per inch) to a maximum of 8000 x 8000 pixels is required. Please email your photo to the yearbook staff with your portrait and quote.
QUOTE: The yearbook staff and advisor reserve the right to remove or exclude any quote that is inappropriate or offensive. Please email your chosen quote (with the portrait and baby photo) to the yearbook staff. The quote must also come with its source or author to be accepted. Do proper research!
Please take this seriously, seniors! We want a book that looks full and complete and loaded with memories.
We kindly ask that you get this stuff to the Yearbook Staff by NOVEMBER 1st.
Yearbook email: amsayearbook@amsacs.org
Advisor email: amakynen@amsacs.org
College Representative Visits for Juniors & Seniors Only
October 5 11:15 AM Binghamton University In Person
October 5 11:15 AM University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus In Person
October 5 11:45 AM Assumption University In Person
October 5 11:45 AM University College Dublin In Person
October 6 11:15 AM Lasell University In Person
October 6 11:15 AM University of New Haven In Person
October 6 11:45 AM Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach (FL)In Person
October 6 11:45 AM Yale University In person
October 7 11:15 AM Drexel University In person
October 7 11:45 AM Rochester Institute of Technology In Person
October 7 11:45 AM University of Vermont In Person
Students must pre-register using their Naviance Account and notify their teachers at least 48 hours in advance of the visit.
AMSA PTO NEWS & INFORMATION
Important Links
Save the Date
10/08 PSAT
10/08 NHS Induction Ceremony - Fore Kicks 6:00 pm
10/12 Indigenous Peoples Day-Columbus Day – No School
10/14-17 Washington, DC Trip – Grade 11
10/19-23 SPIRIT Week 10/21 Half Day - PD
10/24 Homecoming Dance Grades 9-12 - Elks Lodge Maynard 7:00 pm
10/29 Lower School Fun Run 12:22 pm-2:45 pm
10/30 Dress Down Day
11/02 End of Quarter
11/05 AMC 10/12 (Grades 9-12)
11/06 Photo Retake Day
11/11 Veterans Day – No School
11/18 Half Day - PD
11/20 Dress Down Day
11/25 Half Day for Students and Staff
11/26-29 Thanksgiving Break
12/18 Half Day – Holiday Staff Gathering
12/19-1/03 December Holiday Break
Thank you to Our Business Partners! Please support their establishments!
For more information on a partnership, please contact Marcy Eckle, Director of Development at meckel@amsacs.org