News, Honors & Achievements from AMD Middle School

Principal's Update

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Last Friday was tough for so many of our bus drivers, faculty and staff, as well as parents, trying to navigate getting home during a treacherous rain event. I appreciate everyone's patience as we tried to get our students home via the bus in a timely and safe manner. Kudos to our bus drivers who have to drive in rain, sleet, snow and heat, with a bus full of energetic adolescents (PM bus for sure). I have much respect for the important roles they have in our district.

We celebrated OPride by having a parade of our student athletes at the end of the day. They were led by our school's band, adding to the merriment and joy. We have homecoming at OHS tomorrow afternoon.

We are almost done with the NWEA testing. We have a few more students that still need to complete the test on Monday. Once we get the results of these tests, we will use the data to inform our instruction.

The days are flying by and I am enjoying every minute of my time at AMD.

Have a wonderful long weekend!

Sue Ostrofsky

Interim Principal

Principal’s Important Information to know:

STAR Programs: These programs begin on Tuesday, October 10th. If your child missed the sign up, have your child contact their counselors. I linked the information again, just in case you missed it. STAR Club Program. Contact APs Charvet or Hoch if you have questions.
School Picture Day: All students who have PE on A-Days will take their photos on 10/13. All students who have PE on B-Days will take their photos on 10/20. Please see flyer below.
After School Events and Sports: I am thrilled that so many of our students come to modified sport events to cheer on their peers. The school spirit is alive and well at AMD. I do need to tighten up after school protocols to ensure safety for all. This means that students cannot stay in our school or loiter outside waiting for a game to start. They must go home and return at the start of the game/event as most of our games do not start until 4:00 - 4:30PM. I have no supervision for students who are not part of an after school program or participating in as an athlete in modified sports. I am also working with our Director of Athletics and our Director of Transportation to create a protocol for visiting teams as well as all visitors to enter the building from one specific entrance that has supervision so I do not have people walking through our building after hours with no supervision. Once the school day is over, we do sweep the building and ask all students who do not have a reason to be in our school, to leave. We will not allow the students back in our building once they leave. We have found too many students wandering in different parts of the building after school hours.
Computer Bag: All students are required to use a computer bag. While this has always been the expectation, many students simply do not use their bag. The APs are on a mission to ensure all students are using a bag. The bag does protect the Chromebook from significant damage when a Chromebook is accidently dropped.
Lockdown Drills: We will have our first lockdown drill in two weeks. Teachers will review the protocols with students. If your child has any concerns about these drills, please contact your child's counselor.
7th Grade Health Information: 7th grade health screenings (vision, hearing and scoliosis - girls only) will take place during physical education classes the week of October 16th. Please note that the nurse only screens students if information was not provided on your child's 7th grade physical dated 09/05/2022 through today
Late Buses: Late buses are offered from AMD, three times a week - Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 3:45PM.
October and November School Pride Events: During these two months, the entire school will be involved in events that will bring our school community together. Here is a link to the calendar of events
Suggested Booklist: I have linked a suggested booklist for your child. Special thanks to our library-media specialist, Ms. Blye, for creating this list which required a lot of research on her part. Click here for book list.

Highlights from the Week

Relevant Learning • Multiple Literacies • Culture of Care

From Mr. Charvet, 8th Grade Assistant Principal and Mr. Hoch, Building-Wide Assistant Principal:

We are thrilled to share some exciting news with you! The Ossining UFSD is proud to partner with NYGEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs). Our 8th graders will have an opportunity to explore plans for post-graduation vocational skills, career readiness, and college preparation/admittance, access college and financial aid application assistance, increase financial literacy, college trips/fairs, summer programs, and much more! We will hold an 8th grade assembly on October 26th to have a schoolwide kick off, followed by an evening parent information meeting. More information to come!

We would also like to highlight our STAR Clubs! They will be up and running next week beginning on October 10th from 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM. We have many exciting clubs such as: Teen Coloring and Meditation, My Brother’s Keeper, My Sister’s Keeper, In-Person or Virtual Homework Help, Painting, Basketball, Art, Gymnastics, Robotics, Drone, Chess, Intro to Role Playing Games, among others. If you have not done so, please have your child reach out to their guidance counselor if they would like to sign up for an after school program.