SHARE:  

Weekly Message | December 11, 2022

Principal Message

What a great week it’s been to be a Firebird here at Camelback!


Wow! What an extraordinary turnout for our first annual Polar Express Night! Camelback, you really came out and supported us, and we couldn't be happier about it! We hope everyone had a great time and you were all able to participate in the different activities, see Santa, get your free book and cocoa, avoid the Grinch and it even snowed! One week to go before Winter Break and please remind your children this does not mean we're done working. We are wrapping up the semester this week and we'll be taking a lot of assignments and updating the gradebooks across all of our classes. We're also diving into the data from our Interim Assessments last week and the initial results show we have some work to do. I'm sure you'll be hearing all about individualized plans and the work we need to do moving forward very soon. This week is our Winter Showcase event on Thursday evening and don't forget we have multiple early release days, so be sure to stay tuned for the calendar of events for this week. We can't wait to show off one of the Three A's - the Arts this week; I know our scholars and staff have been working hard to prepare and put together the final details!


We've been working on a few specific behaviors and safety reminders and we continue to need your assistance families. At AMS Camelback we're focused on the Firebird Code which clearly defines our school-wide expectations as Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe and Be a Learner. We want everyone practicing these all of the time. In order to continue to focus on learning; we're reminding all families to tell your child to keep their cell phones put away. We will provide all of the digital tools they will need during the day, they don't need their phones out and they should be left at home or stored in the backpacks. Please remember; no 3rd - 8th graders will be dismissed until 3:15pm, please do not come early and line up for them, we will not be dismissing them early.  


If you're not already connected with your child's teacher(s) please reach out and get connected with Class Dojo or email and please be sure we have the most up-to-date phone number as well. We need to be working together and the best way to do so is to be connected.


We have so many great things happening every day here at Camelback, the most current information is always on our website, Facebook, Instagram, Class Dojo or in these autodialer messages. #WeAreCamelback

FOR MORE INFO

Polar Express Night 2022

Thank you to our Firebird Guardian parent group for organizing and supporting during Polar Express! They were able to hand out one free book to each child who boarded the Polar Express!

So many fun activities were completed at each stop along the Polar Express! Thank you to our grade-levels for all their work to prepare and facilitate the different activities.

It even snowed!

IMPORTANT CHANGES

Breakfast & Lunch

WE ARE SO CLOSE!


This is mostly for our new families, but as a reminder, Breakfast and Lunch are no longer free for all K-12 students in the state of Arizona. The federal funding to support with COVID relief has ended going into this school year. Academy of Math and Science Camelback is offering healthy meals every school day. Breakfast costs $1.70; lunch costs $3.33. Your children may qualify for free meals or for reduced-price meals. Reduced-price is $0.30 for breakfast and $0.40 for lunch. Breakfasts are available in the cafeteria from 7:30am - 8:00am. If your student is participating in after-school activities, snacks are provided at no cost.


Learn More about Breakfast & Lunch and Apply Online

Week of December 12th Calendar of Events

Monday

  • Ballet Club @ 4:00pm - See Ms. Gaston for more details.
  • NOTE: Interest letters for next quarter were made available in homerooms on Monday 11/21. Please reach out ot your child's teacher or contact Ms. Gaston if you're interested in joining.
  • Anime Club @ 4:00pm - See Coach Brown for more details.

Tuesday

  • Winter Concert Dress Rehearsal
  • This will be happening during the school day, please be sure your child is on time to school and in attendance.
  • Hip Hop Club @ 4:00pm

Wednesday

  • Kona Ice Sales
  • NOTE: Only those scholars with money will be allowed to participate.
  • Early Release Dismissal @ 1:15pm
  • No Aftercare
  • Building Closed @ 2:30pm
  • NOTE: The Camelback Staff will be celebrating and teambuilding during the afternoon. Our Front Office will be closed and we will not be offering Aftercare.

Thursday

  • Early Release Dismissal @ 1:15pm
  • Winter Showcase @ 5:30pm - Gym
  • 5:30 - 6:15pm
  • Kindergarten
  • 1st Grade
  • Ballet Performance
  • Performing Arts Club Performance
  • 6:45 - 7:30pm
  • 2nd Grade
  • 3rd - 8th Grades
  • Ballet Performance
  • Performing Arts Club Performance

Friday

  • Weekly Firebird Code Draw @ 8:30am
  • Early Release Dismissal @ 1:15pm

Ms. Martin showing off Ms. Tripp's class during our Firebird Guardian parent meeting this last week. The kids had a short preview of what to expect this week during our Winter Concert!

Thank you to everyone who participated in Spirit Week this past week! This scholar went all out on Grinch Day - Wear Green or Crazy Whoville Hair Day!

JUST A FRIENDLY REMINDER!

Friendly Reminders & Updates

Cell Phones

  • Scholars are NOT to have their cell phones while at school.  Students may bring them to school, but they must be put away in their backpacks during the school day.  The school is not held accountable for lost or damaged proptery.  Please see the Parent/Scholar Handbook should you have concerns about this policy. 

Lost & Found

  • Throughout the school year the Lost & Found can be found in front of our B Building during the week. Please take a minute or two to check it out and see if you find anything that might belong to your child. Please put your child’s name on their items if you’re afraid they might lose it.

Face Coverings & Social Distancing

  • As a reminder, all face masks are optional at this time for all scholars, staff and visitors while on campus. If the AMS Network makes any changes in our practice and/or expectations we will be sure to communicate it out to families as soon as possible.

Emergency Reminder

  • Safety continues to be a top priority for our school and the Academy of Mathematics & Science Network. We practice emergency responses throughout the year which include lockdown, evacuation, and shelter in place. With the new school year upon us, this may be an opportunity to have a conversation with your child about these types of drills and how you respond, as well as the parent reunification process in the event of an emergency. Camelback will be practicing many of our drills and will continue to do so throughout the school year. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher or the front office.

Front Office Reminders

  • We are asking that no students are signed out of school after 2:30pm. This will assist with end of day procedures and allow for our pick-up procedures in the parking lots to run smoothly and keep everyone safe.
  • Our front office is a walk-in office. We appreciate your respecting the privacy of others who are coming in to do business by limiting your time in that area, and keeping your phones and other electronic devices on vibrate.

Camelback Visitors

  • When coming onto our campus, please always enter through the main doors in the front of the school and sign in at the desk. Please refrain from entering through any other doors or gates or any other areas that may be open at the beginning or end of the school day. 

AMS Camelback Dress Code


Every day at Camelback is a Dress Code day; unless otherwise noted for a spirit day or special event. Please continue to work with your child to ensure they are meeting the expectations of the dress code.


Here is a link to the AMS Dress Code. Please contact the front office or your child's teacher if you have any questions.

Donations Needed for the Health Office

Our Health Office is in need of donations, we are specifically looking for new or gently used uniform clothes for students for all kinds of reasons. Specifically, we’re in need of new underwear and socks and new or gently used bottoms for students in grades PreK through 3rd grade. Accidents happen all the time and we want to be sure we’re prepared to get students changed and ready to return to class to be learners. 
Club and Sports Updates
Be sure to check back for the updated information coming soon, but be sure to check out some of the information about the following clubs and teams in our Back to School Welcome Packet!
  • Competitive Cheer
  • Flag Football - Grades 6-8
  • Volleyball - Grades 6-8
  • Competitive Robotics
  • Art Club
  • Broadcasting Club
  • Cheerleading Club
  • Choir
  • Creative Writers Club
  • Foreign Language Club - Spanish
  • Gardening Club
  • Homework/Tutoring Club
  • National Junior Honors Society
  • Student Council
  • Yearbook - Grades 6-8
  • SOAR Squad - Grades 6-8
AMS Camelback - Morning Announcements

More and more students are joining Mr. St.Germain every day, check out this week's special GUEST CELEBRITIES! All the kiddos are so excited to join Mr. St.Germain on the Morning Announcements!


Did you know we show a digital version of the Morning Announcements every day at Camelback? Right now, Mr. St.Germain is the one recording and sharing the morning announcements, but we'll be getting our Broadcasting Club up and running soon! If your child is looking to join the club be on the lookout for information coming soon!


Follow Mr.St.Germain's YouTube Channel is the meantime to stay up-to-date with what's being shared directly with our scholars every day!

School Calendar Save the Dates
2022-23 Calendar:

DECEMBER

  • Week of 12/18 - 1/2 - No School - Winter Recess

JANUARY

  • 1/3 - School Resumes for 3rd Quarter
  • 1/10 – Firebird Guardian Parent Meeting @ 6pm - Gym
  • 1/16 – No School – MLK Jr. Day
  • 1/18 - Kona Ice Sales
  • 1/18 - Kindergarten Enrollment Night for 2023-2024 School Year @ 5:30 - 7:30pm

FEBRUARY

  • 2/4 - First Annual Car/Vendor Fair @ 10am - 2pm - AMS Parking Lot & Gym
  • If you're interested in being a vendor or participating in the Car Show, please contact the office!
  • Week of 2/6 - Parent Teacher Conferences
  • Week of 2/6 - Spring Book Fair
  • 2/7 – Firebird Guardian Parent Meeting @ 6pm - Gym
  • 2/15 - Kona Ice Sales
  • 2/20 – No School – President’s Day
  • 2/28 - Family #PBIS(BINGO) Game Night @ 5:30 - 7:30pm - Gym

MARCH

  • 3/4 – AMS Job Fair Extravaganza @ 10 – 2pm – Desert Sky Campus
  • 3/7 – Firebird Guardian Parent Meeting @ 6pm - Gym
  • 3/15 - Kona Ice Sales
  • 3/17 - Spring Fling Middle School Dance @ 5:30 - 7:30pm – Gym
  • Week of 3/20 – No School – Spring Break

APRIL

  • 4/4 – Firebird Guardian Parent Meeting @ 6pm – Gym
  • 4/17 – Tax Day
  • 4/21 - Kindness ROCKS! Family Paint Night @ 5:30 - 7:30pm - Gym
  • 4/21 - Pizza w/ the Principal @ 6 - 7pm - Intervention Room
  • This is a new student orientation event!
  • 4/22 - Donuts w/ the Principal @ 9am - Gym
  • This is a new student orientation event!
  • 4/26 - Kona Ice Sales

MAY

  • 5/2 – Firebird Guardian Parent Meeting @ 6pm - Gym
  • 5/24 - Kona Ice Sales
  • 5/29 – No School – Memorial Day

JUNE

  • 6/2 - 8th Grade End of Year Dinner & Dance @ 5:30 - 7:30pm - Gym
  • 6/5 – Early Release Dismissal @ 1:15pm
  • 6/6 – Early Release Dismissal @ 1:15pm
  • 6/6 - Kona Ice Sales
  • 6/6 – 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony @ 6pm – Gym
  • 6/6 – TENTATIVE: Firebird Guardian Parent Meeting @ 6pm – Gym
  • 6/7 – Last Day of School Year
  • 6/7 – Early Release Dismissal @ 1:15pm
  • 6/24 - Summer Community Art Project @ 7 - 11am - Main Courtyard

JULY

  • 7/1 - Pastry & Packet Pick-up for 2023-2024 School Year @ 8 - 12pm
  • 7/4 – School Closed – 4th of July Holiday
  • 7/14 - Family Summer Dance @ 5:30 - 7:30pm
Connect with the AMS Camelback Office Team
623-547-5587

Connect with Principal St.Germain
Email
Facebook