Weekly Message | January 9, 2023

Principal Message

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

What a way to celebrate together as a community! We still can't believe the unbelievable turnout on Thursday night at our first Peter Piper Pizza Family Night!! I think there still might be a line around the building. This is just one example of all the support we continue to get from our families and our community and we couldn't be more thankful. We strive to provide an extraordinary experience for all of our students and we couldn't do it without your support. This past week our students began their middle of the year iReady testing and our teachers have some new data to dive into. We're also amping up for our Semester 1 Honor's Assessmblies scheduled for the week of January 23rd; be sure to be on the look out for an invitation if your child is being recoginized.

We're already one week into RE-ENROLLMENT for next school year, this is an important process that all of our families must complete to gaurantee your place next school year. Please know, we currently have waitlists at multiple grades so please complete this process and do it quickly, you only have until January 27th. We'll be providing lots of opportunities to work with you on campus if you need help, but don't hesitate to reach out to your child's teacher or the front office for assistance. We know you have many choices out there, but we want you to continue to choose us. If there is anything we can do to assist you at any time, please always reach out directly to the Front Office and our team will get you connected with the right staff member.

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

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 January 16th Calendar of Events

Monday

No School - Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Tuesday

Hip Hop Club @ 4:00pm
Student Council @ 4:00pm
Girls Basketball Game vs. SYNERGY @ 4:30pm - SYNERGY Gym 2701 W. Bethany Home Rd.

Wednesday

Kona Ice Sales
Early Release Dismissal @ 1:15pm
Yearbook Club @ 1:15pm
Kindergarten Enrollment Night for 2023-2024 School Year @ 5:30 - 7:30pm

Thursday

Ballet Club @ 4:00pm
Anime Club @ 4:00pm
Girls Basketball Game vs. SYNERGY @ 4:30pm - SYNERGY Gym 2701 W. Bethany Home Rd.
Boys Basketball Game vs. SYNERGY @ 5:30pm - SYNERGY Gym 2701 W. Bethany Home Rd.

Friday

Weekly Firebird Code Draw @ 8:30am

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.

Ms. Ahumada's Class Performs at Firebird Guardian's Meeting

We were thrilled to see Ms. Ahumada's 1st grade class perform at this month's Firebird Guardian Parent Meeting. Our young scholars are ready for the big stage, that is for sure!

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.

Camelback SWAG Sales

Have you ordered your SWAG yet? Our pre-orders are being filled this week and if you didn't order, you can stop into the school and place your order! Our Front Office staff can assist you with getting your order placed and filled quickly!

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

Peter Piper Pizza Family Night - January 2023

Thank you to everyone who came out for Peter Piper Pizza Family Night on Thursday 1/12! We had a huge turnout and we can't wait to hear how much we were able to raise for the school. Even Mr. St.Germain got in on the fun and worked behind the counter!

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:

JANUARY

1/24 – Kindergarten Semester 1 Honor’s Assembly @ 8:30am – Gym
1/24 – 1^st & 2^nd Grades Semester 1 Honor’s Assembly @ 5:30pm – Gym
1/25 – Early Release PD – In Person Training for iReady
1/26 – 5^th & 6^th Grades Semester 1 Honor’s Assembly @ 8:30am – Gym
1/26 – 7^th & 8^th Grades Semester 1 Honor’s Assembly @ 5:30pm – Gym
1/26 - Boys Basketball Game vs. Riverbend @ 5:30pm - AMS Camelback Gym
1/27 – 3^rd & 4^th Grades Semester 1 Honor’s Assembly @ 8:30am – Gym
1/31 - Girls Basketball Game vs. Pensar @ 4:30pm - AMS Camelback Gym
1/31 - Boys Basketball Game vs. Pensar @ 5:30pm - AMS Camelback Gym
1/31 - Firebird Guardian Parent Meeting @ 6pm – Gym

FEBRUARY

2/2 - Girls Basketball Game vs. Synergy @ 4:30pm - AMS Camelback Gym
2/2 - Boys Basketball Game vs. Synergy @ 5:30pm - AMS Camelback Gym
Week of 2/6 - Spring Book Fair
Week of 2/6 - Parent Teacher Conferences
Monday 2/6 – Regular Dismissal
Tuesday 2/7 – Early Release Dismissal
Wednesday 2/8 – Early Release Dismissal
Thursday 2/9 – Early Release Dismissal
Friday 2/10 – Early Release Dismissal
2/7 – Firebird Guardian Parent Meeting @ 6pm - Gym
2/11 - 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!
2/15 - Kona Ice Sales
2/16 - Girls Basketball Game vs. Pensar @ 4:30pm - AMS Camelback Gym
2/16 - Boys Basketball Game vs. Pensar @ 5:30pm - AMS Camelback Gym
2/20 – No School – President’s Day
2/27 - Girls Basketball Playoff Game @ 4:15pm - Higher Seed will be Home
2/27 - Boys Basketball Playoff Game @ 5:30pm - Higher Seed will be Home
2/28 - Boys Basketball Playoff Game(If Necessary) @ 5:30pm - Higher Seed will be Home
2/28 - Family #PBIS(BINGO) Game Night @ 5:30 - 7:30pm - Gym

MARCH

3/2 - Girls Basketball Playoff Game(If Necessary) @ 5:15pm
3/3 - Girls Basketball Playoff Game(If Necessary) @ 4:15pm
3/3 - Girls Basketball Playoff Game(If Necessary) @ 5:15pm
3/4 – AMS Job Fair Extravaganza @ 10 – 2pm – Desert Sky Campus
3/6 - Girls Basketball Championship Game(If Necessary) @ 5pm
3/6 - Boys Basketball Championship Game(If Necessary) @ 6:45pm
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 – 8^th 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 – 4^th 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