Weekly Message | January 2, 2023

Principal Message

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


Wishing all of the Camelback families out there a Happy New Year today! We can't wait to get back to work on Tuesday January 3rd when school resumes. We have so much to be thankful for from 2022, but we can't wait to see what 2023 will bring us. Thank you for always being there and supporting us as we work to provide an extraordinary learning experience for your children. Our Middle School teachers have been hard at work planning for some big changes we're implementing this week and we couldn't be more thrilled about the changes. Parents, you'll be learning more about these changes in a special message scheduled for tomorrow morning. The entire Camelback staff is excited and recharged to get back to work and bring you the best education possible, we can't wait to get 2023 started! We finished 2022 with a wonderful Winter Concert and we couldn't have been happier about seeing all of our students perform. This semester you can expect more of the same, we're going to continue to look for ways to show off and celebrate our students in the areas of The 3 A's - Academics, Athletics and the Arts. And don't forget, January means Re-Enrollment for next school year. 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 2nd Calendar of Events

Monday

  • No School - New Year's Day

Tuesday

  • School Resumes
  • Hip Hop Club @ 4:00pm

Wednesday

  • Early Release Dismissal @ 1:15pm
  • Yearbook Club @ 1:15pm

Thursday

  • Ballet Club @ 4pm

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.

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:

JANUARY

  • 1/9 - Re-Enrollment for 2023-2024 begins!
  • Be sure to complete this important process to ensure you have your spot reserved for next school year.
  • 1/10 – Firebird Guardian Parent Meeting @ 6pm - Gym
  • 1/12 - Peter Piper Pizza Family Night @ 4-8pm - 67th Ave Location
  • 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
  • 1/24 – Kindergarten Semester 1 Honor’s Assembly @ 8:30am – Gym
  • 1/24 – 1st & 2nd Grades Semester 1 Honor’s Assembly @ 5:30pm – Gym
  • 1/25 – Early Release PD – In Person Training for iReady
  • 1/26 – 5th & 6th Grades Semester 1 Honor’s Assembly @ 8:30am – Gym
  • 1/26 – 7th & 8th Grades Semester 1 Honor’s Assembly @ 5:30pm – Gym
  • 1/27 – 3rd & 4th Grades Semester 1 Honor’s Assembly @ 8:30am – Gym
  • 1/31 - Firebird Guardian Parent Meeting @ 6pm – Gym

FEBRUARY

  • 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
  • 2/20 – 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
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