Weekly Message | October 2, 2022

Principal Message

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


We can't wait to see everyone this week as we welcome all of our families onto campus for Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences.  All of our teachers should have already communicated and scheduled with you or provided you the open times available.  We'll be releasing early this week at 1:15pm Tuesday through Friday.  Please know it's our goal to participate in 100% voice-to-voice conferences.  This means if you can't make it into the school; we still want to see you and speak with you about your child's progress.  October may be a spooky month but these conferences aren't!  We have our Interim Assessment data to share, DIBELS reading data, and of course our first quarter report cards.  We can't wait to work directly with you to ensure all of our students are growing and meeting their learning targets.


We also have a few safety reminders for everyone; here 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.  Also, as a reminder, our school day ends at 3:15pm.  This means learning will continue for all students until 3:15pm, with the changes we instituted this past week to arrival and dismissal, some of our scholars are still getting used to working until 3:15pm, please remind your child of this expectation.  Also, 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

7th Grade Science Class


Our 7th graders had an up close and personal view of a cow heart this past week!  All of our students were able to take a turn identifying the parts and labeling their notes.  Thank You to Ms. Frank for bringing it in so our scholars could experience it firsthand.

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 October 2nd Calendar of Events

Monday

  • Parent Teacher Conference Week Begins
  • Ballet Club @ 3:15pm

Tuesday

  • Fall Picture Day - This is a School Uniform Photo
  • Be sure to check out the packet that was sent home last week.
  • Early Release Dismissal @ 1:15pm
  • Parent Teacher Conferences

Wednesday

  • Early Release Dismissal @ 1:15pm
  • Parent Teacher Conferences

Thursday

  • Early Release Dismissal @ 1:15pm
  • Parent Teacher Conferences

Friday

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

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. 

Thank you for your suppport families!  We greatly reduced the number of visits to the Health Office this week; keep up the support and we'll be sure everyone is safe!

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

COMING SOON - SPIRIT SHIRT SALES


More information to come soon, look for a flyer to come home with how to purchase online!

AMS Camelback - Morning Announcements

More and more students are joining Mr. St.Germain every day, check out this week's special GUEST CELEBRITIES from Ms. Cheshire's classroom! 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:

OCTOBER

10/11 - Monthly Firebird Guardian Parent Meeting @ 6pm - Gym

10/12 - Kona Ice Sales @ 12:30pm - Front of School

Week of 10/17 - No School - Fall Break

  • NOTE: Front Office will be closed

Week of 10/24 - Fall Scholastic Book Fair

10/28 - Monster Mash(K-8 Family Dance & Costume Contest) @ 5:30 - 7:30pm - Gym

11/23 - Kona Ice Sales @ 12:30pm - Front of School

12/14 - Kona Ice Sales @ 12:30pm - Front of School

1/18 - Kona Ice Sales @ 12:30pm - Front of School

2/15 - Kona Ice Sales @ 12:30pm - Front of School

3/15 - Kona Ice Sales @ 12:30pm - Front of School

4/26 - Kona Ice Sales @ 12:30pm - Front of School

5/24 - Kona Ice Sales @ 12:30pm - Front of School

6/6 - Kona Ice Sales @ 12:30pm - Front of School

Connect with the AMS Camelback Office Team
623-547-5587

Connect with Principal St.Germain
Email
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