Apopka Memorial Middle School Community Brief
Monday, July 26, 2021
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AMMS Community Member,
The beginning of a new school year is almost here! I am excited to see all the smiling faces of our students and help them start on their new school year journey. This issue contains a lot of great information about our start to the school year. If you can’t find your answers here, you can always email and ask whatever questions you may have: apopka_ms@ocps.net
As you probably know by now, face masks are optional this school year. If you are interested in the updated OCPS safety measures, you can read about them here: OCPS Health and Safety Manual
I have good news to share! All of our students will continue to receive FREE breakfast and lunch this school year. You should still fill out a Free/Reduced Lunch application with the district in order to qualify for other services, but it is not required for this school year.
As I think about this time of the year and getting ready for a new school year, I remember being excited to start back to school. I always loved shopping for new clothes and buying school supplies! I just loved new backpacks and notebooks! I did a little research and found some other reasons our students should be excited to go back to school. Here are some from sweetyhigh.com and odyssey.com
- You get a fresh start. Be a new person and have a clean slate. Make some goals for yourself to work harder or stay out of trouble.
- Say goodbye to summer boredom. No more wondering what you are going to do today!
- You get to see your friends again! After a year of online school and wearing masks, it will be exciting to see everyone in person.
- There will be a whole lot of new people to meet and get to know. Making new friends is fun!
- Take advantage of new back to school clothes and supplies.
- You will have clubs and activities or sports teams to try out for and games to attend.
- New curriculum to learn and ideas to think about!
- You will get all new teachers to learn from and get to know.
I know I am excited to see all the teachers and staff and we will all be ready to meet our students on August 10th!
Keep an eye out for more information next week,
Dr. Pelletier
Pictured very top: Students, parents, and staff from AMMS visiting Washington D.C. Our students walked the hallways of the Capitol where current and past politicians have changed the world, they visited the Arlington National Cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknowns, and explored the amazing exhibits in the Smithsonian Museums. This was so much more than a history trip. Students gained a deeper understanding of our history, considered the consequences of politicians’ choices, and discovered the American story. Most importantly they were able to build relationships with students from all over the U.S. More photos in the Student corner showing the different places they visited. Location of photo: Washington Monument.
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Monday, August 2nd: School Counselors and Teachers return to school
Wednesday, August 4th: Open Campus for 7th and 8th grade students
Thursday, August 5th: Open Campus for 6th grade students
Tuesday, August 10th: First day of school for students
Monday, September 6th: Labor Day Holiday
Tuesday, September 14th: School Advisory Council meeting at 5:30 and PTSA at 6:30
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Below are some fun holidays that you can celebrate with your families at home. Maybe post a picture or video and add a hashtag so all Seahawks can see them!
- #AMMS20-21 #Nationalholidays #Socialdistancing #bettertogether
- Follow us on Facebook AMMSPTSA & on Twitter @ApopkaMS_OCPS
July
National Ice Cream Month
7/25/21- National Parents’ Day
7/26/21- One Voice Day
7/27/21- National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day
7/28/21- Buffalo Soldiers Day
7/29/21- International Tiger Day
7/30/21- National Support Public Education Day
7/31/21- World Ranger Day
August
Back to School Month
National Eye Exam Month
National Immunization Awareness Month
August 1-7: International Assistance Dog Week
8/1/21- National Friendship. Girlfriend, & Sisters Day
8/3/21- National Watermelon Day
8/4/21- U.S. Coast Guards Birthday
8/5/21- Work Like a Dog Day
8/6/21- Cycle to Work Day
8/7/21- National Lighthouse Day
8/8/21- Happiness Happens Day
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* Looking for an email address? Click here to access our staff list, responsibilities and email addresses. |
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The Squawk’s Summer Break Parent Poll |
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Please take a moment to fill out a 3 question AMMS Seahawks survey. We need your feedback to improve each issue and strengthen community support. Thank you!
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Every student in grades 6-12 was issued their report card on July 13. We anticipate receiving the state End-of-Course Exam scores from the Florida Department of Education around July 31. An updated report card will be issued once the district receives the scores.
As a reminder, a state End-of-Course Exam will not impact a final course grade, unless it improves the grade.
Report cards can be viewed using Skyward Family Access, which is under Quick Links on the OCPS home page. If you have any questions, or would like the report card emailed to you, please email: molly.mcardle@ocps.net
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Highlights of students, parents, and staff from AMMS visiting Washington D.C. Our students walked the hallways of the Capitol where current and past politicians have changed the world, they visited the Arlington National Cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknowns, and explored the amazing exhibits in the Smithsonian Museums.
This was so much more than a history trip! Students gained a deeper understanding of our history, considered the consequences of politicians’ choices, and discovered the American story. Most importantly they were able to build relationships with students from all over the U.S.
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Back to School Information |
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Open Campus Events
Come to campus and walk your schedule, meet your teachers and get a feel for our school. Your student schedules are available in Skyward now. Please know these are draft schedules and may change before the 1st day of school. All students will get a copy of their schedule on the first day of school in their homeroom classroom. Homerooms will only be for 15 minutes and room assignments will be posted on the first day of school.
Open Campus for 7th and 8th graders is on Wednesday, Aug. 4th from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. 6th graders will have an orientation at 4:30 pm in the auditorium on Thursday, Aug. 5th and then can walk campus. If you need a paper copy of your schedule, you can pick one up in the auditorium on both nights.
** If you join the PTSA online or in person on Open Campus day, you can come early at 3:30 pm. For 6th graders, you can enter the auditorium and get preferential seating. Join here: https://ammsseahawksfl.memberhub.com/store
Click on the flyer for more information:
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* PLEASE READ IF YOU ARE REQUESTING A SCHEDULE CHANGE *
Schedules will only be considered for a change if -
* The student has already taken/passed a course listed on their schedule
* The student cannot take PE due to a medical condition
* Participating in Band, Chorus or Orchestra would result in a financial burden
* The student is in regular-level courses and would like to be considered for advanced-level courses or vice-versa
* The student has a period with no class listed
* The student was accepted into a program, but the course is not in their schedule (AVID, STEM Engineering, STEM Medical)
Change requests which will NOT be considered include -
* Wanting to switch classes to different periods
* Wanting a different lunch session
* Wanting a PE waiver because the student participates in physical activities outside of the school day
If you have met any of the conditions for an acceptable schedule change request, please email your grade level counselor and list up to 5 choices for what you would prefer to take. At this time, the following classes currently have limited availability:
Foundations in Agriscience (for 8th graders only - you must have taken and passed Ag. 1 and/or Ag 2 with a "B")
Art
Band
Chorus
Beginning Spanish
Spanish 1 (you must have taken and passed Beginning Spanish with a "B" last school year)
Orchestra
Theater
As of now, the following classes are closed:
ICT 1 (Computer course)
ICT 2 (Computer course)
Ag 1
Ag 2
Please email your grade level counselors:
PLEASE READ - Schedules are subject to change, as we look at this year's FSA scores, and as we balance classes.
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Back to School Physicals information
Please click here for more details and locations for the Back to School Physicals (below is only a partial image; ends July 29)
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Pre-Order your 2021-2022 Yearbooks NOW (saves $$)
You can pre-order your yearbook now at the Back-to-School pricing of $35.00. Go to the SchoolPay website to order yours now. Welcome to SchoolPay!
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IMPORTANT REMINDERS for rising 7th grade students |
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The State of Florida requires all students entering 7th grade for the 2021-2022 school year need to have a Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) booster. The immunization must be documented by a health care professional on a Florida Certification of Immunization (680) form. Please send in your updated immunization form to the front desk.
Please be advised if your student does not turn in an updated 680 form, he/she will not receive a schedule for the new school year until one is received.
If you have additional questions, please call the school office at (407) 884-2208 ext. 5002232.
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PTSA is still looking to fill 2 board positions for the 2021-2022 school year. We are looking for a Treasurer and a Secretary. We cannot move forward with this school year without these positions filled. If you are interested and have a few moments of your time, our PTSA President Julie Brody would be glad to speak with you regarding the small requirements to fulfill one of these positions. Please consider the joy you would bring to the faculty and students. Please email AMMSPTSApresident@gmail.com
PTSA will be hosting early entry and preferred seating to the 2021-2022 Open Campus event.
Date: August 4th
7th and 8th grade-
PTSA will have early access to your student's schedules in the Auditorium from 3:30pm-4:30pm, by purchasing a PTSA Membership for $10.00 per membership.
Date: August 5th
6TH Grade-
PTSA will have early Preferred Seating access for the 6th grade Orientation in the Auditiorium from 3:30pm- 4:30pm, by purchasing a PTSA Membership for $10.00 per membership.
You can purchase the PTSA Membership in advance by using this link to Memberhub with debit or credit card payment.
You can purchase at the door with check or cash on the day of both events.
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Apopka Memorial Middle School
2021-2022 Generic School Supply List
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Sales tax break on school supplies* |
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* During this period, shoppers can avoid paying sales taxes on clothes costing $60 or less, school supplies costing $15 or less and the first $1,000 of the price of personal computers. Source: Florida Dept. of Revenue
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1) Face Mask Policy:
The School Board voted to make face coverings optional for the 2021-22 school year. The policy changes take effect on school campuses including buses Aug. 2, 2021, and immediately at all non-school facilities.
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2) OCPS Community Update released July 15, 2021 by Superintendent Jenkins:
Topics Include:
- Face masks optional
- Vaccinations
- School Meet Your Teacher events
- ADDitions Volunteers
- Kindergarten registration
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3) Regina L. Hill and City of Orlando Back to School Event: |
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4) Goodwill Neighborhood Centers:
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5) Rental assistance legal support (eviction moratorium ends July 31):
* There is also one more special event remaining next Saturday, July 31 (details below).
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Food for Thought . . .
Please keep up with your summer reading and stay safe when outdoors Seahawks!
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2) Use caution when outdoors this summer:
Source: USA Today
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3) July is National Ice Cream Month and chocolate is #1 with most Americans:
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4) Countries with most Olympic gold medals over time:
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Have a great week Seahawks!
Dr. Pelletier, Principal
Apopka Memorial Middle School
Monday, July 26, 2021
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This communication may contain information that is legally privileged, confidential or exempt from disclosure, and intended only for the use of the addressee(s) named above. If you are not the intended recipient, please note that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. Anyone who receives this message in error should notify the sender immediately by telephone or by return e-mail, and delete the message from their computer and any printout thereof. Please note that OCPS utilizes spam and junk e-mail filtration applications in its e-mail systems. That filtering process may prevent or delay delivery of certain e-mail communications. If you do not receive a timely response to an e-mail communication, please contact the intended recipient by phone. |
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Copyright Notice
Reproduction of this material, either written or electronically, including the general layout, graphics, analyses, and content topics without the express approval of Target Performance Systems, Inc., a Florida corporation, and OCPS - Apopka Memorial Middle School is forbidden without written consent. Thank you for your support of the Orange County Public Schools and especially Apopka Memorial Middle School. Please contact Dr. Kelly Pelletier at 7216@ocps.net with any questions related to the program.
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Apopka Memorial Middle | Dr. Pelletier, Principal | 407.884-2208 | AMMS Website
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