Wednesday, July 30, 2025

Dear Middle School Parents,

I would like to welcome you to another year at AAMB! I sincerely hope you have had the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful weather this summer and spend time with family and friends.

To help ensure a smooth start to the school year, I have shared crucial middle school events and information below. I know you are receiving many school-related emails right now, so I wanted to keep this email strictly about middle school. 

Rebel, Set, Go!

Thursday, August 7th 12:00 - 5:00 pm

Friday, August 8th 9:00 - 3:00 pm

Mark your calendar for Rebel, Set, Go! This will be our first big school-wide welcome event, and will take place at each respective campus on August 7th from 12:00–5:00 pm and August 8th from 9:00 am–3:00 pm. You are welcome to come on the day and time that works best for your family. During this event, your child will have their school photo taken, so please ensure they wear a uniform shirt.

In addition to school photos, you can drop off school supplies and student medications, learn about extra-curricular activities, meet with our fabulous PTO, gain information on our Watch DOGS program, and more.

First Day of Middle School (Returning Students)

Friday, August 15th

We look forward to welcoming your student back to school on Friday, August 15th, for the first day of middle school. If you did not drop off supplies during Rebel, Set, Go, make sure your student brings them to school on the 15th. Carpool will be quick today, so please do not wait until 4 pm to pick up your student. We will still have you check in on the SDM app to help you and your student get back into the habit of carpool procedures.

MS Parent Preview Night (previously called Back to School Night)

Thursday, August 21st 5:00 - 6:00 pm

We’d like to welcome you to the third floor (the middle school hallway) for Parent Preview Night. You’ll be able to walk through your student’s schedule, meet their teachers, and explore the novels and curriculum your student will be working through this year. If possible, we’d love for your student to walk you through their day and introduce you to their teachers. There will not be formal presentations by teachers. If your student is unable to attend with you, we ask that you have their schedule with you, either on paper or pulled up in Infinite Campus on your phone so you know which teachers to meet.

High School Fair (coming soon)

End of September

We will be hosting a High School Fair at the end of September. More information will be sent out once the school year begins. This is a great time for 7th and 8th grade families to explore the many wonderful options available in Douglas County. Neighborhood, charter, and private schools will be in attendance to showcase their programs and offerings and answer your questions.

As we receive information about high school open house nights or showcase nights, we will share that information with you, as well. 

School Supplies

Supply lists are created based on what is needed for students to be successful every day in the classroom, while also considering cost and best practices for executive functioning. When purchasing school supplies, please follow the provided supply list. 

A significant change from previous years in middle school is the transition from the zipper binder to the 3-inch binder. Over the years, we have found that students are less inclined to immediately place papers in folders because they can simply zip up their binder and continue with their day. Unfortunately, this results in a disorganized mess in their binder. We have also noticed students keeping unnecessary items in their binders (snacks that turn to crumbs, toys, candy, five books), leaving no space for their novel for class, or their pencil pouch. This also leads to zippers failing or sticking more frequently. We hope this change will be more cost-effective for families and help support better organization and executive functioning for our students.

Summer Assignments

If your student hasn't started their summer English, History, and Math assignments, now is the time to get moving. Summer assignments are the first grades in the gradebook for these classes. Let's start the year strong!

Schedules Available in IC Soon

Our incredible team is working hard to finalize student schedules. Your student’s class schedule will be available for you to view in Infinite Campus on August 5th. A paper copy will be given to your student on Friday, August 15th.

Middle School Uniforms

Before we return to school in a couple of weeks, please make sure those uniform pieces are in good condition and the proper length. Skorts and shorts must be mid-thigh length or longer, and shirts must be long enough to stay tucked in. This applies to all students. 

Middle school students may wear AA spirit sweatshirts any day of the week with an AA polo shirt underneath. Spirit t-shirts are still only allowed on Fridays. This allows for a little more freedom and self-expression, which this age group craves, while still honoring our uniform policy.

Water Bottles

Please send your student with a reusable water bottle every day. If your student has a Stanley or tumbler, they need to have a leak-proof lid. The Stanley Flip-Straw Lid is an excellent option if your student cannot part ways with their Stanley. Unfortunately, water bottles and tumblers often get dropped or accidentally knocked over. Tumblers with regular straws spill easily and cause a huge mess. When spills occur in a hallway or science classroom, they pose a safety concern. Water bottles truly are the best option. We ask that any reusable items brought to school, such as water bottles, be labeled with your student’s name. These items are easily misplaced, and we’d love to be able to return them to their owner, saving you from having to buy yet another water bottle.

Cell Phones and Smart Watches

Cell phones and smart watches are not permitted in middle school. They must be powered off and stored in your student’s locker during the school day. Once in the cafeteria for afternoon carpool (not the hallways), your student may quickly take out their cell phone and check to see if you messaged them with any changes to pick up.

Cell phones and smartwatches found in a student’s binder, laptop case, or pockets will be confiscated and must be picked up from the front office at the end of the school day. 

Lockers

Your student will be given their locker assignment on Friday, August 15th. Students are expected to keep their backpacks, cellphones, smart watches, lunch boxes, and extra supplies in their lockers at all times. During lunch, students must place their binder and laptop in their locker. Students are expected to keep their lockers neat and clean, and locker checks will take place once a week during Study Hall. This ensures their locker is free of trash and food. Science experiments are fantastic, but not in lockers.

Students are permitted to decorate the inside of their lockers with temporary decorations only. Photos may be hung with magnets or Teacher’s Tape, which we have at school. Wallpaper, even removable wallpaper, is not permitted. 

Please remind your student not to share their locker combination with other students and not to intentionally jam their locker, preventing it from locking. This is the same as giving your friend a key to your house or leaving your house unlocked- anyone can enter and take your belongings. There will be consequences for students who intentionally jam their lockers repeatedly.

Middle School Sports, ECAs, and Student Council

Getting involved at school is a great way to help build a sense of belonging. While this is something we strive to do during the school day, getting involved in sports, ECAs, and Student Council adds to the middle school experience and deepens that sense of belonging. 

ECAs will be added to the School Store throughout the school year.

Student Council is run by middle school students with the guidance of two of our fantastic middle school teachers. Student Council is responsible for planning middle school dances, Haunted Hallway, middle school student recognition throughout the year, and much more. Once school starts, your student will hear about Student Council and how to join.

Fall middle school sports are already available on the School Store. We offer several options each season.

Fall: Coed Cross Country, Boys Soccer, Girls Volleyball 

Winter: Boys Basketball (late October - December), Girls Basketball (January - beginning of March)

Spring: Boys Volleyball, Girls Soccer, Coed Flag Football

One-to-One Laptops

Your student will be bringing home their One-to-One Laptop on Friday, August 15th. A member of our IT department will be speaking with all 7th and 8th grade students during the day about laptop expectations.

The laptop is to stay in the school-provided case at all times, and the charger is to remain at home. While we have a charging closet at school in the event a student forgets to charge at night, this should be rarely used. A fully charged laptop WILL last the entire day. If your student has any issues with their One-to-One Laptop, they need to visit the IT office on the 2nd floor. 

These devices are for school-related purposes. We tell students all the time that they are a tool, not a toy. When they are used as a toy instead of their intended purpose, they can be taken away. 

Your Middle School Student is Amazing! Seriously!

I share this article every year because it sums up this age group very well. I hope you take the time to read it, even if you did last year. You may have an ah-ha moment!

https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/17/health/middle-school-children-wellness/index.html

Our team is looking forward to a great school year and can’t wait for the smiles and laughter to be back in the building!

In partnership,

April

April Winder

Middle School Principal, Motsenbocker

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

American Academy

Motsenbocker Campus

P: 720-292-5692

[email protected]

Upcoming Events
Aug 7th	Rebel, Set, Go! 12-5pm
Aug 8th	Rebel, Set, Go! 9am-5pm
Aug 14th	6th Grade and New 7th/8th Grade Student Orientation (full school day)
Aug 15th	First full day of middle school!
Aug 18th	First day of elementary school
Aug 21st	Middle School Parent Preview Night 5-6pm
Sep 1st	Labor Day - No School

For more event dates, please visit the Event Calendar on www.aak8.org. For questions or concerns about an event date, please contact Michele Quintana.